Explore every episode of the podcast Nonprofit CourageLab

If you want to raise $250,000 gifts, but everyone you’re learning from is celebrating $5,000 gifts as their biggest wins, we need to talk about the rooms you’re putting yourself in.

Early in my fundraising career, I was working 12-hour days, Googling my way through donor meetings, and barely raising what we needed. Everything changed when I started surrounding myself with fundraisers who were raising WAY more than me.

I’m talking about people who were closing million-dollar gifts and actually showing me how they did it. Not another conference presentation about declining generosity. The real, nitty-gritty stuff that happens behind closed doors in donor meetings.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

* The million-dollar donor call I got to listen in on that changed my fundraising philosophy

* How I went from white-knuckling fundraising alone to raising $2.5 million and bringing in 150 new donors

* The fastest way to achieve fundraising growth and get new skills

* What successful major gift fundraisers know about navigating objections, complicated donor relationships, and making bigger asks

* Why the people you surround yourself with influence not just how much you raise, but how you raise it

* Why getting in the room with people who are already doing what you want to do is the fastest way to accelerate your growth

Here’s what I want you to understand: Success is contagious. So is playing small.

If you’re tired of figuring everything out on your own and ready to start raising the kind of gifts that actually move your mission forward, this episode is for you.

Ready to get in the room?

Join me for my upcoming 2-Day CourageLab Strategy Intensive, where you’ll surround yourself with ambitious nonprofit leaders who are making bigger, bolder asks, raising unrestricted revenue, and refusing to settle for fundraising as usual.

No sitting in a windowless conference room listening to information that could’ve been an email. We’re talking real strategy, real conversations, and real action.

If you’re a CEO or ED of a nonprofit doing great work, and you need to escape the echo chamber of struggling EDs who haven’t figured out fundraising yet, and get around CEOs who have, you should join us.

Early bird tickets are on sale now.

Apply below. Only 12 guest spots available.

➡️ 2-Day Strategy Intensive hosted by Julie Ordoñez

📆 December 3-4, 2026

📍Orange, CA

👩🏽‍💻 Get the details and apply here: https://julieordonez.com/strat-intensive-dec-26

P.S. There is a special team discount if you wanna bring a colleague.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

What are the easiest and simplest ways to get new donors that cost nothing?

I’ll walk you through the 3 proven strategies we do inside CourageLab to get new donors every month without a gala, chasing people or buying lists. Or standing on street corners convincing strangers with their Airpods in on their way to get their latte to become a monthly donors AKA canvassing.

In this episode we cover:

• How my board chair raised $225,000 from new donors in his first 12 months
• Why asking for referrals isn’t working for you
• Why everyone says they’ll help but they never do (and what to do about it)
• The shift that I made to attract instead of chase in desperation
• The micro-event strategy that cost nothing and brings in $60k and 12 new donors in one night
• What may be blocking new donors even though you have raving fans
• Proven new donor strategies for even the busiest CEOs who can’t meet with everyone one-on-one

Get new donors every month inside my program CourageLab in just 40 minutes a day. DM me “CL” on LinkedIn to get more info. Only EDs of $800K+ effective nonprofits should apply.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

This is for the CEO who is EXHAUSTED. You are doing everything. You plan and execute the gala with a team of - you, yourself and you. Sure, there are committee members, but sometimes it feels more like you’re working for them than they’re helping you.

Deep inside you know — you’re going to sunset the gala. You don’t wanna chase corporate sponsors, hawk tickets, and spend months planning an event, only to net $200k.

There’s just one problem: You can’t afford to lose the revenue.

Sunsetting the gala feels like a pipe dream because you need that $200k.

What if you could replace your gala with an event that costs your nonprofit NOTHING, requires no planning on your part, and actually raises MORE money?

I’m not talking about another “innovative” fundraising event that adds more work to your plate.

I’m talking about The Events That Don’t Suck Method: intimate, donor-hosted gatherings. They do the planning, pay for everything, invite their networks, and YOU get to show up and build relationships with people who actually want to give to your mission.

This is especially great for nonprofits with one or two board members eager to help with fundraising, they just need the tools. And maybe for *you* to make the ask.

In this episode of Nonprofit CourageLab, I’m sharing how my clients have done exactly that, including:

• Dan, a solo nonprofit CEO who replaced a gala that raised $50k and took 6 months to plan with a donor-hosted gathering that raised $60K on a random Thursday night. At zero cost and no extra planning.
• Cara, a solo ED with no fundraising staff, whose donors hosted an event that raised $273,000 in ONE NIGHT and brought in 18 new donors making three-year commitments.

Ready to ditch the gala and start raising more unrestricted revenue? If you’re an ED of an $800K and you’re past the point of tired, and you want a real strategy you can do in 40 minutes a day to raise 6 figures in the next 6 months, DM me “CL” on LinkedIn.

Plus, I’m breaking down:

• The 4 steps to get your board on board with ditching the gala
• How to create a new donor pipeline year-round at zero-cost
• Why you don’t need another ballroom full of people who you’ll never see again
• What strategy the most resilient and financially strong nonprofits prioritize
• How to raise more money for operations
• The mindset shift you need to raise more money without adding more to your plate

Your mission is worthy of millions without selling a single auction item, sponsorship, or ticket.

You don’t need to work harder to raise more money. You need a different strategy. And maybe a little more guts.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Four of my CourageLab clients told me THIS WEEK they’re now averaging an extra $100k in major gifts per month. Here’s what they do on Monday that changes everything.

They know who is on their list.

They have their prospect list locked in.

They know whom to call and say thank you to.

No, fundraising doesn’t take up their entire day.

They only spend 40 minutes to an hour on this, and it moves the needle because they have a clear roadmap.

They have the courage to ask for big gifts.

Like $120k on a Tuesday lunch. That’s just normal for them.

They have a dialed-in pitch that doesn’t take 20 minutes to explain and leaves the donor cross-eyed.

In this episode of Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, we cover:

• What solo EDs do and STOP doing to raise an extra $100K a month on average
• How they see their job as ED
• What they focus on so they win at major gifts and it doesn’t take up their entire day
• What they do to inspire donors in 90 seconds
• How they lead donors to their best gifts without talking for 20 minutes leaving them cross-eyed
• What they do first thing Monday morning that changes everything
• Why more experience doesn’t mean more success
• Why making it up as you go is costing you 6-figures a month
• What changed in their strategy that made the biggest difference in their results
• How to handle when you struggle to say No for people

If you’re sick of chasing grants, hate galas, and you’re great at relationships, but need to crack the major gifts nut, DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and let’s talk about your fundraising goals.

There are 90 days left in the year. We are headed into the biggest opportunity of the year. Your donors will give again. Will you be ready?

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Most nonprofits think to raise more you have to do more. “We need to raise 25% next year so we need to do another fundraiser.” Except that has a quick ceiling AKA an exhaustion ceiling, and you’re limited by how many events you can do, how many people you can get there, and it only scales by adding hours into your work day. How do you raise more money without adding hours into your work week? What if your workweek is maxed out?

I’ve helped 652 nonprofits raise $101M - teams of 1 or 2 - and I use a simple strategy that raises $300K more without adding more hours of work every week.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

• What obstacles are in the way of our warmest, biggest opportunities
• How my client raised a $10k gift from a donor who had only ever given $100 in one conversation
• How my director development client got 70 new donors in 7 months from board intros (the same board made only 5 intros the year before)
• What I did to help my board chair raise $225,000 from their network in 12 months
• Why you can’t see the six-figures uncaptured in your current community of supporters
• Why the way you’re doing events isn’t raising more money
• The one thing you can change to raise more from the same donors
• The strategy that raises bigger gifts in 40 minutes without more time-consuming, heavy special events

What opportunities might you be overlooking because you’re just too close to it?

It’s not that you’re bad at this, or that you aren’t working hard enough. Good grief, you’re THE HARDEST WORKING PERSON. It’s a different roadmap entirely.

The roadmap you’ve been using is taking you where you’ve already been. If you want to get somewhere new, you need a new route. And you need a guide who’s been there before. Stop trying to go it alone. We all have blind spots. The biggest difference between nonprofits that stay flat and the ones that grow a new roadmap, the skills to walk the path and a guide who can show you the way.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You value relationships. You genuinely care about your donors.

And then it’s time to ask for $100,000 and suddenly you’re saying:

“Whatever you can give would be great!”

Would it, though?

Your mission requires serious money.

In this episode of the Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, we’re talking about the fear that making a big ask will damage the donor relationship—and what might actually be hiding underneath it.

We’re getting into:

• What your real fear is and it’s likely not talking about money
• The difference between relationship building and people pleasing and how to know which one you’re doing
• Why clear is not the same as coercive
• How to stop budgeting donor’s philanthropy for them
• Why your relationship with “No” matters more than you think
• How to handle when things go sideways
• Why avoiding discomfort is costing you big gifts

Your job is to tell the truth about what your organization needs, make the ask, and let another grown adult decide what they want to do. That’s it.

If you’ve been needing some mindset coaching around major gifts and support to stop backing down at the most important moment - when it’s time to ask - then this episode is for you.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You’re told to raise more you need to do more. I “did more”, raised $1.1M, and I lost sleep, and my hair fell out. I met the goal, but it cost me my health. 8 years later, I raised $2,500,000 and was vibrant and healthy. The difference was a different strategy and skill set.

