_edited.png)
I love Africa and I adore African fundraisers. Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts to create positive change in your community are truly inspiring. You deserve to get the money you need.
I want to help you understand some things about international fundraising, especially with Americans.
There is sometimes a disconnect between you and your potential American supporters on social media and electronically.
While I’m happy to connect with you on social media, it’s important to understand that access to someone's friend list doesn’t mean you have permission to interact with them and ask them for money directly. If you want to be friends with someone's friends, you should ask them to introduce you. If they don't introduce you to them, be careful about interacting with them.
In short, don't assume someone's friends are your friends are your friends..
The Digital Dilemma
Americans often feel overwhelmed or even “stalked” when fundraisers they have not been introduced to continually like and comment on their social media posts.
This reaction can stem from misunderstanding intentions and cultural differences in communication styles.
A Personal Story
African nonprofit leaders and fundraisers regularly ask me to be “friends” on social media. I am glad to accept and interact. But occasionally my American friends approach me with concerns about some of the African nonprofit leaders I have befriended. They tell me that these leaders, having access to them through my friend list, direct message them, continually like and comment on their posts and directly ask them for money. “David,” they will say, “Please tell them to stop stalking me!”
These incidents highlight the delicate nature of cross-cultural fundraising efforts on social media. While the African nonprofit leader likely sees this as a straightforward request for support, my American friends perceive it as invasive and uncomfortable. It’s a perfect example of how good intentions can sometimes lead to misunderstandings when cultural norms clash.
Cultural Context is Key
In many African cultures, direct and persistent communication is seen as a sign of respect and genuine interest. When an African fundraiser reaches out repeatedly, they’re often trying to show how much they value the potential relationship. This approach, however, can clash with American norms of online interaction, where more gradual relationship-building is typically preferred.
The Privacy Paradox
You should understand that Americans generally have a strong sense of personal privacy, especially in online spaces. Unsolicited interactions from unfamiliar individuals can feel like an invasion of this privacy. It’s crucial for African fundraisers to understand this cultural nuance and adjust their approach accordingly.
The Issue of Scams
When I tell my African friends that Americans are asked to give from from faraway places EVERY DAY, they are amazed.
Americans are asked for money nearly every day by strangers they don’t know. Many of these people are not legitimate and take advantage of our willingness to give for their own profit
(click here).
What do Americans do when they are asked to give, every day, by strangers, who they don’t know? YOU ARE TEACHING THEM TO IGNORE YOU AND BLOCK YOU.
Bridging the Gap
So, how can we foster better understanding and more productive interactions? Here are some suggestions:
For African Fundraisers:
1. Take time to build relationships gradually.
One of the most crucial aspects for African fundraisers to understand is that building relationships with potential American donors is often a long-term process. In the American cultural context, earning the right to ask for financial involvement typically requires a significant investment of time and effort in relationship-building.
2. Be Patient and Persistent.
Understand that it might take months or even years before some supporters feel ready to make a financial contribution. Maintain a consistent, respectful presence without pushing for donations. Asking for money too soon can hurt you.
3. Respect privacy boundaries and be mindful of interaction frequency. Interaction frequency refers to how often you engage with someone on social media platforms. This can include:
Liking posts
Commenting on content
Sharing or reposting their content
Sending direct messages
Tagging them in posts or comments
If your interaction frequency is too frequent, it can feel overwhelming or intrusive to the recipient. You will likely be perceived as desperate and pushy and risk annoying the person and damaging your potential relationships.
4. Be mindful of reciprocity
If you’ve liked and commented on an American’s posts several times without receiving a response, it’s best to respectfully back off.
5. Avoid directly asking for money from individuals you don’t know well. Instead, focus on sharing your story and mission if given the opportunity.
6. Understand that some Americans may be wary due to past experiences or stories they’ve heard about scams. You can see one here on YouTube.
7. Be proactive in establishing your credibility. Make sure your social media profile provides verifiable information about your organization, including official registration details, success stories and a link to your website. Your well-done website establishes your legitimacy. No website or a poor one can cause Americans to view you as illegitimate. In today’s digital world, we are all judged by our websites.
8. Use secure, recognized platforms for any financial transactions.GofundMe and personal PayPal accounts give the appearance of scams. To raise money in the U.S. you will need an organization here to receive money for you.
The Art of Graceful Retreat
It’s crucial for African fundraisers to understand the importance of reading social cues, even in the digital space. While your enthusiasm and persistence come from a place of genuine interest and cultural norms, it’s essential to recognize when your outreach isn’t being reciprocated.
If you’ve made several attempts to engage with someone’s content and haven’t received any response, it’s generally best to respectfully disengage. This shows that you respect their boundaries and privacy, which can actually leave a more positive impression in the long run.
What are your experiences with cross-cultural interactions on social media? How have you navigated these challenges? Hit reply to this email. I reply to all emails.
Keep changing the world.
David Oaks
Comments