Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns
Kick off your week with a 5-minute reflection on generosity to ground yourself in the right mindset for capital campaigns. Each reflection includes a question to ponder throughout the week to aid your work.
Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns
144: Managing Stress - Hold onto Joy
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
"...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
Welcome back. Every week we pause to reflect because capital campaigns, especially in small towns, aren't just about buildings and budgets. They are about people choosing to be generous. This podcast explores the beautiful space where generosity occurs through ancient and modern writings from all cultures and religions, seeking deeper wisdom for capital campaign work in small towns. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the middle of a campaign, these five minute reflections will ground you, encourage you, and remind you why this work matters. Capital campaigns are full of so many moments that can be hard and taxing on staff, volunteers, and the organizations. In this series, we will look at ways to manage the stress. It is easy to become overcomed by the enormity of the capital campaign goal and the number of donors who need to be cultivated and asked. This series will explore ancient wisdom on managing that stress. This week I am reading a poem written by Greville McDonald to his father George McDonald in 1930. Quote, the gloom of the world is but a shadow behind it. Yet within our reach is joy. Take joy. There is a radiance and glory in the darkness. Could we, but see, and to see we have only to look, I beseech you to look, life is so generous, a giver, but we judging its gifts by the covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it, a living splendor woven of love by wisdom with power. Welcome it. Grasp it, and you will touch the angel's hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial or sorrow or a duty. Believe me, that angel's hand is still there. The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Our joys too, be not content with them as joys. They too conceal diviner gifts. Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering that you will find earth, but cloaks your heaven. And so at this time, I greet you not quite as the world sends greetings, but with profound esteem and. With the prayer that for you now and forever, the day breaks and all the shadows flee away, unquote. When we are overwhelmed with 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 donors who have already given. Rather than seeing stewardship as one more task of 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 to give an update again. They will likely respond with joy and gratitude, and that joy then gives further meaning and purpose to you for the other cultivation and asking calls on your to-do list, the day breaks and the shadows flee away. Let's reflect on one question this week. Who is on your list of donors who have already given that you can call this week to hold onto the joy in the midst of your stress? Share this podcast if you enjoy these five minute reflections and subscribe to receive these reflections released every week. To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper, visit serving nonprofits.com. See you next week.
