Monthly Archives: December 2024

As you know, this podcast highlights the transformative beauty of generosity. I will be taking a brief break until January 6, and in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on the role of generosity within your own holiday traditions. As I consider the myriad of holidays during this season, I am reminded of the universal themes of generosity and connection that they all share. Yet, in the flurry of holiday preparations, it's easy to overlook the simple but profound gift of giving that is at the heart of each celebration. As we move through this season, I invite you to reflect on this question: How will you show generosity to yourself during this busy season, so you can pour from a full cup of love and kindness to others? Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Until January 6. What do you think? To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com. Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...Therefore one should not cease from planting. Rather, just as he found, one should still continue to plant even though he is old..." This week, I’m a story from Midrash Tanchuma Kedoshim 8:1, written sometime between 500 to 800 AD and published in 1885. Reflection question: How will you plant seeds for fund development programs, like legacy giving, that take longer to see the benefits? Reflection on quote: Recently, I have been assisting my clients with starting legacy programs; that is, encouraging long-term donors to give through their will and bequest.  Some of these organizations have donor bases of older donors who have already started to think about giving a gift upon their death.  Other organizations don’t have many older donors.  So a question might come up, why waste precious time now to create a program without an immediate impact? Yes, starting a legacy program may seem like a long-term endeavor with uncertain immediate rewards. However, the wisdom from this story underscores that we must begin planting the seeds of a legacy program now. By encouraging donors to consider legacy gifts, we are creating a sustainable future for ourselves. While the benefits may not be realized for years, the impact can be…

"...In the same way, as you are unable to take care of all of your fellow people, treated as the luck of the draw when the time and circumstance brings some into closer contact with you than others."  This week, I’m reading a quote from De Doctrina Christiana by Augustine, published in 397 AD. Reflection questions: Is there an area of your work where you need to step back and apply this framework: accepting our limits, focusing on what we can do, and releasing that which we can’t do or whom we can’t help? Related, what do you need to let go of and find freedom in that release? Reflection on the quote: Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer need of our work, and yet feel a bit crushed by limits we face in our work?  While we often feel like our challenges are new, that we face problems no one else has ever encountered. But history, as they say, rhymes. The human condition, with all its complexities and contradictions, remains constant. The needs have overwhelmed those who care for over a thousand years.  When we feel that weight of the world on our shoulders, the overwhelming sense of need,…

“Whoever practices charity and justice fills the world with loving kindness.” This week, I’m reading quotes from Sukkah 49b about tzedakah. Reflection questions: How are we giving donors that vision of repairing the world through their gifts? What are ways that we can practice tzedakah with donors?  That is, practicing justice, peace, and loving kindness with donors instead of just receiving donations from donors? Reflection on the quote: This week, I’ve been reading about tzedakah, the Jewish tradition of charity.  However, it’s meaning is so much broader than the traditional idea of giving a donation.  Within its meaning are also the concepts of justice and righteous behavior.  In the article I was reading, the author stated that it’s the way in which we repair world.  In addition, instead of giving charity to someone - the emphasis on to someone, it must be done with someone.  The emphasis is on with, meaning to come alongside, to journey with someone when giving a gift to them.  In our work, we accept tzedakah, that is, the generosity of others.  And, through our work, we are partnering with these donors to repair the world and bring about justice and care for both the poor and the…