It was 2015. No one had heard of Covid-19. I left a lucrative job, quit working for someone else’s fundraising consulting firm, and decided to open my own firm. Potential clients were calling me directly, asking me to work with them and guide them on how...
Have you ever had a negative thought about someone at work, perhaps your boss or the board of directors? Maybe you’ve been frustrated while working with them. Almost all of us could say that we’ve been in that position. The problem is that most of us are busy living...
Autonomy and resilience are important parts of good leadership and self-awareness. Every day, we encounter things that impact us, events that are controllable, and others that are uncontrollable. By becoming aware of our strengths and weaknesses, we can evaluate these...
Boards are crucial for every nonprofit organization. We need good boards to help provide leadership, strategy, and vision for our nonprofits. As a board member, you like to feel that your time and talents are being used to promote a meaningful cause. Some of the...
Here we are in winter 2022. You have the entire year ahead of you. What do you want to do? It could be achieving a professional or a personal goal, like earning your Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification, or getting more exercise and running a...
It’s been a challenging two years for all of us. If no one has told you this lately — you are doing a good job. You’ve found a way to move forward during what has been a time of great uncertainty. You’re still raising money for your organization....
I once had a nonprofit client who spent time at night cleaning the bathroom and mopping the lobby. Everyone likes a sparkling clean office, but an executive director’s time is too valuable and too limited. Was cleaning the bathroom the best use of her time? Why...
Beginning a new year often makes us reflect on the year we just completed and plan for the year ahead. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of making resolutions. I start out with big ambitions — I’ll eat four vegetables and work out every day — and then four...
In the spirit of the holidays, I want to thank you for making this year so great. You worked hard. You made great strides for your nonprofit’s mission, and for yourself. This time of year is especially busy for nonprofits. Take a few moments to reflect on...
The most powerful tool in your fundraising toolkit is your mind. Do you feel successful? Do you feel confident? Are you enthusiastic about the mission of your organization? Are you ready to face 2022’s challenges with energy and a positive mindset? Over the past...
Being able to work with nonprofit professionals and board members is something I’m truly grateful for.
I’m humbled by the trust my clients have shown in me, and I’m thankful every day that I get to do business with amazing, mission-driven people who strive to make the world a better place.
A friend reached out to me recently to inquire about my coaching services. She was fired from her job and wanted to know how to regroup and move forward. Our conversation led me to think about resilience. We all face obstacles. Divorce. Job loss. Trauma. Illness....
Here I am, trying to fling a new thing out into the world: my coaching business. I love coaching. I love getting to know people. I love hearing their story, what challenges them, what brings them joy, what goals they’re working toward, what’s tripping them up...
What do you say to start a planned giving conversation with a loyal donor? Here are some sure-fire suggestions.
Even after many years of successful fundraising and consulting, I felt like I could be better — and do better for my clients. So, I’m delighted to announce that I've added a new service: Leadership Coaching. Through Leadership Coaching, I can help you envision a...
If you’re considering a potential capital campaign, pre-campaign planning and preparation is the most essential part of your effort. A successful major gift to the campaign is the result of 80% preparation and 20% asking, so don’t skimp on planning and preparation....
Asking for a donation can be a challenging task. We often make it harder on ourselves by creating fears in our mind that limit us and our success. If you want to be a successful leader and fundraiser, you have to overcome fear of asking for a donation and help others...
8 Factors of Happiness This image created by Duke University popped up on my Facebook memories from one year ago. Who knew in December 2019 that 2020 would unfold the way it did? This image really speaks to me. It highlights the 8 Factors of Happiness and creating a...
Three weeks left in the long, long year that's been 2020. You probably have enthusiastic supporters and longtime donors who want to further your mission and make a positive impact on the clients you serve. However, they may want to give something other than cash....
I just read a LinkedIn post where a connection said she is working to get away and take a vacation next week, but that it’s hard and stressful leading up to that moment. I get it. I’ve been there, too. As the founder and CEO, she wants to lean into and live out the...
A colleague recently asked how she can find something positive in someone she hates. It was an interesting question that I’ve thought about for several weeks. Sure, she can try to find at least one positive thing about that individual that she hates. But here’s what...
One of my coaching clients recently started her own business. She was hesitant to give up her 9-to-5 gig because of the steady paycheck. But she decided to take a chance and try something new. She had done some freelancing and built up her portfolio of work. She had...
Despite long records of professional and personal achievements, several of my coaching clients feel like they aren’t enough. These high-achieving professionals often struggle with imposter syndrome, or feeling like they don’t belong in the positions they’re in. People...
I only work with nonprofits. I’ve spent my whole three-decade career in the nonprofit world. This is where my heart is. Seven years ago, on May 22, 2015, I officially formed SparkNonprofit to develop fundraising strategies so nonprofits raise more money and...
I know at least four talented, smart nonprofit professionals in my community who lost their job during the past two years. That’s a difficult thing to endure. Life is continually changing and evolving. Sometimes things end. We lose something important; we get fired;...
Has someone ever told you to “just think positive”? Have you told yourself that? I’m not a fan of that expression. Frankly, a lot of negative things happen in this world, and we must acknowledge that without glossing over it with a veneer of positivity. But one thing...