Calling All Heroes: Building Bridges for a United Nonprofit Sector

The world of fundraising has been split into camps. On one side: Donor-Centered Fundraising. Battle-tested. Disciplined. Relationship-driven. The engine that has fueled missions, built institutions, and - let’s be honest - kept the lights on.

On the other side: Community-Centered Ffundraising. Rising with urgency. Calling out power imbalances. Demanding dignity, voice, and equity at the center of the work.

Here’s the thing we don’t say nearly enough: Both approaches have strengths. And both have shadow sides. Yet for years now, we’ve been told to choose. Pick a side. Declare allegiance. Decide who matters most: donors or communities. Revenue or justice. Discipline or disruption.

But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: This fight is tearing our sector apart and diluting our collective impact. Not because the questions don’t matter - they do. But because false choices make lousy leaders.

This keynote session explores the strengths and shadow-side of both donor-centered and community-centered fundraising and emerges with a path to what’s next:  Human-Centered Fundraising - celebrating the generosity of donors and the wisdom of communities. (Based on my book, Calling All Heroes, released by Wiley Publishing in November 2025.)