Why We Give: Blog | Whywegive

Why We Give.net

A blog for nonprofit leaders featuring fresh voices and perspectives about the relational work of leadership that inspires abundant, sustainable, and meaningful philanthropy.

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Oct 7
2 min

Pandemic Update: Turning Chaos Into Meaningful Growth

As nonprofit organizations adapted to a new reality, the danger was - and still is - in becoming something its leaders never intended.

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Your Donors [Finally] Are Talking About Planned Giving. Here's How to Join Their Conversation

Otto Reinisch

Jul 28
3 min

Your Donors [Finally] Are Talking About Planned Giving. Here's How to Join Their Conversation

In the midst of today's COVID-19 pandemic, there’s never been a better – or easier – time to help your donors talk about estate planning.

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Leading in Crisis: The 'New Work' of Nonprofit Boards (Part III)

Otto Reinisch

Jul 1
2 min

Leading in Crisis: The 'New Work' of Nonprofit Boards (Part III)

The final task in completing the ‘new work’ of nonprofit boards is to identify and monitor the critical indicators of meaningful success.

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Leading in Crisis: The New Work of Nonprofit Boards [Part II]

Otto Reinisch

Jun 25
2 min

Leading in Crisis: The New Work of Nonprofit Boards [Part II]

Today’s challenges require nonprofit boards to re-think how precious, scarce resources can keep their organization relevant.

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Leading in Crisis: The New Work of Nonprofit Boards [Part I]

Otto Reinisch

Jun 16
2 min

Leading in Crisis: The New Work of Nonprofit Boards [Part I]

Nonprofit organizations remain relevant only when they provide what matters to constituents. Make room for the new work of nonprofit boards.

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Good News: Your Strategic Plan is Obsolete

Otto Reinisch

Jun 8
1 min

Good News: Your Strategic Plan is Obsolete

Starting Next Week: A new blog series will look at how the 'new work' of nonprofit boards will help organizations thrive in the 'new normal'

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5 Best Practices for Saying "Thank You" After Giving Tuesday

Otto Reinisch

May 7
2 min

5 Best Practices for Saying "Thank You" After Giving Tuesday

5 Best Practices for saying thank you after Giving Tuesday to set your organization apart and win new friends over as regular donors.

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A Kansas Farmer: The Power of Hope and Everyday Heroes

Otto Reinisch

May 1
2 min

A Kansas Farmer: The Power of Hope and Everyday Heroes

Today, be the leader who uses the power of story to inspire hope through the work of everyday heroes who show "humanity at its best".

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Isolation, Loneliness, and a Leader's Greatest Challenge

Otto Reinisch

Apr 14
2 min

Isolation, Loneliness, and a Leader's Greatest Challenge

The opportunity for this generation of leaders is to discover how technology (social media) can be used to support face-to-face interaction.

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Values are Forged in the Crucible of Crisis - Not the Boardroom

Otto Reinisch

Apr 2
3 min

Values are Forged in the Crucible of Crisis - Not the Boardroom

Values-based leadership begins when nonprofit boards discern values that ignite passion as they "open the door into the organization's soul"

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How Nonprofit Leaders Build Trust in Times of Crisis

Otto Reinisch

Mar 27
3 min

How Nonprofit Leaders Build Trust in Times of Crisis

In the midst of uncertainty, here’s how nonprofit leaders become a reassuring ‘voice’ that earns the trust of their constituents.

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A Special Message for Nonprofit Leaders in a Time of Uncertainty

Otto Reinisch

Mar 17
3 min

A Special Message for Nonprofit Leaders in a Time of Uncertainty

Today, the question for faith-based nonprofit leaders – now, as it always has been – is not IF your organization will survive, but HOW.

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Do your gift acknowledgement letters do these three things?

Otto Reinisch

Mar 5
2 min

Do your gift acknowledgement letters do these three things?

The most important letter your donors receive is a timely, personalized gift acknowledgement letter. They accomplish these three things.

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Be the Authentic Leader You're Called to Be

Otto Reinisch

Feb 24
2 min

Be the Authentic Leader You're Called to Be

Values-based leadership is guiding, often walking alongside, others in a discovery of the potential inside each of us.

37 viewsWrite a comment

Does Your Nonprofit Board Act More Like Owners...or, Stewards?

Otto Reinisch

Feb 17
2 min

Does Your Nonprofit Board Act More Like Owners...or, Stewards?

Truly great nonprofit boards make the most of their service by acting as faithful stewards of what is entrusted to them.

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'Dark Skies' and the Beginning of Leadership

Otto Reinisch

Feb 4
2 min

'Dark Skies' and the Beginning of Leadership

The loss of solitude, or 'quiet time', is a silent casualty of our digital age. And, it is here where authentic leadership begins.

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3 Secrets for (Finally) Succeeding in Planned Giving

Otto Reinisch

Jan 27
2 min

3 Secrets for (Finally) Succeeding in Planned Giving

Every nonprofit organization can succeed in planned giving through this values-based approach for promoting charitable bequests.

32 viewsWrite a comment

Reclaiming the Soul of Fundraising in a Digital Age of Diminishing Humanity

Otto Reinisch

Jan 14
2 min

Reclaiming the Soul of Fundraising in a Digital Age of Diminishing Humanity

By reclaiming the authentic relationships that distinctly makes us human, we also will reclaim what makes fundraising meaningful.

15 viewsWrite a comment

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