Before we get too far into 2023, I thought it would be a useful exercise to take a look at what were the most-visited blog posts on SparkNonprofit last year. The results were interesting and humbling. And in one case, a bit surprising.
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Happy Holidays!
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
You’ve achieved a lot during Covid and built a good team. You’re a good leader. You have a great deal to be proud of and big goals to reach this year. But you know to continue to achieve, you will have to continue to grow and evolve yourself. You need to examine...
The Path I Took to Leadership Coaching
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...
How to Find Evidence to Change Your Limiting Beliefs
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...
Who is Steering Your Ship?
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...
Do’s and Don’ts for Recruiting Board Members
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...
The Power of Goal Visualization
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...
Moving Forward with Positive Self-Talk
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....
Time Management for Effective CEOs
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...
How to Easily Review Your Year to Find Calm
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...
Take Some Time for Yourself This Holiday Season
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...
Give Yourself a Boost with Your Greatest Hits Album
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...
Happy Thanksgiving!
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.
Build Resilience to Move Forward After a Crisis
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....
You Won’t Always Get a Yes
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...
Planned Giving: Top 10 Questions to Spark a Conversation
What do you say to start a planned giving conversation with a loyal donor? Here are some sure-fire suggestions.
Leadership Coaching: Create a Better Future for Your Nonprofit
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...
Capital Campaign Readiness: Ten Questions
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....
Overcome your fear of asking
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...
Happiness & Positive Mindset
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...
Beyond cash
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....
Don’t Do This in Your Year-End Appeal
I received my first holiday/year-end appeal on Sept. 14. This is the earliest I’ve ever received one. Here’s what stuck out to me immediately: The letter was addressed to SparkNonprofit LLC. Not to me, not to an actual person or the dreaded “Dear Friend.” The...
Let Go of Control: What Getting Lost on the Metro Taught Me
I sometimes get stressed out about things I can’t control. I worry about what will happen to certain loved ones, their health, will they have enough money to live on and pay for their healthcare needs, will they move here to be close to us. The list of things I worry...
Is There a Perfect Time Management System?
What if your time management system isn’t good or bad, but what really matters is how you think about it? What if instead of seeking perfect time management and balance you thought of it as enjoying the ride? A great analogy is the teeter totter versus the merry go round. Balanced and boring vs. enjoying the spin.
Enhance Employee Performance with a Positive Leadership Mindset
Discover how changing your perspective on employees can enhance their performance. Learn valuable insights to boost productivity and create a positive work environment.
Ted Lasso’s Lessons on Leadership
Unlock valuable leadership insights from the hit Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso.” Discover how Ted’s positivity, resilience, and unique approach to coaching can elevate your leadership game. Learn practical lessons that range from embracing change and fostering teamwork to cultivating a winning mindset. Dive into Ted Lasso’s playbook and apply his wisdom to become a more effective and inspiring leader in your own endeavors.
Burnout Recovery: Nurturing Well-being
Take steps toward recovering from burnout. Explore essential questions to ask yourself and learn how to find work-life balance. Seek support and start your journey to a healthier mindset.
Mid-Year Check-In: Optimizing Goals
Optimize your goals and fundraising efforts with our mid-year check-in for nonprofit executives, fundraisers, small business owners, and CEOs. Evaluate progress, reconnect with donors, and plan for a successful fourth quarter. Discover the “My Goal” plan for personalized strategy and overcome roadblocks to achieve your objectives effectively.
Recognize and Overcome Burnout
A lot has been written about burnout lately. When I first felt burnout, I didn’t recognize it. I couldn’t name it. I probably called it overworking, or work-related stress, or being a workaholic. I remember the mental stress, and the physical symptoms like...
Overcoming “No” in Your Nonprofit Fundraising
Receiving a “no” can be discouraging to nonprofit leaders trying to raise funds, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some top tips for overcoming “no.”
Overcome Your Fear of Asking
If you want to be a successful nonprofit leader and fundraiser, you must overcome your fear of asking for a donation and help others overcome their fear. Here are some ways to do that.