Month: April 2024

48: Generosity and Guilt

"...Guilt appeals in the field of persuasion are quite common. However, the effectiveness of these messages is sometimes ambivalent. It is widely acknowledged that guilt leads people to engage into prosocial behaviors, but the effects of guilt can also be counter-productive...."This week, I am reading a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and A Theory of Guilt Appeals: A Review Showing the Importance of Investigating Cognitive Processes as Mediators between Emotion and Behavior, by Graton and Mailliez, published in 2019.Reflection question:With what are you watering the messages to donors?To read: A Theory of Guilt Appeals: A Review Showing the Importance of Investigating Cognitive Processes as Mediators between Emotion and BehaviorThis article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution.What do you think?To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

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April 29, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

47: Wealth of Generosity

"...Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others..."This week, I’m reading from 2 Corinthians by Saint Paul.Reflection questions:Is there a volunteer or Board member you have deemed too poor to give the opportunity to donate?How can you empower all people - regardless of their economic situation - to give joyfully?This work has entered the public domain.What do you think?To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

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April 22, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

46: Ask Freely

"....Once we have learned to love the rich for who they are rather than what they have; and once we believe that we have something of great value to give them, then we will have no trouble at all in asking someone for a large sum of money...."This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.Reflection questions:When I meet a donor at their home, am I jealous or envious? Or, am I grateful for their generosity?Also related to this week’s quote, do I assume the worst about a donor and their wealth? Or, am I grateful that they have been blessed with the opportunity to give?To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenUsed with permission from Upper Room Books.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

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April 15, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

45: Rich and Poor

"But sometimes our concern for the poor may carry with it a prejudice against the rich." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.Reflection questions:Am I falling into either extreme of begging or entitlement?With our donors, how am I prioritizing the relationship over the request?To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenUsed with permission from Upper Room Books.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

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April 8, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

44: The Generosity of Nature

"...The waves beside them danced; but they [daffodils]Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:A poet could not but be gay,In such a jocund company:I gazed—and gazed—but little thoughtWhat wealth the show to me had brought:..."I'm reading two reflections on nature, abundance, and generosity: On Benefits by Seneca published in 59 AD and I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth published in 1807.Reflection questions:When will you take time this week to be outside and reflect on something abundant in nature?How will your reflection help you move from a mindset of scarcity to abundance?To read: On Benefits by Seneca and I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William WordsworthThese works have entered the public domain.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

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April 1, 2024