My first post here at Generous Matters focused on the critical role of planning in fundraising success. Fast forward a year, and planning is again a top-of-mind issue for me. I’m currently involved in four planning initiatives – two as counsel, a third as a board member, and the fourth as the sympathetic spouse of [...]
Re-visiting my three words for 2012
February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Two months into the year and I’m not doing so good with two of the three words that I chose as my focus for 2012. “Know” has been a snap. I love learning and ideas fascinate me, so I’ve been all over this one. But when it’s come to “be” and “still,” well that’s another [...]
Four essential truths about your CEO and fundraising
February 22, 2012 By 2 Comments
For many board members, a CEO’s success as a fundraiser and as a leader are one and the same. It’s little wonder then that newcomers to the top spot feel pressured to strike it big — and quick. When the dollars don’t pour in, new leaders (and their boards) make it personal. Burn-out resulting from [...]
Generosity in quotes
February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“On any day of the week, you could have a conversation with someone or observe something that could change your giving path forever. Each of these moments represents an opportunity, a responsibility, and a privilege. It’s never to early to start giving, and a $5 gift could set you off on a voyage that will [...]
Provoked and provoking be (in a good way)
February 15, 2012 By 1 Comment
Twelve hours on the Pennsylvania turnpike within a three-day time span and I’ve had more than enough provoking for the month. Then here comes a blog post from the folks over at Design Group International with the perky headline, “Feeling provoked (in a good way)? Hope so.” “Hope all you want,” I mutter at the [...]
After bye-bye board member, then what?
February 13, 2012 By 6 Comments
For a season, board members throw their minds, hearts, and financial resources into your organization. Then they come to the end of their terms (or their endurance). That’s the cycle of board life. Most nonprofit organizations handle well the sweet sorrow of parting as these special volunteers exit the boardroom. There are the tributes, the [...]
Generosity in quotes
February 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“The people of God know something that others don’t. They know that their worth comes from God and not from money — not from money earned, hoarded, spent to purchase things, or used to exercise power. Once people see this truth, they can see that they have things going for them, for they are gifted [...]
The 10 percent solution to what ails our country
February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The long-term impact of declining church attendance is obvious – at least to me. As fewer people find their way into America’s churches, fewer people are giving as an expression of their faith. Empty seats in houses of worship translate almost immediately into fewer dollars contributed to all kinds of charitable causes – both faith-based [...]
