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INSPIRATIONAL TRAINING
Articles, Videos, Podcasts
Keep up with the latest trends with practical and inspirational content about topics like leadership, fundraising, organizational development, board engagement, governance, capacity building, and much, much more. You'll also find content about how to find and work with the best nonprofit board retreat/training facilitator, or the best strategic planning facilitator so your day is a resounding success.
For the podcasts, use your favorite podcast player and search for the title names.
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Are Local Board Retreat Facilitators Really the Best Value?
Are local board retreat and strategic planning facilitators really worth it? Or should you go outside your region? Retreats and planning sessions are too important to skimp on. Below are seven compelling reasons why you should consider looking beyond your region or state when searching for your next retreat facilitator.
Board Members: Help Raise Money (Without Asking For It!)
20 Simple tactics board members can do help raise money without asking for it!
Donor Objections: Common and Uncommon Types (includes scripts)
Fundraisers know that most donor objections boil down to just two things: the amount you’re asking for and the timing of the ask. But here’s the good news—both are manageable. In this article, you’ll discover practical tactics to navigate these common roadblocks, plus smart ways to handle the trickier, less common objections that inevitably pop up.
By the end, you’ll not only be ready to face objections with confidence—you’ll actually welcome them as opportunities to move
Mastering Donor Objections: A Simple 3-Step Process
Objections! You can't have dozens of tactics to handle dozens objections. Have a process is most efficient. Here's how!
Donor Objections: A Primer
Donor objections! Here's a primer . . . Experienced fundraisers know objections are part of the ask process, which is why they embrace them. There are dozens of reasons why donors throw caution signs that feel like red lights. What follows is a high-level primer that unpacks why donors hesitate, paired with clear principles for handling those objections with confidence—so you can turn tough questions into lasting commitments.
A Lighthearted Field Guide to Fundraising Disasters
Here’s a crash course in what “not” to do when fundraising, what donors secretly loathe, and a short list of how to ask for money without breaking into hives.
Yes, you'll chuckle because if you've raised money, you've experienced many of these things. So enjoy this lighthearted field guide to fundraising disasters . . .
Don’t Pitch—Connect: 10 Smart Moves for First Donor Meetings
10 tactics to make your first meeting with a donor exceptional!
The Golden Hour: Tips for Mastering the Art of Donor Cultivation
Cultivation is the golden hour before the ask. It’s when you introduce someone to your nonprofit, show them the heart behind the stats, the faces behind the facts, and the mission behind the jargon.
And it isn’t just about raising money—it’s about raising friends, champions, connectors, and believers. Done well, cultivation deepens emotional connection, builds trust, and turns a casual observer into a loyal supporter. Done poorly, it feels like a used car sales pitch on a ra
Best Board Retreats: Make Your Retreat Outcomes Stick with “Ownership,” Not Accountability
This article is your resuscitation manual for retreat outcomes. Because unless you want all that time, energy, and trust to evaporate like a dry erase marker, you need more than good intentions. You need action planning. You need structure. And most of all, you need ownership.
[Humor] 10 Strategic Fundraising Principles
Enter the Rainmakers: the mythical, magical, magnificently strategic fundraisers who know how to play the long game—with flair. What’s their secret? These 10 fundraising principles. We’re talking about donor stickiness, connection asks, custom everything, and enough ‘You’ language to make even Shakespeare blush. Strap in, folks. You’re about to take a rollercoaster ride through fundraising best practices—with a little humor
![[Humor] “Please Don’t Make Me Ask for Money!” 12 Ways to Conquer Fundraising Fear Without Crying in a Supply Closet](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d8728b_a8d1ddae2a05406ba169481133a8c899~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1083,h_814,fp_0.50_0.50,q_35,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/d8728b_a8d1ddae2a05406ba169481133a8c899~mv2.png)
![[Humor] “Please Don’t Make Me Ask for Money!” 12 Ways to Conquer Fundraising Fear Without Crying in a Supply Closet](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d8728b_a8d1ddae2a05406ba169481133a8c899~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1083,h_814,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_avif,quality_auto/d8728b_a8d1ddae2a05406ba169481133a8c899~mv2.png)
[Humor] “Please Don’t Make Me Ask for Money!” 12 Ways to Conquer Fundraising Fear Without Crying in a Supply Closet
Fundraising doesn’t have to feel like a social root canal. With the right mindset (and maybe a paper bag to breathe into), you can turn terror into triumph—and maybe even have fun along the way.
So put down the antacids and pick up these 12 life-saving tips for dealing with the jitters
Use Experiential Learning to Transform Your Next Board Retreat
Want to host a better board retreat - the best board retreat? Have board member do some hands-one "experiential" learning during the day. Read the article to learn more.
The Friendly Factor: How Going Above and Beyond Wins Donors and Builds Loyalty
Being friendly and "going above and beyond" to make a donor's experience unexpectedly pleasurable can increase gift size and loyalty.
The Power of Possibility: A Growth Mindset Blueprint for Nonprofit Leaders
A growth mindset can propel a nonprofit to greater impact and resilience, while a fixed mindset can cause it stagnate. Learn more!
Unlocking Generosity: Motivate Your Donors to Give More Without Pressure
Encouraging donors to increase their contributions is a delicate endeavor. This article explores several practical tactics to shoe you how.
Stewardship Tactics That are Sure to Keep Donors Tied to Your Cause
partners in your mission.
Effective stewardship isn’t just about saying thank you; it’s about cultivating meaningful, genuine relationships. When done right, regular donor touchpoints can strengthen connections without becoming intrusive. This requires tailoring the frequency and type of communication you do for each donor level, whether it’s a donor who gives $25, or one giving $50,000.
Below are five stewardship tactics that can transform your donor relationships.
Avoid Last-Minute Blues: Tips for Planning Ahead for Strategic Planning
Thinking about a strategic planning session? Early planning wins the day. Learn the hacks and avoid the blunders. Here's how . . .
Boardroom Ghosting: How Ignoring Staff Emails Drains Nonprofit Momentum
Board members who fail to respond to staff emails and requests is unacceptable behavior. Learn tactics how you can board members to respond.
How to Host the Best Board Development Retreat Ever! Here’s Your Winning Checklist – 17 Keys to Success
Tips on Hosting the Best Board Development/Training Day . . . a Winning Checklist
From Coffee to Commitment: Mastering Donor Meetings with Preparation
This article is about the importance of preparing for donor meeting to build a deepened relationship and get gifts form major donors.
Strategic Planning: What’s Better, A One-Year or Five-Year Plan?
This article explains why a one-year strategic plan is better than a five-year plan. It walks you through the pros and cons, including cost.
Donor Attrition: Understanding and Addressing Donor Loss
This article is about how to lower donor attrition and increase donor retention to improve the fundraising effectiveness of a nonprofit.
Board Member Accountability vs. Ownership: Point Your Finger at Yourself First!
Accountability is "you," ownership is "me." There is a lot of finger pointing on nonprofit boards. This article is about "doing" not blaming
A Call to Action for Nonprofit Board Members: Fulfill Your Obligations or Step Aside
Do you have lazy, disengaged board members who keep making excuses? Here is a call to action to your board members to step up or step aside.
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