Wow. I just received this marvelous story from a hospital colleague.
“A donor of modest annual gifts – someone I’ve known here for 25 years – had been in the hospital last week. I called her at home to see how she was doing.
“After sharing her positive experience, she told me she has arranged to leave most of her estate to the hospital. She said she was doing so for two reasons: One, because she believes this is an excellent hospital. And two, ‘because when you call me to see how I’m doing, I know that is the real reason you’re calling, not to bug me for money.'”
Just imagine… The donor actually knows that this development officer genuinely cares about her. The donors knows that this development officer doesn’t see her as a means to an end.
Just imagine… This development officer realizes that giving isn’t about money. This development officer isn’t even looking for a gift.
How do your donors feel? How do you actually, really feel? What’s your real reason for calling? How about the others in your agency – what’s their reason?
