Just BeCause Consulting was founded with innovation and experience as its core asset to support nonprofits to succeed in today’s ever-evolving philanthropic landscape. The founder, Katherine Macdonald, is a passionate and creative philanthropy expert who has distinguished themselves through proven track records, dedication to the sector, and ability to foresee future trends and adapt pre-emptively.
Our approach stems from a need to master efficiency and sustainability. By using the most modern methods and technologies, we restructure every aspect of your organization to save time, money, and resources, allowing you to focus on what is most important: your mission. Whether you are looking for a streamlined turnkey solution or a dedicated mentor to impart you with the tools and know-how to flourish independently, we have your bases covered.
Montreal, Quebec, CA
Latest episode is out! Happy Holidays to all!
Founder @ Just Be Cause Consulting | Empowering Positive Impact | 🎙️ Host of the Just Be Cause Podcast
A Holiday Tail of Hope... 🎄🐕 Tune in to my last episode of the year to hear the heartwarming story of Mr.Pickles 😍 LIsten to the full story on the Just Be Cause Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gZ-kajJY #Rescue #AnimalRescue #MrPickles #StreetDog #ChristmasStory
🎅A Holiday "Tail" of Hope: How the Power of Community Helped Rescue Mr.Pickles🐾✨ To close up my 2024 podcast episodes, I want to share a Christmas Tail with you all. Working in nonprofits can be tough. We tend to see and hear all the sad stories, the ones we couldn't help, the things going wrong in the world... But we ARE doing good. And we must remember that. This heartfelt Christmas Rescue story serves more than just a sprinkle of pawsitive vibes, but also channels something deeper—learning and growth in the nonprofit sector! Here's how #MisterPickles taught us to enhance our missions in 2025: 🤝 1. COLLABORATION IS KING - The rescue of Mr. Pickles was a chain reaction of meaningful actions from various individuals. Volunteering and Nonprofiteering is never a solo gig. Embrace your network, share responsibilities, and watch magic happen! 💬 2. FOSTER CONNECTIONS - Meaningful connections like the WhatsApp group can lead to incredible outcomes. Create open channels for communication within your organization—it could be your next breakthrough tool! ❤️ 3. OPEN HEARTS - Suspend quick judgments to foster empathy, understanding, and education. See challenges as opportunities to learn and grow instead of barriers. Everybody's story matters, and every individual can bring new light to your mission. 🐈⬛ Should you foster a dog and call him Mr. Pickles? Yes! 🐕 (Not responsible for additional pups in your household) Listen to this short but sweet episode here: https://lnkd.in/gzw_p5Mi I know I have my sights on building more connections and continuing to foster change throughout 2025 (and maybe more rescue pups... my husband might lock me up though). Share your Foster Fail or Rescue story below to remind everyone of the impact they are having! Happy Holidays everyone! #animalrescue #nonprofitgrowth #collaboration #networking #rescuedogs #mindsetshift #sharedjourney
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Founder @ Just Be Cause Consulting | Empowering Positive Impact | 🎙️ Host of the Just Be Cause Podcast
🎙️For anyone thinking of launching a podcast next year... here is how my launch went. I have heard a few people throw around the idea of "launching a podcast". I felt it relevant to share my own experience. Here are some things to consider before embarking on the project. 📆 It took me a full year from conception to launch. Yup, it is a LOT of prep time. 🏆I hosted a podcast launch contest to help build excitement around the launch (Thanks Dana Snyder for the idea!), which helped me get to the #2 nonprofit podcast spot in my first week! 💸I spent well over 3000$ in tech and investments around the podcast: Riverside.fm as my recording platform, Buzzsprout as my host, Castmagic as my AI Tool, my microphone and stand, gifts for the contest, editing costs, marketing costs... etc. This doesn't take into consideration the COUNTLESS HOURS spent on the project. 👩💻I had the pleasure of publishing 17 episodes with incredible guests and already have 8 more lined up for 2025! 🗺️The podcast was listened to in 46 countries, and 328 cities around the world! 🎧 My episodes were listened to over 1300 times, that would make quite a full room! The podcast is more about showcasing more stories of interconnection, meeting inspiring people, and showcasing my expertise as a nonprofit professional. This is a labor of love 🤍 Thank you to everyone who made this possible, a special shout out to my husband Lex Lacefield for editing my episodes with so much love and being a guiding force every step of the way, and to Samantha my marketing queen for helping me get this out into the world! Are there any other questions you have around launching a podcast? Shoot them in the comments and I'll give you my honest advice! #Podcast #NonprofitPodcast #Launch #PodcastAdvice
