Category: Funding Lessons

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Find the Director with the Right Skills?

This is a bold statement, but I can usually tell the long-term viability of a nonprofit within a minute of meeting its director.

Most people look for the common qualities in a leader: their passion, commitment to the mission, and ability to bring in great volunteers and staff. These traits matter. No nonprofit can thrive without them. But here’s the truth most people overlook: those qualities alone don’t determine whether an organization will be sustainable for years to come.


I often talk about perseverance because running a nonprofit takes real work. There are long days, hard choices, and plenty of moments where you’re giving more time and energy than you ever expected. And building the relationships needed for major funding? That can take years, sometimes decades.

Still, even with passion and perseverance, there’s one quality that stands out above the rest when it comes to long-term success.


A few years ago, I spoke at a local college alongside several leaders from major nonprofits in our area. The students asked all the right questions; what we look for when hiring, what skills someone needs to work for or start a nonprofit, and how to prepare for the work ahead.


The panel offered a lot of great insight, but one common thread connected every director on that stage. I’ve worked with most of them over the years and it was evident they all share the same crucial skill: they understand money, what is needed to raise it, not just for the short term, but for the long term.

And this skill is surprisingly easy to overlook. If a director doesn’t have the business or entrepreneurial sense to understand and manage an organization’s financial needs, the nonprofit will almost certainly face serious challenges down the road, or fail completely. This is why it’s so important to have an honest conversation when hiring: Does our director have the business mindset needed to sustain our budget and our mission long-term? If they do not, it can lead to failure of the organization, or burnout of the director.

The good news is that these skills can be learned. Training helps. Coaching helps. Passion may get a nonprofit off the ground, but it’s strong business skills that help it grow, stabilize, and last.

If you’re ready to develop those skills, reach out to the Funding Coach. I’d be happy to help.

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Funding Lesson 39 – Give Away Your Fundraisers

If you run a nonprofit, fundraising isn’t optional, it is in the job description. Raising money takes time, energy, and hustle. Let’s be honest: most of that hustle comes in the form of the dreaded ‘fundraiser.’

Car washes, auctions, bake sales, chocolate bars, work-a-thons, and more. The ideas are endless… and exhausting.

So here’s a one idea that most organizations miss: Give your fundraisers away. No, really.

Instead of running every event yourself, what if you encouraged others to do the heavy lifting for you? Imagine asking a business, community group, or even a group of passionate volunteers to organize a fundraiser on your behalf, and then simply hand you the proceeds.

Sounds dreamy, right? It’s also highly doable.

Many businesses already run charitable promotions, or events, so why not position your organization to be on their donation list? Imagine ten businesses, each hosting one event a year in your name. That’s ten fundraisers… without you planning a single one.

Help Them Help You

Get smart: don’t just ask, equip them. Give businesses and supporters a menu of fundraising ideas they can run on their own turf. Think:

-Casual Fridays with a donation jar

-Selling a special product with proceeds going to your cause

-Hosting a themed dance night or trivia night

-Placing a donation box at checkout

You can even encourage your existing supporters, volunteers, staff, and board members to take the idea into their workplaces, churches, book clubs, or community centers.

And the best part? You stay in control of your messaging. Provide flyers, posters, QR codes, and social media graphics. Make it easy for them to tell your story and drive traffic to your website or donation page.

Think Long-Term, Not One-Time

The real jackpot here is consistency. Once someone runs a successful fundraiser for you, ask if they’d consider making it an annual tradition. Becoming a “charity of choice” for a business or group means recurring income without you re-inventing the wheel each year.

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Reimagine Your Space: Turning Expenses into Opportunities

Buildings cost money. They cost to build, maintain, heat, clean, staff—and that’s before you even account for the many unexpected expenses that always seem to arise. For many nonprofits, faith communities, and mission-driven groups, having a dedicated space is essential to fulfilling their purpose. But too often, the financial burden of owning or maintaining a building becomes overwhelming—draining resources, limiting impact, and in some cases, sinking the organization altogether.

It can feel like a never-ending struggle to cover these costs through donations, fundraisers, or offerings. And the truth is, it is never-ending—unless something changes.

Many groups have started finding creative solutions by reimagining how they use their space. Every building and situation is different, but almost every space holds untapped potential. These changes aren’t just about cutting costs—they’re also about expanding mission, deepening community connections, and creating new paths for impact.

