I highly recommend reading this before signing a contract for solar panels. — We had wanted solar panels for years. Finally last summer we decided to start meeting with companies. We chose one and the entire process from signing the contract to the panels being installed is the stuff of a … well, I’m not sure what. The main thing that we learned…

We know this. And yet? — Most of my posts here are written for those in nonprofit fundraising. This one is for everyone, as good communication can benefit you no matter what field of work you’re in (let alone in your relationships!). How good are you at communication? I thought I excelled! Many times I do…

A lasting impact — The last time I had a conversation with my grandma was in July, 2003. A week later she passed away. It’s been just over 20 years since she passed away, and I still think about her all of the time. There wasn’t a memorial or funeral service for her.Living 2,000+…

As I approach a business anniversary, I am starting to look at things I have never considered. — My bounce rate has been in front of me ever since I started my Altrui website. It’s right there, under graphs of who is visting my site. It’s been really high, which I have always thought as good. …

Forgetting one part of my body at the beach had a huge affect on me & got me thinking about my health & healthcare — One day after a long, fun day at the beach, I felt a little something in my lower lip and realized that I had forgotten to put sunscreen on my lips. Day by day, the feeling grew,and became one of pain. Meanwhile, my lips blistered. I’m not totally vain, and…

Our favorite local food spot was damaged during the recent tropical storm. We want their re-opening day to be as big as possible for them after losing so much. — Part of what we love about living where we live is the diversity in people and food. Our favorite food spot is White Springs Cafe in Arcadia, CA. We love White Springs Cafe not only because they serve delicious, fresh, plant-based Thai food.

A recent road trip gave me the opportunity to listen to others doing the work in the arena of nonprofit fundraising. — I do two or three Altrui road trips a year, trips where I meet with current, past, and potential clients, along with my coffee klatches. My coffee klatches are when I invite nonprofit fundraisers for a coffee (or in many cases this trip, an oat milk latte), inviting them to…

After several face-to-face meetings in the last two weeks, I have been re-convinced of their power! — I am towards the end of a two-week roadtrip to meet with Altrui clients and talk about current fundraising efforts. I’m meeting with clients I have worked with for a year or two, new clients, and even potential clients. They are all nonprofits whose missions are in my heart. I…

The tip isn’t to raise more money. It’s more about how to react to this statement in our fundraising world. And to remember. — “I need you to raise more money.” Back when I first entered the nonprofit fundraising world, it was a common practice for nonprofit leaders to add revenue to their budgets by simply telling their fundraising team to raise more money. $75,000 short of what we need to meet the expense…