Of course, there was still stress. But there’s a difference between stressed and burnt out.

In this episode of the @Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, I share a glimpse into the typical nonprofit revenue model and the real cost vs. raising 2x more with a simplified model.

I’m tired of hearing:

“The gala nearly killed me” or

“We’re doing too much, and it’s not sustainable”

Here’s what I cover:

• Why doing more keeps revenue flat and what to do instead
• How people-pleasing is killing revenue growth
• Your authentic role as a fundraiser and how to reclaim it
• Revenue growth models that lead to burnout and complexity
• How complexity is the ultimate growth killer
• My own story of raising bigger gifts from fewer people without a gala
• How selling more stuff, bells and whistles actually repels your best donors
• How your view of yourself impacts your fundraising results
• Why the most sustainable strategy is offensively simple
• What to do when your strategy is designed for burnout

If you feel pressure to do more and execute on every idea that comes across your desk to raise 12% more than last year, this episode is for you.

Share it with a friend, colleague, and your team.

Fair warning: I get real fired up in this, so if you are a sensitive flower, it may be too much for ya.

I’m mad. And when I’m mad, I fight. The fight in me is for you. For your health. For your impact. For your legacy. For your time with loved ones. For the vacation you deserve. For the results.

Slide Deck From This Episode: Big Gifts for Operations Workshop Slide Deck

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Ever go into a meeting with a major donor with a plan to ask for a gift, and something throws you off?

You leave the meeting kicking yourself because you didn’t make the ask. You had a purpose for the meeting, but somehow you got off track, and now you feel like you wasted your time with this major donor.

This has happened to me what feels like 10,000 times in my career. And after coaching 651 nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and major gifts fundraisers over the last eight years, I’ve seen the same thing happen again and again.

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes clip from one of my weekly CourageLab coaching calls. We get into the hidden dynamics behind why we back down in major donor meetings, especially with rich, powerful, assertive donors, and what you can actually do about it.

What you'll learn in this episode

• How difference and power dynamics can take you off track in a donor meeting
• How to relate to rich, powerful people without giving away your own power
• Why you must reclaim your power when a conversation gets uncomfortable
• The dynamics you need to understand when it feels hardest to hold your ground
• What really stops you from making the ask
• Why asking donors for advice can be a dumb idea
• Where confidence actually comes from, and how to strengthen it in tough circumstances
• How to develop a no-pressure fundraising culture
• Why great partnerships are built on honesty, not just transparency
• Why giving donors more information can actually create more confusion

If you’ve ever felt like your best-laid plans are hard to stick to when you’re sitting across from a powerful, rich, assertive donor, this episode is for you. If I were sitting down with you over coffee and sharing the truths I hope would get into your bones, this is that conversation.

Every nonprofit founder, CEO and fundraiser needs this conversation. share this with a colleague or friend. DM me the letters CL on LinkedIn if you’d like to learn more about CourageLab and raise more unrestricted major gifts.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

If you're constantly bending over backwards for difficult donors, accepting restricted gifts that create more work than they're worth, or letting wealthy people dictate your strategy, this episode is going to challenge you.

This episode breaks down the philosophy behind Bold Fundraising. It isn't about being louder or more aggressive. It's about having the courage to lead your nonprofit with clear standards, clear values, and the confidence to stop chasing money that pulls you away from your mission.

Sharing the mindset shifts that have helped organizations raise millions in unrestricted revenue, scale without burnout, and build donor communities based in trust instead of transactions. If you've ever felt like your fundraising strategy depends on keeping everyone happy, this episode offers a completely different way forward.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why self-respect is one of the biggest competitive advantages in fundraising
• How to define the kind of donor community you actually want to build
• Why unrestricted revenue should become your fundraising standard
• The difference between trust-based donors and high-maintenance donors
• Why you should stop asking your board, "Who do you know that's rich?"
• The three relationship shifts every fundraiser needs to make before walking into a major donor meeting
• How to stay in the driver's seat when meeting with confident, successful donors
• Why saying "we don't accept restricted gifts" often leads to better conversations, not fewer gifts
• How your calendar and budget should reflect the leader you're becoming, not the nonprofit you've outgrown
• Why scaling your organization starts with saying no to work that no longer serves your mission

The organizations that grow the fastest aren't saying yes to every opportunity. They're crystal clear about where they're going, who belongs on the journey, and what they're no longer willing to tolerate. That's what Bold Fundraising looks like.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Have a big 6 or 7-figure ask coming up? Book a Big Gift 1:1 Strategy Session today. Let's plan your approach before the meeting, the ask, any written proposal, and the follow-up. I've helped nonprofit CEOs raise $95 million in major gifts in the last 7 years. Click here to book your 1-hour private call now.

Stop treating summer like a fundraising break.

The nonprofits that have a calm, confident September are not scrambling to reconnect with donors. They spent June, July, and August building relationships.

In this final episode of Season 8, I explain why summer stewardship is one of the most overlooked opportunities in major gifts fundraising. While many organizations focus on events, planning, or internal projects, the strongest fundraisers are staying close to their top donors.

The truth is simple: the work you do this summer determines how your year ends. If you want bigger gifts, more unrestricted revenue, and stronger donor partnerships, now is the time to invest in relationships.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why summer is one of the most important seasons for major gifts fundraising
• How donor relationships built in June, July, and August impact year-end results
• The mistake many nonprofits make after a busy spring fundraising season
• Why consistent communication creates trust and leads to larger gifts
• How to stay connected with donors without feeling transactional
• What true donor partnerships look like beyond writing a check
• Why unrestricted revenue grows when trust grows
• How strong stewardship helps donors feel connected to your mission
• The difference between taking donors for granted and intentionally investing in relationships
• How to create a more peaceful, successful end-of-year fundraising season

At the end of the day, major gifts are not built in November and December. They're built months earlier through trust, communication, and consistent relationship-building. Summer stewardship isn't extra work. It's the work.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Most nonprofits are sitting on more donor potential than they realize.

In this second part of my live CourageLab coaching session, I walk through some of the fundraising principles that separate organizations stuck at one level from those that break through to the next. If you're raising $1 million and trying to get to $3 million, these are the kinds of mindset shifts and fundraising behaviors that matter.

We talk about donor communication, confidence, wealth conversations, and why asking for bigger gifts gives you the best donor data you'll ever get. None of this is complicated. But it does require courage, consistency, and a willingness to stop making assumptions about your donors.

The organizations raising transformational gifts are not waiting for perfect conditions. They're staying in touch, telling the truth, having wealth conversations, and asking boldly. That's what this episode is about.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why staying in touch with donors is not optional and is actually ethical fundraising

• How consistent donor communication builds trust long before a larger gift arrives

• Why confidence transfers to donors and apologetic energy does too

• How bold leaders naturally attract bold philanthropists

• What wealth events are and why they happen every single day regardless of the economy

• How conversations about stock gifts, donor advised funds, and assets can unlock gifts far larger than cash donations

• Why asking for a major gift reveals more useful information than any wealth screening tool ever will

• The questions that help you understand a donor's true giving capacity and timeline

• How to stop making assumptions about donor loyalty, priorities, and long-term commitment

• Why better donor conversations lead to more accurate fundraising projections and stronger planning

The best way to find out what a donor is capable of is not another report, dashboard, or wealth screen. It's a conversation. Stay in touch, tell the truth, ask boldly, and let donors show you who they are. Most of the certainty you're looking for is sitting on the other side of a bigger ask.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Stop trying to earn donor trust with polished updates.

In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a training I recently led inside Courage Lab. These are the kinds of conversations we have with nonprofit leaders who are serious about raising more money and leading at a higher level.

This is Part 1 of a teaching on Million Dollar Success Principles. Not tactics. Not donor hacks. The deeper truths I’ve learned from raising millions of dollars, learning from incredible mentors, and watching successful nonprofit leaders do this work over and over again.

We talk about trust, donor behavior, leadership, vision, and why so many organizations unintentionally create the fundraising problems they complain about. Some of these ideas might sting a little. That's okay. The truth tends to do that.

If you want bigger gifts, stronger donor relationships, and more sustainable fundraising, this episode will challenge how you think about donors and your role as a leader.

• Why honest donor communication builds more trust than polished success stories
• How constantly sharing wins can actually weaken donor confidence
• The real reason donors ask for restricted gifts and more control
• Why trust, not control, is the foundation of major donor relationships
• How a clear long-term vision helps you raise larger and multi-year gifts
• Why donors stop giving when they run out of future with your organization
• The connection between strategic planning and major gift fundraising
• How donor behavior often reflects the leadership they're receiving
• Why donors only know what you tell them and give based on what you ask for
• The fundraising mistakes leaders make when they assume donors know what they need

The leaders who raise the most money are willing to tell the truth.

They trust donors with the real story. They paint a compelling future. And they take responsibility for leading donor behavior instead of blaming it. That's what creates trust, partnership, and transformational giving.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

This episode might ruffle some feathers. Good. Because we need to talk honestly about the real cost of galas, especially for small nonprofit teams that are already stretched thin.

