Inspiration

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses."

-Chinese Proverb

More often than any comment I receive from volunteers is concern about asking one's friends for a donation. Often the concern falls into one of two catagories:

• "I am afraid I will insult the person by asking for a large donation."

• "This is a lot of money to ask for considering the person doesn't get much."

Handling the first point, it is so important to remember that asking for a donation is not insulting if done thoughtfully. An thoughtful request is one that is:

• Reasonably researched. As best it can be determined, the request should be optimistic, but reasonable - that is within a realm of possible success.

• Respectfully requested. A proper request for support does not demand, it asks a person to consider a thoughtful gift - a specific amount requested. Asking one to, "consider a gift of xxx to our Learning Center," is never insulting.
  

As for the second, please consider the truth in today's quote. Indeed, philanthropy is about giving money away, generally without expectation of any tangible benefit. However, most generous donors do report a significant benefit - one of deep satisfaction. This is the "fragrance" of giving.

It is critical for any volunteer to remember that giving does provide a benefit to our Learning Centers and our donors. This necessary aspect of our responsibilities can be a wonderful experience if you keep these points in mind.

Ideas that work

Grant Proposal Database

One of the most challenging aspects of grant writing is the myriad of ways foundations want you to present your information. One place may ask you for a 500 word mission statement, while another may want you to give your mission in 100 words or less. Writing new text for each new proposal you submit takes time, something that few active volunteers have. And if you’re new to writing grants, an involved application process can be overwhelming.

When I work on a grant application, I pull the information from past proposals I’ve done in addition to using the GrantAid templates. This allows me to copy and paste most of my information without writing new text for each new proposal. If I come across a question I’ve never seen before, it’s still easier to pull the information than to write from a blank slate.

To help you with the grant process, I’ll be posting to the forum some of my recent successful proposals. My goal is to provide you with examples of the different ways grants can be written. Check out the proposals I’ve posted on the Idea Hub Forum. I’ll continue to post example proposals in the months to come, but if you have questions or need help, please do not hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help!

News You Can Use

The Rich Keep Giving

Here is a very encouraging article from "across the pond."

This tidbit comes from the Telegraph in the UK. The article cites research from Barklays Wealth, which surveyed 500 affluent people in the UK and the USA.

Even in this economy, a remarkable 75% reported that their giving has not abated. In fact 1 in 4 increased their giving over the past 18 months.

Emma Turner of Barclays Wealth said: "In some ways, the recession and its knock-on effects have galvanized the attitudes and approaches taken by wealthy donors, who are in a bullish mood to not only carry on giving, but make an even bigger impact in the future."

You can read the full article here.

This has strong implications for your fund-raising activities. It is typical in hard times to want to pull back on your requests for support. Now however is when the need is greatest and those with the means can best appreciate that their support is needed most. Take some time to identify those who have capacity and with whom you might have contact and reach out with a Sponsor a Child request. The results may please you.

Inspiration... Branding-style

I think [the renaming] is a step in the right direction -- but for heaven's sake, do something with that stupid caricature of a child in the logo. It looks like a deranged elf or worse... Sorry I'm so subtle in my comments.

-Anonymous

Well! I appreciate the candor and passion of our Learning Center leadership. Rest assured that the logo is only a rough idea of what might be, simply a basic, cheap placeholder for comments. Please keep your thoughts coming.

Rebranding Update!!!

Results from the recent board meeting

On July 2 the parent board of the 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children met in Lexington. On the agenda was a presentation by Marcia Morgan, a branding consultant who has worked with us for the past six months to consider a change in name to the Learning Centers. To many, the current name is unwieldy and not easily communicated to the non-Masonic universe. The board in January agreed to look at the issue and hear recommendations.

The result of Ms. Morgan's work with a number of focus groups is a proposed name change. What she found best met our needs is:
This name appealed both to Masons and non-Masons. It also passed many usage requirements (for example a local place would be called Cornerstone Tutoring for Chidren with Dyslexia of Waterbury or Cornerstone Tutoring of Waterbury, for short).

The image change reflects the clear message Ms. Morgan received that it should reflect the typical age range of our students.

"Tutoring" was chosen over "Learning" because we tutor, our children learn.

We are also looking at branding our certifcation program to further the image of our program (more on that later, but you can read about it in the presentation).

To understand more fully the results of this effort, log on to the forum, and you can download Morgan's full presentation as well as the decision criteria for the naming process which is located here (you must be a registered user to download the documents).

The parent board unanimously supported this renaming process and gave it a green light to move further ahead. This includes sharing the name with you and asking for your feedback. Please use the poll located in the right-hand column to express your opinion on the name. I've opened a topic in the Rebranding section of Forum for your comments.

We look forward to your input.

News You Can Use

Living (forever) on Purpose

This may be great news for every committed volunteer to our Learning Centers who happens to be an "older American."

The online news site Healthday recently heralded a study destined to make you feel good.

The article by Kathleen Doheny covered an ongoing study conducted through Rush Medical Center in Chicago. The study followed more than 1,300 senior participants and their sense of purpose.

The results of the study show a significant relationship between a sense of purpose and living longer. In fact the difference in survival between high and low senses of purpose was a 50% greater survival rate over the study's three year length.

The finding follows another recent study, done by others, in which the researchers found that retirees older than 65 who volunteered had less than half the risk of dying during about a four-year follow-up period as did their peers who did not volunteer their time, Doheny writes.

You can read the entire article on the Healthday site.

Our conclusion - the Learning Centers are doing more than helping kids and training tutors. Because we need committed volunteers, we are helping them to live long and purposeful lives!

(The Idea Hub will take a short break. Our next post will be July 14.)

Inspiration

We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters.

- Robert E. Lee

Today, July 1, marks the anniversary of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg (1863). Known as the high water mark of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, it was the ultimately the greatest defeat for General Lee. Lee was a talented officer, once offered command of the Northern forces before his decision to cast his allegience to the side of his native Virginia. This quote serves as a reminder that we can learn from hard lessons perhaps even better than from easy times.

For more information on the life of Robert E. Lee, read this site.