"...We frequently make our gifts conditional on the giving of others, not because we wish to force people to do their duty, but because we wish in this way to root the institution in the affections of as many people as possible who, as contributors, become personally concerned, and thereafter may be counted on to give to the institution their watchful interest and coöperation...." This week, I’m reading from Random Reminiscences of Men and Events by John D. Rockefeller, published in 1909. Reflection questions: Who are the donors in your donor database that would likely catch the vision of leveraging additional generosity through their matching or challenge gift? What is your plan for growing the affections and the engagement of the donors who respond to that matching gift challenge?  Reflection on quote: Christmas in July is a marketing gimmick. However, preparing for our year-end campaign in July and August is not.  One aspect of year-end campaign planning is matching or challenge gifts. While often seen as a recent phenomenon in fundraising, it actually has a long history.   Rooting the nonprofits we serve in the affections of as many people as possible who, as contributors, become personally concerned in the cause is…

"...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.  Seneca uses the word “benefit” to denote an act of charity. Reflection question: Think back to the last few donations you’ve received.  How have you received them?  With lukewarmness, distraction, pride, or true expressions of gratitude? Reflection on quote: When a donor makes a gift to our organizations, they're not just writing a check. They're extending trust, hope, and belief in our missions. Yet too often, our lukewarm responses leave them wondering if their gift even mattered. Seneca understood something profound: how you receive that first donation determines whether there will be second and another. Gracious, public gratitude creates a positive cycle where donors experience immediate joy from seeing their impact, naturally leading to deeper engagement. And, as this quote outlines, authentic gratitude which celebrates both the gift and the giver creates abundance. When we celebrate donors enthusiastically, we are inviting our entire community into a story of collective transformation that's…

"...And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver..." This week, I’m reading a quote from John Chrysostom from the 400 A.D.s. Reflection questions: If you are writing a fundraising appeal for an urgent need, step back and ask yourself these two questions. What will the donor feel when they read or hear your appeal? Does the appeal honor the subject’s dignity or, if a place or thing, the subject's significance or importance? Reflection of the quote: In the United States this week, a law was signed that will cut many social services. Naturally, many human services nonprofits are expecting an increase in need and are therefore preparing fundraising asks.  Also, this week, the United States, there were some tragic natural disasters.  Nonprofits serving in those areas are also preparing fundraising asks.  Each day, across the globe, something urgent occurs that leads nonprofits to ask donors to give. How we portray the urgent need matters.  When we are faced with an urgent need involving our constituents, whether it is a person, animal, place, or thing, the way we portray the fundraising need matters.…

"...All that happens, happens right: you will find it so if you observe narrowly..." This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD. Reflection questions: When you have failed in your work recently, how are you observing narrowly for the right things that came out of it? Are you seeking perfection or goodness in your fundraising activities? Reflection on the quote: In working with over 100 clients, it’s not surprising that I’m well-acquainted with failure as well. A donor event that no one shows up to. An email campaign that raises zero dollars. A year-end direct mail campaign that goes out in January. A fundraising event where no one gives.  As much as I want every campaign, event, fundraising activity to be successful, that’s not real life.  So how do we grapple with that. This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD. All that happens, happens right.  Notice that Aurelius didn't say, all that happens, happens perfectly.  Or, successfully.  But, he says “right if you observe narrowly.” We can get stuck in embarrassment or paralysis.  We can fear that donors will stop giving to us because of…

..."See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.     For in truth it is life that gives unto life—while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness...." This week, I’m reading on this poem On Giving by Khalil Gibran from The Prophet‍, published in 1923.  Reflection question: Are you an instrument of giving? Reflection on quote: What is the first action that every fund development professional should do upon taking a job?  Give. Give to the organization where you work. Once we ourselves are givers, it is then we can be receivers. This work has entered the public domain. 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

"...Acknowledging that one does not know is a humble kind of ignorance, one that is, in fact, filled often with the joy of discovery and wonder at what is discovered..." This week, I’m reading a quote from Imposed Ignorance and Humble Ignorance - Two Worldviews by Paul Heltne, published in 2008. Reflection Questions: Are we building structures and processes in our work that demand certainty or are we building those structures and processes to encourage discovery and wonder? Are we willing to be honest and humble with donors when we need to make a course correction? Reflection on the Quote Earlier this week, I was coaching a client through the process of asking for a corporate sponsorship.  She knew that this was an area that she knew little about, but instead of being defensive, she embraced this ignorance with openness and curiosity.  It stuck me.  How am I approaching my ignorance whether it’s about a donor or a fundraising technique or a trend in the field. This also applies to generosity.  We can approach donor relationships with certainty, with standard practices, and yet we may never find out the true reason a donor is giving to our organizations.  In the face of…