The hidden power of cross-team collaboration
When something isn’t working in fundraising, how often do we try to solve the problem with a technical fix?
Whether it’s a new CRM, a better dashboard or a cleaner dataset, our instinct is to immediately look at software.
But Richard Kostro, CIO at Share Our Strength (which you’ll know as the org behind No Kid Hungry), told me that real progress doesn’t start with software. It starts with teams who are willing to “get dirty” with each other.
In Richard’s role, that means getting fluent in the language of fundraising, not just tech. It means breaking down silos and showing up in each other’s meetings, arguing through the messy parts of data definitions, and building the trust required to say, “I think you’re wrong—and here’s why.”
As he put it: progress doesn’t come from working harder with the people who already see the problem the same way. It comes from working harder with the people who see it differently.
And that’s where transformation happens for a non-profit. Not in a shiny new system rollout, not in siloed conversations, but in the daily practice of empathy across teams — when IT starts thinking like fundraisers, and fundraisers start thinking like analysts.
An idea worth sitting with
The best solution to the fundraising problems you’re facing comes from trust, not tech.
If your next big system change or campaign depends on another team — whether it’s finance, IT or programs — start with coffee, not code.
Ask: ‘Do we actually understand each other’s version of the problem?’ Because once you agree on the problem, the solution usually becomes obvious.
More insights from Richard’s episode
- 02:0002:00 – Richard’s nonlinear leadership journey
- 37:0137:01 – Army leadership practices for corporate teams
- 56:1256:12 – Preparing data for an Al future
- Watch Richard’s full episode
- Follow Richard’s work directly
- Learn more about Share Our Strength
In case you missed it
Watch a replay of my webinar with Lacey Stone and Nathan where we explored using Al to dramatically improve donor engagement
Watch my chat with Lisa Dietlin, one of the most sought-after voices in charitable giving and transformational change
See you next week,
Host of Giving Growth, founder and CEO of Delve Deeper
P.S. If this sparked something, drop me an email at greg.sobiech@delvedeeper.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear from you.
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