How to Stop the Grinch from Stealing Your Christmas

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By Ryan Brady
Senior Donor Services Advisor for Central Indiana Community Foundation and Giving Sum

 

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot
But the Grinch who lived just North of Whoville did not!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.

It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.

But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

From How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Grinch is trying to steal your Christmas.  Seriously. The Grinch is lurking around just waiting to snatch your Christmas. The Grinch hides behind “Buy 1, Get 2 Free!” signs, in the corners of department stores and roams mall parking lots. The Grinch has stealthily taken on a new identity and just might nab your Christmas if you aren’t careful.

The Grinch has transformed into the Stuff,
And got us to think that we never have enough!

Yes, the Grinch has transformed into the Stuff and is looking to steal the true joy of Christmas from you, your family and our community. Thankfully, our hero Philanthropy (he likes to go by Phil), is here to put the kibosh on the Grinch.

Oh joy! Our friend Phil is here to save the day!
To protect Christmas from the Grinch! To show us the way!

Here are two easy ways that Phil can save your Christmas from the Grinch:

#1: Throw the Grinch a curveball, throw him for a loop, Instead of giving alone, give as a group!

Giving should be a joyous, shared experience. From volunteering with friends to making a giving decision as a family, it feels great to give together. The holidays are a perfect time to give as a group. Organize your family or friends into a quick giving circle. Simply ask everyone to contribute what they can to a common pool of money and then talk about how you can best use the funds to make a difference. Narrow down the ideas and then allow people to vote on where to give. If possible, present the check as a group and volunteer together at the organization.   The true value will come from the conversation together and the shared experience.
And all of you fundraisers out there; too often we ask people to give alone. Rather than just asking for an end-of-the-year contribution, organize a family volunteer experience over the holidays or ask families to consider making a combined gift together.
#2: Phil’s eyes with well with tears. Oh, how they will glisten! If you use Christmas as a time to listen!
The holidays are a great time to ask questions and share stories. Take time to ask those around you what motivates them to be charitable and what difference they hope to make.
  • Have you ever asked your friends or family why they give?
  • Do you know your parent’s first memory of being charitable?

Fundraisers; make sure you are asking those questions to your donors. And be sure to concentrate more on listening than talking when you are meeting with a donor!

With Phil’s help, we can protect Christmas from the Grinch!

While the Grinch’s heart may be two sizes too small, Let’s use Phil to take Christmas back from the mall!

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