After hearing yet another executive director say, “the gala nearly killed me,” I wanted to pull this conversation into the light. Not because I’m anti-event in every circumstance, but because too many organizations are sacrificing their people in the name of fundraising. And that should bother all of us.

In this episode, I break down why sustainability matters more than profitability, why small teams are drowning trying to manage seven revenue streams at once, and why unrestricted major gifts are often the better path forward. This is about more than fundraising strategy. It’s about leadership, courage, culture, and deciding what kind of organization you actually want to build.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of sponsorships, ticket sales, late nights, burnout, and recovery mode, this conversation is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why many small-team galas are completely unsustainable
• The hidden emotional and operational cost most organizations ignore when evaluating events
• Why “profitable” does not automatically mean healthy or aligned with your mission
• How spreading yourself across too many revenue streams leads to mediocre results everywhere
• Why unrestricted major gifts can outperform gala revenue with far less staff strain
• The difference between relationship-based fundraising and event-based fundraising
• How donor-hosted house parties can create momentum without crushing your team
• Why courageous conversations with boards are necessary if you want lasting change
• The leadership mindset required to move away from burnout-based fundraising
• What “kill your gala before it kills you” actually means

At the end of the day, the way you raise money is part of your mission. If your organization values human dignity, care, and sustainability, your fundraising culture should reflect that too. Burning out your staff to fund the mission is not the flex some organizations think it is.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Stop doing fundraising that nearly kills you. Seriously.

In this episode, I’m walking through the profitable fundraising swaps I would make every single time after helping clients raise more than $70 million. These are the simpler, more sustainable, higher-return strategies I’d choose over the exhausting nonprofit habits that so many teams normalize.

Some of the most common fundraising strategies are draining your team, eating your time, and producing way less ROI than you think.

If you’re an ED or fundraiser constantly exhausted by events, campaigns, and “doing all the things,” this episode is your permission slip to stop overcomplicating fundraising. There is an easier way to raise serious money without burning yourself out in the process.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why house parties build stronger donor relationships than galas
• The hidden cost of fundraising events that small teams rarely account for
• Why major gifts are a better long-term strategy than chasing grants
• How restricted revenue is actually dangerous to the sustainability of your organization
• Why donors don’t need more control in order to trust you
• The problem with relying too heavily on wealth screening tools
• How to build stronger donor relationships without expensive software
• How to save years of loneliness and painful trial and error
• The fundraising strategy shift that creates more predictable revenue
• The free, underused donor connection tool for nonprofits

Fundraising should not feel like a constant recovery cycle. If your strategy leaves your team exhausted, overwhelmed, and scrambling every few months, that’s a systems problem, not a work ethic problem.

If working harder was the answer, you’d be raising $10M a year by now.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

A donor asked one of my clients, “How much do I have to give for you to stop asking?” Oof. That question hit me right in the chest. And honestly, I think a lot of fundraisers have either been asked something like this or secretly fear hearing it.

In this episode, I break down exactly how I would respond and why I believe obligation has no place in major gifts fundraising. None. I’m not interested in convincing, pressuring, manipulating, or cornering someone into giving. That’s not partnership. That’s coercion with a tax receipt.

We talk about the difference between fundraising from desperation versus fundraising from grounded leadership. Because donors can feel your energy. They can feel when you’re white knuckling a goal, trying to force a gift, or needing their validation. And they can also feel when you genuinely mean it when you say: “You do not have to give.”

The best donor relationships are built with people who are all in. People who want to be there. The people who don’t just write checks, but become real partners in the mission. That kind of fundraising starts with you releasing pressure from yourself first.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How Julie would respond when a donor says, “How much do I have to give for you to stop asking?”
• Why obligation-based fundraising damages donor relationships
• The psychological reason donors are more likely to give when they feel fully free to choose
• How desperation and pressure show up in donor conversations, even when you think you’re hiding it
• Why emotional regulation matters in major gifts fundraising
• The difference between inviting someone into a mission versus convincing them to fund it
• How to stop white knuckling individual donor relationships
• Why real donor partnerships require alignment, not pressure
• What “walk away power” actually looks like in fundraising conversations
• How releasing donors from obligation helps attract more passionate, committed supporters

At the end of the day, major gifts fundraising is not about getting people to do things they do not want to do. It’s about leading well enough, listening deeply enough, and believing strongly enough in your mission that the right people naturally lean in. The more grounded and pressure-free you become, the more authentic and sustainable your donor relationships will be.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

There are a handful of patterns I see over and over again when organizations get stuck around $300K in individual giving.

Not because they don’t care. Not because their mission isn’t strong. But because of how they’re operating day to day.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest mistakes that quietly cap your growth. The ones that feel normal. Even smart. But are actually keeping you from getting to $1M in major gifts.

From overthinking and waiting for the perfect moment, to chasing random strategies and writing emails no one responds to. And then the deeper shift. Learning how to lead with clarity, make decisions on purpose, and have conversations that actually unlock bigger gifts.

This is less about doing more. And more about tightening how you think, how you communicate, and how you show up.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why overthinking is keeping you stuck and why action is the only way to get real data on what works
• The hidden danger of relying on surprise big gifts and why it’s not a strategy
• How “good times” can actually slow your growth if you stop investing in fundraising
• Why making up your strategy as you go leads to mediocre results even if you’re good with people
• How to choose a clear growth strategy and stick to it instead of chasing every idea
• The real reason your emails are getting ignored and how to fix it fast
• What donors actually need to give. Trust, credibility, and a clear vision
• Why hiring people who have never raised money is costing you growth
• How every fundraiser hits a ceiling and why you need expert support to break through it
• The biggest missed opportunity. Asking only for cash when 90% of wealth is elsewhere
• How shifting to conversations about donor wealth can 4x or 10x your results with the same donors

If you want different results, you have to stop playing small with your strategy and your thinking. Growth doesn’t come from doing more random tactics. It comes from being intentional, building real skills, and asking at the level your donors actually operate.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

If your board keeps saying they’ll help fundraise but nothing actually happens, this is for you.

This is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from EDs and development leaders. You ask. You remind. You bring it up in meetings. And still… no real results.

In this episode, I break down the three mistakes that are keeping your board stuck and what to do instead. Because your board can be one of your strongest pipelines for new donors, but only if you lead them, equip them, and stop assuming they know what they’re doing.

I’m also sharing real examples of what happens when this clicks, like a $5,000 gift that came in three days after a simple introduction and a $283,000 night from a board-led micro event. This is about getting actual results, not just talking about fundraising.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why following your board’s ideas instead of leading them is killing your fundraising results
• How to redirect unhelpful suggestions like galas into what you actually need
• What leadership really looks like when it comes to board fundraising
• Why your board doesn’t know how to make introductions even if it seems obvious to you
• How to equip board members with simple, fast talking points they can actually use
• The real reason board members avoid fundraising and it’s not laziness
• How your own attitude toward fundraising is shaping your board’s behavior
• Why most board members are not anti fundraising, they’re anti feeling awkward and salesy
• What it takes to turn board members into a consistent source of new donors
• How to use simple strategies like micro events to generate major gifts quickly

Your board is not the problem. The lack of leadership, clarity, and tools is. When you lead them, equip them, and show them a better way to fundraise, they will step up. And when they do, they can become your strongest source of new donors.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You don’t need more time. You need a better strategy.

In this Ask Julie episode, I answer a question from a CEO who just lost their head of fundraising and now has to grow individual giving from $400K to $1M… solo. No time. No team. No margin for wasted effort.

So we cut the fluff. I walk through exactly what I would do in that situation. What to stop doing immediately. Where to focus instead. And how to grow revenue using the fastest, most sustainable path available to you right now.

This is about simplifying your strategy, doubling down on relationships, and actually using your board instead of hoping they magically start fundraising.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why your first move should be deciding what to stop doing, not what to add
• How to choose a fundraising strategy based on your time, energy, and actual strengths
• Why major donor relationships are the fastest path from $400K to $1M
• How to identify and unlock the money you’re already leaving on the table
• What effective donor retention actually looks like when you don’t have time for complexity
• How to use your natural communication strengths for stewardship
• Why newsletters are often a waste and what to do instead
• How to upgrade current donors without overcomplicating your approach
• Why your board isn’t helping you fundraise and how to fix it
• The simple messaging your board actually needs to bring you new donors

You don’t need more tactics. You need focus. The simplest path is almost always the most effective one, especially when you’re short on time. Prioritize relationships, upgrade the donors you already have, and activate your board with clear, simple messaging.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Moves management is slowing you down. And it’s costing you real money.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why the traditional donor life cycle is outdated at best and harmful at worst. We’ve been taught to move donors through a neat, predictable pipeline. Discovery, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship. Sounds clean. Doesn’t work in real life.

Because donors don’t move on your timeline. And they definitely don’t need to be “managed.”

