Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

"O let us live in joy, although having nothing! In joy let us live like spirits of light!..," This week, I’m reading a quote from the Dhammapada, written down in the 1st century BC. Reflection questions: When was the last time you stepped back to view the greater horizon of the mission you serve?  Is it time to step back again and live in the love, health, peace, and joy to see what you...

"Helping a person in need is good in itself.  But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done...." This week, I’m reading a quote from John Chrysostom from the 400 A.D.s. Reflection questions: When was there a time when you were overwhelmed with the generosity of others because their generosity to you was given with such a spirit of joy that you receiv...

"They would all therefore find themselves helpless if they did not learn to help each other voluntarily.  With associations, feelings and ideas are renewed, the heart enlarged, and the understanding developed only by the reciprocal action of people one upon another...." This week, I’m reading selected quotes from Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville . Published in 1835. Note: hi...

"These are among the poorest and most destitute people you will ever meet. Never take away the right of another person to be generous....” This week, I’m reading a story from Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service by Kerry Alys Robinson. 2014 edition. Reflection question: While we never want our clients to feel as if they owe the nonprofit for the serv...

"... donors see the potentially world-changing and life-giving power that may be present in or working through the goodness of the donors' hearts and souls; if only someone would acknowledge it, call it forth, and nurture it!...” This week, I am reading a quote from Growing Givers’ Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry by Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger . 2000 edition. Refle...

"Donors, grantees, and beneficiaries need each other to bring something beautiful and life-giving to fruition. It is a collaboration borne of deep desire to find meaning, to be a blessing, to be part of something successful and consequential, and to heal the sorrows of life....” This week I am reading two quotes from Imagining Abundance. Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Serv...