"...In the struggle for existence, it is only on those who hang on for ten minutes after all is hopeless, that hope begins to dawn..." This week, I am reading selected quotes on hope from GK Chesterton. Reflection question: Where do you need to lean into the desperate, forlorn hope this week and keep moving forward? Reflection on quote: Last week, we discussed the first of two opposite errors in our campaign messaging that we can fall into.  The first error is blaming others and encouraging rage giving.  The second is to create desperate pleas for emergency giving with the implicit threat that the capital campaign project will fail without the donations.  This week, let’s reflect on the weaknesses with desperate pleas during a capital campaign.   I typically counsel my capital campaign clients that they get one shot at giving a desperate plea in a small town and they need to use it wisely. Why? As GK Chesterton stated, fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.  But, if dragons keep getting resurrected, and resurrected, and resurrected, then children cease to believe that dragons can be killed. Repeated desperate pleas sap hope from the community.  Instead, when we are facing…

"...Hatred of evil should constrain you to right, not fear. When her anger is kindled by injustice, goodness changes her form...." This week, I’m reading from the Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, a Roman Slave, written during the 1st century BC.  Reflection question: If you are experiencing a funding obstacle, how are you creating a positive message for your potential campaign donors? Reflection on quote: During times of uncertainty, there are two opposite errors in our campaign messaging that we can fall into.  We start blaming others and encourage rage giving to our capital campaign.  Or, we create desperate pleas for emergency giving with the implicit threat that project will fail with the donations.  This week, I will be reflecting on weaknesses with rage giving and, next week, with emergency giving.  So, let’s reflect on rage giving. My favorite cartoon is Calvin and Hobbes.  On July 7, 1995, the cartoonist Bill Watterson published a particularly apt description of a trend in fundraising.  While I encourage you to view the cartoon and I have placed the link in the show notes, let me read the captions. Calvin states, “I’m writing a fund-raising letter.  The secret to getting donations is to depict everyone who…

"...If you don’t know what harbour you sail for, no wind is favourable. Because we live by chance, chance necessarily has great power over our lives..." In our series on uncertainty during small town capital campaigns, This week, I’m reading from Seneca’s Letter 71, first published in 65 AD. Reflection questions: How trusted is the Executive Director or CEO among your donors and the community? Is the vision for the capital campaign being communicated clearly, consistently, and with courage amidst uncertainties? Reflection on the quote: Continuing with the theme of economic or societal uncertainty during a small town capital campaign, I’ve been reflecting on the role of the Executive Director or CEO.  While the trust of Board and the Campaign Chair matters, it’s the Executive Director that matters most in terms of the success of a capital campaign.  When an Executive Director is trusted in the community, the community is more open to hearing the vision. Then the vision must be communicated clearly, consistently, and with courage.  The community has to know which harbor the nonprofit is directing the community to fund under the leadership of that Executive Director. Otherwise, trivial circumstances and chance events will blow the capital campaign off course.…

"...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…