The holidays are upon us. As we look forward to celebrations with family and friends, nonprofit organizations enter one of the most critical times of…
Corporate social responsibility is a term I find myself explaining frequently to nonprofit colleagues. In the for-profit world, companies make public…
I’ve shared my thoughts on philanthropy and construction being unusual partners but what if I said economic opportunities and philanthropy? How about…
Nonprofit boards are complex entities. At the most basic level, they are a group of passionate volunteers. What makes them complex is the scope of…
Who are the most passionate advocates for your organization? You might immediately think about your dedicated colleagues or your most loyal donors but…
Leadership First posted the graphic below and inspired me to have a gratitude moment. It made me think about detours in the professional sense. What…
I don’t know a single nonprofit trying to solve a problem that has an easy solution. If it was easy, would the organization need to exist? The…
For many people, September is the start of the school year. While it feels like a new beginning for many, September is the end of the third…
In academia being asked your teaching philosophy is a fairly common question. Educators typically have their own opinions on how good learning and…
Balance, it’s what life is all about. In recent posts I’ve been focusing on growth and innovation. My conversations last week reminded me that it’s…
I’m a cave diver. No, I’m not claustrophobic. Yes, my parents know. No, I’m not scared. Now that we’ve covered the main questions I get, let’s…
The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy published 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024. This annual report looks at emerging trends impacting…
Giving USA published their annual report on charitable giving in the United States. You can download a copy here. The research is conducted by Indiana…
My favorite book is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. It’s hard to overstate the impact this book has had on how I approach my…
A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is a professional credential for experienced fundraisers indicating their compliance and adherence to a code…
Have you ever heard the phrase, “consistency is key”? If you’re like me, the concept of consistency may look a lot like the top row of glasses in the…
Have you ever started a job, inherited a new prospect list, and just scratched your head? The majority of the list is ice cold, under engaged, and you…
I recently read a post from Jim Langley of Langley Innovations. He noted that donors are interested in “more how and less wow”. You can read his…
Fun is an interesting word in the workplace. It’s either central to organizational culture or something most commonly associated with slackers. I’ve…
Nonprofit organizations come in all shapes and sizes. Independent organizations, federated organizations, and public foundations all seek to enhance…
I first heard Penelope Burk in New York in 2009. Her book Donor Centered Fundraising spoke to me from the moment I read it. It just made sense. Burk’s…
I began my career in development when I was 26. I was excited, I could legally rent a car. My early days of road warrior fundraising were focused on…
I’m an empath, idealist, and an ENTJ. Pick your personality test; I naturally gravitate toward logic but am tuned into the impact of stimuli on those…
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The Misfits. The Rebels. The Troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. …
As a society, we are enamored by records. Think about it, the Guinness Book of World Records, Olympics, and sports at every level. We enjoy the…
“You want to be like Silky Sullivan” he told me. I had no idea who or what Silky Sullivan was. He went on to explain that Silky Sullivan was a race…
Picture it, Anaheim 2018. It was the 50th anniversary of CASE/NAIS. I stepped onto the stage in front of a crowded hotel ballroom. The seats were…
I began my career in fundraising March 14, 2007. Yes, I remember the exact date, it was a Wednesday. My prior professional experience was in…
In 2021 I completed my doctoral research on venture philanthropy and graduated. A few years prior I was considering degree programs and talking with…
I have worked in two primary types of organizations, those with a defined constituency and those without. To clarify, I am viewing organizations with…
Let’s get started! I’m Melissa and this blog is my personal passion project. Before we dive into content, I’d like to share with you a bit about…