 Nina Gehan-King
Co-Founder @ MeaningFULL Development & Communications | Development and Communications Strategist April 25, 2025 My first “real job" taught me everything I needed to know about nonprofit development—I just didn't know it at the time. Fresh out of my Master's and 10 years of waiting tables, I landed a temp position at RLS Corp. under @lancerobertsmba 's leadership. There, in the fast-moving world of trucking logistics, I learned the delicate art of being the middle person. We weren't just matching trucks with cargo—we were guaranteeing quality, managing expectations, and most importantly, taking full responsibility when things went sideways. Sound familiar, my nonprofit development friends? What started as a temporary role evolved into something bigger when he gave me the chance to come up with a plan for managing safety and risk. I developed a carrier compliance program from scratch, transforming my position from temp to salaried. Lance saw potential where others might have seen just another temporary worker. He gave me the space to create value—a lesson I've carried throughout my career (And he had my car fixed so I could make it to work). To read the full story click here.
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Nina Gehan, Co-Founder @ MeaningFULL Development & Communications  I landed my first job in development in a leadership position almost 15 years ago with zero experience in the field. To this day, I still believe I was given that opportunity because the landscape was so challenging that people were willing to take a chance with someone like me, who had no nonprofit development training, but the skills and passion needed for this type of profession. Because let's face it - at that time nonprofits were desperate and short on funds -- total charitable giving plunged 7.0% in 2008, followed by another 6.2% drop in 2009 - the largest dip experienced in the last 24 years. It was a mighty mountain to climb, but those years taught me invaluable lessons about resilient fundraising strategies - lessons that are surprisingly relevant today, but with a crucial twist. That twist is the unprecedented rise of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). READ the full article here.  Written by Nina Gehan-King, Co-Founder @ MeaningFULL Development & Communications  After 8 months away from LinkedIn, I am back to share a hard truth about technology, responsibility, why I stepped back, and why I'm here today. I realize this is a long post so bear with me.
Eight months ago, our two-year-old son underwent emergency brain surgery, an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV), which saved his life. This experience underscored the marvels of modern technology: robotic assistance and endoscopic techniques pioneered in 2004—the same year Facebook launched. During those challenging times, it wasn't social media that sustained us; it was real people showing up in meaningful ways. To everyone who supported us, your actions defined true community. Thank you. I've watched the digital transformation from the inside, and the outside, since computers first hit the scene in the 90s. As part of Facebook's early test days at the University of Chicago in 2004, I have witnessed the birth and evolution of social media since its inception, and watched our generation become both architects and victims of the attention economy. Social networks aren't inherently good or bad - they're tools. But unfortunately, research suggests by in large we've failed to use them effectively over the last 20 years —and that they've contributed negatively to mental health and societal cohesion. Read the full post here. 12/26/2023 1 Comment The Amy Awards: Nina Gehan, the Connector, builds bridges to support local nonprofitsThe co-founder of MeaningFULL Development and Communication is a recipient of a 2023 Amy Award. Read the full article about Nina and learn about the Amy's Award The Amy Awards: Nina Gehan builds bridges to support local nonprofits | MADISON MAGAZINE | channel3000.com 
Originally published on Park Bank's Blog How to Plan and Execute ‘MeaningFULL’ Nonprofit Events | Park Bank
Breaking down the 5 stages of a successful fundraising event’s lifecycle Fundraising events can be highly valuable to nonprofit organizations — if they’re executed properly. Hosting an event presents a tremendous opportunity for nonprofits to connect with potential donors, raise funds, and spread their mission. Of course, with limited resources, orchestrating an event that’s both financially successful and highly engaging can be a challenge. How can you pull it off? It starts by understanding the lifecycle of a successful fundraising event, according to MeaningFULL Development & Communications Co-Founder and CEO Nina Gehan. A well-organized event involves 5 stages:
Let’s break them down (timelines may vary based on size and scale of the event). by Nina Gehan The AFP Diversity Committee continued to push forward with its work, adding to the free workshops they were organizing and memberships that were being offered to small non-profits. In 2017, the chapter approved covering the cost of events for any guests of the board or AFP committees with the goal of exposing more people to the organization. In addition, one of the monthly luncheon programs would focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Read more.
You can now download a free copy of the Blackbaud Diversity in Giving Report
As the United States continues to grow and become more diverse, it’s more important than ever to consider whether the nonprofit playbook is due for an overhaul. Do current fundraising efforts have the cultural competency to reach all Americans who might support nonprofits? Based on a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. donors, Blackbaud's first-ever Diversity in Giving study provides an in-depth analysis of the priorities, values, and attitudes of African-American, Asian, and Hispanic donors. By understanding each group’s giving attitudes and preferences, this study serves as a strong foundation to guide your organization toward a more inclusive—and effective—fundraising approach. Download : Diversity in Giving - Blackbaud Institute 4/1/2021 1 Comment JEDIs and the battle against inequity: How AFP has embraced, confronted the challengeBy Nina Gehan
2013 -2017: Starting a conversation about diversity at AFP The year was 2013. A newly published report, the Race to Equity report, from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, had just come off the press. The report documented in detail widespread racial disparities in the city of Madison and Dane County and demonstrated through data that African-Americans fared much worse than whites in nearly every category, and across 40 different well-being indicators. The report, coupled with community organizing by the African-American community including Rev. Alex Gee, who penned the op Ed “Justified Anger” in 2013, brought a new focus on equity in the Dane County community. In the local non-profit sector it seemed like everyone was talking about the report and Rev. Gee’s op ed. Some were “shocked” or “surprised” to learn disparities had only worsened over the years. Others were happy to finally see the reality they knew existed, or that they had been living with, being talked about publicly. People from all backgrounds came together, conversations sprung up, workgroups were formed, demonstrations were organized… Read more: AFP Greater Madison | JEDIs and the battle against inequity: How AFP has embraced, confronted the challenge (afpmadison.org) |
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