Reflections on Generosity

"...God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!..." This week, I am reading the words of Jesus and His approach to opponents from Matthew 5 and 6. View the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon about Enmity and Fundraising Letters from July 7, 1995. Reflection questions: If you were to give your fundraising appeal to an opponent to read, how would they respond?  Would the letter be consider fair?  Considerate?  Even loving? When you are speaking with a donor about an opponent of your mission, are you portraying the opponent in the best possible light even if you are outlining policy or tactical disagreements?   Reflection on quote: 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 disagrees with you as the enemy.  Then you explain how they’re systemically working to destroy everything you hold dear.  It’s a war of values! Rational discussion…

"..No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” This week, I’m reading a story from Aesop’s Fables, titled the Lion and the Mouse as told sometime between 620 and 564 BC. Reflection question: What kindness can you give to a donor this week? Reflection on quote: It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the relationship with donors is only about asking or thanking.  A donor gives, and we thank them and report back on the impact their gifts has.  Yet, relationships with donors can be so much more than that. Relationships with donors can be filled with small kindnesses.  It’s the time we spend getting to know them and showing them that we see them for who they are.  It’s the opportunities to give a kind word.  It’s the giving space to the donor to find more meaning in their lives.  And, sometimes it’s even practical help.  During the toilet paper shortage of COVID, one of my clients had excess toilet paper and offered it to donors.  A kindness is never wasted in our relationships with donors. This work has entered the public domain. What do you think? To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to…

"...How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straight away!..." This week, I’m reading from Give, an essay from Anne Frank, published in 1959. Reflection questions: Pick a task on your to-do list this week and imagine your colleagues in other nonprofits doing the same task.  What impact does your combined efforts have on your community? Where are you lacking in courage? To whom can you turn to receive support in that area? Reflection on quote: One of the unique blessings of being a fundraising coach is that I have the privilege of seeing the work of various nonprofits each week.  While each of my clients may feel as though their work is small or insignificant that week, I get to see all of these works combining together to create a more beautiful, just, and caring world.   What is on your to-do list this week?  It might be writing thank you notes or helping out in the mission or programs of the nonprofit you serve.  It could be meeting with a donor or preparing a lapsed donor campaign. Each of these tasks may seem insignificant; however, each task builds a foundation for a more generous…

"...It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better...." This week, I’m reading from Citizenship in a Republic, a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910, changing the word man to person. Reflection questions: Are you second-guessing yourself or letting criticism steal the joy of giving donors the opportunity to be generous? Is there an area where you simply need to let go and remember that this is a new week and new month to start over again? Reflection on quote: In my experience, January is one of the toughest months for fundraising professionals.  Not because of the workload.  No.  No, it’s the exhaustion, doubt, and, at times, criticism after year-end giving season that makes January tough.  Yes, January is often a debrief of what we could have done differently with year-end giving.  And, yet, as the saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20.” In the moment, you were doing your best. Yes, there is a time for debrief and understanding the factors that led to increases or decreases in giving.  Yet, remember that the fact you showed up, gave donors the opportunity to…

"...Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Waiting, then, is not passive. It involves nurturing the moment.." This week, I am reflecting on selected quotes from Henri Nouwen from the The Path of Waiting, published in 1995 and Bread for the Journey, published in 1996. Reflection questions: When you are meeting with donors, are you listening with full attention and waiting with the donor to discover more about themselves? Think about the areas where you are waiting, is there something you can do to nurture the donor relationship? Reflection on quotes: For those of us in the fundraising field, learning to wait is essential.  We wait for the right timing to ask.  We wait for donors to decide to give.  We wait for news about a grant application.  We spend a lot of time waiting.  We wait, trusting that our work will bring about the fruit of generosity. As we wait, we are active in nurturing relationships.  We listen and wait while donors discover more about themselves and a potential connection to our cause. If we become impatient and just move onto the next new potential donor relationship, while it feel like we are doing something, in…

As you know, this podcast highlights the transformative beauty of generosity. I will be taking a brief break until January 6, and in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on the role of generosity within your own holiday traditions. As I consider the myriad of holidays during this season, I am reminded of the universal themes of generosity and connection that they all share. Yet, in the flurry of holiday preparations, it's easy to overlook the simple but profound gift of giving that is at the heart of each celebration. As we move through this season, I invite you to reflect on this question: How will you show generosity to yourself during this busy season, so you can pour from a full cup of love and kindness to others? Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Until January 6. What do you think? To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com. Music credit: Woeisuhmebop