“It is good to have things that money can buy, but it is also good to check up once in awhile and be sure we have the things money can’t buy.”
George Horace Lorimer
Tag: money
-
Quote to Consider: What Money Can’t Buy
-
Listen In -> Uncertainty & Stress #3: Knowing Where Your Money is Going
Keeping our focus on the things that we can control, our attention shifts this week to our personal finances.
Many people feel they have no choices when it comes to money. It’s all gone before the next pay check even arrives. The bills pile up, and the thought of losing your job keeps you up at night.
Do we really have no choices? Or could it be that there are some choices available that we do not see?
In this week’s podcast conversation, we suggest taking a look at where you spend your money. Try breaking down your expenses into three categories: fixed commitments, flexible values, and discretionary extras.
You’ll be surprised at what you find. Just knowing where you have choices will take an enormous weight off your shoulders.
Listen in.
-
Who Is Serving Whom?
Fund raising can twist two ways. For some it feels like the annoying child whining for your limited time while you’re trying to focus on more important things. For others it is the insidious demon that has somehow possessed your soul without you even realizing it, and all you do and see is related to money.
Helpful may be to ask, “Who is serving whom here?
Money has its place, a reality we have acknowledged in an earlier entry. But its place is not the primary place. When you feel like you’re serving the money demands of your organization instead of money serving the world-changing goals of your organization, it is time to realign and/or get some help.
Find creative ways to keep money and fund-raising in your service. Funds are a vital and necessary tool to have in the arsenal. But we want to be able to choose how we leverage its power on behalf of our cause. When we can no longer choose, we are no longer in charge.
Who is serving whom?
If you haven’t heard this week’s interview with Rodney Walker, then be sure to click on the player in the right column and enjoy!
-
Drowning in $ Desperation
At the other extreme, there are those for whom the reality of funding their non-profit enterprise is an all-consuming responsibility.
Like a hungry beast always prowling for its next meal, these leaders see others through the eyes of donation potential. Everyone becomes financial prey, so to speak. We can feel it too. And as a result we take evasive action to protect ourselves.
The heart-breaker here is that these leaders are no longer passionately involved in the cause for which they are raising the money. Their focus has been diverted by the need for funds. The need is real. But the response is out of balance. Like a drowning swimmer who panics trying to get air, they pull down the would-be rescuer with them.
Our plans for ensuring we have enough oxygen, need to include tools for staying in touch with our original passion. How do you keep fund raising in perspective?
Be sure to hear the podcast interview series!
-
Money = Oxygen?
Oxygen. Interesting word to use when talking about money.
It forces a reality check for the non-profit. Rodney’s insight in this week’s podcast interview is that there is no avoiding, getting around, or wishing away the simple fact that no enterprise, even a not-for-profit one, can function without funds.
Many non-profit leaders look down on, or are simply annoyed by, money, fund-raising, and the capitalistic context of our work. All power to them on their convictions, but unless they find a way to pay their staff, pay their rent, buy supplies, postage, computers, etc. etc., they will be out looking for a new job themselves.
What is your view of the role of money in the non-profit? How do you keep fund-raising in perspective?
Listen in.