The Monthly Leap - March 2025
Hi there!
How is it already March? Anyone else feel like Christmas was just yesterday?
Thank you to everyone who has replied to these newsletters or shared how much they’re enjoying them. I hope they give you a look into what’s going on in my life, brain, and business. I genuinely enjoy sitting down to “talk” to all of you so keep the ideas and feedback coming!
We’ll keep it simple again this month and cover:
What's on my mind?
What's coming up?
A tip of the month
A quick request
I hope this email is a little spot of sunshine in your week!
Rikki
Owner / Founder
LEAP Nonprofit Consulting
What's on my mind?
One of my favorite podcasters shares a quarterly update about what’s saving her life right now. I was inspired during her recent episode to share my own list in case it’s helpful (or just interesting) to any of you:
Calendly – I used Calendly to help with scheduling off and on for years, including to schedule individual donor and board member meetings. Now, I literally cannot imagine running this business without it. If you want to try it out, there's a free version, but I pay for an upgrade that runs about $100 a year. It cuts down on endless email back-and-forth and helps me set boundaries around different types of meetings. Want to catch up? Great, but only within the hours I’ve set for that. Need something as a current client? I’ll make time for you ASAP. Just want to pick my brain? I love those chats, but I limit myself to a few a week so I have time for other things. (For real – schedule a 30-minute strategy session if you want fundraising advice!)
Fireflies.AI – This AI note-taking tool is incredible (and maybe a little creepy?) in how well it captures meeting notes and action items. I still take handwritten notes, but having a backup keeps my brain more organized. If I’d had this in my old job – where most days I had nine straight hours of meetings – it would’ve been a lifesaver. (Want to try it? Reply, and I’ll send you a discount code!)
Aldi’s Cheese Cubes – Hard pivot but hear me out. When I get busy, I forget to eat lunch. But once I realize I haven’t eaten, I need to eat immediately. So I keep Aldi’s pre-cubed cheese in my fridge at the office. If all I can do is grab a handful of cheese cubes, at least I’ve eaten and I’m not a complete dragon when I get home from work.
Kindle Unlimited – I know Amazon has its issues and yes, physical books are great. But for the last couple of years, having easy access to all of the mindless thrillers, romance, and fantasy that I want has been necessary. Even running a business and being in school full-time, I read 10-12 books a month for fun. Having a virtually endless supply of e-books at my fingertips? Bad for my sleep schedule. Great for my soul.
Asking for help – Turns out, I can’t do all the things. This year, I’m leaning into asking for help. I’ve hired two part-time team members for LEAP, brought in help to keep the house clean (weekend relaxation time = unlocked), and gotten better at giving concrete tasks when people ask, “What can I do to help?” Letting people in and actually accepting help has been a game-changer.
That might be the most random list ever. But hopefully there’s something here you can use!
What's coming up?
Presenting at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Nonprofit Conference on March 5. My topics? Engaging board members and volunteers using a unique framework I’ve created!
Several private or client-only trainings on securing donor meetings, asking good questions to move relationships forward, and making the ask. (Want fundraising training for your team? Let’s talk! I love this work.)
Spending a couple of weekends in LaCrosse for an in-person class on adult learning styles and curriculum design.
Co-presenting at the Wisconsin Lakes conference with a friend and fellow consultant, Jill Kurszewski of The First Cup, who specializes in strategic marketing and storytelling.
Tip of the Month
This month’s quick tip is to schedule at least 4 hours this month just to pause and plan.
We’re already deep into Q1, and before you know it, spring will fly by. If we don’t pause now, we’ll blink, and it’ll be summer. So go to your calendar and block off a half-day for a reset.
Use that time to:
Look back at what you’ve accomplished so far this year.
Brain-dump ideas you haven’t had time for.
Sketch out the next few months.
Make it personal or professional—whatever you need most. Pro tip: Don’t plan for a Friday. You’ll get there, and urgent tasks will take over. Instead, try a Monday, a midweek morning or even a Saturday if that works for you. And get out of your usual space—shift to a different room, a coffee shop, or even just your kitchen table instead of your desk.
Don’t let the quarter end without giving yourself this time to pause and reset. This month’s quick tip is to schedule at least 4 hours this month just to pause and plan.
A Quick Request
I have a goal of doubling my email list by June. So if you know someone who would enjoy hearing about what we’re up to, or getting fundraising tips and tricks delivered to their inbox, would you forward this to them and let them know they should sign up to get it themselves? They can either use this link to sign up for just the newsletter. Or they can sign up for my 5-day email course about building donor loyalty.