Kobia Consulting

06/08/2026

Virginia Tech just received the largest gift in university history.

The amount is historic.

The timing may be even more important.

Behind the scenes, Virginia Tech is experiencing one of the most significant periods of change in recent memory. New leadership across the university, a new Vice President for Advancement, a new football coach, the retirement of Athletic Director Whit Babcock, and now the upcoming transition of President Tim Sands.

Meanwhile, Blacksburg is in its quiet summer season. The students are away. Campus feels calm.

But make no mistake—the foundation for the next chapter of Virginia Tech is being built right now.

As a former member of the Virginia Tech advancement team, it's fascinating to watch. Change brings uncertainty, but it also creates opportunity. Historic gifts like this do more than fund programs. They build momentum, inspire confidence, and help shape what's possible.

I believe we're witnessing the beginning of a new era for Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and the New River Valley.

Go Hokies. 🦃🧡

Virginia Tech has received its largest commitment ever. 🙌

The unprecedented, $75 million in support will advance the university’s ambitious athletics strategy and expand one of its most innovative academic programs.

A majority of the commitment, made anonymously by a four-generation Hokie family, was to Virginia Tech Athletics, while a sizeable portion was directed to the Honors College.

The athletic portion includes philanthropy for the Invest to Win initiative to ensure Hokie competitiveness in today’s rapidly changing collegiate athletics environment; unrestricted funds to be used at the discretion of the university’s athletic director; and additional support to be administered through the new Hokie Ventures entity.

🔗: brnw.ch/21x35Gl

06/04/2026

Fundraising doesn't have to be complicated.

The organizations raising the most money aren't doing everything. They're doing the right things consistently.

Inside Lead the Ask, we teach nonprofit leaders and fundraisers how to:
• Build a donor pipeline
• Strengthen donor relationships
• Create a clear fundraising plan
• Make the ask with confidence

This fall, we're bringing Lead the Ask to the New River Valley, Roanoke/Salem, Floyd, and online.

Several cohorts begin in mid-August, and seats are already filling.

Ready to simplify your fundraising and grow your impact?

Comment **LEAD** below and I'll send you the details.

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

05/28/2026

The favorite doesn’t always win.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from simply staying in the race long enough to build momentum.

I think a lot of nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners needed that reminder right now.

You don’t need the biggest budget.
The biggest team.
Or the most attention.

You need consistency.
Belief in the vision.
And the willingness to keep showing up and doing the work even before the results are obvious.

That’s what the Kentucky Derby reminded me this year — and it inspired my latest blog post about leadership, fundraising, business growth, and running your own race. 👇

Link in comments.

05/26/2026

Breaking news.......

Today’s the day. The podcast is officially live!

For a long time, I kept wishing there was a podcast that talked about fundraising the way it actually feels when you’re doing the work every day.

Not just theory.
Not just polished success stories.
Not just “best practices” without context.

I wanted honest conversations about leadership, pressure, donor relationships, boards, strategy, burnout, confidence, communication, and what it really takes to build a strong fundraising operation.

So I created the podcast I wish existed when I was a frontline fundraiser… and later when I became a Chief Advancement Officer.

🎙️ Welcome to Lead the Ask.

We’re breaking down the complexity of fundraising in a more practical, refreshing, and honest way because fundraising gets easier when leadership gets clearer.

If you work in nonprofit leadership, development, communications, advancement, or executive leadership, this podcast is for you.

You can listen and follow here:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7l5oIYpPgITRIbx2ovaNMA
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-the-ask/id1896817051
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
🌐 Website: https://leadtheask.com/

The best way to support the launch:
✔️ Follow/Subscribe
✔️ Listen to the first episodes
✔️ Share with someone in the nonprofit world
✔️ Leave a review

This is just the beginning, and I’m incredibly grateful you’re here for it.

05/25/2026

Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸💙❤️

05/22/2026

05/14/2026

Another incredible Lead the Ask cohort wrapped up today — and this was our biggest group yet with 11 fundraising professionals around the table.

Over the last six weeks, we worked on the real stuff:
Donor pipelines.
Fundraising strategy.
The ask.
Stewardship.
Leadership.
Confidence.

Because fundraising changes when leadership gets clearer.

I’m so proud of this group for investing in skills that will strengthen their organizations and transform the way they think about, talk about, and approach fundraising moving forward.

This work matters and so does the mission behind it.

Our next Lead the Ask cohort begins in mid-August and we’re officially taking early bird reservations now.

If you’re ready for more clarity, confidence, and structure in your fundraising, send me a DM or comment “Lead the Ask.”

05/05/2026

The cost of not investing in fundraising training?

It’s not just what you save. It’s what you lose.

Missed conversations.
Unbuilt relationships.
Gifts that never happen.

It shows up in a weak pipeline, a hesitant board, and a team working hard without a clear path forward.

Over time, it leads to something even more costly… stagnation.

Fundraising is a skill.
And when leaders aren’t equipped, growth gets harder than it should be.

Your mission deserves more than guesswork.

Grow the mission with confidence.