Blog Post by: Reagan Poe

2021. The year to put back on our favorite outfit, book a flight or take a road trip, and explore what the world has to offer. As we all know, 2020 was an unforgettable year. Remembered by uncertainty, loss, and transformation. I believe that 2020 has made us all into a better person and now that 2021 is well underway, it is time to get back out there and travel. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. Short get always to Santa Monica or long-awaited flights to Europe, traveling is my passion. As a girl who has traveled to many places, there are three things that I believe everyone should have before they hop in the car or jump on that plane.

1. A Great Piece of Luggage

Not much thought is put into it and you usually dig it out of your garage when you are headed on a trip. Before buying the luggage set I travel with now, I use to use whatever was available, whether that was my mom’s suitcase, my sister’s travel bag, or something borrowed from a friend. As I started to travel more and realized how beat up suitcases get when put on a plane (Destroyed. They come out looking like they’ve been through the war!), I started to feel bad using others’ suitcases and decided to invest in what I now carry, CalPak. I got my set from a warehouse sale and WOW. They still do get scratched and the infamous black marks all over, but it wipes off so easily. Now everyone asks to borrow my luggage!

2. A Portable Charger

Phones are most of our lifelines. They carry our boarding pass, are used to pass time by scrolling through social media, and the camera to capture memories along the way. With using it so often, it is inevitable that they are going to die. That is why having a portable charger is so important. I can’t tell you how many times I have been traveling, most recently at Disney World, and my phone has died. I felt lost and did not know what to do. After that day, I invested in a portable charger and that thing now goes everywhere with me. With traveling, it’s easy to forget to charge a phone and end up in a situation like I was in. Do yourself a favor and before you take off, go grab one!

3. A Water Bottle

Go and grab that reusable water bottle from the back of your cupboard and throw it in your bag before you head out the door. You will thank me later! I never thought of bringing a reusable water bottle while traveling, before but let me tell you, genius. You can take it through security empty, and then fill it up at a water fountain in the airport. After traveling all day, it should save you quite a bit. Also, they hold a lot more than a small water bottle and keep things cold for a long trip.

These three items are things that I never leave the house without when traveling. Keep these in mind and get outside and see the world. I promise you won’t regret it. See you in the air!

Blog Post by: Elaine Honig

My awesome team of brilliant young e-marketers and event-creators at STUDIO 4Forty loves talking to our partners about being on-brand for our events. Sometimes they have to edit or nix suggestions that might slightly miss the mark, because they’re “off-brand.” So, what exactly does it mean to be “on-brand” and how can we work together to create a unified image to help you and your organization maximize your fundraising goals at your upcoming event?

As the Founder of STUDIO 4Forty and an entrepreneur who’s created three successful brands, I’d like to shed some light (and toss in a little glitter and champagne) on how I came to understand the basics about branding and being “on-brand.” Sharing my journey will hopefully save you time and get you excited about this process of discovery as you prepare for your event!

My Journey aka Pick My Brain

As an entrepreneur who’s dedicated the past 25 years to creating major brands with staying power, I’m keen on saving you time by laying-out the basics about how to create a dynamic brand dedicated to improving lives. Once you understand brand-making, coming up with on-brand add-ons for your events will seem natural and fun.

Major Pro-Tip: My three key elements to branding and being on-brand:

Personality. Character. Values.

Being “on-brand” means staying true to the initial choices that defined the personality, character and values at the core of the event (or business). Making sure every choice, from communication, to event planning, to banners, and event elements, mirrors the key concepts and goals of the event/business.

From Wine To Shoes

When I co-created and developed my first brand, a family-owned, boutique, Napa Valley winery, my goal was to position and grow a locally-owned family business into a nationally-recognized wine company. The brand needed to be re-vitalized to become irresistible and relevant. To make this happen, I sat down and asked myself simple, but important questions like:

If this wine were a person, what would he/she/they be like?

Silly? Nope. Asking this almost child-like question and coming up with all kinds of cool answers over time helped me define the Personality of the Brand.

