Hey Reader, Even though "making the ask" is really just 5% of what you have to do in fundraising, it can feel SO awkward and overwhelming. Trust me, I get it! (Not sure what the remaining 95% is? Reply to this email "95%" and I'll share more!) The truth is, even the best Executive Directors and fundraisers can be tempted to hesitate when it comes time to actually make the ask. Even when you know the value of your work, putting it into words can feel clunky or overly formal. If that’s you—here...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Most of the time, I focus on the techniques, skills, and "how to's" of fundraising that I have found to be most effective in raising money. There's a LOT of information on the internet about fundraising, and I don't take lightly that you choose to be part of the NonProfit Life community! So I want to make sure my emails are not only practical, but also effective so you don't waste your time or money. But sometimes, you just need a reminder of all the possibilities out there. There...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, When I landed my first fundraising job, I was terrified to ask for money. It sounded awkward. And horrible. It felt like I would be putting people on the spot, and I couldn't imagine that was going to be a fun experience for me OR for the donor. Luckily, I had an incredible mentor who helped me reframe my mindset and understand what fundraising is truly about. Fundraising isn't' about asking for money. It's about giving people an opportunity to invest in something they believe in...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, There are tons of great resources out there for nonprofit professionals. Here at NonProfit Life, my goal is to save you time and money by providing ready-to-use tools so you can spend less time reinventing the wheel and more time raising funds. But sometimes, you want to dive deeper—learn the strategy behind fundraising, grant writing, and nonprofit management through courses and structured training. If that’s you, here are two free resources I highly recommend: 1. NonprofitReady...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, The first quarter is coming to a close which means….it’s the season of board meetings. There’s a lot that goes into board meetings, but there's just 3 things you need to focus on in order to run an effective board meeting: A strong agenda - Ahead of each board meeting, you should have a very clear (short!) list of objectives and goals, no more than 2-3. It can be an "open" list that you share with board members, or it can be more "secretive" that only you know. But regardless, you...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Welcome back to my "How I Would" series, where I break down exactly how I’d tackle common fundraising challenges—step by step. As a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), I’ve raised thousands in event sponsorships, and today, I’m showing you how I’d land my first event sponsor if I were to start from scratch again! 👉 Pro tip - you don't have to start from scratch! The Event Sponsorship Package includes ready-made outreach language, sponsorship levels, professional reply card,...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Whether you just found yourself in a role needing to fundraise, or you're a long time fundraiser, reaching out to a donor for the first time can feel scary. But it's really not! People are just people, and your job is to figure out who is open to a real, two-way relationship with your organization. These are the donors you'll cultivate towards larger, more impactful giving. If you haven't already, grab the New Donor Welcome Package and use the discount code NEWDONOR to get 40%...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, I've been having amazing conversations with a lot of you through the unlimited email coaching offered in the Ultimate Fundraising Toolkit. It's been so fun to see how you are using the fundraising templates and record-breaking action plan to grow, scale, and sustain your organizations! Through my email coaching, I've gotten a lot of great questions and I thought...why not turn this into a series! So today is the first email of a new series I'm calling "How I would: ________" where...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Let’s talk about your board. Whether they’re amazing or... a work in progress, your fundraising success depends on them. I'll never forget what my first nonprofit boss ever told me: "a nonprofit can only rise to the level of excellence as it's board." The best thing you can do to engage your board is start with clear and upfront expectations. Here's my checklist to help you onboard new board members and set them - and yourself! - up for success from the jump: Onboarding New Board...
3 months ago • 1 min read