What is a poverty mentality or poverty mindset? It is the culture of an organization perpetuated by the board and the leadership. It is the half empty rather than the half full outlook on life. It is, “We don’t have the money, we’ll never have the money, so get used…

COVID-19 has changed our lives. It has changed the way we communicate, the way we work and, the way we play. In my case, it has also changed the way I look. After months of being confined to home, my roots started to show. Now, it’s one thing to admit…

These words: inclusion, diversity, equity, access have become buzzwords, used interchangeably. That’s why I’m starting with the definitions. Each word has a different meaning, but they are all positive responses to the challenges we face in our communities across the country. Inclusion: (noun) the act of including. Include (transitive verb)…

Identify, Research, Cultivate, Solicit, Steward. How many times have you gone through this cycle? As fundraisers, that’s what we do. Some of us work for large institutions with research departments and donor relations teams, but I would say, the majority of us work for much smaller organizations with one or…

From the donor’s point of view, stewardship is the most important part of the fundraising cycle. This is where you let your donors know you appreciate them and their support. In this phase, you already know they are committed to the mission. Now, it’s your turn to let them know…

The first quarter of your fiscal year is the best time to host a board retreat. For many organizations that quarter coincides with the calendar year. Why have a board retreat? This is a valid question. There must be a purpose for the retreat. Here are a few questions that…