Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

"...Waiting, then, is not passive. It involves nurturing the moment, as a mother nurtures the child that is growing in her womb...” This week, I am reflecting on selected quotes from Henri Nouwen from the The Path of Waiting, published in 1995 and Bread for the Journey, published in 1996. Reflection questions: Reflection on the quote: Capital campaigns are full of some many moments that can be also hard and taxing on the staff, volunteers and the organizations. In this series, we are looking at ways to manage the stress. Last week, we discussed feeling overwhelmed about the goal and learning into joy. This week, we will be exploring the seasons of waiting, which can be stressful. We wait for the right timing to ask. We wait for donors to decide to give. We wait for news about a grant application. We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting is not inactive. Instead, it involves nurturing the moments of waiting. As we wait, we are active in nurturing relationships. We listen and wait while donors discover more about themselves and their potential donation to the capital campaign. We give them opportunities to explore our mission, our cause, and their potential impact more deeply. We share updates to engage their interest. If we become impatient and just move onto the next new potential donor relationship, while it feel like we are doing something, in reality, we will find that the moment, that new space, is just as empty. We wait, trusting that our patient work in nurturing relationships will bring about the fruit of generosity. 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

"...Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering, Cast them away as ugly, or heavy, or hard." This week, I’m reading a poem written by Greville MacDonald to his father George MacDonald in 1930. Reflection question: Who on your list of donors who have already given can you call this week to hold onto joy in the midst of your stress? Reflection on the quote: Capital campaigns are full of some many moments that can be also hard and taxing on the staff, volunteers and the organizations. In this series, we will look at ways to manage the stress. It is easy to become overcome by the enormity of the capital campaign goal and the number of donors who need to be cultivated and asked. When we are overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal and the number of donors who need to be cultivated and asked, this is when we must take the joy within our reach. One of the most beautiful ways to take hold of that joy is through stewardship of the donors who have already given. Rather than seeing stewardship as one more task in the campaign, instead it can be a way to manage the stress. By reaching out to donors who have already given to say thank you again and to give an update again, they will likely respond with joy and gratitude. That joy then gives further meaning and purpose to the other cultivation and asking calls on your to-do list.The day breaks, and the shadows flee away. This work has entered the public domain. 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

“Giving brings happiness in every state of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous; we experience joy in the actual act of giving something; and we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given.” This week, I’m reading 3 quotes from the Buddha. Reflection question: Reflection on quotes: Today is our final episode in our series on authentic giving and avoiding transactional approaches. We’ve discussed the difference between transactions and authentic giving, donors demanding transactional approaches, and the roots of loneliness and guilt in transactional donations. Finally, when we give authentic giving opportunities, the donor experiences joy throughout the generosity cycle during a capital campaign. The writers from centuries ago understood things about human nature—about giving, receiving, and gratitude—that we're just now proving with brain scans and research studies. There's something beautiful about discovering that ancient wisdom and modern science keep arriving at the same truths. As a reminder, you can go back to the series on neuroscience and giving to hear about the science. These quotes show something we often forget during capital campaigns —giving isn't a burden we place on people. It's a gift we offer them. Think about your own experience. Remember the last time you gave something meaningful? That warm feeling you got? That was your brain releasing actual joy chemicals. The quote reveals this beautiful truth: we experience joy when we decide to give, joy when we actually give, and joy when we remember giving. Triple joy. But here's where we make an authentic gift feel like a transaction for donors. We work so hard to capture that first moment—getting someone to say yes—then we disappear and start talking to the next donor. We forget about joy number three. We abandon our donors before they can fully experience what they've done. When we follow up, when we share about the campaign and construction progress and the donor’s impact on that progress, when we help donors remember their generosity—we're not just being polite. We're completing their joy cycle. Start celebrating it throughout the campaign. This work has entered the public domain. 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

