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With over 20 years of experience working with and for non-profits, I've come to understand the critical role fundraising plays in helping these organizations achieve their goals. As a communications specialist, I've worked on numerous campaigns and events - some successful, and some not so much. However, one of the most frustrating and time-consuming aspects for me has been dealing with the clunky platforms and services we've had to use to manage donations. Not only are they difficult to set up and manage, but they also create a poor user experience for donors, creating unnecessary friction. One of the biggest challenges I have faced with this is how these services connect and integrate with a non-profits CRM. Something that has to be a top priority in any communications and fundraising process. Knowing who your donors are and what your relationship with them has been across your initiatives is everything. So having fundraising and their CRM siloed is the beginning of the end for most long term fundraising efforts.

In today's digital age, the art of personal communication has been replaced by emails and social media messages. However, for non-profit organizations, a simple phone call can work wonders in building a stronger relationship with their audience. Phone calls provide a unique opportunity for non-profits to connect with their donors and volunteers on a personal level, which can lead to a greater understanding of their needs, motivations, and interests. It's through these conversations that non-profits can show their donors and volunteers that they're not just a name on a spreadsheet, but a valued member of the community.

If you're a coffee lover, then you know that there's nothing quite like starting your day with a fresh cup. And while there are plenty of coffee subscription services out there, there's only one that's truly worth your time and money - and that's Trade. Trust me I have tried a lot so you dont have to. Here are just a few reasons why I think Trade is the only coffee subscription you'll ever need:

Non-profits are superheroes in addressing the world's most pressing social issues. Unfortunately, they often face the challenge of securing the necessary funds to support their programs and initiatives. But, don't worry! A well-designed fundraising platform can make a significant difference. By providing a user-friendly interface, customizable donation forms, and recurring donation options, these platforms can help non-profits engage donors and build lasting relationships. This is especially important in today's digital age, where donors are more likely to engage with organizations through online channels.

Why a whole blog about what setting to use on a coffee grinder? You see I often refer to myself as a 'reluctant coffee snob'. I spent 16 years of my life in Australia which over that time established itself as one of the mecca's of third wave coffee. Or simply put, Australia roasts and makes great coffee. So whether I wanted it or not I was constantly provided with a great cup. This has made my taste buds definitely turn a bit snobby. Once I moved back to America I had to adjust a bit and decided to step up my at home coffee game.

It is no secret that HubSpot's CMS Hub (website builder) is the HubSpot tool that has gotten me the most excited since it's official launch in early 2020. In fact it even made me enjoy working on websites again. Ditching Wordpress was easily the best thing I did for my business the past year. You can read more about that in my post

Coffee and communications go hand in hand. Not just as a metaphor (What Your Coffee Can Teach You About Communications) but also to fuel our creative processes. So while this blog may seem a little off topic at first I think it is an important addition to anyone who works in communications or simply values a great cup of coffee at home.

Ok to start with I have to admit that I am not a web developer by any means. My knowledge of HTML and CSS is incredibly basic. Though I want to share from that perspective as I am sure most people reading this are in the same boat. If you are a developer and are looking for more advanced techniques than I encourage you to jump right back to Google to continue your dive.