🎙️For anyone thinking of launching a podcast next year... here is how my launch went. I have heard a few people throw around the idea of "launching a podcast". I felt it relevant to share my own experience. Here are some things to consider before embarking on the project. 📆 It took me a full year from conception to launch. Yup, it is a LOT of prep time. 🏆I hosted a podcast launch contest to help build excitement around the launch (Thanks Dana Snyder for the idea!), which helped me get to the #2 nonprofit podcast spot in my first week! 💸I spent well over 3000$ in tech and investments around the podcast: Riverside as my recording platform, Buzzsprout as my host, Castmagic as my AI Tool, my microphone and stand, gifts for the contest, editing costs, marketing costs... etc. This doesn't take into consideration the COUNTLESS HOURS spent on the project. 👩💻I had the pleasure of publishing 17 episodes with incredible guests and already have 8 more lined up for 2025! 🗺️The podcast was listened to in 46 countries, and 328 cities around the world! 🎧 My episodes were listened to over 1300 times, that would make quite a full room! The podcast is more about showcasing more stories of interconnection, meeting inspiring people, and showcasing my expertise as a nonprofit professional. This is a labor of love 🤍 Thank you to everyone who made this possible, a special shout out to my husband Lex Lacefield for editing my episodes with so much love and being a guiding force every step of the way, and to Samantha, my marketing queen for helping me get this out into the world! Are there any other questions you have around launching a podcast? Shoot them in the comments and I'll give you my honest advice! #Podcast #NonprofitPodcast #Launch #PodcastAdvice
Just BeCause Philanthropy Consulting reposted this
Founder @ Just Be Cause Consulting | Empowering Positive Impact | 🎙️ Host of the Just Be Cause Podcast
How can we retain our donors past Holiday Giving season? I was so happy to share the podcast stage with Brittan S. on the Donorbox podcast to talk about retention strategies post Year-End campaign. This short but sweet episode summarizes my best stewardship strategies to increase your donor retention after the holiday frenzy. Here were some of my tips: 1️⃣ Think about your first-time donors as "first-dates". How will you follow up after to pencil in that second date? 2️⃣ AUTOMATION: There are countless tools out there that can help automate your stewardship so that even if you're busy, the system is working for you. 3️⃣ Handwritten cards and personalization are gold. Attention to detail will make people feel special and seen. 4️⃣ Ask your donors for THEIR story: Include a prompt for donors to share their motivations to support you. Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g-u6EWMd What do YOU make sure to do when coming back from the holidays to keep your first-time donors coming back for more? #Stewardship #CRM #DonorRetention #YearEnd #HolidayGiving #Donate #Nonprofit #Podcast
Just BeCause Philanthropy Consulting reposted this
Why do 80% of new year-end donors never give again? Fundraising expert Katherine Lacefield (Macdonald) shares actionable strategies to strengthen your communications and keep donors engaged when it matters most – especially the first 30 days after making a contribution. Unlock 5 practical tips to make every gift count: https://ow.ly/xbri50UuoBN 🎄Wishing you a joyful holiday season! We’ll be back with fresh podcast episodes starting January 16. #DonorRetention #FundraisingStrategy #Nonprofit
📆Flashback: It's July 11th, 2024, and We Are For Good was launching their first ever #ImpactUprising global event. In Playa del Carmen, with my good friend Kelly Hernandez, we were sticking on nametags and playing icebreaker Bingo as we got to meet local nonprofit leaders. In Uganda, the inspiring Simon Kiranda was combatting heavy rains and flooding, as he held space for his community... This first event held a main virtual event attended by 2,000 people, with simultaneous in-person local gatherings in 29 cities across 5 countries, around the theme of Power. Their second gathering wrapped up on October 10th and touched on the timely topic of mental health with the theme: Pause. This second happening was held in 27 cities, in 7 countries, as well as virtually. But what is ImpactUp? How does a podcast build a community and turn it into a global, community-led movement for good? To answer this question, I met with Jon McCoy, co-founder of We Are for Good with Becky Endicott, as well as Simon Kiranda, the founder of the Akamwenhu Initiative Uganda who hosted one of the most attended and inspiring ImpactUp events, in Uganda. As the co-host of the Mexican event in Playa del Carmen, I was keen on digging into their experience. The stories behind this movement showcase the power of community and collaboration and its transformational power. If you are looking for some "festive magic", this story might just be what you need! Find the article here: https://vist.ly/3mqagk8 #PowerofCommunity #CommunityBuilding #Nonprofit #Gathering
New episode out!
