Last week, colleague Carol Golden was recognized as RI’s Outstanding Fundraising Executive. Her remarks that day inspired me. I share them with you because we all need inspiration sometimes.
“I feel very fortunate to actually make a living doing what I love – helping others find their personal expression of philanthropy…. Each donor I’ve worked with has taught me something important, and I have been enriched by these relationships beyond measure.
“In these incredibly daunting times…[we] might feel discouraged. I urge [us] to take the long view…. Convey optimism to both [our] donors and [our] colleagues about the possibilities that lie ahead. As fundraisers, all of us need to think big, dream big, and embrace our role in growing philanthropy…. We can all be more adaptive, more creative. We can be better listeners, engagers, and connecters.”
What a great start and end to any week and any day. How important it is to remind our organizations to be donor-centered, to listen and engage and connect more and better. How critical to remind ourselves and our organizations to be more adaptive and more creative.
