Helping You Serve Your Community Better
Every nonprofit leader hears this question:
“How can I help?”
Very few are ready to answer it well.
If you want to turn interest into funding, volunteers, and long-term support, it starts with preparation.
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No matter the size of your organization, you may be among the 70% of nonprofit leaders currently experiencing burnout. There are many reasons leaders struggle, yet we often overlook one of the most obvious.
We can easily become victims of our own success. Nonprofit leaders are some of the most creative, committed, and hard-working people, which makes this cycle easier to fall into than you might expect.
In business, as you build a reputation for what you do well, it brings in more clients, and with them, more revenue. In the nonprofit world, as you become known for what you do well, it also brings in more clients, but ‘YOU’ must then find more funding to serve them.
This is the core of the problem: the cycle never ends. The better you are, the bigger the need, the bigger the cost.
Nonprofit leaders tend to be highly compassionate people. That compassion often leads to weak boundaries and difficulty saying no to those in need. Over time, this creates constant pressure to do more, serve more, and stretch further.
Eventually, leaders reach a place where the level of need exceeds their capacity and skill set to fund it. This leads to chronic stress, feelings of failure, and ultimately, burnout.
This is where new skills are required. As needs increase, income generation must change. Boundaries must change. Limits must be set.
These are not easy shifts to make alone. Leaders need space to talk, to share frustrations, and to have someone walk alongside them through the changes that are necessary.
Let’s take some time to talk.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
Nonprofits thrive because of the incredible generosity of individuals. But they succeed long-term because of ongoing support from donors who believe in your mission.
Did you know that 80% of people who donate to a nonprofit only give once? There are many reasons for this—sometimes donors are spread thin across many causes, or they give when they can. But this statistic also represents a huge opportunity for your organization.
If someone has donated to your cause, it means they believe in what you do. They’re already engaged. And in 2025, this is the moment to show them how much their support truly matters.
One of the most effective ways to inspire recurring donations and turn one-time givers into long-term supporters is through personalized thankfulness. Here are a few ideas to make your appreciation truly impactful:
Handwritten Notes: Take the time to send a personal thank-you note to your top supporters. People remember the personal touch!
Call and Connect: Set aside time each week in January to pick up the phone and thank donors personally. It only takes an hour but can have a lasting impact.
Share the Impact: Show how donations are making a difference. Share specific stories of change and how their contribution is helping.
Include Thank-You Messages in Tax Receipts: If you issue tax receipts, include a heartfelt thank-you note. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your donors while they’re already in “giving mode.”
No matter which method you choose, make it personal. For the 80% who only donate once, your genuine gratitude can be the key to turning that one-time gift into a lasting relationship.
For more ideas to increase your giving please contact the funding coach.
The holidays are coming. For some, this is a joyful thought. For those in the nonprofit world, it might raise a different question: Am I going to survive? There are so many individuals and families in need, and there are endless events to organize. You’re pushing for year-end giving, and it can all feel overwhelming and draining.
No matter what’s on your plate, you do need to take time to slow down. Burnout in nonprofits is far too common. The pressure—both internal and external—to keep everything afloat and meet the real needs of the community is relentless.
As we approach the end of the year, here are a few things you can put in place now, so you can truly take a break later in the month:
Tell people you’ll be taking time off. This creates accountability for yourself and gives others a heads-up that you’re stepping away.
Plan and set dates to take time off. Block out time in your calendar and stick to it.
Automate your social media posts. If you’re pushing for year-end giving, set up your posts in advance. This lets you take care of necessary business without the daily grind.
Rest. Do what fuels you. Whether it’s time with family, reading, or simply unwinding—rest is essential. Your community needs you, but you can only give your best when you’re recharged.
Be thankful. Reflect on the progress you’ve made and the impact you’re having. Gratitude helps sustain you through the busy months ahead.
The work you do is vital, but so is your well-being. Enjoy the holidays!
At our non-profit, when we needed help urgently—whether for meals, diapers, bikes for kids, or family support—social media often proved to be the fastest and most effective way to rally our community. This underscores just how crucial social media can be in times of crisis.
For many nonprofits, social media isn’t just about keeping followers informed; it’s also a vital tool for fundraising. If you’re feeling stuck trying to grow your following, remember: your nonprofit has unique advantages. Here’s how to make the most of them:
Share Compelling Stories: Great stories resonate and get shared. Pair them with eye-catching photos, a clear call to action, and make it easy for people to help. Don’t forget to ask your audience to share your posts!
Utilize Events: Events give you a direct opportunity to engage with people. Consider incorporating a QR code in your presentations that leads straight to your follow button, and ask everyone to follow. This works wonders for fundraisers, community events, or any programs you run.
Act Immediately: Turn every moment into a chance to gain new followers. For instance, offer a door prize at your next event specifically for new social media followers.
Implementing these strategies can help you grow your follower base quickly and effectively. Need more tips on promoting your nonprofit or community group?
Contact me, the funding coach, for more info and strategies.
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Raising funds takes time because building trust takes time. There is something powerful that happens when you build credibility through perseverance.
I definitely don’t encourage people to stay in places that aren’t working for them. There is always a time to leave.
However, there is a tipping point that leaders reach by staying long enough that people associate you with the work and cause you represent. It’s hard to know exactly how long it will take, but it’s definitely years.
When it happens, some things get easier. It becomes easier to ask for more, to present to the right people, and to become a voice for the cause you represent in your community.
The secret is simply consistency. Keep doing what you do. Do it well. Don’t give up. Stay.