In recognition of International Women’s Day, I scurried off to the Generous Matters archives in search of articles I’ve written over the years about women as leaders, fundraisers, and sisters in Christ. Here’s what I found.
Not your grandmother’s egg money. Over the past several decades, fundraisers have been encouraged to remember the ladies in their solicitation strategies. And for good reason. As the number of women attending college, pursuing careers, and starting businesses has increased, so has their ability to make substantial gifts. Read more
Leadership advice from women of a certain age. I love this line. “Science offers some pretty compelling evidence that wunderkinds are the exception, rather than the rule.” And then this one. “At age 40 (I say 60) we’re just getting to the best part. After spending years on the low-end of the S-curve of experience, we are now ready to accelerate into a sweet spot of competence and contribution.” Read more
Leadership tips from proven leaders (all of whom happen to be women). A writer for FastCompany asked successful women leaders what they think most people don’t know about leadership. Although their words are framed within the context of the C-Suite, leaders at any level on the organizational chart can benefit from what they had to say. And as one of the interviewees mentioned, much of the advice works in marriages, too. Read more
I am woman hear me roar in development offices everywhere. Back in 1984, when I wandered into fundraising, men out numbered women ten to one in the field. Now I read that we gals are no longer the scrappy outsiders, fighting for a place at the all-boys table. Today we fill a majority of the seats – 70 percent, in fact, according to the Council for Advancement of Education (CASE). Read more
Two-century old fundraising wisdom from the second Mrs. Judson. We modern-day fundraisers may think we’ve happened upon a “new truth,” but the best of our tribe have been at this donor-centered thing for years. Centuries in fact, as I was reminded via a most unlikely of sources – the 1872 biography of Sarah B. Judson, the second wife of Adoniram Judson. Read more
Continue to #PressforProgress, dear friends (women and men). Through our leadership, our fundraising, and our friendships, we can accomplish much for God, neighbor, and the world.