Today marks 14 years since my father's passing. While I think of him often, this week, his memory feels especially close. My father owned a store in South Florida, where my sisters and I spent many days helping out, alongside our mom. The store was a second home, a place where I watched him work and learned more than I realized at the time.
Whenever someone walked into the store, my dad would greet them with a warm smile and begin a conversation—not about what they wanted to buy, but about where they were from or something personal. I was always amazed by how much he knew about cities all over the country. Even though he didn't travel much beyond our house and the store, he could always connect a city to a street, a business, or a family.
He wasn’t just making small talk; he was building relationships. Before getting down to business, my dad invested in knowing the person standing in front of him. He made them feel seen.
Now, as a nonprofit development consultant and coach, I realize I’m doing something similar. I guide organizations not to rush into the transaction but to take the time to understand the person, to see them as more than a potential donor. It’s about recognizing their story, their passions, and why they want to connect. At its core, philanthropy is about love for humanity, and the human heart craves connection.
This lesson feels especially relevant in today's world, where we are bombarded with constant asks—political campaigns being a prime example. I recently timed it: I'm receiving a request every two minutes. It’s overwhelming and transactional, lacking the relationship-building that my dad embodied.
If we want to build stronger, more impactful organizations, we must resist the urge to follow the political fundraising model. Instead, let’s focus on truly seeing the potential donor, the current donor, and the past donor for who they are and what they hope to accomplish.
Thank you, Dad, for teaching me the power of connection. ❤️
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