Tag Archive for: philanthropy

Hey YOU!

Get BUSY!

What? You’re thinking, “Marcy, do you have any idea how crazy my days are?”

After a full day, you still have a ton on the list you didn’t even start.

What to do?

Take baby steps.

Sure, the obvious reason is you get some stuff done.
But you don’t take baby steps for the ground they cover…

They don’t look like much. How could something so small matter to your biggest dreams — or to your success in building generosity?

Here’s the truth.

Where you are today — as delighted as you may be with your life now — is not the whole of who you are.

You are SO MUCH MORE!

And so are your donors, your team, and the causes you serve.

Baby steps are how you — and those you inspire — unleash life’s magic.
They’re the lightning rods for serendipity…the beautiful coincidences that connect people and purpose in surprising ways.

The Magic of Baby Steps in Living and Giving

1. You get clarity by taking any action.
   Send that thank-you text. Go to the gym – this once. Reach out when it feels awkward or “not ready yet,” the act itself brings clarity. You learn, you adjust, you connect.
2. You bolster your faith in yourself — and your mission.
   When you see yourself doing the small things — reaching out, following up, showing up — your confidence grows. THIS is who you are – bold, taking action. You start believing, “I can do this. People do care.”
3. You install new empowering beliefs.
   Remember when asking felt hard? You took one step — one artful ask — and discovered that generosity flows when we open the door. Or one step to more tech even when you (once believed) you struggle with it. There is courage in motion.
4. You dissolve limiting beliefs — without naming them.
   Every time you invite someone into your mission, you erase old stories like, “They won’t give,” or “I’m not ready.” You stop proving your doubts and start proving your dreams.
5. You partner with a generous Universe.
   For every step you take, the Universe — or God, or Grace — takes ten thousand! The right people, opportunities, and gifts show up when you’re already moving.
6. You become a magnet for miracles.
   Each small action — a call, a thank-you, a hug — multiplies. Momentum builds. Suddenly, that “tiny” step leads to a transformational gift, a new friend, or a breakthrough idea.

Your Next Baby Steps

Write down five simple actions you can take this week — small, real, doable.

• Reach out to one past donor just to say thank you.
• Schedule one donor visit instead of waiting for “when things slow down.”
• Go to the gym 3 times.
• Review one potential legacy gift opportunity.
• Reflect on one way you can make generosity more joyful.

Each baby step demonstrates faith — faith that good things will happen even when you don’t really know how.

You become a lightning rod for miracles.

Because generosity — like joy — expands through action.

Dance in the sunlight, dear friend.

Take those baby steps.
They will lead you — and your donors — straight into the magic of abundance.

Life is here for YOU — and generosity is your dance partner.

Invest in Joy!™

At some point in your life, you may have had someone suggest you read something—or listen to something – and it REALLY made a difference for you.

For me, I was 17 – just starting college at UW Madison and it was SO BIG and SO DIFFERENT and SO EXCITING and SO SCARY. And it was not a book, but a cassette tape! (Yes, cassette!). The cassette was The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, and when first released in 1957 – it was the first spoken record to sell 1,000,000 copies. It truly changed my life.

What’s the “secret”? We become what we think about.

Our thoughts shape our feelings, those feelings direct the energy and confidence we bring to our actions, and the actions we take ultimately create our results. Success isn’t luck or chance—it’s the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. When our mind is focused on what we want, and we take steady steps toward it, we succeed.

The challenging part is that sometimes we are not even AWARE of what we are thinking or the negative dialog we are telling ourselves.  Here’s an exercise I teach in my presentations – give it a try. It’s also attached here as a fillable worksheet.

Writing Your Reframe

This message has carried me through challenges in my decades of successful fundraising and in a joy-filled life. And here’s where I want to invite YOU into an exercise: Write Your Reframe.

Too often, our default thoughts sound like this:

• “People know I just want money.”
• “Why can’t people respond to my emails?”
• “This year it’s going to be hard to ______.”

Now, let’s reframe:

• “I want my giver to make the gift that brings them joy!”
• “How can I make it easier for them to get in touch with me?”
• “This year is an opportunity to ______.”

See the shift? Same reality, but a different lens. The reframe focuses on possibilities, joy, and service instead of frustration, fear, or lack.

The “Secret” in Context

The strangest secret isn’t really strange at all: thoughts are causative.  And it seems strange that our thoughts could be so powerful.

Most people never grasp or apply it — that’s why it feels like a secret.

When you can apply it – even a bit — it will align your thoughts, words, and actions with purpose and lead you to a fulfilled, impactful JOYFILLED life AND fundraising success!

