In a season when nonprofits are under pressure from all sides, your gala speech is more than just a formality—it’s a moment of leadership. Use your voice to educate, inspire, and call your audience to action when your organization needs it most.
For years, I was firmly anti-SWAG—convinced donor dollars should never fund mugs, totes, or tchotchkes. But then a surprise gift arrived: a simple pair of socks from an animal welfare org I love. That small gesture completely changed my perspective on what great SWAG can do. Here is why..
In the image above, I’m 39 years old. The photo was taken just before my first day at GLAAD where I accepted a position as the Executive Director. I might look calm and confident, but that expression was a decoy. I was riddled on the inside with imposter syndrome. WHAT IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME? Dorothy and …
I’m guessing that many of you feel like your pants are on fire. The path ahead is uncertain, and for some organizations, the future is quite scary. Maybe you are heavily reliant on government funding. Maybe the population you serve is—and has every right to be—terrified. Oh, and the board is on this scary roller …
Discover key strategies and resources for nonprofit leaders to navigate the uncertainty of 2025. From embracing tough conversations to staying informed and strengthening leadership, I offer actionable tips to help you thrive in turbulent times.
I’ve spent over a decade nurturing a meaningful friendship with Beth Kanter, entirely through electronic communication, proving that authentic connections can thrive in the digital world. In this piece, I share strategies for building and sustaining impactful relationships electronically, with humor, intention, and a touch of creativity.
I’ve learned that the key to a meaningful year ahead is focus. Focus on what truly matters—your health, your family, your mission. Here are 10 recommendations for navigating the year ahead with clarity and purpose.
I’m so passionate about nonprofit leadership—because it’s grounded in values. I believe that staying true to one’s core values is what makes a leader truly great. Here is how and why the time is now for every nonprofit leader to take a stand…
In this piece, I reflect on the 2024 election and the overwhelming sense of imbalance it triggered for me, personally and as a nonprofit leader. Through time spent with my family, my nonprofit community, and the right book, I rediscovered the importance of balance—not just in my life but as a crucial component for healing the polarization in our world, inspiring nonprofit leaders to bring balance and hope to our communities.
In this blog post, I share personal stories of being on the receiving end of donation requests and the valuable lessons they’ve taught me. From asking for the right amount to understanding the donor’s personal experiences, I offer cautionary tales highlighting common fundraising mistakes and how to avoid them.
Fundraising is both an art and a science, where preparation and authenticity play key roles. These are my real-life failures in fundraising and the lessons that you can learn from them.
Through planning and communication, any nonprofit leader can ensure that staff members feel included and valued during board meetings. In this blog post, I offer strategies to avoid creating conditions where staff members are unintentionally marginalized so nonprofit leaders can foster stronger partnerships and a sense of belonging within the organization.