"...And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver..."

This week, I’m reading a quote from John Chrysostom from the 400 A.D.s.

Reflection questions:

If you are writing a fundraising appeal for an urgent need, step back and ask yourself these two questions.

• What will the donor feel when they read or hear your appeal?

• Does the appeal honor the subject’s dignity or, if a place or thing, the subject's significance or importance?

Reflection of the quote:

In the United States this week, a law was signed that will cut many social services. Naturally, many human services nonprofits are expecting an increase in need and are therefore preparing fundraising asks. Also, this week, the United States, there were some tragic natural disasters. Nonprofits serving in those areas are also preparing fundraising asks. Each day, across the globe, something urgent occurs that leads nonprofits to ask donors to give. How we portray the urgent need matters.

When we are faced with an urgent need involving our constituents, whether it is a person, animal, place, or thing, the way we portray the fundraising need matters. There are methods that invoke fear, scarcity, and obligation. These techniques have been described as “poverty porn.” The essential of poverty porn is outlined in this week’s quote. It invokes a reluctant sense of duty and makes the subject - our constituents - embarrassed and demeaned. They also make the donor feel fearful, angry, and resentful. In the short-term, these techniques do raise funds. However, in the long-term, donor don’t keep giving because anger is a life-sucking companion. Within this week’s ancient wisdom there is a better way. That is, to ask with a spirit of joy and gratitude and to set a vision for the donor that they get to be a source of blessing to meet this urgent need.

This quote has entered the public domain.

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Music credit: Woeisuhmebop