The Fundraising Coach

Fundraising—it's part charm offensive, part emotional trapeze act, part caffeine-fueled chaos. Some days you feel like a philanthropic superhero, and other days you're crying into your donor database while searching for the 'undo' button. But you don't have to go it alone. Enter the Rainmakers: the mythical, magical, magnificently strategic fundraisers who know how to play the long game—with flair. What's their secret? These 10 fundraising principles. We're talking about donor stickiness, connection asks, custom everything, and enough 'You' language to make even Shakespeare blush. Strap in, folks. You're about to take a rollercoaster ride through fundraising best practices—Robin Williams style. Listen and learn . . .

Your first face-to-face meeting with a donor isn't a sales pitch or interview. And it's definitely not the time to comb through the details for your 30-page strategic plan. It's a discovery conversation—a delightful dance where you listen, learn, and laugh. Apply the following 10 tactics to get your first meeting right and the odds of landing a second meeting (and ultimately a donation) jump to more than 70%. Not bad for the cost of a latte and scone. Listen in and learn . . .

Here's a crash course in what "not" to do when fundraising, what donors secretly loathe, and a short list of how to ask for money without breaking into hives. Listen in and learn . . .

Ah, the board retreat. A magical time when board members gather to dive into strategic discussions, unleash big ideas, and nod sagely at visionary plans. You laugh, you brainstorm, you may even awkwardly roleplay. By the end, you've covered walls with stickies and flipchart paper, deepened your culture, and high-fived over fresh possibilities. And then… nothing. Everyone returns home. Retreat outcomes are emailed but never opened. The notes from the flipcharts are filed away and the long list of follow-up ToDos sits unopened in Dropbox. Another week passes and the staff still waits for next steps. The energy? Gone. The ideas? Ghosted. And that beautiful vision for the future has faded into the background noise of daily operations. Welcome to the infamous retreat afterglow hangover —where inspiration without implementation goes to die. This podcast is your resuscitation manual for retreat outcomes. Because unless you want all that time, energy, and trust to evaporate like a dry erase marker, you need more than good intentions. You need action planning. You need structure. And most of all, you need ownership. Listen in and learn . . .

Fundraisers know that most donor objections boil down to just two things: the amount you're asking for and the timing of the ask. But here's the good news—both are manageable. In this article, you'll discover practical tactics to navigate these common roadblocks, plus smart ways to handle the trickier, less common objections that inevitably pop up. By the end, you'll not only be ready to face objections with confidence—you'll actually welcome them as opportunities to move the conversation forward and close more gifts. Listen in to learn A LOT more and there are scripts . . .

Encountering objections when asking donors for money is a given. One tactic for handling objections would be to develop and memorize canned responses to every possible type of objec­tion. Experienced fundraisers know this tactic is futile, because a simple "ask" often triggers an avalanche of donor replies, ranging from polite deflections to excuses worthy of an improv show. A more effective approach is to master a simple process for handling objections that can be applied to any objection. Below is a simple, three-step process for handling objections. Just repeat it until you land a "yes," a "no," or an agreement on next steps—whether that means another meeting, sending a proposal, giving a tour, or showing off the blueprints for that shiny new facility. Tune in and learn . . .

Experienced fundraisers know objections are part of the ask process, which is why they embrace them. There are dozens of reasons why donors throw caution signs that feel like red lights. What follows is a high-level primer that unpacks why donors hesitate, paired with clear principles for handling those objections with confidence—so you can turn tough questions into lasting commitments. Listen in and learn!

Cultivation is the golden hour before the ask. It's when you introduce someone to your nonprofit, show them the heart behind the stats, the faces behind the facts, and the mission behind the jargon. And it isn't just about raising money—it's about raising friends, champions, connectors, and believers. Done well, cultivation deepens emotional connection, builds trust, and turns a casual observer into a loyal supporter. Done poorly, it feels like a used car sales pitch on a rainy afternoon.  Listen in and learn!

As fundraisers, we know that while individual giving dominates, finding the right foundation, corporate, or government grant can give your budget a real boost. Many of these funding sources make large, multiyear commitments, and for some nonprofits, these sources of funding are their only sources of funding. And while unlocking these sources of funding can rain down large sums of money, they can also create a lot of wasted time and rejection letters. What follows is a set of tactics you can use to increase the probability of securing funds from these sources and to do it in a manner that is worth your time and effort. Listen in and learn . . .

In the highly competitive world of nonprofit fundraising, standing out is more than just having a great mission—it's about creating memorable experiences that leave lasting impressions. One of the most overlooked yet powerful ways to do this is through friendliness and unexpected gestures of appreciation. People like to do business with people they like, trust, and know. If donors, vendors, and partners consistently have unexpectedly pleasurable interactions with a nonprofit's board members and staff, they will not only stay engaged but also become loyal advocates. But what does "unexpectedly pleasurable" mean? How can an organization become friendlier? What are some practical applications of these things? Why are these concepts game-changers for organizations that implement them? Listen in to learn more . . .

