157: Leading with Integrity - Clarity for the Giver

"...And he will refrain from giving to anybody and everybody, that he may have something to give to the right people, at the right time, and where it is noble to do so..."

I am reading from Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, written in 350 BC. 

Reflection questions:

• Where are you being vague in your conversations with donors or in your campaign materials?
• How will you lean into providing clarity to our donors in your leadership?

Reflection on quote:

This month, we are exploring what it means to lead with integrity during a capital campaign.  For this series, we are using the metaphor of standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest. Each step is a step of faith, but the journey is grounded in building trust with our staff, volunteers, donors, and the community.  It is both exhilarating and challenging as we make our way to the mountain top to complete the capital campaign.  This trust building requires honesty, clarity, openness, and curiosity in our leadership. This week, we are exploring the principle of clarity through ancient wisdom.  Note: Aristotle uses the word liberal to denote a donor of money from their wealth.

Aristotle points to a key principle for capital campaigns; that is, the importance of clarity when speaking with a donor about the campaign. He outlines that virtuous major donors will give to the right people, the right amount, and at the right time.  

In the capital campaign context, we lead with clarity when we define why we are most equipped to expand our programs and services now and how we can be trusted to sustain our essential services through our new building or renovation after the campaign is over.  We lead with integrity when we clearly explain the true costs of the campaign and the gift range the donor may consider themselves in.  And, we lead with clarity when we demonstrate why the campaign is needed right now and a gift will have the most effectiveness when given now.  

While it may seem more polite in our small towns to be vague in donor conversations, vagueness only leads to donor confusion, sending them back to the trailhead or lost off-trail.  Instead, it is more noble to lead with clarity that we are the right people for the right amount at this right time to receive a gift to the capital campaign.  

This work has entered the public domain.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

Transcript

0:00

Welcome back. Every week we pause to reflect because capital campaigns, especially in small towns, aren't just about buildings and budgets. They're 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. This month, we are exploring what it means to lead with integrity during a capital campaign. For this series, we're using a metaphor of standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest. Each step is a step of faith, but the journey is grounded in building trust with our staff, volunteers, donors, and the community. It is both exhilarating and challenging as we make our way to the mountaintop to complete the capital campaign. This trust-building requires honesty, clarity, openness, and curiosity in our leadership. This week, we are exploring the principle of clarity through ancient wisdom. I am reading from Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, written in 350 BC. Note: Aristotle uses the word liberal to denote a donor of money from their own wealth Quote, Givers, too, are called liberal, and the liberal are almost the most loved of all virtuous characters, since they are useful, and this depends on their giving. Now, virtuous actions are noble and are done for the sake of the noble. Therefore, the liberal man, like other virtuous men, will give for the sake of the noble and the rightly. For he will give to the right people the right amounts and at the right time, with all the other qualifications that accompany right giving, and that too with pleasure or without pain. For that which is virtuous is pleasant or free from pain. Least of all will it be painful. And he will refrain from giving to anybody and everybody that he may have something to give to the right people at the right time and where it is most noble to do so. Unquote. Aristotle points to a key principle for capital campaigns, that is, the importance of clarity when speaking with a donor about the campaign. He outlines that virtuous major donors will give to the right people the right amount and at the right time. In the capital campaign context, we lead with clarity when we define why we are most equipped to expand our programs and services now, and how we can be trusted to sustain our essential services through our new building or renovation after the campaign is over. We lead with integrity when we clearly explain the true cost of the campaign and the gift range the donor may consider themselves in, and we lead with clarity when we demonstrate why the campaign is needed right now and a gift will have the most effectiveness when it is given now. While it may seem to be more polite in our small towns to be vague in donor conversations, vagueness only leads to donor confusion, sending them back to the trailhead or lost off trail. Instead, it is more noble to lead with clarity that we are the right people for the right amount at this right time to receive a gift to the capital campaign. Let's reflect on two questions this week: Where are you being vague in your conversations with donors or in your campaign materials? How will you lean into providing clarity to our donors in your leadership? 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.