Latest / We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits / 104. The Secret to Soliciting Major Gifts... Virtually - Lereca Monik

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104. The Secret to Soliciting Major Gifts... Virtually - Lereca Monik · We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

• 0:01
  Jonathan McCoy: Hey, I'm john.
• 0:02
  Becky Endicott: And I'm Becky.
• 0:03
  Jonathan McCoy: And this is the we are for good podcast.
• 0:05
  Becky Endicott: nonprofits are faced with more challenges to accomplish their missions and the growing pressure to do more, raise more and be more for the causes that improve our world.
• 0:15
  Jonathan McCoy: We're here to learn with you from some of the best in the industry, bringing the most innovative ideas, inspirational stories, all to create an impact uprising.
• 0:23
  Becky Endicott: So welcome to the good community, where nonprofit professionals, philanthropist, world changers and rabid fans who are striving to bring a little more goodness into the world.
• 0:34
  Jonathan McCoy: So let's get started. How are you Becky?
• 0:37
  Becky Endicott: Hi, john and Julie. We're about to have an awesome major gifts conversation. Oh,
• 0:42
  Jonathan McCoy: we're diving into the big gifts. Today,
• 0:44
  Becky Endicott: I'm gonna put my major gift officer hat back on because I think this is really going to be an interesting topic that people are going to want to dive into. But I want to introduce just a phenomenal guest lirica Monique, she's the Senior Director of major gifts at Baker Ripley, but she is also and you know how much I love this chief love officer at a gubbay advantage. And she's just an incredible human that is from Houston. And she has spent and dedicated her entire life to the nonprofit space. And I want to give just a little bit of background on her and then Luke, I'm going to kick it to you. But she is a philanthropy strategist. She's a public speaker. She is clearly an amazing woman entrepreneur. I put in there a mother because I think that's also just as important. And her consultancy really tries to help executives and small businesses and nonprofits advance their social goals. And that sounds very buttoned up. But I can tell you, we've spent a little bit of time speaking with her. And everything that lirica pours herself into comes from a place of love. And I love that she is using that because her mantra is literally how do you make love more marketable. And I think this is a word that people shy away from and there's no reason to because the basis of our relate relationships and nonprofit is about connection, about finding ways that we can live on these nonprofits create mission moments and connections to people who need us in the world. So I love that that is sort of the base of your ethos.
• 2:14
  Becky Endicott: But in addition to running her own consultancy, she works at Baker Ripley. And let me just tell you, I went to this website. And it was one of those like, as a storyteller, I felt so transformed by it and Baker Ripley connects with low income families and individuals to just help them achieve the life that they have always tried to imagine. So I love this mission.
• 2:37
  Becky Endicott: She is also has her Bachelor Master's from Texas Southern.
• 2:42
  Becky Endicott: She's worked a decade long career in development. And here's my fun little antidote about her. She is the 2016 Miss Texas, America, Lyrica. I'm just so glad you're here, you are going to dive into major guests in a virtual world. And I am sure everyone is pouring into trying to figure this out right now. So I'm excited about this combo. Welcome to our podcast.
• 3:04
  Becky Endicott: Hi, Becky. Hi,
• 3:08
  Lereca Monik: john. How are you guys? Thank you for having me.
• 3:11
  Lereca Monik: Oh,
• 3:12
  Becky Endicott: yeah, we're glad you're here. Can you kind of just start with your background?
• 3:14
  Becky Endicott: Just kind of your career history and your bio and tell us how you fell? It fell into nonprofit into development?
• 3:24
  Lereca Monik: Oh, my goodness, I would say how do I make this story extremely short. What I like to get often is just give a picture of my backstory and where I'm from. And so if you could go with me to 40 plus years ago, I'm a native of Vancouver, Washington, my grandmother has 33 grandchildren, of the 33 of us, nine of us have careers. Of the nine of us are none of us have jobs have the nine of us, five of us have careers. Of the five of us, two of us have college education. And so I'm just going to let you think about that for a second. Fast forward.
