AFP ICON Series : Sarah Miller - Community, Connection, and Capacity

In this energizing AFP ICON conversation, Charity Jen sits down with Sarah Miller—consultant with Palmetto Philanthropy and President-Elect of AFP DC—to explore how nonprofit professionals can lead with resilience even in times of uncertainty. Sarah opens up about the emotional toll of nonprofit work, the fatigue many leaders are facing, and the importance of building community to stay connected, grounded, and inspired.

Live from Seattle, the two discuss their shared board service with AFP DC, how ICON fosters collaboration across chapters, and why wellness initiatives like hikes and retreats might be exactly what fundraisers need. If you’re navigating burnout or searching for fresh ways to support your nonprofit peers, this episode offers thoughtful reflection and practical takeaways you’ll want to bring back to your team.

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Here are some notable moments from the episode:

00:00 – Welcome to the AFP ICON Series with Sarah Miller

01:34 – Sarah on the challenges facing today’s nonprofits

02:47 – Finding hope and energy in community

04:06 – Takeaways for AFP DC: wellness, collaboration, and innovation

05:44 – Nuggets of wisdom and book recs from the conference

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Episode Transcript

S1 (00:18):
Hey there and welcome to From the Nest, where fundraising
ideas take flight. I'm Charity Jenne, and today's episode is
one of several conversations I had at AFP icon, a
conference that brings together the heartbeat of the nonprofit world.
These are real talk moments with professionals who are out
there doing the work, finding creative solutions and really making

(00:42):
meaningful impact. You're in for something special. With Sarah Miller,
consultant of Palmetto Philanthropy and president elect of the AFDC. Sarah,
it is a delight to have you here on the podcast.
Thank you for joining me. Welcome.

S2 (01:03):
Thank you. Thank you for having me. Great.

S1 (01:06):
And we serve on the AFP DC board together. And
we're here at Icon and we both came in early.
We were we were a part of the board leadership
meetings that uh that are held before um icon and
I guess, um, you know, one of the, one of
the things I'm curious about is like, within your work

(01:27):
and the organizations that you're, you know, working like what
what are some of the challenges that you're seeing right
now in the nonprofit space and with your clients?

S2 (01:37):
I think a lot of it is uncertainty. And I
think what I'm seeing is sometimes uncertainty can lead to
decisions or panic and also just fatigue. And so really
right now, uh, the challenges are always nonprofits need more resources. Absolutely, 100%.

(02:01):
That challenge is just gotten greater and greater. But I
think there's also this other component of just fatigue. Just
people are looking for for just hope anywhere they can
and and you know, trying to serve your communities when
you yourself need your cup to be filled back up,

(02:21):
I think is it's is a challenge because it impacts
decision making. It impacts the way you interact with others,
and it can really impact even your want to do
the work. Yeah.

S1 (02:32):
And so at a conference like this giant, you know, conference,
we're here in Seattle, there are five floors above.

S2 (02:39):
Us.

S1 (02:40):
With sessions and 3000 people. Um, how do you think
an event like this, conference like that, like this helps
address some of those challenges?

S2 (02:50):
I think there's a sense of community here. I've definitely
felt it with seeing our AFP, DC fellow like colleagues,
seeing new members meeting new friends and just hearing from everyone.
You get the sense that, okay, I'm not alone and
there are people out there who are doing good and

(03:13):
who want to do good. And I think our friend
Beth Keller likes to say that her her momma always
told her to look for the helpers. And here we
are at a conference full of them. And I think
that's re-energizing. And even more specifically, I've I've been learning
from not just people I know, but people I just

(03:34):
met and sharing ideas, thoughts and and even just as
we talked about at the board leadership thing, just another
person to ask, how are you doing? And I think
that really helps get you back in it and really
energizes you to continue the fight, continue the work, and

(03:54):
and maybe have a little more fun while doing it.

S1 (03:56):
Right. And so leaving a conference like this, we have,
you know, a few more sessions another day. Um, what
kinds of things do you think you'll take back?

S2 (04:09):
I think I'm taking back the one of the biggest
things I'm taking back is that message of community and
how important it is, and making sure that we are
fostering a sense of community with our members in DC.
I think urgency with addressing the challenges, not just our members,
but our industry is, you know, what everyone's facing, what

(04:33):
can we do that's going to have an impact, but
that's reasonable and, you know, within our lane. But what
can we do to help even more? And then more specifically,
I've connected with other chapters here and amazing fundraisers, and
I am learning so much. I have so many great
ideas and I, I love hearing what other chapters are doing,

(04:59):
like wellness retreats and collegiate chapters and just people's approach
to serving their members. I'm I'm hoping we can connect
further with these chapters and maybe see what might be,
you know, a great addition to our own services and programs.

S1 (05:16):
Right, right. Yes, I did love that idea that came
from the one chapter of the Wellness Day. Yes. Like even.

S2 (05:23):
Phoenix. Yeah.

S1 (05:24):
Even just getting people together to take a hike. They said,
you know, just get outdoors and be together. And, um. So, yeah,
I'd love all of those little nuggets. I feel like
I have a pages and pages of these little nuggets.
I actually was in the general session yesterday. Like going
back through my through all of my notes and like,
putting little stars and all of my my book list

(05:46):
now that I'm leaving with.

S2 (05:48):
So yeah, great book recommendations. I mean yes.

S1 (05:51):
Exactly, exactly. Well, Sarah, thanks for stopping by. Of course. Yes.
It's always good to see you. And, um, we, uh,
you know, we'll we'll be reconvening in DC and implementing
all of these fun new ideas I can't wait.

S2 (06:07):
Yeah. Me either. I can't wait.

S1 (06:09):
Well, thank you for being on the From the Nest
podcast with Charity Jen, and we'll talk soon.

S2 (06:15):
Thanks for.

S1 (06:15):
Having me. Thanks for listening to From the Nest where
fundraising takes place. If you enjoyed this conversation, don't miss
the rest of the incredible voices we met at the
AFP icon conference. You can hear from all of the
nonprofit professionals, innovators and change makers by visiting. And if

(06:39):
you need more tools and insights from the field, head
to charity. Com to explore the resources I've gathered from
AFP icon and beyond, including strategy, tips, templates and more.
And if you haven't yet, check out my latest book,
Digital Fundraising Transformation The Insider's Guide to Revolutionize Your Strategy

(07:00):
and Raise More. It will help you supercharge your nonprofit
marketing and fundraising efforts. Until next time, keep lifting each
other up.