For those of us who have spent any amount of time navigating the nonprofit sector, it’s pretty clear that many of us suffer from a mentality of lack. Why, consider the word itself: nonprofit. Non. Almost as if something is fundamentally missing. For our November Nonprofit Blog Carnival, we asked: How are you adopting an abundance mindset?
Blog Carnival readers responded in droves.
Abundance means different things to different people. I encourage you to set aside some time this week and next to read and reflect, and then go forth and share with your board and volunteers. Discuss how your organization can truly transition away from a fear or lack mindset, to one of abundance, and what this means for your nonprofit.
The focus in my own work has always been on keeping the donor front and center. But truly understanding donor-centricity beyond a buzzword is a concept that’s often difficult to grasp. It goes beyond scattering ‘you’s’ throughout your organization’s web copy and donor communications. Rachel Ramjattan, CFRE understands what it means to be donor-centric. And when you read her submission for this month’s Carnival, you’ll understand how abundance and being donor-centered walk hand-in-hand. “Whether the fruits of our labor inspire people to work in our vineyard or somewhere else, the world benefits from increased philanthropy.” AMEN.
Is it possible to create an abundance of time? Yes, if you’re CALM not BUSY. From Kivi Leroux Miller.
Mary Cahalane responded to the call with one of her usual thoughtful and generous posts: Why You Want to Welcome Strangers.
Whether you work in a small nonprofit, or a mid to large organization, everyone should take the time to read Creating a Radical Culture of Philanthropy, a six-part series from the Veritus Group.
Sheena Greer of Colludo has to be one of my favorite people in the sector. Why? Well lots of reasons, but the main one is she calls it as she sees it. Shit: Reflections on Scarcity is a must read.
Thought leader Hildy Gottlieb led this extraordinary discussion about gratitude and generosity as the foundation for business and community work.
Self care is so important. Beth Kanter asks How Can Nonprofits Switch From Scarcity to Abundance Mindsets When It Comes To Self-Care?
And more from Beth with A Simple Practice to Shift from Scarcity to Abundance: One-Sentence Journal
I loved Sandy Rees of Get Fully Funded’s take,“Gimme Gimme – the Downside of the Freebie Mindset”
Everybody’s favorite blogger, Vu Lee of Nonprofit With Balls, gives us 10 Agreements for a Happy and Well-Functioning Team (AKA How to Not Suck as a CoWorker)
Tricia Dell of Forward Thinking Fundraising weighs in with Vulnerability, connection and abundance.
Cindi Phallen of Create Possibility consulting offers up Three Steps to Unleashing Your Abundance So You Can Reach Your Goals Faster.
In 2012 one of my subscribers wrote to tell me about a daily practice her organization engaged in every day known as Cara’s Motivation. I’ve republished it as a reminder that a focus on gratitude and abundance needs to be consistent and organization-wide.
As I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, I couldn’t help but be struck by the implications for our sector. What about starting a board member book club?
The brilliant Gayle Gifford with a novel take on abundance you’ll be sure to appreciate, Renaming board committees.
I really related to Laura Zabel’s post Abundance and Air-Conditioning. Why? I started my own business on a shoestring budget. And whenever I personally felt fearful in my journey, I always found the answers to my fear in giving more. Buy that air-conditioner!
I’m betting that every last one of us can relate to Dani Robbins’ post, Things that Aren’t Really Free and Don’t Raise Money Anyway.
Sara Leonard gives us Inspiration from Under the French Fries.
Claire Axelrad of Clairification weighs in with 5 Ways to Revolutionize Your Nonprofit Culture to Stop Losing Donors.
The Sort Sol Group with a reminder “that focusing on strengths can have positive impacts on leadership, happiness, health and more.” Finding your strengths.
Elizabeth Ralston understands that the transitions and change in our community can “lead to a “deficit” perspective: “We don’t have enough money to do X” or “I don’t have enough time to do Y” and offers four steps for improving workplace health.
Cecilia Caspram asks what if we “had the magic wand needed to defeat fear in our toolkit all along?” (You do, you know.) Now the trick is to actually use it — and use it well. How I Think the Nonprofit Sector Can Find & Live In Abundance (Over Fear)
Holly Bartling, Program Officer from the General Service Foundation offers her take on Sabbaticals, Spacious Days, and Other Experiments in Abundance.
Stefanie Krievins invites you to “return to the roots of charity to tap into abundance, love, and courage.” Charity is Love, not Canned Tuna.
Ignited Fundraising’s Lori Jacobwith offers ways to Shift Your Fundraising from Scarcity to Possibility.
Ann Green respectfully requests that you Make an Investment in Your Donors
JLI Consulting serves up Hui Pie: Serving Up a Slice of Abundance.
How can finding your strengths have positive impacts on leadership, happiness, health and more? From the Sort Sol Group.
10 Ways to Immediately Invest in Your Nonprofit Organization by Marc Koenig.
And I loved this post, which was not submitted, but found (by me) on The Danger of the Word ‘Deserve.’ Especially appropriate to our work, I think.
What’s up for December with the Nonprofit Blog Carnival? Fundraising Authority Joe Garecht wants to know what are your best secrets for nonprofit donor newsletters? Read the call for submissions and submit your post by December 29th to be included!
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I can’t wait to meet with you personally.
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