• 4:06
  Lereca Monik: Throughout my life. I've been a recipient of Human Services, my family and I, we've been able to connect with youth programs throughout my journey. And so I've always had this innate desire to be able to give back to community because of my childhood in my upbringing. I went home a couple of years ago, and I was able to interact with my relatives. And what I've realized is that my life and my quality of life was completely different. And when I asked myself the question, why it was not because of skill or ability, it was because along the way, I like to say that I had God Winx our people our resources to be able to help move me into a different direction. And so when people ask me, Why philanthropy, why fundraising, I have a unique opportunity. Are we have a unique opportunity to change someone's life for the better.
• 5:04
  Lereca Monik: And if I can connect resources, right, whether it's time, talent or treasures, with a community in need, and I feel like I am doing the work of the Lord, I hate to say it like that, but really good work. And I'm deeply committed to that work so deeply committed as a professional, and deeply committed as someone who also, you know, was it at some point where I needed some support. And I started as a classroom teacher. And we were trying to fill the gap for after school programming. And I would go out to the business community, literally grassroots, I think I was begging banks. I would go out to business that local businesses and ask them for help ask them if they had resources that they could share that we could use or leverage in our, our school fundraising event. And that's where I started. And so my career has just evolved over the past decade, to being a lot more intentional and strategic and growing professionally, and learning, really learning the art in the science, the work that we do. Well, I
• 6:18
  Jonathan McCoy: think thank you for sharing your story. I think we all have all the fields of just seeing how philanthropy always intersects us at some point. But I love that it happened to you so early on that you're a recipient before you even probably saw the full picture of how it comes together. And certainly not the complexity of how it comes together on the development side. But what what an incredible testament that you are to just linking arms and supporting one another and lifting each other up. Becky kind of gave a little intro to Baker Ripley, and we're all just fanning over here as your mission and just the way that you show up and serve the Houston community specifically, would you kind of give our listeners just a glimpse at the work that you all do and who you serve?
• 7:00
  Lereca Monik: Absolutely. Our ground is in the mission of Baker Ripley, because I truly believe in our mission. And I think it's deeply important.
• 7:07
  Lereca Monik: What we do is we bring resources, education and connections to our neighbors, and we work side by side with them to help them improve their lives. I would say that our vision is to crush in equities.
• 7:25
  Lereca Monik: And you know, that's a word equity is a word that we're hearing. More and more is what does equity look like? What does inequity look like? in here in Houston, we contribute to in crushing inequities through three main initiatives. And this is the area that we focus on, we focus on resiliency, and it's during a storm, you have folks that respond, I call them your EMTs. Well, what we do is we really help people recover. What happens after the EMT responds to the disaster or the moment of life in which you were greatly impacted. What we do is we help families and individuals recover. We also focus on socio economic mobility. That is, again, just helping individuals and families strengthen their economic status by offering training, resources and support, we walk with them side by side to help them change the trajectory of their lives. And thirdly, we're disruptors. We are an organization that we serve half a million people, our leadership is bright, and we're bright and brilliant and key talented people. And so we'd like to disrupt the system for the better to be able to help our neighbors. I think what really makes Baker Ripley unique you guys is, and I've been on the team for six months. And so I'm still learning so much more about our organization. We have been around for 113 years, 113 years. And 113 years ago, we saw that there was a unique opportunity to have a conversation with those in the community. And so our approach to supporting our neighbors is we go into the community and we have a conversation with them to learn about what their needs are. I'm sure you guys can appreciate this often. You have executives are a team of people on the program side with good intention. And we're creating programs without having the clients or the neighbors sitting at the table to be able to share their perspective. Well, we know what their perspectives are, because we're having those conversations with them. And the tool that we leverage is called the appreciative inquiry model.
• 9:53
  Lereca Monik: And when we leverage that tool, we go out we we question, we ask them, What are their needs, what resources do you You need what's How can we better support you and we listen. And they tell us, and then we build from there.
• 10:05
  Lereca Monik: And so I really appreciate working at an organization. And Becky, you mentioned this earlier is, we appreciate we approach our work from a space of love, love for our neighbors first. And then we were able to build our programming around that.
