Category: Special Events

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The Art of Gathering with Intention

Why the table still matters. Even when life feels overwhelming.

There is something deeply human about gathering — not the event, not the logistics, but the intention behind it.

A table is never just a table.
It is a declaration that people matter.
That their presence is welcome.
That what they bring — stories, exhaustion, hope — deserves room.

In the nonprofit world, where many women serve endlessly and often invisibly, gathering becomes more than hospitality. It becomes leadership.

Because when you gather people intentionally, you’re saying:
• I see you.
• You don’t have to shrink here.
• Your presence has value.
• We can breathe together, even for a moment.

When I prepare for a conversation — whether I am setting my dining table for guests or settling into my home office to support nonprofit leaders — I begin the same way: by shaping the atmosphere. I light MBW No. Five, with its grounding magnolia warmth, or MBW No. 20, with its bouquet of roses, lilies, and hyacinth. Each carries its own kind of welcome. To ensure the scent lingers, a spritz of MBS Adrienne provides the perfect finishing touch.

These gestures are small, but they speak loudly:
This moment matters.
You matter.

Candles are never the only actors in the room. I place roses at the center of the table, a magnolia branch nearby, and allow the space to hold a softness that encourages people to exhale. None of it is decoration. It is intention — made visible and felt. Please click here to learn how you can experience MBW No. Five and MBW No. 20.

Leadership begins long before we speak.
Often, it begins the moment we make room for others — and for ourselves.

May we continue to gather with purpose — and lead with presence.

With gratitude and intention!

Monique

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On Completing A Collection

Spaces shaped with care have their own quiet language.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

There is a particular quiet joy in completing a collection. It isn’t the hurried thrill of acquiring something new, but the deeper satisfaction of bringing something full circle.

A Quiet Joy in Completion

This past week, as the final pieces of my Lenox Eternal set arrived, I felt a familiar sense of resolution. The ivory china, the warmth of the gold band, and the weight of the new oval platter all belong to a story I began years ago. I built it patiently, plate by plate, cup by cup, moment by moment.

Beauty Lives in the Details

Next week, when the Cote Noire roses arrive, I’ll set the table properly. One arrangement will sit on each side. The new platter will rest on its easel in the center, with taper candles placed intentionally for balance and glow. Even the knife rests, though delayed, have their part to play. I’ve come to understand that beauty lives in the details. A table—like a life—comes alive through care, not speed.

The Table as a Masterclass in Intentionality

In many ways, a well-set table is a masterclass in intentionality. It reflects the same principles that guide my work when planning bespoke events for visionary nonprofit leaders. Balance, proportion, thoughtful placement — and the belief that even the smallest detail contributes to the whole. A curated event and a curated home share the same quiet language: care, presence, and an appreciation for how beauty elevates the moment.

Harmony, Not Accumulation

There is a rhythm to completing something with intention. It reminds me that collecting is not about accumulation. It’s about harmony. It’s about knowing when something is “enough” and appreciating the fullness of that moment.

Where The Gathering Table Luxury Edit Truly Began

It also reminds me where The Gathering Table Luxury Edit began. I wanted to create pieces and environments that don’t shout, but whisper their presence. The way a completed tablescape quietly affirms, “Yes, this is right,” is the feeling I want my luxury boxes and candles to bring into the homes they enter.

Leadership in Subtle Forms

In building this brand, I’ve learned that many things unfold before the public ever sees them. Photographs are taken, edits made, and choices refined. Recently, I’ve noticed moments where others have mirrored that imagery exactly as I created it. Those repetitions, even when quiet or without commentary, remind me that leadership often shows up in subtle ways. Sometimes the strongest influence comes from the visual language you build and the consistency with which you uphold it.

The Throughline: Taste, Choice, Narrative

Completing a collection—whether of china or ideas—allows you to pause and recognize the throughline: your taste, your choices, your narrative. As I prepare my table for the season ahead, I’m reminded that every completed chapter makes room for the next one to rise.

There is comfort in that.

And a quiet anticipation, too.

Fondly,
Monique

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With A Grateful Heart

As you move through this Thanksgiving Day, I invite you to pause—just for a moment—and breathe with a grateful heart.

✨  Let today be less about perfection and more about presence.
✨  Less about the rush, and more about the quiet in-between moments.
✨  Less about what’s missing, and more about what’s here.

May your table be filled with good food, your home with warmth, and your heart with gratitude—big or small, spoken or silent.

