Darcy Lee

Transparency isn't just a buzzword—it's a cornerstone for boutique agencies fostering trust and unity. Recent discussions reveal the complexities: from defining boundaries to navigating compensation transparency. How can small teams strike the right balance? Dive into our latest blog to uncover insights on fostering openness while respecting privacy. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/gHGhg4R8 #Transparency #BoutiqueAgency #BusinessInsights #TeamCulture #TrustBuilding

1

Are donor expectations of nonprofits completely out of touch with reality?? Yes, there is a lost trust component because of some bad players in social impact. And measuring objective impact IS still an important metric for donors to make the "right" decision. BUT what about not-for-profit work that is unquantifiable?? Loving this article from Hiver Dakota McGovern - he is straight shooting with some *really* big thoughts on how to re-evaluate how donor/charity interactions could be thought of differently. We particularly love the 4 alternative metrics by which the not-for-profit sector should evaluate itself 🙌 It's also personal though; Dakota has been supporting, advocating and working within the sector from a young age. What expectations vs. reality do you wish donors would look at differently nonprofiteer?? #nonprofit #fundraising #relationships #socialimpact #trust https://lnkd.in/g7Ay_fHn

5

1 Comment

Grant season is upon us (as it seems to perpetually be). Join me today to discover how to make your grant proposal distinguish itself from the rest. #nonprofit #impactmeasurement #grantmanagement

3

🚀 Is your nonprofit's message getting lost in the noise? Discover how to amplify your impact with expert marketing and design partners! This 6-step guide shows you how to make a compelling case for leveling up your outreach. From boosting donor engagement to maximizing event attendance, learn how to unlock your organization's full potential. Don't miss out on powerful strategies that could transform your nonprofit's future! #nonprofitmarketing #socialimpact #expertpartners

1

1 Comment

The key to success in fundraising? Listening. Like consulting, it’s imperative we hear what people’s issues are, what they’re trying to do and helping them find a path to accomplish that goal. Are you listening to your donors? Have you asked yourself or your organization what they are trying to accomplish when volunteering or donating? - - - #mgale #donations #nonprofit #nonprofittips #fundraising #fundraisingtips

14

Nonprofit leaders, the recommendation to downplay how hard organizational change really is for your teams? That kind of advice needs to go. My philosophy? Don’t sugarcoat the challenges. Change is hard. Like, really hard. It's uncomfortable, stressful, and pushes every instinct we have to cling to the familiar. And you know what? It’s okay to admit how hard it is. In fact, I tell my clients it's more than okay. It’s actually necessary. If you want your team to get on board, you’re going to have to earn their trust. And they won’t trust you if you’re just feeding them lines of pure positivity. “Don’t worry; everything will be fine” is a no go. What they really crave is for you to keep it real with them. To validate how tough this transition feels. It could sound something like this: "I know this change might be rocky at times. I know they’ll be days when you’ll have mixed feelings about where we’re headed. I know you’ll have questions, concerns, and ideas. I'm not asking you to just roll with it. This team deserves more than that. Here’s exactly how we’ll support you...” And then—and this is key—do what you say you’ll do. Be as real and as open as you can be. Because real change leadership isn't about rainbows and unicorns. It's about acknowledging that to achieve the next level for the organization, everyone will be going down their own path. It’s your job as the leader to guide them to the destination. ➡ I’d love to know: What kind of leader do you want guiding you through organizational transformation? Of course, avoiding toxic positivity is just one small piece of your Change Strategy. There's an entire framework of proven philosophies and Actions (yes, with a capital A) that I deploy with clients to truly inspire stakeholders and turn that critical buy-in into action. If you're staring down a major transformation and need more than just cheerleading to realize your vision, let's chat. I'll bring the real-life experience and roll-up-my-sleeves support to help you navigate change's choppy waters. Send me a DM and let's explore how I might be able to propel your initiatives from muddled uncertainty to "let's do this!" momentum.

