You got into this work — this beautiful work — because you wanted your time on this Earth to be meaningful, helpful, worthy…

… of your time, your energy, your knowledge, your care.

But over time, the tensions and expectations and frictions and pressures and inequities and… all the rest… of this work have made you question your choices.

The work feels far too hard.

Exhausting.

Like you’re on the path to burnout.

Or that maybe you’re already quite far down that path?

The words I hear again and again from folks in your shoes:

Overwhelmed.

Disconnected.

Stressed.

Under-appreciated.

You’re not alone.

People like you struggle all the time to know what the right next move is — especially when funding, or the lack thereof, perpetually casts a giant shadow over everything we do, putting us in survival mode, and hindering real strategic thinking.

I know from experience how completely depleting it can be to use all your wisdom, all your passion, all your enthusiasm… just to keep the hamster wheel spinning.

I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like this.

Really, it doesn’t.

Hi! I’m Cecelia.

I’m a social worker (with an MSW) and a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). I first got into fundraising work via grant writing. And I soon moved into practicing all the other elements of nonprofit fundraising and development, as well (from working with boards; to PR, communications, and marketing; to event-planning; to building relationships with donors; to writing fundraising appeals).

From the beginning, I voraciously studied and followed so-called “best practices.”

And I was a true generalist.

I did it all, and I was collaboratively responsible for raising millions of dollars — from all manner of public and private sources, institutional and individual donors.

So, over the years, I have really gotten the full picture of nonprofit fundraising.

And after more than a decade-and-a-half doing this work, I’m ready to help my beloved colleagues do our work better…

… to be less stressed…

… to find meaningful success…

… to find joy in the work again…

… and, more than anything, to help you re-connect with why you got into this work in the first place: I’m guessing to make a positive difference in this struggling, chaotic, messy world… yes?

That’s what I’m about.

I teach you — leaders, executive directors, fundraisers — the art of transforming fundraising… into philanthropy.

The roots of the word philanthropy are Greek: philos, meaning love (think Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love”), and anthropos, meaning humanity (think anthropology, or the scientific study of humanity).

I love humans.

I especially love humans in community with each other.

When humans gather together, and care about each other, and work together to prioritize their collective well-being, gathering resources for the good of all is a natural result of their relationships with each other.

That’s just who we are, as human beings.

We are built for philanthropy.

But here’s the thing: true philanthropy only exists… when we live in solidarity with one another.

And a sense of solidarity with our fellow humans is not at ALL the foundation of what has become a whole “industry” that we call “philanthropy.”

Now, I know this may sound a bit counter-intuitive…

… but fundraising has grown to focus too much on the money.

A hyper-focus on the money — over the decades that this “industry” has developed — has warped the prevailing ways we DO the work.

And the humans in the middle of the work have been getting chewed up and spit out.

I’ve been watching this repeatedly happen, both in my own experience, and in that of those around me, for decades now.

You too, I’m guessing?

We can’t let this happen.

This is why, as leaders, we need to shift our gaze toward leading with a philanthropic approach, rather than a fundraising one.

This shift not only gives you a new way of approaching your financial strategies — but, even more importantly, you’ll have a new way of relating to your work, your team, and those served by your mission.

We don’t often talk about love when we talk about professional leadership — but we should, don’t you think?

The more we focus on embodying love, and on our shared humanity — our solidarity — with all of the humans around us…

… the less stress we’ll feel…

… the more joy we’ll feel…

… the more our work will actually accomplish its mission…

… the more joy and love we’ll bring to others…

… AND…

…drumroll please….

… as a result, the more money we can raise.

Through Leadership Coaching for Philanthropy, I’ll come alongside you, right in the thick of it all, and we’ll work in tandem to develop your skills in the art and science of a philanthropic approach.

We’ll address everything from engaging your team members… to donor relationships… to managing your capacity and energy… to navigating stress… and/or conflict… and/or difficult decisions.

Our goal will be to guide you to the offramp from that stressful, never-ending hamster wheel we are all so familiar with — so you can reconnect with the beauty, the deeper meaning, of this work we are privileged to do every day.

How does that sound?

What is it like to work with me?

Here are a few things to know:

  • You’ll have a partner who understands where you are, and what you’re experiencing, and can help you navigate the path ahead….

  • We’ll stay connected, on a regular basis (but not in a way that will just add more to your plate or your overwhelm)….

  • We’ll build a deep trust with each other….

  • I’ll help you see the bigger picture, when you’re getting bogged down in the details… and be sure to remind you to dot the “i’s” and cross the “t’s” when you’re getting swept away in the strategy….

  • You’ll be able to rest easier, knowing you have me available for the edits, the gut-checks, the thought-partnership you find yourself needing, in the day-to-day….

  • You’ll have the accountability you need and want, to ensure you make the progress that you want to make…

  • And that’s just a start.

“Working with Cecelia as a coach was great! I was early in my career as a nonprofit leader and had a lot to learn as quickly as possible.

Cecelia has an incredible breadth of knowledge in the space, but what set her apart was her willingness to tackle hard conversations, her ability to make them more comfortable, and showing that we can bounce back from missteps.

Her support allowed me to accelerate my leadership — as not just the Executive Director, but as the Chief Philanthropy Officer too."

— Hoang Murphy, CEO | People Serving People

Logistics

  • Two Meetings a Month (2 hours each)

  • Coaching/Guidance via Email In-Between Meetings (an opportunity to address issues as they arise and receive of-the-moment support)

  • Ongoing Feedback on Your Work in Writing (via Google Docs)

  • Minimum Contract: Nine Months (and we can continue on a month-to-month basis after that point)

  • Evaluation Pauses (check-ins on how it’s going) every three months; we pause, connect, evaluate whether we are on track for our goals

  • At each Evaluation Pause, if we see that things aren’t working, we cancel the contract; I’m not going to hold you to it, if we’re not creating value together

  • We can also take up to three months “off” in a year-long engagement, if needed for any reason

I offer a sliding-fee scale, based on the size and operating budget of your organization, between $1,500/month and $5,500/month.

What do you say?

Got questions?

Want to learn more?

Ready to go?

Let’s talk.