Reflections on Generosity

"...There's only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive for a good cause." This week, I’m reflecting on his words from Summer Meditations by Vacslav Havel, published in 1993. Reflection question: What is the internal battle within yourself that you are facing related to the external threats to the cause you serve?  And, how will you stand for principle in that internal battle? Reflection on the quote: When I consider the challenges we face in raising sufficient funding for the good causes we serve, I look for wisdom those who faced greater challenges that I will ever face.  I think of those who faced torture for speaking truth, those who faced imprisonment for desiring a more just world.  One such writer was Vacslav Havel. He was a playwright and political dissident - tortured and imprisoned for speaking against the lies of a repressive government.  His writings speak to persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.  When we face external threats to the cause we serve or the funding we receive, we also face an internal battle within ourselves.  Do we give up or give in?  Or, do we continue to work for what is right…

"...There's only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive for a good cause." This week, I’m reflecting on his words from Summer Meditations by Vacslav Havel, published in 1993. Reflection question: What is the internal battle within yourself that you are facing related to the external threats to the cause you serve?  And, how will you stand for principle in that internal battle? Reflection on the quote: When I consider the challenges we face in raising sufficient funding for the good causes we serve, I look for wisdom those who faced greater challenges that I will ever face.  I think of those who faced torture for speaking truth, those who faced imprisonment for desiring a more just world.  One such writer was Vacslav Havel. He was a playwright and political dissident - tortured and imprisoned for speaking against the lies of a repressive government.  His writings speak to persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.  When we face external threats to the cause we serve or the funding we receive, we also face an internal battle within ourselves.  Do we give up or give in?  Or, do we continue to work for what is right…

"...Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity..." This week, I’m reflecting on several sayings of the Prophet Mohammad and the Quran and along with the definition of Sadaqah. Reflection questions: How are framing our messaging around giving to include this meaning of charity as speaking truth? How do we give our donors the opportunity to speak truth, to speak up when our missions are facing some type of external challenge? Reflection on quotes: We are in the middle of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims. A common practice during the month is giving voluntarily to charity, which is also known sadaqah. The meaning of each religious concept of charity points to the underlying motivation. The word, sadaqah, is defined as to be truthful, true or sincere, to speak the truth, to establish or confirm the truth of what is said, sincerity, soundness, excellence in a variety of different objects and the giving for the sake of Allah.  In general, sadaqah means a noble act of giving by a person to others sanctified for the sake of Allah in many forms and ways according to one researcher. So, this week, I’m reflecting on several sayings of the Prophet…

“...Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself...” This week, I’m reflected on the words of Cicero as weaved through several of his works, published between 89 BC and 43 BC.  Reflection questions: Is there an area where you are stuck in indecision and procrastination?   How can you bring confidence, hope, or trust in a good outcome to that area of indecision? Reflection on quotes: This week, I’m been thinking about the effects of indecision and procrastination.  Why does it become so hard to take the first step?  To follow though?  To pick up the phone? To schedule the meeting? To write the letter?  Our indecision and procrastination not only affects us, but it robs donors of the joy of generosity when we delay giving them the opportunity to be involved. Indecision can steal from our nonprofits when we wait too long before asking a donor and they move onto a different cause.  When we are stuck in the misery of indecision and memories of past blunders, we must reflect on the great and honorable causes that we serve.  And, trust that there is a beautiful space…

"Thenceforth they are no longer isolated individuals, but a power conspicuous from the distance whose actions serve as an example; when it speaks, people listen...." 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 impact of the causes we serve?  In sharing our impacts, are we welcoming our communities to unite with us and have their power enhanced? How are we showing donors the collective impact we have together by combining our efforts? Reflection on quote: In this time of anxiety, let us not forget the power nonprofits have to create purpose. When each of us trying to work independently, we are weak.  We can cause little change and we can’t force others to help.  When, however, we combine as nonprofits to meet the needs in our community, our communities listen.   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

"....The Stage which was not for low Farce design'd,But to divert, instruct, and mend Mankind." This week, I’m reading from the play The Modern Husband by Henry Fielding, published in 1732. Reflection Question: There are times when stress is only relieved with a bit of dark humor.  How will you gather with your community of friends and colleagues to laugh in the face of the absurdities we face in our fund development work? Reflection on the Recorded Quote: There are days that if we are not laughing, we are crying. Those are the times for a bit of dark humor. When our work feels like a dark comedy or a nightmare, we can remind ourselves that past generations faced similar challenges.  They too saw folly perceived as brilliance.  This is why in 1732 Fielding wrote, “a rich man without charity is a rogue, and perhaps it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool.”  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