Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

"...Both generous and ungenerous people live lives that are less than ideal. But the generous possess an insight usually missing among the less generous. They know that they already have enough, and that clinging to what they have or clamoring for more will not bring about greater happiness. So they share some of their time, money, and care with others. They tend to see the beauty of life, the value of solidarity, and their connection to humanity. Their perspective tells them that the world, properly viewed, is a place of abundance. They take their hardships in stride, believing that life is good and still worth living, beautiful, and meaningful. Their problems in life do not set the dominant tone of life."

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

Reflection questions: 

• How will you show this week the connection your donors have in bringing the beauty of life into your mission?

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.

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"Donors, grantees, and beneficiaries need each other to bring something beautiful and life-giving to fruition. It is a collaboration borne of deep desire to find meaning, to be a blessing, to be part of something successful and consequential, and to heal the sorrows of life....”

This week I am reading two quotes from Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service. Kerry Alys Robinson. 2014.


Reflection questions:

• In thinking about those who support our missions, especially those areas that deal with human tragedies, How are we helping to heal the sorrows of life for, through, and with our donors?

• How do we give space for donors to redeem their tragedies through generosity?

To purchase this book:  Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service.

Permissions granted for use of this quote.

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

"...May I be a guard for those who have no protector,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge..."

This week, I am reading a reflection from Shantideva from the 8th century AD.

Reflection Questions:

• Which metaphor most resonates with your work?

• Consider asking a donor which metaphor resonates with them about your work.

To read:  Shantideva Bodhisattva

This work has entered the 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.

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"...For with wisdom cometh patience, And with patience cometh rest..."

This week, I am reading the poem The Hardest Time of All, by Sarah Doudney. Written in 1896.

Reflection Questions:

Will you reflect on your current fundraising or mission challenges and consider where perseverance, patience, wisdom, and rest can enter in?

Will you take the time to document those challenges and then schedule an email to send that reflection to yourself in a year?

To read: The Hardest Time of All

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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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"...She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
For all she's aged and poor and slow.

"And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand,..."

This week, I am reading the poem Somebody’s Mother by Mary Dow Brine. Written in 1878.

Reflection questions:

• In thinking of your work, what is your somebody’s fill-in-the-blank?

• What brings you pride and joy in your work this week?

To read: Somebody's Mother

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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

"...See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
     For in truth it is life that gives unto life—while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness...."

This week, I am reading the poem On Giving by Kahil Gibran. Published in 1923.

Reflection question:

• How are you rising together with the giver, whatever their motivation?

To explore more: the poems of Kahil Gabran.

This poem has entered the 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.

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"...Those who hoard their gifts, living with clenched fists, suffer the sadness of a pinched soul and a miserly existence. They never experience the extravagant blessings that come to those who live with open hands and giving hearts...

This week, I am reading various quotes from Being Generous by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch, published in 2009.

Reflection question:

• In this field,  how is your soul being shaped this week?  With an open hand and giving heart? or Clenched fists and a pinched soul?

To purchase this book:  Being Generosity by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch.   To receive a 30% discount with free shipping, use code: RUSA30.

Permissions granted by Templeton Press for use of this quote.

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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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"...I would say that other‐preservation is the first law of life. It is the first law of life precisely because we cannot preserve self without being concerned about preserving other selves..."

In honor of the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior Day in the United States, I thought I would share two related quotes from him. Both of these quotes come from the time of his launch of the Poor People’s Campaign.

Reflection questions:

• How will you invite someone in your community to join you in this other-concern work?

• If you have had a hard week in your work, what do you most need to recharge? Time with the clients you serve to see the difference you are making?  Time with a donor to hear why they support the cause? Or time away with your community? Take the time.

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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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"...Remove gift and gratitude from human society, and what remains is not a community but a "lonely crowd," in the famous words of the sociologist David Riesman..."

This week, I am reading various quotes from Being Generous by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch, published in 2009.

Reflection questions:

• Have you ever considered if some of the donors to your missions are giving because of that idea of community and dependency?  Seeking to acknowledge that we are interdependent on each other?

• What risks will you take this week in building relationships with donors?

To purchase this book:  Being Generosity by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch.   To receive a 30% discount with free shipping, use code: RUSA30.

Permissions granted by Templeton Press for use of this quote.

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.

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As you know, this podcast focuses on the beautiful spaces of generosity. I will be taking a break until January 5.  Instead of reading a quote this week, I encourage you to explore the roots of generosity within your own holiday traditions. As I reflect on St. Nicholas Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, Christkind, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day and so many of the other holidays, I am struck by the universal elements of generosity and relationships.  Yet, we can get so busy in planning for these holidays that we miss the simple truths that generosity brings to each of these holidays.  So, let’s reflect on one question until January 5:

• In the midst of the busyness, how will you be generous to yourself so that you can give out of the cup of generosity to others?   

Until January 5.

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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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