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Shout out to Katie Weeks for an incredibly insightful article on board leadership and the dynamics between #nonprofit #ExecutiveDirectors and #nonprofitboards. These conversations are so critical to understanding how effective nonprofits are managed. Strong organizations can only make a true impact on their community with strong, DIVERSE leadership at both the board and the nonprofit leader level. It works best when they work #TOGETHER! What insights did you gain from Katie's article? #nonprofitleadership #bettertogether #communityimpact #uncharitable

I remember first reading Virtuous's founder and CEO, Gabe Cooper's first book, Responsive Fundraising, and nodding my head vigorously as I read it. It was a terrific encapsulation of how #fundraising, when done right, can inspire and engage people to give and give again and again. So, when I learned that Gabe was writing another book--this time a playbook of responsive fundraising in action--I couldn't wait to read it. I know this book will not disappoint. Because it's one thing to talk about what responsive fundraising can do and why #nonprofits need to embrace its model to grow giving. But putting the "how" into practice can feel impossible for some #nonprofit leaders. Not anymore. This book breaks down how to put in place the internal culture and systems that will shift mindsets and behaviors within the organization so that fundraising becomes naturally responsive. Because without the internal shifts, the external results can't happen. From breaking down silos (!!) to measuring through metrics, managing change, creating team cultures and storytelling, this book is a must read for nonprofit leaders serious about growing their fundraising in this climate. Grab your copy here: virtuous.org/book. #nonprofitmanagement #nonprofitleadership #fundraising

Why should you sign up for the Transformative Fundraising webinar from Resolute Philanthropy? ❓ Maybe you want to sharpen your fundraising strategy. ❓Maybe you want to help your board or leadership get involved with fundraising. ❓Maybe your fundraising team needs to get re-engaged or re-energized. Maybe none of these will work – all you want to do is read a client testimonial. Well, here you go! "Working with Chris as my fundraising coach has been an invaluable experience. Chris's dedication, expertise, and unwavering support have been instrumental in helping me navigate a new position in a complex and high-intensity fundraising department. His guidance and strategic insights have not only enhanced my understanding of effective fundraising practices but have also empowered me in my position to assert my authority and fundraising knowledge." I created this webinar series to bring elements of strategy, leadership, and attitude together to give nonprofits confidence and clarity around fundraising. After all, your mission shouldn’t suffer because of bad fundraising advice! Follow the link in the comments to learn more and to register! #fundraising #nonprofitleadership #resolutephilanthropy #strategy #leadership #attitude #webinar #professionaldevelopment Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

What are you doing to set up your CEO for fundraising success? 🤔 I ask this question when a Development Director complains about their boss's fundraising engagement. 95% of the time, the answer is "I have no idea." ❌ If you are trying to get your CEO more involved with fundraising, you can't throw them in the deep end. 🌊 Instead, ask yourself these questions: 1. Are you managing your CEO/ED’s portfolio? Are you letting her know where each of her donor relationships are in the relationship cycle, what the next step is, and when it should happen? 2. Are you regularly coaching your boss on how to make effective calls, how to handle hesitations or objectives, and going on meetings to serve as her #2? 3. Are you setting clear KPIs for her? This may sound crazy, but if you need your boss to be driving activity then it is YOUR responsibility to set those expectations for them. 4. Are you coordinating the logistics to make their work easier? This could be providing call lists, a tracking sheet, developing proposals, doing prospect research, and writing out talking points. A great development officer puts the ball on the tee for their CEO. Your CEO's success as a fundraiser starts with you. They may be your boss, but when it comes to development, they are part of the team, and YOU are the leader. 📈 Are you looking to get more out of your CEO/DD fundraising relationship? Let's talk! 📩 #nonprofit #fundraising #philanthropy #majorgifts #leadership