Across the country, nonprofits and faith communities are turning their biggest expense into their greatest asset. Unfortunately, these conversations often don’t happen until an organization is in financial crisis—or not at all, which can lead to closure. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Reimagining Your Space can:

  • Bring more of your community into your building
  • Attract like-minded partner groups to share space and resources
  • Create new funding opportunities and earned income streams
  • Make your space eligible for grant funding
  • Increase sustainability and long-term stability
  • Turn underused areas into vibrant, multi-use spaces

It is possible to have a building that pays for itself—or even generates surplus income. Yes, it takes intentional planning and work, but compared to the endless cycle of fundraising, it can be far more effective and empowering.

These are big conversations, but they’re worth having. If your organization, faith community, or nonprofit is interested in exploring how to Reimagine Your Space, let’s talk. I’d love to help you see the possibilities.

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Get Your Team Ready

I’ve talked before about getting your team involved in fundraising. But depending on the size of your organization, your “team” might be just you—or it could include family, friends, volunteers, staff, or all of the above.

No matter the size or makeup of your team, you can increase your reach by equipping everyone with the right tools.

Start by keeping it simple. Give each person a clear, short list that includes:

  • What your organization needs
  • How they can help
  • How to give

This is the easiest way to multiply your message—by empowering others to share it again and again.

This approach works best when it’s:

  • Simple
  • Easy to remember
  • Easy for others to act on

So take a little time to share a clear ask and action plan with your team. Make sure they understand it and can communicate it confidently.

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Is it Time to Change Why You Fundraise?

As your organization evolves, you may find that traditional community fundraisers are no longer enough to meet your growing financial needs. Does that mean it’s time to stop fundraising altogether? Absolutely not! The key is shifting the why and the how behind your fundraising efforts.

Here’s the truth: Fundraising is about so much more than just money—it’s about building a community that believes in your mission. Here are a few ideas on hot to transform your fundraising strategy:

Shift from just fundraising to Community-Building�Use your fundraisers as opportunities to build support for your cause. Get people involved — let them feel connected to your mission and become long-term advocates. It is also an opportunity to do sometime your whole team, volunteers, and clients who will all have to work together.

Involve people in your journey—let them see YOU�Your smaller fundraisers can be much more than a simple event—they can become gatherings that engage your community, raise awareness, and foster connections. People want to support something they believe in, but they also want to connect with the individuals behind the cause. Use fundraisers to share your story, your challenges, and your victories.

Expand your reach—both locally and digitally�Building community isn’t just about in-person connections; it’s about expanding your social media presence and connecting with a broader audience. You can use events to grow your social media reach by getting people to follow, engage with online content, contests, and more.��

Online fundraisers are also powerful tools, but they should be crafted in a way that encourages people to share them. Make your campaigns shareable by telling a compelling story, using visuals, and clearly explaining why your cause matters. Ask your supporters to spread the word—and make it easy for them by creating content they can easily share with their networks.

Done right, you can turn every fundraiser into a community event that drives awareness, engagement, and a real connection to your mission. By shifting your strategy, you’re not only raising funds but also creating a movement that brings people together for a common cause.

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Know Your Level – Funding Lessons #35

When it comes to fundraising, there is definitely not ‘one’ strategy will work for everyone. Why? Because the amount of money you need to raise will directly influence the type of fundraising efforts you pursue. Recognizing your need is the first step in determining your approach.


For instance, if you only need to raise $10,000 over the course of a year, you might be able to accomplish this with a few small events, some online campaigns, or one major fundraiser. A manageable goal allows for a less demanding strategy that can fit within the resources and time you have.

However, when the target shifts to $50,000 or more, suddenly you’re facing a much larger challenge. It may seem like you can simply multiply the number of fundraisers or increase the intensity of your efforts, but that approach can lead to burnout, frustration, and you likely won’t meet your goals. Asking your team to organize five times as many events isn’t sustainable.


This is when it’s time to change gears. If your budget demands larger amounts, you need to think different. You may need to explore new types of fundraising—perhaps corporate sponsorships, major donor programs, or larger-scale events. This shift often requires learning new skills, getting advice from experienced fundraisers, or even hiring an expert who can guide you toward new strategies.

The biggest mistake you can make is clinging to methods that simply aren’t effective for the scale of what you’re trying to achieve. Recognizing what you need and adjusting your approach accordingly will put you on the right path for success.


Let’s talk about how we can help you make the right shifts and scale your fundraising efforts effectively.