I decided the wine would be a person who’d be fun to be around, be of high-quality, creative and congenial. After you’d imbibed, you’d walk away feeling like you’d gotten more than you expected and would be eager to return again to experience this person/wine.

This Brand Personality Profile helped me define business decisions from packaging to winery events covering every aspect of communication and consumer experience. This wine personality profile guided all my business decisions, so when added up, they were bulls-eye “on-brand.”

Fast Forward to Wine Women and Shoes

When I was developing my new business, Wine Women & Shoes, which with the addition of Farm to Table(aux) became STUDIO 4Forty, I was excited to ask myself questions that felt more like I was dating someone than doing work!

Branding 101: Personality

I asked myself … if Wine Women & Shoes were a new friend I wanted to meet and be with, what kind of person would she be? I decided she’d be

– Fun to be around

– Supportive of other women

– Likes celebrating other women’s successes and

– Loves to be with her girlfriends

And this is where Personality starts moving into Character.

Branding 101: Character

Character, to me, is what the company/brand/friend looks like on the inside. Personality is what the company/brand/friend look like out the outside. What are the internal qualities of my Wine Women & Shoes friend?        

– She likes to bond

– Create close, meaningful relationships with her friends

– She’s expressive and loves to dance, go out, dress-up, woo-hoo with champagne and a pair of Manolos

– She’s generous, cares about her greater world, and likes to be involved with not-for-profits because she wants to help change things for the better

– She walks the aspirational talk and knows how to have fun, and not be preachy doin’ it

– Basically, she’s fab inside and out. She’s you/me/us. She’s Wine Women & Shoes

What’s Next?

Once I understand the brand and know its personality and character, I start creating elements for an event like e-blasts, banners, table design or elements of live performance. I look at everything through the lens of the Wine Women & Shoes character, and ask, “Does what I want to do fit with the personality and character of the brand?”

If the answer is YES, you’re on-brand!

If the answer is maybe not so much, take a few breaths, and when you’re ready, play with some new ideas.

Branding 101: Values

Our event brands also have a purpose and a focus. But more on that next time. The STUDIO 4Forty personality doesn’t give everything away at the first meet! She holds back some of the good stuff for the next time we get together.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, reach out and brainstorm with us. We’re STUDIO 4Forty friends, and we’re here for you.

Oh, one last thing.

You! Go! Girl!

Blog Post by: Allie Duggan

Social media is a valuable resource, especially for non-profits. To truly understand the value of social media, let’s dive into the benefits of a strong social presence. Social media gives organizations that have a limited budget the opportunity to reach far beyond their regular audience. Social posts can boost engagement with your organization, increase brand awareness, and get the word out about fundraisers that are being held.

Boosting engagement can be as simple as asking followers to comment how they think your organization supports the community or share a personal experience that they have had with the organization. When more followers engage with your posts on a regular basis, it boosts your relevance and keeps your messaging on the top of the algorithms many social networks use. You simply have to present an engaging prompt in an aesthetically pleasing, on-brand way, and you’re on your way to building your social status as a “must follow” organization.

As a non-profit, posts focused on your mission and vision can help to increase brand awareness. Any emotional tie you can make between your mission and your audience is going to make a lasting impression. Since the majority of nonprofits’ missions are to better the community in one way or another, and if you can get the word out about how you are putting your mission into action through social posts, you will expand your brand awareness within the community you’re serving (and beyond).

Social media is also a great way to promote any fundraisers you are or will be hosting, whether it be a big event or just peer-to-peer fundraising. Save the dates, invitations, event updates and event highlights are easily transformed into social posts that can get the word out to a large audience, maybe even reaching a demographic you haven’t been able to access before.

I know it can seem like a daunting project to tackle, but there are so many resources that make consistent, on-brand posts incredibly effective. One website I have taken a little bit of time to check out recently is Canva. Canva makes social media content creation easy and feasible to up your social media game with minimal time and a user-friendly application. You have the option to create posts or stories from the collection of templates they provide. Not only do they offer static layouts, but they also have an option to add a little bit of spice with motion in the elements, as well.

