Here’s a very personal and vulnerable admission. For most of my life, I’ve worked hard to be invisible. It wasn’t a conscious choice at first. It was a defense mechanism, a way to feel safe after childhood experiences that taught me to shrink rather than shine. I took it as far as developing an eating…
When fundraising works, it’s not just because a donor recognized a problem. It’s because they saw themselves in the solution. The recent NonProfit PRO article “Why Empathy and Creativity Are the Keys to Raising More Money” by the legendary Claire Axelrad nails two indispensable ingredients for successful nonprofit fundraising: But I think there’s a third…
Finding My Voice in Nonprofit Advocacy When I think back on my time at LSS, the work that left the deepest mark on me wasn’t a program launch or a capital campaign. It was advocacy. Before that role, I had never pictured myself digging into legislation, watching hours of the Ohio Channel and C-SPAN, or…
My latest book review comes with some vulnerable personal truths. I hope you’ll indulge me. Here goes. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been afraid of confrontation. Conflict has always felt like stepping into a spotlight I never wanted. Because of childhood experiences that left me wary of most people, I’ve spent much…
I read a couple of books a month, mostly historical fiction for fun. However, I’ve lately been on a self-help/leadership/business kick. For a change of pace, I thought I’d share some of my thoughts about books I’ve read. Here’s the first. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. First a story. I learned about Mel…
Nonprofit leaders are under pressure to find new revenue streams and fast. The Candid blog [LINKED] recently highlighted a range of expert strategies, from diversifying fundraising models to embracing corporate partnerships and earned income ventures. These are all smart, strategic approaches. But if your messaging isn’t connecting, if your audience isn’t crystal clear, if your…
Let’s be honest: marketing with a shoestring budget can feel impossible. When you’re a mission-driven organization with a small comms team and limited resources, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind the curve. This is especially true now that threats of funding cuts loom. Yet now is the time to accelerate your efforts. Elevating…
Nonprofits evolve over time. Programs grow, organizations merge, communities change, and sometimes even the mission expands to meet new needs. But all too often, branding doesn’t keep up. This disconnect, known as mission drift, can quietly erode your organization’s relevance and impact. If your message no longer reflects your work, it might be time for…
In grant proposals, annual reports, and case statements, it’s tempting to list program outcomes as straight statistics: Those numbers matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. In a recent article from Candid, the authors recommend describing a program’s impact using “specific, measurable, time-bound terms to help funders see the difference you’re making.” I agree!…
If you’re leading a mission-driven organization, internal branding for nonprofits isn’t optional. It’s essential. Here’s a startling fact. Only 4 in 10 employees say they know what their organization stands for. Here’s another one. 2 in 10 feel connected to their employer. That’s a problem. It’s also an opportunity. As nonprofit leaders, we talk a…
