Lisa Z. Greer's Blog, page 8

Value Builds Trust

On the 6th day of Saving Giving, Louis gave to us… Build trust by providing value before asking for support. – Louis Diez, Donor Participation Project

“Provide value before asking for donations."

Connect with Louis on LinkedIn

Lisa’s Reflection:

Louis’s advice is simple but transformative: by prioritizing value, we show donors we care about the relationship, not just the transaction. It’s a reminder to focus on connection, trust, and the donor’s experience. Let’s challenge ourselves to offer more val...

Mission and Values Fuel Resilience

On the 5th day of Saving Giving, Pooya gave to us… Staying true to your mission and values fuels resilience and courage. – Pooya Pourak, MatchNice

"Always stay grounded in your mission and values — they are the fuel that keeps you going when things get tough. To everyone in the nonprofit sector, thank you for your tireless efforts, compassion, and courage. Your work changes lives and makes the world a better place, and we’re so grateful for all you do."

Connect with Pooya on LinkedIn

Lisa’s Reflecti...

Unified Stories Build Trust

On the 4th day of Saving Giving, Tim gave to us… Donors thrive when they feel like active participants in creating change. – Tim Sarrantonio, Neon One

“Use your technology to tell a unified story about your impact. Philanthropy thrives when donors feel like active participants in the change they’re supporting. Invest in tools that connect your fundraising, marketing, and program data, so you can share a clear, consistent message that inspires trust and action.

Example from Tim:

“The 100th Bomb Group...

Self-Care is Essential

On the 3rd day of Saving Giving, Daisy gave to us… Prioritize self-care: you can't pour from an empty cup. – Daisy Lau (Bank), Keck Medicine of USC

"I recently was talking with a donor, and he was sharing that his wife was dying. I was not entirely sure of the right thing to say, but I told the donor to remember to also take care of himself during this time.

“And it hit me that in the most challenging times and even the busiest times, we need to take care of ourselves. The donor and I both agreed—f...

Fundraisers as Matchmakers

On the 2nd day of Saving Giving, Kassie gave to us… Fundraisers connect people to causes they care about — true matchmakers. Kassie Cosgrove, The Root Agency

“Philanthropy stems from connection. People want to give to people and make an impact. As fundraisers, our role is to be connection matchmakers—bringing together a donor's interests, values, and philanthropic dreams with an organization’s priorities and mission. That’s how we foster authentic relationships and meaningful impact.

Reframing fund...

Delivering Happiness and Joy

On the 1st day of Saving Giving, Claire Axelrad gave to us…

“Giving makes people feel good! MRI studies reveal we get a 'warm glow' jolt of dopamine when merely contemplating giving. When you hesitate to ask, you deprive people of the opportunity to enact their values, find personal meaning, and engage in authentic connections. Stop thinking of asking as 'taking,' and make it about delivering happiness and joy. Stop focusing on the 'fund' part of fundraising and hone in on being a 'philanthropy f...

12 Days of Saving Giving

For the first time in years, Hanukkah and Christmas begin together on December 24 (thank you, lunar calendar!) It’s a beautiful convergence that reminds us of the power of light, generosity, and connection with each other. As we reflect on what giving truly means, I’m excited to kick off 12 Days of Saving Giving, a virtual (and much needed) countdown to the holidays.

Over the next 12 days, we’ll dive into the stories, insights, and strategies that are reshaping philanthropy. Why now? Because givi...

Fundraising Tip of the Week

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Fundraising Tip of the Week

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Grace and Gratitude: A Philanthropy Revolution Reminder

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on two powerful forces that fuel not only philanthropy but life itself: grace and gratitude. These quiet pillars underpin the most meaningful relationships and the most transformative giving.

In the rush of year-end campaigns and the noise of holiday plans, let’s take a moment to center on these values—and challenge ourselves to bring them to the forefront.

Grace: The Art of Giving Without Strings

In philanthropy, grace is too often an overlooked...