Blog Posts

The Thing About Age

Ageism remains one of the last forms of discrimination that can sometimes go unchallenged, affecting professionals at every stage of their careers. It’s a fear that many can relate to. I hear this anxiety from Boomers and my own generation (Gen X), who share stories about feeling overlooked in interviews or workplaces where experience is sometimes seen as a liability rather than an asset. But here

March 24 Read more

“Not a Fit” or Unconscious Bias? Rethinking Hiring in the Nonprofit Sector

In recent years, we’ve seen a strong push for greater equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the nonprofit sector. Most organizations genuinely strive to create inclusive workplaces, and many would confidently say they’re doing their best. But are we truly inclusive, or are we sometimes just checking a box? The reality is that bias is always present. It is human nature, shaped by our experience

March 17 Read more

Hey Dad, I’m a Fundraiser!

I don’t often get personal in my posts, but today, I will. Disclaimer: my son, Sebastian, has given me permission to talk about him and his ADHD and ASD. In his words, ‘That’s just facts.’ Back in 2011, I wrote a blog post called Mom, I Want to Be a Fundraiser! In it, I shared my vision for a future where young people don’t just stumble into fundraising like so many of us did but actually choose i

March 10 Read more

Collaborating with a Recruiter: What to Expect & How to Make the Most of It

The talent pool in the nonprofit sector is limited, this won’t come as a surprise. Since I started recruiting in 2008, organizations have been competing for talent. Even junior professionals, particularly fundraisers, are frequently approached by recruiters via LinkedIn or other channels. If you're new to the field, interacting with a recruiter might feel unfamiliar. You may be unsure how to respo

March 4 Read more

Let’s Talk, Vancouver: Join the Conversation with Rowena Veylan & Jen Love!

Join Rowena Veylan and Jen Love from The New School of Fundraising in Vancouver for an engaging community conversation! Attendees will have the chance to connect with peers over a light breakfast before diving into topics that matter most to them. The agenda? That’s entirely up to you! For those familiar with The New School of Fundraising, this format will be no surprise—facilitating open, dynamic

February 27 Read more

7 Practical Tips for Job Search Success in 2025

Job hunting can be a challenge, whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional looking for your next opportunity. Here are seven tips to help make your search a success, keeping up with the current job market: 1. Apply Flawlessly Take extra care when submitting applications. Typos, formatting errors, and inconsistencies in style can cost you an opportunity. Nowadays, software makes it

February 24 Read more

Kickstart Your Charity’s Bequest Program in 3 Simple Steps!

You’ve likely heard about the mega-transition of wealth from the Baby Boomers to younger generations. Making sure your charity is comfortable in promoting and talking about gifts in wills is key to developing this kind of revenue! Remember that 30% of people in Canada are interested in leaving a charity in their will and 5% have already added a charity to their will – so let’s get cracking! Step O

February 19 Read more

8 Ingredients for a Winning (Fundraising) Résumé

I’ll admit, résumés aren’t my favourite way to get to know someone. I’d much rather meet face-to-face to talk about their career goals, background, and achievements. But in most cases, a resume is your entry ticket to that meeting. Make sure it represents you in the best way possible. Here are eight tips to help your résumé stand out: Present Well: I’ve seen many résumé formats, from traditional t

February 10 Read more

The Real Reasons Your Best People Are Leaving (And Won’t Tell You)

As someone who’s been a recruiter and fundraiser in the nonprofit sector for a long time, I hear a lot. My conversations with candidates are always confidential, and unless I’m explicitly told to share something with an employer, it stays with me. What I’m sharing here is anecdotal. I’m not running surveys, conducting focus groups, or crunching data. What I do have is years of experience and count

February 2 Read more

Protecting Your Peace in a Hectic World

Thank God Blue Monday, the so-called "saddest day of the year", is behind us. It can only go up from here, right? Let's be honest, are you feeling frustrated, angry, or burned out? If you are, you're not alone. I feel like the last five years have taken a toll on all of us. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but the world has never seemed this difficult or divisive. Oddly enough, when I watch o

January 27 Read more

IRL vs. URL: Why In-Person Still Wins

I know, we’ve all gotten a bit lazy - and yes, let’s just blame it on COVID! When the pandemic started, I was horrified at the thought of losing the ability to connect with people face-to-face. That connection was the essence of my business. Since the beginning, I’ve thrown myself out there, chatting with folks over coffee, drinks, or sometimes nothing at all, about careers, fundraising, nonprofit

January 13 Read more

Stick It Out! Why Leaving Your Current Job May Not Be the Best Move

Turnover has long been a challenge in the fundraising profession. In 1996, a study by Edward G. Thomas at Cleveland State University revealed that over half of development staff left their positions within five years. Since then, the situation has only worsened. A few years ago, frequent job changes on a résumé were red flags to recruiters. Today, in the context of high turnover, three years at a

January 6 Read more

Professional Development 2025: On Your Marks, Get Set, Plan!

Happy New Year! January brings a fresh start—a time to reflect on our lives, careers, and new opportunities for growth. This month often brings a surge of inquiries about job opportunities and requests for informational interviews, signaling the season for setting professional goals. However, rather than focusing on job-hopping, let’s look at ways to grow right where you are. The beginning of the

December 30, 2024 Read more

What to Clean Up on Your LinkedIn for 2025

Over 10 years ago, I wrote a blog post about optimizing LinkedIn profiles by deleting anything that wasn’t quite right for a professional space. Some of that advice still holds up, but LinkedIn has come a long way. Here’s an updated list of things to tidy up on your LinkedIn profile for the new year to keep it polished, relevant, and effective. Personal or Unprofessional Photos: Back then, it wasn

December 23, 2024 Read more

Irish Expat and Philanthropy Professional - How I Got into Working as a Development Officer in Philanthropy

Like so many others, growing up I never had a specific career goal in mind. Even after completing two degrees in my early twenties, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do—and I loved student life. It’s a great place to temporarily avoid reality. I lived in a bubble, floating between lectures, the library, and campus coffee shops. In my youth, there was much I didn’t know or even care to know. But

December 16, 2024 Read more