Cindi Phallen

Cindi Phallen

Cindi Phallen works with nonprofit boards and executives to build healthy boards that raise more money and execute on their vision. She is an author, educator, speaker, president of Create Possibility and a former ED. Known for asking the tough questions, she is on a mission to change the mindset of nonprofit leaders, so they move from intention to execution and maximize their impact.

Her popular book, “The Impact Triangle: The 3 Essentials to Accelerate Your Nonprofit Enterprise,” is recommended as mandatory reading for executives and volunteers. Cindi teaches fundraising at the University of San Diego, serves on various boards and is a Viewpoint partner for Social Venture Partners.

Cindi spends her free time jogging on the beach, snowboarding or watching her beloved Philadelphia Eagles!

2023: The Year of Your Board

Is your board just not getting it? If we need our board members to be more engaged, we need to engage them. Here’s a plan to do so.

3 Ways Your Board Must Participate in Year-End Giving

When you equip boards to confidently participate in your year-end efforts, the results can be amazing. Their voices and connections amplify your work and lead to even greater mission impact during the time of year when most philanthropy occurs.

Improve Your Board’s Experience By Investing in Onboarding

Last month as I was preparing for a board retreat, it became clear that the board’s role, specifically related to how they could be effective community ambassadors, was unclear to most of the members. On the pre-survey, this was highlighted as something they wanted to work on...

3 Ways to Get Current Donors to Invest Again This Year

You’ve probably seen the stats. According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, retention across the U.S. is 46 percent—and about half that for new donors! You work too hard to have more than half your donors disappear, never to be heard from again...

Culture of Philanthropy: Are You Ready?

More and more often, we hear this catchy phrase "culture of philanthropy" and how essential it is to high levels of nonprofit fundraising success. Having worked as a staffer for many years, I’m a firm believer. If you want to raise more money and retain more donors, start by looking at your collective mindset toward philanthropy—a culture shift doesn’t start with strategy...