What You Do in July Matters More Than You Think

What You Do in July Matters More Than You Think

Making connections in the In-Between Times is a winning strategy. Early in my career, I worked for a mentor who shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me for decades. He said, “It’s what you do when you don’t have to do anything that puts you...
How I Design Programs People Actually Show Up For

How I Design Programs People Actually Show Up For

“How Did You Do That?” A few years ago, I had coffee with a friend who was discouraged because the events she was producing were not very well attended. Leadership in her organization kept pointing back to a previous decade when participation seemed easier and...
Turning Vision Into Momentum

Turning Vision Into Momentum

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...
Understanding Donors’ Motivation to Give

Understanding Donors’ Motivation to Give

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...
Why Donor Motivation Starts With Narrative, Not Dollars

Why Donor Motivation Starts With Narrative, Not Dollars

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...