4

4 Comments

Stop wasting your time on these questions! Who leads on the most important donor relationships? C-suite or development team? The answer is it’s a partnership. Lean into the expertise and experience of your WHOLE team. Partner together. Remove frenetic energy. Remove brinkmanship. Create the best plans for the individuals you are working with. And move. Stop wasting time, leaving donors wondering what’s going on, while you figure out what your doing internally. #realtalk #fundraising #nonprofitleadership

2

When I started consulting, I had one simple rule: be as helpful as possible to small nonprofits. They work so hard for the money they have and need to make sure their investments actually move the needle in their work. Which is EXACTLY why Fractional Fundraising has been taking off. 💗 When I started testing out this model almost 9 years ago, I realized that it was a MASSIVE win-win. The nonprofits get the critical combination of: 👉 Experienced and affordable strategic leadership, and 👉 Day-to-day implementation so the work gets done. And the Fractional Fundraisers get to work less and earn MORE than they did in-house. 🔥 Join me on April 24 for a behind-the-scenes peek at my Fractional Fundraiser Academy, a step-by-step, business-in-a-box approach to building your own thriving fundraising consultancy! You’ll get: ✔️ A deeper look at the curriculum and what to expect from the program ✔️ Stories from thriving Fractional Fundraiser Academy alumni who are booked out and busy ✔️ An in-depth Q&A period (no topic is taboo or off the table!) ✔️ My 4-pillar no-compromise framework that is the foundation to this business model! Register for the Open House here: https://lnkd.in/g5bCnjxd 

39

2 Comments

⏰ There's still time left to RSVP to TOMORROW's webinar on Impact Measurement! Hear from #CSR experts and Pledge 1% members as they talk about the tools they use to measure their impact. Event starts at 12pm ET/9am PT. RSVP: https://buff.ly/3VS7dpw #pledge1 #memberevents #socialimpact #impactmeasurement

3

Does the term "networking" make you cringe? You're not alone. Many of us have experienced that awkward feeling when someone at an event immediately tries to sell us something or asks for a favor 🫣 But networking doesn't have to be like that. On the podcast Founder Loveline, hosted by Daniela Santangelo, we discussed networking and shared tips for establishing influential relationships that could potentially change your life. ☝🏽 If you're short on time, skip to the 17-minute mark to get straight to the networking tips. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ehJPErj7 #networking #valuecreation #relationshipbuilding #buildingconnections #professionaldevelopment #momentumbydesign #podcastrecommendation

19

1 Comment

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in addressing critical social issues and supporting those in need. However, a question lingers: Are we doing enough to tackle the root causes of these challenges, or are we primarily focused on alleviating symptoms? It's a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. Some would argue that nonprofits, by their very nature, are designed to provide immediate relief and support to those facing hardships. This invaluable work undoubtedly improves countless lives daily. Others contend that without addressing systemic issues like poverty, inequality, and injustice, we are merely applying band-aids to deep-rooted societal problems. True, lasting change requires challenging the underlying factors that perpetuate these issues. So, what's your perspective? Are nonprofits doing enough to drive systemic change and confront root causes, or should we be shifting more focus and resources toward prevention and long-term solutions? #nonprofitimpact #socialgood #systemicchange 

3

1 Comment

TY for sharing my extended piece on Healing-Centered Brand Leadership, Thinkers360.... As I interact with my clients, I feel hopeful for our future. And yet, simultaneously each news cycle makes me feel as if we are at a critical juncture in society—one that calls for leadership that heals and emphasizes dialogue and constructive conversation over zero-sum, win-loss games. Healing-centered leadership promotes greater #humanness and #interconnectivity - fostering environments that prioritize #inclusivity, #transparency, respect and harmony. By paving the way for a future where #integrity and #empathy are at the core of our relationships with organizations, with brands and with one another, healing-centered leaders move beyond win-loss games—ensuring both long-term business success and holistic #wellbeing. #leadership

