Erdle Consulting Group

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Giving

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I’ve been involved in fund development and grantmaking for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I’d tag along with my dad delivering food bags for our church at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Later, I became his right-hand fundraiser for Davidson College, the arts project he co-founded, the Diocese of Virginia, and even local restaurants and beautification projects in our hometown of Alexandria, VA.

Along the way, I learned that fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about stewardship: building real relationships between an organization, its mission, and its donors. Giving shouldn’t feel like a burden—it’s a chance to connect your passion with a cause about which you care. People give to people, not just to programs. A great Development Director builds trust, and that trust leads to lasting, meaningful support.

Before formally working in development, I was a program director for a nonprofit right out of college, running a sports event to raise awareness for people with disabilities. I saw firsthand how trust with participants—many of whom had physical challenges—led to powerful connections. Donors engaged not just out of sympathy, but because we showed them what’s possible. That’s the kind of community-driven impact that makes all the difference.

Sometimes, selling “the need” works, but what really resonates are the mindset shifts that bring joy, opportunity, and real impact back to giving—for donors, organizations, and communities alike

Giving as an Opportunity: Five thoughts

    1. Prioritize Community Needs Over Transactions
      Leading organizations and donors are moving beyond transactional giving by engaging in deeper conversations. Focus on the problem as defined by the community, and consider who is involved in causing or solving it—and who should be brought to the table. This approach ensures solutions are truly relevant and impactful.

    2. Commit to Knowledge & Learning
      The most effective funders—whether government, private sector, or individuals—make time to learn from other communities and organizations. For example, piloting a Guaranteed Income project with the Arlington Community Foundation in 2022 deepened my understanding of the causes and cycles of poverty. Learning from beneficiaries and the real effects of policy was transformative and informed better solutions.

    3. Celebrate Giving as an Opportunity
      Giving should be a celebration and a chance to connect with causes that reflect your values. When donor, organization, and beneficiary missions align, it creates stronger relationships, more giving, and lasting partnerships that make a real difference.

    4. Understand What Makes a Strong Nonprofit
      Look to leaders like Paty Funegra, who launched La Cocina (Kitchen of Purpose) to help immigrants access culinary training and hospitality jobs. She became an expert in her field, diversified funding and placement sources, and ultimately created a robust model for organizational strength and funder appeal. Her checklist for organizational capacity is a valuable resource for any nonprofit.

    5. Foster Connection at All Levels
      Breaking down silos between funders, organizations, and communities is essential. The more connected we are, the better we can protect, support, and strengthen our economy and society. Collaboration helps us avoid extreme solutions and fosters mental well-being by giving people purpose and connection.

 

photo of puzzleAlthough I have been working deeply in the foundation industry and field of philanthropy for the last 13 years, I have been a fundraiser, in some form, since the moment I stepped out of college. My father shared his love of his service on boards, leading fundraising campaigns, and his strong roots in local faith based outreach.

Service and giving back are deeply instilled in my upbringing.

My first roles in “development” were all but traditional.

As a program manager in one not-for-profit position, I played a customer service role. In another I served as public relations manager. It wasn’t until after I went to business school that I had my first REAL job in Development, helping run a $250 million capital campaign for Davidson College.

The lessons learned from my informal education in fundraising and building relationships, partnered with my formal development practices led me to look a bit differently at my work.

Here are a few lessons learned that tell you more about my approach when working with a non profit organization or fundraising team.

5 Key Lessons from My Nonprofit and Fundraising Experience

    1. Development Is Mission-Driven and Community-Focused
      Development isn’t just about raising money—it’s about deeply knowing your programs, your community, and your audience. I’ve learned that you can’t just talk to donors; you have to bring your mission to them. Aligning every decision with your core purpose keeps your work authentic and impactful.

    2. Build Relationships & Tell Stories
      I get restless sitting still, so I make a point to connect with colleagues across the organizations in which I work. At the Hospital for Special Surgery, I was the first from my office to regularly meet with doctors, asking about their expertise and passion for healing. Building these relationships helped me tell powerful stories to publications like the New York Post and Women’s Health These stories brought in knowledgeable patients to the doctors and resulted in more donors to us.

    3. Ask Authentic Questions of Donors
      One of my favorite roles was with an international organization. I spent time understanding each program’s needs by speaking with program directors, then traveled to Miami and Bolivia to hold meetings in Spanish with corporate partners who were our funders. By sitting down face-to-face, I quickly learned that their real interests often differed from what was in their glossy brochures. By aligning our programs with their true challenges, we secured larger and longer-term donations.

    4. Connect the Dots and See the Bigger Picture
      Even as a funder or consultant, I always look beyond the immediate issue to see the broader landscape. Stepping back helps me spot gaps or opportunities. This big-picture perspective is what I do best.  I put myself in the donor or community’s shoes and offer fresh insights – and then dial us into a plan that helps organizations (and funders) achieve their goals.

    5. Invest in Long-Term, Meaningful Partnerships
      Time is a precious resource. I urge both donors and fundraisers to build deep, ongoing relationships. Creating a new program to match a donor’s interests should be a long-term partnership, not a quick fix. Nearly half of a nonprofit’s time can be spent on fundraising and donor management, so it’s critical to build a two-way street where the organization’s expertise and the donor’s desire for impact are both respected.