4-minute read
I’m a huge baseball fan. I grew up spending every summer day and night watching games with my dad, who loved teaching me the ins and outs of the sport. Heck, my first words were “Go Pete,” and few things made my dad, a die-hard Big Red Machine fan, happier.
The passing of the great Dave Parker over the weekend has me, like many others, remembering “The Cobra.” Wow- could he play! He could hit. He could defend, and for years, he was the best in MLB. The 1978 NL MVP and three-time Gold Glove winner was the ultimate five-tool player. That got me thinking about the surprising parallels between baseball and fundraising.
At first glance, they seem like opposites. One is mission-driven and people-centered; the other is bats, gloves, and stats. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that in both success rarely happens overnight. It’s about showing up every day, adjusting your approach based on what the game (or donor) throws at you, knowing your strengths, and celebrating the wins both big and small.
Whether you’re stepping up to the plate for your annual campaign or aiming for a grand slam with a capital campaign, here are three ways fundraising mirrors America’s favorite pastime:
1. Sometimes You Just Need to Get on Base
My dad always said, “You don’t have to swing for the fences, Danielle. Sometimes you just need a base hit.” Singles, walks, and sacrifice plays win the game. The same is true in fundraising. That first-time donor who gave $10? That’s someone saying, “I believe in your mission.” A modest monthly gift? It represents someone’s ongoing commitment to making a difference.
Progress in fundraising isn’t always loud or dramatic. Most times it is a slow build with just one relationship at a time. But small wins add up, and when we honor every gesture of generosity, we create a culture of gratitude that keeps donors coming back.
Sure, celebrate the home runs. But never overlook the base hits. Because in fundraising, as in baseball, consistency wins. This is exactly how Charlie Hustle did it.
2. Every Player Has a Position
In baseball, success depends on everyone knowing their position and playing it well. Each player has a specific job that contributes to the team’s success, and when everyone executes their role with confidence and skill magic happens.
The same principle applies to fundraising. It’s easy to think fundraising is all about “the ask,” the truth is that asking takes up less than 5% of our time. Behind every ask is a team of storytellers, grant writers, data managers, event planners, board leaders, volunteers and more.
When you take the time to identify each team member’s strengths, you build a more confident, efficient, and motivated team. No one feels like they’re being asked to do something they’re not equipped for or good at. Instead, they’re empowered to do what they do best. Just ask Craig Biggio what it was like to move from catcher to second base!
Ultimately, great fundraising teams operate like great baseball teams: everyone understands the game plan, trusts their teammates, and plays their part. When the right people are in the right positions, they’re not just playing. They’re playing to win.
3. Stats Matter
Baseball is a numbers game. Coaches obsess over stats- batting averages, earned run averages, on-base percentages, and RBIs. These numbers tell a story, and they guide strategy and decisions. They reveal strengths, expose weaknesses, and help guide decisions on everything from the lineup to pitching rotations.
Fundraising is no different. While the heart of our work is rooted in relationships, data is what keeps us sharp and strategic. Metrics like donor retention, conversion rates, average gift size, and donor lifetime value offer a clear view into how your fundraising efforts are performing.
Is your average gift growing? Are first-time donors returning? Are appeals converting? This data reveals trends, flags issues, uncovers opportunities, and allows you to make informed adjustments, and celebrate progress with confidence. Just as a coach uses stats to decide who to send to the plate, smart fundraisers use data to determine where to focus time and energy. In both baseball and fundraising, knowing your stats is key to playing a smarter game.
Dave Parker batted third most of career for a reason- home runs!
The Takeway
Fundraising isn’t about hitting home runs every time. It’s about showing up to the field consistently. It’s about knowing your strengths and celebrating even the smallest victories along the way. It’s about knowing that momentum builds slowly, one base at a time through relationships, trust, and persistence.
Some days, you’ll feel like you’re stuck in a slump. Other days, you’ll knock it out of the park. But every inning counts. Every base hit moves the mission forward. And when your team is aligned, focused, and playing from the heart, something truly magical happens.
RIP, Dave Parker. You leave behind a legacy of courage and leadership. Cooperstown will hear me cheering you big on July 27!