Wishing you a beautiful, grounded, grace-filled Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,
Monique

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Help Wanted — The Art of Asking (and Receiving)

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today on the Event Strategies for Success blog, our consulting partner Lynette Battle returns with a timely reflection for the fall season — “The Art of Asking (and Receiving) Help.”

The right kind of help can be the bridge between challenge and clarity — or the connection that carries us from uncertainty to confidence. Whether it comes through a trusted mentor, a thoughtful colleague, or a timely resource, help done well doesn’t just solve problems; it strengthens relationships.

Lynette reminds us that in nonprofit work — and in life — help is a beautiful thing, but clarity matters. Read more to explore how to reach out, ask with intention, and receive with grace when the moment calls.

Dear Colleagues,

Working in nonprofit spaces teaches you a lot about the art of asking for help. It’s part of the territory. Whether it’s for volunteers, donations, partnerships, or a last-minute save at an event — calls for help are constant. And like many of you, when I feel compelled, I show up. No fanfare, no strings. I roll up my sleeves and get to work. That’s just who I am. And I know I’m not alone.

Most people who step up to help do so from a place of genuine spirit. When they feel called, they answer — bringing with them their time, talent, and whatever resources they can muster. It’s one of the most beautiful things about humanity: when the spirit moves, we move.

But there’s an important lesson, one that bears repeating for anyone — especially those in leadership roles:
When you ask for help, be clear about what help looks like.

Too often, someone responds to a call for help with everything they have — only to be met with disappointment, frustration, or even blame because it wasn’t “the right kind” of help.  Maybe they donated time when you wanted money. Maybe they offered advice when you wanted action. Maybe they showed up differently than you envisioned.

Here’s the hard truth:
If you don’t define the ask clearly, you can’t fault someone for how they show up.

This isn’t just a nonprofit thing — it’s a life thing. In business, in friendship, in everyday moments — clarity matters. When help is vague, expectations go unmet. And when people who genuinely want to support feel criticized, it doesn’t just sting — it sticks. Some may walk away defeated, others angry, and sadly, some may decide not to step up again at all.

So, if you’re making the call:

  • Be specific about what you need.
  • Be clear about the deliverable.
  • Be honest about the timeline.
  • And be gracious, even if what someone offers looks different than you envisioned.

Because sometimes, the best help isn’t exactly what you imagined — but it’s exactly what you needed.

Help is a gift. Treat it like one. And when you ask, honor the hands that are willing to reach out and lift you up.

To download this infographic, please click below.

Infographic – The Art of Asking for Help v 3Download

Tips to Master the Art of Asking for Help

(1) Be Specific with Your Ask

Vagueness is the enemy of progress. Saying “I need help with my event” is too broad. Say instead: “I’m looking for someone to help manage registration from 10 AM to 12 PM. Can you take that on?”

Why it matters:
People are more likely to say yes when they know exactly what’s needed.

(2) Be Honest About What You Really Need

Are you looking for time, money, a skill, a connection, or simply a listening ear? Don’t sugarcoat the ask. “I need someone to review this grant with me — not just moral support, but actual line-by-line edits.”

Why it matters:
Misalignment between what’s asked and what’s delivered can lead to tension or disappointment.

(3) Understand Capacity Before Assuming Capability

Not everyone who wants to help can help in the way you envision. Ask with flexibility and empathy. “If you don’t have time to volunteer, would you be open to making an introduction to someone else?”

Why it matters:
You honor the relationship and expand your network at the same time.

(4) Say What Help Isn’t

Sometimes it’s just as helpful to say, “I don’t need you to donate — I need you to repost this campaign,” or “I’m not looking for advice, just a listening ear.”

Why it matters:
It keeps everyone on the same page and avoids well-meaning but unhelpful actions.

(5) Don’t Micromanage Generosity

If someone shows up in good faith, receive their help with grace — even if it’s not exactly your way. If it’s off-track, redirect kindly and early. “Thank you so much — this is great. Would you mind adjusting XYZ to better align with what we’re aiming for?”

Why it matters:
How you treat people after they say yes determines if they’ll say yes again.

(6) Express Gratitude Publicly and Privately

Whether someone helped a little or a lot — recognize it. Send the thank you. Tag them in the post. Mention their name in the room.

Why it matters:
Appreciation builds a culture where people feel safe and want to help again.

(7) Reflect Before You Request Again

After each ask, take time to reflect: Was I clear? Did I respect people’s time? Did I accept help with humility? This builds your reputation as someone who leads with integrity.

Why it matters:
Sustainable support is built on trust and clarity, not just urgency.

Please remember, we are here to support you on your fundraising journey. Also please download the infographic and keep it handy! Here’s to your success!

