Esstaaz Company

09/29/2026

YOU DID THIS. ❤️

Donor Retention Starts With “You Did This”

Donor retention isn’t just about getting someone to give again. It’s about helping donors understand that their generosity created something meaningful.

One simple shift can make a big difference in how you communicate: stop saying “We did this” and start telling your donor, “You did this.”

Instead of:
“We provided meals to 500 families.”

Try:
“You provided meals to 500 families.”

That small change puts the donor where they belong: at the center of the impact.

People want to know that their generosity mattered.

They want to see what happened because they chose to give.

❗️When you consistently connect their gift to a real person, outcome, or change, you reinforce the value of their decision to support your organization.

So when you share impact, make it personal.

You helped.
You made it possible.
You changed a life.

Because donor retention starts with making sure your donor knows one simple truth:

YOU DID THIS.

09/24/2026

💰 $327 BILLION.

That’s how much was sitting in Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) by the end of 2024.

And here’s the part that might surprise you:

📊 1,500+ active DAF sponsors

👥 Nearly 3.6 million DAF accounts

💵 $327+ billion in assets

DAFs are becoming a major part of charitable giving—but what exactly happens to all that money once it enters a DAF?

That’s the question more donors, nonprofits, and financial professionals should be asking. 👀

📌 𝐇𝐢, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

‼️Follow me Esstaaz Company for practical strategies to help nonprofits tell stronger stories, attract funding, and expand their impact.

‼️At Esstaaz Company LLC we are accepting new clients who need training and capacity building, a grant writer or fundraising consulting/grant writing or training or if you simply want guidance on how to start your nonprofit.

09/24/2026

I’m so excited to host Iora Haglund, President of the , for our Nonprofit Women Circle online live talk this Friday, September 25 at 7:30 PM!

This conversation is especially for women nonprofit leaders, founders, and board members who believe we can learn so much from one another.

Iora brings decades of experience in healthcare, leadership, and nonprofit service. As President of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, she brings a unique perspective on building mission-driven organizations, serving communities, and creating meaningful impact.

Our Nonprofit Women Circle is an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day work and have an honest, inspiring conversation about leadership, lessons learned, challenges, successes, and the experiences that shape us as women leading nonprofits.

💡 Come ready to share. Come ready to learn. Come ready to connect.

🍁Friday, September 25
⏰ 7:30 PM
🍁 Online Live Talk via ZOOM

Let’s create a space where women leaders can learn with and from each other. 💕

Sign up at Sign up at
https://forms.gle/WvApA8gyZRca5m1t7

NonprofitFounders BoardMembers WomenSupportingWomen Leadership Community

09/23/2026

10 Things to Do This Fall

Happy first day of Fall… (one day late)!

Fall is nature’s reminder that letting go is not losing. It is making room for what comes next.

🍁Walk beneath changing leaves and remember that growth often looks like release.

🍁Do one thing that scares you. Courage begins with a single step.

🍁Watch a sunrise and let hope arrive with the light.

🍁Call someone you love and strengthen the roots that hold you steady.

🍁Sit in silence long enough to hear your own heart.

🍁Leave behind a fear, a grudge, or a doubt that has overstayed its welcome.

🍁Help someone carry their burden. Strength grows when it is shared.

🍁Start a small habit that your future self will thank you for.

🍁Look back and honor the storms you have already survived.

🍁Dream boldly. Trees may lose their leaves, but they never lose their promise of spring.

This fall, be like the trees.
Let go with courage.
Stand with resilience.
Reach with hope.
And grow stronger in every season. 🍂✨

Esther🧡🤎

09/21/2026

WOMAN LEADER IN A NONPROFIT? JOIN US FOR OUR FREE LIVE TALK!

Nonprofit Women Circle (NWC) is an online community created to connect, mentor, and empower women leading nonprofits and social impact initiatives.

❗️FREE❗️ LIVE TALK: “Women Who Change the World!”

Friday September 25

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST

Online via Zoom

I will be hosting, leading, and moderating this inspiring conversation featuring IORA HAGLUND

❣️MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER

Iora Haglund

RN, BSN, MSA - President, Treasurer - Kirsten Haglund Foundation

Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach

Iora has over 40 years of experience in health care provision and administration, including faith-based nursing and Lay Pastoral leadership. She has served on the board of directors for KHF since its inception and believes “recovery is possible”.

The Mission of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation (KHF) is to provide hope, networking and financial aid to those seeking treatment and freedom from eating disorders.

The Kirsten Haglund Foundation continues the work that Kirsten began as Miss America 2008 – raising awareness of this illness – while also providing resources and scholarships for those seeking treatment.

This event is for:

* Women nonprofit leaders

* Nonprofit founders

* Board members

* Aspiring nonprofit founders

* Students

* Volunteers

* Women passionate about creating meaningful impact in society

🔗Sign up at

https://forms.gle/WvApA8gyZRca5m1t7

Registration closes on Wednesday 9/23.

Come connect.
Come be inspired.
Come change the world.

