American Public Media’s ”Marketplace” radio program took time off from its usual coverage of commerce and finance to explore philanthropy, as advanced by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts President Reynold Levy. Rather than a chore and a burden, Levy describes the philanthropic process as a joy and a gift, in itself:
It’s an extraordinary amount of fun to find the intersection between the interests and background of a donor, and the needs of the institution. If you find that intersection, that’s the sweet spot. And my personal attitude is that we are really doing the prospective donor an enormous favor by asking for support. Because their gift will provide a meaning and a consequence in their lives that will otherwise not exist.
The short interview is full of the kind of quotes and convictions we hope to get from our board members. It’s also useful in reminding us that gaining donations to our organizations isn’t only about ”making the sale,” but also about making meaning and value in people’s lives.
