What are YOU thankful for this year?

It’s that time of year already. The time to realize goals (hello Giving Tuesday and end of year giving), but also the time to celebrate victories and reflect on the good we’ve done in the community. We asked a few of our members what they were thankful for and some handy resources that have helped them along the way.

Here’s what we asked them:
1. What are you most thankful for this holiday season? Both professionally and/or personally.
2. What are some of your favorite resources or fundraising experts (webinars/books/blogs/articles) that you are also thankful for and have helped you out?

Natalie Glumm
Professional Dairy Producers Foundation
What I am most thankful for this holiday season is the same both professionally and personally. I am most thankful for the people I have the opportunity to cross paths with and connect with. This year has been an awakening of sorts as I navigate the dairy community through a new role with Professional Dairy Producers Foundation. Dairy farmers, and really all farmers, are the most amazing people! They all have such a “can do” attitude and figure things out despite being up against obstacles beyond their control, like weather. It has truly been an uplifting experience to see, learn, and get to know people who are doing the work that feeds the world.

While I like all the webinars/books/blogs/articles I am always most thankful for the opportunity to gather with my peers in the fundraising world. There is just something about being in a group of fellow fundraisers that gives me inspiration, motivation, and new ideas to take back to our development plan and move the mission forward.

Lynn Perez-Hewitt
I am thankful for many things this and every year and NPD and the community of friends and professionals is a powerful reminder to me of just how grateful I am to be part of this special group of people. Each year I see colleagues I haven’t seen in a while, meet new people and learn more about the Madison area in a stunning setting.

I am personally thankful for my health, family, friends, community, and especially our three dogs, who keep me present when days grow busy and overfull.

My favorite fundraising resource is the AFP network, and of the experts I recommend most often is Kay Sprinkle Grace and her Triple A Board which has proven to be a reliable spark to inspire shifts in board development conversations for new organizations as well as long-established groups.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Anna January
This holiday season I'm thankful for my community of friends and colleagues who are really my support system both at work and at home.

It's not new but I'm always reading Vu Le's new content on Nonprofit AF. I love his perspectives on our sector. 

Angela Davis
Madison Community Foundation
Personally, I am thankful and feeling very blessed for my family and friends, having food and shelter. Sometimes we take these things for granted and the older I get the more important I realize these are in life. After the last few years, I’ve also learned how precious life is and I try not to take a single day for granted.

I find Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN) very helpful in my work and someone I have followed since I started my career is Penelope Burk. I have her books and have heard her speak on several occasions about Donor-Centered Fundraising. Of course, Vu Le and Nonprofit AF! I enjoy his blog because it really makes me think about things in a different way, and with a little humor since we need that now more than ever.

Mike Sweitzer-Beckman
Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
I’m most thankful for so many colleagues who serves as mentors in my life, as well as the donors I get to connect with campus partners to enhance the pursuit of the Wisconsin Idea. I’m also grateful for the AFP Greater Madison and the countless volunteer hours this talented group puts in to advance the profession.

Here are a couple of my go to resources:

1.   Asking Matters (https://askingmatters.com/) – to learn about the 4 different asking styles

2.   Responsive Fundraising (https://responsivefundraising.com/team) – great resources on the belief that transformational fundraising happens with personal relationships

Breanne Chase
Monona Terrace
I am most thankful for my family & friends, random acts of kindness, fuzzy blankets, and celebrating 20 years with Monona Terrace!

I’m always keeping my eye on AFP Magazine & newsletters, articles in BRAVA Magazine, Ask a Manager, and DMI newsletters & events.