SocialImpact WomenEmpoweringWomen Community Leadership

09/10/2026

🌍 African Nonprofits... Can We Talk About Fundraising for a Minute?

Sometimes I think the word fundraising has been kidnapped by grant proposals. 😄

If you work for a nonprofit in Africa, you probably know exactly what I mean.

I grew up in Kenya. And one word I heard all the time was Harambee.

Harambee means "all pull together" or "let's pull together."

That word is powerful.

It is not just about money.

It is about people.

It is about community.

It is about everyone doing their part.

Need school fees? Harambee.

Need help with medical bills? Harambee.

Need to build something for the community? Harambee.

Everybody shows up.

Everybody contributes.

Everybody pulls together.

That is fundraising.

Or at least that is how I learned it.

Today, I have had the privilege of working in the nonprofit sector in both Kenya and the United States. One thing I continue to notice is this:

Many nonprofit leaders see grant writing as the main way to bring in revenue.

Grants are important.

I love grants.

But grants should not be your entire fundraising strategy.

That is like trying to sit on a one-legged stool. Eventually, something is going to fall over. 😅

What about:

✅ Individual giving

✅ Major donors

✅ Legacy giving

✅ Corporate partnerships

✅ Earned income

✅ Monthly giving programs

These opportunities exist, but many organizations are not fully tapping into them.

The good news?

Fundraising can be learned.

And it starts by understanding the fundraising cycle and building relationships before you ever ask for a gift.

I absolutely love teaching fundraising because I believe African nonprofits already have the passion, the vision, and the community spirit.

Sometimes we just need the right tools.

That's why I'm excited about my upcoming webinar designed specifically for nonprofit leaders across Africa.

📅 September 20

⏰ 12:00 PM Eastern Time

⏰ 7:00 PM East African Time

💻 Online

💲 $51

💳 Pay via PayPal

For one hour, we'll talk about practical fundraising strategies that go beyond grants and help nonprofits build stronger, more sustainable revenue streams.

Because fundraising is not just about asking for money.

It's about bringing people together around a mission.

In other words...

Harambee.

Who else grew up hearing that word? I'd love to hear your memories in the comments. 👇

09/10/2026

09/07/2026

Grant Myth Monday

❌Those With the Highest Need Receive the Funding

Here’s a grant myth I’ve heard more times than I can count:

“The people who need the money most will get the funding.”

Not always.

Yes, need matters. It can be a big part of the decision. But it is not the only thing look at.

They also want to know:
Can this project work?
Who will it help?
What kind of impact can it make?

I’ve learned that a strong application has to do more than tell a good story about need. It has to show a clear plan. It has to make sense. And, most of all, it should connect with what the funder’s goals and interests are.

That can be hard to hear.

But it’s important.

Your need may be real. Your work may matter deeply. Still, you have to help the funder see why your project is worth supporting.

So don’t just write about what you need.

Show them what their can make possible.

And if this sounds familiar, share your thoughts. What have you learned about grant funding that surprised you?

“Need opens the door. A clear vision shows why you should walk through it.”

__________________________________________

‼️Follow me for practical strategies to help nonprofits tell stronger stories, attract funding, and expand their impact.

‼️At Esstaaz Company LLC we are passionate about helping purpose-driven leaders communicate their value, attract support, and create lasting change.
If you’re ready to elevate your nonprofit’s visibility and impact, we would love to connect.

09/06/2026

Grant Tip in 60 Seconds

🚨 Here’s the part about nobody tells you…
Your grant reviewer may not even get to your brilliant idea.

I know. That one hurts.

But when your application lands on a ’s desk, they’re usually not starting with your mission story.

They’re checking one thing first:

“Does this application actually fit our guidelines?”

They’re looking at your organization type.
Your location.
Your funding request.
Your project.
The basic stuff.

And they may only spend a minute or two on that first check.

If something doesn’t line up?

Your application can be out.

Not because your work isn’t important.
Not because your idea isn’t powerful.

It simply didn’t pass the first gate.

And truthfully? I’ve learned not to take that personally.

Funders have hundreds of applications to review. They have limited time.

So think about that first minute.

That’s your opportunity to make it easy for them to say:

“Yes. This fits.”

Once you pass that first screen, now they can slow down.

Now they can understand your .
Your approach.
Your impact.
Your why.

So please don’t spend hours making your application sound beautiful while skipping the basic eligibility check.

Fit comes first.

Then tell your story.

💬 Have you ever submitted a and later realized you missed an eligibility requirement? Share your experience below. Someone else may learn from it.

And if this helped, send it to someone who’s working on a grant right now.

“Sometimes the door isn’t closed. We just have to make sure we’re knocking on the right one.”

************************************************
📌 𝐇𝐢, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

‼️Follow me Esstaaz Company for practical strategies to help nonprofits tell stronger stories, attract funding, and expand their impact.

‼️At Esstaaz Company LLC we are accepting new clients who need training and capacity building, a grant writer or fundraising consulting/grant writing or training or if you simply want to start your nonprofit.