Twas the Night Before Giving Tuesday

Twas the night before Giving Tuesday, when all through the house

Not a development officer was sleeping, not even a mouse.

The social posts were scheduled by the comms team with care

In hopes that the donations soon would be there.

The donors were nestled all snug in their beds

While questions about nonprofit overhead danced in their heads.

And the Executive Director and the board in their caps

Had just settled in for a long Q4 nap.

When out in my backyard there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from staring at GiveButter to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew as swift as an event auctioneer’s words

Grabbed my jacket and McDonald’s Diet Coke – always preferred.

As I walked outside the moon gave light to a white-haired man so wrinkled and dear

And a wave and smile so welcoming I knew I had nothing to fear.

But as I walked closer to him, I let out a gasp

For he had brought in his sleigh 8 donors who had lapsed.

He winked as if to say, “Trust me. This is ok. You’ll see.”

And I knew in that moment he must be Saint Phil Anthropy.

“Let me introduce you to your donors,” he said.

This is Joe, he lost his job in January. And this is Carol, she’d been struggling to keep her kids fed.

Kirk was diagnosed with skin cancer and Janet just lost her dad.

Stephanie’s triplets left for college, and she’s just been so sad.

Hank lost his wife and Patti lost her husband

And twins, Cindy and Nikki, are caregivers to their cousin.

In that moment, it was all I could do to speak

I realized that our lapsed donors had nothing to do with ME.

“I’m so sorry to hear about all of this,” I said. I just wanted to cry.

St. Phil Anthropy gave me a hug and said, “You’re don’t know everything about your donors although you definitely try.”

I invited them inside, made some cocoa, gave the logs on the fire a turn…

And knew this was my time to listen and learn

One by one each donor shared their story of challenges and fear

Nothing I could’ve imagined when I was planning our nonprofits end of the year

It was my turn to speak and usually not short on words

I found it difficult to process everything I had heard.

St. Phil Anthropy smiled my way and said, “I have something to share!”

And in that moment, I knew I would realize why he was there.

“In Philanthropy we tend to carry the heavy weight of revenue

But we get that part all wrong – And, Jen, you most certainly do.

One person or team can’t carry that burden

That’s for the organization to do – I know this for certain.

Every donor has a story and learning that story is key

For only revenue comes from true relationships, you see.

So, on this eve of Giving Tuesday – a made-up day

Let’s not forget that we can engage with our donors in 100’s of ways.

These are just a few of the many donor stories left to unearth

And a random Tuesday in December doesn’t determine your worth.”

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

And one by one each donor loaded into the sleigh

And St. Phil Anthropy gave me a big hug as if to say

“You got this girl. I believe in you. Breathe.”

And just like that I felt a bit more…free and back to me.

St. Phil Anthropy then sprang to his sleigh, to his reindeer team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere they drove out of sight,

“Happy Giving Tuesday to all, and to all a good night.”