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RESET YOUR ATTITUDE: ARE YOU THE ONE HOLDING THINGS UP?

Posted by Alison Hansen

Nonprofit leaders are known for wearing many hats—budget balancer, community builder, last-minute-slide-deck-finisher, professional schlepper—but the hat we too often leave on the shelf is the one labeled “curiosity captain”. Whether it's embracing AI, reimagining donor stewardship, or treating events as more than just logistical nightmares lifts with a side of lukewarm veggie trays and sweaty cheese cubes, we sometimes meet new ideas with hesitation or quiet resistance.

It’s time for a reset—not of our strategy, but of our attitude. Because—gulp—we might just be the problem. And that’s uncomfortable… but also incredibly fixable. What if we chose curiosity over fear, and open-minded exploration over the comfort of our preconceived notions? These shifts aren’t detours from our mission—they’re invitations to deepen and expand it. And spoiler: we don’t need to have all the answers to get started. We just need to be willing to ask better questions and create space for curiosity.

 

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Topics: Leadership, Communications, Donor Cultivation, Ask, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Gratitude, Change, Nonprofit Leadership, Financial Development, Strategy, Fundraising Management, Fund Development, Communication, Pat Lencioni, Cultivation, Attitude

MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER

Posted by Mary Ramirez

Summer’s erratic schedules—donors on vacation, staff taking time off, board members and volunteers unavailable—can disrupt traditional fundraising efforts. But this quieter season offers a powerful opportunity for fundraising leaders, whether they manage teams or work as individual contributors, to reset their approach by leaning into authentic, one-on-one connections. By focusing on building genuine relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and board members, leaders can foster trust, inspire collaboration, and fuel long-term success in ways no strategy or tactic can match. Here’s how to use summer’s lull to cultivate meaningful connections that transform your leadership and organization.

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Topics: Communications, Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Gratitude, Annual, Strategy, Fundraising Management, Donor Engagement, Inspiration, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fundraising Campaign, Communication, Appreciation, Gift Of Giving, Collaboration, Attitude, Ideas, CelebratingOurClients

RECLAIMING CONNECTION: THE ANXIOUS GENERATION

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt presents a compelling case for how smartphones and social media have transformed childhood—from active, play-based experiences to phone-based, screen-dominated ones. While much of the conversation around the book has focused on youth mental health, Haidt’s research holds deeper relevance for all of us living in an increasingly distracted, hyper-connected world.

As I read, I found myself reflecting not just on childhood, but on adulthood and on how we connect with one another as family members, neighbors, colleagues, and members of a shared community. Haidt’s analysis of how technology rewires our brains and behaviors applies just as powerfully to adults as it does to kids. And in the nonprofit sector, where our work depends on meaningful relationships and shared purpose, those insights feel especially critical.

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Topics: Communications, Donor Stewardship, Board Development, Stewardship, Fundraising, Gratitude, Professional Development, Strategy, Annual Fundraising, Communication, Transparency, Development, Crucial Conversations, Ideas, trust, Presence

NEW YEAR NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bruce Berglund

As we turn the page on the calendar and step into a new year, nonprofit leaders everywhere are greeted with a world of opportunity. The new year is more than just a fresh start; it’s a chance to reflect, reimagine, and reignite our passion for the causes we serve.

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Topics: Leadership, Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Gratitude, Annual Campaign, Goals, Donor Love, Vision, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Execution, Communication, Cultivation, Development, Campaign Planning, Donor

APPRECIATION AND IMPACT

Posted by Jon Simons

December is a busy time in the life of a nonprofit fund raiser. It starts with Giving Tuesday and continues with year-end appeals and gentle reminders for open 2024 pledges. Nonprofit leaders with fundraising responsibilities have a number in their heads: what do I need to raise to meet my year-end goal?

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Topics: Donor Stewardship, Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, Gratitude, Donor Love, Donor Recognition, End Of Year, Year-End Giving, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fund Development, Year-End, Execution, Communication, Appreciation, Campaign Planning, Gift Of Giving, Donor, Client Stories

INSPIRING WAYS TO CONNECT WITH DONORS AT YEAR END

Posted by Lindsay Casavant
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Topics: Donor Stewardship, Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, Fundraising, Asking, Gratitude, Donor Love, Donor Recognition, End Of Year, Year-End Giving, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fund Development, Year-End, Execution, Communication, Appreciation, Campaign Planning, Gift Of Giving, Donor, Client Stories

QUIT SOMETHING

Posted by Jon Simons

Bob Goff, author of the wonderful book “Love Does,” loves to remind us that “you can quit anything on a Thursday.” Bob is a lawyer, leads a non-profit, is a best-selling author and highly sought-after speaker, and even serves as the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda. It’s fair to say, Bob Goff is a busy guy!

Each week on what he calls “Quit Thursday,” Bob challenges us to take inventory of what we are giving our finite time, energy, and resources to. What commitments fill our buckets, align with our values, and bring us purpose and joy?

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Topics: Fundraising, Gratitude, Culture, Inspiration, Career Growth, Appreciation, Development, Attitude, Clarity, CEO Coaching, Bob Goff

Rocking Stewardship: How to Show Gratitude as Only You Can

Posted by Bruce Berglund

During the pandemic we introduced the concept of “radical stewardship”. We reinforced the necessity of lifting up, thanking and honoring those who were our most loyal friends and donors during that difficult time.

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Topics: Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Gratitude, Appreciation, Collaboration

It’s Not Too Late: Stewardship Strategies to Use Today

Posted by DBD Team

As we move into the last quarter of the year, the focus for many nonprofit organizations is on year-end fundraising. But before you ask for more, have you properly shown gratitude for all you’ve received?

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Topics: Fundraising, Gratitude, Handwritten Notes, Appreciation, Collaboration

Look For The Helpers

Posted by Michele Goodrich
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Topics: Gratitude

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