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"...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…

"...that which is a hindrance is made a furtherance to an act; and that which is an obstacle on the road helps us on this road..." This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD. Reflection questions: Is there a response from a donor that you need to stop giving too much weight to and instead put it in its proper place, thank the donor, and continue with your good work? Reflection on quote: One of my clients got the letter this week. You know the letter.  You’ve sent out the year end appeal. You’ve started receiving donations in the mail. You feel very good about the generosity of the donors. Then you get the letter. It's the letter telling you that you should not wasted a stamp on an appeal letter, and that the donor wants you to remove them from the mailing list. Of course you check the database and you see that they've only given once as a very small donation. Despite all of the good work you’ve done, it's amazing how this one letter affects your day. We don't know what is going on in the donor’s life who wrote us…

"...When we have decided to accept, let us accept with cheerfulness, showing pleasure, and letting the giver see it, so that he or she may at once receive some return for their goodness..." This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD. Reflection Question: What is one thing you can do this week to let your donors know that you see their gifts and they are welcome to belong to your mission? Reflection on Quote: Seneca describes a number of attitudes that can accompany the receiving of a gift from cheerfulness to offense to slavish humility. He points out that when we receive gifts languidly, it leaves the giver in doubt.  It also tells the donor that they are not welcome to join us in the mission; that they don’t belong.  And, that is painful. 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

"...When we have decided to accept, let us accept with cheerfulness, showing pleasure, and letting the giver see it, so that he or she may at once receive some return for their goodness..." This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD. Reflection Question: No matter the donor or the donor’s motivation, how are you and I receiving gifts? What is the attitude of our hearts? Reflection on Quote: When we look back over the last few months, what has been our attitude in accepting gifts? Seneca describes a number of attitudes that can accompany the receiving of a gift from cheerfulness to offense to slavish humility. Beyond the attitudes he describes, I would add one more. Busyness.  When we do not add enough margin to our days, especially during busy fundraising seasons, we can neglect saying thank you and thus give the appearance that the donations are not needed.  Or, we can instead take the time and aim to accept gifts with cheerfulness. 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