After nearly three decades in fundraising, I want to let you in on a secret: There is a faster path to transformational fundraising. It’s not new. I didn’t invent it. But it works. And most development directors still aren’t doing it. Shift Your Mindset → Transform Your Fundraising Truly impactful fundraising isn’t quick or easy. But … [Read more...]
Professional Development I’ve Found Invaluable at AFP — and You Will Too
When I first started in fundraising in 1998, my boss encouraged me to attend my local AFP chapter’s monthly meetings. At the time, I had no idea that simple suggestion would help shape my entire career. That suggestion led to nearly 30 years of growth, opportunity, and meaningful colleagues and friendships. Not long after joining AFP-NJ, … [Read more...]
Achieving Your Goals One Quarter at a Time: How are You Doing?
The year is flying by -- we’re already nearing the end of Q1. Depending on the day, time can feel like it’s racing ahead or dragging along. I try to measure time by goals and accomplishments, while also giving myself some grace. Real change is hard in the short term, but over time, the progress can be significant. Reflect on Your Goals … [Read more...]
The Myth of Readiness: Waiting to Feel Ready May Be Holding You Back
There’s a popular saying: progress, not perfection. While you may want things to be perfect (I certainly do), there comes a point when the pursuit of perfection starts holding you back instead of moving you forward. So the real question becomes: How do you know when it’s time to leap, launch, or jump? The Illusion of the “Right” … [Read more...]
Permission to Enjoy Your Life While Doing Meaningful Work
Do you struggle to have a meaningful life while doing meaningful work? If so, consider this post as permission, and an invitation, to enjoy your life. You can be deeply engaged in meaningful work and still have a life. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, although it often feels like they are in the nonprofit sector. If you feel … [Read more...]
Resilience in Fundraising: How to Turn “No” Into Life-Long Success
As a fundraiser and nonprofit leader, you hear “no” a lot. And it takes resilience to pick yourself up and face the next day -- or the next donor. I’ve long believed that major gift fundraisers should hear “no” about 25% of the time. I'll explain why. Aim for Hearing "No" About 25% of the Time If you receive a “yes” 100% of the time, … [Read more...]
From “I Should” to “I Choose”: A Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Your mindset matters. Your mindset influences the words you use, the actions you take, and ultimately, the results you achieve. Often, the difference between feeling drained and feeling energized has less to do with what you’re doing and more to do with how you’re thinking about it. Reframing "Have To" Into "Choose To" When you … [Read more...]
Living the Worst-Case Scenario (and Surviving to Tell the Tale)
Recently, I was the luncheon keynote speaker at a large conference. It was a big room. A big audience. And a brand-new topic I’d been developing for months. I hired a speaking coach to help me sharpen it and make sure I was truly ready, and I practiced that speech more than any other I’ve ever given. I wanted to show up as my best … [Read more...]
Living an Intentional, Purposeful Life: Goals That Truly Matter
Living an intentional life -- a life grounded in purpose, meaning, and direction -- is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Intentional lives don’t happen by accident. They’re created through reflection, choice, and commitment. And because you’re reading this blog, I’m guessing (yes, I know what they say about assumptions) that … [Read more...]
Amy’s Top 10 Countdown to Year End: Start 2026 Strong!
As the year winds down, I like to reflect on what I’ve accomplished this year, what I'm still committed to working on next year, and what ideas or projects need to be abandoned and not carried into the new year. (Yes, it’s okay to cut some things loose that need to be let go.) Creating Goals as Opposed to Resolutions You may think of this … [Read more...]
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