"...Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream...” This week, I am reading a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and a quote from 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: Reflection on quote: Today is our fourth episode in our series on authentic giving and avoiding transactional approaches. We’ve discussed different approaches, donor demanding transactional approaches, and the root of loneliness in transactional donations. Another root for transactional approaches is guilt. Capital campaign donors can be guilted into a donation either by the campaign messages or through the donor’s inner values. What happens when a campaign rely too heavily on guilt? As we are building our case for support for the capital campaign, we are making intentional choices in the framing message and the images we use. We can choose overtly guilt inducing messages and images to pressure donors to give; such as crying clients or a building falling down. These images and messages coupled with an urgent call to action, such as “you must give now,” will provoke a backlash. Instead, when we choose messages and images that show need, empower agency, and provide the opportunity to give as part of the solution, the donor can take any guilt they may feel and channel it into positive gift. That is, we are watering authentic generosity. 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. The quote from Lao Tzu is in the public domain. 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

"...Fund-raising must always aim to create new, lasting relationships...." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, originally presented in 1992. Reflection questions: Reflection on quote: Last week, we discussed the scenario when the donor treats their donation as a transaction. Often times, the root of transactional giving by donors is loneliness. In an authentic giving approach, we offer donors a relationship and an opportunity to belong. Henri Nouwen spoke about this approach and his words have shifted the mindset of many working in capital campaigns across various mission types and not just faith-based organization. When donors approach us with a transactional gift, we offer an opportunity for friendship and belonging in return. The real, person to person opportunity to belong and to make a difference. Instead of seeing the conversation as a transaction, we invite donors to belong and seeing their money as a way to join with others to create a vision and life together that is fruitful beyond just the building that will built. The building itself changes to a place of community for both the donor and the constituent. 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

"...Generosity cannot be counterfeited, and fake generosity does not make us happier, healthier, and more purposeful in life..." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson. 2014 edition. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: Last week in our series on authentic giving, we discussed avoiding transactional approaches. What happens if the donor wants to treat the donation as a transaction during a capital campaign? And, if we encourage these donors to be generous for their self-serving reasons, will they reap the benefits of generosity? Capital campaigns can bring the joy of seeing donors become more kind, more amenable, more generous the more they give. And, yet, we may also encounter donors who become more demanding, more angry, more sour the more they give. These are donors who are, as the authors said, going through the motions of generosity simply in order to reap the desired rewards. If we tie giving to self-interested rewards, then we are more likely to encourage fake generosity and attract other donors like them. 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

“When conventional economic and marketing assumptions shape and undergird the work of charitable fundraising, .... 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: Treating Fundraising as Ministry by Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger, published in 2000. Reflection questions: Reflection on quote: We are starting a short series on authentic giving. Due to the nature of capital campaigns, it is easy to fall into the trap of asking for a transactional donation because of various common features of a campaign, such methods to give to save on taxes documents and naming rights; that is, give this donation and you can name this part of the building. Let’s start this series about authentic giving in looking at our approach. Several years ago, I learned this principle through a bit of a failure. I was working with a nonprofit client that had a donor who planned to give a gift of appreciated stock. Immediately, I advised the nonprofit to set up the process for the donor to transfer the stock to the client and avoid capital gains tax. However, when the donor was told how to avoid capital gains tax, they refused and instead insisted on selling the stocks, paying the capital gains tax, and donating the proceeds. This donor cared more about the world-changing and life-giving power that was present in or working through the goodness of his heart and soul than the tax break. And, frankly, the donor was a bit offended to be offered a way to save money in his giving. Imagine if the conversation had gone differently. What if I hadn’t assumed that the donor would want a tax break? What if I had encouraged the nonprofit to first approached the conversation with an acknowledgement that this donor was giving out the goodness of their heart. What if only after that was fully acknowledged, then the nonprofit had a conversation with the donor about what they wanted to accomplish through their method of giving? When we approach donors with the assumption that they wish to give authentic gifts without receiving anything in return, we can better avoid any feeling that the gift is a transaction. To purchase this book: Growing Givers’ Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry 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. Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...true charity is given, not with what is left over, but with what we need..." This week, I’m reading from the former Pope Francis and his homily from November 8, 2015. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: In our series on cultivating an abundance mindset, we discussed how that mindset affects donors and we discussed how we have to build that mindset within our ourselves. As we end this short series, and there is so much more to say, let’s discuss how we encourage our capital campaign teams and volunteers to ask out of an abundance mindset. As we have discussed in this series, true generosity creates a personal and life-giving transformation for donors. Donors thrive in an abundance mindset. Unfortunately, however, our capital campaign messages take on a scarcity mindset. Instead of sharing messages about giving from fullness, we beg for leftovers. Can you spare a dollar? Every bit counts. Would you just fill the gap? Remember us in your will. If you don’t have other commitments. All of these phrases give the impression that the donor would only want to give to the capital campaign from their leftovers. That wording deprives donors of true, sacrificial generosity. As we train our staff, Board, and campaign volunteers, we must model an abundance mindset in our campaign materials and in messaging, wording, and scripts we use in building relationships with donors. 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

"Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor loss of composure. Where there is poverty borne with joy, there is neither grasping nor hoarding. Where there is quiet and meditation, there is neither worry nor dissipation." This week, I’m reflecting on Of the Virtues putting Vices to Flight by Francis of Assisi, first published in English in 1906. Reflection questions: Reflection on quote: Last week in our series on cultivating an abundance mindset, we discussed how that mindset affects donors. As we continue this series, for most organizational leaders, the amounts that must be raised during a capital campaign can be shocking and overwhelming, leading to a mindset of scarcity. In those overwhelming moments, we have to start the process of cultivating an abundance mindset within our team, the Board, the staff, and the campaign volunteers. And that process starts with ourselves. In the face of leading the organization through the most significant fundraising effort likely in the organization’s history, what do these virtues do? When we lean into patience and humility as leaders, we react calmly to the extensive time the campaign will take, knowing that cultivating an abundance mindset among our team and donors requires more intentional efforts. When there is poverty borne with joy, we as leaders communicate the reality that this capital campaign is larger than we can accomplish on our own and we invite volunteers and donors to join in the joy of accomplishing it together. When we pause for quiet and meditation, even during the busiest seasons of the capital campaign, we calm the frantic efforts and worry that feeds into a scarcity mindset within us. As we keep practicing these abundance-building virtues, we will more quickly escape the scarcity mindset and return to the abundance mindset. This work has entered the public domain. 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

"...No matter how it happens, the testimony of those who have shifted in their minds, spirits, and emotions from an imagined world of scarcity and insecurity to one of abundance, blessing, sufficiency, and overflow is almost always the same: it is liberating......" This week, I’m reading a quote from The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson. 2014 edition. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: This week, we are starting a series on cultivating an abundance mindset during capital campaigns. When we cultivate an abundance mindset, the act of generosity from donors actually changes. During capital campaigns, we will encounter donors who give out of a believed world of scarcity and we will encounter donors who give out of a believed world of abundance. When we approach prospective donors to our capital campaign out of a mindset of abundance, we offer donors the opportunity to shift their imagined world from scarcity and insecurity to a world of abundance, blessing, sufficiency, and overflow. In small towns, we are giving a great blessing to our neighbors even as we are asking. 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

"Urgency triggers a distinctive neurobiological state. In fundraising terms, this means an urgent appeal can literally put a donors brain in “alert mode” prioritizing rapid action over careful deliberation." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: This is the last installment in exploring how generosity is deeply embedded into what it means to be human and how that impacts capital campaigns, using insights from a book recently released by my friend and colleague Cherian Koshy. This series has only looked at a handful of insights from this book; you can purchase his book using the link in the show notes. This week, we are looking at emergencies as it relates to capital campaigns because during capital campaigns in small towns there will be at least one crisis. Next week, we will look at abundance. When the capital campaign hits a sudden crisis—maybe the Executive Director or Campaign Chair steps down mid-campaign, or construction costs jump significantly, or a major pledge falls through—our instinct might be to send out a panicked fundraising appeal. While these messages will help donors prioritize quick action, the key is finding the right balance where we're honest about the challenge without overwhelming donors and we also include hope to inspire confidence and action. But here's the caution: we can’t cry wolf repeatedly. If donors feel manipulated or exhausted by constant emergencies, they will start tuning the capital campaign out. To avoid this, we must be strategic. Not every donor needs to be asked for every crisis. Instead, we are honest about the challenge. We share the plan to solve the crisis. Finally, we are intentional in determining which segment of funders we will ask to fill the gap. Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon. Quote used by permission. 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

