Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

"...One would give generous alms if you had the eyes to see the beauty of a cupped receiving hand..."

This week, I am reading various quotes from the writings of Goethe who lived in present-day Germany from 1749 to 1832.

Reflection questions:

• What are you carrying in your heart this week: generosity, abundance, or scarcity?

• When will you take time this week to jot down a reflection on the beauty of the mission you serve?

To explore more: the writings of Goethe

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"...our first moral criticisms are exercised upon the characters and conduct of other people; and we are all very forward to observe how each of these affects us..."

This week, I’m reading a quote from The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith, published in 1759.

Reflection question:

In your network of influence, perhaps in your family or friends, how are you sharing the joy of giving as a model to the younger generation?

To read: The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

Copyright expired. 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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"... just as those tools which are kept in use, and are daily touched by the hand, are never in danger of growing rusty, while those which are not brought before our eyes, and lie as if superfluous, not being required for common use, collect dirt by the mere lapse of time..."

This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.

Reflection Questions:

• When will you pause this week to remember the donors from yesterday or last week or even last year?

• How can you structure your days to spend time each day in grateful remembrance? 

To read this writing: On Benefits by Seneca the Younger

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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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"... by complaining I shall not make myself deserve to receive more, but shall become unworthy of what I have received...."

This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.


Reflection Questions:

• Have we noticed signs of self-esteem, greed or jealousy slipping into our thinking when we consider our donors or donors to other organizations?

• What are ways you can lean into gratitude this week?
  
  

To read this writing: On Benefits by Seneca the Younger

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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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"...the moral challenge of generosity can also push people to confront and overcome their emotional, existential fears about insufficiency, their psychological perceptions of scarcity as a mode of life that governs their world..."

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

Reflection questions:

• If you work in an organization with a culture of insecurity and scarcity, what are ways you fortify a culture of abundance in yourself and that which you have direct control over?

• If one of your community partners is stuck in a culture of insecurity and scarcity, how can you create boundaries so that culture doesn’t permeate the culture of the nonprofit you serve?  And, how can you model the culture of abundance in your organization to your community?

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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..." It is in itself an expression of gratitude to speak of one's self as overwhelmed by kindness."

This week, I am reading a story and quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.


Reflection Question:

• No matter the donor or the donor’s motivation, how are you and I receiving gifts? What is the attitude of our hearts?

To read this writing: On Benefits by Seneca the Younger

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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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"... You see how the mind even in the straitest circumstances finds the means of generosity."

This week, I am reading a story and quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.


Reflection Questions:

• Consider the volunteers you interact with, how are you going beyond thanking them for their time and instead honoring the gift of their own self?

• How are we restoring them to themselves; that is, sharing with them the greater impact the gift of their time and person has in the mission together we serve?

To read this writing: On Benefits by Seneca the Younger

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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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"When conventional economic and marketing assumptions shape and undergird the work of charitable fundraising, whether for Christian organizations or others, potential donors will often be approached with the expectation that they will be more interested in having their names in the program or on a plaque or in receiving a premium or a tax break than in giving to help others 'out of the goodness of their hearts.'"

This week, I am reading a quote from Growing Givers’ Hearts by Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger. 2000 edition.

Reflection questions:

• Is there a donor to whom you have tried to offer an exchange of a tangible items and they seemed not to want it?  How can you shift to a mindset of relationship in your conversations with that donor?

• How are you nurturing relationships with donors that are excited to see the world-changing and life-giving power of their donations?

To purchase this book:  Growing Givers’ Hearts by Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger.

Copyright 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.

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

Reflection questions: 

• How are we continuing to give opportunities for donors to be generous to the mission we serve as they are also giving to others because of world events?

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.

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

"Once there was a tree..."

This week, I’m reading The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, published in 1964.

Reflection questions: 

• As fundraisers, when are we the tree and when are we the boy?

• How are we sitting down and resting with our giving partners?

To purchase this book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

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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