How to Annoy a Long-time Donor

I got a text the other day that was so disturbing, I had to call several friends and colleagues to help me process it.

The text was from the head of a nonprofit that I’ve supported for years. It was simple — it said that he was in town and wanted to meet “at 1:00 tomorrow”. That was it.

And I found it profoundly disturbing. It felt like I was being called into the principal’s office.

The sender was someone I greatly respect from a nonprofit that’s been hugely impactful and professionally run. I'v...