• 10:24
  Becky Endicott: Well, if that isn't about the most incredible nonprofit mission I've ever heard, I don't know what is you
• 10:29
  Jonathan McCoy: want to steal their values, I literally
• 10:32
  Becky Endicott: just wrote down in my notes, because I hope I don't have to trademark and give you a royalty every time I talk about wanting to crush in equities, because that could possibly be my life goal. And I also really appreciate that you brought up the history because to me, over 100 years of literally helping your community tells me you're gonna have a culture that is so vibrant. And so giving, and I encourage anyone listening, if any of that resonated with you, which I don't know how it couldn't. Your your Instagram account is incredible. And I mean, it is chock full of resources that literally help and literally lift up people and tell the stories and connect the resources and get the training.
• 11:20
  Becky Endicott: And it's just such a great nonprofit. And I it just honestly makes me feel so good to know that you were in the world and doing all this good in Houston, I kind of want to pivot a little bit and get into major gifts. I think one of the things before we get into like actually asking for major gifts, virtually, which I'm very curious about this topic is I want to start on metrics. Can you kind of walk our listeners through your process for cultivating major gifts, and maybe some key metrics that you look for, throughout that process? Give him a starting point.
• 11:53
  Lereca Monik: Absolutely. And major gift cultivation is all about relationships. I think it's so critical for us to remember that, as Fundraising Professionals, we're relationship builders. And your conversion really depends on your ability to connect, and to cultivate the individuals that you are prospecting your prospects and your current donors. And so when I think about this particular work, I think about being able to speak to the donors heart, people give to people, we are emotional beings, we are moved by our heart first. And so I tend to teach my team this and it's a little triangle, the triangle is the symbol for change in cultivation, I always start with the heart is how can you connect with the donor? How can you better share your stories? How can you match your mission to their interest? And then you move to your head? Which is your plan? What would a discovery conversation look like? How would you make someone fall in love with your mission, and then the hands is the actions is repeat, follow the plan, repeat, follow the plan and then repeat.
• 13:12
  Lereca Monik: And so at the center of major gift cultivation is being able to connect and compelling and clear and concise way that by which your donor your donor needs you to connect with them.
• 13:30
  Lereca Monik: I think sometimes we get so excited to share what we are doing that we miss an opportunity to really listen and connect. And so when working with my team, I really teach them on being able to share the story but becoming really active listeners and understanding what your donor is looking for you to hear. When I think about metrics. This is one thing that I say all the time. So you guys will hear me say these little isms or lirica. My
• 14:03
  Becky Endicott: company, Monique is
• 14:05
  Lereca Monik: do it. Yes, it's in fundraising terms. It's called stewardship. In my shop, it's called bank to bank. The more you think your donors, the more you can bank on your donors. And so if you start with the end in mind, and at the end of the day, are the final process? Well, it's circular, but the final process in fundraising is thanking donors.
• 14:31
  Lereca Monik: So starting with the end in mind, I encourage my team to figure out a way to stewardship early on. And so the thank to bank and then being able to look at your retention efforts. In our scorecards, we look at all of our donors from those that are being we're renewing those that have been moved or upgraded and we track that as a team and We develop strategies to be able to understand how to unpack those things, we're having some challenges. I'd like to say in the fundraising process, again, I have these little words, it's the magic is in the middle. From the time that you qualify a donor to the time that you think them, how you retain them, it's all about the work that you are doing in the middle, which includes the cultivation, which includes the conversations, being prepared with the discovery conversation, understanding how to share your narrative and the day of a pandemic via zoom, or WebEx. How do you connect them better to your mission and something else that we have instilled this year is donor feedback. When was the last time Becky and john and listeners that you just called to check on your donors a couple of weeks ago, we have the snowstorm in Houston. And it was a unique opportunity to really just check in and be able to ask our donors, how are you doing?
• 16:09
  Lereca Monik: And that creates an opportunity for organizations to provide an update on what they're doing.
• 16:15
  Lereca Monik: Just imagine, typically, when you call someone and you say, well, john, how are you? And they they share how they're doing? And then they'll say, well, the Rica, how are you and then it's a unique opportunity for you to share how you were doing as well. So if we're going to think about brass tacks, I would say focus on stewardship.
