Hard and Soft: What My Six-Year-Old Taught Me About Fundraising and Leadership

By Ellena Fortner Newsom

When my six-year-old daughter told me, “Mom, you help people because you’re hard and soft,” I had to pause.

I wasn’t sure what she meant at first, so I asked her to explain. “You use your brain and your heart,” she said, with the kind of clarity only kids seem to have.

And bam—that was the moment it clicked. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to do, not just in life, but in launching Nonprofit Bestie. It’s also what every nonprofit professional I’ve ever worked with tries to balance daily.

We’re all just figuring out how to juggle the strategy side without losing the human touch.

The Dance of Brain and Heart in Nonprofit Work

If you’ve ever worked in a nonprofit, you know the deal: one moment you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets, and the next you’re trying to write a thank-you email without sounding robotic (or desperate).

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

And the balance between practical strategy and genuine empathy iIt’s a constant juggling act—using your brain to get things done and your heart to make sure people feel valued.

The truth? It’s exhausting.

Too much focus on the numbers, and your donors feel ignored. Lean too heavily on passion, and your campaigns fall apart.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Nonprofit Bestie: Where Strategy Meets Compassion

That’s exactly why I built Nonprofit Bestie—to help fundraisers like you who have to be both “hard and soft.”

• Yes, we offer tools, templates, and strategies—because passion alone won’t hit your year-end goals.
• But we also get it. We know what it’s like when a major donor ghosts you or when the board wants a miracle—yesterday.

Nonprofit Bestie is more than just strategies; it’s a community of people who get it—a place where you can show up exactly as you are, whether you're stuck in spreadsheets or worn out from people-pleasing.

So, Where Do You Stand?

Are you leaning more into your head or your heart these days? Maybe it’s time to take a step back and figure out where things are off-balance.

What I Learned From My Six-Year-Old

My daughter’s words were a simple but powerful reminder: Helping people is about showing up with both your head and your heart. The people I serve—nonprofit professionals like you—already understand this balance, even if it doesn’t always feel easy.

At Nonprofit Bestie, we’re here to help you lean into both. Whether you need strategic advice, emotional support, or just a community that gets it, you’re in the right place.

So, where do you need a little extra support today? We’re here for you—brain, heart, and all.