Gone are the days that social media is simply a networking site to keep in contact with distant relatives and friends you’ve met along the way. Companies are utilizing it as a tool to get out there and create a buzz and it’s working, especially if you’re doing it consistently. This isn’t something that is going away anytime soon, which is why it’s so important to position yourself as a strong presence in the social network now.

Blog Post by: Kimberly Perry

I love to use a timeless adage when I need to prove a point. Whether I’m having a conversation with my kids or doing a sales call – it’s a quirk that makes me old-fashioned and always works like a charm. I’m a “moral-of-the-story” gal at heart.

From the self-explanatory go-to favorites like, “the early bird gets the worm,” and “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” to those especially relevant to our fundraising event world, cue the, “many hands make light work” and “the proof is in the pudding” phrases stored in my toolbelt. I find that these phrases are attention grabbers, as well as easily understood.

 Now and then, however, I’ll use an expression and subsequently realize I have no clue how it originated.   

This happened on one of my sales calls recently when outlining the “secret sauce” behind the teams hosting our longest-running events. I defaulted to my handy, “they never rest on their laurels” explanation. I know what the expression conveys, but what is a “laurel?” Upon a quick Google search, I uncovered the Greek history in this really cool article. In a nutshell: Back in the day, a wreath made of laurel leaves (often worn as a crown) symbolized victory.

Understanding the origin of this expression made it easier to explain and prove my point.

If you’re wondering how and why our best teams have the strongest events, it’s because they never take previous success for granted. They work just as hard on their seventeenth event now as they did on their first.

 If specific event elements each symbolize a laurel branch, here are some examples of how our teams keep their wreaths (so to speak) fresh every year:

• New graphics. They change up their branding with different designs and color themes so marketing collateral stands out to the recipient and doesn’t feel stale
• Sell sponsorships early and retain the same sponsors every year while also adding new sponsorship packages and opportunities for local businesses to leverage the event for community marketing
• Release and sell VIP tables in advance, allowing top sponsors and donors to pre-select their tables with first right of refusal (some teams do this six months prior to their events!)
• Be BOLD & take a risk with surprise WOW moments for your guests. Two of our teams incorporated celebrity impersonators and cover bands as musical segments into their fashion shows and the guests went crazy. Who doesn’t love a Top Gun Maverick look-a-like on stage during the live auction?!

 The list goes on, but those are some common denominators across our teams whose events consistently feel fresh and grow in revenue annually. The teams that modify their formula, even if ever so slightly each year, generate new and better results.

 This brings me to my new favorite expression when it comes to keeping our events fresh yet sustainable:

 Don’t reinvent the wheel – REDESIGN it!

Blog Post by: Sarah Obialero

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, or maybe have even said, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” I’ve always found this statement funny because the fact is, we all have the ability to create to some level. Simply put, being creative means using your imagination. Basically, think like a child.  We all have the capacity to do that, right?  

Growing up, every day we are trained how to think and act like an adult – preparing us for the logical, rational thinking that comes with the responsibilities we will carry on our minds and shoulders for the rest of our lives. Ugh – major buzz kill.  But now, as adults, who’s teaching (or reminding) us how to think and act like a child? How do we let our imaginations run free, embrace irrational thinking in an attempt to find our creative bones, and open up a side of us we’ve probably forgotten about? I hate to say it, but that’s up to us.

When I was young, creating seemed to come so easy. Ideas flowed like a raging river out of my brain and into whatever I was working on at that moment: Painting, drawing, building, designing my dream house, making jewelry, etc. Time and responsibility weren’t a concern, and I could just explore freely and create whatever I wanted. 

Today, I feel so blessed to make a living doing what I love. Creating is my happy place. It always has been. I love getting lost in an idea, experimenting with combinations of various elements, coming up with branding directions and imagery. Yet sometimes I think back to my youth and wonder, do I still have ALL the creative bones I did back then, or have I lost some? 

Personally, when I feel the stresses of adult life starting to build up and block my creative thinking, I get outside and go for a run. I know it sounds strange, but it works for me. I started running in high school because I needed an outlet to filter the frustration of being a teenager and to build confidence in myself. I quickly got addicted to the feeling of freedom when running and the way my brain would start to wander and explore different thoughts – sparking new ideas or ways of thinking about something. As an adult, this has always been where my creative bones seem to re-appear. When I get back from a run, I feel relieved, more focused, confident, and most often ready to tackle my next project.

