January is the month we devote to big goals, fresh starts and new practices. If your nonprofit’s Big Goal for 2019 is winning large awards from grant makers, then getting ‘grant ready’ is your first priority. Get Competitive No matter the age, size or operating budget...

The holiday giving season is indeed the most wonderful time of year when you work for a charity. The phones ring off the hook and the donations we dream of start to flow in. The boring task of getting the mail each day is suddenly full of excitement as the checks...

As we celebrate National Philanthropy Day and Thanksgiving, the month of November highlights the importance for us to say thanks.  Expressing heartfelt gratitude to those supporting the work of your charity is cornerstone to the fundraising cycle – ok, that’s a square...

Well done! You’ve nurtured and grown your nonprofit so well that you’re ready to hire a staff fundraiser. You’re determined to find someone who will launch your organization into fundraising superstardom. You’re not nervous about finding just the right person, because...

There’s nothing more exciting to a non-profit founder than cutting the figurative ribbon on the 501(c)(3) status.  New founders are wildly passionate for the cause they represent and are dedicated to making a difference. Securing a 501(c)(3) brings legitimacy to your...

The phrase vibe attracts tribe is a tenet of the personal development movement, rhyming shorthand for the concept of being authentic in life to attract the right people, energy and future. Old-school moms prefer just be yourself and people will like you, but that...

Fundraising is the lifeblood of any nonprofit. Without funds, programs fail, services wither away, and mission impact is thwarted. Unfortunately, the prospect of fundraising makes most nonprofit leaders as squeamish as the sight of blood. I’m a fundraising consultant,...

In my work as fundraising counsel, I am often approached with curious questions about how I am paid for the work I do. Sometimes folks ask directly, "So... do you just take a cut from the grant award?" or, it may come out during conversation. For example, this past...

Events with Benefits Podcast It was a pleasure to be selected as a speaker on the weekly podcast series, Events with Benefits! This weekly series provides nonprofit staff, volunteers, event planners, PTOs and more with cutting-edge insights and proven best practices...