The newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) reshapes the landscape of charitable giving, yet many nonprofit leaders remain unaware of its full impact. While the universal charitable deduction for non-itemizers encourages small gifts, new limits on high-income and corporate deductions could dampen larger or more spontaneous donations. Provisions like taxes on large endowments and top nonprofit salaries further signal a shifting federal attitude toward philanthropy. Understanding these changes isn’t optional—nonprofit leaders must adapt now, or risk being left behind as donor behavior evolves.
Read MoreTrust isn’t a new topic in fundraising, but it remains the most overlooked driver of donor loyalty. Research shows that one in four donors stops giving because they don’t believe nonprofits are transparent—a loss entirely preventable with better communication and accountability. Trust grows when organizations thank donors quickly, connect giving to real impact, and stay honest about both successes and challenges. Building donor trust isn’t a side task, it’s the foundation of long-term sustainability and genuine partnership.
Read MoreA recent client discussion around Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara turned into something bigger—a reflection on how excellence and empathy shape everything we do. The team connected deeply with two timeless lessons: Vince Lombardi’s pursuit of perfection that leads to excellence, and Maya Angelou’s truth that people remember how you make them feel. Together, they capture what leadership and philanthropy are really about—intentionality, care, and the courage to go beyond expectations. In the end, success isn’t measured by flawless execution, but by the lasting impression we leave on others.
Read MoreThe “second curve,” a concept from Charles Handy, reminds us that what drives early success rarely sustains future growth. True progress demands the courage to leave comfort behind, step into uncertainty, and relearn what it means to grow. Stability gives us the foundation—but discomfort is what creates transformation. The real mark of leadership isn’t mastering the first curve; it’s having the vision and bravery to leap to the second.
Read MoreFormal education may build the foundation of our intellect, but true learning begins when curiosity takes over. Whether through podcasts like Clark Howard and Advisory Opinions, or simply pursuing new skills, lifelong learning keeps our minds active and our perspectives sharp. Research shows it even improves mental health, reduces loneliness, and lowers mortality risk—benefits as powerful as exercise or nutrition. Learning, then, isn’t just knowledge—it’s vitality, connection, and a choice to keep growing.
Read MoreThe 1955 film Good Morning, Miss Dove reminds us of that influence often works quietly, through steady presence and integrity rather than grand gestures. Miss Dove didn’t seek to change the world, she simply did her work faithfully, yet her lessons echoed through generations of students whose lives she touched. Most of us underestimate how deeply our consistency and kindness can ripple through others’ lives, often without our knowing. The film’s true lesson is twofold: live intentionally and take time to thank those whose quiet influence helped shape who you’ve become.
Read MoreOur digital identities—email addresses, phone numbers, and card numbers—are quietly threaded through nearly every service we use until one change breaks them all. A $50 disputed charge taught me that swapping a card or losing a long-held alumni email isn’t a ten-minute task; it can cascade into hours of account updates, locked accounts, and missed alerts. Institutions ending lifetime .edu accounts and routine card replacements show why stability and careful planning matter more than convenience. Before you click “replace,” weigh the full disruption: sometimes the easy fix creates bigger problems than the original issue.
Read MoreWhen a nonprofit receives a large, unexpected, unrestricted gift, excitement can quickly turn to tension without a plan in place. A clear windfall policy transforms those moments from reactive debates into strategic opportunities—balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s sustainability. By defining in advance how surprise funds will be split between immediate priorities and long-term reserves or endowment, organizations make disciplined decisions that build lasting strength. With a policy, every unexpected gift becomes more than a blessing—it becomes a legacy.
Read MoreFour skilled, mission-driven volunteers can unlock over $90,000 in annual value for a nonprofit—the equivalent of a full-time employee. As budgets tighten and needs grow, it’s time to view volunteerism not as charity, but as smart talent strategy. When organizations recruit and empower volunteers with purpose and structure, they don’t just save money—they expand capacity, deepen community engagement, and transform impact. The value is measurable, and the opportunity is too big to ignore.
Read MoreMidlevel donors are the quiet engine of long-term philanthropy—steady, loyal, and often your best future planned giving prospects. They bridge the gap between annual fund supporters and major donors, combining generosity with deep mission commitment. By investing in meaningful stewardship and authentic relationships today, nonprofits can turn these consistent givers into tomorrow’s legacy champions. The path takes patience, but the payoff is enduring impact.