It’s true, to some running feels more like torture. But for me, it takes me back to my childhood for a little while ­– to a moment when time itself felt abundant, and carefree, and my ideas flowed non-stop. I think that’s the trick to finding your creative bones – doing something that makes you feel like a child again. I mean, really, that’s where creativity seems to live anyway.

Creativity has no defined process. It’s about letting go of process and allowing your imagination to take control. I encourage you to find your creative bones, because you do have them. Think about what you can do that will bring you back to your child-like self and set your imagination free. Happy creating!

Blog Post shared from Special Events Galore Volume 21, Issue 4 publication. Article submitted by Krista Elmore and Ashlee Meier.

Whether they are virtual or in‐person, it’s crucial to keep events fresh, especially in today’s dynamic fundraising environment. Here Krista Elmore and Ashlee Meier of STUDIO 4Forty share their top tips to keep things captivating:

1. Update graphics annually. Design a unique event logo that is implemented each year for brand recognition but refresh your graphics annually. To create new excitement and interest, incorporate different images, color patterns and textures.
2. Spice up your food service. Food service is going to look a little different during and after the pandemic. Get creative with your food displays to help guests feel comfortable enjoying a bite and to play into the theme of your event. Consider reusable, branded tumblers guests can keep at in‐person events or charcuterie boxes for virtual ones.
3. Refresh auctions with Golden Ticket. With the ability for guests to bid, buy and get text message notifications as soon as they’ve been outbid, silent auctions have made a comeback. Take things to the next level with a Golden Ticket activation, where anyone who bids at a certain level is entered into a drawing for another fabulous prize. This can be activated in person or online, encouraging donors to bid higher than they normally would, for a chance at winning an additional item.
4. Integrate interactive elements. Incorporate opportunities for guests to get involved in the event. In person, this could include an interactive art installation, like a larger‐than‐life paint‐by‐numbers board, a 3D photo wall with physical props or a living art piece that creates a great photo opp. For virtual events, a trivia game, peer‐to‐peer fundraising element or contest allows guests to contribute to the event’s entertainment and provides incentive to tune in year after year.

Blog Post by: Ashlee Meier 

The past twelve months have been a lot of things. Scary, overwhelming, exhausting… and, well, a touch confusing. With so much everyday “normal” put on pause, many have found what they thought were strong foundations, faltering. Perhaps you’ve even noticed yourself stutter over something as simple as a Zoom conversation when asked for a snapshot introduction of who you are. 

I have to confess, for a time in my life, situations and questions like that used to terrify me. Not that I’m unsure of myself, or that I can’t rattle off bullet points that some would say define the answer, but I was often left wondering… is that it?

Sure, it’s easy to start with, “Hi, I’m <insert name here>….” but then your relationship status shifts, and the name you’ve said your whole life changes, and you stumble over the words and the feeling your lips make when you say your new name. Even months or years in, you randomly respond with your former name and shake your head.

Then you follow up with, “… and I’m a <insert job title, chosen career, employer, passionate hobby, parenting role, etc.>” But of course, that role changes, too. Sometimes frequently, sometimes years in between, sometimes one replacing the other and often adding a new role in the mix. In the last year, this component has shifted even more dramatically than usual as job loss or furlough struck, many parents became teachers, caregiving took on a whole new meaning, and hobbies and activities that used to define us were stripped away.

So, if the very first pieces of my go to intro are subject to change, IS that who I am? Is it who I am right now? This moment? This phase of life? The pandemic version? Is that what people really want to know when they ask that question? My gut reaction, “No way, I am SO much more than that.” And let me tell you a little secret, friends…. so are you.

A few years ago, I met a dear friend for a happy hour that I will never forget. You know those friends who you can be your realest, rawest self with, and they love you regardless? She is one of those. We hadn’t been together in a while and had both been in uprooting seasons of change and struggle, so we had loads to catch up on.

