Reflections on Generosity

"But sometimes our concern for the poor may carry with it a prejudice against the rich." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.Reflection questions:Am I falling into either extreme of begging or entitlement?With our donors, how am I prioritizing the relationship over the request?To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenUsed with permission from Upper Room Books.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...The waves beside them danced; but they [daffodils]Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:A poet could not but be gay,In such a jocund company:I gazed—and gazed—but little thoughtWhat wealth the show to me had brought:..."I'm reading two reflections on nature, abundance, and generosity: On Benefits by Seneca published in 59 AD and I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth published in 1807.Reflection questions:When will you take time this week to be outside and reflect on something abundant in nature?How will your reflection help you move from a mindset of scarcity to abundance?To read: On Benefits by Seneca and I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William WordsworthThese works have entered the public domain.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...Those of us who ask for money need to look carefully at ourselves. The question is not how to get money. Rather, the question is about our relationship with money. We will never be able to ask for money if we do not know how we ourselves relate to money...."This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenUsed with permission from Upper Room Books.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...People have such a need for friendship and for community that fund-raising has to be community-building...."This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.Reflection Questions:How does this perspective of communion, belonging, and friendship affect you in your work?Thinking back to your last fundraising appeal, was it just an ask for a donation or was it also an offer for belonging?To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenUsed with permission from Upper Room Books.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...One glance most kindThat fell like sunshine where it went—Then you may count that day well spent..."I would like to share a poem from George Eliot, Count That Day Lost, published in 1887, and a quote from Aristotle which he wrote around 350 BC. Reflection question:Will you join me and challenge yourself to donate generously this year?To read: George Eliot, Count That Day Lost, and The Nicomachean Ethics of AristotleThe works have passed into public domain.Send me a Text Message.To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.Music credit: Woeisuhmebop