Have nonprofit organizations trained donors to think that their donation one year will make perpetual change in the organization regardless if they give again. Said differently, if I donate $100 this year do I feel that the organization will be better off today and the next year and the year after if I do nothing else? I fall into this trap, feeling like I have made a donation last year so I can skip a year of support and get back to the organization at a later date. I know that my previous contribution has been spent and its benefits realized. Perhaps the impact of the gift had an extended half-life but the reality is the organization most likely has a cash flow requirement and much of it is predicated on the assumption that a series of donors will repeat their habit of giving on an annual basis.

So what if I am not ready for the commitment or need a different way of funding an organization or project. Perhaps a limited engagement is a better option. The following article in the NY Times caught my eye today since it is all about funding installations that are temporary in nature and design.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/technology/start-ups/25kick.html

Are we communicating clearly with our donors and supporters? Are we providing the right opportunities for their funding?