• 16:37
  Lereca Monik: Focus on your retention efforts, the magic in the middle. So that is those are your calls, your follow ups, how many times you're sharing your narrative, focus on donor feedback, being able to have conversations outside of the box conversations, track anniversaries, track what their children are doing, track what's going on in the community, how are they being innovative? I know, we have a couple of donors that are leading some efforts on a national scale. And anytime I see that that's an opportunity for me to connect. And then another component is the acquisition piece, I do think it's important for you to focus on retention because it's easier to retain an upgrade. But you should have a strategy around acquisition.
• 17:27
  Jonathan McCoy: Well, I think you mean, you've given so many good nuggets there. definitely encourage people to go back and listen through that again, because it's fascinating that we're talking about asking for money. And notice, we didn't even talk about the ask, that's how critical and how good of a relationship builder that you are, because that's where the magic happens in the connection.
• 17:45
  Jonathan McCoy: And I love that you brought up listening, and I wanted to kind of camp out on that for a second, because you came up in your Baker Ripley story too, you know, the way that they have thrived for 113 years was that they've been listening to the people that they're serving. So they're the first on the frontlines to adapt and grow and make sure that they're meeting the needs and the most unique and innovative ways possible.
• 18:07
  Jonathan McCoy: And you can't do that if you're not getting feedback. So I just commend you and the organization for both leaning into that space. Because I think from a major gift perspective, that's absolutely critical. Would you kind of, you know, you've started to talk about going virtual this year, and things have been changing. But the process hasn't stopped. And I'm sure at Baker Ripley with the values that you have wanting to disrupt. A pandemic is not going to stop you guys. So what did it look like to pivot to major gift fundraising in the middle of a pandemic? What does virtual you know, connection with donors look like?
• 18:44
  Lereca Monik: That is a great question. When I think about some strategies that we've used as a team here at Baker, Ripley, and before I go there, I just want to share get your ask in gear, do not be afraid.
• 19:03
  Jonathan McCoy: You were very close to me. How are the
• 19:05
  Lereca Monik: explicit we create this condition that people are suffering? There's not any there's not funding available?
• 19:15
  Lereca Monik: I'm not sure if they're going to give. So let me just headline this conversation first by saying get your ask a SK a gear.
• 19:25
  Lereca Monik: And then on a serious note I would include to during this time, it's so important to privilege people first. Again, do create this as an opportunity to connect, understand what your needs are understand potentially what they're going through as a company as a foundation. So doing your research. What I've found is that more Foundation, leaders are sitting on panels and having conversations about how to pivot. How's philanthropy changing in the midst of a pandemic? Be honest, I think that during this time, funders are extending grace for some of my peers who are working in education, education programs that are support programs, they're not able to access their students the way they were able to, prior to the pandemic. So going into the schools is, is probably obsolete, or it's probably not happening. And so how have you, What's the need to pivot your programming? Where are you? Where are you right now? What is your truth need, your narrative from 2019 may have changed a little differently, because you might need to serve your your clients a little bit differently. I would also say that it's important to include more frequent touch points, as you're working on getting your ass in gear, include more frequent touch points, with your constituents, and being prepared to have that conversation around. Should the funding should your programming need to change? What would that look like from a funding perspective, but do not be afraid be tenacious, be bold, ask for what you need. There's funding out there that's available for all of us. I would say that just be very clear, and what you hope to do with the funding that you are receiving in the midst of the pandemic?
• 21:34
  Jonathan McCoy: Hey, friends, this episode is presented by virtuous and they just happened to be one of our favorite companies. Let me tell you why.
• 21:38
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• 21:54
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• 22:56
  Becky Endicott: This is such a great little tip that you're giving here. And I and I want to commend you for it because the concept of just reaching out and saying, How are you I I honestly believe that the pandemic created that question in most nonprofits for the first time ever. And it's sad that it took a pandemic, for us to just call up our donors and say how you doing. And the reason I think this is so important is, and I think you said something really, really fascinating, which is understanding what your donors are going through. And if you are coming at it from that sort of an approach, you're doing what we talked about, which is the very much the 2.0 model of fundraising, which is you're checking in on your partner, you're not checking, you're asking these donors to come in and be your partner, we don't want to just ask them for a token gift, we want to be able to cast a big vision. And I like your point about sort of unapologetically asking and boldly asking for what you need.
