In preparation for the MIF workshop on Planned Giving in October, I've been spending some time researching how many nonprofits think about planned giving, or at least how they're advised to think about it. This will be covered much more in depth in the workshop, but allow me to share a bit of teaser here.One of the books I read recently about planned giving is called How to Raise Planned Gifts by Mail by Larry Stelter. Obviously from the title of the book you can guess that Larry is big into...
Read more...
Over on our sister blog, Eric Foley started me thinking about how we deal with children and philanthropy. You really should click over and read that post, but as a brief summary, seven-year-old Olivia donated her $35 life savings to the Gates Foundation. After some internal discussion, Gates accepted Olivia’s gift, ultimately concluding that as philanthropy pros they were in a better position to know what to do with her money than was she.
Gates missed an opportunity because...
Read more...
Alright, three weeks ago it was Mission Increase’s Transformational Giving Principle #1 and two weeks ago it was Transformational Giving Principle #2. (Our MIF President, Dave Farquhar, posted last week.)
So jumping back in, let’s take a look at TG #3 today.
It is better to give than to receive.
In Acts 20, Paul is saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders and he’s reminding them of what the church is supposed to be all about. He tells them to help the weak, serve the poor...
Read more...
Have you ever thought about impacting Kingdom work from the Kingdom itself? Is your work on earth going to end once you are no longer here? Certainly, your professional work will end, but wouldn’t it be great to continue serving the poor, healing the sick and sharing the Good News, long after you’re gone?
I’m not exactly sure what we’ll be doing in Heaven, but I know there won’t be any unbelievers to be saved or any poor to feed. But that’s not the case for those still on earth after...
Read more...
Do you know who the greatest champion of your cause is? If not, I would suggest that it shouldn’t take any longer to figure this out than it takes to find a mirror and take a look.
Jesus knew the answer to this before the question was asked by Pilate in the book of John. In chapter 18 verse 37 Pilate asks Jesus, “So You are the King?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth...
Read more...
