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The pool of donor-advised fund (DAF) assets is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2026. It often flows through channels that can conceal the actual donors behind the gifts. While this can be a challenge, it also represents an enormous opportunity for leaders who know how to make the invisible visible.

A couple years ago, I decided to sign up for my first ever beginner triathlon. Even though I didn’t have a training schedule, I did have an irrational sense of optimism – what else could I possibly need?  Without a plan, I showed up on race day to the start line without goggles and one sock. Unprepared but still optimistic. I can manage a short swim, bike ride, and 5k because I had done those exercises in some form before – how hard could it be?

Needless to say, I found myself struggling to make it through. By the run, I was exhausted and would shamelessly run when there were cheerleaders and spectators and would walk when no one was watching.

I finished, but it was messy.

That experience taught me something important: passion and optimism are great, but without a focused plan and intentional execution, you’ll spend more energy scrambling than succeeding.

The same is true in fundraising…especially at year-end.

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to lower interest rates creates a window of opportunity that nonprofit leaders can’t afford to miss. Refinancing your organization’s debt right now can free up dollars, strengthen your financial footing, and expand your capacity to serve.

Fall marks a season of renewed energy for many nonprofit boards. As members return from summer breaks and settle back into meeting rhythms, there's a natural momentum building toward year-end. This is the perfect time to tackle those important governance priorities that may have been on the back burner—turning the final quarter into your board's most productive and impactful months of the year.

Year-end fundraising is like football season. The game isn’t won in the last two minutes—it’s decided by the plays you’ve been running since the first quarter. If you wait until December to get serious, you’re basically showing up at halftime and hoping for a miracle comeback. Spoiler: that’s not a winning strategy.

Recently passed tax legislation will bring significant changes to charitable giving starting in 2026, creating both opportunities and challenges for donors across all income levels. Understanding these changes now could help you thoughtfully guide your donors through this altered landscape as they plan their year-end giving.

People sometimes avoid getting into the mud.

In many fundraising teams, donor stewardship follows a predictable script: a $250 donor gets a thank-you note and an annual report, a $500 donor also receives a quarterly newsletter and so on. While this approach acknowledges generosity, it also keeps donors in a holding pattern—focused on their last contribution rather than future possibilities.

What if stewardship wasn’t just about recognition and acknowledgement? By aligning stewardship with moves management, we can create a dynamic, forward-facing strategy that deepens engagement and drives transformational giving.

The ocean has a funny way of teaching you humility. Several years ago, I decided to tackle a new challenge: surfing. My first foray into the Pacific was less than graceful. Armed with a rented board and a healthy dose of overconfidence, I paddled out with the singular goal of getting beyond those crashing, churning waves.

And fight, I did.

Ever wish you could just hit “reset” on a hectic day? Or on a season of your work that feels heavy, cluttered, and out of focus?

Here’s the truth: your team feels that, too. And sometimes, the best leadership move you can make is to pause, step back, and help everyone realign around what truly matters.