The Influential Nonprofit

With 25+ years guiding Fortune 100s, start‑ups, and non-profits through change management, culture transformation, and engagement, Dr. Patrick Farran, founder of Ad Lucem Group, former Consulting Director at SAS Institute, and former Notre Dame MBA faculty, brings impactful insight into purposeful leadership.Key Takeaways:Purpose drives performance. Focus on the "why" and "who" to align teams with a clear mission, not just tasks and tactics.Leadership is a shared journey. Involve team members in decision-making, embrace diverse perspectives, and co-create solutions.Coaching fuels growth. Building leadership capacity means creating space for reflection, learning, and adaptive challenge.Shift from fixing to flourishing. Great teams don't just solve problems—they unlock potential by valuing strengths and encouraging creativity.“Our culture is built one conversation at a time.”“The absence of conflict is not peace. It's apathy,”“The central task of leadership is to manage strengths such that the weaknesses become irrelevant.” - Patrick FarranReach out to Patrick Farran at:Website: https://adlucemgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfarran/Ask for and receive all you want need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.comConnect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connectBook Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Your presence and emotional frequency speak louder than what you say—people remember how you made them feel, not just what you said.Conscious leaders intentionally cultivate their energetic state, understanding that influence stems from within and radiates outward.Effective connection comes from meeting others where they are—validating their state rather than trying to pull them into yours.Your energetic baseline influences every area of life. Elevating it naturally attracts alignment and resilience, not perfection, but a stronger bounce back when things fall. “Energy speaks louder than words, and people won't remember what you say, but they'll remember how you made them feel.” “Remember, influential leaders love people for who they are, not who you want them to be.” “When you raise your standard, when you raise your vibe, people will come with you."- Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Create engaging experiences rather than logistically exhausting one-off events, with meaningful follow-up and sponsor involvement for effective event planning.Treat events as part of the donor journey, aligning activities before, during, and after to support awareness, interest, connection, and action stages.Meet participants' seven emotional needs (safety, pleasure, positive outcomes, connection, authentic communication, vision, and interconnectedness) for unforgettable experiences.Capture and retain the energy generated after an event through follow-ups, thank-you emails with photos, lunch-and-learns, personal phone calls, and nurturing email sequences.“Event plus emotion equals experience.”“If you're an experience maker, you're focused on emotion, connection, and transformation.”“What you do after an event is as important or more important than what happens during the event.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.comConnect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connectBook Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Sean Littman is the Founder and CEO of GiveSuite.com, a dynamic company at the forefront of nonprofit software and marketing. With a decade of experience in the digital marketing landscape, Sean has a proven track record of building and scaling successful ventures. His expertise lies in strategic and unconventional marketing, and he has a knack for problem-solving and developing exceptional solutions. Sean's strength lies in his ability to deeply understand people and their needs through insightful conversation. He then translates those insights into effective strategies and user-centric software at GiveSuite.com. He believes in democratizing knowledge and generously offers all his marketing content for free, driven by a passion for seeing individuals and organizations learn, grow, and achieve their marketing goals. Sean drives innovation and positive impact within the nonprofit sector as a thought leader. Key Takeaways:Timely and automated follow-up deepens donor relationships. Implementing email sequences and automation after events keeps donors engaged and connected to the cause.Storytelling and valuable content create lasting impressions. Sharing organizational narratives and offering resources like lead magnets builds trust and sustained interest.Strategic digital tools amplify reach and efficiency. Leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants and evergreen funnels helps nonprofits expand impact without overextending teams.Consistency and personalization drive long-term growth. Moving beyond siloed efforts to create ongoing, tailored conversations is key to transforming donor engagement and revenue. “Retention is key. Follow-ups are key. Staying on top of your people is key."  "Software is not just a solution. It's a strategy." "You have to be the answer that people are searching for on the internet."- Sean Littman Reach out to Sean Littman at:Website: Givesuite.com , https://givesuite.com/profiting-with-non-profits/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NonprofitAcademy/videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-littman-catch22nonprofit/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jW0sGWuL6pw65QBGNjOCW?si=59355405b74349fc   Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Kim Faircloth: A seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in conflict resolution coaching and mediation, leadership development, and executive coaching. As the owner of Integrated Conflict Solutions, LLC, she empowers individuals and organizations to effectively manage conflicts and enhance employee engagement. A certified coach and trained mediator, Dr. Faircloth has guided thousands in addressing workplace conflicts.Her expertise spans roles such as ombudsman, workforce strategies consultant, and director of human resources. Drawing on her doctoral studies in conflict and mediation, she is a senior principal trainer and consultant at the Mediation Training Institute based in St. Petersburg, Florida. She continues to make significant contributions to the field, driven by her commitment to peacemaking and educating future HR professionals.Dawn Bedlivy: A distinguished conflict resolution specialist with over three decades of experience. Her expertise encompasses leadership development, alternative dispute resolution, and conflict systems design. Ms. Bedlivy has successfully led teams and delivered consultation and training at prestigious venues. As an accomplished ombudsman, mediator, and organizational systems coach, she has applied her skills to spearhead an innovation ecosystem.Demonstrating her commitment to education, Ms. Bedlivy serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she educates future professionals in conflict resolution. Key Takeaways:Normalize conflict as a natural driver of change, focusing on respectful dialogue and emotional regulation.Build trust through competence, confidence, consistency, and caring during conflict resolution.Use the HERE model—Honor, Explore, Reflect, Establish—to navigate conflict productively.Prioritize listening and understanding over immediate solutions to strengthen relationships across all cultures and settings. “We're all a mess. Conflict is absolutely normal, and people are, for the most part, don't wake up looking for it.”“The first thing that you think does not have to come out of your mouth.”“If you don't have non-conformers on your team, then you have groupthink, and that is much worse than having respectful conversations.”- Kim Faircloth “Sometimes people will solve it themselves just by sitting there and letting it all come out.”“We're respecting boundaries. It doesn't mean we're not going to have conflict, but we're channeling that conflict someplace productive.” - Dawn Bedlivy Reach out to Kim Faircloth & Dawn Bedlivy at:Website: https://conflictsparkschange.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conflict-sparks-change/about/ Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Empathy and validation are essential skills that can be learned and practiced to strengthen relationships, foster trust, and build healthier communities.True validation doesn't require agreement, it's about acknowledging another's feelings and experiences through listening, reflection, affirmation, and, when welcomed, offering insight.Effective validation practices include giving full attention, avoiding quick fixes, using empathetic language, and showing genuine interest in both staff and donor interactions.Presence matters more than perfection, people want to feel seen, heard, and understood, and that emotional safety opens the door for meaningful connection and collaboration. “Empathy and validation is a muscle. It's a practice. It's something we practice every day." “Our greatest need is to feel seen and understood... if you want people to see it your way, the best way to do it is to see it their way first.” “Listen without interrupting. Focus your full attention. Resist the urge to fix and solve. Give the person space to express themselves fully.” - Maryanne Dersch Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Lunch and Learn is a strategic, low-pressure event to move potential donors through awareness, interest, connection, and action stages by providing a welcoming, informative one-hour introduction to your organization.Consistently host monthly events with personal invitations from board members, volunteers, and donors, focusing on high-level impact stories and testimonials rather than detailed program descriptions.Create an engaging session that allows attendees to introduce themselves, hear about your organization's mission, and feel valued without any fundraising pressure.Follow up personally with every attendee, capturing contact information and being open to potential relationships, understanding that not everyone will become a donor but may become an advocate. “Nothing gets smiles on screens and souls in seats more than a personal invitation.” “Keep it tight, keep it to an hour, keep your promises, get to know everybody in the room, and then allow after your presentation for cross communication, so that other people in the room get to know each other.” “The thing about I want you to remember the most is that we all leave feeling good. They felt good for having gotten to know you. You felt good for having gotten to know them. Because they felt seen and didn't feel pressured, they're more likely to invite or suggest doing this to other people.” - Maryanne Dersch Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Steven