Alex Counts

I don’t often agree with conservative columnist George Will but he is right to be outraged by this treatment of a US veteran by ICE. We all should be. wapo.st/3WnpWIw

I’ve come to see fundraising as much more than the act of asking for money. It involves building trust, understanding what motivates people to contribute, communicating clearly, and developing relationships that last. These are some of the themes I look forward to exploring during my master class on nonprofit leadership and fundraising in Hyderabad. 📍 Spirit Connect, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 📅 November 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM onwards Copies of my books will be available for purchase, and early arrivals will get a complimentary copy of one of my books courtesy of the Central Square Foundation. If these questions are relevant to your work, I’d be glad to have you join us. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #AlexCountsIndiaTour #Fundraising #NonprofitLeadership

I’m pleased to be bringing my India tour to Hyderabad on November 3. I’ll be leading a master class on nonprofit leadership and fundraising at Spirit Connect. After more than 30 years working across philanthropy, microfinance, and social impact, I’ve come to value opportunities to exchange ideas with people who are tackling complex challenges in their own organisations and communities. I look forward to hearing your perspectives and learning from your experiences, too. 📍 Spirit Connect, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 📅 November 3, 2026 🕔 5:00 PM onwards Copies of my books will be available for purchase, and early arrivals will get a complimentary copy of one of my books courtesy of the Central Square Foundation. Hosted by Mudita and co-hosted by Community Pure Water. Join me: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #AlexCountsIndiaTour #NonprofitLeadership #Philanthropy

Leading a nonprofit takes more than a compelling mission and hard work. It calls for thoughtful decisions, resilient teams, trusting relationships, and the ability to mobilize resources for the work ahead. Over the years, I’ve learned many lessons about these challenges through my work in philanthropy and social impact. I look forward to discussing some of them during my upcoming master class on nonprofit leadership and fundraising in Bengaluru. 📍 ATREE Academy, Bengaluru 📅 November 2, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 PM If you work in the nonprofit sector, I hope you’ll join the conversation. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #AlexCountsIndiaTour #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising

What can more than three decades in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership teach us about the work ahead? My books draw on my experiences building organizations, working alongside practitioners, and navigating the challenges of mission-driven work. They explore the decisions, questions, and lessons that continue to shape how I think about social impact, especially in my role as Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance. I’ll be in Bengaluru on November 2 for a master class on nonprofit leadership and fundraising, and I look forward to discussing these ideas with fellow practitioners. 📍 ATREE Academy, Bengaluru 📅 November 2, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 PM Copies of my books will be available for purchase courtesy of Giving Partner Rang De. I hope to see you there. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #AlexCountsIndiaTour #SocialImpact #Philanthropy #NonprofitLeadership

Bengaluru, I’m looking forward to seeing you again! On November 2, I’ll be leading a master class on nonprofit leadership and fundraising at ATREE Academy. Drawing on more than three decades of experience across philanthropy, microfinance, and nonprofit leadership, I look forward to exchanging ideas and exploring the challenges and opportunities facing mission-driven organizations today. 📍 ATREE Academy, Bengaluru 📅 November 2, 2026 🕞 3:30–4:30 PM The event is hosted by ATREE, with support from Giving Partner Rang De. Copies of my books will be available for purchase. I hope you’ll join me. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #AlexCountsIndiaTour #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising #IndiaPhilanthropyAlliance

I’ve spent more than three decades working across philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership, with India playing an important role throughout that journey.​ ​Each of these three books comes from a different part of that experience. Bringing them together for one tour gives me a chance to revisit those ideas, but also to have conversations with people working and building across India today.​ And the cities we’ve chosen matter to me for the same reason. Each has its own history, community, and relationship with philanthropy and social enterprise.​ I’m looking forward to meeting readers, colleagues, and fellow practitioners along the way.​ Link to purchase the book – amazon.in/Changing-World-Wit…​ #AlexCounts #Changingtheworld #leadership #philanthropy #SocialEntrepreneurship

Some of the most valuable insights come from conversations with people doing the work.​​ Drawing on lessons from my work and writing, I’ll share perspectives on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and the ideas explored in my three books: Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind, When in Doubt, Ask for More, and Small Loans, Big Dreams. I look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow practitioners., , alongside opportunities to exchange perspectives on how collaboration can strengthen philanthropy and nonprofit initiatives across India.​​ I’m grateful to @prathamusa and the India Philanthropy Alliance for hosting this gathering, with Central Square Foundation as a key partner.​​ 📅 5 November 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM​​ 📍 Mandarin Hall, Taj Hotel Kolkata​​ Copies of Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind will be available courtesy of @CSF_India.​​ Registration: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…​ #AlexCounts #BookTalk #Philanthropy #Microfinance #nonprofits

