Giving is Good
When we view advancement programs as machines, we constantly seek out the next new idea or technology that will help our machine be more efficient and effectively. We seek to learn from our peers how they calibrated their machines, and we expect to get similar results if we calibrate similarly. We become so data-focused on…
The problem with generosity is not that it’s no good for our physical wellbeing, or that it’s no good for our emotional and mental health, or that it lowers our sense of happiness, or that it isn’t correlated with living longer. No, acting generously – even in small ways – does the exact opposite for…
The key question for advancement is not, “how do we get more people to give, volunteer, show up, etc.?” Those action-oriented questions are rather simple to answer. An act – like giving – can emerge when people care. But, we also know that people will give and not care. They will give because of peer…
We choose whether we serve others or ourselves. We choose whether we are positive or critical. We choose whether we speak up or stay silent. We choose whether we take responsibility or pass the buck. We choose whether we are enthusiastic or apathetic. We choose whether we are accountable or check a box. We choose…
Recently I was part of a campaign steering committee meeting with an organization that has just gone public with their multi-year campaign. After quickly completing an exercise designed to identify potential new major gift donor prospects, the committee began to ask questions and offer suggestions that took over the remainder of the agenda. One committee…
We tend to spot a lack of self-restraint in others very easily: That friend who rarely pays their fair share when we go out. That donor who uses her influence to get a business deal with the nonprofit. That politician who abuses his authority. Far more difficult to admit our own lack of self-restraint: When we…
The most effective advancement folk don’t necessarily have access to the best technology. They don’t have the largest budgets. They probably don’t work for the biggest organizations or institutions. They aren’t the smartest or the most well-educated. They aren’t even the most enthusiastic always. Instead, there is a simple-ness to being especially effective in our…
Let’s say your database has 100,000 records. Perhaps you have 350 of those 100,000 records that are appropriately assigned in your major gift prospect management system. I say, “appropriately,” because you may have 350 donors who possess the financial prosperity, propensity to give, and passion for your mission that you have identified and engaged through…
If we’re not going to meaningfully engage volunteer leaders in the process of inviting others to learn more and give, why do a campaign? If we’re not going to identify the most strategically-important priorities donors can support, why do a campaign? If we’re not going to align our major gifts prospect management work to first…
If we want to make our advancement work easier, we can lift up the importance of ourselves. If we want to raise more money, we can lift up the importance of donors. And, if we want to change the world, we can lift up the important of our cause. Making ourselves and our donors feel…