Screen is an experienced fundraiser who gets energized by helping organizations understand how they can raise more money. He's a second-generation fundraiser, a past winner of the Direct Mail Package of the Year, and data-driven. His superpower is summarizing things. Steven is married and has three kids. Key Takeaways:Vulnerability is crucial in fundraising - showing that an organization needs help actually increases donations, contrary to the instinct to appear perfect and self-sufficient.Direct mail is not dead - only 14% of charitable donations are online, with older donors preferring traditional fundraising methods. Successful appeals focus on future work donors can help fund, not past achievements.Fundraising must be inclusive and recognize different donor motivations - some donors want community, some want impact, some want transactional interactions. Organizations should create opportunities for all types of engagement.Fundraising is a gift to everyone - it connects people to causes, reminds donors of their responsibilities, and creates opportunities for shared impact when done with accessibility and genuine involvement. “At the moment of the give or not give decision, usually the thing that has the highest point of leverage is the donor's own story and values and preferences.” “If we want to be inclusive, you need to talk about work that the donor and the organization can do together.” “Fundraising is a gift to everybody. It's a gift to the people who make it because you have to be other-centered. It's a gift to the people who receive it because they are reminded of their responsibilities in the world. More good happens if we make fundraising that shares responsibility, shares credit, involves everybody, and is accessible.” - Steven Screen Reach out to Steven Screen at:Website: https://betterfundraising.com/  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Release the Outcome: Don't tie your self-worth to others' decisions. Focus on effort and preparation, and give people the power to make empowered choices.Reframe Rejection as Protection: Rejection isn't failure; it's feedback. Use nos as opportunities to refine your approach and understand that timing and fit matter more than personal rejection.Build Relationships First: Prioritize authentic connections over immediate outcomes. Listen to people's needs, validate their concerns, and create mutually beneficial interactions.Practice Self-Compassion and Persistence: Acknowledge disappointment quickly, but don't dwell on it. Keep moving forward, stay in action, and remember that “no”s are part of ultimately getting to yes. “Your job is not to convince people to do anything. Your job is to help somebody make an empowered decision.” “Remember, relationship first. The money will follow.” “We can sometimes perceive them as rejection, but objections are just people trying to figure out how this could fit and work for them in a way that feels right to them.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Trusting your intuition is key to becoming a confident decision-maker. Intuition, unlike instinct (which is fear-based) or intellect (which is data-driven), comes from experience and deep knowing.Fear of failure, perfectionism, and external validation often hold people back from making strong decisions. Recognizing these barriers is the first step to overcoming them.Confident decision-making requires releasing attachment to the outcome. The more you focus on being true to your values instead of pleasing others, the stronger your leadership becomes.Developing a confidence ritual—such as deep breathing, visualization, or grounding exercises—can help you step into your power before making important decisions.Your intuition is a muscle. The more you practice listening to it and trusting it, the more powerful and effective your decision-making will be. "You have to trust your ideas. You have to trust your thoughts. You have to trust yourself before other people will trust you." "I can tell when somebody pops on the screen in my Zoom within three seconds if I want to work with that person or not, I just know..." "Confident decisions stem from a light of an alignment with your personal and your organizational values."- Maryanne Dersch    Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

About Andrea Kazindra: As the Co-Founder/CEO of Musana, I've spent the past 16 years dedicating myself to building a sustainable community development model in Uganda. Together with an exceptional team of local change agents, we've worked tirelessly to empower communities to thrive independently, free from reliance on foreign aid. I am driven by a vision that every community possesses the inherent capacity for self-sustainability. Beyond Musana, I am a passionate Jesus follower, I love spending time outdoors, traveling the world, being a mother, and inspiring others to join me in building a brighter future for all. About Haril Kazindra: Haril is the Co-founder and CEO of Musana Community Development Organization. His passion lies in transforming communities by breaking the cycles of poverty and dependency. Over the past 16 years, Musana has grown from a small orphanage to a leading model of sustainable community development in Uganda. Haril and his team believe in faith-driven, locally-owned enterprises that empower people to take ownership of their futures. By investing in education, healthcare, and community development projects, he is dedicated to ensuring that the underprivileged have the skills and resources they need to succeed. Key Takeaways:Fostering self-sustaining communities involves investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities created by local efforts, leading to long-term impact and independence.Empowering communities by tapping into existing assets and encouraging local ownership paves the way for innovative and sustainable solutions without reliance on temporary external aid.Emphasizing the importance of cultural awareness and collaboration, particularly in contrasting individualistic and communal cultures, ensures solutions are tailored to local needs and values.Moving away from short-term aid toward trust-based investments in local leaders and communities proves essential for breaking cycles of dependency, addressing poverty, and driving meaningful change. “We want the charity sector to change... We want to use philanthropic dollars to invest in the enterprise, invest in things that communities need to truly thrive, not continuously be dependent on us.” - Andrea Kazindra “Ideas of how to change a community can actually come from the community themselves, not really our own ideas.” - Haril Kazindra “Development takes a long view and a deeper, long-lasting impact in a community than just raising money for programs.” - Haril Kazindra Reach out to Andrea and Haril Kazindra at:Website: https://musana.org/us/   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Few people know how nonprofits work. Dan does. Specializing in helping business owners and professionals create nonprofits that last, Dan has helped new nonprofits raise over $3 million, turned around several struggling organizations, and helped over 30 non-profit leaders create sustainable nonprofits. Key Takeaways:Dan emphasized that fundraising fears are often rooted in psychological barriers. By reframing asking for money as a partnership and understanding the donor's desire to create impact, nonprofit leaders can overcome their reluctance to fundraise.Instead of making small asks, nonprofits should quantify their actual economic and social impact. Dan shared an example of a youth entrepreneurship program that could demonstrate $40 million in economic impact, which justifies asking for larger investments.Donors want to be part of the solution and make a difference. Treat them as collaborators who wish they could be on the front lines. By creating genuine relationships and showing how donors can contribute to meaningful change, nonprofits can build more sustainable support.Dan passionately argued that nonprofits are uniquely positioned to solve society's most pressing problems. By raising standards, focusing on solutions, and communicating their value, nonprofits can attract people who are looking to be part of something meaningful. “You have no regrets about asking people for their time, and time is irreplaceable. Once people give you their time, they're not getting it back. Money is replaceable, they can get money back.” “Nonprofits are the vanguard for the greatest change in how we solve social issues and the greatest impact on the social issues we face today. The vast majority of the problems that we face today are problems nonprofits are positioned uniquely to solve.” “What matters more is picking the right donor to actually talk to and when you approach it as a partnership, you're not looking for that person to give you money, you're looking to see if that person is a good partner.” - Dan Johnson Reach out to Dan Johnson at:https://nextlevelnonprofits.us/https://www.youtube.com/@nlnonprofits   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Engaging board members in fundraising can be a chronic challenge for nonprofits, often due to resistance and discomfort. To enroll the board, it's crucial to make fundraising tasks feel good, easy, and fun. You set the emotional temperature for board fundraising. Your comfort level and excitement will influence the board's engagement. That's why it's important to understand your own emotional temperature and deal with it before trying to influence the board. Dispatching board members at events to connect with attendees, learn their interests, and introduce them to the organization's development team is an effective way to engage potential supporters.To effectively engage donors, it's important to release pressure by making authentic connections and allowing them to make their own decisions without pushing or convincing. Set the emotional temperature, define the board's role, release pressure, master their mindset, provide training and support, specify actions, and create a system of accountability. By doing these, you can successfully enroll your board in fundraising.  “You set the temperature. The more comfortable you are, and the more excited you are, the more passionate you are, the more they will pick up on that.” “The riches are in the niches - the more specific you can be, the more inclined they are to do it, because they understand exactly what it is that they want to do.”  “Release the pressure, make it feel easy, make it feel fun. They don't need to get anybody to do anything. The only thing they get to do is connect with people and see if there's an alignment.”