I walk you through what actually works instead. How to recognize when someone is ready right now. How to stop putting up unnecessary barriers. And how to lead in a way that unlocks six and seven figure gifts faster, with less friction, and way more alignment.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why moves management creates unnecessary delays and blocks ready donors from giving
• How rigid donor pipelines force conformity instead of real relationships
• The real reason donors avoid meetings and how to respond instead
• How major gifts can happen in weeks or months, not years
• What it means to “read the donor” instead of tracking them through stages
• Why digital communication is enough to qualify and close major gifts
• How to identify when a donor is serious versus wasting your time
• Why bold leadership builds trust faster than over-accommodating donors
• How to ask before it feels comfortable and why waiting kills momentum
• The role of vision in unlocking bigger gifts and long-term donor commitment

Donors don’t need to be managed. They need to be led. When you stop forcing people into a process and start responding to who they actually are, everything speeds up. Gifts get bigger. Trust builds faster. And you stop leaving money on the table that your mission needs right now.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You’re not stuck. You’re just playing it way too cool.

If you’ve been feeling discouraged, checked out, or like fundraising just isn’t working right now, this is your wake-up call. Because the problem isn’t your donors. It’s not the economy. It’s not timing.

You’ve lost your edge.

In this episode, I’m walking you through what it actually takes to shake yourself out of that half-hearted energy and start raising serious money again. And spoiler: it’s not another strategy. It’s audacity.

I’m breaking down exactly what I would do to raise six figures in the next 90 days, even after losses, setbacks, or a rough quarter.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why feeling discouraged is often a sign you’re playing it too safe
• How audacity can instantly shift your energy and results in fundraising
• Why your current donors are your best source for new major donor referrals
• How to get into high-level rooms by asking to be a plus one
• What happens when you cold DM a dream donor and just go for it
• Why you should be asking loyal donors about planned gifts right now
• How to turn volunteers and board members into real revenue drivers
• Why asking for 20x more changes how donors see you and your leadership
• The leadership problem behind underperforming teams and boards
• How dropping your ego and asking for help leads to real opportunities and major gifts

If your donors aren’t stepping up, it’s because you aren’t. They follow your lead. When you raise your level of boldness, urgency, and conviction, everything shifts. This is leadership. Not strategy.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

If you’ve hit a million in revenue and suddenly everything feels harder, you’re not doing it wrong. You’ve just hit the plateau almost no one talks about.

This episode breaks down why growth slows down right when you’re trying to scale. Not because your mission isn’t strong. Not because you need more tactics. But because the way you lead, communicate, and ask has to change.

I walk through the exact patterns I see with executive directors and small teams stuck at this level. The good news is none of this requires more hustle. It requires better decisions, clearer messaging, and a lot more courage in the conversations you’ve been avoiding.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why getting from $1M to $2M is often harder than getting from $0 to $1M
• How hiring becomes a major bottleneck and leadership skill at this stage
• Why “cheerleader boards” stop working and what real board partnership looks like
• How unclear, long-winded messaging is quietly costing you major gifts
• Why your organization must be explainable in 20 seconds or less
• How weak or vague asks leave six figures on the table with donors you already have
• The real reason you’re under-asking and how it’s actually confusing your donors
• Why focusing on pitching instead of dialogue is limiting your results
• How to respond when donors say “not now” without losing the relationship
• The connection between avoided conversations and stalled revenue growth

You don’t break through the million-dollar plateau by working harder. You break through by saying the things you’ve been avoiding, asking for what you actually need, and leading donors with clarity instead of hesitation.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

In this episode, I’m sharing something I’ve never broken down this clearly before: the core qualities and inner leadership skills I see in fundraisers who consistently close major gifts with more ease, confidence, and integrity. These ideas come directly from my own experience, from the work I do inside Courage Lab, and from watching fundraisers transform their results simply by shifting how they show up—not by adding more tasks to their plate.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why separating your self-worth from donor responses makes fundraising lighter and far more effective

• How your presence, energy, and sincerity directly shape donor conversations

• Why genuine curiosity leads to deeper relationships and bigger gifts

• How self-awareness and self-acceptance strengthen your confidence with donors

• Why releasing assumptions and pressure opens space for more natural, productive conversations

• How embodying courage and conviction positions you as a peer to donors—not someone seeking approval

At the end of the day, what I share in this episode comes down to this: fundraising is an inside job. When you show up grounded, curious, and confident in who you are, everything else becomes easier. You build trust faster, your conversations are richer, and donors feel inspired to step into bigger opportunities. If you want to explore this work further, connect with me on LinkedIn or learn more about Courage Lab. I'm so glad you're here.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In today’s episode, I’m bringing you a really special conversation with someone I adore — my friend and Courage Lab grad, Sheena Grosshans If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love highlighting fundraisers who are doing courageous, meaningful work, and Sheena is truly one of the best examples of what’s possible when you combine heart, boldness, and a willingness to grow.

Sheena raised $250,000 in just six months while working only 1–2 hours a week inside Courage Lab. Yep — you read that right. And what makes her story even more powerful is that she’s doing life-changing work at To Write Love on Her Arms, supporting young people who are struggling with depression, addiction, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Her commitment, her empathy, and her sheer belief in the mission shine through in everything she does.

In this episode, you’ll hear us talk about:

• How Sheena built a major gifts program from scratch

• The mindset shift that transformed her confidence asking for bigger gifts

• Why being bold, direct, and unapologetic changed the way donors responded

• The tiny follow-up habit that unlocked a $10,000 gift (and a $40,000 annual fundraiser!)

• How one “small” $500 gift turned into a $20,000 annual donor

• The courage it takes to restructure your role so you can actually raise more money

• What it looks like to advocate for your own capacity and get things off your plate

• Why consistency builds trust faster than any fancy stewardship plan

• How relationship-based fundraising helped her donors feel deeply connected to the mission

One of my favorite moments in this conversation is when Sheena shares the internal shift from “maybe you could give if you want” to “we are the best at what we do, and I’m inviting you into something powerful.” That shift alone can change everything — and you’ll hear exactly how it did for her.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to step fully into your leadership as a fundraiser, to believe in the value of your work, and to ask boldly from that place of conviction, Sheena’s story is going to light you up.

I’m so proud of the work she’s done, and even more excited for you to learn from her today. Let’s dive in.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

This episode originally aired on the We Are For Good Podcast in their Working Sessions series. I’m sharing it here on my own channel so you can dive into practical strategies for closing major gifts this season.

It’s giving season, and if you want to close major gifts in the next few weeks, this episode is for you. I walk you through exactly who to ask, how to ask, and how to approach these conversations with courage and confidence. No fluff—just actionable steps to help you move forward with clarity and impact.

Here’s what we cover:

• Identifying your warm prospects: I guide you through how to focus on donors who are already primed to give—those who’ve expressed support recently or are “all in” with your mission. Stop overthinking and start taking action.
• Recognizing signals from your community: From emails, social media engagement, to personal encounters—learn how to spot the people who are most likely to respond.
• Managing mindset and fear: I talk about why discomfort is normal when asking for major gifts and how courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s acting despite it.
• How to ask for more confidently: I break down the importance of being specific in your ask, giving donors clarity, and removing obstacles that slow their decision-making.
• Handling mistakes with humility: I share how showing up authentically, even if imperfectly, builds trust and strengthens relationships.
• Tools and resources: I offer my free Opportunity Brainstorm PDF to help you map your warm prospects and take immediate action.

Asking for major gifts doesn’t have to feel paralyzing. By focusing on the right people, preparing internally, and showing up courageously, you can increase your impact and build stronger relationships with your supporters. Refusing to let fear hold you back ensures your mission gets the resources it deserves—and it’s easier than you think to take those first steps.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I’m bringing you a powerful conversation with someone I’ve had the absolute privilege of working with over the last year and a half: Katherine Powers, Executive Director at Pacific Opera Project (POP). Katherine’s story is one of real transformation — as a leader, as a fundraiser, and as a steward of a growing arts organization that’s doing incredible, joyful, boundary-pushing work in Los Angeles.

When Katherine stepped into the ED role, she had no fundraising experience and very little time to figure it out. But what she did have was determination, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. In our conversation, she shares honestly about what it was like to come into major gifts as a total beginner, why fundraising initially terrified her, and what shifted once she began learning a clear framework and building her confidence.

We talk through the mindset changes that helped her grow POP’s contributed revenue from under $200k to over $400k a year — in just a couple of years — including closing multiple $50k gifts and preparing for POP’s first-ever six-figure solicitation. She gets into the practical steps she took, the scripts and tools that helped her, and the moments where she realized she was becoming the kind of leader who could ask boldly and lead her board and donors with clarity and vision.