Happy hour turned into happy FOUR hours (remember those days? Sighhh). We shared our junk, we laughed, we cried, we prayed, we encouraged each other, and discovered that we were both in a place where the foundations of “who are you” were being shaken or shattered, much like many are currently experiencing.

So, we explored that question a little differently. We talked through the core of our personalities. We talked through the unique pieces of our lives that stand out. We talked through the way we impact people around us, what we often bring to the table. We talked through what people might remember when they interact with us. And that conversation brought us to the thought of new “names.”  Musicians, artists and actors often choose a more appealing stage name. We see many biblical references to emerging after trials with a name change. So, what about everyday us? Why can’t we elect for new “name?”

This concept had been on my friend’s mind for a while, and she shared what that meant for her. Her new name rang confidently from her lips: Victorious.

Wow. Roll that around in your mind for a moment and think about THAT answer to, “who are you?” I couldn’t wait to land on mine, but knew it was something I couldn’t randomly choose. I reflected, I journaled, I prayed… and I waited. 

And then it hit me like a ton of exciting bricks: Champion of Joy.

…and then I immediately exploded in laughter thinking about ACTUALLY calling myself that. Like, no way that grand and moderately silly title was meant for me. What does that even mean?! But I kept hearing it, seeing it, and I knew that indeed, it was.

And do you know what? It’s changed EVERYTHING for me. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Champion of Joy is who I am, and I try to live it every moment. It’s a role I can carry with me in any relationship (marriage, friends, business), through any job title or career change, into my new role as a mother, into any conversation, interaction and moment, I can choose to exude joy and try to bring it to those around me. It’s my unique purpose in life and I plan to own that until my final day.

Some days I get it right. Other days I fail, over and over again. But I know that doesn’t change it. It doesn’t change me, even in moments I struggle to find joy or when it comes more easily. Champion of Joy is who I am and who I will always be, and days when I struggle the most, that simple truth brings light. And I’ve needed to cling to that truth to find a sliver of light in the many dark days we’ve recently faced.

Friends, I encourage you to take a fresh look at “who you are.” I challenge you to spend some time in reflection/prayer/meditation/fellowship and consider your name as a core truth about your unique self. Once you have it, or if you’ve already known it, I would love for you to share it with me. I want to get to know you, celebrate you, and maybe help remind you on days you forget.

Blog Post by: Jennifer Downes

At the beginning of every new year, the expectation is always to set a new goal(s) that you would like to accomplish, whether it’s personal, professional, or both. This concept sounds great, but setting a goal has never worked for me. I always select something that seems unattainable and by March I’m burnt out and frustrated that I’m not achieving the goal (and expectation) I placed upon myself.

This year I decided to switch things up and outline intentions (not goals) for the year.  With that, I set my 2021 word of the year to be “courage.” I want to have the courage to step outside of my comfort zone and try the intentions I’ve set forth for myself. For example, one of my personal intentions was to learn how to cook. For some reason, cooking has always intimidated me. Finding a recipe, shopping for the ingredients, following the steps, etc. seemed so overwhelming and time consuming. All of those feelings left me disliking cooking, but it was something that lingered in my mind and I always wanted to tackle it. Well, 2021 is going to be different and I’m determined to step outside my comfort zone and take the risk to learn how to cook. Really, what could happen with me taking this risk? I burn dinner?  That’s ok, because we’ll order take out. Worst case, I end up in the same spot, still not loving cooking, but at least I know I tried and might learn a few things along the way. 

So, at the beginning of January, I opened up the Joanna Gaines cookbook that my sister gave me as a Christmas present and I started cooking. Was it easy at first? Nope. It felt like making one dish took hours, but it got easier every time I tried. I’m so glad I had the courage to step outside my comfort zone, because now I love cooking. I’m even making homemade bread! My absolute favorite part is that my kids love helping me cook. Taking this risk has not only taught me a few cooking skills, but has provided another opportunity for my children and I to spend quality time together! That alone is priceless and a benefit I wasn’t even expecting! 

