Marc's Musings

I’m trying to make a powerpoint for my Fundraising in the Bible.

Does anyone know where I can find a picture of Hezekiah?

Seriously.

Didn’t realize he’d be so hard to find.

It’s happened!

In a pluralistic world, it’s increasingly hard to know what to say at this time of year.

“Merry Christmas” is great but not everyone is a Christian. Having lived in Jerusalem, I know that 12/25 is just another day for Jews, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians. I find people are happily surprised to have a pastor recognize their traditions too.

“Seasons Greetings” is safe. “Holiday wishes” sounds somewhat contrived.

But I just heard myself say, “Happy year-end!” to a board member.

Happy year end?

Yikes. Can you tell I’ve been answering year end giving questions all day?

And it has nothing to do with the yearend 20% off sale I’m having at Fundraisingcoach.com store for blog and ezine folks!

[A colleague just told me, "At least you didn't say 'Happy rear end'! ]

I’ve recently become aware of two things about the title of my book The Get R.E.A.L. Guide to Asking for Money: Connecting Donors with What Matters to Them Most.

1. It is really long.

2. The “R.E.A.L.” raises spam alerts.

Would you help me by voting on keeping this title or choosing one of three new ones?
Click here to take survey.

As a thank you, your email will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of the book.

Click here to take survey.

To read more about the book, go to: http://fundraisingcoach.com/realsimpleguide.htm

[Update 8/27: Thanks to everyone that's responded to the book title survey!

Although a shorter one seems popular, many of you are making persausive arguments for sticking with the title I have. Most of your comments reflect that the word "fear" in the title isn't a good thing.

And many of you are nice to say that my writing makes seeming difficult things like fundraising feel "simple." I still have to get the final from my publisher but it looks like the book title will stay as it is!]

From my Google QOTD

Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.

- Albert Camus

I hope and pray that will never be said of me!

I just read in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that the emptytomb.org released their annual update on church giving.

According to the article, Protestant Christians gave only 0.38% of their income to missions and outreach. These Christians, from 34 denominations, also gave just over 2% of their income to church operational expenses.

2%!

For crying out loud, we’re paying 20% on credit cards. *sheesh*

Can you imagine what havoc we’d wreak on hell if we all at least tithed?

I just love Seth’s ability to articulate great ideas. Like his blog on the two problems.

So…what problem are you not admitting?

For the first time ever, my ongoing article on Fundraising in the Bible is available in web format.

Web pages: http://fundraisingcoach.com/bible.htm

PDF version http://fundraisingcoach.com/fundraisinginbible.pdf

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

June 30 is the end of the fiscal year for many of you.

How are you going to set goals for next year?

If you haven’t already tried the MagnetGoals Goal Setting program, why not do it now? It’s free and powerful.

You can subscribe to the e-course by going to the bottom of the page at fundraisingcoach.com.

Or you can download a PDF of the workbook here.

Here are the latest updates for the book naming contest:

Which is your favorite title? (You may vote for more than one.)

44.40% The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Asking for Money

22.20% The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Raising Money for Your Nonprofit: Why Individual Donors Are the Future of Fundraising

22.20% How To Ask for Money

22.20% Raising Money for what Matters Plugging into the Electricity: Connecting Donors with What Matters Most to Them

22.20% Other (please specify)
The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Raising Money or The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Raising Money: Why Individual Donors Are the Future of Fundraising

The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Asking for Money: Connecting Donors with What Matters Most to Them

11.10% The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Raising Money from Individual Donors: Research, Explore, Ask, and Love for Fundraising Success

11.10% Face2Face Solicitation

11.10% Get R.E.A.L.!

0% Asking for Money

There’s still time to vote! Go to the survey and enter for a chance to win a free copy of the book.