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How far will our leadership opportunities take us? Are we really role models and “billboards” for what our organizations stand for? Are we good at communicating why our organization is critical to the health and well-being of our community, especially in the face of opposition or skepticism?

While we spend most of our time working on major gifts, we were inspired by this story of a grassroots fundraising effort done right.

Parents at a suburban-Chicago grade school were trying to raise $350,000 to renovate a local playground and create an improved outdoor learning environment for their K-4 school. (Read more in the Chicago Tribune) Although excitement around the project was high, the end of the school year was quickly approaching and supporters wanted to sneak in a student-focused fundraiser before school let out for the summer.

As nonprofit and church leaders, we are often called upon to encourage others to give to our organization. But can taking a closer look at our own giving help us to be better at encouraging generosity in others?

SENIOR CONSULTANT

As a Senior Consultant with Donor By Design Group, Kim brings more than 20 years of nonprofit management and fund development experience to her clients. Kim is a skilled communicator and strategist, bringing clarity and focus in the campaigns she supports.

From large-scale galas to business breakfasts, special events are likely part of your fundraising and communications arsenal. Without a strategy, the management of endless details and well-intentioned great ideas can create a muddled, messy and not-so-special event.

Those of you who have followed my blogs or have attended a presentation I’ve given know that one of my favorite fundraising axioms is Leadership is Everything.

Part of any fundraising campaign involves the solicitation of gifts from board and staff. Sometimes we call this the “family campaign.” It often comes at the beginning of an annual effort or during the “quiet phase” of a capital campaign.

A 2013 documentary directed by Andrew Garrison is hands-down one of the best leadership films I have seen recently.  I doubt that was the director’s intent, but from my perspective he has done just that.

I was hesitant to start reading Michael Oren’s book, Power, Faith and Fantasy: American in the Middle East from 1776 to the Present, thinking that it may be years before I finished. It’s more than 600 pages long!

A recent stroll through my garden reminded me of a lesson from Dr. Henry Cloud in his book, “Necessary Endings.“  In it, Dr. Cloud offers a great analogy related to the need for pruning to stimulate healthy growth.