I love this conversation so much because Katherine’s story proves what I deeply believe: when you have the right model and the right support, you can learn how to raise transformational money — even if you’re a one-person development shop doing five other jobs at the same time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Katherine went from “I never want to ask for money” to confidently closing $50k gifts
• The mindset shifts that unlocked her ability to lead boldly and fundraise effectively
• Why major gifts became POP’s biggest opportunity — and how she structured her time
• The exact tools and frameworks she used to make her first successful asks
• How her transformation changed her board’s culture, donor relationships, and the organization’s trajectory
• Why investing in her own development helped the entire organization grow
• The revenue growth POP has experienced and what that means for their community, staff, and artists

This episode is such an encouragement if you’re a solo ED, a first-time fundraiser, or someone who knows major gifts is the next step — but aren’t sure how to start. Katherine’s story is proof that you can learn this, and you can thrive in it.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

 In this episode, I’m digging into the real shifts that happen when leaders stop performing, stop softening themselves, and start showing up with clarity, honesty, and real authority — especially in major gifts work. Regina, an Executive Director in Courage Lab, shares her experience of shedding the “always upbeat, always polished” persona and stepping fully into her CEO energy. She talks about what changed when she stopped trying to be overly cheerful for donors who didn’t need or value that, how being direct actually accelerated trust, and what she’s learning as she leads a new development director through this work. Together, we explore what authentic leadership looks like, why relationships deepen faster when you tell the truth, and how taking courageous action creates real momentum inside an organization.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why donors don’t need (or want) a polished persona — they want clarity, vision, and real talk

• How Regina realized she was draining energy by trying to sound upbeat instead of operating as a CEO

• The difference between relationship building and performing happiness

• How direct, honest communication fast-tracks donor trust

• Why showing donors the real challenges — not just the “shiny penny” — actually strengthens the partnership

• How her development director stepped into courage early, even while still learning the organization

• The mindset shift that helped her team make direct asks confidently, even without long-term relationships

• What happened when donors began engaging more deeply, referring others, and leaning into honest conversations

• How consistency, authenticity, and direct asks created organizational momentum

• Why Regina invested in Courage Lab, what stood out to her, and why the accountability model made all the difference

• What changed for their board, their fundraising approach, and their long-term strategy

• The transformation she’s already seeing just one month into the program — and what she hopes others take away from this work

This conversation is such a powerful reminder that major gifts aren’t built on performance — they’re built on leadership. When you stop worrying about being overly positive, deferential, or “pleasant” and instead tell the truth about what’s needed, donors rise to the occasion. Regina’s story shows what’s possible when an Executive Director claims her authority, leads authentically, and commits to courageous action even before everything feels perfect. It also shows how quickly things can shift when a team has the right structure, accountability, and support. If you want to hear what this kind of transformation looks like behind the scenes — and you’re curious about what Courage Lab can unlock for you — this episode is absolutely worth a listen.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend — this episode is a bit of a rant, because honestly, I just can’t take it anymore. There is some really bad fundraising advice floating around the nonprofit world, and one piece in particular absolutely drives me up the wall. You may have heard it before — “If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money.”

The idea behind it is that you should ask donors for their input first as a “relationship building tactic,” and then eventually you’ll be able to ask for money. But here’s what actually ends up happening: nonprofit leaders avoid asking for financial support altogether. They keep having meetings, asking for advice, collecting feedback… and meanwhile, the mission is still under-funded. I see this constantly with EDs, CEOs, development staff — and it’s not relationship-building. It’s manipulation. It’s having a hidden agenda.

And I don’t do hidden agendas.

In this episode, I talk about why “ask for advice to get money” is dysfunctional, manipulative, and ultimately ineffective in raising sustainable funding. I share why honesty is the real trust-builder, why clarity is more respectful than tip-toeing around your intentions, and why being direct is not rude — it’s actually generous. If we’re asking for support because our work matters, then we don’t need to hide that.

We also talk about:

• Why confidence matters more than perfectly scripted asks
• How “advice collecting” is often just procrastination dressed up as strategy
• Why you should only ask for advice from people who have actually done what you’re trying to do
• How implementing someone’s feedback (and reporting back) is what actually strengthens relationships
• Why direct, honest asking raises more money faster — without the emotional exhaustion

If you've been told to “build the relationship first” but were never taught how, this episode is going to feel like taking a huge breath of fresh air. You don’t need to manipulate. You don’t need to disguise your intentions. You don’t need to be scared of asking.

You need courage, clarity, and clean communication — and we talk about all of that here.

Take a listen — especially if you’ve been avoiding the ask. This might be the moment everything clicks.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend! I’m recording from my new apartment in Chicago, and I’m so excited to bring you Part 3 of my series on end-of-year giving strategies. This episode is a pep talk about the single most important thing I want you to focus on for a successful end of year: asking for more.

I know it sounds simple, but asking for more is the strategy that makes the biggest difference in raising money. I’m talking about asking current donors, loyal supporters, and even monthly donors for more — without overthinking it, without worrying about what’s “too much,” and without trying to budget their philanthropy for them. Your job is to communicate the need, build relationships, and invite generosity. The rest is up to them.

• Why asking for more is the #1 strategy for end-of-year success
• 
  
• How to stop worrying about what’s “too much” for your donors
• 
  
• Why perfectionism and over-preparing can actually hold you back
• 
  
• How humility can make up for lack of know-how or missteps
• 
  
• Why fundraising is risky — and why that’s okay
• 
  
• How to turn mistakes into stronger donor relationships
• 
  
• Tips for having confident, clear conversations with your supporters
• 
  
• My approach to determining ask amounts and staying decisive
• 
  
• How to navigate awkwardness, conflict, and uncertainty with donors
• 
  

The truth is, most of us overthink asking for more, and that hesitation costs time, energy, and ultimately, donations. I want you to feel set free from the fear of asking for too much or getting it “wrong.” Humility, emotional intelligence, and willingness to risk are your allies — they allow you to make the ask, repair missteps if needed, and build stronger, healthier relationships.

Whether you’re raising major gifts for the first time or trying to hit your end-of-year goals, this episode is packed with practical advice and encouragement to help you lean in, take the risk, and ask for more.

DM me CL to learn about joining Courage Lab, my cohort for leaders who want to raise $100K+ in just 1–2 hours a week.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend, I’m coming to you from Chicago (yes, I just moved here a few days ago!) and I’m not missing a beat. Rain or shine, I’m showing up to help you crush your end-of-year fundraising goals.

This episode is part two of our mini-series on end-of-year giving. If you haven’t already listened to the workshop replay in the previous episode, go back and queue that up - it’s full of strategy, tactics, and my full roadmap for hitting your year-end goals.

Today, I’m sharing three specific practices that keep me focused, grounded, and effective during the chaos of year-end fundraising  especially when it comes to major gifts. These are simple, doable habits that make a massive difference when the pressure is on.

In The Episode I’m breaking down:

• The First 60: Why the first 60 minutes of your day should always go to donor outreach — and how that one habit can completely shift your fundraising momentum.
• Ruthless Time Management: How to make decisions based on one question — “Will this help me reach my fundraising goal?” — and why saying no more often is actually the most selfless thing you can do.
• Assume the Best: How adopting an abundance mindset changes the way you lead, ask, and connect — and why believing the best in your donors (and yourself) directly impacts how much you raise.

I’m also getting real about boundaries, board dynamics, and what healthy leadership looks like for fundraisers who are tired of being stretched too thin.

End-of-year giving can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to. If you want to hit your goals without burning out, it comes down to focus, boundaries, and belief.

These three habits are what I return to again and again,  they’re how I protect my time, serve my donors well, and keep my energy focused on what actually moves the needle.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in meetings, stretched between competing priorities, or second-guessing how to show up for donors -  this episode is your permission slip to lead differently.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friends,  Welcome to this week’s episode, a special replay of a workshop I hosted on end-of-year fundraising strategies. If you’re in the nonprofit or fundraising world, this is a must-listen! I’m diving into **practical, tactical advice** for how I approach major gift fundraising to crush ambitious year-end goals. Spoiler alert: this is all about keeping it *simple*—because simplicity is the vibe here.  

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:  

1. Mapping Your Fundraising Roadmap

  We kick things off by setting goals and creating a clear strategy to get there. I break down my personal two-page strategy document and how it helps me stay focused.  

2.The Magic of Working Backward 

  Learn how I approach setting ambitious goals—like raising $500K—and break them down into manageable steps. Whether it’s identifying top donors or focusing on one-on-one asks, I’ll walk you through my thought process.  

3.Ask Amounts & Projections  

 I introduce my “Ask Amount Framework” and show you how to determine the right ask based on a donor’s passion, trust level, and capacity. Then, we dig into projections: how to estimate potential gifts with realistic confidence levels.  

4. Courage in Fundraising  

   Let’s get real—asking for big gifts takes guts! I share my journey from sweating over a $2K ask to confidently asking for millions. You’ll hear how to build your courage muscle and get more comfortable with the big asks.  

5. Simple Over Busy

   Whether it’s skipping unnecessary events or learning to advocate for your time, I’ll show you how to cut the noise and focus on what really drives results.  

6. Donor Engagement Tips 

   From sending meaningful updates to personalizing your outreach, I share ways to keep donors engaged, invested, and excited to give—without overwhelming yourself.  

This is like sitting down with a fundraising coach who’s giving you the playbook to simplify and amplify your efforts. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to hit your goals.  

Take Action:  

I encourage you to workshop your own fundraising strategy as you listen. Think about:  

- Your big fundraising goal.  

- Who your top 20 donors are.  

- What ask amount feels bold but achievable.  

Let’s make this end-of-year campaign your best one yet!  Enjoy the episode.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gala is really worth all the time, money, and energy it takes to pull off, this episode is for you. I’ve been in the trenches planning big-name events with celebrity co-chairs and keynote speakers, and I’ve also seen nonprofits raise six- and seven-figure gifts in just a few conversations. When you compare the cost, the time, and the results—it’s not even close.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the true ROI of galas versus focusing on major gifts, why galas are almost always more exhausting than they are profitable, and how you can start raising unrestricted dollars in less time with a better strategy.