• 23:53
  Becky Endicott: Because the world is so different. Now. You're right, your narrative from 2019 is entirely different. And so if we're needing bold philanthropy in this space, we need to cast that vision. And we need to say it in a way that shows that we can't do it without partners.
• 24:14
  Becky Endicott: And if you're out of touch, if you're going to a corporation or a foundation, or even an advisory jewel, and you're not looking at what they're doing what's going on in their business, what's going on in their home, then it's already a fragmented conversation. So that was completely fantastic. So I want to ask you about what does it look like for you now when you're going into a major gift solicitation right now I would love for you to kind of set the scene for our listeners about how you go into a virtual major gifts gift ask how do you prepare for that? How do you get ready for it in terms of how do you script it? I would love to know your process.
• 24:54
  Lereca Monik: Um, so most of us have interviewed for a job? And I think that's a great question.
• 24:58
  Lereca Monik: I believe in frameworks and frameworks creates a space for me to be able to also coach other people with the framework.
• 25:05
  Lereca Monik: So in addition to doing research on the donor, one, understanding where they are if they if we already have a relationship with Baker Ripley, what does that partnership look like?
• 25:17
  Lereca Monik: Understanding what they're doing in the midst of the community, understanding how their business objectives have maybe changed? I think it's important for especially for a corporate partner. I know often when we think of major gifts, we think of individually But I'm also going to just, you know, think broadly, I think, some hot topics, in addition to equity is social justice, racial equity.
• 25:42
  Lereca Monik: And so that conversation more than likely is going to come up, I think, because so many people lost their jobs last year, people have this innate curiosity on how to get people back into the workforce. And so I think that's the the human element of our work. And I also think that that's the business objectives for many of the corporations that we work with, I would say, the infrastructure that I use, in addition to learning more about my dirt donor, in the beginning, is called, Have you guys heard of the star method? interview?
• 26:15
  Lereca Monik: Yeah. So I just put a little bit of love on the star methodology, of course,
• 26:22
  Becky Endicott: the star method needs a little love, so I can't wait to hear your take on it.
• 26:26
  Lereca Monik: I use i star and starting with your vision of impact. So you start your pitch with how someone's life would be changed for the better, and start in open with the story, an opportunity to connect. And I would say, in the midst of the pandemic, especially now, we know that there was a response time, what does recovery look like? If someone lost their job?
• 26:59
  Lereca Monik: During the midst of the pandemic? And how can we change their life for the better? What tools and resources are we offering in a virtual space to be able to change their life for the better? So I stands for your vision of impact? How will someone's life be changed? Then the S? What is the current situation? The current need?
• 27:16
  Lereca Monik: What's the problem? The T, what are we tasked with solving? How are we going to solve it? And then a, what actions are we going to take to be able to solve that problem?
• 27:33
  Lereca Monik: understanding our approach? And then our is what are the results of your work as an agency? And then what are your What is your request against those results.
• 27:47
  Lereca Monik: And so prior to going into a conversation, I won research a little bit about the donor, how I frame and pitch my asks, I use i star, and we all we all try to unlock the problem. And then we try to solve the problem. We talked about our approach and our methodology. But I think us having some type of framework to be able to share with my team members, it keeps it very clear, concise, and compelling. And you end with the request. And you listen. So I have my materials ready. Nowadays, a lot of it is it's it's it's presenting in the form of a presentation virtually, which can feel a bit just different when you are so accustomed to connecting with people face to face. But what I found is we are all adjusting.
• 28:39
  Lereca Monik: People are working from home, I see your backgrounds, you see my background, kids are being homeschooled in the midst of solicitations. Some sometimes it either might be an animal or a child running by and I think people are forgiving, but they do want you to be prepared. And that is the framework that I use in my team we use when soliciting our donors.
• 29:06
  Jonathan McCoy: I love that I think everybody can, you know, plug in their own story. It's almost like a mad lib you can fill in
• 29:14
  Becky Endicott: an adventure.
• 29:15
  Jonathan McCoy: But I do love that you book in with story too.
• 29:17
  Jonathan McCoy: I think that that is not talked about enough of just using that as a mode of engagement. It's not just about the facts. It's not just about the project. It's at the end of the day about the human being at the end of that.
• 29:25
  Jonathan McCoy: So I'm curious, how has it How has it been going? And how are your donors responding to gifts?