In Community,
Lynette Battle

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From Awareness to Action: The Continuing Challenge of Breast Cancer in Our Communities

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Every October, the pink ribbons appear — a visual impetus to remember, reflect, and recommit. But awareness is only the beginning. Behind every symbol lies critical work: the research, the innovation, the clinical trials, the accessible treatment pathways.

Why It Matters — Beyond Awareness

  • In the U.S. in 2025, ACS estimates there will be approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women, plus another 59,080 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). American Cancer Society
  • Sadly, an estimated 42,170 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. American Cancer Society
  • While incidence has been rising — about 1% per year in the last decade — death rates have declined (thanks in part to early detection and better therapies). PubMed
  • Still, disparities persist. For example, Black women face higher mortality rates at every age group, often due to late diagnosis or limited access to care. American Cancer Society

These numbers are not just statistics. They are lived stories — of families and communities, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods across NYC.

The Role of Research & Treatment Innovation

Research is what turns hope into results — and it depends on sustained investment. Here are some of the levers:

  • The ACS currently funds scientists across the country for breast cancer research, supporting basic science, translational work, and clinical trials. American Cancer Society
  • In 2023, ACS’s allocation to treatment research (extramural) reached over $56 million — that’s investment into therapies, protocols, and improved patient care. American Cancer Society
  • On the state side, the Wadsworth Center (NYS DOH) includes breast cancer research in its extramural funding programs. Wadsworth Center
  • Local NYC cancer centers are not only treating but driving clinical trials and research:
    • Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center has programs focused on breast cancer and benefits from significant NIH funding. Wikipedia
    • Montefiore Einstein runs hundreds of trials and research programs throughout NYC. Montefiore Einstein
    • The Tisch Cancer Institute’s outreach spans all five boroughs, connecting community, data, and research. Icahn School of Medicine

These institutions create the pipeline from discovery to healing — from lab bench to bedside. But they need both public and philanthropic support to scale and sustain their work.

What We Can Do — Together

  1. Raise mindful awareness — not just symbolic, but informed. Share credible data, highlight disparities, uplift local institutions.
  2. Support organizations strategically — ACS, local cancer foundations (e.g. Cancer Research & Treatment Fund in NYC) CR&T, or cancer centers with strong clinical trial arms.
  3. Advocate for equitable access — especially in communities where screening, early detection, and treatment are less accessible.
  4. Center lived experience — elevate the voices of survivors, caregivers, and communities, especially those historically marginalized.
  5. Encourage public policy that sustains funding — cutbacks to agencies like the National Cancer Institute can jeopardize innovation progress. (For instance, a proposed FY2026 budget outlined significant reductions to NCI funding.) ACS CAN

Final Reflection

Awareness without action is incomplete. In October and beyond, let us use our platforms — our networks, our influence, our storytelling — to stand beside those who fight this disease every day. To advocate that discovery, access, and equity matter. And to ensure that no ribbon remains a symbol without substance.

With deep gratitude and commitment,

Monique 

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Never Forget! A Personal Reflection

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On this day, I pause with the rest of the nation to remember and reflect.

As a New Yorker, the memories of September 11, 2001 remain vivid. I remember exactly where I was — on my way to the Twin Towers. However, as my taxi was making its way from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, we were delayed. When we finally made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, we heard the unthinkable. With razor-sharp precision, my driver made a quick exit and then got right back on the bridge to deliver me safely home. The day was suddenly different. Everything was.

At the time, I had just joined the  American Folk Art Museum, working to help bring its new home at 49 West 53rd Street to life. My focus was on developing the special events strategy for the new building — a role I was intensely proud of. 

Like so many others that day, I was heading into a job that celebrated creativity, community, and culture. That morning, the city’s rhythm came to a halt, but its heart remained.

So many lives were lost, and so many others changed forever. Today, I hold space for the families who carry that weight every single day.

We remember. We honor.
We will never forget.

Monique

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When Leadership Refuses to Transition

How Founder Syndrome Strangles Grassroots Nonprofits

By Lynette Battle

It’s always a privilege to share the wisdom of our consulting contributors, and today we’re especially glad to welcome back Lynette Battle. Her last blog post in April sparked important discussion around leadership transitions in grassroots nonprofits. In her newest piece, “When Leadership Refuses to Transition – How Founder Syndrome Strangles Grassroots Nonprofits,” Lynette once again invites us to look honestly at the challenges facing mission-driven organizations — and how leaders can navigate them with courage and clarity.

