Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 2

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

This month’s Can I Ask You Something? features Haley Bash of Donor Organizer Hub, an organization that trains and supports volunteer fundraisers for progressive movement groups.

Their work is rooted in the belief that fundraising isn’t just about raising money - it can also be a tool for building community and mobilizing people toward long-term change.

It’s an approach I really relate to. So much of my fundraising work with clients is about helping them see it not as a burden, but as a practice that can reflect their values and strengthen relationships. Haley’s responses are a great reminder of that.

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

Tell us about Donor Organizer Hub
Donor Organizer Hub trains, coaches, and convenes everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement organizations they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe fundraising can be organizing, and that everyone has networks they can mobilize to resource movements. By supporting volunteer fundraisers and the groups they work with, we help build sustainable grassroots power and reduce dependence on wealthy donors and institutions.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
We say yes when opportunities strengthen the fundraising leadership of people organizing for progressive change. That means trainings, coaching, and convenings that help volunteers move from giving → fundraising → coaching for the causes they’re deeply invested in. We let go of work that might raise money in the short term but doesn’t build community power or leadership for the long haul.

What’s one thing you want people to know about your nonprofit?
That fundraising isn’t just for the wealthy or “well-connected.” At Donor Organizer Hub, we train and coach everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement causes they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe everyone has networks they can mobilize, and when those networks are organized for movement causes, they become a powerful source of long-term progressive change

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
We’ve trained and coached thousands of volunteer fundraisers who have raised millions for grassroots, progressive organizations. But what we’re proudest of is seeing participants step into leadership—hosting house parties, coaching their peers, and sustaining their groups. Watching people grow into leaders who strengthen movement infrastructure is the real win.

Who or what are you learning from lately?
We’re learning from the volunteers we coach, who constantly find creative ways to make fundraising joyful even in tough times. They turn birthdays, hobbies, and community events into fundraising opportunities—knitting for pledges, asking at dinner tables, or connecting it to milestones in their lives.
That creativity doesn’t just raise money; it reminds us that fundraising is relational, rooted in joy, and a way for people to build power together when the challenges around us feel overwhelming.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
We’re guided by values centered on relational connection, grassroots power, creativity, and reflective learning. We believe fundraising is organizing, and even small, everyday asks can be an invitation into the movement, rooted in trust and shared values—not transactional appeals. We trust in the power of everyday people to resource movements, resisting over-reliance on high-net-worth donors and honoring community-rooted fundraising. When uncertainty arises, we lean into creative, joy-filled tactics—from bake sales to themed parties, we mobilize through fun, values-aligned engagement. Finally, we follow a cycle of planning-doing-reflecting, continuously learning and adapting what works in real-time conditions.

Thanks so much, Haley! You can take a gander at Donor Organizer Hub’s website here.

A few quick things before you go:

• I’m facilitating a free, day-long session in Bennington on September 30 called Fundraising That Builds Trust (Without Burning You Out) through the Heritage Family Credit Union Community Conversation series. Find out more and register here.

• The first Way We Work gathering is happening on October 23 in Wallingford, and it’s all about boundaries. It’ll be a (truly) fun couple of hours of reflection, conversation, and space to be with others who get it. If you're local and curious, you can read more or grab a spot here.

• Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

• I also have space this fall for a couple of new client projects. If you could use some support, just reply - I’d be happy to learn more about what you’re working on.

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 1

In the mission-driven world, it can be hard to find real opportunities for open, human-to-human conversations across organizations. Even at conferences or networking events, we don't usually get a chance to turn to someone new and say something like, “Hey, I'm having trouble setting a boundary. Will you tell me about one that's important to you and how you got to that decision?”

As I’ve said before, I'm so into the minutiae of other people's day-to-day lives. There are great things we can learn from each other when we make time to ask, and to listen:

What feels crappy to you right now? 

What is something joyful about your day?

What do you think everyone should know about your organization, but maybe doesn't?

We work in a sector where there's often such a scarcity mindset: of time, of money, of emotional bandwidth. There's little time given to slow down, to celebrate, and to contemplate. Sometimes we just want to ask questions. And sometimes we just want to be listened to.

That's one of the reasons I'm so excited to introduce my new interview series, Can I Ask You Something? Every month, I'll feature someone working in or around the nonprofit sector, taking time to pause in their day to share things we can relate to, learn from, celebrate, or even disagree with. 

Collective knowledge is so important, and something I try to center in my work. It helps break down our silos, burst out of our bubbles, and remember that there are other people out there. (And if you'd like to be one of those people, you can go ahead and fill out a quick interest form here.)

I'm thrilled to introduce the first person to share with us: Alexandra Pratt, Director of the West Tisbury Free Public Library on Martha's Vineyard. I've known Alexandra since we were both sophomore transfers at Smith College. For the last two decades, I’ve watched her be one of the coolest people I know: farmer, librarian, outdoor bathtub owner, world traveler, and camping buddy. Read on for what she has to share.

Alexandra Pratt on the left - librarian extraordinaire!

What’s one thing you want people to know about your organization?
The West Tisbury Library has been ranked a five star library several years in a row by the Library Journal.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
Our Community "Freedge" (free fridge)! Modelled on free fridges and pantries across the world, it is a space anyone can donate to and anyone can take food from. To me, it represents what is at the heart of librarianship: sharing resources and space with each other to build community and help each other. 

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?

Don't work so hard! Even if you are passionate and devoted to something, self care needs to come first. The adage “you can’t pour from an empty cup” is true! In public service the drive can be to give as much as yourself as possible but that is not sustainable. Show up, work hard, keep caring, but make it sustainable, for the good of yourself and your organization. 

What’s one boundary you’re holding right now?

Saying no to things! Or at least saying “not right now.” Professionally and personally, I love helping folks and trying to say yes to as much as possible, but realistically there is only so much money in the budget, time, and energy! Slowing down and thinking more strategically about the best use of my energy and the library resources has been very helpful to prevent burnout.

What’s something that happened today that stayed with you?

Today, like so many other days here at our public library, I am struck by how rare shared public spaces like this are; and how truly special they are. 
From unhoused neighbors staying cool in the AC, to year-round residents getting books for summer reading, to tourists here for storytime on a rainy day, folks of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds join in our programs - like community dance classes, improv classes, ukulele jams, and more. It's truly an honor to work to facilitate it all! I feel so incredibly lucky to get to serve my community, to do work to hopefully make my neighbors’ and visitors’ lives a little better.

Thanks so much, Alexandra! You can find out more about the West Tisbury Library here. 

And if you’re interested in being featured in our interviews, you can fill out a short interest form here.