Here are your Action Steps

• Start with YOU. Plant what you WANT in your life.
• Notice your thoughts.
• Write the reframe for those that don’t serve you.
• Live and inspire giving with JOY.

Why It Matters

When YOU choose your thoughts, YOU choose your results.

Write down positive thoughts.

Nightingale’s challenge was to write down exactly what you want, carry it with you, and think about it constantly. I’d add—also attack those pesky, nagging negative thoughts that can haunt you. Reframe them and write down your reframe. Carry it with you. Let it guide not just your fundraising, but your living.

Because here’s the truth: when YOU invest in better thoughts, YOU maximize both your giving and your living.  SHINE ON!!!!

Invest in Joy™

It can all be good… and still seem like too much. Life moving too fast, to-do lists multiplying, kids growing up in the blink of an eye, and even with AI helping here and there, you’re still sorting it all out.

Life happens – but is it happening TO you, or FOR you?

Yep, here comes a Marcy Reframe.

When you feel like everything is coming at you — change, politics, rising costs, constant phone dings, and yes, the ever-present pressure to raise more dollars, faster — pause. Remember this: life happens FOR you.

Every experience is a lesson. An opportunity. A chance to reflect, to consider, to act (or not). And that shift can bring back your JOY. And “that’s what it’s all about!” (yes, think Hokie Pokie).

Here are three quick tips to feel more ready for September — or whatever month is rolling your way:

1. Scroll Your Photos (not Facebook)

Go back to the start of summer, or the year, and wander through YOUR pictures. Coffee or wine in hand, let yourself feel again the joy of those people, pets, sunsets, donors, events, friends. Notice how much life you’ve lived. Even the extra wrinkles or pounds are companions to friendships, laughter, and growth. You’ve done a lot since you last stopped to reflect.

2. Just Sit

Outdoors is wonderful — water, woods, sky. But even a fake plant will do. Stop. Breathe. No list-making, no talking. Just let your mind rest. Think of an early cherished memory, then roll into gratitude. Gratitude for all of it. Warts and all.

3. Be Proud of You

Yes, you’ve missed deadlines, dropped balls, and let things slip. But shift your focus. What HAVE you done? Shared, cared, supported, created, delivered? Remind yourself with “I am” statements: I am joyful. I am productive. I am loved. I am successful. I am sharing my best self with this world.

Sure, it feels like warp speed sometimes — who needs Floo Powder or Scotty to beam you up (that’s Star Trek, youngsters!)?

But here’s the truth: Your life isn’t happening TO you. It’s happening FOR you.

Enjoy it.

Invest in Joy™

 You’ve been told the number you need to raise. Somewhere between, “well, ok…” and “YIKES!” you may wonder: “Do I even have the givers to meet this?”

Often, that number came from a budget shortfall—not from assessing whether people are ready to joyfully give.

Create a Plan / Focus on Action

Here’s the truth: You can’t make anyone give.

But you can uncover their passion for your mission.
You can connect them to giving priorities that matter.
You can ask.
You can say thank you.
You can measure your action—and action is what YOU control.

5 Steps to Success / Beyond the Dollars

1. Define Your Goal. For this example, let’s say it’s $400,000.
2. Chart Your Gifts. Use giving data to project how many gifts you’ll need at each level to reach your goal.
3. Create Vibrant Giving Options. Match giving levels to meaningful ways donors can make a difference.
4. Name Potential Givers. Start with your database—fill in names, relationships, and connections.
5. Track Your Actions. Measure calls, visits, emails, texts—every touchpoint that builds trust and belief.

Chart of Gifts / With Giving Options & Givers

Tip: Use this as a living document—updating “Options” and “Givers” as relationships develop. And yes, the total here goes past $400,000—that’s okay! Build in cushion and momentum.

Work the Plan / Measure What Matters

What do I advise? For a full-time major gift officer:

• 20–30 face-to-face (or Zoom) meetings/month
• 40+ phone calls
• Countless emails and handwritten notes

If you can consistently do this work with discipline and joy, the gifts will follow.

It’s Not Just Money / It’s Belief and Trust

Dollars give wings to your mission—but they’re also proof that people believe in your vision, your integrity, and your impact.

Your 4-Step Donor Dance / Joyful Giving

1. Uncover their belief in your mission.
2. Fan the flame with stories and proof of impact.
3. Ask them to support what they care about most.
4. Thank them—and show them their gift did exactly what you promised.

And the Best Part? / Being With Your Donors

Yes—the greatest joy in this work is the connection. So don’t wait for the magic to happen… be the magic.

Take action. Build relationships. And enjoy the journey.

