046 - You're an Asset, Not a Charity Case. Plan Accordingly, with Floyd Jones
Tired of chasing support from people who never truly believed in your mission? Floyd Jones shares how to recognize your organization's value, stop seeking approval, and build partnerships with funders who already understand your impact.
Stop Convincing the Wrong Funders: You're an Asset, Not a Charity Case. Proceed Accordingly.
Are you spending too much time trying to convince people to support your nonprofit, your vision, or your community? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, Floyd Jones challenges nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to stop seeking validation from people who were never truly aligned with their work in the first place. Drawing from his experience as Founder of BackBlack and Global Chair of Black Philanthropy Month, Floyd shares why organizations must stop operating from scarcity and start recognizing the value they already bring to their communities. He explains why lasting support comes from building relationships with people who understand your mission, not from constantly trying to persuade people who don't. If you've ever felt exhausted by fundraising, frustrated by closed doors, or uncertain about your organization's future, this conversation offers a different way forward.
"I don't want to convince you because guess what? If I had to convince you, when the seasons change, you're gonna be unconvinced."
— Floyd Jones
What You'll Learn
- Why trying to convince the wrong funders can hold your organization back
- How to position your nonprofit as an asset rather than a funding request
- Why fundraising is about relationships, trust, and shared purpose
- How to identify partners who genuinely align with your mission
- The difference between seeking approval and building partnership
- Why strong organizations need sustainable business models, not just grants
- How collaboration can create greater impact than competition
- Why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in philanthropy
- How Black-led nonprofits can strengthen their visibility and influence
- What it means to lead with confidence during uncertain times
Key Takeaways
Your Organization Has Value
Too many nonprofits approach fundraising from a position of need. Floyd encourages leaders to recognize that organizations bring expertise, relationships, trust, and impact to every conversation.
Stop Chasing Validation
Not every funder is the right funder. Time spent convincing the wrong people is time not spent cultivating relationships with people who already understand the importance of your work.
Partnerships Matter More Than Transactions
Funding is important, but long-term success comes from building a community of supporters, advocates, collaborators, and champions who believe in your mission.
Think Beyond the Grant
Sustainable organizations build systems, leadership, and strategies that allow them to grow beyond individual funding opportunities.
Know What You Bring to the Table
Floyd reminds listeners that understanding your assets changes how you show up, how you negotiate, and how you build support around your work.
About Floyd Jones
Floyd Jones is a speaker, fundraiser, entrepreneur, and community builder dedicated to strengthening Black-led nonprofits and expanding the impact of Black philanthropy. As Founder of BackBlack, he leads efforts to direct capital, build capacity, and raise awareness for Black-led organizations. Through this work, more than $13 million has been directed to over 1,500 nonprofits. Floyd also serves as the Global Chair of Black Philanthropy Month, a worldwide celebration of generosity, community investment, and Black giving.