• 29:32
  Jonathan McCoy: Are y'all still, you know, seeing people step forward? Or has it slowed things down? Or has it been?
• 29:39
  Lereca Monik: JOHN, we are a very fortunate organization.
• 29:45
  Lereca Monik: We've been able to be consistent as a team. And last year we exceeded our fundraising goal.
• 29:50
  Lereca Monik: And I wonder if it's because we are boots on ground, focused on resiliency, helping families recover the Community Trust us, they trust our brand. They trust our leadership, they trust our team. And we are really just connecting with our donors sharing with them what we are doing and so it has been amazing for us. This year, it hasn't stopped. But as we look towards the future, I think it's safe to say if this continues, a lot of us will have a huge question mark on what is the next look like? Um, I'm very hopeful It seems that COVID or the pandemic is not yet coming to an end. But it's being mitigated with the current conditions of the vaccine. And so onward, onward, upward, upward onward, things are looking very hopeful for the future for all fundraising officers, professionals and organizations,
• 30:49
  Becky Endicott: that gives me a lot of hope. Because for anyone who's saying, This just isn't gonna work in a virtual setting, I can't create a relationship, you know, across the computer.
• 30:58
  Becky Endicott: Yes, you can. In fact, there's a lot of creative ways that you can leverage this. And I think just making it meaningful and heartfelt and using your donors time wisely, you know, we don't need to go on and on and on, we need to create that case for support. Love the humanity component of this, because I really think when you share a story at the onset of these conversations, it just sets a different tone, because that individual, especially if you have a visual of who they are, that is at the forefront of your donors mind while they're talking to you. And if we can put that person in the context of one represents many, it can just take the conversation to a different level. And the last question I wanted to ask on this virtual is, how are you all following up? And you know, as as I think about my days, back, when I put on my major gift officer hat, you know, there was that period of where you kind of close it up, you answer all the questions, you push the folder of materials across the table.
• 32:00
  Becky Endicott: How are you all following up on the solicitation? And what does that look like? Is it virtual?
• 32:09
  Becky Endicott: Are you mailing something? I think people would be interested in that?
• 32:12
  Lereca Monik: That's a great question. Um, we use a combined strategy. So I believe in the power of think, to the bank. So Artie, we do use the power of a thank you note. And so being able to say thank you, we placed in the mail, not a digital thank you note, in addition to a follow up email, sharing the the tools or the resources from the conversation and any potential follow up resources that our donors are looking for, I would say those are probably our our two main, two key components. If there is maybe a story that we can share a video story, I think that we really do have a unique opportunity to share our narrative from a virtual or digital space. And we have drones, we can follow the life of someone, if you have a building a day in the life of john a day in the life of Becky, I think people are feel much more compelled with the elements of almost the storytelling, but the storytelling through the lens of a person or voice, that's a way to connect with individuals. So we do follow up, I think in the midst of the pandemic, that communicating with donors, virtually. And so I know that you specifically asked about the follow up from a solicitation but I'll just broaden the conversation. I think it's important to know, kind of demographics and age demographic, what I am finding is there's this influx of millennial or younger professionals, they like to be contacted via text, I recall sending an email to a younger donor who is taking over the foundation, basically, for her family who are stepping into leadership. And I sent a couple of emails. And I was a bit nervous, because traditionally, I wasn't comfortable with texting someone, I sent her a text message. And guess what she responded. So I think it's important for you to know almost or demographic, how they like to be communicated with, not only can we send emails, we can continue to follow up via telephone, I think people are a little bit more open to reaching out to them via LinkedIn, I think that's how we connected and being able to send a text message. So whatever works, whatever your neighbor, or donor or client is most comfortable with, I would say, figure that out. And then that is how you communicate with them.
• 34:54
  Becky Endicott: That was the right answer.
• 34:55
  Jonathan McCoy: I guess I'm not one bit surprised that your answer is listen to your donor.
