Welcome to Beyond the Ask
April 2026
Hi friend,
Welcome to the very first edition of Beyond the Ask.
I’ve spent much of my career working at the intersection of service, leadership, and community impact—across nonprofit organizations, human services, philanthropy, and partnerships. In that time, I’ve worked in and alongside organizations doing incredible work in and for communities.
I’ve also noticed a pattern.
So many mission-driven organizations are stuck in survival mode.
They’re chasing grants with tight deadlines. Planning fundraising events that take enormous energy. Stretching staff far beyond capacity. Constantly asking, “How do we bring in more revenue?” “No mission, no margin, and yet no margin, no mission.”
It’s all valid, but it’s often the wrong starting point.
Fundraising is important. It keeps organizations running. But sustainable impact requires more than securing the next donation, sponsorship, or grant award.
It requires strong relationships. Clear strategy. Community trust. Leadership alignment. Partnerships that make sense. And a broader understanding of what philanthropy can actually look like.
That’s why I created Kate Russo Consulting and my Beyond the Ask newsletter.
This newsletter is a space for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, social impact professionals, and mission-driven entrepreneurs who want to think differently about how we fund important work.
Here, we’ll talk about:
- Fundraising strategies that prioritize relationships over transactions
- Building authentic partnerships
- Philanthropy trends worth paying attention to
- Leadership lessons from the nonprofit and social impact space
- Practical tools to help organizations grow sustainably
I’m also creating this newsletter because I believe many leaders are carrying a lot right now. Nonprofit organizations have shared data on burnout, confirming what we already know: more than 40% of our colleagues are experiencing burnout, and in certain areas of the nation, up to 65% of our nonprofit teams are burned out. It’s so very difficult to feel responsible for the mission and, in turn, the margin when you’re overwhelmed, understaffed, and feel that there are not enough hours in the day.
You’re expected to solve big problems with limited resources. You’re leading teams through uncertainty. You’re trying to create impact while navigating burnout, shifting donor expectations, and increasing community need.
I want to provide practical insights and honest conversations about what this work really takes.
My hope is that this newsletter becomes both a resource and a community for leaders who care deeply about impact and want to build stronger, more sustainable organizations.
If that sounds like you, I’m glad you’re here.
And I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one fundraising, leadership, or philanthropy challenge you’re navigating right now?
Hit reply and let me know.
Thanks for being here.
Kate Russo
Founder, Kate Russo Consulting
thekaterussoconsulting.com