Bridging Divides in Fundraising: Lessons from Braver Angels

When Politics Enters the Fundraising Room

It’s no secret: politics feels heavier with every election year. Families fracture over election results. Friends stop speaking. Holiday tables sit emptier.

As fundraisers, we often can’t escape that tension. Sometimes we’re working for organizations whose missions are politically charged. Sometimes we’re raising money for causes that shouldn’t feel partisan but still get caught in the crossfire.

And yet, what if we could lean into those moments—not with fear, but with skill and courage?

That’s exactly the work of Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to bridging the political divide through respectful dialogue. In this conversation, Dawn Strauss, their Director of Development, shared why this work matters so deeply for fundraisers like us.

The Cost of Division

One of Dawn’s first donor conversations at Braver Angels stuck with her.

A supporter shared that after the 2016 election, her three children stopped coming to Thanksgiving. One refused to let her see her grandchildren. Politics hadn’t just divided their votes—it had divided their family.

And Dawn realized: if our politics can rip apart families, then fundraisers must learn how to hold conversations that keep relationships intact.

Because fundraising isn’t only about dollars. It’s about relationships, trust, and shared hope.

Two Misconceptions Fundraisers Must Release

Dawn offered two myths that can trip us up when speaking with politically different donors:

1. “They’re evil.”Disagreement doesn’t make someone a villain. It makes them a human being who sees the world differently.

2. “I can’t support an organization that works with the other side.”Donors sometimes resist organizations that welcome people they disagree with. But supporting depolarization—or even just dialogue—doesn’t equal betraying your values. It can actually strengthen them.

As fundraisers, we’re not asked to abandon our convictions. We’re asked to listen, respect, and keep our focus on the mission.

Leaning Into the Discomfort

Dawn admitted: even after years at Braver Angels, she sometimes bites her tongue hard. She still feels her blood pressure rise in conversations.

Her advice? Lean into the discomfort.

It’s okay to hear something you disagree with. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable. What matters is holding space without needing to win.

Because your job in that moment isn’t to solve America’s divides. It’s to keep a door open, so the donor feels heard. And when donors feel respected, they lean in—and often, they give.

Practical Ways to Soften the Conversation

• Remember shared goals. Most of us want the same things (fair elections, safe communities, strong families). We just differ on the path.

• Choose words carefully. Certain terms can alienate one side or the other. Edit language so your appeal invites, rather than repels.

• Involve program staff. Sometimes donors want to hear directly from the people doing the work, not just the fundraisers.

• Invite across divides. Sometimes, reaching out to someone who disagrees deeply can be the most powerful connection you make.

Why Nonprofits Are Positioned to Lead

Nonprofits occupy a unique space: not government, not corporate, but a trusted third sector. We’re the “good guys” in many communities—the ones devoted to something bigger than ourselves.

That means we can model what it looks like to hold respectful, depolarizing conversations. Not only will it strengthen donor relationships, but it also strengthens our communities.

A Final Challenge for Fundraisers

As Dawn put it: “The other side isn’t going away.”

That means every fundraiser will face donors who disagree with them. The choice is simple: avoid them and miss out on opportunities, or lean in with respect and curiosity.

You don’t have to change your views. But you can change how you listen. And that shift might unlock not just a gift, but a relationship that transforms your organization.