Archives:

Do you know what’s in your donors’ backpacks?

“The other backpacks

A powerful metaphor from a long hike:

Every hiker is intimately aware of their backpack. They picked it out, choosing from dozens of options. They know which straps are loose and which are digging into their skin. They can tell you if it’s lopsided, and what is in each pocket.

And yet…

Even after days on the trail, they probably couldn’t tell you a thing about anyone else’s backpack. Except, perhaps, that everyone else has one.”

That’s the first step toward empathy: Realizing that everyone else has a backpack, and that it’s different from yours.

— Seth Godin

When you engage with donors, do you ask yourself what matters to them? What do you do to try to find out? If you don’t know, empathy becomes impossible. And empathy is one of the prime ways we connect with others. Donors included.

Consider that your supporters are all on a journey. Backpacks strapped on. Waiting for you to be their empathic guide.This issue of the Clairity Click-it is filled with a mix of topics to help you engage more effectively with all sorts of people. To inspire others to enact their values.  To lead. To amplify. To create abundance. It’s arranged by category, to help you locate the pieces of curated content that most intrigue you and/or meet your needs of the moment.

Approach this with a learning mindset, vowing to find at least one thing you’ll do a bit differently (if not today, then tomorrow; save the idea and put it on your calendar so you’re sure to revisit it at the appropriate time).

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your NOVEMBER TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, what are you waiting for? [The enrollment fee just covers my costs, but if it is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out. My motto: “If I know it I want you to know it!”]

Throwing shade or throwing light?

One takes a little more effort than the other.

While throwing shade might be more fun, it eventually runs out of energy. It’s designed to end conversations, not start them, to intimidate, not encourage.

Turning on lights helps everyone.

— Seth Godin

You are on a meaning-seeking journey. Through your work, you create positive change and make lives easier and better. One person, family, community, region at a time.  Your donors seek the same.

Part of your job is to bring meaning, not just to the beneficiaries of your organization’s mission but also to the people who contribute towards your meaningful outcomes.

It turns out when you consider what brings meaning and value to philanthropists – donors and volunteers – you do a more effective job creating abundance all around.

Use some of the resources in this week’s issue of the Clairity Click-it to help you on your journey. And to help your supporters on theirs. Whatever your role, you’ll find something in this issue to nourish you. So, start digging through the curated content from across the web. I hope it will make your job easier, and more fulfilling. Get curious!

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the resources I believe will be most useful to you.

It is my sincere pleasure and honor to help you find the ideas, strategies, templates and tools you need to succeed.

Thank you for doing your vital work, and making our world a better place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Please scroll down to see all my Clairification School sponsors who enable me to offer enrollment in ‘Clairification School at an affordable price [If the enrollment fee is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out.]

Borrow from the best. Always.

I happen to think Hugh MacLeod of The Gapingvoid Culture Design Group is a genius. So, I often borrow from him and lean into his inspiration. This week’s post, Script or Sprezzatura?, uses Starbucks as an example to teach us something about how internal culture spills outwards.

In a nutshell, rather than focusing so much on your scripted message, focus instead on your “why.” What makes you uniquely appealing and irresistible? What is the most human, and humane, of all your qualities? Why is this so critical?  As MacLeod writes:

Instead of telling baristas what to say, give them something worth believing: 

Every interaction with a customer is a chance to turn someone’s day around. 

Genuine kindness costs nothing and changes everything. 

The world is starving for unhurried human moments.

How will you nurture people moving forward?

This issue of the Clairity Click-it is filled with a mix of topics to help you enroll and engage more people. To accompany more supporters on philanthropic journeys. To inspire others to enact their values.  To lead. To amplify. To create abundance. It’s arranged by category, to help you locate the pieces of curated content that most intrigue you and/or meet your needs of the moment.

Approach this with a learning mindset, vowing to find at least one thing you’ll do a bit differently (if not today, then tomorrow; save the idea and put it on your calendar so you’re sure to revisit it at the appropriate time).

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your OCTOBER TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, what are you waiting for? [The enrollment fee just covers my costs, but if it is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out. My motto: “If I know it I want you to know it!”]

How are you doing?

We live in a passionate time, with emotions running high. Sometimes, things seem beyond our control and we become overwhelmed. Or, worse, negative. Cup half (or totally) empty. But, the truth is you may have more control than you think. At least as to how you frame things and approach the world. And this reframing can make a huge difference in how you feel. And what you’re able to accomplish.

Here’s some wisdom from Seth Godin, who I always find thought provoking.

Contagious emotions

“Emotions are personal and most of the time, we can put effort into creating them (or avoiding them).

But in a community, emotions spread. And not at the same rate. Consider these emotions, roughly sorted by their virality:

• Panic
• Apprehension
• Enthusiasm
• Frustration
• Indignation
• Elation
• Nostalgia
• Curiosity
• Cynicism
• Determination
• Gratitude
• Vulnerability
• Melancholy
• Triumph
• Contentment
• Resignation
• Apathy
• Overwhelm
• Wonder
• Joy
• Satisfaction
• Serenity

If we want to share the emotions near the bottom of this list, we’re going to have to really work at it.”

What might you do in the coming weeks to work at fostering wonder, joy, satisfaction and serenity? How might you help others (e.g., your colleagues, volunteers and donors) to also feel these cup-full emotions?

I hope you will use some of the wisdom gleaned in this week’s issue of the Clairity Click-it newsletter to do the work that nourishes you, so you can then nourish others. Start digging through this curated content from across the web. I hope it will make your job easier, and more fulfilling. There’s lots to get curious about!

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Please scroll down to see all my Clairification School sponsors who enable me to offer enrollment in ‘Clairification School (access to absolutely all of my content for a full year) at a beyond-affordable price [The enrollment fee just covers my costs, but if it is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out.]

