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Let Vulnerability Be Your Strength
I know what you're thinking right now. The idea of being vulnerable with your donors probably makes your stomach tighten up a bit. Trust me, I get it. In our society, we're taught from an early age...
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Fixing Wrong Thinking in Major Gifts: How to Build a Relationship‑Centered Approach
The other day, a friend told me about his annual physical. He thought he was doing fine—eating fairly well, staying active, managing work. But the doctor had a different perspective. She laid out...
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What to Do When Leadership Isn’t on Board with Relationship-Based Fundraising
One of the most frustrating challenges for a non-profit fundraiser is when leadership resists embracing a relationship-based fundraising program. Maybe they’re clinging to old habits—relying solely...
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Breaking Down the Silos: Why Your Development Team's Lack of Communication is Hurting Your Donors
I’ve been having the same crazy conversation over and over lately.
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What Makes a Manager Worth Following?
What does it take to be a manager people truly want to work for and follow? What qualities inspire staff to excel, stay motivated, and find joy in their work? The truth is, if we want to reimagine...
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Is Your Organizational Structure Holding You Back?
I’ve seen a lot of non-functional organizational structures in fundraising over the years. And while we could all trade stories about messy org charts and strange reporting lines, it’s more useful to...
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You Can Start a Major Gift Program—Even If You’re On Your Own
Not too long ago, a development director called to tell me how much she enjoyed one of our webinars on value attrition and why reviewing and analyzing data is so important before you start a major...
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Why Won’t My Donor Talk to Me? Here’s What You Might Be Missing
One of the most common frustrations I hear from major gift officers is this: “How can I get my donor to actually talk to me?” Believe me, I get it. You’re trying to do good work. You’re reaching out,...
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Why Self-Care Must Be Part of Philanthropy
In recent months, I’ve spoken with countless fundraisers who are facing an uncomfortable and exhausting truth: they’re being asked to do more with less. “I’m doing the work of three people right now...
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Should You Be Facebook Friends with Your Donors? Let’s Talk Boundaries
“Should I friend my donor on Facebook?” “Is it OK to follow my donors on Instagram, LinkedIn, or other social media channels?” I get these questions all the time. They're fair questions, especially...
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How to Change a Toxic Non-Profit Culture
It’s no secret that front-line fundraisers are leaving their roles at an alarming rate. Many are walking away from causes they care deeply about because the work environment isn’t sustainable. As...
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How to Keep Good Fundraisers: Reimagining the Non-Profit Workplace
My guess is that either you—or someone you know—are thinking about leaving their organization for another position. Maybe they’ve already left. It’s happening across the sector, and it’s not slowing...
