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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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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
Stewardship Tactics That are Sure to Keep Donors Tied to Your Cause Did you know that 53% of donors stop giving because they feel...
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.
Disengaged Board Members? – Tolerate it NO More! 8 Steps to Engagement and a “Get it Done!” Culture. Here’s how . . .
8 steps to engaging board members, creating a truly effective responsibilities doc , and building a culture of work and involvement.
Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit - Article and Exercises
This article and exercises is about why and how a nonprofit should create a value network of people and resources to increase impact.
7 Tips to Hiring "The Best Strategic Planning Facilitator Near Me."
Here are 7 essential (but uncommon) things for to keep in mind when searching for "The best strategic planning facilitator near me."
7 Tips to Finding "The Best Board Retreat Facilitator/Trainer Near Me."
Here are 7 crucial considerations leaders of a nonprofit should consider when seeking to hire "The best retreat facilitator near me."
10 Tips to Avoid Hiring a Dud Strategic Planning Facilitator
10 Tips to Avoid Hiring a Dud Strategic Planning Facilitator
Are You a "One-Percenter"? . . . . How do You Rate? Here’s a List of Dos and Don’ts of Top Performers.
Here’s a List of Dos and Don’ts of Top Performers.
Fundraising: Double -- Triple -- The Response Rates to Your Appeal Letters! Learn How Now!
Fundraising: Double -- Triple -- The Response Rates to Your Appeal Letters! Learn How Now!
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