Giving is Good
Some people overcomplicate without realizing it. There is group meeting focused on a problem. A potential solution is suggested. And, then, the overcomplicating starts. “I want to know,” an overcomplicator might ask, “how we got here to begin with?” This question may be interesting to address. It may even be helpful to address some day. …
Strong leaders invite. Weak leaders tell. Strong leaders know what they don’t know. Weak leaders know it all. Strong leaders inspire. Weak leaders intimidate. Strong leaders seek diversity. Weak leaders seek sameness. Strong leaders unite. Weak leaders divide. Strong leaders take responsibility. Weak leaders take credit. Strong leaders encourage. Weak leaders bulldoze. Strong leaders persuade. …
Too many gift officers put off inviting the next gift from a donor because they mistakenly believe that the next gift will, somehow, derail the donor from making their best gift in the future. But, the best gift being imagined by the gift officer may not even be on the radar yet for the giver….
Recently, I was with a client discussing their scholarship program – both, awarding scholarships to students as well as raising money for scholarships. The University CFO told me that the University provides institutional financial support for students based on both merit (a blend of high school g.p.a. and standardized test scores) and financial need. Also…
It’s more important to have a compelling aspiration than goals. Aspirations give us direction. Aspirations give us meaning and motivation. Aspirations inspire us to stay committed to a longer-term effort. Goals (and their more specific cousins, objectives), give us feedback on our journey toward our aspiration. Yes, goals and objectives help us measure progress. Yes,…
I talk with clients a good bit about the time we spend brushing our teeth. I don’t know anything special about dental care, of course. Rather, I bring up that daily habit because it’s one of those everyday moments in which we can briefly be alone with our thoughts, staring at ourselves in a mirror. …
The donor has interests and values she wants to express through her giving. Regardless of how aligned your organization’s mission or fundraising priority is with her interests and values, this donor is only going to giving significantly and with enthusiasm if she trusts the people she is giving to. Trust is interesting because many advancement…
This is a well-worn question we learn as young students in school. It’s also a limiting question. When we ask this question, the assumption is that the only value of education is how it prepares and benefits us for some specific test. Everything else that happens in the educational experience is a waste. This misunderstands…
We talk a lot in advancement about the importance of creating compelling stories for our donors and friends. Stories that personify the impact of giving and volunteering. And stories that encourage others do more of both. We invite donors to respond generously by telling a story of a life saved or changed because of our…
If our goal is to raise more money for our cause, a common sentiment expressed is something similar to the following: “We will need new donors to step up!” On it’s face, this sentiment seems to make sense. We absolutely could raise more money if new or lapsed donors respond generously. But, it becomes a…