You're Not Broken - The System Is
Life in Hawaii
Hilo's Pride Festival last weekend was fantastic! There's something magical about watching people you love get to shine so brightly in their truth. The community energy was incredible, and it reminded me why I'm so passionate about creating spaces where everyone can show up authentically - whether that's at Pride or in the nonprofit world.
Reflecting on Independence Day
This week we celebrate the birth of the United States and the ideals of freedom and independence it represents. Yet I believe true patriotism means holding space for both celebration and growth—acknowledging that this nation, like each of us, has shadows to excavate and healing to face.
A powerful way we can honor our country's potential is by transforming how we lead, starting with ourselves. That's why I often talk about decolonizing leadership—moving from power-over to power-with, from commanding to collaborating.
If you're an exhausted nonprofit leader reading this, I need you to know something: it's not just you. It's the system you're trying to work in.
Does this sound familiar? You're stuck in meetings all day, everyone's "busy," but nothing changes, and fundraising feels like begging.
Here's the thing - the problem isn't your team. Or your board. (OK sometimes it is, but we’ll save that for another conversation.) It's that you're leading like a factory manager, and your mission's not a factory.
Growing up, I was taught that leadership meant being the smartest person in the room. I had to have all the answers and do all the work because anything less was weakness.
It wasn't until I took my first executive director job and a board member told me, "The more questions you ask, the smarter I think you are."
Now I understand how some of the most powerful leaders I know are the ones who stay curious and create space for others to shine.
Here's What Decolonizing Leadership Can Look Like in Action:
✨ Ask before deciding - "What do you think?"
✨ Value lived experience - Everyone brings wisdom
✨ Build consensus - Find solutions together
✨ Make space - Lift up voices that are often unheard
This approach leads to more inclusivity, more alignment, and ultimately more funding. Because nonprofits are more than businesses. They're revolutions. And they need you to step up as a more conscious and evolved leader.
Ready to Transform Your Fundraising?
If you're tired of fundraising feeling like begging, my new Fundraising Hero's Journey roadmap will help you shift from scarcity to abundance thinking. It's designed specifically for nonprofit leaders who want to stabilize their fundraising without burning out.
Frustrated that your powerful stories aren’t turning into donations?
Let’s fix that. Schedule your Funding Focus Call and discover how to turn your storytelling into a donation-driving force.
During our call, we’ll dive into:
• Why your current stories may not be resonating with donors
• A proven framework to spotlight your community as the heroes
• Clear next steps to build lasting, sustainable donor relationships
