The work of philanthropy facilitation is very personal. And, fundamentally, it’s based on trust. Which is why establishing and building trust should be part of your nonprofit and personal mission. “Amid times of change, one truth remains: trust is the foundation of progress” — Eman Trust Barometer 2025 Alas, I rarely see this in mission…
DetailsI’m making this the year of helping people reframe their approach to things, both personally and professionally. We can’t always change the external, but we can change the internal. And that can be than enough. It’s a LOT. Shall we talk first about callings, or breathing? How about breathing? Among the definitions of the…
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These are the best of times. These are the worst of times.
However you see the present, rest assured others see it the opposite.
How do you cope? How do you help others cope? How are you adapting, personally and professionally, to the times in which we live?
It turns out the way you cope, particularly during times of stress, has a lot to do with your unique personality traits.
During such times, it pays to be self-aware. It can help you understand why you may be feeling particularly panicky. Or inexplicably calm and at peace. ANd it can help you lean in to what makes you feel creative, purposeful, and even joyful.
Through self discovery, you can live your life in the best way possible.
Want to make a contribution that feels authentic, productive and true to you? Want to make this a year where you help others do the same, be they your family, friends, co-workers, program participants and beneficiaries, volunteers or donors?
Then how about taking a bit of focused time to unearth some important truths about the most interesting person on earth — YOU!
Turn off the news, stop scrolling through social media, and instead get in touch with, and appreciate, what you bring to the table.
I’ve got four fun things for you to try!
One is a values exercise. The others can be grouped under the mantle of “personality tests.”
First, let’s stipulate values vary and they’re all legitimate. Also, there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ personality. These exercises and assessments I’m sharing today are my favorites for the workplace (and beyond) as they’ve been rigorously tested, are grounded in research and have been shown to be fair and consistent across populations. Plus, they’re fun to take.
Are you game?
Even if you don’t love doing exercises and taking quizzes as much as I do, you may find one or more of these interesting. None of them take a lot of your time. And it’s even more fun if you do it together (with friends, family, co-workers); then compare and discuss results!
Remember: Everyone brings their own gifts to the situation at hand.
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Here’s a great piece of advice you can use year-round, but particularly at the end of the year when you make your final “clean up” calls to acquire and/or renew donors who’ve not yet given to you. And by “use,” I mean do the opposite of what they recommend. I came upon the advice in…
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I’m a huge fan of the Greater Good Science Center at U.C. Berkeley, and often apply their research to nonprofit fundraising and marketing. This particular article really strikes me today, because it talks about times when we feel isolated from others: How to Find Your Purpose in Life.
Over my 30 years of practice as an in-house development professional, I’ve encountered a lot of people feeling isolated. It’s one of the reasons they reach out to social benefit organizations, because they crave community and purpose. Depending on what’s going on in the broader world around us, this feeling can be more or less at the forefront of people’s experience. When this feeling creeps in, this is a time for you to rededicate yourself to your fundamental role as a philanthropy facilitator. Or, as my mentor (and who some call the “father of fundraising)” Hank Rosso said: your role in “the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.”
Here’s what it boils down to:
You serve your donors every bit as much as they serve your organization’s mission.
Please allow that to sink in.
You have a mission and purpose. Donors can help you get there.
Your donors are looking for purpose. You can help them find it.
It’s a symbiotic relationship. And you have a role in fostering that relationship. What is that role?
Your job is to facilitate your donor’s philanthropic journey. Their journey to discover their purpose.
So what’s this really all about?
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What will you hope for in the coming year? Some years ago a college classmate sent me and others this question by way of a year-end holiday missive, ruminating on how hope and optimism are similar yet different. It struck a chord with me (Thank you David Mahoney). You see, I’m not generally an optimist.…
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“Give me one moment in time.
When I’m more than I thought could be.
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away.
And the answers are all up to me.”
Ah, the lyrics remembered from a Whitney Houston song sung at the 1988 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. The Olympic torch. The parade of nations. The stories, stories and stories.
Chills run down my spine. The hairs stand straight on my neck. A lump comes to my throat.
Cheesy, I know. But it gets to me.
We all yearn for that one moment where we step outside our daily, mundane lives and exceed our wildest expectations.
When we’re bigger than ourselves.
And gold medal philanthropy facilitators.
The Olympics lifts us up. At its best, philanthropy does this as well.
It inspires us.
It engages us fully.
It’s as addictive as chocolate when done right.
In fact, MRI data show us when people even simply contemplate giving, the pleasure centers of their brain light up. The very same area of the brain that lights up when we eat chocolate! One might call this the “philanthropic high.”
And, unlike other addictions, this one is good for us!
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Today I’m writing about something that’s not fundraising or nonprofit marketing strategy per se. It’s about how to have hope – and take action – during times that may feel hopeless. For most of us, we’ve perhaps never been in perilous times during our lifetimes. For a host of reasons. And it’s not…
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I’m going to guess “yes.” I’m sure some will hate me for saying this, but after 30+ years in the nonprofit trenches and another 10+ as a coach and consultant, I’m still amazed at how small many of us think. In 2008 during the big recession, and 2020 during the pandemic, all I heard was…
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Radiance is meant-to-be. Radiance means: To have the light within us lit To send out light To reflect back light To bounce light back and forth, in simultaneous service to ourselves and others. What if you were to view your work as allowing your own and others’ meant-to-be radiance to come forth and shine? I’m…
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