Gray Reed’s Post

Great to be back again serving as emcee at the 17th Annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Randy Bowman, Community Partners of Dallas and the Lewisville ISD. Volunteerism transforms lives! Thanks to Volunteer Now CEO, Rachel Currie Triska, for inspiring her incredible team. Americans gave 4.1 billion hours of service to humanity as volunteers last year. There's nothing more impactful than making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. As I share in my keynote address: "Live your life as a go-getter, yet, forever share your life as a go-giver."

Annual Giving: February Week 2 Here is a stewardship exercise for your next board meeting. At your next board meeting, bring thank you note packets for your board members to write notes to donors at the beginning of the meeting. Supplies Needed: Thank you cards Stamped - Addressed- Envelopes Notecards with a donor profile so that the board member knows a bit about the donor so they can personalize the note How many packets should you make? 1.5X the number of board members. What donors should you include? Be creative. Here’s some donor segments I have used for this project: - Donors in the last two weeks - Gift size doesn’t matter. - Donors with the same first name as the board member. - Donors who have given to the organization two years in a row during the month of the board meeting Every single time I have done this, board members have loved it. They have gotten a mission touch in the form of a donor story. And… one time… the donor story even inspired a board member to make an additional gift… right there at the meeting! Why are you doing this? Board members need to be engage with donors every step of the cycle of cultivation, not just with asking. This is a great way to include a stewardship activity. Give it a try - and let me know how it goes. https://lnkd.in/grz_RdpW

Annual Giving February Week One: Here is some information about running and using your list to help you identify your top donors. Once you know who your top donors are, you need to ask yourself these two questions: 1) Why are these donors giving to the mission? 2) How do these donors want to interact with the mission, in the future? If you don't know the answers to these questions, you need to set up time to meet with your top donors to start the learning process. Let me know how your program is going. Are you enjoying these videos? Is there a topic you would like covered? Start the conversation below. Have a great week. #AMPO #annualgiving #fundraising #philanthropy #donors #donorengagement

If you're in NWA and looking for ways to invest in life-change, check out Saving Grace NWA! If you want to serve one time, regularly, alone, with your spouse, with your kiddos or your community group, Feb 8th is a great way to learn how and start making an impact. #Lifechange #grace #Justdoit

We get asked a lot about our company name and what type of firm we are. Bounteous is a real word that means "generously given" or abundant. It also describes the ways that we give to our communities—both to our clients and professional networks through expertise, tools, and thought leadership—as well as through philanthropic efforts. Read more in this post by our founder, CEO, and author of The #CoInnovation Manifesto, Keith Schwartz, on how context helps define who we are and what we do at Bounteous.

My first and the only trophy I was awarded yet! In the early days of my corporate gifting journey, I was taught that gifts like trophies, momentos belong to file no 13, which is a slang for a trash bin. However, after curating hundreds of trophies for my clients and their teams, realised how different the idealogy and practicalities are. I have literally participated in every competition I could, done every possible thing I could, just to get these shiny glittery gold on my desk, but could just get one in my entire life yet. I think when a little school going girl values such pieces of recognition, why are trophies becoming less significant in these times?? What would you prefer? A utility based gift that has a lifespan or a timeless customised glittering trophy with your name?

A week ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Precious Dreams Foundation Laughter and Lullabies gala. One thing that I love most about working in this space is the people that I get to meet, work with, support, amplify, and partner with to make an impact. Precious Dreams is an incredible organization that is so focused on the children and young people they serve. At the gala, it was evident that each person they serve matters. And that's amazing to witness. Earlier in my career, I needed to be on the ground, really seeing and feeling and being at the center of the impact. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I had to do that because it taught ME so much. But I think as time went on, I came to understand that perhaps, the work and the people I worked with were adding more value to me than I was adding to it. The organizations and the work had huge value and measurable impacts, and I don't want to diminish that. But, if I really believed in driving sustained impact (which I did and still do), I needed to step back from what was selfishly fulfilling and move into where I could add the most value. My strengths really sit at being a connector; bridging pathways between people, resources, expertise, technology, networks, and more. While it isn't always easy to accept (and sometimes my husband and I talk about going back to Mali, where I could work for a nonprofit while he opens back up his motorcycle garage), I now get the opportunity drive corporate impact strategy, and build programs and partnerships at scale, and create impact flywheels that transform how companies think about social responsibility, and amplify voices. And those are some pretty cool (and transformational) impacts to have. So here's a shout out to Precious Dreams and all of the other remarkable organizations doing the work, on the ground, day in and day out. It's heartbreaking and exhausting and tireless, but it matters, and it's the honor of a lifetime to be able to work with you.

That is leadership in action. Actions not words is how you measure leadership. Great display of leadership.

📣 Exciting February Updates! 🚀 Dive into our latest newsletter for all the highlights, new programs and success stories 📰✨ https://conta.cc/3SIj5Z9 #FebruaryNewsletter #MothersForJusticeAndEquality #MJE #NonProfit

✨ Celebrating the last #Monday of the Year with a twist—it's a #holiday AND #Christmas! 🎄 Turning this unique combo into the ultimate #LazyMonday = #Funday equation. 🌟 Let's savor the #joy of the #season, take a breather, and recharge for the exciting opportunities the #newyear holds. Wishing you all a delightful #Christmas and a serene end to #2023! 🎅🎁 #MondayMotivation #HolidayVibes #YearEndReflections #merrychristmas #happynewyear #legalrecruitment #legalrecruiting