Uplifting Blog

I was recently speaking with one of my pro bono clients. They are preparing to expand their board, and there was a lot to consider. What skills are missing from the board? What voices and perspectives need to be represented? Who understands the community? Who will complement—or perhaps strengthen—the board’s culture? Yes, we talked about creating a board matrix. It can help an organization see what it has, what it needs, and where the gaps may be. Throughout I kept redirectin

You know I love rom-coms. I recently rewatched an oldie but goodie Splash, with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. If you remember the movie, Madison, played by Daryl Hannah, is a mermaid who enters Allen’s very human world. Allen, played by Tom Hanks, has no idea just how different her world really is. Somewhere between Madison discovering the human world and Allen discovering Madison, I started thinking about boards and fundraising. Madison is curious about everything. She doesn’t

Do you know that Workaholics Anonymous exist? Perhaps we don’t hear much about it because overworking is often admired rather than recognized as a problem. And besides, who would have time to attend? I know I didn’t. A client recently took a two-week vacation. She is the Executive Director of a school that doesn’t have students during the summer. I was delighted for her—until I learned that she had forwarded her work calls to her cellphone and hadn’t turned on an out-of-offic

Your board knows fundraising matters. They know the organization needs resources. They may even agree that fundraising is part of their role. Yet many boards still hesitate to participate. What if the issue isn't a lack of commitment? What if we're sending mixed messages? We tell board members that fundraising is about relationships. We say it's about building community, sharing impact, expressing gratitude, and connecting people to a cause they care about. Then we walk into

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?