Founder @ Just Be Cause Consulting | Empowering Positive Impact | 🎙️ Host of the Just Be Cause Podcast
When I grow up, I want to be a storytelling consultant. Said no one, ever. And yet there I was having a chat with Nathan Young of StoryCulture Consulting. While many of us grow up with stories, it is sometimes harder to imagine the important role they can play as adults. Our conversation on the Just Be Cause podcast veered into much deeper topics than I had imagined, but overall we focused on: 📚1. STORYTELLING IMPACT - Storytelling doesn't just capture attention; it creates memorable lessons. By integrating stories into our mission, we can relate more effectively and make lasting impressions - a game changer for nonprofit leaders looking to spark change and foster connection. 🧠2. NARRATIVE LEADERSHIP - It's not about the technicalities but the compelling vision. Leaders are encouraged to share authentic narratives that demonstrate credibility and resonate with their teams, constituents, and the wider world. Our stories are powerful tools for inspiring collective action and achieving our goals. 💪3. PERSONAL GROWTH & TRAUMA HEALING - Personal and organizational growth stems from understanding oneself. Addressing trauma and building resilience helps leaders lead with clarity and empathy, creating a ripple effect of positive change within organizations and beyond. Lesson: Learn your story too! Let's embrace storytelling and lead with courage and compassion. 🔗 Check out the episode to dive deeper into how these insights can optimize your organization's impact. Your cause is a narrative waiting to be told: https://lnkd.in/gZ-kajJY ✨ How does storytelling show up in your work? Let me know in the comments! #nonprofit #storytelling #environmentalcauses #animaladvocacy #leadership #growth #Podcast #nonprofitpodcast
Just BeCause Philanthropy Consulting reposted this
Founder @ Just Be Cause Consulting | Empowering Positive Impact | 🎙️ Host of the Just Be Cause Podcast
I am so happy to be part of Animals Need Me's end-of-year campaign. Working side by side with Oli Pero (she/her/elle) has been inspirational. This woman gives her all in her support of the most vulnerable animals in Albania. My hat goes off to you Oli 🙇♀️ This campaign is going directly to feeding and caretaking the over 250 animals at their shelter, while also supporting their long-term projects of education and awareness to actually change the situation for animals in Albania. For anyone looking to support a new organization this year, I highly recommend Animals Need Me ❤️ I would also like to thank Tico Ituarte and Joel Mathai at the Donorbox team for helping us set up our first campaigns, your quick responses and flexibility made it much easier to set up.
This holiday season, you have the chance to help transform the lives of over 250 stray dogs and cats in Shkoder, Albania. Animals Need Me has been working tirelessly since 2012, making this year our 12th anniversary! To celebrate this occasion, we are launching the " 12 Days of Giving for Albania's Animals" campaign, running until December 31st. Our goal is to raise $4,000 to provide essential care for the most vulnerable animals in our community. For over a decade, Animals Need Me has rescued, rehabilitated, and found loving homes for thousands of stray animals. But the work doesn’t stop there— we face daily challenges in caring for the animals who rely on us. From life-saving surgeries to ensuring every belly is full, the costs are immense, especially during the colder months. By donating to the "12 Days of Giving," you help us provide a warm shelter, proper medical care, and hope for a brighter future for these animals. Together, we can make a difference. Whether you give $5 or $500, your compassion matters. Join us in creating holiday miracles for Albania’s animals. Let’s end the year with kindness and make 2025 brighter for our furry friends! Donate today and help make this Christmas one to remember! Our team will be hard at work to make sure it happens! https://lnkd.in/eBTb23G4
Need a hand planning your next photoshoot? Check out Michelle Riley's free guide!
Nonprofit Photography Expert | Specialist in Impactful Photo Shoot Strategy & Execution | Advocate for Ethical & Authentic Visual Storytelling | Creative Disruptor | Founder of Lens for Change
𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁? 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀. 👇 Photos aren’t just visuals—they’re your most powerful storytelling tool, especially during year-end. The right images can showcase the heart of your mission, inspire donors to act, and strengthen your connection with your community. But planning a photo shoot that does all of that can feel overwhelming. 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽. It includes: ✅ 6 creative photo shoot ideas to help you bring your mission to life ✅ Strategies to build trust, inspire confidence, and deepen engagement Whether you need fresh images for your year-end campaign or you’re planning ahead for 2025, this guide is packed with ideas for shoots that will amplify your mission and resonate with donors. 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅—𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀! Know someone who could use this guide? Share this post with your network! ♻️