There’s a moment in nearly every fundraiser’s career where the questions feel bigger than the answers.
You’ve drafted the appeal three different ways and you’re still not sure it’s going to land. You’ve got a donor who’s sending mixed signals and you’re trying to read between the lines. You’re about to step into a campaign, a conversation, or a committee meeting, and you wish—just for a second—that you could phone a friend.
I’ve been there. And what’s made all the difference in those moments isn’t always more research or more time. It’s people.
One of the best decisions I made early on in my career was to build a bench of people I trust—mentors, colleagues, friends—who get it. People I can call when I’m trying to figure out how to structure a proposal or whether I’m overthinking a pitch. People who remind me that our work is complex because it’s relational. Because it’s human.
I’ve also been lucky to have mentors who didn’t just offer advice but modeled a way of being in this work—with integrity, curiosity, and clarity. They didn’t always give me the answers, but they helped me find better questions. They gave me the confidence to try.
Now, I try to do the same. Whether it’s a quick “have you ever…” message or a deeper conversation about leadership or fundraising strategy, those connections matter. Coaching, mentoring, peer support—it all makes us better, and it makes the work feel a little less lonely.
And that’s exactly why Talent Development is one of our core offerings at Kittiwake. Whether you’re looking to grow your own skills, strengthen your team dynamics, or create space for honest, courageous conversations about leadership—we’re here for that.
We offer coaching, training, and tailored team development for people who want to lead with clarity, stay grounded in values, and keep growing—even when the tides shift. Because the truth is, you don’t have to do it alone. None of us do.
Let’s build the bench together.
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