This episode is sponsored by:
Friends, this episode is a vulnerable one.
For the first time since launching Lead with Heart, I’m pressing pause on the podcast for Q1 of 2026. Not because I’m quitting. Not because the mission has dimmed. But because clarity asked me to make a courageous decision — one that aligns with the emotional sustainability I teach every day.
In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind this pause: what 2025 revealed, what I’m witnessing across the nonprofit sector, the hard truth about capacity, the emotional health crisis facing nonprofit leaders, and why building the Lead with Heart Summit requires my full presence. It’s about choosing purpose over productivity, depth over doing, and alignment over proving.
In this episode:
- 00:00:00 Embracing Leadership Clarity
- 00:03:48 Prioritizing Emotional Sustainability
- 00:08:08 The Lead with Heart Summit
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“ When you become crystal clear on your one thing, the hard decisions stop looking like sacrifices and start looking like alignments.” – Haley Cooper
“ Clarity does not make decisions painless. It makes them purposeful.” – Haley Cooper
“Just because we are capable of doing something does not mean we have the capacity to do it all at the same time.” – Haley Cooper
RESOURCES
The Lead with Heart Summit is not just another conference. It’s a powerful, purpose-driven experience created specifically for nonprofit fundraisers who are feeling burned out, stretched thin, and in need of real, meaningful support. April, 2026.
The EmC Masterclass developed by Dr. Lola Gershfeld is for everyone looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills to raise more revenue for their mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations like ICF HRCI, and SHRM. Use the code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a generous 10% discount.
Imagine a fundraising partner that not only helps you raise more money but also supports you in retaining your donors. A partner that helps you raise funds both online AND on-location. Donorbox is a comprehensive suite of tools, services, and resources that gives fundraisers, just like you, a custom solution to tackle your unique challenges. Helping you…help others. Visit donorbox.org to learn more.
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
This episode is sponsored by Donorbox
As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more.
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