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I started AltruNext back in 2008. For years, it was just me: one person, partnering with nonprofits to advance the greater good. Ten years ago, that changed. AltruNext grew from a solo practice into something bigger, and my husband, Don, left his job to build it with me. It was a leap of faith for both of us. Two parents, young kids, and the very real uncertainty that comes with betting on your own business. Ten years in, I can tell you it hasn't always been easy, but it rema

June 9, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM This joint webinar brings together GPCI, CFRE, and NGMA to explore how accredited credentials support professional practice across grant development, grants management, and fundraising. Held on World Accreditation Day, the session reflects a shared commitment to the quality, consistency, and trust that accreditation brings to professions worldwide. Representatives from each organization, along with guest speakers who hold two or more credentials,

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) June 24, 2026 | 1:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern $209 USD (Members); $279 USD (Non-Members) Eligible for 4 CFRE points. Strengthen your organization’s fundraising by joining this practical, interactive session designed to help you draft or audit your Gift Acceptance Policy that protects your mission, manages risk, and builds donor trust. Together we’ll explore what types of gifts you should and should not accept, who inside your organizati

This time of year, gardeners are eagerly watching to see what emerges. Some plants seem to burst to life overnight, while others take their time. I’m not great at keeping plants alive, but I’ve been trying to add pollinator-friendly perennials to our yard over the last few years. The problem is that they seem pitiful in that first year. I water them, I hope, and I wait. But I’m not even sure they’re alive. I found out there’s a gardening axiom for that: the first year it slee

Many nonprofits feel pressure to pursue every available grant, which can be overwhelming and counterproductive. When we’re chasing dollars, strategy and quality suffer. Instead, a well-designed grant screening tool helps your organization invest its limited resources where they can make the greatest impact. Why Build a Screening Tool? Grant opportunities vary widely in fit, likelihood, and return on investment. A structured screening process allows you to: Save time by quickl

Have you seen NPR’s brilliant new marketing campaign ? It “defend[s] the right to be curious.” I’m absolutely smitten . As NPR’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mishka Pitter-Armand, put it, "Curiosity is the fuel of a functioning democracy." It’s also essential for thriving, creative nonprofits. Get Curious About Curiosity Curiosity can be intrinsic or externally motivated. It can focus on intellectual topics or interpersonal issues. Regardless of its particularities, the ben

We’ve all been there. You’re coaching a new hire, a volunteer, or a team member on a specific task, and it’s just not landing. You’ve explained the process, shared resources, and even offered support—yet two weeks later, the task is still undone. What’s the disconnect? I realized the problem wasn’t in what I was explaining, but how I was coaching. I could outline steps and cheer people on, but that’s not the same as effective coaching. True coaching requires understanding wh

What if we began the year believing in abundance rather than scarcity? What if we felt confident that we could attract the volunteers and donors our organization requires to meet the community’s needs? What if we expected great things to happen? What if we really believed that we could improve the world? Notice what happened as you read those questions. Did you feel your shoulders relaxing? Did you feel curious? Did you find these questions opening you up to new ideas? That’s

Whack-A-Mole is one of my least favorite arcade games. It feels rigged. There is no way to keep up with those blasted moles. There are too many, and they are too fast. (For the record, Skee-ball is my preferred game.) As a nonprofit professional or volunteer, you may feel like your whole life is Whack-A-Mole. Work on the grant budget. Make a plan for the staffing shortage. Reach out to the key donor who left a message. Check with the finance department about an unpaid bill. I