In the nonprofit sector, particularly among grassroots organizations serving historically underserved communities, leadership transitions are often an afterthought — or worse, an outright taboo. A troubling pattern has emerged: many nonprofits are being held hostage by their own founders or longtime executive directors, who, despite their early and important work, now stand as barriers to the organization’s growth and sustainability.

They see the nonprofit as their “baby,” something they nurtured from infancy. But what they fail to recognize is that the organization has matured. Like any healthy adult, a thriving nonprofit must be allowed to evolve, adapt, and even outgrow its founding leadership. Without that evolution, the result is often organizational stagnation — or complete collapse.

The Stark Reality: Lack of Succession Planning

The numbers tell a grim story. According to BoardSource’s 2021 Leading with Intent report, only 29% of nonprofits have a formal written succession plan. That leaves over two-thirds dangerously unprepared for leadership changes. For grassroots nonprofits — especially those led by people of color serving marginalized communities — the risk is even more acute.

Candid’s research highlights that nonprofits led by women of color tend to operate with annual budgets under $50,000, compared to the predominantly white-led organizations commanding multi-million-dollar resources. In these underfunded, overstretched organizations, leadership transition is often delayed not because of lack of recognition — but because the founder or executive director refuses to let go.

When the Founder Becomes the Barrier

Founder syndrome — when a founding leader holds tight to power — is a real and devastating phenomenon. It happens when:

  • The founder equates the organization’s identity with their own.
  • There is resistance to change, modernization, or new leadership styles.
  • Boards are passive, allowing founders unchecked control.
  • No succession plan is created because there is no intention to leave.

In these cases, the very person who once fought to build something meaningful becomes the person standing in the way of the organization’s future. Their reluctance to relinquish control prevents the nonprofit from attracting new talent, expanding its impact, or adapting to meet evolving community needs.

The Cost of Refusing to Transition

Without proper leadership evolution:

  • Programs suffer. Innovation slows down or halts altogether.
  • Staff turnover increases. Talented individuals leave when they see no room for advancement.
  • Funding dries up. Funders grow wary of instability and a lack of succession planning.
  • Community trust erodes. Communities are left underserved or abandoned when organizations shutter unexpectedly.

Indeed, the National Center on Charitable Statistics has found that roughly 30% of nonprofits fail to survive past 10 years — and poor leadership transitions are a major contributing factor.

A Call to Action

For nonprofits — especially those rooted in historically underserved communities — survival depends on being bigger than one person’s vision.

To truly serve the community, organizations must:

  1. Create and Commit to Succession Plans: Identify and prepare the next generation of leadership early.
  2. Shift from Founder-Centric to Mission-Centric: Embed the mission, not the individual, at the heart of the organization.
  3. Build Leadership Pipelines: Invest in mentoring and development of internal staff and board members.
  4. Empower Strong, Independent Boards: Boards must govern, not rubber-stamp founder decisions.

Final Thoughts

If a nonprofit is truly a gift to the community, then it must live beyond the tenure — or ego — of any one individual. Leadership is not just about founding; it’s about stewarding, evolving, and sometimes stepping aside so that the organization can meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

The ultimate legacy for a founder is not holding on — it’s letting go, and leaving behind a stronger, sustainable institution that continues to change lives long after they are gone.

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Beyond Logistics: The Strategic Leadership That Shapes Every Memorable Event

“Leadership isn’t just about decision-making — it’s about direction-setting.”

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

That’s a line I return to often — especially in my work with nonprofits and social impact leaders. Because beyond logistics, the best events don’t just happen — they chart a direction. They build movements, visibility, and legacy.

As an event planner and strategist, I’ve seen firsthand that the forces that make an event truly successful often happen far from the spotlight.

The Invisible Labor of Event Leadership

In addition to checklists and timelines lives the invisible but essential labor of cultivating relationships — with prospective and current donors, community leaders, stakeholders, and even the potential beneficiaries of our mission.

For each, the goal is the same: to emerge as a trusted partner and ally. It’s about charting strategic direction — whether the organization is expanding, consolidating, unveiling something new — and aligning every decision to that vision.

It’s also about practicing intentional storytelling: framing your mission so that others not only understand it, but see themselves inside it, empowered to shape its future.

The Importance of Seeking Clarity

It might begin with a quiet coffee chat between a CEO and a longtime board member. A vision session where you ask not just, “What’s our goal?” but “What story are we asking people to step into? What are we asking them to help shape, take ownership of, and invest in?“

In my work, I design moments that reintroduce an organization’s mission, invite stakeholders into its growth story, and position donors as co-authors of its impact.

