"...Admitting uncertainties or limitations, for example, saying, 'We can’t help everyone, but here’s how we are trying,' can actually boost credibility..."  I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection question: As you're preparing your case for support or talking with donors, consider where can you be more honest about limitations instead of glossing over them or exaggerating the impact your campaign will have. Reflection on quote: Last week, we discussed how leading a capital campaign is like standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest and one key principles is to be curious when facing scrutiny. This week, we will be looking how honesty fits into leading with integrity when sharing the impact the capital campaign will have on the community.  When we're leading a capital campaign in a small town, we know our neighbors and we want to appear competent and confident to them. There's a temptation, when we're asking for significant donations for something as big as a capital campaign, to want to present a version of our organization that looks like it has everything figured out. As if,…

"...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 question: As we are facing scrutiny, is our posture one of defensiveness or invitation and curiosity? Reflection on quote: When we are at the beginning of a capital campaign, it is like standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest. It is a step of faith to stride ahead from the trailhead, but that is just the first step for a journey in building trust that is both exhilarating and challenging as we make our way to the mountain top.   Similarly, in capital campaigns, as leaders, our role is to lead both our organization and the community along the trail that begins obscured. This journey requires honesty, clarity, openness, and curiosity in our leadership. So, this month, we are starting a series on leading with integrity.  The first principle is to be curious when faced with scrutiny.  When the trail is obscured from view, it is…

"...We must now consider what is the main cause of ingratitude..." This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD. Reflection questions: Have we noticed signs of excessive esteem, greed or jealousy slipping into our thinking when we are reviewing our campaign goals and what donors have given? What are ways you can lean into gratitude this week? Reflection on quote: In our final episode on developing discipline during capital campaigns, we are discussing ongoing stewardship and the mindsets that can block gratitude.  Throughout this series, we used the metaphor of riding a wild stallion without a saddle. Previously, we discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, planting seeds of awareness, and the fear of rejection.  During capital campaigns, we can fall into one of these mindsets that block ongoing gratitude and stewardship because we are confident in the necessity of our work and this campaign project. As a result, we might believe that donors are duty-bound to give to our campaign. We might continually expect donors to give more and more to the campaign. Or, we might be jealous of other campaigns where a donor gave more.  It is easy for…

"...Hope is not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out..." I’m reflecting on this quote by Vaclav Havel from a series of interviews, published in the book Disturbing the Peace, translated to English in 1990. Reflection question: How are you cultivating hope in something good, even if your follow-up call results in a no? Reflection on quote: If capital campaigns are like a riding a wild stallion without a saddle, then facing rejection is like being bucked off and being afraid to ride again.  This week, we will discuss how to develop the discipline of facing rejection.  Previously, we discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, and planting seeds of awareness. In this episode, we’ll discuss how to develop the discipline of hope when facing rejection. I am convinced that the moment we close the car door or we hit end on a call with a donor, the doubts begin to creep in.  And, slowly or quickly, we wonder if we will be rejected when we make the follow-up call or visit we promised to the donor. That’s where…

"...this old man was one of the most useful citizens of the world in his humble way. He has made a greater contribution to our civilization than we realize. He has left a place that never can be filled. Farewell, dear old eccentric heart, your labor has been a labor of love, and generations, yet unborn, will rise up and call you blessed..." Let’s listen to the tribute from Sam Houston around 1847 upon Johnny Appleseed’s death. Reflection questions: What approach are you taking: scattering seeds or planting seeds with intentional outcomes in mind? If you are in the pre-campaign readiness stage, have you considered the more effective ways to raise awareness in your community and brought in community leaders and potential donors to help you determine and implement those ways? Reflection on quote: Capital campaigns are like a riding a wild stallion without a saddle and one key to success is developing discipline. This series unpacks those disciplines. We’ve discussed how understanding our beliefs around money can assist us in creating the necessary disciplines around asking for donations. We’ve discussed how indecision and procrastination can steal opportunities and the importance of prioritizing tasks.  In this episode, we’ll discuss the discipline necessary…

"...This we must shed; this we must cast away, or else remain in misery..." In this second episode in our series on developing discipline, we are discussing the the effects of indecision and procrastination and the necessity of prioritizing the essential tasks of a capital campaign. This week, I’m reading the words of Cicero as weaved through several of his works, published between 89 BC and 43 BC.  Reflection questions: What are the obstacles to completing your campaign tasks?   Which discipline do you need to develop to prioritize campaign tasks? Reflection on quote: Why does it become so hard to stay disciplined in contacting potential and current donors during a capital campaign?  To pick up the phone? To schedule the meeting? To follow up after the meeting? To write the thank you note?  Perhaps we don’t know what to say. To which the discipline for indecision is to accept something said is better than nothing said.  Perhaps, we are distressed from a past bad experience with a donor. To which the discipline is forgiveness of ourself or the other person.  Perhaps, we are procrastinating and working on other urgent, more immediate tasks.  To which the discipline is carve out time each…