Nonprofit Training Resources And Blog Posts
 

In past blogs, we’ve talked about the “Busy Party”—that gathering where folks stand around comparing how busy they are, when in reality they could just get back to their desks and keep getting less busy.. These days, I’m sad to report the Busy Party has been replaced by the  Exhaustion Party. I’m tired of hearing bad news. I’m exhausted from hearing “no.” My brain hurts from the rapid-fire, ever-changing information. Unlike the Busy Party, this one I get. And let me be clear:

Nonprofit work has never been easy. But in times of economic uncertainty—rising costs, donor hesitancy, funder pivots—it can feel especially daunting to keep your mission funded and your team grounded. You’re not imagining it. We’ve seen this before, and we’re seeing it again: Foundations tightening payout rates during market volatility Major donors slowing commitments Corporate sponsors scaling back Program costs rising while reimbursement rates stay flat Still, I want to of

It’s college football season, which means Saturdays are filled with rivalries, tailgates, and plenty of school spirit. Here in South Florida it might be easy to assume that everyone around here is (or wants to be) a Florida Gators fan. But we all know that isn’t the case. You’ll find Seminole fans like my family, Miami Hurricane fans, alumni cheering for schools up north, and plenty of people who proudly wear their colors no matter how far they’ve strayed from campus or wheth

Yup, that is him A long time ago, while working at a nonprofit here in Florida, I met a nice young man…let’s call him Robert. He had a sparkle. He was smart. But most of all, he was curious. He asked thoughtful questions with genuine interest, and that curiosity set him apart. Eventually, we both moved on from that organization, but we stayed in touch—celebrating milestones with quick “congrats” on social media. Robert was just one of the many amazing young people I’ve had th

If you’re a parent like me, August brings with it a certain kind of chaos: new backpacks, earlier alarms, and the ever-complicated task of figuring out who’s bringing snacks to baseball practice (a real weak spot of mine). But even if you’re not sending kids back to school , this time of year still tends to mark a mental shift. The lazy days of summer start to give way to structure, routine, and planning. And in nonprofit life, that usually means one big thing: budget season.

I was reading an article recently about  taking  a punch — the kind you might get if you accidentally struck up a conversation with someone’s boyfriend in a bar.  The author suggested signing up for a Muay Thai or boxing class. As someone who hits the gym regularly and has taken my share of boxing classes, I can tell you: the punches many fundraisers have taken in recent months are far beyond anything you learn at Title Boxing. I believe in the saying  “this too shall pass”  

Yesterday was the first day of school for students here in South Florida. Parents and school supply lists have been rushed to Target, Walmart, OfficeMax, and Amazon. For some families, this outing is anticipated with joy. It’s a time to pore over new backpacks and try out a fancy style of gel pen for the first time. For parents, there may be memories of a new Trapper Keeper. For students, it may be a chance to redefine their style with new sneakers or jeans. For other familie

Sharon and I recently wrapped up a four-part fundraising workshop series in partnership with NonProfits First in West Palm Beach. Over the course of eight weeks, we shared stories from our professional experiences—highlighting successes (and the lessons behind them) across four key areas of fundraising: corporate partnerships, individual giving, foundation grants, and events and sponsorships. Each session was lively, practical, and, we hope, empowering. Attendees left with a

Long ago and far away, someone told me a story about frequency. I share it now because, although it was a long time ago, the truth remains the same:  one outreach is not enough . Picture this. You’re sitting by the window at your favorite café with a good friend, deep in conversation about life, work, and everything in between. You’ve just ordered a refreshing flavored iced tea when a well-dressed woman walks by and waves politely in your direction. You notice her briefly bu

Thinking about year-end in July? Really?!  It’s odd to think about when we’re just coming out of the 4th of July holiday, but Q4 will be here in no time. Suddenly, calendars are packed, deadlines pile up, and the urgency of year-end giving kicks into overdrive. We’re finalizing donor appeals, launching Giving Tuesday campaigns, and closing out every grant report we possibly can before the holidays. But here’s the truth: if you wait until October to get serious about Q4, you’r

This morning, my youngest child drove off to start the first chapter of her adult life. She has a job and apartment waiting for her in a...

"History is entirely created by the person who tells the story." - Lin-Manuel Miranda At Team Kat & Mouse, we know that great...

As the heat rises and inboxes slow down, it’s easy to feel like summer is the slow season for fundraising. Donor meetings get postponed. Grant deadlines seem sparse. Your colleagues are out of the office, and even your most responsive board members might be replying from the beach (if at all). It’s tempting to call it the “summer slump”—and many nonprofits do. But here’s the thing: summer doesn’t have to be a slump. It can be one of the most strategic seasons of the year—if y

Back in May, I wrote a blog about hope and shared a story about a former salesperson who once worked with me. During the 2008 banking crisis, one of the best salespeople I’ve ever known came to me in a panic. Banks were folding, clients were canceling left and right, and she thought she had lost her magic. She’d been up all night and just needed to talk. During our conversation, we discussed how the realities of the world called for different—and more intentional—tactics: har

Bringing Fundraising Success to Your Community: The Team Kat & Mouse Approach In the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit fundraising, adaptability and innovation are key. Since our inception in 2021, Team Kat & Mouse has been at the forefront of empowering nonprofit organizations with the tools, tactics, and training necessary to not only meet but exceed their fundraising goals. Our Journey So Far Founded by seasoned nonprofit professionals Sharon Kitroser and Amy Mauser, Te

Our team received a call from a prospective organization. The mission was amazing, but it seemed the world was weighing heavy on this...

I have a confession to make: when working as a frontline fundraiser, I sometimes failed to appreciate “small” gifts. That’s not to say I didn’t get excited any time I saw a contribution come in, but generally, the more zeroes I saw in a contribution amount, the more excited I got. I suppose this is natural in a profession where our performance is so often tied to the bottom line. If we’re working hard to hit a goal, we’re going to get excited about the things that move us cl

In fundraising, the dollars raised are the metric that typically gets all the attention. It’s the headline number in annual reports, board meetings, and campaign wrap-ups. But if we only measure our success by the total amount of money raised, we’re missing the bigger story—and potentially risking our future. Take a look at the latest numbers from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. On the surface, the headline looks positive: Total dollars raised are up 3.5%. But dig a li

Symposium Team Kat & Mouse had the incredible opportunity to attend this year’s Florida Blue Foundation’s Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards. What is it? The Symposium is an inspiring two-day event that brings together thought leaders, nonprofit changemakers, and community partners from across Florida. Each year, the focus is on addressing critical health issues and exploring local solutions to improve well-being at the community level. This year, over 650 people.

HOPE was born Many years ago, a baby was born in New York. Her parents gave her a fairly common first name for the times—but for a middle name, they gave her something more powerful. They gave her a mantra. In case I’ve never mentioned it: my middle name is HOPE. And it has served me well my entire life. Now, I often say HOPE is not a strategy… but it  is  a steady burn in your soul that whispers:  this just might be worth it. A Lesson in HOPE Back in the early 1990s, the rea