Last week, I found myself surrounded by nearly 200 people at an event in Chicago organized by The Aspen Institute focused on civic trust. The room was full of nonprofit leaders, researchers, and community builders from across the country. Strangers, at first. But then something interesting happened.
I kept running into people from organizations like Habitat for Humanity Chicago , Pilot Light , and the Chicago Jobs Council —Neon One customers, yes, but also mission-driven neighbors. One of them even had the same teacher at the same school as my daughter growing up before she moved. What started as an informal check-in on product upgrades turned into something deeply human.
It reminded me that the systems we talk about—trust, giving, infrastructure—aren’t theoretical. They’re relational. They're already in motion. We just don’t always have the tools to see them.
Why This Newsletter Exists
Over the past few months, I’ve met with community leaders I deeply respect. I’ve talked with friends and advisors across the country and in my own backyard here in Schenectady. And I’ve realized it’s time to start writing more publicly—not just about what I think, but what I see happening. And what I feel we need to build together.
The Generosity Compass is where I’ll track that movement. Not in perfect prose or polished campaigns, but in real-time reflections grounded in three intersecting truths:
- Our personal, professional, and communal lives are not separate—they’re layered.
- Generosity is an ever-present human instinct, not a fundraising tactic.
- Technology must support—not obscure—human connection.
Part of this shift is personal. I recently posted in our independent Neon One users group on Facebook to finally introduce myself. I had hesitated out of respect for the group’s autonomy—and honestly, because I knew how emotional it would be for me.
I’ve been with Neon One through nearly 15 years of change. From a tiny team of seven to where we are now, I’ve grown as a person and watched our clients, colleagues, and culture evolve. It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve made mistakes. And I’ve carried the weight of wanting things to feel more intimate, even when scale makes that harder.
But here’s the truth: I still believe in the everyday fundraiser. I still believe we can build technology that listens. I still believe that systems change starts with human stories and shared tools. And that’s why I’m recommitting to this work in public.
To guide that, I’m drafting a Community Creed—not official, not finalized. Just something to hold us accountable to the kind of work that matters:
I believe that generosity is everywhere. I show up with curiosity. I take what I learn and share it with others. I don’t need to have all the answers. I just need to take the next right step.
Do you see yourself in that? Let me know. I want this to evolve with you.
This Month’s Commitment
Every month, I’ll commit to a small, personal act that builds local connection—because trust doesn’t start in a KPI dashboard.
For May: I’m cooking and serving a meal for my neighbors, Luke and his family, in celebration for when they move across the street. It’s a small act. But it’s a start.
Also, Luke Dosiek ? I’m introducing you to the Victoria Leonhardt soon. Let's make some music together.
P.S. Who Is a Fundraiser, Really?
At AFP ICON, I co-led an exercise with Meenakshi (Meena) Das asking a deceptively simple question:
Who is a fundraiser?
The responses weren’t about titles or job functions. They were about identity, community, and responsibility. We’re long overdue to reframe fundraising as an act of shared stewardship—a role rooted in care, not conversion rates.
So let me ask you: What does the word "fundraiser" mean to you? How do you define that role in your work, especially when it feels invisible?
FEP held a Spring Assembly at AFPICON 2025, it was a public forum. I was deeply inspired by the Trust In Practice Summit organized by the Apsen Institute and hope we can recreate some of that magic in the fall (pending funding, hit me up funders!)
Neon One Community Experiences
This month and beyond, I’ll be putting this vision into action through meaningful and empowering spaces for nonprofit leaders like you to gather:
- Monthly Giving Awareness Week Panel (May 15): I'll be hosting a panel with leaders in recurring giving - thank you to Erica Waasdorp , Dana Snyder , Dave Raley , Harvey McKinnon , and Ken Burnett for participating in this unique experience! Includes speed networking and a spotlight on Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH)
- The State of Generosity Panel (May 27) with Abby Jarvis and Woodrow Rosenbaum : We'll unpack data from Neon One and the Fundraising Effectiveness Project and explore where we go from here.
- Rooted & Rising: A Community-Centric Conference for Fundraisers (May 28): I'm thrilled to be producing this virtual conference with the folks at Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF)
And since we need to balance immediate action with cathedral thinking, for the next few weeks I'm working on:
- June Launch of The Generosity Experience Podcast: Focused on actionable ways to use Neon One technology and celebrate real nonprofit stories. Get ready to be my first guest, Rachel D'Souza .
- Summer Soft launch of our Expert Network: Partnering directly with sector thought leaders doing incredible things—empowered with full access to our tech and research.
- Dream Big & Generosity Xchange 2025: our two biggest events, with a special focus on peer to peer fundraising with our partners Nuclavis for Dream Big. Can't wait to work with Kathy Kempff 📲 and Michelle Robin 's product marketing team on these events.
This isn’t about building a flashy influencer community. It’s about building a team. A real one. Across staff, users, and the tools we depend on.
Generosity Experience Design 101
In a world where generative AI will reshape everything, our job isn’t just to adopt it. It’s to integrate it, elevate it, and hold it accountable - to the people who actually use it.
That’s the heart of generosity experience design. That’s what this is all leading toward.
Are we building cathedrals—or are we putting out fires?
This is my step forward. I hope you’ll walk alongside me.
Till next week,
Tim
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