Categories
Four ways to think small about giving that lead to the biggest impact
Today reminded me of an important point: almost all great ideas start small. And some of those small beginnings grow into sophisticated nonprofit organizations delivering desperately needed services. I spent most of my day at the East Texas Nonprofit Summit. Several hundred people gathered to learn from experts about fundraising,
2024 Giving Trends: What the numbers say — and why stories still matter
Quick Stops Along the Way is a monthly collection of issues, challenges, and thoughts I think you’ll find helpful on the road ahead. Send your questions to me for future Quick Stop posts. Netflix and Amazon Prime changed how we consume stories. We learned to stream — faster and easier than
How my coaching conversations cross borders and why giving values matter
I’ve long believed in the power of a single, well-timed conversation. One thoughtful exchange can spark clarity, reinforce purpose, and send ripples well beyond what we imagine. Recently, I had such a conversation with Jennifer Jukanovich, the executive director of the Kijabe Children’s Education Fund (KCEF), a Kenya-based nonprofit feeding and educating
How questions lead nonprofits and funders to work better together
Quick Stops Along the Way is a monthly collection of issues, challenges, and thoughts I think you’ll find helpful on the road ahead. Send your questions to me for future Quick Stop posts. As grant deadlines approach, it’s common for funders to receive calls from nonprofits wanting to gauge interest in
How grandchildren learn generosity from the everyday tag-along
A morning walk triggered a fond memory from early June in the mid-1960s. The water was cold as I jumped into the shallow end of the pool. My grandmother, slowly walking down the pool steps, declared it unusually cold for an early June morning. We were up early for her
Ask a Simple Question, Find Hard Answers, But Make a Better Organization
Quick Stops Along the Way is a monthly collection of issues, challenges, and thoughts I think you’ll find helpful on the road ahead. Send your questions to me or post in the comments below. I will answer your questions in future Quick Stop posts. After we exchanged small talk and
Honor 2025 Graduates with a Donation to a Favorite Nonprofit
The graduations happening all around us create unexpected giving moments like the one I had a few years ago. Opening the mail, I was startled by the announcement with images of a young woman I only knew through her parents. I’d known about her since she was a little girl
Will the Impact of Tariffs Upset Our Fundraising Plans This Year?
Quick Stops Along the Way is a monthly collection of issues, challenges, and thoughts I think you’ll find helpful on the road ahead. Send your questions to me for future Quick Stop newsletters. Will the impact of tariffs affect our fundraising this year? A simple answer to this question is …
Why local politics is an act of generous leadership
I was drawn to politics from an early age. When Vice President Hubert Humphrey ran against Richard Nixon, I was in seventh grade. My English teacher organized a classroom debate, but no one volunteered to speak for Humphrey. So, I raised my hand. I grew up in a family of
The Gift of Giving
The Gift of Giving is a journey into a donor’s personal legacy—the one they’ve been living every single day. It started the day they were born, a story only they can live and share. Their story is their legacy.
The Gift of Giving is not just a book, it is a valuable resource, guide, and tool for givers of all ages at all stages to tell their legacy story. Throughout this book they will find short exercises to help them understand and convey their legacy, in essence, write their legacy.
While the story they’ve already lived will not change, donors can do something about tomorrow by becoming a more intentional giver today!
Available in Kindle, digital download or paper edition.
Your Legacy, Your Story
THE GIFT OF GIVING
One Story Across Generations
THE GIFT OF GIVING
Take a peek inside.
See what’s inside The Gift of Giving on book2look.
Kindle Edition
Digital Download
Gift of Giving Book
3 Pack
Giving Fingerprints
Sign up to receive Dawn’s FREE e-book, Giving Fingerprints, designed to help you be the unique giver you were meant to be.
FREE E-BOOK
Submit info to receive Dawn’s
FREE e-book, Giving Fingerprints.
SPEAKER REQUEST
Request A Speaker
Dawn Franks is available to speak on a wide variety of topics to philanthropic organizations, professional associations and community groups. Topics include:
- Giving Fingerprints
- How Your Philanthropy Impacts the Next Generation
- What Story Does Your Foundation Tell?
- Family Foundations: Starting from Scratch