Yesterday, I received a thank you letter from one of my customers. That may not seem strange at first, but two things stood out to me. First, a customer took the time to send me a letter, when I am usually the one saying thanks to them. And second, it was handwritten, dropped in a mailbox with a stamp, and delivered the old fashioned way! And it felt so good to open the mailbox (which we tend to do about once a week or so) and see a handwritten note standing out among the cro

Let’s face it, the majority of donor visits have occurred for years via in-person, face-to-face rendezvous. As you were coming of age in the wide world of philanthropy, recall how you may have gotten nervous going into a donor meeting, even if it was only for cultivation or stewardship purposes and not for the ask itself? Remember how you may have tried to send an email or pick up the phone instead of having to meet in-person with the donor? Taking the easy way out, huh?! Wel

Aaron Burr may have said it (almost) right to Alexander Hamilton, how active listening can transform your philanthropy practices. One of the best tools in your philanthropic toolbox is found early in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s runaway hit Hamilton. Maybe you’ve heard of the little-known Broadway show!? And no, it isn’t the tight harmonies of the Schuyler Sisters or the comedic relief of Jonathan Groff playing King George that I’m talking about. (It’s a catchy tune though, right?!)