Monthly Archives: April 2025

"...There is a difference between quantity and fullness. You can have a lot of money and still be empty. There is no fullness in your heart...." This week, Pope Francis passed away.  In honor of his teaching on generosity, I am reflecting on his homily from November 8, 2015. Reflection question: Are you asking for leftover generosity?  Or, are you asking for true generosity in your messages to donors? Reflection on quote: In his words, he talks about giving from fullness and not from leftovers.  This is a mark of true generosity.  Yes, sometimes, our messages to donors request the leftovers.  Can you spare a dollar?  Every bit counts.  Would you just fill the gap? Remember us in your will. All of these phrases give the impression that the donor would only want to give from their leftovers.  Yet, that makes the decision for them and deprives them of true, sacrificial generosity. What do you think? Send me a text. To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com. Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"... If donors are largely unaware of fluctuations in the grants received by charities, then reductions in fund-raising becomes a sensible explanation for crowding out..." This week, I came across a large scale research article from 2009 titled, “Is Crowding Out Due Entirely to Fundraising?” Reflection questions: If your organization suddenly lost significant government funding, what unique strengths, especially through your donor relationships, could you leverage to better serve your specific community's needs? The nonprofit sector has faced profound shifts before.  Will you ponder with me how our current challenges could bring unexpected gifts as well? Reflection on quotes The last three months have highlighted a critical challenge many nonprofits face: the delicate balance between government funding and private donations. Many nonprofits have built programs around federal grants, only to see them reduced or eliminated, leaving the organization scrambling to fill the gap.  So many of my coaching sessions have centered around this issue.  One striking statistic from this 17 year look-back research is that every $1000 grant reduces giving by $727. So, I invite you to join me in reflecting on how the reversal of "crowding out effect” that federal funding has on fundraising may actually help us build more sustainable…

..."It is the most beautiful, the most noble side of neighbourly love, wherein the word has fully become deed..." This week, I’m sharing quotes from The Untapped Power of Jewish Fellowships and Forgotten Approaches to Care to connect the practice of hevrot to our work in fundraising. Reflection questions: How are you “thinking in relationship” to avoid depersonalizing our donors? How are you bringing groups of donors together to create networks of care? Reflection on quote: At its core, fundraising isn't just about securing donations—it's about fostering genuine human connections built on care and mutual recognition.  This week, I’ve been researching the Jewish practice of hevrot. The article, The Untapped Power of Jewish Fellowships, defines hevrot as small, local voluntaristic groups of individuals who join together to do good works or promote piety. The practice dates to at least the second century.  The research in Forgotten Approaches to Care further explores this practice.  Rather than seeing donors simply as sources of financial support, we recognize them as partners in a shared mission. When we frame our work through an ethics of care, we acknowledge the interdependence that exists between all members of our community. Think about what makes fundraising truly meaningful—it's not…