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"...Two different roads are presented to us, equally leading to the attainment of this so much desired object; the one, by the study of wisdom and the practice of virtue; the other, by the acquisition of wealth and greatness..." This week, I’m reflecting on a quote by Adam Smith from The Theory of Moral Sentiments, published in 1759. Reflection question: As we show generosity to wealthier donors, are we also cultivating a character of humble modesty and equitable justice? Reflection on quote: Last week, we talked about generous love to various categories of people: those poor, those wealthy, and those peers. As we show generosity to our donors, we can fall into a trap.  While we are no longer concerned with ordering society by class distinctions, Smith challenges us to take the path of humble modesty and equitable justice as we fashion our behaviors towards our donors.     This work has entered the public domain. 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

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” This week, I’m reflecting on the words of Henry Drummond from The Greatest Thing in the World, published in 1874. Reflection question: How are we showing the generous love found in service, courtesy, and giving this week? Reflection on quote: How we treat those we serve whether our constituents or donors and volunteers is an outgrowth of how we love.  A generous love includes three aspects: service, courtesy, and giving. In my opinion, this quote truly sums up the aspirational nature of fund development work.  Service, courtesy, and giving. This work has entered the public domain. 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

"...Donor prospects are not objects; they are subjects, and like all of us, they want to contribute to something meaningful and life-giving and successful. Like us, they too search for meaning, have fears and hopes, desires and regrets, and beliefs that should be acknowledged and reverenced..." In honor of the 100th episode, this week, I am re-reading two quotes from the first episode from Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service. Kerry Alys Robinson. 2014. Reflection questions: How will you pause this week and consider if you are seeing a donor as an object or a subject?  When was the last time you asked a donor to share why they give and what meaning they would like for their gifts to have? Reflection on quote: Over the last two years, we have looked at writings on generosity to inform our fund development work today. Instead of discussing the latest fundraising techniques, we have reflected on these writings - from ancient to modern and from all cultures — to learn from them value of generosity. This podcast continues to seek that deeper wisdom of being a person in the beautiful space where generosity occurs.  Each week, the intent remains to…

"...Humble ignorance can imagine that it might be wrong and hopes that its community will correct it early enough to avoid harm.  It can marvel at what it sees that it cannot hope to understand or control...." This week, I’m reading a quote from Imposed Ignorance and Humble Ignorance - Two Worldviews by Paul Heltne, published in 2008. Reflection Questions: Are we building structures and processes in our work that demand certainty or are we building those structures and processes to encourage discovery and wonder? Are we willing to be honest and humble with donors when we need to make a course correction? Reflection on the Quote Earlier this week, I was coaching a client through the process of asking for a corporate sponsorship.  She knew that this was an area that she knew little about, but instead of being defensive, she embraced this ignorance with openness and curiosity.  It stuck me.  How am I approaching my ignorance whether it’s about a donor or a fundraising technique or a trend in the field. This also applies to generosity.  We can approach donor relationships with certainty, with standard practices, and yet we may never find out the true reason a donor is giving…

"...Let us, then, be up and doing,    With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing,    Learn to labor and to wait." This week, I'm reflecting on a poem, A Psalm of Life, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, published in 1838. Reflection questions: How does thinking of your donors as partners as well change your perspective? If you are in the middle of a fundraising campaign, when was the last time you gave an update to your donors, to your partners for this campaign? Reflection on poem: This week, I was reminded of the active nature of charity by donors. One of my clients was near the finish line of raising enough to meet their goal and move forward on a capital projects.  But, just before the deadline they were short. Just a small gap.  They called one of the donors to the project and shared the information about the gap.  What did the donor do?  He committed to calling his network to fill the gap.  And, the gap was filled. It reminded me the quote often attributed to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  “The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” …

"...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