- Maryanne Dersch Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Build long-term loyal communities of support by focusing on relationships, not transactions. Stop pitching, pushing, and trying to convince people to care about your cause. Instead, find like-minded people who share your values and vision.Adopt the "philanthropic heart" model, which is based on a person's lived experience, focus on future gains, and acceptance of people as they are. This helps you connect with donors on a deeper level.Understand the six human needs that drive decision-making - security, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution. Use this to define your donors' "philanthropic hearts" and provide them with opportunities that align with their needs.Prioritize building authentic, aligned relationships with donors. The more you make people feel seen, heard, and accepted for who they are, the more they will engage with your organization long-term, even through challenges. “The marketing and messaging is to attract like-minded people. It's not to change people, and once we embrace that and understand that, people will feel seen and heard. ” “The more decision-making I give someone else, the more likely they're just to decide what I want - but it needs to come from a place of genuine honesty.” "Relationship first, the money will follow."- Maryanne Dersch    Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Identify and acknowledge your resistance, such as being overly attached to outcomes or trying to fix others. Understand that fear has a role but should not drive your actions.Reframe negative mindsets and stories into more positive, empowering narratives. Make the unconscious conscious to change unhelpful thought patterns.Practice surrender, trust, and gratitude to cultivate a receptive state. Engage in joyful, playful activities that activate your whole being.Take inspired action aligned with excitement and purpose, rather than obligation. Maintain a sense of sovereignty and commitment to the process over the outcome. “Fear has a place. It has a role. We're not going to kick it off the bus. It just doesn't get to drive it.” “The more you focus on what's already good in your life, the more you attract positivity. ” “Joy puts you in a receptive state, and it makes it easier to attract good things. You get to be joyful. You deserve joy.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Stephen has 15+ years of experience in finance, spanning nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 500 companies. He's worked across diverse industries, including foster care, financial literacy, housing, software, professional services, and more. He believes nance and accounting should be simple and practical. Key Takeaways:Nonprofit organizations often have a scarcity mindset around money due to the "not-for-profit" label, which can limit their ability to invest in growth and make bold moves.An individual's relationship and beliefs about money are often deeply rooted in their childhood experiences and upbringing. Understanding this "money story" is crucial when working with people on financial matters.The vulnerability and fear of rejection involved in fundraising, combined with money being a sensitive topic, can make it difficult for nonprofit leaders to confidently ask for the funding they need.Nonprofit leaders and staff need to examine their own personal money mindsets and how those influence financial management and decision-making within the organization. “An investor in a business wants a return on their money, they want a profit. A similar transaction is happening in nonprofits, but it's not a financial return. It's either a social return or a mission-oriented return. They want to see impact as their return on investment.” “[Have] some sort of a forecast in place - something that could be updated once a month or once a quarter. I find it helps combat the scarcity mindset, and it also helps combat Free Wheeling - just spending and not paying attention to it.”  “Look around who's in your personal board, who's in your personal sphere of advisors, or who can you go to to talk to about whatever issue you're working on with your organization. Having someone who has the opposite viewpoint or the opposite kind of relationship with money will be a net benefit to your organization, because the more perspectives you have, the the better your organization's going to be.”- Stephen Newland 140+ Nonprofit Discounts: https://www.moneypathfpa.com/nonprot-discounts Reach out to Stephen Newland at:Website: https://www.moneypathfpa.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmnewland/   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Inspiration is more powerful than manipulation or influence. Inspiration involves being a model for the change you seek, without trying to change others. It releases resentment and doesn't require others' approval.Avoid the compulsion to change people's minds. Instead, focus on sharing your authentic perspective and experiences. People are more likely to be influenced when they are allowed to choose for themselves.Understand your own ego needs and ensure your actions come from a place of joy and self-approval, rather than a need for external validation or impressiveness.Be selective about when to engage in divisiveness. Often, it's better to let things go and focus your energy on being an inspiration, rather than getting caught up in unproductive arguments. “Influence means when I'm a value to you, you'll be a value to me. And so in influence, I am only concerned with giving.” “When you try to push somebody, they're going to push back, and that conversation will quickly devolve.” “When I love them for who they are, I'm able to really hear them, and when I'm able to really hear people, then I can actually address their concerns.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Focus on high reward, high urgency, and high reward, low urgency tasks first each day to make progress on your important goals. Don't let low-reward, high-urgency tasks consume your time.Celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small. Taking time to acknowledge your achievements will motivate you to keep working towards your goals.Be open to delegating or outsourcing low-reward, high-urgency tasks that don't require your personal attention. This frees up your time for higher-impact work.Regularly assess how you are spending your time and be ruthless about cutting out low-reward activities. Get support if needed to help you make these changes “We're here to change lives. We're here to move people. We're here to make something amazing and in order to do that, we have to be brave, we have to be bold, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable.” “Open your mind to the possibility that there are things that you actually don't need to do...We sometimes get bound in situations and refuse to let things go because we don't trust other people to do that.” “You have to be brutally honest with yourself, brutally honest with all around you. Be ruthless in your assessment of how you're spending your time.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:It's not the strategy that's the problem, it's your feelings about the actions required to execute the strategy. Maryanne emphasizes that understanding your thoughts and feelings is more important than the strategic plan itself.Embrace uncertainty rather than seeking certainty. Maryanne explains that the more you need certainty and control, the more opportunities there are to feel uncertain and out of control. Learning to live with uncertainty is key.Set bold, audacious goals, not just achievable ones. Maryanne argues that plans often focus on conservative, achievable goals rather than big, hairy, audacious goals that scare you a little. Pushing your boundaries is how you truly grow.Address underlying issues and mindsets, not just create a plan. Maryanne shares an example of a coalition that thought a plan could solve their trust issues, when in reality the feelings and communication needed to be addressed first. “The more you need certainty and control, the more out of control and uncertain you'll actually feel.” “If your plan isn't scaring the crap out of you, it's not a really good plan. And that's why I said the number one myth was plans bring certainty because you want to feel uncertain. You want to feel scared.” “The way to grow is to release the outcome, get bold, and make your objectives based on the change that you truly want.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Laura Bonnell, a seasoned journalist with 25 years of experience in Detroit, founded The Bonnell Foundation in 2010 after her daughters, Molly and Emily, were born with cystic fibrosis (CF). Despite having ten siblings between them, Laura and her husband, Joe, had no idea they were carriers of the disease, as no one else in either family had been diagnosed with CF. Driven by her personal experience and professional expertise, Laura used her platform as a reporter to raise awareness about CF. Before establishing The Bonnell Foundation, she actively raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, participating in the Great Strides Walk fundraisers and speaking at CFF events. Bonnell also organized events like the first Celebrity Softball game with the Detroit Tigers' wives and launching the "Portraits of Cystic Fibrosis" calendars in 2003—both of which are integral to The Bonnell Foundation's fundraising efforts today. Through her foundation, Laura continues to advocate tirelessly for those affected by CF, leveraging her journalistic skills to amplify the cause and support the CF community. Key Takeaways:Seeing nonprofits as corporations is important for changing mindsets and driving growth. Nonprofits need to embrace the business aspects of running an organization, like budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.Leveraging your existing skills and experiences, even if they seem unrelated, can be incredibly valuable when starting a nonprofit. Laura's background in journalism and storytelling was crucial for building the Bonnell Foundation.Authenticity and personal connection are powerful tools for fundraising and advocacy. Sharing your authentic story and being open to building relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities and support.Persistence and a willingness to learn are key when facing challenges. Laura had to overcome her discomfort with fundraising but embraced it as a necessary part of her work, which led to the foundation's growth. “There is a stereotype or a feeling that people working for a nonprofit shouldn't make any money. I think it needs to change because it's really important that there are foundations that are helping people in the community.” “Just ask. The worst someone can say is, “No, we can't do that much, but we'll do this much.'” “Keep your willingness to share open, because there are so many people I've connected with about being open, and we all help each other. People relate to the same things.” - Laura Bonnell Reach out to Laura Bonnell at:Website: https://thebonnellfoundation.