The Art and Science of Donor Bliss

Do you want to learn more about “Donor Bliss”?

Are you in the professional world of…

Fundraising?

Advancement Services?

Nonprofit Leadership?

If so, you will find the stories and practical guidance for donors to be insightful in your work.

Building and cultivating relationships

Donors partner for shared values

I contemplate innovative strategies for establishing and nurturing relationships that emphasize the importance of shared values between donors and nonprofits.

The connection between individuals and organizations lies in their common purpose and vision. People yearn to engage actively in philanthropic efforts that resonate with their values. Donors seek partnerships with institutions that reflect their beliefs, as they strive to address the needs of our world collaboratively.

In our role as relationship builders, it is essential to articulate a clear and compelling mission and vision. Actively listening to volunteers and potential donors to understand their interests and passions is critical. This engagement helps to forge deeper connections and aligns them with our work. By attracting and fostering relationships with partners who are equally passionate about our mission, we create a powerful synergy that not only enhances our efforts but also enriches the joy of giving for all involved.

Let’s spread the word about the Joy of Giving together!

Quralew Co-op Wins Top Prize

Families and Giving

Earlham College Creative Capitalism Competition

Sometimes we just have to brag a little. Over the course of three months, we coached a team of students who had big plans for making an impact on employment and waste management in Ethiopia. Their team leader was a part of our lives for two school years and we were happy to share our strategic planning expertise with his team.

Their journey included many hours of working out the business numbers and preparing for incremental presentations. Along the way, they created a professional level two minute infomercial video and made a mock “Shark Tank” pitch. Three of the team were devoted members of the track team. Did I mention that they were also full time students and none of them business majors? One was also a freshman.

At the final competition, four other teams had great ideas in various stages of implementation. All competitors were passionate about their ideas for saving the world. We just about held our breath for the entire 20 minutes of our team’s presentation.

Please join us in congratulating the Quralew Co-op team on their first place win. They worked hard for it!

Magnifying Impact

Making Donor Bliss an Institutional Priority

Donors who desire to make an impact with their resources are on a life-long journey that typically includes numerous interactions with nonprofit institutions.
While describing this journey in this video on YouTube, Eric addresses the challenges institutions experience in engaging donors. 

At each step of the journey, Eric offers tips to institutions to encourage them to create positive experiences for their donors.

Eric weaves stories about joyful giving within this webinar as he advocates a goal of developing a culture of philanthropy within your organization. 

Starting with “Why”

Our giving story

Before our wedding, we talked about the importance of being generous. At that time, our discussion was about tithing, although it extended into organizations and causes that were important to each of us. We agreed that we had a desire to impact the lives of others through our generosity.

We believe blessings come from thoughtful giving and from developing a lifestyle of giving.

The Joy of partnering
Amidst uplifting stories of philanthropy that illustrate the joy of giving, you will learn a purposeful approach to charitable giving.

Both of us were taught how to give by our parents, and for that, we are deeply grateful. Through the years, we have come to experience the joy that results from giving, and we cherish each opportunity. For example, after 9/11, we were thrilled to be able to do something substantial (for us) that would help address the very pressing reality and needs of people in the aftermath of tragedy with a gift to the Red Cross. We are thankful for the chance to contribute in a meaningful way.

Whether it has been buying a goat for a family in a third world country, sponsoring a child’s education in Africa, or supporting higher education, we have indeed experienced Donor Bliss as a result of our giving. We recognize how fortunate we are to engage in these acts of compassion, and we carry immense gratitude for the positive impact our contributions can have on others’ lives.