Wait! A NEW type of board retreat!? One that's more engaging and more effective? No way. Check this out . . . ED's and board chairs know the routine all too well: gather the board in a nice setting, walk through the strategic plan, review the budget, and set some goals.

There may be catered lunches and polished presentations, but often, even the most well-run retreats feel like slightly upgraded board meetings. The question is, how do you create a retreat that is energizing, inspiring, and transformative? One that sticks.

The answer lies in a bold, refreshing approach: "experiential learning." Instead of passive listening and linear agendas, this method engages board members in real-world, mission-focused experiences that foster emotional connection, insight, and camaraderie. It's about stepping out of the boardroom and into the heart of the organization’s mission—literally.

Listen in on how to host an experiential board retreat . . .

Encouraging donors to increase their contributions is a delicate endeavor.

This podcast explores several practical and effective tactics to achieve the balance needed to inspire donors to give more generously while maintaining their trust and enthusiasm without alienating or pressuring them.

Tune in now!

Did you know that 53% of donors stop giving because they feel unappreciated, and 41% cite lack of acknowledgment or thanks as their reason? Conversely, loyal donors give 42% more over their lifetime and are 70% more likely to leave a planned gift. These numbers underscore the critical need for nonprofits to build and implement a robust stewardship plan. Without it, donors can feel like transactional cash machines rather than valued 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.

In the podcast, you'll learn about five stewardship tactics that can transform your donor relationships to create more loyal donors who are excited to give at incrementally higher levels over a longer period of time, no matter what their current giving level.

If you're tired of your board meddling in the daily operations of your nonprofit . . . this podcast is for you!

Nonprofit boards play a critical role in guiding the organizations they serve, helping steer decisions, ensuring fiscal health, and offering strategic oversight. However, one glaring issue that’s often swept under the rug is the lack of prompt responses to communications from executive directors and staff.

Emails and important requests from staff frequently go unanswered or receive delayed responses from board members. This behavior, while common, is not only disrespectful but also sends a clear and damaging message to the very people who keep the organization running day in and day out.

Staff members work tirelessly, often way beyond regular business hours and sometimes on weekends and holidays, sacrificing personal time and energy for the cause. When their emails are met with silence, it signals that their time, effort, and contributions aren’t valued and appreciated. And worse yet, that they aren’t valued and appreciated.

Board members are in positions of authority, and their actions—or lack thereof—can have lasting consequences on staff morale, organizational efficiency, and overall culture. It’s time to address this problem head-on. Nonprofit executives may not always feel empowered to confront this issue, but they shouldn’t have to. Rather, it’s the board’s responsibility to hold its members accountable for this type of behavior.

Listen in and learn why board members should respond promptly to staff communications, and three steps they can take to ensure they do so . . .

Plan Early for a Stress-Free, High-Impact Session

Planning a strategic session for your nonprofit can be one of the most impactful moments of the year—a chance to reset, strategize, and inspire your team. But let’s be honest: waiting until the last minute to plan such an important event can lead to unnecessary stress, limited options, and a lackluster experience.

On the flip side, planning early opens doors to creativity, thoughtful preparation, and the opportunity to create a transformative experience for everyone involved. This podcast explores explore why planning early is not just a good idea but a game-changer.

And if you’re ready to commit to early planning, I provide some actionable steps to set yourself up for success. So grab a latte and listen in . . .

Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, “What a waste of time!” You’re squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food is stale!

If you’re in the process of planning a retreat, don’t settle! It’s possible to put together an amazing day that’s engaging, meaningful, memorable, and fun. All it takes is a little planning and ingenuity.

Listen in to the following checklist to make sure you have all the essential elements in place to ensure the retreat is a resounding success.

In the world of nonprofit fundraising, meeting with a donor for coffee (or any in-person meeting), whether they are a potential supporter or a current contributor, is one of the most crucial interactions you’ll have.

This isn’t just a casual coffee chat; it’s a pivotal meeting that can define a donor’s impression of you, your organization, and may determine whether they make moderate gift, a significant one, or none at all. The stakes are high and coming prepared can greatly increase the likelihood you’ll leave with a smile and the outcome you desired.

To learn more about how to raise money in face-to-face settings, listen in!