Read MoreAfter 51 years of Nebraska football, I’ve learned the real magic isn’t on the field—it’s in the stands. For a few hours, 85,000 people set aside politics, backgrounds, and differences to cheer as one. Memorial Stadium becomes more than a venue; it’s a reminder that unity still exists when we focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. In a fractured world, that shared spirit might be the most meaningful victory of all.
Read MoreAs donor pools shrink and costs rise, unrestricted funding has become a lifeline for nonprofits—fueling the people, systems, and strategy behind every mission. Yet too often, organizations undersell their operational backbone. Winning core support requires more than a grant proposal; it demands trust, transparency, and proof of organizational strength. In today’s climate, general operating support isn’t overhead—it’s the engine that drives impact.
Read MoreIn a world built for speed, we’ve traded depth for efficiency—quick texts instead of long talks, brief visits instead of lasting memories. Yet the moments that shape us most aren’t the fast ones; they’re the ones that stretch, linger, and allow real connection to take root. Whether it’s family dinners, road trips, or slow Sunday rounds of golf, those unhurried experiences remind us what it means to be fully present. Life may move fast, but meaning takes time.
Read MoreThe best nonprofit boards aren’t just filled with generous givers—they’re powered by great connectors. A board member’s true value lies not only in their personal contribution but in their ability to open doors, expand networks, and amplify the organization’s reach. Recruitment shouldn’t just be about resumes or wealth, it’s about mapping influence and identifying who can help tell your story to new audiences. The strongest boards don’t just give, they connect.
Read MoreBill Gates’ decision to spend down the Gates Foundation within 20 years of his and Melinda French Gates’ deaths marks a bold shift in philanthropy. By prioritizing urgency, scale, and present-day stewardship, he aims to tackle global challenges while his dollars can make the greatest impact. Yet this immediacy comes with trade-offs—loss of continuity, institutional memory, and philanthropic infrastructure. Gates’ choice sparks a bigger question for philanthropy: should wealth fuel immediate change or perpetual legacy?
Read MoreNebraska AD Troy Dannen’s decision to pause the $450–$800 million Memorial Stadium renovation is less a setback than a reality check. With limited population, steep seat-license fees, and a stadium used fewer than 15 days a year, the math doesn’t support a billion-dollar project. In today’s NIL-driven era, investing in athlete facilities and opportunities may deliver far greater returns than polished concourses. By hitting pause, Nebraska has kept the door open for smarter, more sustainable choices.
Read MoreIowa State’s athletics department faces a $147 million deficit through 2031, driven by the NCAA settlement’s new revenue-sharing requirements and shifting conference dynamics. Like Kansas State, Houston, and Oregon State, ISU is cutting expenses, raising donor expectations, and delaying facility upgrades just to keep pace. The deeper concern is cultural: as costs climb and revenues consolidate, non-revenue sports, community traditions, and the amateur spirit of college athletics may be sacrificed. Some schools, like UConn, are thriving through record fundraising, but many mid-tier programs may soon face existential choices that reshape the very fabric of college sports.
Read MoreWhat began as a forced medical leave for knee replacement surgery quickly became something far more meaningful—a sabbatical that reset both body and mind. Between rehab sessions and recovery, I discovered the benefits of stepping back: deeper healing, renewed creativity, and clarity on what truly energizes my work. Research shows sabbaticals reduce burnout, restore motivation, and sharpen focus—and my own experience confirmed it. Sometimes the best way to move forward with purpose is to pause intentionally, giving yourself the space to heal, think, and realign.
Read MoreToo often, philanthropy leaders are asked to raise big dollars without a roadmap to guide the work. The absence of a strategic plan isn’t just inconvenient—it undermines donor confidence, limits gift potential, and erodes credibility. Savvy fundraising executives can change that by elevating the issue as a leadership duty, bringing donor voices into the room, and proposing phased frameworks that spark momentum. Strategic clarity isn’t optional—it’s the fuel that transforms donor interest into meaningful investment, and philanthropy leaders must be the catalyst to make it happen.
Read MorePhilanthropy without a strategic plan is like building on sand—it may stand for a moment, but it cannot last. Donors disengage when appeals lack focus, internal credibility erodes when fundraising operates in a vacuum, and opportunities vanish when organizations fail to define their priorities. A strong strategic plan provides clarity, direction, and measurable outcomes that unlock donor confidence and energize fundraising. Without it, even the best fundraisers are left making vague asks—and that’s not just inefficient, it’s a leadership failure.
Read More