Sustainable fundraising is built on clarity, preparation, and intentional strategy.
One of the most effective strategies for long-term success is donor segmentation—organizing donors into groups based on shared traits such as giving history, interests, and capacity. Segmentation equips nonprofit leaders to engage donors in ways that are personal, timely, and aligned with the donor’s motivation to give.
If your newsletters feel like updates no one reads—or your appeals sound more like invoices than invitations—it might be time to lead with a better story.
One that draws people in, makes them feel something, and shows them how they belong in the mission.
I’ve spent 20 years helping nonprofits engage donors, build relationships, and move from “ask” to action.
Do you want to exceed your fundraising goals before your next board meeting? There’s no time like now to reset—but getting unstuck can feel like climbing a mountain without a map.
The numbers say it all: When donors read a story about a specific child in need, they give more. Much more. In a well-known study, people who read a personal story gave $2.38 on average—more than double the $1.14 given by those who only read statistics.
Why? Because numbers inform, but stories move us.
We process data in our heads. But stories? We feel those in our hearts.
The Work Worth Doing: Women Who Say Yes to the Spark—a storytelling series that celebrates the women who didn’t wait for the perfect plan or permission slip. They felt the nudge, saw the need, or caught the vision—and stepped forward anyway.
Whether you’re a nonprofit, a business, or a community-minded entrepreneur, your message is your most powerful asset.
Strong messaging bridges the gap between what you do and what your audience feels. It transforms everyday work into a clear, emotional narrative that earns trust, builds loyalty, and drives real action.
Over the years, I’ve worked with several charitable organizations serving large, rural communities—and if there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that fundraising strategies need more than structure. They need heart, nuance, and staying power. I remember the first time...
Over the years as a development professional, one thing has never changed—people give to people. But more than that, they give to impact. And when donors don’t just hear about the mission—but feel the results of their giving—that’s when the magic happens. That’s when...
Fundraising can sometimes feel like a shot in the dark—guessing who to approach, when, and with what kind of ask. But what if you had a clear map that showed you where your donors are today… and how to thoughtfully guide them to deeper engagement? That’s exactly what...