Staying focused in LA

I recently celebrated my one year anniversary at the non profit where I head development and communications here in LA. Time flies when you're having fun.

The longer I am in LA, the smaller the city I came from, Denver, feels.

LA is huge. Our agency serves the entire county. That's a county of some ten million people. And 32,000 kids in foster care, the population we serve.

It can become overwhelming if you let it. When those feelings start for me, I go back to basics.

Like passion for mission.

An abused kid is an abused kid, no matter where she lives.

Homelessness is a societal issue everywhere. It's in the news a lot here in LA because the homeless population is very visible. Yet those calling the streets and alleys home are not any better off than homeless people anywhere else.

The non-profit community here is huge, and the corporate philanthropy is not huge. Similar to many other cities.

What has worked in this amazing, magical city for me as a development person and fundraiser are the same things that worked for me back in Denver: relationship building, passion for mission, and donor-centered fundraising.

Whenever I get overwhelmed I jump back into these basic tenets of my work.

In general, many development people and fundraisers for non-profits get overwhelmed. This is why the average time in position is only 14 months. This is why so many of us are looking for jobs.

When I stay focused on my basics, things are good. When I move into other people's negative opinions, lack of passion for mission, or frankly anything that I have no control over, things get messy.

When I stay focused, everyone benefits, including me, the abused kids we served, and all of those who are passionate about serving those kids.

Thanks for reading!

One in five children

This is one of those posts that will typically not get a lot of reads. When I write about topics like poverty, hunger or HIV/AIDS, many tend to skip the post.

I will keep this post short.

The federal government released poverty numbers this past week.

One in five children in California live in poverty.

One is six children in the US live in poverty.

No matter why you read my blog or why you connect with me personally, I ask you to please consider these numbers.

So much wealth. So much privilege. Yet so many live in poverty.

As fundraisers and people who work with non-profits, we can take action. We can also build bridges with communities whose main mission is not ours, and become stronger. We can find connections with our work to poverty, to hunger and to class. In the Los Angeles area, where I live, it is not difficult to see hard-core class distinction.

If you would like more information on poverty in the US, please click here.

Thank you for reading.

Los Angeles!

I'm here!

After years of dreaming to live in southern California we took the risk and made the move. We both left amazing jobs and a great life for warmer weather, more culture and of course surfing!

I am thrilled about so many incredible non-profits in the Los Angeles area doing so much for those with nothing, those in need and making huge efforts to make the area a better place to live for everyone.

I was fortunate to have so many amazing interviews with many of the organizations and on August 17th I begin my new path. I am super excited.

I am also super excited to take the rest of my days off and continue getting to know the city, as well as more surfing!

If you're in the LA area I would love to meet you!

Once I get started I look forward to creating an amazing fundraising team and once again work hard to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thanks so much for reading!

Making the move to Los Angeles!

My family and I have decided to follow our many-year dream and move to southern California. We will be living in the suburbs east of Los Angeles.

Leaving Urban Peak is tough. This is truly the most remarkable organization I have ever been a part of. On a daily basis we serve youth with nothing, youth who have been discarded and who in many ceases society has simply failed. The successes at Urban Peak to show youth that they are cared about and can rock it in life no matter what has happened to them is truly mind blowing.

I will be at Urban Peak through early July then we will pack up the U-Haul and head west.

I have begun the search for a development position at an agency serving those most people would not like to think about and rocking their mission. There seems to be an endless list of those types of organizations in LA and I am looking forward to getting to know many of them.

After a little beach time and getting to know our new surroundings I will be all set to rock it for those with nothing and hopefully become a part of another truly amazing non-profit.

If you are in the LA area I would love to meet you.

If you know of any amazing opportunities at non-profits in the LA area please let me know. My email is fundraisingdan@gmail.com

Thanks for reading!