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"Books which it would have been impossible for me to obtain elsewhere were, by his wise generosity, placed within my reach; and to him I owe a taste for literature which I would not exchange for all the millions that were ever amassed by man..." This week, I’m quoting a story from the Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. Published in 1920.Reflection questions:When was the last time we asked our most committed donors about their story for giving to the cause we serve?When your fundraising tasks seem overwhelming, imagine what impact today’s generosity by donors and volunteers will have on the future.To read this book: Autobiography of Andrew CarnegieCopyright expired.What do you think?To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"An association is an educated and powerful body of citizens which cannot be twisted to any person's will or quietly trodden down, and by defending its private interests against the encroachments of power, it saves the common liberties....."This week, I’m reading selected quotes from Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville. Published in 1835. Note: his use of the word association is our current word for nonprofit.Reflection questions:Many individuals with the means to donate experience giving as a transaction. How will you bring the mindset that you are giving back to the donor the tremendous value of the knowledge of the common good your mission to bringing to the community?How will you consider the ways in which generosity to the cause you serve promotes democracy and saves common liberties?To read this book: Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville.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

"O let us live in joy, although having nothing! In joy let us live like spirits of light!..,"This week, I’m reading a quote from the Dhammapada, written down in the 1st century BC. Reflection questions:When was the last time you stepped back to view the greater horizon of the mission you serve?  Is it time to step back again and live in the love, health, peace, and joy to see what you get to fundraise for?Think now of donors, who are the donors that you can share that joy of living in the greater horizon of the mission? Not to cultivate, ask, or steward, but to simply have a conversation of joy with them.  Who are the donors coming to mind now?What do you think?To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"Helping a person in need is good in itself.  But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done...." This week, I’m reading a quote from John Chrysostom from the 400 A.D.s.Reflection questions:When was there a time when you were overwhelmed with the generosity of others because their generosity to you was given with such a spirit of joy that you received the generosity with pleasure?Is there an area of your fundraising work that you would like to bring in that same spirit of joy?  How will you do so this week?This quote 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

"They would all therefore find themselves helpless if they did not learn to help each other voluntarily.  With associations, feelings and ideas are renewed, the heart enlarged, and the understanding developed only by the reciprocal action of people one upon another...."This week, I’m reading selected quotes from Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville. Published in 1835. Note: his use of the word association is our current word for nonprofit.Reflection questions:How are we sharing the vision of the causes we serve?  In sharing our visions, are we welcoming our communities to unite with us and have their hearts enlarged?How are we showing donors the collective impact we have together by combining our efforts?To read this book: Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville.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

"These are among the poorest and most destitute people you will ever meet. Never take away the right of another person to be generous....”This week, I’m reading a story from Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service by Kerry Alys Robinson. 2014 edition.Reflection question:While we never want our clients to feel as if they owe the nonprofit for the services they receive, how are we giving our clients and, especially former clients, the opportunity to be generous?To purchase this book:  Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service by Kerry Alys RobinsonCopyright permissions granted for use of this quote.What do you think?To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop