Why good ideas need a Roadmap Every meaningful endeavor begins the same way. Someone notices something that could be better. A teacher sees potential in a student. An artist imagines a work that doesn’t yet exist. A nonprofit leader recognizes a need in the...
Too many nonprofits begin their fundraising with a number, how much they want to raise, before they’ve even thought about why someone would give. That’s like starting a relationship with the question “Will you marry me?” on the first date. It’s functionally...
Too often, fundraising begins with a dollar goal before it has a story worth telling. But donors are not motivated solely because of the dollar amounts needed to complete fundraising goals. They give because a narrative calls to them, a narrative where they see...
Why 3-Year Trends Matter More Than One-Time Gifts In fundraising, it’s tempting to celebrate when overall dollars go up. But behind every headline is a deeper truth: a few big gifts can mask donor erosion, retention challenges, and a weakening grassroots base. Thanks...
This reflection is part of a three-post series on a return to relationship-based philanthropy. Building on the broader framework introduced in the main blog, this piece focuses on monthly giving as one of the most practical expressions of donor trust and...
