NGO version of Frank Sinatra’s “I did it my way …”

…. And, so, here is an NGO version of Frank Sinatra’s “I did it my way …” 

And now, the grant is over

And so I face my annual challenge

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's not viewed as “impactful”

I've travelled each and every district

But more, much more than this

I couldn’t do it my donor’s way

Regrets, I've had many

But then again, joys a few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without tax exemption

I carefully planned each course

Each careful step along the foundation’s way

But more, much more than this

I couldn’t do it my donor’s way 

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more on admin than on program

But through it all, when there was doubt

My Board ate me up and my funder spit me out

I faced it all and I stood small

And did it my funder’s way

I've tried strategy, scale and impact

Yet had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it hardly amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say - not in my way

Oh no, oh no, not me

I could never do it my way

For what is a man, what has he got

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels to the donor

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows

But, still could not do it my donor’s way

Yes, it was seldom my way .....

Noshir H. Dadrawala

(With apologies to my all time favourite vocalist Frank Sinatra .... I am sure he too would empathise)