In July 2010, I set out to build a company that would provide experience, expertise, and support to nonprofits and other service-minded organizations. I believed if these organizations could strengthen their capacity and skills to raise money, tell their story, and...

Watch Cindy on Thinking Out Loud w/ Cindy & Andy discuss with Andy Patterson, President/CEO of Sioux Falls Community Foundation and Think3DSoulutions on: How to adapt to obstacles through different lenses Why Sioux Falls is dedicated to impacting each other for...

Watch Cindy's 1 Million Cups presentation  where she digs into all things philanthropy in Sioux Falls.

Maximizing Excellence sat down with Startup Sioux Falls to discuss how philanthropy can be seen as a competitive advantage - in fact the competitive advantage of Sioux Falls.

Volunteers often express the desire for increased connection and synergy with fellowvolunteers as a way to enhance their experience and productivity. Inspired by an esteemedcolleague and client of ours, this past year we began incorporating a Question of the Day....

At Maximizing Excellence, we have a partner-first mentality. We partner with organizationswho want to improve their effectiveness and achieve high impact. We believe we areresponsible for more than expertise in a partnership. We strive to be a mentor,...

As a consultant, a donor, or a spectator, my involvement with capital campaigns would beconsidered extensive compared to most. Likely for that reason I was recently asked aninteresting question: What percentage of capital campaigns that are 'approved' or...

Last week a comment about nonprofit overhead being a deterrent to giving prompted me to lecture my dinner companion on the nonprofit starvation cycle. Nonprofit friends might find this to be a relatable experience. Formally published for the first time by the Stanford...

Ever wonder where the week went? That was last week for this gal. It blurred by so quickly I missed Maximizing Excellence’s 11-year anniversary.  Happy Anniversary! If I am being honest, that pace and blur is what every week feels like these days. There is a rev in...

A recent conversation with someone new to Maximizing Excellence brought up this question: who do you work with? We work with organizations who want to improve their effectiveness and the individuals responsible for getting the results. The organizations are by and...

Maximizing Excellence celebrates ten years on July 15, 2020. TEN YEARS! Life sure looks a bitdifferent than it did ten years ago. On July 15, 2010, I had yet to be married … or have kids … orlive in Salem, South Dakota … or lose a parent … or try sushi … or meet...

Equations can simplify even the most complicated scenarios. Take for instance fundraising intimes of crisis. If your experience has been at all like mine in recent weeks you have beenbombarded with information, recommendations, and varying perspectives on what the...