0:00
Neuroscience
shows
us
that
empathy
is
the
bridge
between
a
donor's
head
and
their
heart.
So
listen
in
this
re-airing
of
one
of
the
episodes
from
the
Neuroscience
and
Giving
series,
which
reveals
the
science
behind
transformational
giving.
Listen
to
the
rest
of
the
series
with
links
in
the
show
notes.
Welcome
back.
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.
If
you
like
this
podcast,
please
rate
or
review
it
in
your
favorite
podcast
app
Over
the
next
few
weeks,
we
will
be
exploring
how
generosity
is
deeply
embedded
into
what
it
means
to
be
human
and
how
that
impacts
capital
campaigns
using
insights
from
a
book
recently
released
by
my
friend
and
colleague,
Cherian
Koshy.
You
can
purchase
his
book
using
the
link
in
the
show
notes.
So
this
week,
I
am
reading
from
Neurogiving:
The
Science
of
Donor
Decision-Making
by
Cherian
Koshy,
published
in
2025.
Quote,
"Understanding
that
giving
literally
triggers
pleasure
and
bonding
in
the
brain
has
important
implications
for
how
we
approach
fundraising.
It
enables
us
to
reframe
a
donation
ask,
not
as
a
cold
financial
transaction
or
a
loss,
but
as
an
opportunity,
as
an
opportunity
for
the
donor
to
experience
something
positive.
In
light
of
the
science,
inviting
someone
to
give
is
really
inviting
them
in
to
tap
into
these
biologically
rooted
joys
of
generosity.
Empathy
is
the
bridge
between
understanding
and
action.
It
is
built
into
our
neural
wiring
through
mirror
neurons
and
shared
circuits
that
make
us
feel
a
bit
of
what
others
feel.
It
can
be
nurtured
with
personal
stories
and
one-on-one
connections,
and
it
is
a
primary
driver
of
altruistic
behavior,
transforming
charitable
giving
from
a
mere
transaction
into
a
deeply
felt
human
experience.
For
fundraisers,
recognizing
the
role
of
empathy
means
that
we
are
not
just
in
the
business
of
conveying
information.
We
are
in
the
business
of
cultivating
human
understanding.
When
a
potential
donor
can
look
at
a
situation
of
need
and
truly
see
another
human
being,
to
feel
their
hopes,
fears,
or
relief,
that
is
when
the
decision
to
help
moves
from
the
head
to
the
heart,
and
that's
when
generosity
flows
most
freely."
Unquote.
As
we
pull
out
the
donor
packet
with
the
architectural
renderings
and
the
details
about
the
construction
and
renovations
to
show
a
potential
capital
campaign
donor,
it
is
vital
that
we
do
not
forget
the
role
of
empathy.
Beautiful
drawings
of
the
new
building
or
renovation
won't
spark
giving.
As
Cherian
wrote,
"Empathy
is
the
bridge
to
giving."
A
story
of
a
beneficiary
walking
into
that
building
to
receive
the
services
they
desperately
need.
A
story
of
a
program
staff
having
the
space
to
finally
creatively
overcome
the
challenges
their
nonprofit
seeks
to
solve.
A
story
of
a
place
where
the
public
can
be
immersed
in
the
goodness,
wonder,
and
beauty.
These
stories
of
other
humans
are
the
sparks
that
bridge
a
donor's
understanding
to
the
act
of
giving
to
capital
campaigns
in
our
small
towns.
In
addition,
it
is
through
these
stories
and
one-on-one
conversations
that
we
see
the
donor
for
their
hopes,
fears,
and
comfort.
When
we
see
the
donor
and
the
pleasure
and
bonding
that
giving
brings,
we
can
present
the
case
for
support
as
an
opportunity
for
the
donor
to
experience
the
deep
roots
of
joy.
Let's
reflect
on
two
questions
this
week.
What
are
the
stories
that
lead
into
the
tours
of
the
construction
or
the
displays
of
the
architectural
renderings?
Are
you
fully
embracing
the
concept
of
generosity
as
a
deeply
rooted
biological
need
for
being
human?
Share
this
podcast
if
you
enjoy
these
five-minute
reflections
and
subscribe
to
receive
these
reflections
released
every
Monday.
To
explore
small
town
capital
campaign
coaching
deeper,
visit
servingnonprofits.com.
See
you
next
week