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• Listener wins: real stories of people who closed $15K, $75K, and even seven-figure gifts just from listening to this podcast
• 
  
• The hidden costs of galas- staff time, hard expenses, and energy drain
• 
  
• Why gala money is often restricted (and why that ties your hands)
• 
  
• The challenge of converting gala guests into loyal donors
• 
  
• How major gifts free up your time and bring in bigger, unrestricted dollars faster
• 
  
• A client case study: what shifted when she stopped underestimating her board and started asking for more
• 
  
• The real reason leaders cling to galas (hint: it’s a courage problem, not a strategy problem)

If you say you value relationship-building, why are you still prioritizing event planning? Major gifts are hands-down the highest ROI strategy, and they don’t burn out your team. You can raise six figures in just a few hours a week with the right strategy, confidence, and language—and without spending nine months planning a gala.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

 Hi friends! I’m so excited to share this episode with you because it’s a conversation with one of my Courage Lab grads, Cara Augspurger. Cara is the Executive Director of the Grace Care Center Foundation just north of Indianapolis, and she’s an all-star leader who has experienced incredible growth over the last six months.

When Cara and I started working together, she was confident in operations and communications but hesitant around major gifts and board engagement. Fast forward just half a year, and her board has hosted an event that raised $273,000 in one night - with multi-year commitments and new major donors at the table. Even more powerful? Cara’s own confidence has skyrocketed.

In this episode, Cara shares how she went from overthinking and procrastinating to boldly inviting donors and board members into the mission  and the specific Courage Lab strategies that helped her get there.

• Cara’s journey from board chair to solo ED  and why she invested in coaching instead of a bonus
• How she made the case to her board to join Courage Lab
• The mindset shift that stopped her from overthinking major gifts
• The event strategy that brought in $273k in one night (with 18 three-year commitments!)
• Why accountability, templates, and consistent invitations completely changed her fundraising results
• How she’s now 25% ahead of her fundraising projections - for the first time in organizational history

Cara’s story is proof that you don’t have to do fundraising alone  and that courage, clarity, and accountability can change everything. Whether you’re a solo ED or just feeling stuck, her transformation shows what’s possible when you stop playing it safe and step into major gifts with confidence.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Season seven of Nonprofit Courage Lab kicks off with a truth-telling pep talk. End-of-year fundraising doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights, burnout, or tolerating underperforming teams and boards. You’re capable of raising millions—unrestricted—and doing it in a way that feels fun and sustainable.

In this episode, I’m calling out the silent habits that hold fundraisers back: saying yes when you need to say no, underestimating yourself and your donors, making excuses for your team, and tolerating mediocrity that poisons your culture. I’ll share what separates the organizations that thrive from those that fall behind—and why advocating for yourself, leading unapologetically, and setting clear expectations are non-negotiables for success.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• The funding shifts impacting nonprofits right now—and how to prepare
• Why saying “no” is a leadership skill, not a risk
• The hidden cost of making excuses for underperformers (and how to stop)
• How to use empathy without enabling dysfunction
• A real coaching example: turning around a million-dollar deficit with better leadership conversations
• Why advocating for yourself changes everything—from your workload to your fundraising results

You are capable of more than you realize. It’s time to stop underestimating yourself, stop apologizing, and stop tolerating excuses—from yourself, your team, or your board. When you step into your leadership unapologetically, you’ll raise more money, lead healthier teams, and create lasting change.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

We’ve made it to the final episode of Season 6! Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many episodes we’ve done together, but I do know this: I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for committing to your own journey of becoming a more courageous fundraiser, leader, and human.

In this episode, I’m talking all about how to build confidence — and not in the fluffy, "say affirmations in the mirror" kind of way (though hey, nothing wrong with that!). I'm diving into the real, practical ways I’ve built confidence myself and how I’ve seen my clients do the same.

Here’s the truth: Confidence is self-trust. And self-trust is built one promise at a time.

I break down:

• Why we often break our word to ourselves (and how it erodes trust)
• How understanding your own motivation style (shoutout to Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies!) can change everything
• Why your environment matters so much — and how to get in rooms with people who are braver than you
• The critical link between courage and confidence (spoiler: courage comes first)
• Practical steps to build momentum, keep your promises, and track your growth
• 
  

Plus, I get into the difference between confidence and arrogance, how people-pleasing keeps us stuck, and why living by obligation will always dull your light.

I share a few client wins too — like someone who raised $560K in just 6 months as a one-person shop. Not because they suddenly became confident overnight, but because they created an environment where courage was the norm.

Take this with you:

Make a list of the things you’ve been putting off.

Give yourself a deadline.

Tell someone.

Take the risk.

Track the win.

Repeat.

If you’ve been feeling like confidence is just out of reach — listen to this. I promise, you are more capable than you think. And building self-trust is totally possible, no matter where you’re starting from.

 I’d love to hear from you:

What’s a courageous risk you’ve taken recently? Share it in the comments or DM me on LinkedIn — let’s celebrate together.

If this episode resonated, pass it on to a colleague who needs a confidence boost today.

Here’s to living by design, not default.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend ,in this episode I’m breaking down the three biggest pain points I see over and over again when it comes to raising the money you need to fund your mission. Whether you're a nonprofit CEO, ED, or development leader, these are the places where we often get stuck... but we don’t have to stay stuck.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

It’s not enough to copy what worked for another organization. I walk through how to develop a fundraising strategy that’s aligned with your culture, your team, your values, and your capacity -not just what looks good on paper. Spoiler: if your org deeply values sustainability, don’t expect an events-heavy model to work.

No one talks about how much courage it takes to raise major gifts. To face rejection. To say no to donors who want to dictate your mission. To speak up when something’s not working. Courage is the backbone of effective fundraising, and I’m sharing real stories -including my own failures - to help you build that muscle.

I used to say “relationships” were the third key, but I’m refining that: it’s actually emotional intelligence (EQ). I break down the four components of EQ and why it’s the number one indicator of fundraising success. You’ll get a peek into the book I’m currently rereading (Emotional Intelligence 2.0), and how this work has changed the way I lead and raise money.

Whether you're struggling with awkward board meetings, feeling stuck in fear, or wondering why your strategy just isn’t landing - this one’s for you.

If you loved this episode or had a lightbulb moment, hit me up on LinkedIn and let me know. 

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

I’ve always wanted to host a live call-in show where folks ask their biggest fundraising questions and I just dive right in with real-time advice. Since we’re not quite doing live radio, this episode is the next best thing.

In this one, I’m answering three tough, common questions I’ve gotten from past clients and people on my email list. These are the situations that come up all the time - and they’re not easy. But I’m walking you through how I’d handle them, step by step.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• What to do when a major donor doesn’t want to talk to you
• How to stay in your role and keep doing your job even when a donor says, “Don’t waste your time”
• What to say (and how to say it) when your executive director has stepped way back from fundraising
• How to finally have the honest conversation you’ve been avoiding with your leadership
• What it really means when your board says they “don’t do fundraising” and how to respond

This episode is honest, practical, and full of scripts and mindset shifts you can use right now to move through these challenges.

Also, if you want to raise six figures in 16 weeks, I have three one-on-one spots open right now. This is the most affordable private coaching I’ve ever offered, and it’s a powerful way to work together if you’ve been waiting for the right time. If you’re interested, send me a message on LinkedIn.

If you’re not on my email list yet, stop what you’re doing and go sign up. You’ll get instant access to my free templates, including my 24-page donor scripts cheat sheet, plus first dibs on workshops and coaching opportunities.

You can sign up at julieordonez.com or nonprofitcouragelab.com.

Message me on LinkedIn to inquire about 1:1 coaching: linkedin.com/in/julieordonez

Thanks for listening. Keep showing up, telling the truth, and leading with courage.

 In this episode, I’m bringing you a story that perfectly captures why courage is one of the most important skills you can build as a fundraiser — and how it can completely change your results. You’ll hear about my client Laura, a high-performing fundraiser who pushed herself to take a huge risk. First, she asked a donor for a $250,000 gift and heard “no.” But she didn’t let that stop her. She kept strengthening her “ask” muscle and later made a $1.5 million ask — which led to an incredible $810,000 gift that helped her team close out their fiscal year strong.

And here’s the thing — this transformation wasn’t about tactics or scripts (though we worked on those too). It was about how Laura saw herself, how she built her courage, and how she led by example for her team. Whether you’re trying to hit a big revenue goal or just want to feel more confident going after major gifts, there’s so much in this story for you.

Here’s what you will learn:

• Why taking bigger swings with loyal donors is key to reaching your next fundraising level
• 
  
• How to strengthen your “ask muscle” and get comfortable with hearing “no”
• 
  
• Why the way you see yourself as a fundraiser impacts the size of the gifts you ask for
• 
  
• How emotional intelligence helps you identify which donors are ready for a bigger ask
• 
  
• The behind-the-scenes story of how one bold ask turned into an $810,000 gift
• 
  
• How to model courage as a leader so your entire team rises with you
• 
  
• Why generosity is contagious — and how your boldness can ripple through donor networks
• 
  

Thanks so much for tuning in today. I hope Laura’s story inspires you to take more courageous swings in your own fundraising work. It’s not always easy to push past fear or to risk hearing “no” — but when you do, the doors it can open are incredible. Remember, your donors want to give. Your mission deserves big gifts. And YOU are capable of asking for them.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you’d share it with someone else who’s on this fundraising journey too. The more we encourage each other to lead with courage, the more impact we can all create. See you next time!

