You’ve likely noticed that late July – early August is a dead zone in the annual fundraising cycle, particularly when it comes to connecting with donors. Which makes this the ideal time to tune up your shop in anticipation of the mad dash to calendar year-end. Tackle the following seven mid-summer spruce-up projects, and I [...]
Generosity in quotes
July 27, 2012 By 2 Comments
“In the end, effective outcomes and a piling of success stories aren’t the things for which we reach. Though, who am I kidding. I prefer them to abject failure and decades of death. But it’s not about preference. It’s about the disruption of categories that leads us to abandon the difficult, the disagreeable, and the [...]
It matters who’s on the mountain with you
July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
While vacationing in North Carolina, my husband and I are enjoying the luxury of time for early morning walks. Or more accurately, early morning hikes. The terrain surrounding the cabin we’ve rented comes in three grades – steep, steeper, and steepest. No leisurely strolls in this neighborhood. Whatever direction we head, it’s a full-scale cardiac [...]
Rushing toward rest and relaxation
July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I’m not much good at resting. Never have been and probably never will be. I’m more a Martha than a Mary, regardless how many times I hear Jesus praise my contemplative sister(s) for choosing the better part. Stillness is not my strong point — even when vacationing, as I am doing this week. If the [...]
Generosity in quotes
July 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“God is working out his purposes in ways we cannot imagine, and grace shines in the least expected places. When it does, and we notice, we are blindsided by its glory. All we can do is to stand humbled and delighted in the midst of tears.” Melinda Heppe, Lutheran pastor and contributing editor to In [...]
What the kids should know about your finances
July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
During tough economic times, it’s understandable if parents shield their kids from the harsher facts of the family’s financial life. Growing up is hard enough. No need to stress the young ones out about money. But think again, writes Wall Street Journal columnist Demetria Gallegos. It’s not a totally negative thing for children to “learn [...]
Tales of donations almost derailed by technology
July 16, 2012 By 1 Comment
Unless you’re a 21st century Rip Van Winkle, you’ve likely heard technology touted as the fundraiser’s new best friend. What you may have missed is that technology is also a tease. Just when think you’ve achieved techno-Nirvana, up pops another possibility. A nifty new function. An emerging platform. Yesterday’s hot innovation is today’s yawn. Fearful [...]
Generosity in quotes
July 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“Let’s be women who shake our heads for each others’ laments and say, ‘Yes, I hear you sister. This choice is hard.’ And then, let us sing a song together about women and seasons and value and choices and swing pushing and meeting attending and yoga-pant wearing and smart suit dressing and then we will [...]
A seven-step plan for raising generous kids
July 11, 2012 By 2 Comments
For several years now, I’ve subscribed to the Family Giving News – a publication that bills itself as “the nation’s most widely read e-newsletter for giving families.” Although aimed at an audience living well above my pay-grade, the advice provided is almost always useful to any family for whom generous matters — including my own. [...]
