Bert Armstrong
Let the Vision Pull You
I read an article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy this week written by Joan Garry, a consultant, author, and speaker who has been called the “Dear Abby of Nonprofit Leaders” for her advice. The article, "How to Ask for Money During a Crisis," offers sage advi…
Read MoreThe Development Officer’s Journey: Going from Invisible to Invincible
Lately I have been binge-watching reruns of The West Wing on Netflix. Some friends recommended I dive back into this fictional era of politics and government to pacify my appetite for political drama – likely a safer approach than launching into talk about politics during the casual ch…
Read MoreWe Must Do More Than Talk About Racism
Not long ago all of us were being asked to do our civic duty and help each other by staying home and keeping our distance from one another. While emotionally and financially difficult, it is believed to be the most effective means of confronting this terrible COVID-19 pandemic until a vaccin…
Read MoreHelping the Helpers
Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s word…
Read MoreLooking for Blind Spots
Happy New Year! Happy leap year! Happy new decade! I hope you found just the right balance of celebration and reflection on the year that has passed, mixed with a strong dose of readiness and anticipation for what lies ahead in 2020. Our Armstrong McGuire team is starting …
Read MoreWhat's Your Giving Plan?
It’s that time of year! Halloween is here. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa will all be here before you know it. Celebrations with family and friends will fill our homes, churches and synagogues, classrooms, and offices. And your mailb…
Read MoreThe Wall is Fake News!
Which do you prefer? iPhone or Android? Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or LinkedIn? Cable television or streaming apps? CNN or Fox news or MSNBC? Democrat or Republican or Independent? Eastern or Western NC barbeque? NC State or UNC or Duke or Wake Forest? For me, it…
Read MoreWhat Instrument Do You Play?
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” H.E. Luccock I make no claims to being a classical music connoisseur. On a good day, I can pretty quickly distinguish between Mozart’s Symphony No 40 and Beethoven’s Symphony No 5. Beyond t…
Read MoreThe Tom McGuire Memorial Fund at Triangle Community Foundation
Throughout 2019, we are seeking intentional ways to say thank you to the amazing clients, leaders, colleagues, and friends who have partnered with us, taught us, guided us, hired us, agreed with us, challenged us, and stuck with us along this 15-year journey of helping build a strong, vibran…
Read MoreGiving Back Through Birthdays
"Katie and Jason Weeks have always enjoyed hosting parties. When they celebrate their children’s birthdays, they look forward to surrounding their kids with friends. They don’t look forward to adding dozens of new toys to their children’s collection. So, from the beginnin…
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