This month, I had the opportunity to present to a room of professionals through ProVisors. It was a meaningful experience, not because of the presentation itself, but because of what happened in the room.
I went in with a clear intention. Not to deliver a perfect pitch, but to connect.
So I shared the truth.
I spoke about nonprofit leaders doing critical work in their communities while carrying the constant weight of funding uncertainty. I talked about what it really takes to build sustainable growth. And I shared something more personal—that I am not separate from the communities I serve.
I come from them.
That perspective shapes how I show up in this work. It also shapes how I speak about it.
Because in fund development, language matters.
Too often, we hear people say, “They need support,” or “Those communities need resources.” But the most effective fundraisers—the ones who build trust and move resources—understand that this work requires a shift.
From they… to we.
“We are working to expand access.”
“We are building stronger communities.”
“We are addressing barriers together.”
That “we” is not just a word. It reflects proximity, accountability, and respect. It signals that you are not an outsider advocating from a distance, but someone who understands the work, the challenges, and the people at its center.
For me, that connection is both professional and personal.
It is rooted in lived experience, in years of community-based work, and in a deep commitment to preserving the dignity of those who rely on public support. It is also reflected in how I lead the company and how we partner with our clients.
At Lydia Sierra Consulting, we don’t just help organizations secure funding. We help them build the infrastructure to sustain their work and expand their impact.
We help nonprofit leaders turn their mission into funding.
What stood out to me most after the presentation was not just the feedback—though I’m grateful for the words shared: amazing, impactful, passionate, resilient, important work.
It was the response.
Conversations opened.
Connections were made.
Opportunities followed.
That’s what happens when people feel something real.
For those of us working in and alongside the nonprofit sector, this is a reminder:
Fund development is not just about writing proposals or identifying opportunities. It is about representation. It is about trust. And it is about how we position ourselves in relation to the communities we serve.
If you work with or support nonprofit organizations, consider this:
How are you showing up in the story?
Are you speaking about the work… or are you part of it?
Because when we shift from “they” to “we,” we don’t just raise more funding.
We build stronger partnerships.
We deepen trust.
And ultimately, we create more sustainable impact.
And when nonprofits are resourced well, entire communities benefit.
— Lydia Sierra
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