Your Event Is Not the Moment – It’s the Movement

At Event Strategies for Success, we’ve built our model on one guiding truth: Your event is not the moment. It’s the movement.

Whether you’re preparing your annual gala, planning a quiet donor cultivation series, or creating an internal milestone moment, the principle remains the same:

You’re not just making decisions. You’re setting direction.

Because in the end, it isn’t logistics that make an event unforgettable — it’s leadership.

Here’s to your success.

Monique

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Our Gifts Will Make Room for Us: The Invisible, Yet Essential Labor of Leadership

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

For many of us, especially those leading in the nonprofit sector, leadership has always been more than just decision-making; it’s about setting direction, holding space, and carrying vision through uncertainty.

And often, it’s our gifts—not our titles—that lead the way.

If you’ve ever led in the nonprofit sector, especially as a woman of color, you know that our intuition, creativity, cultural competency, and emotional labor are not just additions. They are essential. These quiet gifts shape vision, build trust, and carry teams through seasons of uncertainty.

While many evaluate leadership through numbers, KPIs, and board reports, we know that much of the real work—the emotional labor and intentional goal setting—happens behind the scenes when no one is watching.

As a longtime nonprofit fundraiser, strategist, and community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how much goes into strengthening systems designed to serve with both efficiency and compassion. 

This labor—relational, emotional, and strategic—is what keeps many organizations grounded.

A Look Back

Using my own experiences as a guide, I can attest that every successful fundraising event, whether an intimate roundtable or a black-tie gala, begins with thoughtful decisions and strategic planning long before the public hears a word.

This principle is the foundation of my work through Event Strategies For Success, where I partner with nonprofit leaders to design signature events that do more than raise funds—they inspire action, deepen relationships, and position organizations for lasting impact. More importantly, we always leave room to fine-tune and course-correct as needed. Like the women who’ve come before me, we don’t simply make decisions—we set direction.

My Forward Vision

I’m also proud to continue building The Gathering Table™, a new initiative under The Social Impact Strategist™ (SIS) platform. I created this space for nonprofit leaders, social impact visionaries, and women who lead from the margins, the middle, and those who propel movements forward. It holds space for the quiet, often unseen labor that fuels meaningful change.

With the fall fundraising season on the horizon, I invite you to pause and reflect: 

  • What part of your leadership has remained invisible, but essential?
  • What would it look like to name it, honor it, and share it?

As we enter this new season, may we remember: our gifts will make room for us, even when others don’t see them right away.

Whether you’re mentoring a colleague, shaping a campaign, or holding space for your team, your leadership matters. Your presence, your insight, your labor—they are not invisible to those of us who know the heart work it takes.

Fondly,

Monique 

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Leaning Into Quiet Luxury: How Curated Simplicity Speaks to Me Now

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

There is something quietly shifting in how we design, live, and celebrate. For me, this shift has been less about what is trending and more about what is timeless. Over the past few weeks, I have been curating a space—a mood, really—that I have named Quiet Luxury.

It is the art of doing more with less. Of choosing fewer, better things. Of embracing intention over excess.

What Quiet Luxury Means to Me

As someone who has built a career designing events that move missions and create legacy, I have always leaned toward meaning rather than spectacle. Recently, I find myself even more drawn to softness, to neutral tones, to natural textures, and to curated elegance. Elements that do not shout, but speak clearly.

Beauty That Does Not Ask for Attention

Quiet luxury is not about labels. It is about legacy. It is about understanding that beauty, when done well, does not need to ask for attention. It naturally commands it.

I see it in a single linen napkin folded just right. A candle lit not for fragrance, but for ambiance. A moment around a table that does not need staging, because it was created with care.

In my event work, this has always been the ethos—small gatherings with a generous heart, spaces that hold people and purpose. Now, I am expressing that same intentionality through design inspiration, and inviting others into it.

A Visual Moodboard

Leaning Into Quiet Luxury

I have created a new Pinterest board that reflects this aesthetic. It captures intimate dinner moments, curated interiors, and floral restraint. It is not just a moodboard; it is a mindset.

Creating More Than Moments

This board is only the beginning. Over the coming weeks, I will be releasing more content, styled imagery, and curated offerings, beginning with my Luxury Edit Candle Box, designed for quiet gatherings and meaningful gifting.

Designing with Grace and Intention

If you are drawn to intentional design, intimate experiences, and quietly elevated living, I hope you will stay connected.

Together, we can create more beauty, more space, and more meaning.

Have an amazing week!

Fondly,
Monique

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.
Coco Chanel

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