Our Approach:
Inclusive Philanthropy
Joy-Raising is rooted in a deep commitment to inclusive philanthropy. We define inclusive philanthropy as the transformative impact that occurs when every donor, constituent, and service participant feels truly seen and valued for their unique contributions to your mission.
What's With
The Dash?
If you’re looking for Joy-Raising, you’ll notice the dash in our name—and that’s no accident. When the domain without a dash wasn’t available, the algorithm suggested adding one. At first, Tesha was disappointed, but then she remembered The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis, which she first heard at the funeral of Dell Mitchell, a man who deeply inspired her.
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The poem reflects on the two dates on a tombstone: the year of birth and the year of passing. While we don’t choose those dates, the dash between them represents how we live our lives. It challenges us to make the most of that dash, reflecting our highest aspirations.
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For Tesha, the dash became a perfect symbol. Joy-Raising is her dash—a purpose-driven journey to help others use theirs with intention and for the greater good.
Our Values
Every organization has values, even if they haven’t been formally written or articulated. Values shape vision, guide decisions, and determine how far an organization can go in reaching its full potential. At Joy-Raising, our values are the foundation of everything we do. We share them so you can understand why we approach our work with urgency, integrity, and excellence—and why we seek partnerships with organizations striving for the same.
Our Offerings
Our CEO and Founder
Tesha McCord Poe, J.D./M.B.A.
Tesha has spent over a decade working as a senior administrator in Independent Schools in the Bay Area. In this capacity Tesha has partnered with leadership teams to set and implement innovative educational strategies and provide growing revenue streams through admissions and fundraising K-12. She’s also helped raise over $100M, including direct solicitations of 6 and 7 figures. She served as the Chief Development Officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula and as the Chief Advancement Officer for Castilleja School in Palo Alto, California, where she helped to lead the largest campaign in the school's history.
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Formerly she served as Associate Head of School for Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, California where she later returned to serve as a trustee. Tesha currently serves as a Trustee for Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito, California, EatReal Certified in San Francisco, Challenge Success, and is the Board Chair for the Mariposa Foundation DR based in the Dominican Republic. Most recently, she served as Interim Head of School at the Girls’ Middle School in Palo Alto, California.
An accomplished speaker and thought leader, she has captivated audiences nationwide with her presentations at prestigious conferences, shared her fundraising and business expertise on numerous podcasts, delivered inspiring TEDx talks, and co-authored the transformative book Beyond Widow.
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Speaking Engagements
Our CEO has captivated nationwide audiences, delivering impactful talks that inspire action and spark transformation. Her expertise has been featured at:
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Industry-leading conferences, including CASE-NAIS, CAIS, NAIS, and AISNE
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Influential organizations, such as Feeding America, Classy, and Pursuant
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Local and regional events, like the Palo Alto Women’s Club and NorCal POCIS
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Renowned platforms, including TEDx Boston
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With a passion for nonprofit innovation, leadership, and business strategy, she tailors every presentation to leave a lasting impression and inspire meaningful change.
AS FEATURED ON
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