"...for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs..." This week, I am reflecting a quote from George Eliot’s Middlemarch, published in 1871 to ask the question, "will donor give during uncertainty?" Reflection Questions When was the last time you did a temperature check with your donors? Asked them how they are feeling in the uncertainty?  Asked them how they are keeping the darkness at bay? And, just listen. Then consider, will your vision inspire donors to give to a capital campaign? Reflection for Capital Campaigns One common question I receive is “is this the right time for a campaign because of … the fill-in-the-blank economic or societal uncertainty?”  Will donors give? During uncertain times, the ordinary people who are our donors often feel overwhelmed.  When there is increased division, enmity, and strife, it’s easy to feel powerless and to focus inward. We begin to feel as though nothing will change and, for some, this can lead to a decrease in their giving.  And, yet,…

Over the past two years, we've begun each week together with a meaningful reflection on the beautiful space where generosity occurs, paired with coaching questions designed to ground you for the week ahead. Starting next week, this podcast will take on a slightly different focus. Each reflection will center on cultivating a generosity mindset specifically for capital campaigns, complete with coaching questions to ground you for the week ahead in your capital campaign planning and work. Here's what I want you to also know: the principles that drive successful capital campaigns apply to all fundraising work. The generosity mindset essential for capital campaigns is the exact same mindset needed for flourishing in any fundraising endeavor—regardless of the size of your campaign or activities. 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

"...had bequeath to his executors for charitable purposes his personal clothing and nought else..." This week I am re-reading "The Ethics of giving: The Ratio of Generosity to Income" by "a Drafter of Many Appeals" from the Hospital Magazine, published in 1915. Reflection question: When will you take the time to find the humor in our fundraising work through  humorous videos or cartoons focused on fundraising or, maybe, have conversation with a colleague about their funniest moments in this profession? Reflection on the quote: As we enter into fall and preparing for year-end giving season, I thought that I would re-share a bit of humor from a fundraising colleague who toiled in our profession over a hundred years ago.  This professional was obviously the chief writer of many year-end fundraising appeal.  To the drafter of many appeals.  We still hear you.  There are days when we too want to throw up our hands and ask why.  Why did they only donate used clothing as this donor did?  Or the sailboat that is not water worthy?  Do they not know that generosity should not cost the nonprofit?  And, yet, in the midst of the weird moments of fundraising, we also see the sacrificial…

"...It is not the critic who counts..." This week, I am sharing a musical version of the Man in the Arena from Citizenship in a Republic, a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 and with original music written and performed by Deidre Corson. Reflection questions: Imagine with the ending of your current campaign will look like.  What joy will you feel?   How can you encourage the donors and volunteers who are with you in the arena that the horizon of joy is coming? Reflection on the quote: This evening, I have the joy of celebrating the grand opening of a music school.  The Executive Director of this music school had reached out to me for a one-time coaching call during a challenging season of the capital campaign. A few months later, after I released a podcast with this quote, this Executive Director sent me a musical version of the Man in the Arena. In the middle of any challenging campaign, it can seem like the sweat, blood, and failures are unending.  Like this Executive Director who continued to be in the arena, fund development is making effort after effort without knowing how each effort will turn out. Yet, by pressing…

"We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous; we experience joy in the actual act of giving something; and we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given." This week, I’m reading 3 quotes from the Buddha. Reflection questions: When you approach potential donors this week, are you apologizing for an interruption or celebrating an invitation to experience joy? How might your follow-up conversations change if you viewed them as helping donors complete their joy cycle rather than simply maintaining relationships? Reflection on quote: There's something beautiful about discovering that ancient wisdom and modern science keep arriving at the same truths. The writers from centuries ago understood things about human nature—about giving, receiving, and gratitude—that we're just now proving with brain scans and research studies. These quotes show something we in the nonprofit world often forget—giving isn't a burden we place on people. It's a gift we offer them. Think about your own experience. Remember the last time you gave something meaningful? That warm feeling you got? That wasn't just sentiment—that was your brain releasing actual joy chemicals. The quote reveals this beautiful truth: we experience joy when we decide to give, joy when we actually give, and…

"...It is only the spirit of giving that counts, and the very poor give without any self-consciousness..." This week, I’m reading from Random Reminiscences of Men and Events by John D. Rockefeller, published in 1909. Reflection question: Do you celebrate and promote the generosity of Board members, especially those at the lowest income levels?  Reflection on quote: I had a conversation with a colleague on whether the requirement to give to prevents lower income Board members from serving. This is a bit of a soapbox for me and I have some strong feelings. When we assume that lower income Board members can’t give, we are making an assumption that has been easily contradicted for generations. When we assume that a lower income Board member can’t give and therefore don’t allow them to participate in a Board giving requirement, we are making the decision for the Board member.  We are removing agency from that Board member.  We are asking for their opinions, advice, and expertise as a Board member and at the same time, we in essence don’t believe they have the ability to make giving decisions.  Eek.  That smacks of privilege. Professionally and personally, I believe and wisdom from ages past shows…