gdp's Comments

The Raiser's Razor : This Strange Career into which I've Stumbled like a Hungry Dog with a Diamond Collar

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:48:43 +0000

You are such an amazing man, David. Thank you for inspiring all of us to love our neighbor as Christ himself challenged us.

The Raiser's Razor : Get $4,500 for every $150K you or your donors invest

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:48:24 +0000

Of course, but you must realize that their $150K is NOT a donation, so it's likely not money that you'd receive anyway. It's simply asking a donor to invest in the same way that they would normally, but while benefiting your organization.

The Raiser's Razor : My Big Announcement

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:41:34 +0000

Thanks so much for your kind words, Corey. I am looking forward to the opportunity to join CNM, and hopefully to continuing my advocacy for CDM.

The Raiser's Razor : Peter F. Drucker Award due July 15, 2008

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:41:05 +0000

I am a philanthronerd and subscribe to far too many blogs and emails... :)

The Raiser's Razor : Question of the day... what makes a person become a fundraiser?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:39:52 +0000

The power of giving has long been held as a value in many cultures.... but we are now entering a period where the power of RAISING gifts is finally being elevated above the level of used car salesman (where it has lingered for far too long).

The Raiser's Razor : E-Mail Etiquette

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:37:39 +0000

Yes, it's sad but true, they're all based on real people... I think that I likely inspired quite a few of them. Poor Keith has tolerated more than one email rant from me!

The Raiser's Razor : New Website for NGOs Launched

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:36:29 +0000

Indeed, it's one of the best examples of effective corporate philanthropy that I've seen. It has an amazing impact on the community while also supporting the company's business goals: very effective.

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:47:04 +0000

This from Peter Deitz:
"I'm so passionate about philanthropy I don't even have time to write up why!"

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:46:08 +0000

This comes from someone who might prefer anonymity:
"I wish I could summon a little philanthro-passion but right now things are feeling a bit stale, flat and unprofitable. As soon as I figure out how to re-rev my engines, I'll look for opportunities to contribute to the conversation on your blog, which I always enjoy."

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:44:57 +0000

Katya Andresen, VP Marketing for Network for Good, wrote:"Part of the answer for me is, I spent a number of years working as a journalist in very poor countries. And the poverty and pain I saw on a daily basis was hard to simply witness, over and over. So I stopped reporting and started working to remedy what I was seeing. So part of my motivation is based on need. But the bigger part of it is based on change. I saw enough good when I was reporting that I also grew to believe there was hope in most situations. And that, ultimately, is the most motivating thing of all. I started my book this way: We all have moments in life when we happen upon our calling, and mine was when I encountered a giant, smiling condom in Cambodia. I go on to tell the story of being inspired by the ground-breaking work of the nonprofit PSI to make AIDS prevention fun (including via a giant condom balloon). I think ultimately, what makes for the most powerful motivation is not how bad something is now but rather how much better it could be."

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:40:08 +0000

This response came in from James Holcomb, CFRE:

"I have always felt that God endowed me with so much that I have a responsibility to give back. That is why I became involved with my first nonprofit organization 51 years ago, The Southern Baptist Radio-TV Commission. It has been a great run, and I have helped five nonprofit organizations raise the funds they needed to fulfill their mission and change the world. But there was something missing. I found that I could expand, enhance and multiply exponentially my mission if I mentored other fundraisers to become the best they can be. So now, I am having a greater impact on changing the world by helping other professional fundraisers realize their potential. This is my philanthropic passion."

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:44:24 +0000

Here is a response from Phil Cubeta:

"As one who works with clients who are potentially donors, what fuels my passion for the work is what motivated me as a teacher of the liberal arts. I believe each of us has a problems that we might take to a priest or therapist. We also have a daylight self that gets on well enough. And we have at certain rare moments access to a better self rooted in traditions and communities that go deep and may span centuries or milennia. Accessing that moment of vision, that inspired self, that moment of grace in which the most surprised person in the room may be the client, as he or she hears himself say, perhaps for the first time what he or she most cares about, that is what I enjoy most in my professional role, as Morals Tutor to America's Wealthiest Families."

The Raiser's Razor : Philanthropassion Contest

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:31:33 +0000

My sincere thanks to the two authors above, and sincere apologies to those of you who are having difficulty with the comment form. I will look into it.

The Raiser's Razor : Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas makes it easy to be good

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 13:07:15 +0000

Indeed, a good time was had by all. You can trust Pam Gerber to put on a good show, that's for sure.

The Raiser's Razor : 7 tips for generating news coverage

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 13:00:26 +0000

Thanks for your work, Sandra. I appreciate you taking the time to post this reply. I'll try to blog the rest of what you offer soon.

The Raiser's Razor : Tickets now on sale for Sept. 29 show with Clint Black!

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 12:59:30 +0000

Thanks for the high praise -- that's a pretty narrow niche you're looking for. You should start with the links on the bottom right side of this blog, which are most of the ones that I know. Good luck -- and thanks for reading!

The Raiser's Razor : Green Giving

Wed, 21 May 2008 20:39:11 +0000

It's actually a fairly common method of donations -- if you listen to NPR, you've probably heard the pitch many times. Obviously, this is not for everyone, but it provides us with an accessible way to make the pitch for monthly donations rather than rely on annual gifts.