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebonnellfoundationX: https://x.com/roadmaptocfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnellfoundation/#   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Mindset shifts cannot be achieved through strategy or training alone; coaching is necessary to remove barriers, create self-awareness, and build empathy. Staying sovereign means being in control of your own thoughts and actions, regardless of the outcome of your fundraising efforts. Coaching can help in these three ways: First, it will help you get out of your own way or shift your mindset so that you can get rid of your barriers. Second, you will be able to create more self-awareness and learn to practice neutrality. Third, build empathy for others around you and stay sovereign. Group coaching is very powerful! It is a great way to connect with other leaders and fundraisers, helping you see that you are not alone in your problems. It is also a great avenue for you to share your magic; giving, receiving, and exchanging wisdom with others just like you. Start with a clear intention, don't abdicate your success, be patient, hold accountability to yourself and others, and stay sovereign. “Our world, our bodies, we're looking for balance. Fundraising training and fundraising coaching are two different things that can create that balance.”“Be mindful of what your intention is and what you need to accomplish that. Strategy will not shift the mindset, training will not shift your thinking. What shifts your mindset is coaching.”“No one can be more committed to your outcomes than you.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Pitching, pushing, convincing, or trying to get someone to see things a certain way doesn't work. When pressure is applied, people tend to push back. Instead of pushing ideas onto others, focus on drawing out their thoughts and feelings. Release attachment to the outcome. The more you are able to avoid fixating on the outcome, the more likely you can achieve it. Also, set aside personal agendas. Remove anything that might distract from your main goal which is to make people feel seen and heard. Ask questions, and understand the other person's perspective. Listen without trying to fix, solve, or argue against their points. Validate what has been shared and then ask if thoughts can be shared from a personal perspective. Continuous validation and feedback without judgment are key. The key is to give people the sovereignty to make an empowered choice, leaning into what they want. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the more this approach is used, the more likely others will choose the desired outcome because they feel in control. “Our job is not to push people. Our job is to pull information out of people.” “Rejection is protection.” “The less you want something, the more likely you are to have it.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Key Takeaways:Embrace discomfort and take risks to broaden your range and become a more powerful leader and fundraiser. Release the outcome to unlock confidence, productivity, and opportunity.Honor and manage feelings of shame and guilt rather than avoiding them, as they play a role in keeping you humble and motivated.Acceptance of discomfort leads to evolution and achieving amazing feats, while the ego system hinders growth.Overcome fears, embrace vulnerability, and practice gratitude for challenges to empower personal growth, confidence, and connection with others. “As fundraisers, we're called to be uncomfortable. Making friends with discomfort and putting yourselves in situations where you are uncomfortable can broaden your range of comfort.” “Guilt and shame have a role in your life. They keep you humble, they keep you hungry. And we're never going to get rid of them because this is how our bodies work. But we can also learn to manage it and learn to understand.” “The ability to be uncomfortable, to take risks, to ask for what you want, to let go of the result, to navigate the feelings, of guilt and shame that come up when you face rejection is completely 100% key to being a fundraiser.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Lou Kotsinis is CEO of BCS Interactive, a digital marketing agency dedicated exclusively to the nonprofit community. Since 2011, Lou and his team of designers, technologists, and digital strategists have helped nonprofits nationwide grow their causes and reach millions of followers through impactful web design, social media marketing, and smart digital strategy. Key Takeaways:Build authentic relationships and digital communities to increase influence, income, and impact. Gather honest feedback and data analytics to understand audience perceptions, needs, and demographics.Follow a structured approach: positioning, website experience, online audience building, and email marketing segmentation.Leverage emotional human stories to create engagement. Design websites that clearly convey the mission, engage emotionally, guide users, prompt action, and ensure a smooth experience.Provide value through educational, mission-focused content rather than self-promotion. Use email for reliable reach and social media for engagement. Segment email lists, tailor content, use a personal tone, systematize processes, and focus on fundamentals. “Their positioning is really the most important factor in their whole marketing program. And that comes down to what is their story? Who is their audience? Is their messaging around that story resonating with that audience?”“The website is the most critical and most useful storytelling device that you have. So we want to look at that in terms of what is the quality of that experience? Are people engaged when they come to the site? Do they understand what you do?”“Social media is not a platform that you go on twice a week just to post about your upcoming gala or your upcoming event. You have to think carefully about the people that are coming to your page. They have a million distractions. They have a million other pages they could go on. What are you providing them that's actually giving them value?” - Lou Kotsinis Reach out to Lou Kotsinis at:Website: www.bcsinteractive.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukotsinis/   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Book your quickie intro call with Maryanne here! Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connectBook Maryanne to speak herehttps://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

James Misner is the founder of The Kipos Group. Over his career, he has facilitated the raising of 100's of millions of dollars to support nonprofit organizations. A trusted expert in the realm of fundraising strategy, staff, culture, and implementation, he brings a sharp focus on small and mid-sized organizations engaged in direct service. Key Takeaways:CEOs and founders of small nonprofits who feel inferior need to change their mindset from feeling inferior to recognizing their unique contributions.Focus on building a strong team and a good organizational culture. The three essentials are clarity, community, and consistency. Clarity involves understanding roles, responsibilities, and metrics. Community helps build confidence and support among team members. A good sign of a connected community is if team members feel free to share successes and failures without fear of judgment and also support each other. Consistency in treating team members equally builds trust and culture. Balance peace and conflict in team dynamics. Be open to feedback. Leaders need to be vulnerable and model the behavior they want to see in their teams. Addressing conflicts and being honest about issues helps build trust and stronger teams. “In a chaotic world that's always changing, you're not responsible for that chaos. Your responsibility is to find the two or three things that you can either influence or control and leverage those to bring about great change in the world.” “Bringing that conflict does put you in a vulnerable spot… but we have to talk about this hard thing. The leader needs to model that you can be safe and vulnerable at the same time, and that helps us all get stronger together.” “Don't wait. You are not going to have a perfect plan. There is not going to be a linear A to B, B to C strategy for this, you need to throw yourself into the fray. You need to take imperfect action, and you need to start making a better team today.” - James Misner Reach out to James Misner at:Website: https://thekiposgroup.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/    Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Brigitte Cutshall is a health advocate and speaker who is passionate about encouraging others to lead their happiest, healthiest lives. She's the founder of Gemini Media, a creative enforcer, Real Things Podcast host, and author of five books. Key Takeaways:Authenticity, openness to feedback, and clarifying aspirations foster trust-building. Ask thoughtful questions, listen empathically, identify shared values, and avoid forcefully pushing opinions.Advocate for yourself, ask questions, find supportive people, and make positive lifestyle changes. Pursue activities that bring positivity and endorphins without overdoing it. Pause, reflect, and focus on enjoyable activities to cope with overwhelming events.Cultivate positive energy, authenticity, and relationship-building to connect effectively. Find happiness through intrinsic motivation, self-acceptance, and embracing life's simple joys.Establish aligned, authentic relationships while adhering to standards. Let go of incompatible clients gracefully without burning bridges. Communicate truthfully and calmly, and allow time for thoughtful responses. “Authenticity, that's just so important. That's how we connect and develop relationships.”“Don't start off with a long story, that will turn people off. You want to get to the point, but you have to have some takeaways. You got to ask them the right question.”“Pause and try not to react. Reflect on what's making you upset.”- Brigitte Cutshall Reach out to Brigitte Cutshall at:Website: https://brigittecutshall.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brigittecutshallLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigittecutshall/YouTube: https://youtube.com/realthingsliving   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Maintain sovereignty and stay grounded despite what is happening around you. Practice sovereignty daily to develop resilience amidst crises.Seeking excessive control diminishes peace; embrace flexibility. Reclaim sovereignty through presence, grounding, and intuition. Move beyond binary thinking and win-lose dichotomy; embrace a third way.Lean into lived experience, coping abilities, and third-way solutions to navigate crises. Foster resilience through intentional spaces, supportive relationships, and community-building.Reclaim sovereignty and power through boundaries, self-advocacy, and maintaining high standards. Inner worth transcends outcomes. “Sovereignty means that I say how I feel and I define who I am regardless of the circumstance.” “The more you need control, the more out of control you feel.” “Lean into the experiences that you have had, and also, understand that there are people around you who have been through this. Watch them and pay attention to how they move through these crises.