The Unseen Fundraiser: Lessons, Life and Laughs from a Small Shop Finesser

An essay collection for nonprofit leaders navigating small organizations, limited resources, and high expectations.

I published The Unseen Fundraiser: Lessons, Life and Laughs from a Small Shop Finesser, in the Spring of 2026 as a collection of essays for nonprofit leaders working in small organizations.

Drawn from more than thirty years of work in and alongside small nonprofit organizations, the book reflects the realities of the sector as it is lived—busy teams, layered responsibilities, shifting priorities, and the constant challenge of moving good work forward with too little time and too few resources.

Written for nonprofit fundraisers, executive directors, board members, founders, and emerging professionals, the book blends practical insight with stories from the field. It speaks to the people doing the work behind the scenes—without recognition, and while carrying more than one role at a time.

Rather than quick tactics, this book focuses on what actually sustains effective fundraising and strong organizations—relationships, judgment, clarity, adaptability, and persistence. It is intended for professional development, board learning, and classroom use, as well as for anyone looking for an honest account of what this work really asks of people.

The book has helped inspire a related series of community conversations.