If I asked you if you would rather be known as a philanthropist or as a generous person, which would you want to be known as?

Sustainable Giving continues to be a bright spot in the fundraising landscape. 

So today, let’s look at a topic I’m asked about regularly – how can you persuade donors to become sustainers? 

I was reflecting on the role of the people in my life that I’ve learned from, drawn inspiration from, and admired in some way. 

In reflecting, I read through some personal journal entries from several years back. I noticed a pattern, especially in areas of struggle or uncertainty, or when making a big decision.

In every circumstance where I wasn’t sure what to do or had a decision to make, I referenced a conversation with someone who helped inform my next steps. Someone with experience. Someone wise. Someone with a vested interest in me, who knew me, someone I could ask questions to. 

One of the most important things charities can do to grow sustainable giving is to create an ongoing value proposition. 

It all started with a question – what are the surprising ideas at the intersection of causes and brands?

It’s hard to believe, but we’re coming up on four years since launching the Purpose & Profit Podcast. 

Over the past few months, I’ve kept an AI diary. To compile this post, I reviewed the dozens of ways I’ve used artificial intelligence tools, grouped them into categories, and summarized them with examples. 

Today we’ll look at part one of how I’m using AI-based tools. 

Have you ever noticed that the more you learn about something, the less you realize you actually know? That the deeper you go down the rabbit hole, the deeper the rabbit hole gets?

This phenomenon of early overconfidence, followed by self-doubt, and eventually by mastery and humility has been studied, and it has a name – The Dunning-Kruger Effect:

I’m a dad now of two young ladies, ages 14 and 11 – Paige and Emma. I find myself asking more and more – are we teaching our children to be generous? Am I teaching my children to be generous?

Some days, I’m afraid the answer is an unconscious “no.”

Cumulatively, I’ve spent thousands of hours working on, studying, implementing, and speaking about recurring giving.

Today, let’s look at ten of the most common mistakes leaders make when building and growing their recurring giving programs.

In honor of this milestone, I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned on this journey so far. Some of these insights are also relevant to leadership and being a good friend or colleague.

Well, we did it – The Rise of Sustainable Giving is in the world, and the overwhelming reception has blown me away… So much so that the book hit #1 Best Seller in every category it was listed. 🤯🎉

This isn’t a prediction post. Each January, you can find plenty of predictions about the new year. Instead, I’m much more interested in what is happening now that leaders can put to good use.

So today I’m going to unpack eight trends I’ve been watching that I believe leaders like you can leverage in 2025. 

Some people have asked me why I call it "The Wave Report"? Are you a wannabe surfer or something? Well, actually, I am (aspiring, that is). But that's not why I called it The Wave Report. Let me tell you why...

I think we can learn several things from the world of surfing when it comes to innovation.

I don’t like change.

I’ve never liked change. In 5th grade, I wore the same pair of olive green pants every day to school. And I don’t just mean that figuratively, as in most days. No, it was every. Single. Day. And we lived in Desert Hot Springs, where temperatures could soar above 120 degrees. We played soccer outside nearly every day at recess. It didn’t matter to this 10-year-old goalie, diving into the dirt to block a ball, green pants proudly on display. 

We are in the final stretch of Season 5 of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, so I thought I’d take this Wave Report to share some of the highlights from the podcast this past year. 

If you are new to The Wave Report, you may not know that I co-founded and co-host the Purpose & Profit Podcast. The show explores the surprising ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.

This day has been a long time coming, and I’m so glad it’s nearly here.

20 years of experience. 

36 months of research.

438 hours of outlining, interviewing, writing, editing.

Plus, hundreds more of dreams, plans, sweat, and work.

I’m pleased to announce that my new book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving will be releasing in just a few weeks. 

Happy New Year!

It’s common for authors to make predictions about the year to come at the beginning of each year. I’ve been known to take it a step further and write multiple articles on trends to pay attention to – waves to watch in the new year. (see what I did there? 👀🌊).

The word “Imago” comes from Latin. It’s a word that describes a future that will be but has not yet come to pass. It’s literally the image of a final form.

We love watching Christmas movies. Christmas is such a busy season that we don’t get to watch very many, so we take turns picking the movie. Often, the pick is a Christmas classic - Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch (no, not Die Hard or The Christmas Story!).

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.

This morning, I’ll sit down in one of my favorite coffee shops and reflect on the year as it comes to a close.