Generation BIG

Nonprofits Need to Separate Prospects from Suspects Before Pressing “Send”

Tom Ruwitch — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:11:49 +0000

My 18-year-old cousin recently received an email from a nonprofit, promoting the organization’s new planned giving web site and inviting him to register for a free webinar about the topic. After opting-out from the nonprofit’s mailing list, my cousin emailed me and asked, “Why would they send me this junk?” My reply, “Because you joined [...]

Rich Donors Would Give More If…

Tom Ruwitch — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:33:36 +0000

Wealthy philanthropists in the United Kingdom say they’d donate more if they had better tax incentives. So says a new survey by JP Morgan Private Bank. What does that mean for you, American development professional? It means you can attract more major gifts if your donor prospects can realize greater tax benefits. Isn’t that tough, [...]

Capacity is NOT a Scarce Resource

Tom Ruwitch — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:29:55 +0000

Fundraising professionals frequently describe the ideal donor as one who has inclination (a desire to support the cause) and capacity (the resources to give). Most also say, “We can’t do anything to increase a prospect’s capacity.” This may be the most dangerous and prevalent myth that infects nonprofits today. In fact, you CAN do something [...]

BIG People are “Leapers,” Not “Ladder-Climbers”

Tom Ruwitch — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:02:21 +0000

In order to be bold, innovative, and generous (BIG), you have to adopt a BIG mindset. The subtitle of our book, is “Rising Tide of Dreams to Action.” First comes the dream, then comes the action. It’s easy enough to dream, but what about action? I just read a blog post that draws a great [...]

Marketing to the Maybes – How Non-Profits Should Court Prospects

Tom Ruwitch — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:06:10 +0000

Imagine you’re single, looking for a new long-term relationship. You enter a room full of strangers and see someone whom you find attractive. You walk over, introduce yourself, and converse. You deliver some of your best material—funny anecdotes about yourself, details about your high-powered career, evidence of your passionate, yet sensitive side. The stranger is [...]

John Wood and Room to Read – Educating Children to Change the World

Tom Ruwitch — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:44:03 +0000

John Wood didn’t have to quit his job at Microsoft where he was one of the top executives at one of the top corporations in the world. But at age 35, he had a BIG dream and a plan to pursue it. It started with a vacation to Nepal. Seeking to combat professional burnout in [...]

Betty Chinn – Homeless in China to a Hero in the USA

Tom Ruwitch — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:24:18 +0000

The seeds for Betty Chinn’s BIG journey took root in Communist China where she experienced extraordinary misery and family tragedy. Her parents were medical doctors and intellectuals at a time when the Communist regime persecuted free thinkers. Her dad fled; her mom was imprisoned. Betty and her siblings ended up on the street. Homeless and [...]

Petra Nemcova – Rebuilding Communities after Natural Disasters

Tom Ruwitch — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:31:46 +0000

Petra Nemcova was enjoying a brilliant, sunny day with her fiance Simon Atlee at an upscale beach resort in Thailand in when the tsunami hit. It was the day after Christmas in 2004. Nemcova, a Czech-born supermodel, clung to a palm tree in the swirling flood waters and was rescued after several hours. She survived [...]

A New Definition for “BIG Business”

Tom Ruwitch — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:05:40 +0000

Is your business BIG? I don’t mean BIG in the sense of giant — like GE or IBM or Microsoft. I mean BIG as in bold, innovative, and generous. Whether you run a five-person operation out of a single room or a Fortune 500 behemoth with offices around the globe, your business will be better [...]

Bold, Innovative & Generous People are Changing the World

Tom Ruwitch — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:26:18 +0000

In spite of economic upheaval, bold, innovative, and generous (BIG) people are recalibrating for a new era and helping to change the world. If you’re an individual, you can join this rising tide. We’ll inspire you with stories of BIG people. We’ll guide you to discover innovative ways to move forward with financial fuel, focused [...]