Strong organizations need more than good ideas. They need the leadership and resources to carry their missions forward.​​ I’m looking forward to joining nonprofit leaders and practitioners in Delhi NCR for a Master Class on Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising. Drawing on more than three decades in social impact, I’ll share lessons on strategic fundraising, organizational capacity, and the realities of leading mission-driven organizations.​​ Drawing on lessons from my work and writing, I’ll share perspectives on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and the ideas explored in my three books: Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind, When in Doubt, Ask for More, and Small Loans, Big Dreams. I look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow practitioners, alongside opportunities to exchange perspectives on how collaboration can strengthen philanthropy and nonprofit initiatives across India.​​ I hope we can learn from one another’s experiences and take away ideas that are useful in our work.​​ 📅 4 November 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM​​ 📍 S M Sehgal Foundation, Sector 44, Gurugram​​ Hosted by @smsehgalfdn.​​ Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Giving Partner @WeAreRangDe.​​ Registration: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…​ #AlexCounts #BookTalk #Philanthropy #Microfinance #nonprofits

How can nonprofits build the resources and capacity to sustain their work?​​ I’ll be in Hyderabad for a Master Class on Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising. Drawing on my experience in philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, I’ll explore the challenges of mobilizing resources and building sustainable organizations.​​ Drawing on lessons from my work and writing, I’ll share perspectives on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and the ideas explored in my three books: Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind, When in Doubt, Ask for More, and Small Loans, Big Dreams. I look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow practitioners, alongside opportunities to exchange perspectives on how collaboration can strengthen philanthropy and nonprofit initiatives across India.​​ I’m looking forward to an evening of practical insights and conversations with people working to advance social impact.​​ 📅 3 November 2026 | 5:00 PM​​ 📍 Spirit Connect, Film Nagar, Hyderabad​​ Hosted by Community Pure Water.​​ Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Cisne. ​ Registration: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…​ #AlexCounts #BookTalk #Philanthropy #Microfinance #nonprofits

What helps a nonprofit sustain its mission over time?​​ I’m looking forward to being in Bengaluru for a Master Class on Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising. Sustaining meaningful work takes more than a strong mission. It also takes thoughtful leadership, effective fundraising, and organizations built to last.​​ Drawing on lessons from my work and writing, I’ll share perspectives on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and the ideas explored in my three books: Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind, When in Doubt, Ask for More, and Small Loans, Big Dreams, alongside opportunities to exchange perspectives on how collaboration can strengthen philanthropy and nonprofit initiatives across India.​​​ I look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow practitioners.​​ 📅 2 November 2026 | 3:30–4:30 PM​​ 📍 ATREE Academy, Jakkur, Bengaluru​​ Hosted by @atree_org Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Giving Partner @WeAreRangDe Registration: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… ​ #AlexCounts #BookTalk #Philanthropy #Microfinance #nonprofits

One idea I keep coming back to from When in Doubt, Ask for More is the importance of asking others for big things to support the change we seek to bring to the world.​ In leadership and in our careers, we can spend a lot of time trying to figure things out on our own. But knowing when to ask for support—resources, responsibility, or an opportunity—can be just as important as knowing how to do it.​ The answer may be no. But you cannot discover what is possible without asking.​ Learn more: medium.com/@alexcounts09/con… #AlexCounts #NonprofitLeadership #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #Fundraising

Three books, each looking at the work from a different angle. From the story of microfinance to navigating a mission-driven career to the personal realities of purpose-led work, these books bring together experiences and ideas that have shaped my thinking over the years.​ Three perspectives. One continuing conversation about how we lead, build, and find purpose in the work we do.

I wrote When in Doubt, Ask for More for busy people who need practical advice about how to raise money, build a great governing body, lead people, and excel in public speaking.​ It is especially for mission-driven leaders and early- to mid-career professionals who may be capable of more than they realize but are sometimes hesitant or uncertain.​ It is composed of brief descriptions of 214 individual techniques, mindsets, and ideas that helped me raise $300 million and build high-performing teams.​ Sometimes, the next step in advancing change begins with a simple question: What if I asked for more?

For nearly 40 years, my work has taken me across social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership.​ I founded Grameen Foundation, served as CEO of the American India Foundation, and now lead the India Philanthropy Alliance, working with organizations and leaders committed to social change.​ Along the way, I’ve written about the ideas, experiences, and challenges that have shaped this work. My three books explore different sides of that journey, from building effective institutions and pursuing the most important opportunities to navigating the personal challenges of working intensively for social change.​ For me, writing is another way to reflect on the work and share what I’ve learned along the way.​ Let's turn some of those ideas into conversation during my upcoming speaking tour in India.

Over the years, my work in philanthropy, social impact, and leadership has led me back to a few questions.​ How do we build impactful institutions that last?​ How do we pursue biggest opportunities without getting distracted?​ And how do we work towards social change without losing sight of our own well-being along the way?​ Those questions shaped three very different books:​ Small Loans, Big Dreams​ When in Doubt, Ask for More​ Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind​ Each comes from a different chapter of my work, but together they reflect how my thinking has evolved around leadership, purpose, philanthropy, and the people behind the work.​ I’m looking forward to sharing more from these books during my upcoming book tour.​ Learn more: medium.com/@alexcounts09/con…

Think about Indian Americans under 40 who should be nominated for this new award! It will be fun to announce the winner at the Philanthropy Summit @phil_india and @IndiasporaForum are organizing w/ @GiveWisely & @UT_Dallas & @CisneForArts

We love @JohnKruk - thanks for being a great Phillies player and announcer!

What fun at the #NoKings rally in our town of Hyattsville MD today !

Come join me for this online event!