There's a nice post at the eJewish Philanthropy blog by author Ruth Andrew Ellenson titled The Sweetness of Giving. It's about her childhood memories of putting coins in the tzedakah box every Shabbat, and the lessons that taught her:
Our whole society is geared towards acquisition. The idea of owning that one thing that will bring us perfect happiness ... is something we are programmed for from birth. The idea that material things can bring satisfaction is a fantasy that's hard to let go.
And yet sooner or later (hopefully sooner) we learn the lesson that ... wealth really has no meaning unless you go out into the world and share it with others.
As fundraisers, it's easy for us to forget the sweetness of giving. We sometimes think what we're doing is a type of sales. And it is, yet it's completely different.
Giving expands and improves donors. It connects them to their faith. It deepens their ties with family and with others in general. Giving is deeply precious, far beyond the revenue it generates.
We'll be better fundraisers if we keep that in mind.
