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The permission many volunteers never give themselves
Volunteering isn’t a fixed identity. It’s a relationship. At fourteen, summertime meant volunteering as a Candy Striper at the local hospital. I took the role seriously—so seriously that when I returned the following summer, I helped train the new volunteers. Of course, that seemed natural, given my vast experience. Looking
The next generation isn’t waiting. Why are we?
What we can learn from today’s twenty somethings Years ago, I described the coming transfer of wealth as a “sleeping bear.” I talked about it cautiously—maybe even a little nervously—wondering what might happen when that bear finally woke up. I don’t think it’s sleeping anymore. And it turns out, it
What a cloud of blackbirds taught me about starting over
A small group of blackbirds, busy searching for worms and bugs, paid no attention to me but caught my attention as my dog and I rambled along on our morning walk. What I didn’t know was that they were a tiny hint of what was to come. Maybe an hour
Let them grow. Let them give.
Generosity takes root when parents step back instead of stepping in How did Woody say it in Toy Story 2? “I can’t stop Andy from growing up. But I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” That line captures a feeling every parent knows, watching them grow beyond us. Releasing control, even
Avoid the Spit: What a giraffe taught me about smarter giving
I shared this story two years ago, and it’s been on my mind again. Not because the giraffe stopped spitting, but because the donor–nonprofit relationship feels even more fragile today. With donors stretched thin, nonprofits under pressure, and everyone moving faster than they’d like, it’s easier than ever to make assumptions.
The art of listening: A skill that builds better donor relationships
On the drive to work, I started listening to a book about listening. Naturally, the focus was on better relationships with family, friends, and even co-workers. But it triggered a memory, one that still reminds me how often we think we are listening when, really, we are just waiting for
Seeing the whole elephant: Understanding donor giving fingerprints
There is an old parable about several blind men encountering an elephant for the first time. One touches the trunk and insists the elephant is like a snake. Another grabs a leg and argues it is like a tree. A third feels the tail and declares it a rope. Each
How fourteen minutes a day can inspire generosity: A Holiday Giving Guide
If you could change the world in the time it takes to read a bedtime story to a child, would you try? The holiday season gives us that chance. Children are watching, listening, and absorbing the quiet lessons we model—lessons about kindness, courage, and generosity. We often ask, “If money
Four strategies to build better mini-teams and make the mission work
Sitting in the bleachers at a Whitehouse High School football game thirteen years ago, I heard my husband pronounce the quarterback nothing short of amazing. I was more focused on watching his son, who occasionally received the ball from Patrick Mahomes on his way to the end zone. On the