17

5 Comments

There's a famous painting, by Norman Rockwell, called "While The Audience Waits." And it's a picture of a circus performer bandaging the paw of his circus dog. As you look at it you might wonder a couple of things. Did the dog get injured during his part in the circus act? And is the man getting him ready to perform again? Evidently they perform in the same act. Because the poodle's costume matches his human performer's clothing. And their jackets are even the same. You can tell, by looking at the man's face, he's concerned about his little buddy and stage mate. So, he probably wants to be sure the little dog can perform in the next act. And it's all taking place as the audience waits. What's going on while your audience waits? First, do you even know who your audience is? If so, then you know the answers (or can find the answers) to these questions. What do they look like? Where do they shop? What do they do? And what do they need and want Answer those questions and you'll know what to do while your audience waits. And you'll find that getting clients will get a whole lot easier. So, you might have some work to do first. It might be a good idea to sit down and really identify who your ideal client is. Because the second part of getting more clients is your message. And how do you formulate and talk about your products and services, if you don’t know who your ideal audience is? So, first, identify your target audience. And you might have more than one. But get a clear picture of who they are. Then, come up with your unique message to speak directly to them. And after that, be sure you have a system in place. A system that makes it easy to duplicate your processes and procedures. And a system that helps you create habits better and faster. So, every single client and customer can easily, seamlessly, understand your products and services. And what your information can do for THEM. When you can do that, don’t be surprised when you get more referrals and repeat business. Because your clients and customers will know what to expect. And they’ll know how to tell others about you. And they’ll want to because they know you’re gonna do the same great stuff for their referrals. Give value beyond just your products and services. My RondaReady Business System hub can help you do all this better and faster. And you get a free consultation with me when you use the link below to schedule a time for us to talk about your business. But don't delay. Remember, your audience awaits. https://lnkd.in/gXjnWaXq Stay Ready, Ronda Stay Ready, R.O.N.D.A. 949-981-8113 #gettingclients #serveothersbetter #businesscommunication

1

There is a big difference between a speaker and a keynote. A #keynote is the main headliner of a conference -- the one that people buy tickets to go see. #Speakers fill the roster. Do you know what every single keynote has in common? They have a stellar media kit that helps them get on those big stages enough times that people know and recognize their name. They take the time to do it right and develop their authority in the space. A strong media kit is the first step. #authoritymarketing #conferences #keynotespeakers #businesscoaches #speaker

16

Building Trust and Advocacy Through Community: A Conversation with Mark Schaefer Building genuine community is the key to creating trust and advocacy for nonprofit organizations today. But how do you authentically build community, especially with limited resources? Marketing expert Mark Schaefer shares insights from his latest book, “Belonging to the Brand,” on how to create a vibrant community. According to Schaefer, community provides “unparalleled value” for both companies and nonprofits. A well-built community can lead to “organic advocacy,” among other important benefits. Community also builds trust in an age of disinformation. “Information in a community is the most trusted source of information,” says Schaefer. Schaefer recommends starting small by gathering just five engaged supporters. Ask them what they care about and try different ways of interacting, from online to in-person. Pay attention to what resonates and keep experimenting. “Over time, as you create momentum in your community, those leaders will emerge,” says Schaefer. To scale, identify and empower community advocates. “Leadership in a community will emerge. You’ve just got to be aware and you’ve got to be able to nurture those leaders,” Schaefer explains. Provide opportunities for advocates to take on more responsibility, but don’t micromanage. Building community also requires managing expectations around control and measurement. “You’re not necessarily controlling the message in the community, but they’re making you more relevant,” says Schaefer. Rather than strict metrics, focus first on engagement and listening to understand what members value. Authenticity is key. “The most important thing of managing a community is nurturing the culture of the community,” says Schaefer. Create a space where people feel respected and supported. Address toxicity immediately. With the right culture, your community can become a trusted source of truth and fuel real impact. Building community requires courage, trust, and a willingness to not be in control. But the rewards of advocacy, feedback, and partnership can be well worth the effort. By starting small, empowering advocates, and focusing on culture, nonprofits can create a vibrant community that fuels their mission.

6