Ending our Engagement
by Barbara Barron | 11.17.21

As I progress as an advancement consultant, I am becoming more familiar with engagements that end. Or need to.

Most are because the project for which I’ve been retained has happily and successfully concluded. The goals were met and the organization is better for the work. The school has expanded its capacity to do what it does really well and is better able to fully deliver on the promise of its mission. The staff and volunteers have also expanded their capacity. Those are my favorite endings. But even they have a smidge of bittersweetness. But as I say goodbye, that sip of celebratory champagne is delicious!

Other engagements end because there is an internal change of staff and occasionally, of leadership. These are harder because the change creates a level of chaos that slows or even derails the project for a time. But it happens. Nobody stays in a job forever. And it’s rare to do so simply because a fundraising project is in the works.

But the ending of engagements that are the hardest for me are the ones that I choose to end.

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My name is Barbara Barron, and I’ve been working in the field of Independent School Advancement for nearly 20 years.

In that time, I’ve had the pleasure of creating and implementing successful Strategic Fundraising Plans for so many incredible schools. I’ve had the privilege of seeing real growth at The Carey School, Marin Primary & Middle School, Woodside Priory, Crystal Springs, Presidio Knolls and others. (Maybe we’ve met!)

I am proud to have raised over $20 million for schools where I have served as Director of Development.

I am honored to be a New York Times bestselling author, as well as speaker, and presenter who currently advises dozens of schools in various capacities. One of my favorite parts of the job is maintaining my "advancement blog", with my writing widely shared by professionals in development offices worldwide.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a struggling school start to thrive. My hope is that you’re here to make a positive change as well. I hope my advice can be a part of that change.

Shoot me an e-mail if you want to swap tips, or share your voice here.

Let’s do this, together.