Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach

If your board feels hesitant—or invisible—when it comes to fundraising, the problem may not be motivation… it may be altitude. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I’m breaking down why boards stuck in the weeds of day-to-day operations are far less effective in fundraising—and how elevating them to 30,000 feet unlocks their most powerful role: opening doors to people with capacity. When board members focus on mission, vision, and strategy instead of operations, they gain the confidence to leverage their relationships—and that’s where major gifts begin. Tune in, and let’s huddle up!

As we come to the close of another year, I wanted to create space for something nonprofit leaders rarely give themselves time to do—pause. In this special year-end episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we talk about why it’s so important to take stock of where you’ve been before charging into what’s next. We celebrate the wins worth rejoicing over, reflect honestly on the mistakes that shaped us, and talk about the power of real rest. Most importantly, this episode is about hitting the reset button so you can step into 2026 clear-minded, re-energized, and ready to lead with confidence. Tune in, and let’s huddle up!

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore what’s happening beneath the surface when nonprofit leaders freeze around major asks. Often, the fear isn’t about the donor or the size of the gift—it’s about our personal relationship with money, the memories we carry, and the beliefs we learned long before we ever became leaders. This conversation will help you understand where that fear comes from, how it shows up in your fundraising, and how to begin asking for big gifts with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Have you ever wondered if that popular fundraising mantra—“Ask for advice and you’ll get money”—is actually helping you, or quietly holding you back? In this week’s episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we dig into one of the most misunderstood lines in fundraising and unpack why it can mislead new nonprofit leaders, create false confidence, and derail authentic donor relationships. If you’ve ever questioned whether this advice is strategy or superstition, this episode is for you.

Have you ever wondered why some executive directors seem to consistently bring in major gifts while others feel like they’re always starting from scratch? In this week’s episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we’re digging into the real secret behind predictable major gift revenue: systems. Not complicated software or rigid scripts—but a simple, repeatable structure that keeps you focused, consistent, and confident even when your plate is overflowing. If you’ve ever felt guilty for not spending enough time on fundraising, or overwhelmed by all the moving pieces in donor relationships, this episode will show you why a system is your best friend—and the most important tool you can put in place to grow your mission. Tune in, and let’s huddle up!

As we head into the final stretch of the year, every nonprofit leader feels that familiar mix of urgency and opportunity. Year-end giving is when nearly 40% of annual donations come in — but here’s the secret most leaders miss: this season isn’t just about finishing strong. It’s your best chance to plant the seeds for sustainable major gift growth. In this week’s Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I’ll unpack how to turn December generosity into year-round momentum — so you’re not just closing gifts, you’re opening lasting relationships. #majorgifts #relationshipfundraising #fundraising #nonprofitfunding #nonprofitleadership #nonprofit ***FREE RESOURCE ALERT!*** FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: bit.ly/4hFkOth Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-call-booking-page Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach Subscribe to the podcast on Apple -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114 or Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854 Bonus Resource: Windfall’s Kyle Curry discusses how to leverage segments in the Windfall application to enhance our Giving Tuesday and year-end fundraising efforts. He highlights the importance of reaching out to high net worth individuals who have previously donated on Giving Tuesday and in December, as they are likely to give again, especially for tax write-off purposes. He also emphasizes the value of re-engaging past donors, even those who contributed smaller amounts, to build relationships for larger gifts in the future. Additionally, He encourages you to utilize the matching gift information to maximize donations before the year ends. Please take action by prioritizing these segments and incorporating them into your outreach strategy. https://www.loom.com/share/6645d50c0c1248c6901f2ac4fdcbdb3c

In this week’s episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I talk about how to get your volunteers — board members, committee members, and champions — off the sidelines and into the major gift game. Not every volunteer should be asking for money, but every volunteer can play a vital role in making it happen. We’ll break down who makes the best door openers, who’s ready to be a solicitor, and how to match people’s strengths with the right responsibilities. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s activity, momentum, and turning good intentions into real fundraising action. ***FREE RESOURCE ALERT!*** FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: bit.ly/4hFkOth To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-call-booking-page Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

This week on Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we’re tackling one of the biggest blind spots in fundraising: assuming a donor’s past gifts tell the whole story. Too often, nonprofit leaders read giving history like a price tag — when in reality, those gifts were made without the benefit of a personal relationship. In this episode, I’ll show you why those numbers only scratch the surface of a donor’s potential, how trust and vision transform transactional givers into true partners, and how to use donor data as a launchpad for deeper connection.

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges nonprofit leaders face: finding time in a jam-packed schedule to focus on major gift fundraising. If you’re an executive director who feels pulled in a hundred directions — managing programs, staff, board requests, and daily crises — it can feel impossible to prioritize building relationships with the donors who can truly transform your mission. Today, I’m going to show you why making time for major gifts isn’t just a “nice to do” — it’s the work of leadership — and I’ll share practical strategies you can start using immediately to weave donor engagement into your daily routine.

Do you ever find yourself procrastinating — starting strong with a plan, then somehow losing steam? In this episode of Huddle Up, I explore why so many nonprofit leaders unintentionally sabotage their own consistency. From overthinking and perfectionism to the subtle pull of distractions, these patterns often reveal something deeper about your self-concept and money story. I share three practical ways to recognize the patterns, reconnect to meaning, and realign your identity so consistency stops being a struggle and starts becoming your natural state.

In this episode of Huddle Up, I unpack the power of legacy giving and why it’s essential to the long-term health of every nonprofit. Legacy gifts aren’t just about endowments or estate plans—they’re about ensuring your mission lives on for generations. Discover what legacy giving really is, why it matters more than ever, and how starting the conversation today can create lasting impact for your organization’s future.

In this episode of Huddle Up, I explores the psychology of wealthy donors and what truly drives their generosity. Beyond tax benefits and naming rights, high-net-worth individuals value impact, legacy, trust, and meaningful connection. Learn how to move past misconceptions, understand what they actually care about, and approach your donor relationships in a way that inspires transformational giving.#fundraising Get The Relationship Fundraising Method Master Course for $100 off until September 30th!

In this week's episode, I want to ask you a critical question: Is your organization surviving, maintaining, or truly thriving? Too many nonprofits are stuck in the cycle of just getting by or settling for the status quo. But thriving—that’s where growth, momentum, and real impact happen. This episode will help you recognize where your organization really stands and why it matters more than ever. Get The Relationship Fundraising Method Master Course for $100 off until September 30th!

In this episode of Huddle Up, I talk about the importance of not solely relying on transactional fundraising initiatives. Making the shift from transactional to transformational fundraising is what creates and sustains exponential philanthropic growth.

In this episode of Huddle Up, I share with you how you can use certain volunteers to increase your mission's visibility with an audience of high capacity prospects.

In this episode of Huddle Up, I share the difference between the direct and indirect ask why they are both a necessary part of your solicitation strategy.

What to do when you believe donors are "ghosting" you.

In this episode you'll learn that your current donors are your best donor and why.

In this episode I talk reveal some of the findings about the state of individual giving in the most recent Giving USA Annual Report.