Barely a day goes by when I don’t contact a friend in the nonprofit sector. I always ask how their organization is, but just as important a question is: How are they? I meet some of the most driven and kind-hearted individuals in this industry, but all too often they [...]
Our Ask An Expert series features real questions answered by Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE, our very own Fundraising Coach, also known as Charity Clairity. Today's question comes from a donor relations manager who needs advice on how to best organize, prioritize, and stay on top of tasks. Dear Charity Clairity, [...]
For many people, the holidays are the most magical time of the year. Not for fundraisers. For fundraisers end of year can easily feel like the most stressful time of year, which is why they need an end of year fundraising pep talk.  As many as 28% of nonprofits raise [...]
We are in a worldwide panic -- fear and anxiety are breeding faster than anything else. This is our call. And we need to answer the call. This means it’s time to go on a quest. Are you ready? What’s the hero’s journey? Joseph Campbell describes the beginning of the [...]
I’ve spent my entire career in fundraising and learned many lessons the hard way. Here’s 31 things I wish I had known when I was just starting out in my fundraising career: You will never make everyone happy all the time. You may be too much for some people. That’s [...]
Marc Pitman will outline a three-grouping framework that helps explain some of the seemingly illogical way others react; and how you can use that knowledge to reduce stress in your own life. Full Transcript: Steven: All right. I got 2:00 Eastern, you okay if I go ahead and get things [...]
Prior to the pandemic, nonprofit professionals were often guilty of treating self-care as a low priority, with no thought for self-care tips. With many of us suddenly finding ourselves working from home earlier this year, additional challenges arose to taking care of oneself to be able to effectively serve others. [...]
Why is it so hard to work right now? Why are we lethargic or manic? My theory is that we are operating at about 50% capacity right now. We place such a great emphasis on pretending everything is fine, that we are in control. In other words, we have this [...]
Fundraising takes a truckload of guts on a GOOD DAY.  Enter a global pandemic none of us were prepared for? You may feel like you are eating overwhelm for breakfast.  Your job just got a lot harder.  There’s the first layer of the sudden change in your immediate surroundings. Your [...]
I direct online meetings, trainings, and conferences. I’ve done this for over 10 years, and it’s fun for me. I enjoy not having to run out, get on the airplane or in the car to engage with someone. I’ve done it all; online masterclasses, webinars, e-courses with live teaching components, [...]
You know when you’re on an airplane and they run through the safety instructions? What do they tell you to do if you’re with small children and the oxygen masks come down? Put on your own mask first! You can’t help others unless you first take care of yourself. This [...]
I’ve been doing it for 10 years, here’s how it works. Work from home self care is all about the BLANKET LIFE. I love wrapping my legs in a blanket and getting work done. So, it’s a scary time. And it’s more important than ever now, to take care of [...]