One Year
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Bill Gates
This moment, one year ago this week, was 10 years in the making:
The Rise of Sustainable Giving was delayed three times. Took three years to research and write. And it was a longer road than I could have imagined.
But this past year, more than 25,000 leaders have been exposed to the message of Sustainable Giving, through the book, the Sustainable Giving Podcast, workshops, Wave Report articles, and speaking at events.
Fundraisers, charity leaders, board members, and donors who care about growing generosity have hope for a more sustainable way of funding their mission.
This past week, 22 organizations gathered just outside Seattle for our 2.5-day Sustainable Giving Workshop. It was a time of connection, insights, and inspiration, and some 33 leaders walked away equipped to grow sustainable giving.
At the workshop, Eddie Kahler, Executive Director of TCU Wesley, shared his story. In just six months of working together, Eddie was able to fund a staff position and grow a small base of recurring donors to cover 25% of his budget with sustainable giving in 2026.
We recorded Eddie telling his story and posted it to the Sustainable Giving Podcast this week. You can listen to the episode here:
Sustainable Giving Podcast S2:E8
Turning Belief Into Action:
From Crisis-tunity to Consistent Giving
Above: Leaders from 22 organizations gathered in Seattle this past week for the Sustainable Giving Workshop, focused on connecting and growing recurring giving.
This is just the beginning. There are 1.1 million nonprofits in the U.S. alone that need to hear this message. They’ve been left behind historically – but no longer. Recurring giving is more accessible to more nonprofits than ever before.
Out Now – Audiobook: The Rise of Sustainable Giving
This week, the audio edition of The Rise of Sustainable Giving released on all major platforms.
Would you consider picking up a copy?
My hope is that the audiobook will make the message of sustainable giving more accessible to more leaders than ever before.
Would you consider sharing this with a friend or colleague? The only way leaders will be reached with the message of sustainable giving is if someone tells them. Would you be that one?
What is Possible in a Decade
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Bill Gates
This year marks 10 years of speaking about and leaning into sustainable giving and the subscription economy.
And yet, I feel like we’re just getting started. It’s a constant tension – the feeling of constantly being in the starting gates. Of climbing the mountain, and feeling how much further there is to go.
Have you ever felt this way? Like, no matter how much you progress, there is still so much further to go?
Every once in a while, I take the time to pause, turn around, and see how far I’ve come. To celebrate. And then it’s back to the climb.
I think that’s how we’re wired. We have the drive to go further, higher. And yet, if we could objectively assess our progress, we would be blown away.
If you are feeling discouraged on the climb – whatever that climb is – my encouragement to you is to take a moment, turn around, and have a look at how far you’ve come.
Journal about it, record a voice memo, meditate – whatever works best for you. What’s important is that you reflect.
Where were you a year ago? 10 years ago? Where are you today?
💡 Takeaway: We tend to overestimate what we can do in one year, and underestimate what is possible in ten. Whenever you are discouraged or need perspective, reflect on where you’ve come from. Consider where you’ve been, where you are today, and imagine what might be possible in the next season.
Until next week… Surf’s Up! 🌊
- Dave