In the past, I began too many emails with an apology. My inbox is often overflowing, so I began many emails with something along the lines of, “Sorry for taking so long getting back to you...” Or if I was late to a meeting, I’d announce, “Sorry I’m late.” Then I got a piece of advice which shifted my thinking. Women in … [Read more...]
9 Leadership Habits Women Should Adopt to Reduce Exhaustion
If I had to pick one word to describe women leaders today, it would be exhausted. Especially women leaders in the nonprofit sector. We live in a fast-paced world where everyone is struggling to keep up. We swipe, scroll, and lead faster than we can blink or catch our breath. 9 Leadership Habits for Women to Make Work Easier Below are … [Read more...]
Calling All Women: NOW is the Time to Support Women in Leadership
Almost three years ago, I wrote a post based on an experience I had on a board, and I came up with five reasons women should support each other. (Do we really need a reason?) At the time, Biden was president. In my wildest nightmares, I couldn't have imagined Trump would be reelected. As I write this, I'm attending a Planned Parenthood … [Read more...]
The “Why” (Inner Motivation) is Key to Your Fundraising Success
I just got off the phone with a prospective client -- an organization raising funds for a rare disease. Like most organizations I talk with, they were eager to find new donors. And while they understood on some level that people without a personal connection to the disease probably weren't strong prospects, they were still holding out … [Read more...]
Hiring and Firing Mistakes Most Leaders Make (And How to Avoid Them)
After almost 10 years of leading Capital Campaign Pro, and a decade before that as a solopreneur consultant, I've hired and parted ways with a lot of staff and contractors. It's never fun, and it's never easy. Hiring is one of the most challenging parts of leadership, whether you're running a business or a nonprofit. And parting ways is … [Read more...]
Why Your Board Members Are Disengaged (And How to Fix It)
A few months ago, I asked nonprofit leaders a simple question: "What's your number one challenge right now?" Time and money topped the list -- no surprise there. But a close third caught my attention: board engagement (or more precisely, disengagement). What Are the Expectations of Nonprofit Board Members? When I see a disconnect … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned at AFP ICON: Navigating AI in the Nonprofit Sector
Last week I had the privilege of delivering a new talk -- "Anyone Can Raise $1M or More in Any Economy – Even You!" -- at the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference (AFP ICON). The talk shares real stories of fundraisers who overcame serious hurdles and raised millions -- not through magic, but through simple, … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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