The Fundraising Coach

As fundraisers, we know that while individual giving dominates, finding the right foundation, corporate, or government grant can give your budget a real boost. Many of these funding sources make large, multiyear commitments, and for some nonprofits, these sources of funding are their only sources of funding. And while unlocking these sources of funding can rain down large sums of money, they can a...

In the highly competitive world of nonprofit fundraising, standing out is more than just having a great mission—it's about creating memorable experiences that leave lasting impressions. One of the most overlooked yet powerful ways to do this is through friendliness and unexpected gestures of appreciation. People like to do business with people they like, trust, and know. If donors, vendors, and pa...

In today's rapidly evolving nonprofit landscape, executive directors and board members face an on onslaught of challenges—from dwindling funding sources to rapidly shifting community needs. More than ever, a mindset that embraces continuous learning, bold innovation, and courageous teamwork is essential. I recently read Carol Dweck's bestselling book called "Mindset." Her groundbreaking work on mi...

Encouraging donors to increase their contributions is a delicate endeavor. This podcast explores several practical and effective tactics to achieve the balance needed to inspire donors to give more generously while maintaining their trust and enthusiasm without alienating or pressuring them. Tune in now!

Did you know that 53% of donors stop giving because they feel unappreciated, and 41% cite lack of acknowledgment or thanks as their reason? Conversely, loyal donors give 42% more over their lifetime and are 70% more likely to leave a planned gift. These numbers underscore the critical need for nonprofits to build and implement a robust stewardship plan. Without it, donors can feel like transaction...

If you're tired of your board meddling in the daily operations of your nonprofit . . . this podcast is for you!

Nonprofit boards play a critical role in guiding the organizations they serve, helping steer decisions, ensuring fiscal health, and offering strategic oversight. However, one glaring issue that's often swept under the rug is the lack of prompt responses to communications from executive directors and staff. Emails and important requests from staff frequently go unanswered or receive delayed respons...

Plan Early for a Stress-Free, High-Impact Session Planning a strategic session for your nonprofit can be one of the most impactful moments of the year—a chance to reset, strategize, and inspire your team. But let's be honest: waiting until the last minute to plan such an important event can lead to unnecessary stress, limited options, and a lackluster experience. On the flip side, planning early o...

Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, "What a waste of time!" You're squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food is stale! If you're in the process of planning a retreat, don't settle! It's possible to put together a...

In the world of nonprofit fundraising, meeting with a donor for coffee (or any in-person meeting), whether they are a potential supporter or a current contributor, is one of the most crucial interactions you'll have. This isn't just a casual coffee chat; it's a pivotal meeting that can define a donor's impression of you, your organization, and may determine whether they make moderate gift, a signi...

In today's rapidly changing world, clinging to the traditional five-year strategic plan is not just outdated—it's impractical. Organizations need to adapt quickly to survive, and a long-term plan often becomes a liability and burden rather than a guide and roadmap. Instead, a one-year strategic plan, monitored monthly and updated annually, proves to be a far more effective and cost-efficient appro...

Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit     The nonprofit world is a quirky one. Many nonprofits are founded by passionate people with little or no nonprofit experience. Many board members have little or no nonprofit experi­ence, and many staff members have little or no nonprofit or business experience. The result is often a lot of wasted time and effort. Mistakes are made, resou...

Here's a list of 7 uncommon factors to look for! Strategic planning is the backbone of any successful nonprofit organization, providing a roadmap for future growth and impact. However, navigating the strategic planning process can be challenging, requiring skilled guidance to ensure clarity, collaboration, and actionable outcomes. When seeking to hire the best strategic planning facilitator for yo...

Let's be honest Do you have board members that . . . Blow off meetings? Don't read meeting materials? Don't make a personal donation? Are nowhere to be found to help organize events? Can't recite the mission or vision? Don't help steward donors? Rarely see your programming? Don't personally know the staff? Say they're "just volunteers" or "too busy" to participate? Couldn't share any institutional...

Hosting a strategic planning session can be costly and time-consuming. You can spend hours and hours trying to find a suitable venue, hire caterers, organize pre-work, and wrangle all the attendees. But often times, the biggest cost is the one you spend on hiring the facilitator. Then, the big day arrives. Everyone is prepared and excited to roll up their sleeves, grapple with pressing issues, and...

Next Level Donor Relations – Make Their Experience "Unexpectedly Pleasurable!"  In today's fundraising world, with dozens of nonprofits competing for donors' hearts and wallets, it's important to stand out and differentiate. Otherwise, no matter how noble your mission, you'll be left with your hand out as other fundraisers hit their goals. To inspire donor generosity and loyalty year after year, y...

Are You a One-Percenter? Here's a List of Dos and Don'ts of Top Performers. How do you rate? There is a reason why the top performers – the One-Percenters – consistently do so well in business and life . . . it's because they do the things, big and small, that set themselves apart from others. There is nothing wrong with "average." Average is good. It's acceptable. Do you feel you're an average wo...

Movies and Sound Imagine watching a movie like Star Wars, Jaws, or Top Gun with no sound. They would be dry, listless, and yes, dull. In many movies, the sound makes the movie. It elicits emotional responses that can lift us up, make us cry, and give us goosebumps. Some music scores are so meaningful to us, they stir up emotions and memories decades after watching the movies. Think of movies like...

Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, "What a waste of time!" You're squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food is stale! If you're in the process of planning a retreat, don't settle! It's possible to put together a...

Have you ever sat through a board retreat and spent more time watching the clock, daydreaming, and checking texts than listening to the facilitator? Are your board members cringing at the thought of attending another retreat? Did your last facilitator stand behind a lectern and drone on like a record playing in slow motion? Were they unengaging? Was the content dull and irrelevant? Did the outcome...

Nonprofits play a critical role in addressing societal issues, but their effectiveness often hinges on the strength of their leadership, especially the board. One way to enhance the performance of a nonprofit's board of directors is by organizing retreats. They can improve engagement, performance, governance, fundraising skills, all of which can propel the organization to the next level of impact....