"What are we in this game for?"

This quote provided the 'lightbulb' moment for me during yesterday's AFP Toronto Fundraising Day.

It came from Rahul Bhardwaj, President & CEO of the Toronto Community Foundation, quoting Winston Churchill during World War II.
The context around this was that Rahul was asked how to handle situations in the current climate and whether it should be business as usual, or time to retreat like a frightened turtle.

He quoted Churchill's famous speech to explain that it's not about balancing the books and protecting endowments. It's about changing lives and real outcomes.

We're in this business to change the world, so get on with it. Don't cut back on investment in fundraising, history suggests those who do flounder, and those who crack on with it flourish.

There were plenty of other moments of clarity yesterday, but this resonated with me most.

Jonathon