I have a list of intentions I set forth to try this year for my personal life as well as my professional life. One work intention is earning my CFRE certification. This is something I never thought I would even try to achieve, but taking the risk to achieve this certification is worth it. I qualified to take the test (which is an achievement on its own), but now I’m in the process of studying and looking to take the exam in the middle of June. If I don’t step outside of my comfort zone and take this risk, I will never be able to reap the reward! Best case, I pass on my first try. Worst case, I don’t pass and have to take the test again. Either way, as I’m in the process of studying, I’m learning a plethora of information that is beneficial to multiple aspects of my life.  

Take a moment and consider areas within your personal and professional lives where you could benefit from a little more courage, because you’re nervous to step outside of your comfort zone. Whether it’s launching a new program within your organization, a new fundraising campaign, starting the capital campaign that’s been put on hold, or even making the ask to a major donor, if you don’t find the courage within yourself and take the risk, how will you ever be able to reap the reward? Are you always going to succeed? Absolutely not, but you’ll GROW! With every new risk there is an opportunity that naturally occurs: The opportunity to learn something new. You’ll learn whether that new program worked for your mission or if the campaign made enough funds. Then you’ll know for next time how you can adjust the steps you put into place to get you to the level of success you want to achieve. 

Life’s too short – take the risk! The reward will be worth it.

Blog Post by: Krista Elmore, CFRE

I heard a phrase recently that said, “I can do anything, but not everything.” It was tied to an enneagram 3 (if you haven’t heard of enneagrams, check out this site, they are fabulously fun personality types to learn about). An enneagram 3 is often referred to as, “The Achiever.” While this phrase stuck with me personally, because I fall into that personality type, I think it is applicable to so many that get into nonprofit work, whether that is their enneagram number or not. 

So many of us that work for, support, volunteer for, sit on the board of, or fundraise for nonprofits are achievers. We want to make a difference in the communities we live, in a mission we relate to, and in the lives of those served. The achiever personality trait is vital to persevering through obstacles, through bad days or tough cases, and keeps us driving forward towards our next goal.

There are drawbacks to being achievers, though. Sometimes, we have to combat our own hero complexes. Sometimes, we have to force ourselves to slow down and take a break. Other times, we have to accept failure. These are all hard lessons for an achiever, for anyone striving to be the best they can be to make a difference, but the key is that they are lessons. As frustrating and challenging as it may be to not reach a goal or to have to ask for help from others, there is opportunity for growth.

I recently became a Certified Fund Raising Expert (CFRE). That process involved a major application where I had to outline all of my achievements, my continuing education, and prove that I was even eligible to take a test. Once accepted, which was a feat of its own, I spent weeks studying for a big multiple-choice test to prepare me for fundraising questions that span the entire world. It forced me to think globally, to focus on the non-negotiables within the fundraising field, and gave me a broader perspective. At the end of the test, I grappled with how difficult those questions were, wondering if I had done enough, then rejoicing when I learned I had passed.

Here’s the lesson, though: In order for me to successfully pass this big, important test, I had to ask for help from coworkers and from my personal support system and drop some of my other responsibilities temporarily in order to focus on the main priority, which was that CFRE achievement I wanted to see in the comma behind my name.

There are non-negotiables in life, which each of us have to decide upon. As achievers, we want to be able to do it all. We never want to let anyone down, or “drop the ball.” There’s a metaphor I love that says, and I’m paraphrasing here, that says, “when you’re juggling the priorities of your life, know which balls are made of glass, and which are made of rubber.” There are non-negotiables in life that need to stay in the air, the balls made of glass, that should stay a priority. The balls made of rubber, though, can be dropped and picked back up when you’re ready to add them back in.

As nonprofit achievers, make sure you know where your priorities lie. Family, your health, and your self-worth are non-negotiable, glass balls. In your job, you may have non-negotiables, too, but if you’re having trouble distinguishing between which priorities are glass and which are rubber, please do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor to bounce your struggles off of and reassess what’s truly important. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to juggle when you’ve unloaded some of those, “it can wait,” rubber balls.

Blog Post by: Heather Frank, CFRE

My old friend, accountability. It’s a relationship based on love, respect and personal hard truths.