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey, friends in this episode, I’m breaking down what it really looks like to operate from an abundance mindset as a fundraiser or nonprofit leader. If you're tired of feeling pressure to chase every donor, scared to hear “no,” or stuck in scarcity, this is for you. I’m sharing real stories and practical signs that show when you’re leading from a place of trust, service, and confidence, not desperation.

Let’s talk about donor referrals, releasing misaligned people, and making bold asks with zero attachment. Abundance isn't just a nice idea — it's a powerful shift in how you show up and invite generosity.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• How to know when you're in an abundance mindset (and what it actually looks like in real life)
• Why I refer donors to other nonprofits and how that move came back around years later
• The power of low-pressure, service-based leadership in major donor relationships
• Letting go of board members, donors, and prospects who aren’t aligned
• Why cycling through unresponsive prospects is necessary for growth
• The mindset shift behind bold, audacious asks  and how I went from $5K/month to a $300K gift
• How to stop budgeting donors’ philanthropy for them
• Owning your mistakes and asking for donor feedback with confidence

Here’s what I want you to take away: there is plenty. There are plenty of donors, plenty of money, plenty of opportunities. The more we let go of clinging and chasing, the more we make room for aligned, meaningful generosity to flow in.

Being in an abundance mindset doesn’t mean you don’t want results — it means you trust that the right people, the right gifts, and the right timing will come when you lead with service, clarity, and courage.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Dunn, Executive Director of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF)  I walk you through exactly how I would pitch donors if I was looking to pick up an additional 200k in funding. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why storytelling and donor connection matter more than fancy tech
• The biggest pain points in donor stewardship—and how Patrick is thinking about improving it
• What Patrick believes is possible with their top donors if they had better systems and stronger asks
• A live role-play of a real donor conversation (yes, Patrick practices a pitch on the fly!)
• Messaging that moves donors into deeper giving (without pressure)

I loved this conversation with Patrick because it shows the heart of what fundraising should be: human, values-driven, and impact-focused. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making the ask and building real relationships. If you’re wondering how to inspire major gifts even without a big team or budget, this episode will give you ideas (and courage).

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I sit down with Maria from Soft Landing Missoula- an incredible nonprofit helping refugee and immigrant families build new lives in Montana. We talk about how they got started, how they fund their work, and the emotional reality of fundraising in a world that’s constantly shifting.

Maria shares what it’s like to lead fundraising efforts at an organization where over half of their revenue comes from individual donors and what she’s hearing from those donors right now. Spoiler alert: It’s not always about money. Sometimes donors just need to process what’s happening in the world, and Maria’s learning how to hold space for that while keeping her focus.

We also talk honestly about what it means to lead yourself well during tough times, how to listen without taking everything at face value, and why emotional intelligence might be your most important skill as a fundraiser.

What we cover in this episode:

• The mission and impact of Soft Landing Missoula
• Why people in their community give and keep giving
• Navigating the emotional side of donor conversations
• The difference between what donors say and what they do
• Fundraising challenges in uncertain political and economic times
• Why you should trust the data over the noise
• What bravery looks like when you're asking for big gifts

My favorite moment? When we talk about how life is always "lifeing" for your donors—even when it’s not making headlines. It’s a powerful reminder that generosity isn’t always logical or linear, but it is resilient.

Donors are still giving. The work still matters. And part of our job is managing our own mindset so we can keep showing up with passion and purpose—no matter what.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Heather Beam, founder of Practical Education Network (PEN), a nonprofit that’s transforming the way science and math are taught in Africa. Heather shares the story of how building a wind turbine with students in Ghana sparked her mission to make hands-on, project-based learning the new normal across the continent. We talk about her big vision, the current impact of PEN, and the realities of fundraising for such an ambitious goal. If you're passionate about education, innovation, or nonprofit leadership, this conversation will inspire you.

• Heather’s Origin Story: How her experience in mechanical engineering—and a life-changing classroom project—led to starting PEN in Ghana.
• The Big Vision for PEN: Why Heather wants to make hands-on STEM education the norm across all of Africa, and what that really means in terms of scale and impact.
• Current Impact & Reach: Over 9,000 teachers trained since 2016, with programs expanding from Ghana to Rwanda and Liberia.
• The Challenge of Fundraising: How PEN funds its work through a mix of individual donors, foundations, corporate partnerships, and NGOs—and why individual giving is a key focus area for growth.
• The Power of Donor Relationships: We dive into why Heather’s most loyal donors give, how the 80/20 principle applies to fundraising, and how to personalize asks to inspire bigger gifts.
• Heather’s Next-Level Goals: Her plan to double individual giving and create sustainable funding that covers PEN’s operational needs.

I loved Heather’s passion for problem-solving and her belief that every student should leave school with the skills to tackle real-world challenges. Her story of building a wind turbine from a plastic bucket and scrap computer parts was such a powerful example of what’s possible with creativity and resourcefulness. And as a fundraiser myself, our discussion about donor motivation and making personalized asks really hit home.

Heather’s mission is bold, but so necessary. Education is the foundation for change, and Practical Education Network is doing the work to ensure students are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to innovate and solve problems in their own communities. If you’re inspired by this conversation, I encourage you to learn more about PEN and consider supporting their work.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I build quarterly engagement plans for donors- even the ones who haven’t given a dollar yet. Whether you’re working with major donors, connectors, or board members, I’m sharing the strategy behind how I map out touchpoints, meeting goals, and creative ways to bring people closer to the mission.

I’m also talking about one of my favorite things: “big swings”. That’s the list of dream donors I revisit regularly with playful, intentional outreach. You’ll hear a couple of my favorite stories about how I got the attention of folks who ignored me for months- and how one woman’s love for golden doodles helped me land a meeting after total silence for nine months. 

What I cover in this episode:

- How I create custom engagement plans for every key relationship in my portfolio

- The exact tools I use to stay organized and track donor engagement

- How I split my time between current donors and new prospects

- Why protecting your focus is everything (and how I do it with calendar blocks)

- The “big swings” strategy I use to reach dream donors and companies

- Creative low-cost ideas for getting a donor’s attention when they’re MIA

- How I use leverage from my team and board to make connections easier

- Real-life examples of donor outreach that actually worked

You don’t need a massive donor file or a million-dollar budget to build strong relationships- you just need a system, some creativity, and the discipline to follow through. The biggest wins often come from the boldest (and most playful) outreach. Think about who’s on your big swings list right now, and what small move you could make today to reconnect.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Last week, I hosted a 3-day intensive here in sunny Los Angeles with seven of my amazing clients, and let me tell you—it was powerful. Teaching for three full days was both exhausting and energizing in the best way, and I knew I had to bring a piece of it to the podcast. 

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the very first session I taught on Day 1 of the intensive. It’s all about the exact roadmap I’ve followed to raise $2.5 million—multiple times. This isn’t theory. This is what I actually do: how I think, how I plan, how I build relationships with donors, and how I stay consistent when things get hard.

We get into the real-life habits that fuel this work. The mindset I use. The calendar strategy. Even how I start my day (spoiler: intention-setting and gratitude are non-negotiables for me).

If you’re building a donor portfolio, raising money, or leading a fundraising team—you’re gonna want to take notes.

What I cover in this episode:

- The 3 words I choose every morning to set the tone for my day  

- Why intentional energy matters in high-stakes fundraising  

- How I build long-term relationships with donors like “Bob”  

- The exact outreach strategy that opened the door to a whole new donor network  

- The donor profile I write all my content for (and how I built it)  

- How I structure my weekly calendar to stay focused on my North Star  

- Why gratitude, follow-up, and *actually caring* are game-changers in this work

Let’s be real...

Fundraising is not easy. There’s pressure. There’s rejection. There’s a lot we can’t control. But what *is* in your control is how you show up. How you build trust. How you become someone donors remember—in good times *and* hard times.

If you want to know what it really takes to raise millions while staying grounded, intentional, and human… this episode is for you.

Hit play and let’s dive in.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Last year, I worked with a client who was outwardly successful- they had just wrapped a major capital campaign and were bringing in over $2 million annually. But behind the scenes, they were working around the clock, checking emails late into the evening, and spending weekends catching up on work. When we started coaching together, their biggest desire wasn’t another big win,it was a different way to work.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to raise more by doing less, why growth often comes through subtraction, and how our internal beliefs about worthiness can either fuel or completely block our success. This is a deeply personal, honest conversation about why so many of us in the nonprofit space tie our worth to our output and how that mindset is costing us.

