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Last week we talked about how white people in corporate America can be allies. This week, we’re talking about how people of color can survive and thrive in that same system. Here in 2023, much is being done to change the landscape of the corporate world with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. But… we’re […]

There’s no question we’ve inherited a system that is inherently racist in its origins. The threads of racism are woven discreetly (and sometimes not so discreetly) into the fabric of our culture, into the way we do business, into the way we interact with the people around us.  And, like fish in a fishbowl, many

As I’m sure you know, spreadsheets aren’t the sexiest part of our jobs but they are CRITICAL to fulfill our mission. So many of us get stuck in a reactive cycle when it comes to money – always scrambling to plug holes rather than planning proactively. We wonder things like “Can we really make big

We’re all stuck in a news cycle of negativity.  Natural disasters, soaring food prices, a looming recession, a tension-filled election, racism… I could go on.    Joy is in short supply. Our amygdala is on high alert.  And that means, we’ve let the negativity invade our brains and we aren’t thinking like executives anymore.  So when

It’s 2023, and you’ve got coaches, influencers, teenage girls, and your mother all raving about how social media is the promised land for networking and making big business connections. It’s easy to think you might be missing out when you see all those likes and comments flying through cyberspace.  But something is holding you back

When you’re an ED or even a founder ED, you don’t want to think about the day you say goodbye to your organization, and neither does your board.  It’s your baby. You’ve poured your energy and time into teaching it how to walk. But, eventually, it won’t need you in the same way anymore. Or

Fundraisers are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. True or False? Personally, I think it’s true.  Once we latch on to a worthy cause, we will do anything and everything within our power to help it succeed—with a smile, of course! But one thing we lack… confidence. Unfortunately, confidence isn’t always reality-based or

I have been working in the non-profit sector for 15+ years. I spent 12 of those years as an Executive Director. In that time, I learned a lot about what it takes to solve some of the biggest problems people face in our industry—overwork, overwhelm, lack of confidence, and lack of resources. Here’s what I

We all know burnout can take the passion right out of your purpose. One day you’re on top of the world, advocating for a righteous cause; the next day, you’re flat on your bum, self-loathing and believing the worst about humanity. Simply put, severe occupational stress has the power to take philanthropic champions of change

If you’re a visionary with entrepreneurial energy (like me), you might also have shiny object syndrome (like me 🙋). People like us are ready to try the next big thing before we’ve even conquered the first little thing. It’s a blessing and a curse—it can either get in the way (like dog-butt-in-your-face-when-you want-to-see-the-tv) or it

Here’s an idea that I want everyone to deeply understand: your donations are directly tied to your email list. I know you’re out here thinking your social media likes and comments are the things you should count on.   I call them vanity metrics. To use a dating analogy, your social media friends and followers are

Realtalk, y’all. This is the #1 biggest problem I hear from EDs so here are my top five tips for motivating your board to take responsibility for fundraising along with a fun quiz. First tenet: clear is kind. Was your board recruited with the explicit expectation that they were charged with fundraising as a goal? 

Last week, one of my Accelerator students asked for my response to this article entitled Why I Stopped Donating To Your Organization.  She asked for my thoughts and, of course, I have many.  So, Nitiya Walker, this one’s for you. Let me start by saying that I agree with 80% of this article and want

Friends, it’s been a tough week. The Supreme Court rulings strike at the very heart of the work that I and so many of you do to support equity, opportunity and justice. As if we needed more proof that white supremacy, racism and privilege are alive and well. I feel the rage and the despair. 

As an ED, my biggest mistake was thinking too small. I thought to get to the next level, I had to grind harder, sacrifice more, spend more hours working. Now, I realize that the mistake I made was playing a 2x game when I should have been playing a 10x game. 10x is easier than

When I was a little baby ED, I remember sitting at my board meeting and one of my board members said, “Well, if everyone in New York gave us just $1, we wouldn’t have to worry about fundraising.” This comment gets the prize for Dumbest Thing Ever Said. If everybody is your donor, then nobody

When I turned 16, I did what any self-respecting Californian does. I showed up at the DMV ready to get my license and hit the open road. I was picturing roaring down the highway, wind in my hair, sun setting and radio blasting as I headed into Happily Ever After. It was going OK, until

I’ve been reflecting on why I’m so obsessed with money mindset as a key part of my training. People are like, “Rhea, shut UP about money baggage and tell me how to craft an end-of-year appeal.” Here’s the thing: trends change, donor behavior changes, strategies and tactics will change. You are the constant. To quote

As a little Chinese-American girl growing up in San Francisco, my favorite TV show was the Golden Girls. It’s a bit of a mystery why a show about four elderly white ladies living in Miami, feasting on cheesecake, sunning on the lanai and having minor adventures spoke to me, but it did. Needless to say,

There are some seasons in life when it feels like we’re living with our hair on fire. Maybe we have a big project at work, or there’s something in our home or family that is requiring more time or energy than usual. But what happens when living with our hair on fire isn’t just for