Amid the most unusual and unexpected event of our lifetime, I find myself struggling for words. No story seems appropriate, no example relevant. I’m bombarded by hard, rough around the edges news, like the text I received a few minutes ago with a story from the local television station explaining that crisis calls to family violence shelters are up. I’m not surprised. I am deeply concerned at a le ...[Read More]
What This Moment Requires is Guts – Let’s Accept the Challenge!
How to Ensure Your Kids Catch Heartfelt Generosity
Right now, our attention is on the small acts that reduce our chances of catching any kind of crud going around. It could be a cold, flu, or today’s new bug, the coronavirus. But I have a surprise, some things are worth catching. And when it’s right and it goes viral, it can spread like wildfire, changing lives everywhere. No social distancing required. In fact, you’ll want to surround yours ...[Read More]
When Nonprofits Need to Make Changes, So Can You
The conversation went something like this: “I’m sure you’ve heard they have a new Executive Director. What do you think is happening over there? Do you think they will survive?” The answer is yes, they will survive. In fact, my guess is they’ll still be going strong and delivering services, long after we’re gone. I’ve been working in and with nonprofits for nearly 40 years in the same community, a ...[Read More]
Take a Risk to Be Part of Something Great
How do nonprofit organizations you support get better at what they are doing? How do they learn their way into new, better, or improved services? The big question is how do you help them change the world? Can you expand your services? A state agency asked the local nonprofit executive director to expand their services to include a younger population. The work is in its mission. But they will need ...[Read More]
How You Can Be Their Best Role Model
The question is, who is watching and listening to you? No, I don’t mean in the way that Alexa or Google Assistant is tracking your words and making suggestions. I don’t mean how a drone tracks you down and finds your address to deliver the Amazon package to your front door. I mean from afar, quietly observing what you’re doing and how you did it. We spend a great deal of our time watching ot ...[Read More]
How Your Role Models Make You a Greater Philanthropist
The email was short and said, “If you don’t have this, I wanted to send it to you.” Thirty-plus years of memories raced through my mind when I saw the attached picture. It’s a collection of memories that have not faded with time and are relevant to the work I do every day. Two beautiful, smiling friends joined me in the picture. They aren’t just my friends; they have been philanthropy role m ...[Read More]