What we cover in this episode:

• The story of a client who looked successful on the outside—but felt unworthy inside
• Why doing more isn’t the key to raising more money
• How to identify your “Big Asks” and apply the 80/20 principle
• The difference between working from worthiness vs working for worthiness
• Why we often overwork, avoid asking for help, and tolerate misaligned donors
• How our subconscious beliefs about money, success, and worth can block major gifts
• The silent damage of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and proving ourselves
• Why judgment of wealthy donors might be sabotaging your fundraising
• An invitation to reflect on your worth—and what it would mean to truly accept it

This episode is raw, real, and reflective. If you’ve ever felt like your work, your results, or your impact are what make you worthy- this is your reminder that you already are. Your worth is not up for debate. Not based on your to-do list, your revenue goals, or how many people you help. I hope this conversation gives you the courage to lead, fundraise, and live from a place of truth and worthiness not exhaustion and overcompensation.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Take a moment to reflect and maybe even share this episode with someone who needs to hear it too.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend — today's episode is one of those real talk moments we all need. If you're a leader or a fundraiser trying to navigate this wild moment in time, I want you to know: you're not imagining things. Things are changing. Funders are pulling back. DEI efforts are being defunded. And the economic and political climate is shaky at best.

But here's the truth: in uncertain times, you can still be unstoppable.

In this episode, I'm sharing what it takes to lead boldly, raise major gifts, and build crisis-proof relationships — no matter what’s happening around you. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when leaders double down on growth, strategy, and self-leadership. And I’ve also seen what happens when we freeze and play small. We can’t afford to do that anymore.

• Why the old strategies won't work anymore (and what to do instead)
• How to build funding relationships that actually last
• What it means to become truly self-led as a fundraiser and leader
• The power of iteration and how I learned to fundraise in the middle of the Great Recession
• The mindset shift you must make if you want to raise more with less stress
• Why being bold attracts bold donors — and how to stop playing small
• A reminder that you don’t have to do this alone (and in fact, you shouldn’t)

This episode is your invitation to step into the next level of your leadership. If you've been tuning in week after week, soaking up the pep talks — amazing. But the truth is, that’s not enough anymore.

• Get real support
• Uplevel your skills
• Stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results

Then now is the time to take action. Join Courage Lab or get inside Get Real Coaching. You already know the free stuff is powerful — just imagine what’s possible when we actually work together.

No more waiting. No more hoping things will get better. Bold leadership starts with you.

Until next time — see ya.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

If you’re looking to raise major gifts without working till 10 PM every night, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down exactly how my client raised $10.2 million in unrestricted revenue from individuals in just 12 months without burnout.

This episode is especially for you if you already have individual donors (including monthly donors and board members who give personally or through their companies). Major gifts are a priority for your nonprofit’s revenue strategy.  You have at least one person helping with fundraising, even if they’re just getting started. You want to become a stronger leader, a better fundraiser, and honestly a better human while doing this work.

But if you’re just looking for strategy and tactics without personal growth? This might not be your jam. There are plenty of people who can give you just the strategy, but I focus on both professional and personal development. If that sounds good to you, keep listening!

• The biggest mindset shifts my clients make to go from overwhelmed to effective.
• The common mistake of thinking you need to “do more” to raise more money - and what actually works instead.
• Why hiring consultants who add busy work won’t move the needle.
• How understanding wealth, non-liquid assets, and donor motivations leads to bigger gifts.
• The three key pillars that drive fundraising success: Strategy, Skills, and Self.
• How my coaching helps fundraisers double their revenue without doubling their workload.

I got into fundraising 16 years ago because I needed a job. I had no experience, but someone took a chance on me and trained me. I learned the ropes the hard way - working way too much for way too little, losing sleep, my hair falling out. I thought success meant doing everything and burning myself out in the process.

Fast forward to today: I’ve raised millions of dollars for top organizations, worked with some of the best mentors in the industry, and now I teach nonprofit leaders how to do the same without the burnout.

Success comes down to three key factors. First, having the right strategy where you spend your time matters. We start by analyzing your calendar, optimizing your time management, and creating a plan that actually works. Second, developing the right skills is essential. This includes learning how to have powerful donor conversations, crafting compelling messaging, and mastering negotiation so you stop settling for small gifts. Finally, success depends on you, your mindset, leadership, and personal growth. Fundraising isn’t just about tactics; it’s about how you show up and lead with confidence.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

In this episode, I’m diving into a question that came up inside my six-month coaching and training program, Courage Lab 2.0. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you totally should—people inside are seeing incredible results, making big moves, and getting a huge return on their investment.

During one of our recent community Q&A calls, someone asked a really important question: What do you do when a donor who previously committed to giving a certain amount suddenly decides to give less? Maybe they cite political or economic uncertainty, or their priorities are shifting—either way, it puts you in a tough spot.

I’ve seen this scenario play out many times, and there are two main ways to approach it. In this episode, I break down both paths and share how I navigate these conversations with boldness and leadership. Because here’s the thing—this isn’t a new phenomenon, and it’s not going away. But as fundraisers and leaders, we have to step up, challenge the status quo, and advocate for the resources we need to do our work effectively.

What we cover in this episode:

•  How to respond when a donor changes their commitment
• The importance of getting curious before reacting
• Why values clarification is key in donor relationships
• How to position your organization as a top-performing investment
• The power of bold, direct conversations that hold donors accountable
• Why now is the time to lead, not settle for less

If you’ve ever had a donor change course on you, this episode will give you the mindset and strategy to handle it with confidence. It’s time to lead with courage and make sure the best, most effective organizations—like yours—get the funding they deserve.

Listen in, take notes, and let me know what resonates with you!

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend! In this episode, I’m walking you through a case study of what I’d do if I were part of Samaritan—a nonprofit that’s tackling homelessness in an innovative way. They’ve built a tech platform that connects unhoused neighbors with social and financial capital to help them move forward. It’s a mission that’s close to my heart, and I see so much opportunity for growth.

So, here’s the fun part: If I were in their shoes, how would I raise $5 million in six months? Let’s break it down.

• Why Samaritan’s model is so compelling and different from traditional nonprofits
• The three main revenue streams I’d focus on to hit a $5M fundraising goal
• How to maximize corporate healthcare partnerships for bigger investments
• The power of unrestricted funding from high-net-worth donors and family foundations
• Engaging and scaling a grassroots volunteer donor program
• The role of a strong board and network in attracting major funding
• The importance of storytelling, data, and strategic donor outreach

This episode is all about strategy, innovation, and thinking bigger when it comes to funding a mission-driven organization. Whether you’re in the nonprofit world or just love hearing about creative fundraising approaches, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one.

If you found this episode helpful, send me a message! I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you’re part of a nonprofit looking to scale, this might give you some fresh ideas to apply.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

Hey friend, I had an eye-opening strategy session with a client last week, and I have to share it with you. She came to our call struggling with prioritizing the ask in her fundraising efforts. She was caught up in the day-to-day grind, and when I asked her how many asks she made last month, she had no idea. Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: If you’re not tracking your asks, how do you know you’re not making enough? 

In this episode, I break down why tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is critical for fundraising success. You may have big revenue goals, but if you're only tracking how much money you've raised, you're missing key data points that tell you how to adjust your strategy in real time. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- The difference between lagging indicators(like money raised) and leading indicators (like asks made)

- Why tracking your daily fundraising activities matters more than just the end-of-year total

- How setting and tracking the right KPIs can give you clarity, accountability, and confidence in your fundraising strategy

- The emotional intelligence and communication skills you need to make stronger, more effective asks

- How radical accountability—both for yourself and your team—can transform your fundraising results

Ask Yourself:

- How many asks are you making each month?

- Are you tracking your progress daily, or waiting until it’s too late?

- Is your team holding themselves accountable, or are you picking up the slack?

If you want to grow your fundraising revenue, it’s time to stop guessing and start tracking the right things. Tune in now and let’s get to work!

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

This episode is a little different—it's a snippet from a coaching call where we dive deep into the "Ten Asks in Ten Days" challenge. If you’ve ever struggled with making bold asks, whether in fundraising, business, or life, this one’s for you.

I started my business nearly seven years ago because I saw so many smart, relationally savvy leaders who were “stuck”—not because they lacked strategy, but because they lacked courage. I kept hearing, “I need a better strategy,” but what I realized? Strategy wasn’t the issue. People just weren’t taking action. They weren’t making the ask.

So, I became a student of courage. I read, I studied, I surrounded myself with bold people, and I learned that courage isn’t something that just “happens”—it’s built. It’s designed. And it’s necessary if we’re going to do the work that actually moves the needle.

Why We Don’t Ask (And Why That Needs to Change) 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I’m just not comfortable asking for that amount.” And let me be real with you—that both breaks my heart and fires me up. If we want to raise millions, build reserves, and truly change our communities, we need to get past our discomfort. Because courage isn’t about confidence. It’s about taking risks “even when” confidence isn’t there.

The Ten Asks in Ten Days Challenge

Here’s the deal: Over the next 10 business days, you’re going to make 10 asks.

- These can be professional or personal. Maybe you’re asking a donor for a $10K+ gift. Maybe you’re asking your partner for support. Maybe you’re asking a board member to step up.

- The goal? Push yourself outside your comfort zone. If your asks don’t make you at least a little sweaty, you’re playing too safe.

The key? Stay curious. Drop the defense. Listen more than you talk. And when it comes to those big asks—don’t wait until the last minute. Start now.

What’s Next?  

1. Write down your 10 asks—who you're asking, what you're asking for, and when you’ll do it.

2. Commit to taking action. This is a “risk sprint”—it should stretch you.

3. Be prepared to be “surprised” by how people show up for you.

So, are you in? Let’s make some bold moves. Listen in for the full conversation and let’s get to work!

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2