Month: June 2024

56: Happiness and Companionship

"No one can have a happy life if he looks only to himself, turning everything to his own advantage. If you want to live for yourself, you must live for another..."This week, I am reading from Seneca’s Moral Letters, published in 65 AD. Reflection questions:How do we view a donation? Is it simply money for our organization’s advantage? Or, do we view it as a bid for connection from the donor?Is there an area where we letting technology replace relationships and companionship with donors? 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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June 24, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

55: Lifter and Leaner

"...In which class are you? Are you easing the load Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road?Or are you a leaner, who lets others share Your portion of labor, and worry and care?"This week, I’m reading a poem, The Two Kinds of People by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, published in 1896.Reflection questions:Is there a new fund development professional in your network that you can reach out to in order to encourage?Or, do you feel like you are drowning a bit and need a lift from a colleague who is a bit wiser in the field? Can you take a moment now and reach out by text or email?To read: The Two Kinds of People, aka, Which are You?This work has 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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June 17, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

54: Generosity in the Face of Ugliness

"...Suppose someone standing by a clear, sweet spring were to curse it: it just keeps right on bringing drinkable water bubbling up to the surface. Even if he throws mud or dung in it, before long the spring disperses the dirt and washes it out, leaving no stain..."This week, I am reading quotes from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD.Reflection questions:Are we holding onto ugliness from a past interaction with a donor?How can we let go of the ugliness and turn to kindness, simplicity and morality, as Marcus Aurelius states, or can we turn to generosity?This work has 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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June 10, 2024

Reflections on Generosity

53: Generosity in Humility

"...pride is to be feared even when we do right actions, lest those things which are done in a praiseworthy manner be spoiled by the desire for praise itself."I sought wisdom from Augustine. First, from Augustine’s book, On the Happy Life, published in 386 AD. And, then from his letter 118, written in 410 AD.Reflection questions:How often are we confronted with the mountain of pride in how we carry out your fund development work?How can we lead with humility in our generosity?These works have 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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June 3, 2024