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Todd J. Sukol
Todd J. Sukol
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About Giving Way

Giving Way is the professional blog site for Todd J. Sukol.

Todd J. Sukol is a philanthropy professional who serves as Executive Director of the Mayberg Foundation, which strives to proliferate Jewish wisdom and values in the contemporary world. Sukol oversees the foundation’s grantmaking as well as its three affiliated operating programs. Previously, Todd was president and lead consultant for Do More Mission, a firm that helped philanthropists and the organizations they support to achieve greater impact. He was the first executive director and for many years the primary fundraiser for the Koby Mandell Foundation, where he continues to serve on the board of directors. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author or guest author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Mayberg Foundation or any other organization or individual with whom he or she is affiliated.

Passionate about passion, Todd has an eclectic mix of interests, and believes deeply in the power of civil society. His greatest joy is supporting and encouraging extraordinary people as they bring their best gifts into the world. Personally and professionally, he serves as a confident and trusted advisor to a diverse array of professional and lay leaders in the social sector. Todd began his career in the nonprofit sector as program director of Maryland Hillel in College Park, MD, and worked for many years in marketing, communications and public relations, including stints in the association and agency worlds. He founded Sukol Communications, a Maryland based strategic marketing and public relations company, in 1999.

Todd holds holds an M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the School of Public and Environmental affairs at Indiana University and a B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University. He studied media at the University of Manchester in England, and completed a two-year Jewish studies program at Machon Shlomo: Alexander and Eva Heiden Torah Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.

Todd is an avid reader, writer and music enthusiast. He loves hiking and playing the drums, and has recently joined the ranks of America’s worst golfers. The most cherished roles he fills are that of devoted husband to his wife (and college sweetheart), Amy, and loving father to their five children.

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The Inside Job

When is “enough” enough?

May 6, 2022

We work so hard to be the best we can be. To make our organizations the best they can be. When does our obligation reach its limits?  Ours is a field where there is always something more that can be done more, or better. A system can be improved. A problem can be solved. A success can be made greater. Another dollar can be raised. Another beneficiary served. Another staff member assisted. There are so many pulls on you as a nonprofit organization leader – when is “good enough” finally good enough?

In truth, the real question isn’t “how hard” should we work, but “HOW” should we work. Please remember that there is a deep, divine spark inside of you. This same spark lives inside of every person, place, thing or circumstance you encounter. As a nonprofit professional and as a human being, your first obligation is to recognize, reveal and fan the flames of that spark in yourself and in those you work with. When you’re pushing so hard that your efforts no longer support this objective, it’s time to step back. 

No matter how dedicated we are to the missions of our organizations, we cannot turn to our work for all of the meaning in our lives. You are uniquely special because you come from a divine source. We all need to step away from our work and take a break for spiritual and physical refreshment from time to time. We all need to remember and reconnect with the loved ones from whom we derive our identities and our strength.

Ask yourself: “In my work today, is my best self in the driver’s seat? Or, am I burning myself out by chasing “symptoms of success” rather than allowing my inner spark to express itself as I go about my work?”

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