An invitation to vibration

“Many organizations have a widget or service, something people already need or want, and they work to sell it to people.

Some seek monopoly power so they can force others to do what they want them to do.

But there’s a third path: we can create a brand or a movement or a community that seeks to do things with people.

A chance to accompany someone on a journey, to lead instead of manage, or to amplify and narrate. When we help people get to where they hope to go, persuasion isn’t as important as enrollment and engagement.”

— Seth Godin

I hope you will use some of the wisdom gleaned in this week’s issue of the Clairity Click-it newsletter to enroll and engage more people. To accompany more supporters on philanthropic journeys. To inspire others to enact their values.  To lead. To amplify. To create abundance.

Whatever your role, you’ll find something here to nourish you. So, start digging through the curated content from across the web. I hope it will make your job easier, and more fulfilling. There’s lots to get curious about!

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your SEPTEBER TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Perfect

“Nothing is perfect…

But everything can get better.

There’s never enough time…

But there’s time enough to make a difference.

Someone will always be opposed to the change we seek to make.

And there’s always someone who wants to help.

Anything can happen…

But something will.”

— Seth Godin

Not to belabor the point, but… YOU matter.

Something will happen.

And, everything can get better.

What do you hope to improve?

And will you be an active player in advancing the change you hope to see?

I’m hoping you will be, because the time to repair our world is NOW. One person, one action at a time. Need some ideas to jumpstart your creativity? I’ve collected a bunch of free resources for you that will, hopefully, offer new ideas, perspectives and skills to your toolkit. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your SEPTEMBER TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Wherever you are, here’s hoping you’re managing to keep cool!

And I don’t mean just physically. As we begin to ramp up for the busiest part of the fundraising year — during a time of unprecedented upheaval — try to let cooler heads prevail. Hopefully, some of the wisdom you find in this newsletter will help you with great ideas to lessen your stress.

This week I’m thinking about how we approach our work. Do we attack with gusto and joy, or sit back with placidity and ennui. Either can seem reasonable or unreasonable, depending how we frame what we’re doing. As Hugh MacLeod writes in the Gaping Void: “The human experience is a binary: We’re either striving for something (a form of de Staël’s “suffering”), or we’re bored. Humans hate being bored.” Striving, or boredom, is your call.

After reading the above, I came upon this complimentary thought from Seth Godin:

Mostly unreasonable

“It’s tempting to go to an extreme. Unreasonable design standards, quality or hospitality are an effective way to gain share, delight customers and spread the word. To be unreasonable in service of your customers is a practice and a commitment.

Along the way, though, reality sets in. The boss has multiple priorities. The uncompromising edges of unreasonable are truly expensive. They take time and effort and money… and they’re unreasonable.

And so, we pull back a bit. We go much of the way, but not quite to ridiculous.

The thing is, rational, compromised unreason has a name: it’s called normal.

If you want the benefits that come from being unreasonable on behalf of your customers, you’re going to have to pay the price as well.

Unreasonable works precisely because most people aren’t driven to go all the way there.”

Sometimes going the extra mile seems unreasonable. Because you’re under-resourced, under-rewarded, and just plain cranky. It seems easier to stick with what’s easy and less trouble. But, in the end, does that really bring ease? Peace of mind? Not if you’re not moving the needle and making progress toward your vision.

I’d love to have you thinking about giving people more than they expect. Especially your donors. It’s long been my philosophy for successful fundraising. If you want gifts, you must give them. Which is why I’ve collected a bunch of little gifts for you that will, hopefully, jumpstart your creativity!  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your AUGUST TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Do you ever find yourself spending seemingly endless time worrying about the state of the world? The future of your organization? Family dynamics? Career prospects? Simply what you’re going to eat for lunch?  The dog days of summer lead to this type of languid reflection. Sometimes it’s useful. But, it can also be enervating.

The inimitable Seth Godin puts it succinctly:

Daydream fatigue

“Spend enough time inventing possible futures in your head and you won’t have any time to build the future we will all share.

Time to get to work.”

Sometimes it’s best to stop overthinking and start doing. Which is why I’ve collected a bunch of resources for you that will, hopefully, get your brain into action mode!  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your AUGUST TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

In Ecosystems Come and Go, Seth Godin writes:

“We can lament the end of an ecosystem. After all, we worked hard to get here and we counted on it. We’re comfortable with it and we understand it.

Or, we can accept that ecosystems come and go, and focus our energy on how the next ecosystem gives us a chance to do our work, new work, different work, but work that matters, for people who care.”

The world changes. Constantly. As a result, what used to work well no longer serves us.  It may not exactly be ‘broken,’ but it still needs a ‘fix.’

Which is why I’ve collected lots of resources over the past two weeks – all with the hope you’ll find something to help you adapt to changing times, with attunement, buoyancy and clarity.  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your JULY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

This is a great month to do something you’re proud of. And to support others who are showing their spirit and pride. Actually, every month is good for these things!

Which, as it often does, brings me to share a bit of wisdom from the sage Seth Godin.

Simple five step plan for just about everyone and everything

The number of people you need to ask for permission keeps going down:

Go, make something happen.

Do work you’re proud of.

Treat people with respect.

Make big promises and keep them.

Ship it out the door.

When in doubt, see #1.

— Seth Godin

What do you have to be proud of? Think about this both professionally and personally. Pick one thing your organization did last week or month that made you proud. Pick one thing you did personally that made you proud. I encourage you to think about the proud moments and bask, as much as possible, in the positives. While you’re at it, poke around this issue of the Clairity Click-it and find something that speaks to you. Then… go make something happen!

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your JULY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time. Get ALL my content delivered direct to your inbox — so you don’t miss a thing!