"Volunteering can satisfy psychological needs: the need to belong to a community, to see one’s values an action or to develop skills and purpose." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: We are exploring how generosity is deeply embedded into what it means to be human and how that impacts capital campaigns, using insights from a book recently released by my friend and colleague Cherian Koshy. This week, we are looking at volunteering as it relates to capital campaigns. When I am discussing with the Executive Director the number of campaign volunteers that will be needed for a capital campaign, I often hear two concerns. How can we ask someone to give so much of their time, often months and even years to the campaign? And, secondly, how can ask them to donate financially as well? As Cherian points out, we can ask because it’s inherent to being human. We desire social connection and meaningful work that shows progress. Joining a campaign committee or being the campaign chair provides immediate social connections and meaning. Further, as the committee raises funds together, they see the progress towards the goal and the actual building going up. Further, campaign volunteers naturally want to give to the campaign because of their engagement. They want to give both their time and money to be a part of the progress. They are doubly invested. In small towns, their passion about the project will then draw others to join in. And, as result, when we keep sharing the progress of the campaign and show gratitude for their engagement, campaign volunteers will keep volunteering because it makes them feel good. Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon. Quote used by permission. 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

"...Donors don’t just invest their money, they invest their trust. Admitting uncertainty or limitations can actually boost credibility...." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection question: Reflection on quote: We are continuing exploring how generosity is deeply embedded into what it means to be human and how that impacts capital campaigns, using insights from a book recently released by my friend and colleague Cherian Koshy. This week, we are looking at donor trust as it relates to capital campaigns. One challenge during capital campaigns is maintaining and growing trust after the donor give a pledge or donation. From the time the donor gives to capital campaign, it can be months and sometimes years before the construction actually starts or the building project is completed. It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting to give an update. However, admitting uncertainty or limitation boosts credibility. This is especially essential in small towns where a vacuum of information can be filled with false speculation about the viability of the building project. We build, maintain, and grow trust by giving ongoing updates to donors. In turn, those authentic updates give confidence to the donors in sharing their excitement about the project with others. Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon. Quote used by permission. 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

"...If a donor donates regularly – even small amounts –they gather evidence from their own behavior that “I am a generous person.” Once someone embraces a donor identity, they naturally want to act consistently with it..." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection questions: Reflection on quote: We are continuing exploring how generosity is deeply embedded into what it means to be human and how that impacts capital campaigns, using insights from a book recently released by my friend and colleague Cherian Koshy. This week, we are looking at donor identity as it relates to capital campaigns. As we prepare for a capital campaign, one of the necessary reports that we pull from our donor database is a list of long-term givers and some of these long-term donors are donors who are able to give more significantly during the quiet phase of the campaign. As we schedule times to meet with these donors, it’s important to understand how the donor’s self-identification as a generous person to this cause affects their motivation to potentially give to the campaign. In small towns, we can assume we know why they are giving to our cause, but until we have entered into conversations of curiosity, we won’t know. Once we have a better idea of how their identity is driving them to give, we can frame the capital campaign ask as being in alignment with their generous identity. Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon. Quote used by permission. 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

As you know, this podcast highlights the transformative beauty of generosity. I will be taking a brief break until January, and in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on the role of generosity within your own holiday traditions. As I consider the myriad of holidays during this season, I am reminded of the universal themes of generosity and connection that they all share. Yet, in the flurry of holiday preparations, it's easy to overlook the simple but profound gift of giving that is at the heart of each celebration. As we move through this season, I invite you to reflect on this question: How will you show generosity to yourself during this busy season, so you can pour from a full cup of love and kindness to others? Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 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

"... In light of the science, inviting someone to give is really inviting them to tap into these biologically rooted joys of generosity..." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection questions: Reflections on the quote: Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring how generosity is deeply embedded into what it means to be human and how that impacts capital campaigns, using insights from a book recently released by my friend and colleague Cherian Koshy. As we pull out the donor packet with architectural renderings and details about the construction and renovations to show a potential capital campaign donor, it is vital that we don’t forget the role of empathy. Beautiful drawings of the new building or renovation won’t spark giving. As Cherian wrote, empathy is the bridge to giving. A story of a beneficiary walking into that building to receive the services they desperately need. A story of a program staff having the space finally to creatively overcome the challenges their nonprofit seeks to solve. A story of a place where the public to be immersed in goodness, wonder, and beauty. These stories of other humans are the sparks that bridge a donor’s understanding to the act of giving to capital campaigns in our small towns. In addition, it is through these stories and one-on-one conversations that we see the donor for their hopes, fears, and comfort. When we see the donor and the pleasure and bonding that giving brings, we can present the case for support as an opportunity for the donor to experience the deep roots of joy. Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon. Quote used by permission. 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