• 35:01
  Becky Endicott: Yeah, and contouring it I mean, I think this is something that's very, very smart. Leveraging multi channel is got to be the future of stewardship. And if you're really and I want to put the thank you in two parts to this major gift, because I think a lot of us think of the thank you comes right after they say yes to the gift. And I think what you've just said is very important. There's really two phases. It's thank you for the ability to have this conversation and there are components to that. And if you're thinking to the bank, you've got to think about it from You know, across the board, you've got to think about thanking them for the time. And then if the gift comes in, or even if it doesn't come in, if they say no, there's still an opportunity to engage and to keep that conversation going. So great tips. Great hacks. I hope everybody got a lot from that.
• 35:51
  Unknown: Thank you.
• 35:52
  Jonathan McCoy: We've alluded to story being such a central part.
• 35:55
  Jonathan McCoy: I know, it's been part of your personal story as well. You've been in the world of philanthropy, we ask all of our guests what's, you know, what's the story where philanthropy that's really stuck with you personally? Or maybe it's something that's happened through the organizations you've been connected to?
• 36:09
  Lereca Monik: Thank you for asking that question. Um, the work that we do is really near and dear to my heart. And early on in the interview, I shared a little bit about my own journey and my own story. What I would like to highlight is a story of a young woman that I met early on in my career, I think I have been in fundraising for a year, I was working for child advocates and serving on the Blue Blue Ribbon state, or the Blue Ribbon Commission for the state of California, I met a young woman who had aged out of the foster care system at an external event that we were hosting. And I was able to connect with her and listen to her story in her knees. And it, I ended up mentoring this young woman. But being able to mentor her and also work for an organization as a development director, being able to secure funds to support students like her, reminded me of why we do what we do. Fast forward, years later, she graduated with her master's, she's married, she has a child, a child, she has a family. So her story is completely her child's story is completely different from the story that she had as a young person. And I just want to remind those that maybe you are, are struggling or trying to understand if philanthropy is the way if fundraising is a profession for you, I just really want to remind you that we are uniquely positioned to change someone's life for the better. The work that we do every single day might truly change the trajectory of someone's life. Not their just their life, but even their children's children's life. And that is legacy legacy leaving.
• 37:53
  Lereca Monik: Just remember someone's waiting for you today to cultivate that donor asked for that major, major gift and get your asking here.
• 38:06
  Becky Endicott: Can you tell I know why she won, miss. Mr. Mrs.
• 38:09
  Becky Endicott: America. It's like, Can you imagine anyone competing on the final question? was something like that I'm a pedal on the floor. I just think about your grandmother, you know, with her 33 grandchildren, and she must be so proud of you, Lyrica and just the good that you're putting into the world and I love that call to arms to philanthropy, cuz you're right, we can do so much to help create this legacy building. Okay, Laurie, Gar. Last question that we ask all of our guests is, what is your one good thing, it could be a hack piece of advice.
• 38:43
  Becky Endicott: I feel like I already got thing to the bank and get your asking gear. So I'm good luck for topping those two, but I'd love to hear it.
• 38:51
  Lereca Monik: Oh my goodness, and trying to reflect on the one good thing. Um, as you guys could probably tell I'm a true believer in growth and self growth and how that when you begin to work on yourself, how it permeates throughout all areas of your life and impact your work in your community and your surroundings. And so, a couple of years ago, I started developing a word for the year.
• 39:15
  Lereca Monik: And I would encourage everyone to develop a word for the year, what a word for the year does, it helps you to move through your year with clarity. With focus, it helps you to become intentional about becoming a much better version of yourself.
• 39:34
  Lereca Monik: In turn, not only will you directly impact those that are connected to you, you will indirectly impact those who are maybe not as connected to you.
• 39:50
  Lereca Monik: This last year, my word was the year of miracles. And I know many of us would say Hmm, I'm not sure if last year was a year of miracles. But when you think about some of the breakthroughs that we've had, I would say in healthcare, and women being able to tap into the glass ceiling a little differently in us being able to have more bold conversations. I think it was the year of miracles for me.
• 40:16
  Lereca Monik: This year, my word is influence.
• 40:21
  Lereca Monik: How can I leverage my seat? How can I leverage my voice to be able to impact and influence someone's life from the lens that I sit in? So what's your word for the year What word is going to guide you? How can you grow, to strengthen to change someone's life for the better?
• 40:42
  Lereca Monik: Wow,
• 40:44
  Becky Endicott: Julie has such a dreamy, happy look on her face right
• 40:48
  Unknown: now.
