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Well-Being During Tough Times. Taking Care While Giving

Well-being

When the world feels uncertain, fundraisers often carry more than just income targets on their shoulders. They carry hope, urgency, and the weight of a mission that matters. But who cares about the well-being for the carers?

In difficult economic and political climates—when donor behaviour becomes unpredictable and causes feel more urgent than ever—fundraisers find themselves working harder to maintain support, keep morale up, and hit goals that suddenly feel out of reach. It’s easy to slip into overdrive, burning the candle at both ends for the sake of your cause.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Whether you’re leading a major gifts program, running donor care, or managing appeals, your well-being is not optional—it’s essential. Here’s how fundraisers can protect their mental, emotional, and professional health in challenging times:

1. Acknowledge the Pressure

You’re not imagining it—fundraising is harder in tough economic times. Donors may give less or pause giving altogether. Campaigns may underperform. Budgets may tighten.

Give yourself permission to acknowledge the stress. Ignoring it or pretending you’re fine doesn’t make it go away. It only builds. Speaking honestly with peers or supervisors can create space for shared solutions—and empathy.

2. Set (and Defend) Your Boundaries

In pressure-filled environments, it’s easy to work longer hours, take on extra tasks, and say “yes” to everything. But burnout is not a badge of honor.

  • Create clear work hours—and stick to them.
  • Don’t check work emails after a set time.
  • Use your annual leave. You’ve earned it.
  • Say no when your plate is full.

Boundaries are a kindness to yourself and to your team. They set a culture where well-being is respected.

3. Talk to Your Manager (Even If It’s Awkward)

If expectations are too high or targets feel impossible given the climate, say something. Chances are your leadership team may be just as worried—and unsure how to adjust.

Approach the conversation with data and clarity:

  • Share how giving trends have shifted
  • Highlight what’s realistic vs. aspirational
  • Suggest new strategies or timelines that are more sustainable

Tough conversations are better than burnout.

4. Lean on Your Community

Fundraisers thrive in community. Whether it’s an internal team or a professional network, connect with others who understand the pressures you’re facing.

Try:

  • Attending a local Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) event
  • Joining online groups or Slack channels
  • Creating a mini support circle of fundraising peers

Sometimes, just hearing “me too” can be the reset you need.

5. Reconnect With Your ‘Why’—Not Just Your ‘What’

Tough times can make the work feel transactional—like you’re just chasing dollars. Take time to reconnect with the mission that made you a fundraiser in the first place.

  • Read a beneficiary story
  • Visit a program site
  • Talk to someone whose life was changed

Purpose is a powerful antidote to pressure. Remind yourself that your work matters—even when results are slow or hard to measure.

6. Invest in Self Well-Being

Self-care isn’t just yoga and bubble baths. It’s about building daily habits that support your mental and physical health.

  • Prioritise sleep, hydration, and movement
  • Start your day with something grounding (not email)
  • Try mindfulness, journaling, or therapy if you need more support
  • Take breaks—real ones

A well-supported fundraiser is a more effective fundraiser.

7. Adjust Strategies Without Losing Heart

Yes, things are harder. But that doesn’t mean they’re hopeless. This is the time to innovate, test, pivot, and collaborate. What worked before may not work now—but something else might.

  • Try donor surveys to understand current sentiment
  • Focus on stewardship over solicitation
  • Build flexibility into your fundraising calendar

You’re not failing—you’re adapting.

Final Thought

Fundraisers are resilient, passionate, and endlessly resourceful. But that doesn’t mean you’re invincible.

You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to reset. You are allowed to ask for help.

The work is important—but so are you.

If you’re a leader of fundraisers, now’s the time to check in with your team. Ask what they need. Celebrate progress, not just outcomes. Create a culture where well-being is seen as a strength, not a weakness.

💬 What’s one thing you’ll do this week to protect your own energy?