Your work is hard. But believe us when we say that you're not alone.

Before founding Funraise, CEO and Co-founder Justin Wheeler spent years as a nonprofit fundraiser and leader. In this conversation with Caitlin Donley and Dan Stephens of the Solihten Institute, he recalls moments where community was everything.

Solihten Institute specializes in bringing together nonprofit leaders in the mental health space for a network effect that encourages sharing successes and challenges for collaborative growth that benefits the whole. As Development Director, Caitlin guides nonprofits within that network to embrace fundraising, and in his role as CEO, Dan leads a vision to bring Solihten's mission deeper into the digital realm.

"One of the most important things that we hear... Even though their [Executive Directors] context can be quite different, they have personal relationships with one another where they trust one another enough to be vulnerable and really work on these leadership challenges" —Dan Stephens, CEO, Solihten Institute

Short on time? Yeah, we hear you; since you're busy making mission magic, this quick chat is designed to pump you up and get you back to it.

0:00 Introducing Solihten

1:30 What's YOUR Why?

4:15 The Network Effect

8:00 The impact of community on inspiration

11:49 Don't let FOF (Fear of Fundraising) get you down!

14:45 An incredible example of community success

17:18 Opportunities for connection in 2025

20:05 Wait, they DOUBLED their monthly donors?