As odd as it sounds to say, I have a personal love for accountability. In truth, the more accountable I am, the more connected I feel in my relationships with God, family and friends, with partners and donors, and even with my STUDIO 4Forty staff. Understand it or not, trust it or not, your private and professional relationships are defined and sustained in the context of accountability.

I am honored to work with wonderful nonprofit executives, development teams, support staff, and Board Members. What always surprises me is that there are three types of accountable workers. A third of workers in the development field diligently track personal and professional performance. The next third are less focused on metrics, preferring to, “fly by the seat of their pants.” The final third avoid, avoid, avoid accountability at all costs, really having never been taught or truly developed the love or the habit of it.

Now, let’s really talk about a few of the reasons why I love accountability as an executive, as a consultant, and as a fundraiser.

1. The BEST Fundraisers RESPECT Accountability.In fact, the best of the best usually become indifferent or disappointed with leaders who neglect or make time to do regular performance reviews. On the one hand, it’s gratifying to think that organizational leaders have faith and trust in you, and don’t feel the need to check up on your progress. However, ongoing accountability provides you the chance to show your efforts, success, insights, and suggestions for improvement. In other words, it’s your one chance to say what you think and brag on what you’ve done. The best fundraisers would welcome the praise and suggestions for improvement regularly, but at the very least, annually. Leaders who feel disconnected from this process or avoid staff performance reviews are doing a disservice to both the organization and the staff. It’s as if they are taking for granted the hard work going on around them without analyzing or striving for improvements themselves.
2. If You Can’t Account For What You Are Doing, You Can Never Complain About Having Too Much To Do.The first thing I often hear from our partners is how overwhelming the workload is (and still is) at most nonprofits. It is also typical to hear that much of that work has nothing to do with fundraising. SHOCKING, RIGHT? Not for most of you. I see this all the time. Development staff have so much responsibility, often overly involved with events, committee meetings, and special projects that don’t directly relate to fundraising and donor relations, and the stress they feel has a lot to do with being held 100-percent accountable for revenues with 30-percent of their time allocated to fundraising. Most of the time, in this profession, wearing many hats is unavoidable and required. Sometimes, however, stress from an unreasonable workload is the fundraiser’s own fault. Unable to give an exacting account of his/her time, there’s no performance data on which to base an appeal to support or less work. In such cases, high accountability is not the cause of stress. It’s the lack of personal and professional accountability that prevents employees from dealing with it. I know, I know… that’s a BIG statement, but try saying this three times to yourself in the mirror, then tell me how it made you feel: I am accountable for my own stress.
3. Performance vs. Missed Potential. This month, we consulted with a nonprofit that has 768 donors who have given anywhere from $100 a year to $10,000 a year. However, none of those donors are in the portfolio or on the radar of the development staff, and no one has ever called on any of them. That is a MAJOR missed opportunity that highlighted several basic challenges for that organization:
   • Assumptions vs. Reality: they were doing well enough and didn’t recognize or feel a pressing need to further steward or cultivate those donors. The reality is that by not recognizing or further stewarding those donors, they will lose them permanently.
   • Staff were too involved or too busy with other responsibilities to follow up on these donors. Time management became more about putting out fires in the present than progress towards the future.
   • They had not planned or strategized for incorporating additional development into their strategic plans. I see this happen ALL THE TIME. Many organizations are not reaching their fund-development potential and instead of raising the bar, they are settling for less.

As I mentioned earlier, there are three types of non-profit development professionals. Each type relates to personal and professional accountability differently—those who loved it, those who tolerate it, and those who hate it. The hard truth to hear is, why would you ever want anyone on your team who hates or lacks accountability? The “tolerators” are those willing to be held accountable if their supervisors insist. The “lovers” are those who hold themselves accountable even if no one else does. Too often we see non-profit development professionals that are trying to keep others from discovering what they are doing or not doing. 

To all of my non-profit friends, leaders, Board Member, and development staff members, I know that you value and appreciate the importance of accountability. I want to challenge you to be the leader that changes the culture within your organization to one of accountability lovers and watch your team RISE UP!

As off the wall as it may sound, when I shut down for the day, I feel relief in knowing that I’m doing a good job. I know that I’m making a difference at my local hospital, at my local Boys & Girls Clubs, with our STUDIO 4Forty partners, or whatever organization I am serving. It doesn’t matter if anybody ever evaluates my performance other than myself, because I hold myself to a higher standard. I know when I’m making a positive difference and know when I need to do better. I am a lover of accountability and it shows in my work.

Blog Post by: Elaine Honig

I’ve always thought of myself as an entrepreneur. To me, entrepreneur means someone who starts things, whether it be a business, non-profit, a bocce league, a city park… something that goes from conversation to reality. Entrepreneurs pull together threads of ideas, fragments of conversation, and people to launch something, to solve a problem, to provide a service, to improve things. Once a good endeavor gets rolling, it can grow beyond and take on a life of its own, like STUDIO 4Forty.

Founding and building STUDIO 4Forty has been the most fulfilling endeavor of my life. Building this enterprise is the result of fantastic team work with Heather, Ashlee, Krista, Jennifer, Kim, Sarah, Allie and Reagan. Working with them and watching them grow beyond me has given me a sense of wonder and warmth. Every day they inspire me.

Witnessing these women care so much for our clients and each other makes me optimistic. They demonstrate every day in hundreds of small ways that we can live generous lives and thrive in our work. Together, we’ve learned we can create abundance and good will and find solutions to any challenge. This hardworking team of smart, capable women care about helping people, the greater good in the world, and prove again and again they are oriented to the needs of others.

My stepfather used to say, “Always give more than you take. Be the first to step up, then you’ll see others will step up, and pretty soon, everyone will be feeling good and stepping up.” This philosophy is the guiding compass of our business, and it’s navigated us through rough waters.

Watching our team try new things (course work, virtual events, & consulting) and be fearless about it fills me with pride and joy. They’re determined. They have heart. They’re creative and collaborative. Beautiful and smart. Strong and resilient. I love and appreciate each and every one.

Thank you to my team! May the journey continue.

Blog Post by: Allie Duggan

There is not one aspect of life where color is an afterthought. It may seem like an insignificant choice, but it is so incredibly powerful and has the ability to accomplish so much. For 21 years, the Pantone Color Institute has announced the, “Pantone Color of the Year” on December 1^stfor the upcoming year. This choice in color has become a trendsetting influencer in many global industries including fashion, home decor, packaging, and of course, graphic design. Not only does it affect industries, but it can have a major psychological and spiritual impact as well.

Hues and shades of blue can evoke emotions of peace and tranquility. That subconscious link is drawn from nature, such as the subtle blue sky or the quiet trickle of water. It is for this reason you might choose blue in a bedroom or bathroom for a calming and serene retreat after a busy and chaotic day. A cool tone like blue can also serve as a place to rest your eyes in a design layout that is busy or full of patterns. Providing a place for consumers to take a break from communication allows them to digest all of the information.

On the other end of the spectrum, orange is an energizing color that can make you feel happy and uplifted. If you literally think of peeling open an orange, you are hit with a zing of citrus and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the use of the color orange does the same; it creates a buzz. If your living room is missing a pop of color, orange is perfect in the form of an overstuffed chair, a fuzzy blanket, or throw pillows. This can help to warm up and bring excitement to the room, perfect for a space you would entertain in. With its attention-grabbing quality, it is no surprise that this is a go to on a page full of information to help guide your eye to the most important message.

Color goes far deeper than influencing design industries, though. The year 2020 was a heavy for a multitude of reasons, which is why 2021 is the world’s year for hope and healing, and in true fashion, Pantone has chosen colors that represent just that. The 2021 Pantone colors are Ultimate Gray 17-5104 and Illuminating 13-0647. The two are yin and yang, which bring a much-needed balance to the uncertain world we are living in today. Ultimate Gray symbolizes strength and resilience, and Illuminating symbolizes brightness and positivity. These colors come together and complement each other to give a solid foundation of hope, exactly what the human spirit needs in this year!

The opportunities with color are endless, and these examples only scratched the surface. Color has a huge impact in all aspects of life, and when chosen with purpose, can make a world of difference.