WEBVTT
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Welcome back.
00:00:01.429 --> 00:00:09.949
Every week we pause to reflect because capital campaigns, especially in small towns, aren't just about buildings and budgets.
00:00:10.130 --> 00:00:12.140
They're about people choosing to be generous.
00:00:13.429 --> 00:00:25.879
This podcast explores the beautiful space where generosity occurs through ancient and modern writings from all cultures and religions seeking deeper wisdom for capital campaign work in small towns.
00:00:26.629 --> 00:00:35.840
Whether you're just starting out or deep in the middle of a campaign, these five minute reflections will ground you, encourage you, and remind you why this work matters.
00:00:36.591 --> 00:00:51.621
Last week, we discussed how leading a capital campaign is like standing at the base of a mountain, where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest, and one key principle is to be curious when facing scrutiny.
00:00:52.540 --> 00:01:01.161
This week, we'll be looking at how honesty fits into leading with integrity when sharing the impact the capital campaign will have on the community.
00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:10.891
To do this, I'm reading from Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025.
00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:20.021
Quote,"Authentic communications engage the brain's social empathy network, inviting trust.
00:01:20.990 --> 00:01:31.305
Real, honest stories that acknowledge both successes and challenges tend to produce a more positive neurological response.
00:01:32.096 --> 00:01:38.615
On a practical level, this means being truthful is not only ethical but also effective.
00:01:39.486 --> 00:01:50.725
Admitting uncertainties or limitations, for example, saying,'We can't help everyone, but here's how we are trying,' can actually boost credibility.
00:01:51.745 --> 00:01:59.025
The donor's brain hears honesty and counterintuitively trusts you more for it." Unquote.
00:01:59.986 --> 00:02:08.955
When we're leading a capital campaign in a small town, we know our neighbors, and we want to appear competent and confident to them.
00:02:10.195 --> 00:02:31.288
There's a temptation when we are asking for a significant donation for something as big as a capital campaign to want to present a version of our organization that looks like it has everything figured out, as if we're solving the whole mountainside of problems, but that's not the story that builds trust.
00:02:32.248 --> 00:02:54.985
Think about the difference between a leader who says,"This project will absolutely solve every challenge our mission, our community faces," and the one who says,"This project won't solve everything, but it's a meaningful step, and here's exactly how we expect it will help." The second leader is building trust and leading with integrity.
00:02:55.594 --> 00:03:00.164
The second leader is marking the actual trail that leads up the mountainside.
00:03:01.194 --> 00:03:08.895
When we lead with honesty, including honesty about our limitations, we are not weakening our case with donors.
00:03:09.425 --> 00:03:10.805
We are strengthening it.
00:03:11.875 --> 00:03:14.125
Let's reflect on one question this week.
00:03:14.685 --> 00:03:28.314
As you are preparing your case for support or talking with donors, consider where you can be more honest about limitations instead of glossing over them or exaggerating the impact your campaign will have.
00:03:29.098 --> 00:03:36.598
Share this podcast if you enjoy these five minute reflections and subscribe to receive these reflections released every week.
00:03:37.169 --> 00:03:43.498
To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper, visit serving nonprofits.com.
00:03:43.498 --> 00:03:44.830
See you next week.
00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:01.159
Welcome back.
00:00:01.429 --> 00:00:09.949
Every week we pause to reflect because capital campaigns, especially in small towns, aren't just about buildings and budgets.
00:00:10.130 --> 00:00:12.140
They're about people choosing to be generous.
00:00:13.429 --> 00:00:25.879
This podcast explores the beautiful space where generosity occurs through ancient and modern writings from all cultures and religions seeking deeper wisdom for capital campaign work in small towns.
00:00:26.629 --> 00:00:35.840
Whether you're just starting out or deep in the middle of a campaign, these five minute reflections will ground you, encourage you, and remind you why this work matters.
00:00:36.591 --> 00:00:51.621
Last week, we discussed how leading a capital campaign is like standing at the base of a mountain, where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest, and one key principle is to be curious when facing scrutiny.
00:00:52.540 --> 00:01:01.161
This week, we'll be looking at how honesty fits into leading with integrity when sharing the impact the capital campaign will have on the community.
00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:10.891
To do this, I'm reading from Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025.
00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:20.021
Quote,"Authentic communications engage the brain's social empathy network, inviting trust.
00:01:20.990 --> 00:01:31.305
Real, honest stories that acknowledge both successes and challenges tend to produce a more positive neurological response.
00:01:32.096 --> 00:01:38.615
On a practical level, this means being truthful is not only ethical but also effective.
00:01:39.486 --> 00:01:50.725
Admitting uncertainties or limitations, for example, saying,'We can't help everyone, but here's how we are trying,' can actually boost credibility.
00:01:51.745 --> 00:01:59.025
The donor's brain hears honesty and counterintuitively trusts you more for it." Unquote.
00:01:59.986 --> 00:02:08.955
When we're leading a capital campaign in a small town, we know our neighbors, and we want to appear competent and confident to them.
00:02:10.195 --> 00:02:31.288
There's a temptation when we are asking for a significant donation for something as big as a capital campaign to want to present a version of our organization that looks like it has everything figured out, as if we're solving the whole mountainside of problems, but that's not the story that builds trust.
00:02:32.248 --> 00:02:54.985
Think about the difference between a leader who says,"This project will absolutely solve every challenge our mission, our community faces," and the one who says,"This project won't solve everything, but it's a meaningful step, and here's exactly how we expect it will help." The second leader is building trust and leading with integrity.
00:02:55.594 --> 00:03:00.164
The second leader is marking the actual trail that leads up the mountainside.
00:03:01.194 --> 00:03:08.895
When we lead with honesty, including honesty about our limitations, we are not weakening our case with donors.
00:03:09.425 --> 00:03:10.805
We are strengthening it.
00:03:11.875 --> 00:03:14.125
Let's reflect on one question this week.
00:03:14.685 --> 00:03:28.314
As you are preparing your case for support or talking with donors, consider where you can be more honest about limitations instead of glossing over them or exaggerating the impact your campaign will have.
00:03:29.098 --> 00:03:36.598
Share this podcast if you enjoy these five minute reflections and subscribe to receive these reflections released every week.
00:03:37.169 --> 00:03:43.498
To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper, visit serving nonprofits.com.
00:03:43.498 --> 00:03:44.830
See you next week.