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Kirsten Stevens is an accomplished philanthropy advisor and nonprofit consultant, focused on bridging the gap between philanthropic support and transformational impact in the social sector. Born in Panama and raised in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico, Kirsten's diverse background has shaped her global perspective on philanthropy and nonprofit excellence Key Takeaways:It's important to engage new board members effectively from the start to maintain their initial excitement. Do one-on-one meetings with new board members, and try to understand their interests and potential contributions. New board members face a lot of challenges such as feeling intimidated or overwhelmed. Having a buddy system where new board members are paired with experienced members for guidance can help a lot in making sure that new board members feel supported and informed. Create a diverse board membership so that you'll have the gift of having multiple perspectives by making the board service accessible and appealing to all. Engage the community, educate potential board members, and train and attract diverse board members. Build trust and community among board members through one-on-one meetings and social gatherings. Proximity and authentic conversations have a key role in building strong board relationships. A supportive and connected board can significantly enhance the overall impact and leadership of an organization. “Before we even have the first board meeting, I love to have a one-on-one with new board members, and we have a real, person-to-person conversation about the things we're focused on.”“Let me just speak as if I'm on a board currently, I'll just be a we. We do not currently spend enough time assessing our own performance. We don't. We just don't.”“We have to make programs that offer this type of training. We have to make those more available. Board readiness is offered every year. ” “Institute board self-assessments on a regular basis, but let's also include our community efforts. Each of us has a responsibility to get out into the community.”- Kirsten Stevens Reach out to Kirsten Stevens at:Website: www.kannico.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenstevensforglobalgoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirstenstevenskannico/   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Stay in motion, build relationships, and connect with people. Honor natural cycles and rhythms in work and life to achieve sustainable productivity. Taking breaks can be part of the process.Fix your eyes on what you want instead of what you don't want. Focus on conditions that help you thrive and create plans for what you want. Shift the focus of your nonprofit from fixing what's broken to creating what's right.Creating what's right involves systems, structures, and policy changes. It also takes shifting donor expectations from short-term wins to long-term sustainable change. Donors want to invest in compassionate, just communities, and focusing on creating these communities is more impactful.Focusing on what we want creates better outcomes in life, work, and relationships. Retrain your brain to focus on positive outcomes. Focusing on positive outcomes can improve team dynamics and personal satisfaction. “An influential leader and influential fundraiser understands that their job is to create what is right, and to enroll people in a vision of change.” “What conditions do I work best in? How do I work best? What can I do when I meet resistance from a task?” “The problem, the effort, the initiative, will not shift until your thinking shifts.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Morgan Gross, CEO & Founder of Fundraising Beyond Borders, is an international fundraising consultant and coach dedicated to empowering nonprofits to achieve their fundraising goals and expand their impact globally. Morgan provides strategic services such as fractional fundraising, custom fundraising plans, and personalized 1:1 fundraising coaching. Key Takeaways:Fundraising for international nonprofits is more challenging due to a lack of donors' understanding, requiring greater storytelling efforts, transparency, and online presence to build trust.An online presence builds awareness and interest but requires a physical connection to deepen donor relationships; e.g., inviting donors behind-the-scenes, exclusive tours, and events for engagement. Virtual events and behind-the-scenes experiences strengthen donor relationships and stewardship creatively without in-person visits.Building meaningful relationships takes time; start on social media, establish mutual partnerships through conversations, identify supporters' preferred ways of contributing, and leverage connections abroad to expand reach.Fractional fundraising service provides experienced fundraisers for part-time to nonprofits by assessing needs, clarifying three main revenue-generating activities, strategizing a 12-month plan, and implementing it. “We have to be able to slow down our storytelling process and really explain to somebody what a beneficiary is going through, or what a behind-the-scenes looks like, or what every day looks like for your nonprofit.” “It's really important to know that a supporter doesn't mean necessarily a financial supporter. Support can look like so many different ways. It can be a volunteer, it can be a donor, it can be somebody who comes abroad and supports you. It can be that they're sharing your posts on social media.” “How can you also in your impact reports, show exactly where that dollar is going because a potential donor is going to be able to see exactly that journey.” - Morgan Gross Receive fundraising Tips by clicking on this link: https://fundraisingbeyondborders.ck.page/newsletter Reach out to Morgan Gross at:Website: www.fundraisingbeyondborders.comFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/peerfectfundraisingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundraisingbeyondborders/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-domijan/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/fundraising-beyond-borders/Podcast Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fundraising-beyond-borderPodcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fundraising-beyond-borders-podcast/id1762613551TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fundraisingbeyondbordersYouTube: @fundraisingbeyondborders  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Grow your pipeline impact through consistent, value-driven engagement across channels. Follow a social media strategy that moves audiences from awareness to reliable outreach, relationship building, and action.Implement a content hourglass system: Create one core story weekly and derive consistent messaging from it for all platforms. Create targeted email campaigns for different audience segments with one clear story/message instead of long, multi-update emails.Plan content in a three-week cycle: client story, donor feature, recap, and rerun/recycle content occasionally. Develop one core story weekly, repurpose it into various formats, host it on the website, and distribute it through channels to drive traffic back to the website.Tell one awesome story weekly using video, blog posts, and social posts; repurpose major events content for the website, email, and social; segment email lists for targeted communication; move audiences from awareness to action through a consistent content pipeline. “Email is reliable reach - it's the most reliable, most consistent method of getting your message out.” “Ask yourself this question: Is the story I'm telling something that I want people to know or something people want to actually know?” “Tell one awesome story a week. You can tell an entertaining story or an educator story. You have expertise that you can share with people.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Great messaging attracts donors by being simple, clear, and concise, which requires effort and investment.Lack of differentiation, authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability prevents organizations from effectively connecting with their target audiences through marketing and messaging.Be bold, fearless, and fun. Ground your messaging in values alignment and authenticity to attract like-minded donors. Personal brand is vital, and organizations should define their own values, beliefs, and what they want to deliver consistently.Effective nonprofit messaging focuses on the cure, not the process, highlighting the difference made in the world, not programs or services, to attract aligned supporters while standing firm in values. “The riches are in the niches. The more specific we can be about who we want to attract, the more likely we are to attract them.” “Every relationship is built on an emotional connection. People get attracted to your organization because there's something in them that's connecting to you.” “Your job is not to tell people how they can be of value to you. Your job is to be a value to them.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Embrace spontaneity and be open to new adventures, rather than clinging to preconceived expectations. Releasing expectations and attachments is key to achieving desired outcomes and living a fulfilling life.Remain open and adaptive to unexpected opportunities, as rigidity hinders success by preventing experimentation and limiting responsiveness. Releasing outcomes enables relationship-building, confident asking, long-term vision, and respect for others' autonomy, leading to sustainable relationships.Managing anything requires risk-taking, releasing attachment to specific outcomes, and embracing uncertainty to allow innovation, breakthroughs, and new opportunities. Communicate vision, not rigid expectations, and balance planning and improvisation.Evaluate options objectively by releasing desired outcomes, allowing decisions based on available information rather than being overly fixated on specific results. Seize unexpected wins and be open to possibility, even if initially unsettling. “The more expectations you have, the more opportunity you have for disappointment, frustration, and resentment. The key to successful life experiences is releasing the outcome.” “Releasing the outcome allows us to focus not on the short-term wins, but on the long-term vision that we have in relationship with this donor or board member or prospect or community partner - fundraising is the long game.” “When I'm not overly attached to an outcome, I'm more willing to try new ideas and initiatives, even if there's uncertainty, even if I'm not sure of the outcome. This can lead to breakthroughs, new opportunities, and that wouldn't arise if we were cautious.