All Posts

Donors Aren’t ATMs: How to Build Real Relationships in a Noisy, Uncertain World

When everything feels unstable, relationships—not campaigns—are what keep nonprofits funded. It’s 2025. Inflation is still a concern,...

Braden Pedersen

Jul 183 min read

Illustration of a nonprofit leader sitting at a desk in July, thoughtfully reviewing documents with a calendar, thank-you card, and a coffee mug nearby, symbolizing a mid-year reflection and planning moment.

The Mid-Year Check-In Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Do (But Rarely Does)

July isn’t just the midpoint of the year, it’s a strategic moment to pause, reflect, and reset. In this post, we walk nonprofit leaders through a practical mid-year check-in to help clarify priorities, assess progress, and finish the year with focus and momentum.

Braden Pedersen

Jul 152 min read

Illustration of diverse nonprofit volunteers working together in front of a U.S. map styled like the American flag, with fireworks and stars in the background, symbolizing community service and patriotism on Independence Day.

From the People, For the People: Nonprofits as America’s Moral Compass

As we celebrate July 4, let’s remember: America’s most transformative movements didn’t start in government—they started in communities. In this post, we explore how nonprofits have always been at the heart of America’s moral progress, carrying the torch of freedom, justice, and compassion forward.

Braden Pedersen

Jul 42 min read

Illustration of a frustrated nonprofit professional sitting at a desk with a donor funnel chart, surrounded by downward arrows and dollar signs, symbolizing donor attrition and fundraising challenges.

Your Donor Funnel Is Leaking. Here’s How to Fix It.

You don’t need more donors—you need to stop losing the ones you already have. In this post, we break down the three biggest leaks in most donor funnels and how to fix them so you can retain more supporters, raise more money, and reduce fundraising stress.

Braden Pedersen

Jun 292 min read

Illustration of a nonprofit leader sitting at a desk, looking stressed with hand on forehead, surrounded by a strategic plan binder, documents, and conflicting financial arrows, representing frustration with ineffective strategic planning.

Why Most Strategic Plans Fail—and What You Can Do Instead

Most strategic plans sound great on paper—until they disappear into a binder and never shape day-to-day decisions. In this post, we unpack why traditional plans fail and how to build a lean, actionable strategy your team will actually use.

Braden Pedersen

Jun 292 min read

Illustration of a nonprofit professional feeling overwhelmed at a desk, surrounded by fundraising symbols like dollar signs and growth arrows, representing the stress of unsustainable fundraising models.

How to Raise More Money Without Burning Out Your Team

Most nonprofit teams are running on fumes—overworked, under-resourced, and stuck in survival mode. But fundraising doesn’t have to burn you out. In this post, we’ll show you how to raise more money with smarter systems, better segmentation, and a donor journey that actually works. More impact, less stress. Let’s go.

Braden Pedersen

Jun 283 min read

Illustration of a diverse group of nonprofit board members in a meeting, discussing financial documents with charts and dollar symbols in the background, representing strategic board conversations.

The 3 Conversations Every Nonprofit Leader Should Have With Their Board This Quarter

Your board shouldn’t just be a group that meets quarterly—they should be your greatest strategic asset. In this post, we outline the three conversations every nonprofit leader should be having with their board this quarter to drive clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth.

Braden Pedersen

Jun 282 min read