The Monthly Leap - November 2025
Hi there!
We get a lot of kind comments about our emails and social media posts. Thank you for all the encouragement! We like to think of our “marketing” as a fun way to share inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and reminders that fundraising can be joyful work.
Most of our company’s LinkedIn posts and emails are written by Chelsey (our assistant, operations guru, and all-around marketing genius). Truthfully, this is the only email I usually write on my own. She’s a wizard at guessing, “What would Rikki say?”
Earlier this week, she asked if it was too cheesy to lean into gratitude in November. Of course, I said absolutely not – and her question ended up inspiring this month’s newsletter, too.
So per usual in our monthly newsletters, keep reading to find out:
What's on my mind: Showing appreciation
What's coming up: More travel plans
A tip of the month: Personalize your thank yous
A quick request: Follow us on social
I hope this post is a little spot of joy in your month!
Rikki
What's on my mind?
This is the season when our inboxes and social feeds overflow with thank yous. I love that about November because I’m a stewardship junkie. But I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it is to feel like we’re expressing gratitude while the other person – whether they’re a donor, volunteer, friend, colleague, loved one, or literally anyone else – simply isn’t feeling appreciated.
If you’ve ever heard of the “five love languages,” you know the idea: people want to give and receive appreciation in different ways. I’ve found that concept to be really transformational in both my personal and professional life, particularly in fundraising.
Here’s how I see it show up:
Words of Affirmation: A sincere note or email that names something specific like “I loved the way you framed that donor story” or “Your enthusiasm at that event was contagious.”
Acts of Service: Taking a task off someone’s plate, volunteering for donor thank-you calls, or helping a colleague prep for a presentation (but not at the expense of burning yourself out… which is something I’m constantly working on!)
Quality Time: Giving your undivided attention in a donor or team meeting by putting your phone down, minimizing distractions, and just being present.
Gift Giving: Sharing small gestures that show you notice what matters, such as loaning a book that connects to their passion or gifting a small, mission-related token.
Physical Touch: This one’s tricky in professional contexts, but I’d argue it still belongs. A warm handshake, a hug for a long-time volunteer, or a hand on someone’s shoulder when words fall short can speak volumes when it’s genuine and appropriate.
When we express gratitude in the way someone most naturally receives it, it does more than make them feel appreciated. It deepens trust. And trust, as we all know, is the foundation of authentic relationships.
So this month, I’m reminding myself to pay attention to how people receive appreciation, not just whether I say thank you. Gratitude might just be the secret to more joyful teams, stronger partnerships, and more connected communities.
What's coming up?
It’s been a whirlwind of travel these past few months and November is no exception!
November 6: I’ll be in Milwaukee overnight for a Building Connection & Capacity workshop, catching up with friends in town that evening, and then spending Friday on-site with a client.
November 8: We’re getting all dressed up to attend the annual Gala of Gratitude to benefit the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. I’m excited to celebrate philanthropy with several of our clients!
Week of November 10: I’m taking a couple of personal days—one to travel home after a show my husband is playing in Superior (did you know he’s a musician??), and another to go wedding dress shopping with my Little Sister. Plus another on-site day with a client!
November 18: I’m honored to be presenting at the National Philanthropy Day celebration for the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where I’ll be talking all about navigating ethics in donor relationships.
Week of Thanksgiving: Heads up that we’re sort of closing the office. No external meetings, but we’ll still be working behind the scenes because (spoiler alert!) we have a new team member starting that week!
And that brings us to December already. Plus, on the personal front I’m smackdab in the middle of the school semester, we have foundation work happening in our basement mid-month, and we’re hosting Thanksgiving. Send coffee, please!
Tip of the month
As you write donor thank-you notes, send staff appreciation messages, or gather with your board this month, take an extra minute to tailor your thanks:
Think about how that person best feels seen…words, actions, time, gifts, or presence?
Make your appreciation specific. “You’re great” is nice. “Your attention to detail made that event shine” is memorable.
Don’t wait for a milestone or major event to say thank you! Small, consistent appreciation builds the most lasting trust.
And don’t assume that only people who make huge gestures or give big gifts deserve appreciation. Taking time to share a genuine thank you for even the smallest act of kindness, to the loyal donor who gives small gifts year after year, or to the person who noticed when you needed help and went out of their way to make your day easier will make everyone’s day a little brighter!
A Quick Request
If you enjoy these newsletters, you’ll love what we share on social media. It’s where we post quick fundraising tips, little sparks of encouragement, and behind-the-scenes updates from our work with clients and community partners. We’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to follow along and maybe even share a post or two that resonates with you. Every like, comment, and share helps more nonprofit leaders find practical tools and a little bit of inspiration when they need it most.