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Influential fundraisers build trust, respect, and admiration by providing value, listening, and allowing empowered decision-making aligned with donors' sovereignty.Building relationships and finding authentic win-win solutions is more influential than manipulation or pushing self-interest. Influential leaders create supportive communities to drive collaborative change while balancing specific plans and adaptability, fostering long-term donor loyalty.Adopt an abundance mindset and view the donor-fundraiser relationship as equal partners contributing different assets towards a common goal. Embrace rejection instead of fearing it, use micro-commitments to condition acceptance, and allow people to say no from the beginning.Shift focus from words to energy, showing up calmly and confidently, and from convincing to questioning and allowing conversation flow. Inspire people with a bold, transformative vision for the future, not just short-term fixes. “The less likely you want something, the more likely you are to get it. [Likewise], the more decision-making power you give to someone, the more likely they're going to do what you want.” “Rejection is protection and as. And, yes, a holding space that rejection hurts and it sucks and it's disappointing also. It's part of the game, and you can get yes or you can get no and it's part of the game.” “Rejection is protection - it hurts and it sucks and it's disappointing, and that is something we learn to live with. When we fear no, we're not hearing people say no, and when we don't give people the ability to say no from the beginning, they're going to give us a fake yes.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Shift from building organizations to mobilizing communities for long-term, sustainable change. Mobilize resources beyond just fundraising, involving community participation and in-kind gifts.Dare to dream big and commit to audacious visions, like ending hunger or eliminating the need for certain organizations. Focus on creating positive goals, like everyone having a home and kids being loved, supported, and safe, rather than just "ending homelessness" or "keeping kids off the streets."Support communities and follow their lead. Mobilize resources towards creating long-term solutions and audacious goals, instead of temporarily alleviating symptoms and perpetuating ongoing problems. “We forget the fire because we feel like we have to compromise ourselves or a bold vision in order to get people to invest.” “We have all the resources we need to solve a problem. It's just a matter of mobilizing them. we have everything if we're willing to step out and make that commitment and to stay in it” “As long as we're collectively encouraging people to focus on what's broken, things will continue to be broken. But if we're collectively enrolling them in a vision of what we're going to build, that's creating what's right, what's just, what's fair, what's equitable, what's inclusive, what's peaceful.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Erin McAleer is the President and CEO of Project Bread, Massachusetts' only statewide food security organization, connecting people and communities to reliable sources of food. McAleer uses her background in health and human services and public policy to address food insecurity in Massachusetts through systemic and scalable strategies. Key Takeaways:Lived experience is critical in solving food insecurity issues and policies need to be driven by those most impacted, shifting away from the traditional top-down approach. Don't prioritize immediate payoffs, consider long-term systemic solutions, and strive to execute on both fronts.Establish a council of experts full of people with lived experience of the need that your organization aims to address. Solutions must be guided by the community that the organization serves with a process or system that ensures inclusivity and collective involvement.Shift your focus to the people that you serve. Use storytelling to raise awareness, promote donor engagement, and educate your audience about how they could serve. Eliminate the cost and stigma barriers against access to needed resources for the community you serve.Leverage your skills, experiences, and expertise to make a difference. Seek a meaningful life by striving towards your higher calling. Look into the pain points that you've experienced in your life and find a way to serve that need in the world for others. “Lived experience is the most expertise that you can provide to solve this problem.” “Solutions always come from the community.”  “The disconnect between donors and reality is that bridge that we are trying to make through storytelling.” - Erin McAleer Reach out to Erin McAleer at:Website: www.projectbread.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-mcaleer-22b21012/Project Bread LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-bread/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectbread/Twitter: www.x.com/projectbread  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Praise and criticism are two sides of the same coin. A lot of leaders fall into the trap of overdependence on praise and the fear of criticism. Taking a stand and making changes will inevitably upset some people, but it is a necessary part of the process. Stay true to the vision, even when faced with criticism. Instincts are triggered by stored trauma and are primarily focused on moving away from pain and towards pleasure. Allow instinctive reactions to pass and then move to the intellectual response, gathering facts and understanding the situation. Don't let instincts rule when managing crises. The role of intellect in crisis management is to gather facts. For example, it can help you understand and weigh out the pros and cons of a situation. Don't let instincts dominate, move to a place of intellect and gather the necessary information. Understand situations and make a decision informed by facts. Don't overlook intuition when making decisions, it's crucial in making big changes and taking fruitful risks. intuition comes from a place of deep knowing and is often accessed in quiet moments or during brainstorming. Practice intuition regularly to access it during crises, as it can provide valuable insights and guidance. “Criticism is the price of doing business.” “As a leader, remember that you set the emotional temperature.” “When you are in crisis mode, it can be hard to access that intuition, which is why doing a daily practice of tapping into your knowing self, tapping into that higher self part of you is so important so you can readily access it or understand it, even in a difficult situation.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Pitching, pushing, convincing, or trying to get someone to see things a certain way doesn't work. When pressure is applied, people tend to push back. Instead of pushing ideas onto others, focus on drawing out their thoughts and feelings. Release attachment to the outcome. The more you are able to avoid fixating on the outcome, the more likely you can achieve it. Also, set aside personal agendas. Remove anything that might distract from your main goal which is to make people feel seen and heard. Ask questions, and understand the other person's perspective. Listen without trying to fix, solve, or argue against their points. Validate what has been shared and then ask if thoughts can be shared from a personal perspective. Continuous validation and feedback without judgment are key. The key is to give people the sovereignty to make an empowered choice, leaning into what they want. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the more this approach is used, the more likely others will choose the desired outcome because they feel in control. “Our job is not to push into people. Our job is to pull out.” “Rejection is protection.” “The less you want something, the more likely you are to have it.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Prioritize understanding and catering to donors' thoughts, feelings, and motivations for giving to deepen relationships and increase donations.Understand and align with a donor's "ego-system" or self-perception to effectively fundraise. Minimize risks or expand donors' self-views to align with desired actions, reframing activities to fit their identities.Use empathy mapping, listen to values, and customize experiences within donors' comfort zones for successful partnerships. Listen and understand donors' pains, gains, values, and motivations before pitching for action.Expand your sense of self, and accept all parts to authentically connect without being triggered. Respect people's truth, align your mission with their passion and release those who don't connect, as a common identity attracts loyal relationships. “The most frustrating position you can put anyone in is to not feel seen and heard.” “We're either going to lower the risk or grow the window. And how we grow the window is to help people step slowly outside of their comfort zone.” “We lead by listening. We lead by understanding.” - Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Pat Duffy co-founded The Giving Block, a platform enabling nonprofits to accept crypto donations. This innovative solution has raised over $170M, making crypto philanthropy mainstream. Pat is a recognized leader in the field, honored with Forbes 30 Under 30, and frequently featured in major media outlets including Time Magazine, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Associated Press, CoinDesk, and CNBC.  Key Takeaways:Accepting cryptocurrency donations is not just a matter of accepting digital currencies for the sake of trendiness; this strategy opens doors to a whole new demographic of donors.Gen Z and millennial billionaires bring not just their digital assets but a preference for tech-savvy giving methods. By tapping into this, nonprofits aren't merely keeping up with the times, they're engaging with a group that tends to give more generously. The process for adopting the practice of accepting cryptocurrency donations is a three-step journey: setting up donation tools, activating teams and donors, and deploying long-term successful strategies. Engaging existing donors and attracting new supporters through simple yet consistent messaging can prove fruitful, especially when aimed at the oft-targeted younger generation who are keen on tech-led financial transactions. “Today for nonprofits, in particular in midsize and large nonprofits, it's become a necessity. It's the main way that Gen Zs invest. It's close to 90% of millennial millionaires or crypto traders. At this point, Gen X earns even more money in crypto than those other generations combined. ” “The main thing we do is - how can we as much as possible reduce how much work goes into it in that first three to six months, and then ensure that you have as many opportunities as possible to get gifts?”  “For anyone listening, read a bit about crypto and don't get too bogged down in the technology itself. Crypto is very similar. It's not nearly as scary and complex as it seems.”- Pat Duffy Reach out to Pat Duffy at:Website: https://thegivingblock.com/X: x.com/thegivingblockLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thegivingblockFacebook: facebook.com/thegivingblockInstagram: instagram.com/thegivingblock   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:A lot of times we stumble between the first gift and the second gift because we're not paying attention to what people really want.Ask for what you want. Speak your truth. Advocate for your own needs. We are constantly training people how to treat us whether we are conscious of it or not. There is nothing wrong with asking for what you want, whoever it is that you're asking it from. If you respond to feedback by deflecting, dismissing, and denying, you won't get anywhere. You don't have to agree with what people are saying, all you've got to do is make them feel seen and heard. People won't feel valued, seen, and heard if they are met with deflection, dismissal, and denial. Part of relationship building is seeing people for who they are and not who you want them to be. You have to let go and be willing to receive a “no” from people. Likewise, you've got to also allow yourself to say no when necessary or when something is not aligned with your values and ideals.  “It's okay for you to ask for what you want. It's okay to set boundaries on how you were and how you show up best, even with board members, even with donors, because it is a relationship.” “ Instead of deflecting, dismissing, denying that feedback, you say, ‘Tell me more about that.'”  “They're not saying ‘no' to you. They're saying ‘This isn't aligned. This isn't in line with my highest values and ideals. It just isn't for me.'”- Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Sarah Wood is the founder of Sarah Wood Communication, a boutique communication agency that serves purpose-driven organizations and individuals by helping to illuminate and share the stories of their good work.  Key Takeaways:The responsibility of event planning, development, and donor relations isn't meant to fall on just one person. Collaboration is the sustainable and healthy way to success. Storytelling is powerful and versatile. It can be used as a golden thread that weaves together various strategies for audience engagement. Stories can be repurposed and made to serve distinct purposes. By tweaking them slightly, they can be made to fit different contexts. Strategic communications move beyond achieving likes and follow. It's about creating synergy between communications and development teams, ensuring every response to fundraising appeals is made with intention and is aligned with the organization's goals. A solution to the challenges of nonprofit communications is fractional hiring in marketing and communications roles. This offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and a fresh perspective while allowing organizations access to expertise otherwise beyond their reach.  “In telling the stories of who you've impacted, you need honesty and a safe space for that. You want to be careful how you do it - but also expressing it in a really touching way that reaches and resonates with the audience.” “When you invest in communication, in telling these stories - you really will see the long-term result of that investment. But it can be a little harder to track than a specific campaign…” “A strategy is a living document, you do not create a communication strategy, set it on a shelf somewhere and just leave it there That's not the way it works. Communication is ever-changing, your audiences are ever-changing. ” - Sarah Wood Book a complimentary consultation with Sarah to discuss your communication needs! Include code SUMMERPROMO when reaching out: https://www.sarahwoodcommunication.com/contact-info Reach out to Sarah Wood at:Website: https://www.sarahwoodcommunication.com/   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:By truly listening and responding to donor concerns, organizations can strengthen their connections, leading to improved fundraising outcomes. Surface-level interactions aren't going to cut it - we must always ask the question of “What lies at the heart of your donors' concerns?” The “Three Pains” technique encourages understanding, rather than convincing when enrolling others in a shared vision. Understanding these three pains is the key to shifting from a transactional approach to a transformational one. Take note of the three pains: the pain that we openly acknowledge, the insecurities we hide due to fear, and the deeply ingrained issues that we struggle to recognize in ourselves. The journey towards understanding doesn't stop at personal introspection. Addressing the underlying fears and insecurities can inspire confidence and effectiveness in interactions with stakeholders.  “Remember, we're not pitching, we're not convincing, we're not selling. We're enrolling people in a vision.” “When you solve the top-level problem, you're not really solving the problem, because that really wasn't the problem, it was the physical manifestation of some deeper issues. And if we can get to those deeper issues, we can make the change that we want.” “Ask them questions to help them get to a clearer understanding of what the problem is. Here is the questions that I find the most helpful in uncovering the pain: ‘What makes you say that?'”- Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Ali Horriyat, a former finance manager turned philanthropist, left his career in 2016 to prioritize social impact over profit. He founded Compassiviste in 2020 to further this vision. With diverse academic achievements across multiple countries, he is also an author and advocate for compassion.  Key Takeaways:The desire for more and more wealth is often not merely driven by the material comforts it affords but by the control and power, it can convey. A power that, left unchecked, risks eroding the quality of our relationships and personal well-being. Overcoming the scarcity mentality is vital for nonprofits. Community engagement and collective impact are more crucial than just fundraising.Throwing money at problems is not going to fix anything. Real societal transformation is brought about by the collective effort and concern of people, not just by the money that they bring. A strategic foundation is necessary for social impact work to thrive in the long term. Focus on sustainability, self-sufficiency, and having an exit strategy. Look beyond what's right in front of you and invest effort and focus into creating an enduring resolution to deep-rooted problems.   “If we can prioritize compassion, through every action that we take, then we're going to be in a better place helping not only people but the entirety of our society.” “When you don't have an exit strategy, all the money in the world is not enough.” “Forget correlating money to resolution, let's correlate people to resolution. Don't bring me money - before the money, what I'd like to have is the community.”- Ali Horriyat Reach out to Ali Horriyat at:Website: https://compassiviste.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-horriyatLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Compassiviste    Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

A leader in the fields of social justice and children's issues, Lynn Margherio is the Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons®, the largest national nonprofit with Clothing Insecurity at the core of its mission. Launched in 2002, Cradles to Crayons provides children living in low-income and homeless situations with clothing and other everyday essentials—diapers, winter coats, shoes, backpacks, and more. Under Lynn's leadership, the organization has successfully fulfilled the needs of millions of children and connected more than half a million volunteers to meaningful engagement opportunities and donation experiences, mobilizing people of all ages in communities all over the country. Key Takeaways:Vocalizing commitments, implementing accountability partnerships, and celebrating every small victory are critical in sustaining motivation in the team and nonprofit members.Actively solicit feedback, nurture trust among partners, and tap into the wealth of collaborative experience. Show your organization's commitment to continual improvement by opening up to other people's ideas.Be ready to hear a lot of “no's”. Don't internalize nor focus on rejection, celebrate the “yes” that you receive. Continue to strive to secure small wins to advance your big vision despite all the setbacks and challenges because it is worth it to keep moving forward for your cause!Continuously hone and improve your presentation. Seek to learn from your rejection, and recognize what made people say “yes”. Acknowledge that at the end of the day, your job isn't to persuade people but to find like-minded folks who already care about what you care about. “Find the experts - I still do that 22 and a half years into this. There are people I reach out to all the time just to say, "Hey, I'm thinking about this, what do you think?” “You have to keep plowing through the no's to get to your yeses. The no's can teach you something.” “We realized that if we focus on meeting foundational needs, we can do a better job in serving that need because trying to be a one-stop shop for everything a kid needs meant that we couldn't focus enough on ensuring that we had a good supply of the most critical items.” - Lynn Margherio Reach out to Lynn Margherio at:Website: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cradlestocrayons/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c2cboston/  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:In the realm of nonprofit leadership, the stories we tell ourselves are not mere whispers in the corners of our minds; they are the powerful undercurrents that shape our reality, influence, and leadership.Our personal self-talk mirrors the narrative we share with the world. This alignment, or lack thereof, can have significant repercussions on our efficacy as leaders and influencers.Transitions in life are as inevitable as the change of seasons. Adapting to change is key. This adaptation is made smoother with the help of emotional tools, which act as navigational