Talk is cheap… This is my top lesson learned here on LinkedIn in 2023. A lot of professionals offer their advice from the nosebleeds. What do I mean? I’ve seen countless instances of: ❌ Major Gift Officers trashing digital fundraising strategies. ❌ Marketing professionals explaining how your capital campaign is ineffective and divisive. ❌ Annual fund coordinators putting down major gift strategies as inequitable. ❌ New professionals offering “cutting edge” leadership advice without ever having led a team. There are a lot of “thought leaders” in the nonprofit sector without real experience in the fields they seek to disassemble. 🤔 In a world full of “thought leaders” seek out the practitioners. Find those individuals with real experience in your field, and who continually refine their craft. These are the opinions you want. Look for the people who think strategically, but can offer you practical, real-world advice and solutions. The players on the field > the "coaches" in the bleachers My parting advice as we head into 2024: If you are looking to launch a capital campaign, grow your major gifts, or clarify your development strategy in 2024, Seek out those who have already done these things successfully. In a world where "thought leaders" make a lot of noise, look for the quiet practitioners with the proven experience you need to get to the next level. #nonprofit #fundraising #philanthropy #majorgifts #capitalcampaign #thoughtleadership P.S. I took Q4 away from LinkedIn to reevaluate my purpose here. I will be back in the new year with fresh content and practical fundraising tips. Follow along if you aren't already!

"A Fundraising Tip: The Key to Success" When orchestrating a short-term fundraiser, the choice of organizer is paramount. From our extensive experience, we've observed that the success of any fundraising endeavor hinges on the organizer's capabilities. Here's a valuable tip: carefully select your organizer, or coordinator. Key traits to look for in an organizer include a deep belief in the cause, existing influence, and the ability to expand that influence, consistency, and motivational skills. In essence, the ideal organizer should possess an unwavering passion for the cause, compelling them to wield influence that inspires others to take action. #leadership #fundraising #Success

Recently, I was invited as a keynote speaker at the annual gala hosted by RNS Technology Services. It was a night to remember, dressed up for their black-tie event and surrounded by their esteemed clients and partners. During my talk on "The Leadership of the Future vs. The Leadership of the Past," we dived into how leadership is evolving. We discussed the importance of feedforward, shifting perceptions, and interactive exercises that kept everyone engaged. What truly impresses me about the organization is its commitment to making a difference. Led by founder Samir Chopra, they donated 13% of last year's net profits to charity, demonstrating their dedication to positive change. It’s refreshing to see a company not only talk about values but also actively live them out. This inspires all of us to think about how we can contribute to a better world in our professional roles. I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak at such an impactful event and to align my efforts with a company that prioritizes giving back. #leadership #motivation #impact #future #success #event #keynote

What if the most crucial work of a #nonprofit exec wasn't what you think? Imagine a leader who empowers their team to take on more responsibility, creating space for strategic thinking and work-life balance. Counterintuitive❓ Perhaps. Effective❓ Absolutely. Discover why this approach might be the key to unlocking your nonprofit's potential. #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitCEO, #NGOLeadership

When you hear the phrase "fundraising growth" which image are you drawn to? The one on the left or the one on the right? I've written a short piece about fundraising and coaching - and readiness for coaching in particular - and why I think the image on the right has to have more of our attention. You can read it or watch a short video here: https://lnkd.in/eerTuCkv #fundraising #leadership #sustainable #growth #people

Many non-profits are starting to realize the benefits of building a culture of innovation and optimization in their fundraising programs. But many aren’t sure how to get started. Here’s my NUMBER ONE suggestion to any non-profit leader who wants to build this type of culture: Learn to push control down to the lowest levels of the organization and create a space for your people to test and experiment with new concepts… 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥. Encourage them to experiment with new ideas, understanding that even if the experiment turns out to be a “loser”, critical lessons can still be extracted from that experience. Shift your mindset to see every outcome as a learning opportunity. By empowering every team member to innovate without the fear of failure, you're cultivating a culture of creativity and paving the way for breakthroughs that could redefine your impact. 🚀 It's through this openness to exploration and learning from every result that true growth and innovation emerge. #NonProfit #Fundraising #NonprofitGrowth #NonProfitLeadership #NextAfter