Lee Anne Venable, Little Dog Consulting
Lee Anne Venable, CFRE, is the principal consultant of Little Dog Consulting, LLC, a boutique firm she started to help small organizations build better systems. She also works as a fractional fundraising generalist with Get Fully Funded.
Who are you, who do you serve, and what are you focused on right now?
We are a boutique firm dedicated to supporting your mission with the same loyalty and scrappiness that Louie inspired in us. We named our company in honor of Louie the Little Dog as a tribute to our best good boy, and we promise to bring our best for you, too. With years of nonprofit fundraising experience, we aim to help you serve your community joyfully and effectively.
I've had the privilege of working with clients navigating different stages of fundraising and growth.
What led you into this work?
I'll never forget my first experience with nonprofits. I was asked to co-chair my employer's annual United Way fundraising campaign. With no prior experience but as a committed donor, I volunteered wholeheartedly. That experience taught me the value of being a good volunteer and revealed something profound: people are inherently generous when given the opportunity.
That realization lit a fire in me. Within a year, I joined a nonprofit board, chaired the Resource Development Committee, and later became board president. I even wrote my first grant, and it was funded. I was hooked.
Soon after, the nonprofit hired its first full-time fundraiser, but it became clear they weren't a good fit. The executive director asked me to resign from the board and apply for the role. I took a leap, leaving my corporate job during a tough economy and stepping into the challenging, fulfilling world of nonprofit fundraising.
By fostering relationships and building connections, I helped the organization thrive. A move for my husband's job gave me a chance to do similar work in a new state, helping multiple organizations. That's when I realized: I was good at helping people who help others.
Over the years, I worked with several nonprofits, always focused on the sustainability of both resources and talent. I witnessed too much burnout, and eventually, I felt it myself. I knew it was time for a change.
My dream was to start a consulting business to help small organizations build better systems, ones that supported people instead of exhausting them. Life delayed that dream for a time, but when another job proved unfulfilling, I finally made the leap and launched Little Dog Consulting.
What's a project you're proud of?
A dear friend of mine asked me to chair their re-election campaign. I've always volunteered but had never served in an official capacity. I'm proud to say that we started this campaign with the most funds this candidate had ever raised.
We approached this fundraising campaign with the theme of simplicity. We kept our efforts focused and intentional, and we made sure every donor knew in a timely manner just how much we appreciated their generosity. Oftentimes, I think fundraisers attempt to do everything, everywhere, all at once. Keep it simple. Tell your story. Make it easy to give, and thank people properly once they do. It's really not much more complicated than that.
What advice would you give someone earlier in their journey?
Lean on all of the experiences, both good and bad, that brought you to this point in your career. You have good instincts. Trust them. There are so many people who can benefit from what you bring to the table.
Second, know your worth. Your knowledge is valuable. While money can be an uncomfortable topic, it's how we assign value. Be unapologetic about what your time is worth, and always start a conversation with a potential client by asking about their budget. This means they've put some thought into what they're willing to invest in their project, and it sets the tone that you expect to be compensated for your time.
What has changed for you since starting your business?
Someone once asked me what it's like to be a working mom. I told them it mostly feels like you're always in the wrong place. If you're at home, you feel like you should be at work. And if you're at work, you feel like you should be at home.
Since launching my consulting business, that feeling has completely changed. I now feel like I'm always in the right place. When I'm at home, I'm fully present. When I'm working, I'm fully focused. That's because I get to work on my terms and on my schedule.
During COVID, my father was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline, a likely precursor to dementia or Alzheimer's. In addition to being a mom, I've become a secondary caregiver for him. Every two weeks, I pick him up and take him to his infusion appointments, which help keep his brain functioning as long as possible. I cherish this time with him. It's just the two of us.
During one of his appointments, I nearly started crying as I realized I didn't have to justify where I was to anyone. I could be fully present with him because I now work on my own terms.
One snow day, a very rare occasion for South Mississippi, I leaned in. In the past, I would have spent the day trying to balance work and family, torn between tasks and distractions. This time, I made core memories with my family instead. All day, we played, defrosted, and played some more. We drank hot cocoa with extra marshmallows, and I didn't have to justify my time to anyone.
So, what's it like being a working mom now? It's like being in exactly the right place. I feel more wholehearted than ever before, and it shows in my work.
How has Relatable Nonprofit helped your business?
I've received affirmation over and over again that this investment was one of the smartest I could have made as a new consultant. The mentorship group provides intentional feedback and encouragement when it's needed. They also provide validation and support that only those who've worked with nonprofits can offer.