In today's rapidly evolving nonprofit landscape, executive directors and board members face an on onslaught of challenges—from dwindling funding sources to rapidly shifting community needs. More than ever, a mindset that embraces continuous learning, bold innovation, and courageous teamwork is essential. I recently read Carol Dweck's bestselling book called "Mindset." Her groundbreaking work on mindsets is the inspiration for this podcast which explores how nonprofits can break free from the constraints of a "fixed mindset" and adopt a "growth mindset" that propels sustained success, greater impact, and enhanced organizational resilience.  Listen and enjoy!

Encouraging donors to increase their contributions is a delicate endeavor. This podcast explores several practical and effective tactics to achieve the balance needed to inspire donors to give more generously while maintaining their trust and enthusiasm without alienating or pressuring them. Tune in now!

Did you know that 53% of donors stop giving because they feel unappreciated, and 41% cite lack of acknowledgment or thanks as their reason? Conversely, loyal donors give 42% more over their lifetime and are 70% more likely to leave a planned gift. These numbers underscore the critical need for nonprofits to build and implement a robust stewardship plan. Without it, donors can feel like transactional cash machines rather than valued partners in your mission. Effective stewardship isn't just about saying thank you; it's about cultivating meaningful, genuine relationships. When done right, regular donor touchpoints can strengthen connections without becoming intrusive. This requires tailoring the frequency and type of communication you do for each donor level, whether it's a donor who gives $25, or one giving $50,000. In the podcast, you'll learn about five stewardship tactics that can transform your donor relationships to create more loyal donors who are excited to give at incrementally higher levels over a longer period of time, no matter what their current giving level.

If you're tired of your board meddling in the daily operations of your nonprofit . . . this podcast is for you!

Nonprofit boards play a critical role in guiding the organizations they serve, helping steer decisions, ensuring fiscal health, and offering strategic oversight. However, one glaring issue that's often swept under the rug is the lack of prompt responses to communications from executive directors and staff. Emails and important requests from staff frequently go unanswered or receive delayed responses from board members. This behavior, while common, is not only disrespectful but also sends a clear and damaging message to the very people who keep the organization running day in and day out. Staff members work tirelessly, often way beyond regular business hours and sometimes on weekends and holidays, sacrificing personal time and energy for the cause. When their emails are met with silence, it signals that their time, effort, and contributions aren't valued and appreciated. And worse yet, that they aren't valued and appreciated. Board members are in positions of authority, and their actions—or lack thereof—can have lasting consequences on staff morale, organizational efficiency, and overall culture. It's time to address this problem head-on. Nonprofit executives may not always feel empowered to confront this issue, but they shouldn't have to. Rather, it's the board's responsibility to hold its members accountable for this type of behavior. Listen in and learn why board members should respond promptly to staff communications, and three steps they can take to ensure they do so . . .

Plan Early for a Stress-Free, High-Impact Session Planning a strategic session for your nonprofit can be one of the most impactful moments of the year—a chance to reset, strategize, and inspire your team. But let's be honest: waiting until the last minute to plan such an important event can lead to unnecessary stress, limited options, and a lackluster experience. On the flip side, planning early opens doors to creativity, thoughtful preparation, and the opportunity to create a transformative experience for everyone involved. This podcast explores  explore why planning early is not just a good idea but a game-changer. And if you're ready to commit to early planning, I provide some actionable steps to set yourself up for success. So grab a latte and listen in . . .

Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, "What a waste of time!" You're squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food is stale! If you're in the process of planning a retreat, don't settle! It's possible to put together an amazing day that's engaging, meaningful, memorable, and fun. All it takes is a little planning and ingenuity. Listen in to the following checklist to make sure you have all the essential elements in place to ensure the retreat is a resounding success.

In the world of nonprofit fundraising, meeting with a donor for coffee (or any in-person meeting), whether they are a potential supporter or a current contributor, is one of the most crucial interactions you'll have. This isn't just a casual coffee chat; it's a pivotal meeting that can define a donor's impression of you, your organization, and may determine whether they make moderate gift, a significant one, or none at all. The stakes are high and coming prepared can greatly increase the likelihood you'll leave with a smile and the outcome you desired. To learn more about how to raise money in face-to-face settings, listen in!

In today's rapidly changing world, clinging to the traditional five-year strategic plan is not just outdated—it's impractical. Organizations need to adapt quickly to survive, and a long-term plan often becomes a liability and burden rather than a guide and roadmap. Instead, a one-year strategic plan, monitored monthly and updated annually, proves to be a far more effective and cost-efficient approach to planning. To learn more, listen in!

Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit     The nonprofit world is a quirky one. Many nonprofits are founded by passionate people with little or no nonprofit experience. Many board members have little or no nonprofit experi­ence, and many staff members have little or no nonprofit or business experience. The result is often a lot of wasted time and effort. Mistakes are made, resources are poorly allocated, and problems are ignored. People get involved and things get done, but no one is sure what should be done, how it should be done, or who should be responsible to do what. A nonprofit can avoid many of these common pitfalls by building a "value network." A value network is nothing more than a network of people, organizations, and resources that can help a non­profit run more efficiently and effectively—and build capacity—by providing information, knowledge, skills, experience, influence, and money. This podcast will help your board and team build its value network and increase the organization's impact along the way.