This is a "re-air," because during economic uncertainty it's important that the leader continues to communicate consistently during this year-end giving season. "...If you don’t know what harbour you sail for, no wind is favourable. Because we live by chance, chance necessarily has great power over our lives..." In our series on uncertainty during small town capital campaigns, This week, I’m reading from Seneca’s Letter 71, first published in 65 AD. Reflection questions: Reflection on the quote: Continuing with the theme of economic or societal uncertainty during a small town capital campaign, I’ve been reflecting on the role of the Executive Director or CEO. While the trust of Board and the Campaign Chair matters, it’s the Executive Director that matters most in terms of the success of a capital campaign. When an Executive Director is trusted in the community, the community is more open to hearing the vision. Then the vision must be communicated clearly, consistently, and with courage. The community has to know which harbor the nonprofit is directing the community to fund under the leadership of that Executive Director. Otherwise, trivial circumstances and chance events will blow the capital campaign off course. However, when there is trust and a clear vision from the leader, the vision becomes steeped into the community and the community embraces the vision and generosity towards that vision despite uncertainty. This work has entered the public domain. 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

This is a "re-air," since economic uncertainty continues this year-end giving season. "...for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs..." This week, I am reflecting a quote from George Eliot’s Middlemarch, published in 1871 to ask the question, "will donor give during uncertainty?" Reflection Questions Reflection for Capital Campaigns One common question I receive is “is this the right time for a campaign because of … the fill-in-the-blank economic or societal uncertainty?” Will donors give? During uncertain times, the ordinary people who are our donors often feel overwhelmed. When there is increased division, enmity, and strife, it’s easy to feel powerless and to focus inward. We begin to feel as though nothing will change and, for some, this can lead to a decrease in their giving. And, yet, neuroscience has proven that the act of giving boosts a donor’s mood and their feelings of agency. When we give donors a concrete way that they can help their community, they no longer feel as powerless. Their donations become the small acts of kindness and love that they can do to push back against the enmity. Through giving, we empower them to partner with us to keep the uncertainty in check. We empower them to grow the good in each of our communities through these unhistoric acts. A well-planned capital campaign can cast a vision that becomes a visible reminder of the good they can do in the community. 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

"...And expanding one's horizons in such ways, being exposed to new information and new possibilities in life, tends to enhance human well-being..." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson. 2014 edition. Reflection questions: Reflections on quote: At the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to meet Clay Buck, a consultant who has done significant work in helping organizations with more abstract missions connect donors to that work. One of his key insights is the importance of bringing the stories of program staff to donors. For all types of missions, the stories of program staff have a role in capital campaigns, especially in small towns. Capital campaign donors are used to meeting with the Executive Directors, CEOs, Board chairs, and Campaign chairs. Donors capable of making major gifts expect to see the organizational vision, building renderings, case statements, and beneficiary stories. Yet, when we consider the research into generosity, we see that donors want to expand their horizons. That’s where the stories of program staff, in their own words, can come in. Their stories can make the vision for the building or renovation more real and concrete for the donors. They can more credibly paint a before and after picture of the day to day impact that the donor’s gift to campaign will have. Whether it’s a recorded video with a program staff or the inclusion of a program staff on a donor tour, their involvement in the storytelling for the capital campaign stretches the imagination of the donors in greater ways. 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

"...Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!.." This week, I’m reading from Give, an essay from Anne Frank, published in 1959. Reflection questions: Reflection on quote: Capital campaigns are huge endeavors. However, each successful campaign is made up of hundreds, if not thousands of small acts by staff and volunteers. Each of those small acts are an act of courage. When we step back and look at the progress we are making, each of those acts are combining together to create a more beautiful, just, and caring world. What is on the to-do list for the campaign this week? It might be writing thank you notes. It could be meeting with a donor or preparing for the next visit. It could be sending a follow up text. Each of these tasks may seem insignificant; however, each task builds a foundation for a successful capital campaign. Those tasks are then combined with the tasks done by other staff and campaign volunteers. Together, each day, we are creating a lasting change in our small towns together, even when our work feels insignificant. As Anne Frank wrote, give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving. 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