We keep the lights on when governments turn away. We feed families when benefits go away. We respond to disasters, advance medical research, protect press freedom, and provide the social infrastructure that makes civic society possible. We are Chief Development Officers at thirteen of the world's most essential nonprofit organizations, and we're here to tell you: the scaffolding is cracking.
Forget your funnels, ditch your "yield," Your conversion rates and data fields. No #algorithms know the art Of one good human, heart-to-heart.
Lady Whistledown wielded more power than the Queen herself, yet no one knew her identity. She influenced London society not through royal decree, but through proximity, observation, and the strategic sharing of truth. In the nonprofit world, the most effective transformational leaders operate with similar invisible influence—creating lasting change not by commanding from corner offices, but by embedding themselves in the work itself. The Lady Whistledown of Nonprofit Transformation - Part 2
Lady Whistledown wielded more power than the Queen herself, yet no one knew her identity. She influenced London society not through royal decree, but through proximity, observation, and the strategic sharing of truth. In the nonprofit world, the most effective transformational leaders operate with similar invisible influence—creating lasting change not by commanding from corner offices, but by embedding themselves in the work itself. The Lady Whistledown of Nonprofit Transformation - Part 2
Just as Lady Whistledown observed London society from her hidden vantage point, nonprofit leaders often miss the most crucial dynamics happening right under their noses. While they're busy crafting strategic plans and measuring outcomes, the real story of their organization unfolds in hallway conversations, bathroom meetings, and the careful choreography of who gets invited to which "informal" gatherings. The Lady Whistledown of Nonprofit Transformation - Part 1
The latest Giving USA report tells us that charitable giving remains stable, but if you're leading a nonprofit organization, you might be wondering why that stability isn't reflected in your own donor file. You're not alone. Across my recent work with a large federated nonprofit organization, I'm seeing a troubling disconnect between national giving trends and the reality many organizations face: declining individual giving despite what the headlines suggest.
Someone asked me the other day what was different about me and my approach to working alongside NGOs. My answer? The Power of Lift. ?️ The Wingspan Method ?️ is a comprehensive organizational transformation methodology I developed specifically for nonprofits. Here are its key components...
As someone deeply entrenched in fundraising, I've realized it's about more than just the numbers. Join me in exploring how a blend of metrics and genuine human connection can truly drive impact.
I’ve learned that it’s up to us to explore and be creative with the people who want to support our organizations - to invite them to be creative and to support their efforts to support us. Community is everything in fundraising. We can make a difference by sharing the things we value. By making our enthusiasm and excitement undeniable – by making it inclusive, approachable and open. And then, inviting others to join you. That’s how a movement starts from the ground up.
The better you understand where your donors sit on this continuum, the better you’ll serve them and engage them in the work of your organization.. And if you use the same logic when considering innovation, you might ask yourself how well you are engaging your staff, leadership and teams before you ask them to invest in a project.
