Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

The Drafter of Many Appeals ends the article with ... "But the fact is that motives of pure reason to explain voluntary action are usually difficult of discovery, and not in charitable spheres only..."

This week I am reading "The Ethics of giving: The Ratio of Generosity to Income" by "a Drafter of Many Appeals" from the Hospital Magazine, published in 1915.

Reflection question:

• When will you take the time to find the humor in our fundraising work through a Google search of humorous videos or cartoons focused on fundraising or, perhaps, have conversation with a colleague about their funniest moments in this profession?

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"...[Generosity] removes a weight, a burden, a nagging fear. It sets one free to appreciate and enjoy what one has, rather than being burdened with the wish that one had more or worry about losing it. This kind of personal transformation shores up the personal security grounded in believing that, whatever the future holds, one will always have enough....."

This week, I’m reading a quote from The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson. 2014 edition.

Reflection questions:

• How are our words to donors reflecting that shift from scarcity to abundance?

• How is generosity liberating in our own lives?

To purchase this book: The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson.

Copyright: Oxford University Press 2014. Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...Guilt appeals in the field of persuasion are quite common. However, the effectiveness of these messages is sometimes ambivalent. It is widely acknowledged that guilt leads people to engage into prosocial behaviors, but the effects of guilt can also be counter-productive...."

This week, I am reading a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and A Theory of Guilt Appeals: A Review Showing the Importance of Investigating Cognitive Processes as Mediators between Emotion and Behavior, by Graton and Mailliez, published in 2019.

Reflection question:

• With what are you watering the messages to donors?

To read: A Theory of Guilt Appeals: A Review Showing the Importance of Investigating Cognitive Processes as Mediators between Emotion and Behavior

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution.

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"...Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others..."

This week, I’m reading from 2 Corinthians by Saint Paul.

Reflection questions:

• Is there a volunteer or Board member you have deemed too poor to give the opportunity to donate?

• How can you empower all people - regardless of their economic situation - to give joyfully?

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"....Once we have learned to love the rich for who they are rather than what they have; and once we believe that we have something of great value to give them, then we will have no trouble at all in asking someone for a large sum of money...."

This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992.

Reflection questions:

• When I meet a donor at their home, am I jealous or envious?  Or, am I grateful for their generosity?

• Also related to this week’s quote, do I assume the worst about a donor and their wealth? Or, am I grateful that they have been blessed with the opportunity to give?

To purchase: The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen

Used with permission from Upper Room Books.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

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"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 Nouwen

Used with permission from Upper Room Books.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, 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 thought
What 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 Wordsworth

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, 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 Nouwen

Used with permission from Upper Room Books.

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, 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 Nouwen

Used with permission from Upper Room Books.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...One glance most kind
That 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 Aristotle

The works have passed into public domain.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop