September Discipline: The Habits That Drive Donor Momentum
We often find that our coaching conversations follow themes. And over the past few weeks, one topic has surfaced again and again: habits. Habits for ourselves, habits with our donors, habits with our natural partners, habits with our team members. Advancement work asks a lot of us: curiosity, confidence, courage, patience. But as fundraising continues […]
The Power of Two Touches
It’s been nearly ten years since we first introduced the idea of Two Touches through our blog and we continue to be inspired by how many of you have woven this practice into your daily rigor. What began as a simple discipline has become a cornerstone habit for advancement professionals who want to stay grounded […]
How Do We Deal with Ambiguity?
I was recently in an informational interview with someone considering a move into frontline fundraising. We were talking through some of the trends shaping our profession when he shared a question his father had once been asked in an interview many years ago: “How do you deal with ambiguity?” That single question opened the door […]
Fundraisers Are Colleagues, Not Competitors
Over the past several years, the fundraising landscape has evolved dramatically. Teams are navigating new initiatives, shifting donor expectations, hybrid work environments, and increasing pressure to deliver results. Amid all this change, one theme continues to surface in my conversations with clients: competition among fundraisers. It often starts subtly: a sense of ownership over certain […]
Be Where You Need to Be
The most common sentence I’ve spoken this year, in coaching calls, strategy sessions, trainings and quiet conversations with exhausted fundraisers and advancement staff is simple, steady, and surprisingly hard to live out: be where you need to be. That’s it. Six words. But they can be the anchoring you need. This past year has stretched […]
Curiosity is Still the Fundraiser’s Greatest Asset
The most effective gift officers are not the ones who know everything; they’re the ones who are curious. Curiosity is what opens doors, deepens conversations, and builds trust. It’s what allows a fundraiser to say, “Tell me more about what matters to you,” instead of rushing to provide information that may or may not be relevant.
Impact Over Output: The Leadership Shift Fundraising Teams Desperately Need
Earlier this year, I wrote about the importance of leadership in fundraising, and the response was overwhelming. So many leaders reached out wanting to go deeper, and in coaching sessions, one theme kept surfacing: we cannot build healthy, sustainable fundraising cultures if leaders stay fixated on output instead of impact. It sounds simple, but it’s […]
February Reflections: The Power of Intentionality
January gave me a gift I didn’t quite expect. I stepped away for an extended holiday — no client commitments, no meetings, no flight delays or deadlines. Just space. But it wasn’t simply a vacation; it was a social experiment for me. Over the past few years, I’ve watched the boundaries between my work life, […]
How Leaders Unintentionally Undermine Relationship‑Based Fundraising, and Ways to Ensure You Are Setting Your Team Up for Success
Relationship‑based fundraising is often discussed in mission statements, strategic plans, and team meetings. Yet in practice, many organizations unintentionally create environments where genuine donor connection becomes difficult, inconsistent, or secondary to short‑term pressures. Leaders rarely do this on purpose. In fact, most believe they are supporting their teams. But small decisions, cultural norms, and unspoken […]
Pivot! Lessons in Nimbleness for Fundraisers
If you’ve ever watched “Friends,” you’ll remember Ross’s infamous attempt to move a couch up the stairs. With Chandler and Rachel struggling to maneuver, Ross keeps shouting one word: “Pivot!” It’s a hilarious scene, but also a surprisingly apt metaphor for fundraising today. As we close out 2025 and look toward 2026, the ability to […]
Gratitude in Advancement
November has long been a season of gratitude in our industry when advancement professionals pause to recognize the generosity of our donors, the strength of our partnerships, and the importance of the missions we serve But gratitude is more than a sentiment we express; it is a practice we cultivate. And one of the most […]
The Teflon Coat: Navigating Donor Conversations with Grace and Professionalism
In today’s increasingly polarized climate, fundraisers are often on the front lines of conversations that reflect deeply held personal values. These moments can be complex, sometimes uncomfortable, and they can challenge our instincts to respond, react, or retreat. But as professionals in Advancement, we must learn to wear what we call a “Teflon coat.” This […]
Gratitude Isn’t a Gesture—It’s a Strategy!
Why Donor Experience and Frontline Fundraising Must Work Together The data is sobering: donor retention for first-time gifts has dropped below 20%. That means four out of five new donors walk away after their first gift. In an industry built on relationships, that’s not just a statistic, it’s a wake-up call. We know that donors […]
Beyond the Campout: Turning Events into Engagement
This past weekend, my husband, George, and I had the honor of co-chairing the annual Urban Campout fundraiser for the San Diego and Imperial County Girl Scouts. The theme—Defy Gravity—was a joyful invitation to dream big, and we loved seeing the many creative ways guests embraced the theme, from whimsical outfits to bold splashes of […]