Dare to Dream Bigger for Your Organization’s Future
In my last post, I introduced the first two steps in the Choose Abundance Model for Implementation. Before we move on to Steps 3 and 4 however, I want to pause and name something many of you are probably feeling: It’s hard to imagine building a Culture of Philanthropy when everything feels urgent and chaotic. “We don’t have time for strategy—we’re trying to survive!” And I get it. You’re not making this up. Budgets are tight, needs are growing, and your staff is stretched
Starting now—right where you are—can actually help stabilize things.
Importantly, the first two steps (full blog post linked here) create the foundation for shifting how you show up—for yourself, your team, and your mission. They spark commitment and community, both of which are essential ingredients in a Culture of Philanthropy.
Step 1: Throw Your Hat Over the Fence
Step 2: Find a Committed Listener
The next two steps in the Choose Abundance Model are designed to create immediate traction while laying the groundwork for long-term abundance.
Step 3: Create a Culture of Philanthropy Task Force – This is where you begin to share the work. When you form a Culture of Philanthropy Task Force, you’re saying: fundraising isn’t just one person’s job. It’s everyone’s work, and it deserves everyone’s wisdom. Who should be on this team?
- Your CEO or Executive Director — They set the tone. When the CEO is part of the task force, they model that this work matters. They can help unlock support from program and marketing staff, ensuring that donor communications include powerful stories and real-time mission moments. Just as importantly, they can call out scarcity thinking when it shows up—yes, even in leadership meetings.
- At least one board member — Your board members come with skills, networks, and passions that often go untapped. Maybe they have a story to share about why they give. Maybe they have a home that would be perfect for a donor gathering. Or maybe they have a hidden talent—like home brewing, photography, or baking—that could create a magical stewardship experience.
- Your development lead (if you have one) — Their role on the task force is not to take over, but to collaborate. This is a chance to work with their colleagues—not for them—and build a shared sense of ownership over your fundraising goals.
What does the task force actually do?
Two things—both of which will make a difference fast:
- Education and Engagement – They help themselves—and others—recognize the “superpowers” that already exist within your organization. Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money; it’s about activating passion, creativity, and generosity. That starts inside your team. When people understand how their skills contribute to the mission, they show up differently.
- Donor Strategy – The task force works with staff and board members to identify the most effective, authentic ways to engage your current donors. Not by chasing unicorns, but by nurturing the relationships that are already working. Your best donors are the ones who already believe in you.
Step 4: Assess “What’s So” – This is the first charge of your newly-formed task force: get real about where you are. Use the Choose Abundance Self-Assessment to take a snapshot of your organization’s current culture. Where are you already aligned with generosity, clarity, and trust? Where are the gaps?
You’ll see that the assessment covers all four quadrants of our framework Structures, Behaviors, Hearts, and Minds—so that you can:
- Celebrate what’s working
- Identify areas of resistance
- Choose a manageable next step
Some shifts will require changing a process or updating a communication. Others might just need a re-framing—one that takes minutes, not months. Either way, you’ll come away with real insight and specific ways to move forward.
And remember: building a Culture of Philanthropy in your nonprofit isn’t a luxury for “when things settle down.” It’s a strategy for leading through chaos with intention, courage, and community.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
This work can feel daunting—but it’s also filled with possibility. When you take even one step toward shared ownership of fundraising, you change the game. You move from burnout to buy-in. From anxiety to alignment. And from scarcity to strength.
Want help launching your task force or walking through the assessment?