Invest in Joy™

You may be very familiar with Donor Advised Funds or DAFs and they may be a big part of your giving program. Or, this may be a new opportunity for you!

A few years back, when I was embracing so many new technologies with my speaking work post covid, I didn’t feel I had the bandwidth to make some year-end gifts with the chance to really enjoy the giving, so I made a gift to a Donor Advised Fund with Thrivent. It let me take a tax-deduction that year.  And, while I still made some year-end gifts, it was also sort of nice to feel I had money set aside for giving in the future.

And, I am part of a trend! Why DAFs?

1. Smaller Donors Are Using DAFs
   Thanks to platforms like Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard, you can open a DAF with as little as $5,000–$25,000, making this tool accessible to far more donors—not just the ultra-wealthy.
2. DAFs Now Hold Over $228 Billion in Assets
   That’s a massive pool of already-committed philanthropic dollars just waiting to be recommended for grants.
3. Unlike private foundations, DAFs don’t have a required minimum payout—but they still gave away an average of 22.5% of assets in 2022. That’s more than 4x the 5% payout required of private foundations.

Just what is a DAF?

It’s a giving account that donors set up through a sponsoring organization—like Fidelity Charitable, Schwab, or a community foundation. The donor contributes to the DAF, gets the tax deduction at that time, and then recommends grants to nonprofit organizations over time. It’s like having a personal giving fund, with flexibility and convenience.

Inspiring generosity from DAFs.

DAFs often allow donors to give more because their funds are already set aside for philanthropy. Whatever reason a donor originally put money into a DAF, YOU have the wonderful opportunity to build or enhance a trusting relationship and excitement for how your mission can be JUST how to use that DAF money for good.

Thanking your DAFs Givers

Because the sponsoring organization is technically the legal donor (not the individual), there are IRS rules we need to follow when saying thank you. And yes—those rules apply even when we know the donor personally recommended the gift!

Here’s a thank-you that feels warm and personal—but actually breaks a few IRS rules:

Dear Alice,

Your generous $10,000 gift to support our scholarships will mean so much to young people struggling to continue their education. Thank you! Your continued commitment means the world to us, and we’re honored to recognize this as part of your multi-year pledge. We look forward to celebrating your impact at our upcoming Scholarship reception.With deep appreciation,
Executive Director

Looks professional, right? But it contains three common IRS compliance errors:

1. Calling it a “gift” – A DAF grant isn’t a personal contribution from Alice. The DAF sponsor gave the funds, and Alice already received the tax deduction when funding the DAF.
2. Mentioning a pledge – DAFs are not allowed to fulfill a legally binding pledge. Even implying that a grant is a pledge payment can get you into trouble.
3. Tying the grant to event attendance – Any tangible benefit (like food, swag, or tickets) linked to a DAF grant can violate IRS rules. If you invite them to an event, make clear it’s not connected to the grant, or offer them the option to decline benefits.

Let’s try that thank-you again.

Dear Alice,

Your generous $10,000 grant from your donor-advised fund at Fidelity (or wherever the DAF lives) to support our scholarship program is deeply appreciated! Thank you for recommending this grant.  Your generosity is helping young people continue their education—and your ongoing support means the world to us.

We’re truly grateful for the impact you make. If you’re able to join us, we look forward to celebrating the difference you help create at our upcoming Scholarship Reception.

With deep appreciation,
Executive Director

Please note, you NOT need to include the standard IRS language: “No goods or services were provided in exchange for this gift.”  because the legal donor is the DAF sponsor, not the individual. The DAF sponsor already issued the tax receipt and handles IRS compliance, including that statement. You are simply acknowledging the grant, not receipting it.

What about event sponsorship or perks?

Yet, if your thank-you mentions event invitations, meals, gifts, or any perks, you can add a clarifying sentence like this: “This acknowledgment is provided for your records only. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this grant, and attendance at the Scholarship Reception is entirely optional and any event-related benefits have been waived.”

You can acknowledge the donor by name or business in event materials this way:
“This event is generously supported by The Smith Family Fund at Fidelity Charitable.”

But you cannot give them seats, meals, or sponsor benefits unless they pay separately (from personal funds) for the value of those items. If they decline all benefits, make sure it’s documented.

Still TRUE – this Marcyism!

See DAFs as a way to give your donors more opportunities to support you in addition to traditional gifts. Partner with them to understand how DAFs work. Remember that NONE OF THIS prevents your warm phone calls and personal visits saying THANK YOU and caring about them as mission partners and friends!

The TRUST you create that their giving or granting or attending or volunteering has the impact that brings them JOY is what makes this world the better place we are all working together to create!

Invest in Joy™