For the past 21 years I have authored a fundraising letter for my university class memorial scholarship. Ever-conscious of my atrocious verbal SAT scores (>200), over the years I have tried to find a literary voice – my voice. I've learned to write about what is on my mind, not in the donor's mind. I now know that the most powerful messages are not statistics on gift impact and not even storytelling about one particular scholarship student. It is about revealing the "soul of the writer." Today, that's me.
I have included this year's letter to my classmates emailed this week (we usually also mail a letter, but not this year). The subject is our beloved former President Frank H. T. Rhodes who passed away on February 3rd. Old news? Yes. But I wanted to share with my classmates the powerful feelings stirred by his death in February.
"I hope that zest for living, and for giving yourself to others, will accompany you on the continuing journey. For if you mortgage all your todays for some vague and gossamer tomorrow, you may find, in the end, that life's greatest joys and satisfactions have eluded you. That does not mean a life of hedonism, but it does mean a life lived in the present, which is the only time we have." Frank H T Rhodes
Pretty sure all my classmates knew about his passing. So I wanted to write about what Dr. Rhodes meant to me – and maybe make a connection to my fellow alumni, by articulating what he may have meant to many of them. [see below or here]
Recently, I saw a development office draft of a co-signed (bad idea) letter from a university president and the university's chair of the board. It was unoriginal, impersonal, and worst of all, boring. I know that many institutions are struggling with what to say or whether to ask at all during the COVID pandemic and, now, with the racial upheaval and riots in the country.
In January of this year the board chair flew with his daughter to England for the start of her exciting semester abroad. I assume she's back home, safe but unsettled. Write about that. Write about what if feels like as a parent to see the dramatic impact on your child's education, your family, and your community. Write about your fears and your hopes for your alma mater as its leader and alumnus.
Make people care about you, dear writer, and they'll care about the cause.
How did I do? Please share your comments and ideas. I am happy to respond to your comments and questions about fundraising in these times. Many fundraisers are concerned about appearing insensitive if they fundraise for non-Covid, non-tolerance/equity causes. Don't hesitate to reach out if I can help. We need to help each other help others. dan@goodworksgroup.com or 917.974.2325 (Eastern). Let me know if you'd like an invitation to my upcoming webinar: "What Do I Do Now?" Be well and be safe, Dan
