Uplifting Blog

Once again, I was recently asked: “Why does my board avoid fundraising?” It’s a reframe of a common question. I always hear something underneath it, self-blame. It is as if the Executive Director was quietly asking, What am I doing wrong? I told her, “It may not be your fault. And it may not be your board’s fault either.” She looked at me, slightly puzzled. I said, “It might simply be the language we’re using.” Here’s what science tells us: your brain is constantly scanning

Listen to what you’re saying about your board. This one sentence may be shaping more than you realize—your tone, your leadership, and their response “My board won’t fundraise.” It’s a statement I hear from so many Executive Directors and Development leaders. It’s also the statement that has many of you signing up for my courses. And I get it. It usually comes from that familiar frustration: “Once again, the board didn’t step up… didn’t make connections… didn’t bring in the m

Have you ever watched a perfectly competent, intelligent, successful board member completely shrink the moment fundraising comes up? Cue the body language shift. Tight shoulders. Nervous laugh. Sudden fascination with the agenda packet. You might think, here we go again. Resistance . What if it’s not resistance? What if it’s also about biology? The good news is that when we understand what’s happening in the body, it gives us a way forward. The VAGUS NERVE, which helps re

I hear this more often than you might think: “Our board is supposed to bring in money… and they’re not.” This is usually said with fatigue, disappointment, frustration, and a sense of being let down. And I understand why. Fundraising is written into board job descriptions. It’s mentioned in recruitment conversations (hopefully). It’s assumed in strategic plans. So, when revenue doesn’t materialize from board engagement, it feels personal and that something isn’t working. Most

I know. This isn’t shiny. It ’s not revolutionary. There’s no new funnel, framework, or fancy acronym. And yet… it’s efficient, affirming, human, and surprisingly uplifting. Which, honestly, is exactly what many of us need. I keep hearing the same concerns everywhere I go: Stewardship matters. Donor retention is slipping. We need to stay in touch with donors. All true. And often overwhelming. So let’s make this easier. One Simple Habit Imagine this: Every weekday, you call on

Because fundraising success isn’t built in panic—it’s built in gratitude, reflection, and a little sparkle. Before we race into another year, here’s a little secret: how you close the year sets the tone for how you start the next one.

When a board member takes 60 seconds to call, write, or record a short thank-you, it’s not just polite — it’s powerful fundraising energy. It’s also one of the easiest, least-intimidating, and most feel-good ways for them to engage. Seriously, who doesn’t love saying thank you? No sweaty palms, no asking for money — just joy, gratitude, and connection. Does your board know why it matters and the incredible value they bring when they do it?