My favorite causes to support with my time, treasure, talent, and touch are the enterprises where I have a  genuine relationship with an individual or more who is intimately involved within the organization.  I care about them.  I want them to have fuel for their journey.  We talk about visions and exchange details about our lives, even if they are delivered in synopsis.  The organization’s goals are intertwined with the people who represent them so authentically.  I am excited to hear their voice and support them even when they have moved on to the next chapter.

The causes that do not resonate with me entirely value transaction and compliance above relationship.  They frequently blast communications outlining the burning platform that faces them.  Driven by a fundraising goal, social media campaign, last effort to stop change, and anything else that puts their needs superior to those who they intend to cultivate.  Their annual report is a form of score keeping, what have you done for us in the past 12-months.  My ideas and networks are only valuable to them if they can be quantified in a return on investment metric.   The interactions are predictable, stagnate, and forced.

Much is revealed if people see you for who you are and not the form they wish you would take.  I may come and go from the inner circle of an enterprise but that does not mean our relationship is diminished.  When we stop communicating because I did not participate in the latest transaction or comply with an offer then there is little left to build upon for the future.

Be brave, build relationships that matter.