• 40:50
  Becky Endicott: I agree with you though it was a year of miracles. I mean, even when I think about getting a vaccine in the level and the in the amount of time that we did, and for as hard as the Black Lives Matter movement has been, I am so glad that it happened, you know, to the point of doing exactly what Baker Ripley is saying, you know about crushing inequities.
• 41:16
  Becky Endicott: There, we're we are raising awareness, we are raising our voices and what an amazing way to keep your focus and your intentionality on on one thing, I mean, that is a great one good thing, loved it.
• 41:32
  Jonathan McCoy: so powerful. And you're already living out that influence. I'm feeling that for your word of the year.
• 41:38
  Unknown: We're working on a
• 41:41
  Jonathan McCoy: salary cap. Like we haven't gotten to hear much about a gobby advantage, I'd love to have you just kind of share a little bit about that and tell how people can connect with you outside of the podcast, because we know you got a little fan club here in Oklahoma that's brewing so
• 41:56
  Lereca Monik: awesome. And when I think about my guiding word for life, it really is love.
• 42:00
  Lereca Monik: What I have learned throughout the years, as you can imagine, I had a very colorful childhood.
• 42:08
  Lereca Monik: And that is probably why love is my favorite word. But I truly believe that love can heal any relationship. And when we hear the word relationship, we often divert to a relationship between a male and a female or a relationship between someone we'd love but your relationship with work can be healed through love. Your relationship with yourself can be healed through love your relationship. Any anytime you're having conflict.
• 42:43
  Lereca Monik: And so with the A Gabi advantage for me, life's equation was really understanding my relationship with the higher power, my relationship with self, and then my relationship with others. And so I work with executives, I work with individuals who are trying to grow and just impact and change the world. And I appreciate being able to have conversations with them and help them to think differently and strategically about advancing life. I like to say the advantage is the intersection between people purpose and profit.
• 43:20
  Unknown: I love that. Yeah, we love that.
• 43:21
  Becky Endicott: So where can people find you if they want to connect with a GOP advantage if they want to connect with Baker Ripley websites, social channels hook us up?
• 43:31
  Lereca Monik: I think it's easier to just Google me. Rica, Monique. And so if you Google my name, I'm available in all pretty much all social media channels, Snapchat, Instagram, I think I have a budding YouTube, Facebook, both personal and professional, LinkedIn. For more professionally if you're looking to connect via email to learn about Baker Ripley and some of the amazing work that we are doing, I recommend emailing me it's l mo n i k at Baker ripley.org. Even if you're looking to have a conversation about fundraising, best practices, development best practices, if you're looking to build culture much your team in the fundraising space if you're if you just need to talk to someone about fundraising, I'm available. My mentor told me not too long ago, she said do not say no. And I think that is living out john to your point, that word of influence in order to influence and change someone's life. You've got to make yourself available.
• 44:37
  Becky Endicott: Over 100 episodes in in this is the first person who has given us a snapchat link. I am loving it.
• 44:44
  Becky Endicott: You are everywhere. And I and honestly I'm so glad that you are because you have something really incredible and empathetic to share with the world and I'm just here for it. So we'll put all of that in the show notes and people please go find Lyrica. She's just a breath of fresh air and a bright light in our space. Thank you. Thank
• 45:03
  Lereca Monik: you guys for having me. It's been a jewel.
• 45:06
  Lereca Monik: Have a blessed one.
• 45:08
  Becky Endicott: Thanks for listening to today's conversation. We hope the rIq inspired you to explore how you can combine the head and the heart to better ask for major gifts in a virtual world. You probably hear it in our voices but we love connecting you with the most innovative people to help you do more for your mission than ever before. That's why we'd love for you to join our good community. It's free.
• 45:25
  Becky Endicott: And it's like an after party for every episode, a place to meet new friends find inspiration and help you when you feel stuck.
• 45:31
  Becky Endicott: Sign up we are for good calm backslash Hello One more thing if you love what you heard today, would you mind leaving us a podcast rating and review? It does help more friends find our good community. Our production hero is bomba socks number one fan Julie Confer Hello, our theme song is sunray by Remy Boris boom