Tribute: Fundraising Without Fear: Building Relationships That Fuel Your Nonprofit Mission with Sabrina Walker-Hernandez
Release Date: 08/12/2025
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
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In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization. how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide. Episode highlights: 💬 “It’s a Communications Problem” – Or Is It? [00:09:27]...
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info_outlineIn this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton gives a tribute to nonprofit consulting star and nonprofit governance and fundraising expert Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President & CEO of Building Better Boards, by re-releasing their conversation from 2021. Ms. Hernandez passed away in July 2025 after a long battle with cancer.
Episode highlights:
[00:06:45] Finding Her Why: From Law to Nonprofit Service
[00:13:00] Breaking Down the Fundraising Cycle
[00:18:30] A Mantra for Courage: It’s Not About You
[00:21:15] Helping Board Members Identify Donors: The List Generator
[00:25:55] Cultivating With Authenticity
[00:29:75] Fundraising in Underserved Communities
[00:35:55] Where to Begin: Budget and Strategy
[00:40:30] Innovating Fundraising Approaches
Guest Bio:
Sabrina Walker-Hernandez was the President & CEO of Building Better Boards. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. One of Sabrina’s greatest successes was that she increased operation revenue from$750,000 to $2.5 million over an 8-year period as well as being responsible for the planning and operations of a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign in the 3rd poorest county in the United States. She facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and was a master trainer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Sabrina gained a certificate in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She was an active community leader and volunteer in Edinburg, Texas.
Important Links and Resources:
Tributes to Sabrina:
https://texasborderbusiness.com/in-loving-memory-of-sabrina-walker-hernandez/
https://riograndeguardian.com/tributes-pour-in-for-sabrina-walker-hernandez/
https://www.legacychapelsrgv.com/obituaries/sabrina-walker-hernandez
https://www.youtube.com/@SupportingWorldHope
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