aids during life's transitions.Every emotion wields a purpose; even the ones tinged with negativity like anxiety and doubt have a role to play in our decision-making and behavioral regulation. Achieving a balance and being aware of our emotional narratives are essential as we 'drive the bus' of our emotional selves through the daily journey of life. “It's not the story that we're telling other people that really has the power. It's the story that we tell ourselves” “Life is full of transitions, and you can adapt. Accept that life is full of transitions, that there are beginnings and endings. And that's the natural order of everything.” “The more kind and graceful and loving you are to yourself, the more time graceful loving, accepting you will be to other people.” - Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Tim Sarrantonio is an internationally renowned speaker on generosity, technology, and the trends in the social good sector. After helping various causes raise over $3 million, he then moved into providing support for thousands of nonprofits through his work at Neon One. He has spoken at AFPICON, NTC, TEDx, and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna with his lovely wife, three lovely daughters, and a deep love of the Adirondacks. Key Takeaways:A report from Neon One and the University of Dallas digs deep into transactional data and donor records, revealing the rising trend of recurring donations. Recurring giving programs, especially online credit card donations, have shown effectiveness in growth, promising a steady flow of support for nonprofits.A study on donor motivations illustrates that emotions and identity significantly influence generosity. Thus, understanding what resonates emotionally with donors can be just as important as the financial support they offer.In order to acquire recurring donors, nonprofits must take nurturing tentative interactions into enduring commitments. Remember to humanize data, acknowledging that it is a reflection of relationships that, when prioritized, lead to financial success.In this digital era, harnessing the right tools and nurturing relationships are essential ingredients in the recipe for sustainable generosity. “People don't give to you, they give through you.”“Ultimately, data is simply the electronic representation of relationships.” “Don't make decisions for your donors, use data to validate whether your audience is doing one thing or not.”- Tim Sarrantonio Reach out to Tim Sarrantonio at:Website: https://neonone.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsarrantonio/ “The Recurring Giving Report: Data-Backed Insights for Sustainable Generosity” https://neonone.com/resources/recurring-giving-report/  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Developing conflict resolution skills is essential for nonprofit leaders, requiring practice and the ability to handle less intense conflicts to grow.Embracing conflict, rather than avoiding it, helps identify true problems and fosters harmony, while avoidance can lead to more significant issues.Often the apparent problem is not the real issue; effective leadership digs beneath the surface to uncover the underlying insecurities, fears, or miscommunications.Balance in handling conflict is key. Leaning too much towards needing control or seeking praise can lead to vulnerability and chaos.Empathy and empathetic listening are critical for resolving conflicts, building trust, and facilitating more productive interactions. "Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means." "Release the need to control the outcome and listen with empathy to truly resolve conflicts and negotiate effectively." "Feeling seen and heard can defuse most conflicts and is a cornerstone of building trust." "If you want to be an influential leader...navigating conflict is a skill that I highly encourage you to learn to master."- Maryanne Dersch   Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Rachel Bearbower is a fundraiser, former ED, and founder. She is the host of the Sprout Podcast and spends her time building a community of small shop Executive Directors inside her membership, SproutED.Her work stems from struggling inside an underfunded, limited-resource, systemless organization despite working countless hours with the combination of never having enough time and feeling isolated as a leader of a small shop organization where burnout was inevitable. A story that's not unique to anyone inside the nonprofit sector. Rachel believes in reclaiming your time to create better relationships with donors and raise more for the mission you love while creating a sustainable + lasting impact.  You can find her on Instagram at @smallshopstrategies, on LinkedIn, or on her website at www.smallshopstrategies.com. Key Takeaways:It's important to balance systems implementation with human connection in nonprofit fundraising. Remember that the point of updating infrastructure is to support processes and free up time for meaningful interactions with donors. Relationship building is the most critical thing to the sustainability of your organization. Dedicate more of your time and energy to making people feel seen and heard, and a part of a loving and thriving, authentic community. Most nonprofits don't have the capacity to follow up with every single donor. Through automated systems, you can acknowledge the gift, reach out to the donor, and nurture the relationship of each and every donor that goes through your organization's process. You can make people feel special through automated responses, you just have to be intentional about it. Make your automated messaging sound like you. Write it like you're talking to one person instead of a group.  “Productivity really isn't the point. We set up these systems so that we can give ourselves time back in our day. Not so that we can do more, but so that we can do less.” “Get them in the front door and make sure that they are connecting using automation, and some very intentional workflows to make them feel supported in a way that feels true and authentic and genuine, to your organization and to who you are.” “You want to make sure that you're you're writing in that voice that's speaking to just one person. Just because you're automating it doesn't mean that you aren't still writing it, it's still coming from you. ” - Rachel Bearbower  Reach out to Rachel Bearbower at:Small Shop StrategiesNonprofit Automation AgencyBook a demoFree eCourse: 5 ways to automate your stewardshipSay hi on Instagram - @smallshopstrategiesConnect with me on LinkedIn - @rachelbearbower  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

Key Takeaways:Engaging board members in fundraising can be a chronic challenge for nonprofits, often due to resistance and discomfort. To enroll the board, it's crucial to make fundraising tasks feel good, easy, and fun.You set the emotional temperature for board fundraising. Your comfort level and excitement will influence the board's engagement. That's why it's important to understand your own emotional temperature and deal with it before trying to influence the board.Dispatching board members at events to connect with attendees, learn their interests, and introduce them to the organization's development team is an effective way to engage potential supporters.To effectively engage donors, it's important to release pressure by making authentic connections and allowing them to make their own decisions without pushing or convincing.Set the emotional temperature, define the board's role, release pressure, master their mindset, provide training and support, specify actions, and create a system of accountability. By doing these, you can successfully enroll your board in fundraising. “You set the temperature. The more comfortable you are, and the more excited you are, the more passionate you are, the more they will pick up on that.” “The riches are in the niches - the more specific you can be, the more inclined they are to do it, because they understand exactly what it is that they want to do.”  “Release the pressure, make it feel easy, make it feel fun. They don't need to get anybody to do anything. The only thing they get to do is connect with people and see if there's an alignment.”- Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Book your quickie intro call with Maryanne here! Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect

After 15 years as an in-house fundraiser, Cindy started her business doing Fractional Fundraising. Today she teaches other fundraisers how to be their own boss by starting their own Fractional Fundraising business. She's also a consultant to nonprofit consultants, helping them shake off the “shoulds,” drop the scarcity hangover from the nonprofit sector, and abundance in entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways:The concept of fractional executives allows nonprofits to benefit from the strategic oversight and hands-on support of experienced fundraisers for a fraction of the time and cost. it's important to note that hiring a fractional fundraiser is not a magic solution. It requires a long-term commitment and clear expectations from both parties to achieve the desired outcomes.Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance. By embracing innovative consulting models and hiring fractional experts, project-based workers, and specialists, organizations can optimize their in-house capacity and prevent staff burnout.As fractional fundraising continues to gain traction, it's crucial for organizations to clarify the specifics when working with a fractional executive. By embracing this growing trend and walking through the discomfort of change, nonprofits can unlock the "secret option C" and achieve sustainable growth and success. “How do we think differently about doing things in a way that allows our organizations to grow and flourish and achieve our missions without that scarcity or feeling like we have to self-sacrifice.” “We are not magic.  The way I train fractional fundraisers and the way I talk to organizations about considering fractional executive support is it's not a short-term solution. It does not happen overnight, it takes a year minimum to start to see a return.” “We're teaching them to fish, organizations need to know how to fish. But the unique thing about fractional executives is we're also kind of doing the fishing for them. Yeah, in the short to mid-term. Because sometimes the organization is literally starving and it takes time to learn how to fish.” - Cindy Wagman Reach out to Cindy Wagman at:Website: https://www.fractionalfundraising.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindywagman.consulting/   Ask for and receive all you want need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Book your quickie intro call with Maryanne here! Connect with Maryanne Dersch: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect