The Monthly Leap - June 2026
Hi there!
June always feels like the official beginning of summer around here. The calendars start filling with vacations, evenings stretch a little longer, and there’s a certain energy that comes with knowing we’re stepping into a new season.
The start of this month also looks a little different for us at LEAP because Rikki is taking some well-deserved time away. So while she’s unplugging and recharging, Brooke and I are holding things down in the office and keeping projects moving forward. Honestly, it feels like a good reminder of why teams matter. None of us do this work alone, and building strong systems and strong relationships makes it possible for all of us to step away when we need to.
Keep reading to find out:
What’s on Rikki’s mind: Can the community support another campaign?
Tip of the month: Invite donors into the conversation
What’s coming up
I hope this post is a little spot of joy in your month!
Chelsey (on behalf of Rikki)
What's on Rikki’s mind?
Recently, someone asked Rikki a question that probably feels familiar to many nonprofit leaders. They were considering a capital campaign and paused mid-conversation to ask:
“Can our community even handle another campaign right now?”
It’s an understandable question. Especially when it feels like there are always campaigns happening, organizations competing for attention, and uncertainty about what donors are willing or able to support.
But the truth is: you don’t actually know until you ask. Not in a broad, public way. Not by guessing. And not by talking yourself out of the vision before you’ve even invited people into it!
(And when I say “you don’t know until you ask…” I don’t mean asking for money.)
You find out if the community can support another campaign by having honest conversations with the donors and leaders you’ve already spent time building relationships with. You ask thoughtful questions, share the vision, and listen carefully. Most importantly, you give people the opportunity to respond.
Many organizations disqualify themselves before donors ever have the chance to engage. Sometimes we convince ourselves it’s “not the right time,” that someone else is more deserving, or that our community has already been asked for too much. But at some point, it has to become your turn too. If your mission matters, if your vision would meaningfully serve your community, and if you’ve done the work of building trust and relationships, then it’s worth exploring what might be possible.
(On the flip side, some organizations jump right into the campaign without taking the time to even consider what the community can support. But that’s a topic for another email!)
When you’re considering a campaign, we always recommend you hold a series of Testing Conversations. These conversations aren’t about having all the answers before you begin. They’re about learning. They help you understand what resonates with people, what questions come up, where concerns exist, and how ready your community may actually be.
Because sometimes the biggest thing standing between an organization and its next chapter is simply the courage to start the conversation.
Tip of the month
Don’t be afraid to use the idea of “testing conversations” anytime you’re considering a new project – whether that’s a campaign, a change in services, or any big decision your organization is facing!
These testing conversations are valuable because they give people the opportunity to be part of the process early on. When individuals are invited into conversations before an idea is fully public, something important happens. They begin to feel ownership. They see that their perspective matters. And they become part of shaping the vision, not just responding to it later.
Of course, as part of these conversations, you may hear hard things. Some donors will raise concerns you hadn’t considered. Others ask questions you don’t yet have answers to. And while that can feel uncomfortable, it’s actually one of the most helpful parts of the process.
Those conversations give you the opportunity to strengthen your messaging, clarify your vision, and think more carefully about how you communicate the need before you’re speaking to a larger audience.
Sometimes leaders avoid testing conversations because they’re afraid of hearing “no.” But early feedback isn’t failure - it’s information. The organizations that are willing to listen, adjust, and keep refining are often the ones that build the strongest campaigns in the long run.
You don’t need to walk into every conversation with a perfectly polished plan. You just need to be willing to invite people in and genuinely listen to what they have to say.
What's coming up?
Does your organization do summer Fridays? We’re trying them out at LEAP this year and are planning to only be in the office Monday-Thursday. We encourage you to identify your own ways to find balance this summer!
If you're local to Central Wisconsin, CREATE Portage County’s Levitt AMP concert series kicks off on June 4. This is one of Rikki’s favorite Stevens Point traditions and one of the best parts of summer downtown. Concerts start at 6:00pm every Thursday evening from June to August! Grab a lawn chair, head down by the river, and come celebrate the start of the season with the community. (As a special treat, make sure to get there on time on June 11 to hear Rikki’s husband John perform!)
Rikki will also begin leading UWGB’s Nonprofit Executive Coaching Program on June 11. She’s especially excited for the thoughtful conversations that happen when nonprofit leaders have the space to step back, reflect honestly, and learn from one another.
We’re proud to sponsor Point Pride on June 12-13 alongside Point of Pride, an organization we recently partnered with on development planning work. We love opportunities to support organizations not only through fundraising strategy, but also by showing up for the events and communities that matter to them.
On June 17, Brooke and Rikki will be attending and exhibiting at the Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit in Milwaukee. We always love opportunities to connect with nonprofit leaders from across the state, hear what’s happening in the sector, and share ideas with people doing important work in their communities. Be sure to come and say hello if you'll be there!
We’re also honored to be recognized as a sponsor during Heritage Days with the Portage County Historical Society on June 20-21. Community-centered organizations like these help make Central Wisconsin such a special place to live and work, and we’re always grateful to play even a small role in supporting that work.
We’ll also be hosting another round of online office hours on June 23 focused specifically on testing conversations and campaign readiness. If you’ve been wondering whether your organization is ready for a campaign, trying to gauge donor interest in a future vision, or simply unsure where to begin, this conversation is for you. Like our previous office hours, there won’t be slides, recordings, or presentations - just real conversation and space to think out loud together. Register here