Hey there, welcome back to Nonprofit Courage Lab! It's Julie, and today I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that's crucial for every fundraiser: how to score more major donor meetings. We're going to get super practical here, talking about what might be holding you back and what you can actually do to land those meetings. So, let's address a couple of common reasons why you might not be getting as many meetings as you'd like with potential major donors. First off, are you actually asking for them? It sounds simple, but sometimes we forget to prioritize reaching out and making those requests. If ..read more

In this episode we're diving in to what it takes to become a top-notch fundraiser and how it can transform your results. First off, being a badass fundraiser isn't just about having a cool title – it's about getting the job done. So, what sets badass fundraisers apart? It starts with their attitude. Despite the pressure and stress that often come with fundraising, they remain cool under pressure and tap into their creativity, even when the clock is ticking. Take, for example, the approach to engaging board members. Instead of simply asking for more major donors, a badass executive director foc ..read more

In this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, I had the pleasure of speaking with the exceptional Lindsay Fuller, the Executive Director of The Teaching Well. Lindsay's dedication and innovative approach to leadership in the nonprofit sector, particularly in education, is nothing short of remarkable. Lindsay and her team at The Teaching Well are on a bold mission to address educator attrition by creating supportive environments where teachers can thrive. Their work is not only about retaining educators but also reimagining the field to inspire future generations to pursue teaching as a profession ..read more

This episode is a continuation of the Q&A recording of the live masterclass I did on wrapping up your year end strong. I answer questions about real life scenarios that come up with trying to get major gifts from donors. I dig into how to go deeper to find out what your donors are thinking, get insight from them that will help you shape conversations and give you more confidence to ask.  If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/million Our next cohort will be in Sep ..read more

In this episode, we're going to talk about the essential ingredient for major gifts success – courage. In this recording of a live masterclass, I dug into what it takes to wrap the year up with a bang and start the new year off feeling rejuvenated and with the momentum you need to hit your goals.  Fancy strategies and consultants are not the keys to success, there will always be the need for genuine human connection. And when you are actually approaching your fundraising effort with a people first mentality, you not only give yourself an advantage, you also build relationships that are so ..read more

Over the last 5 years, I’ve been to over 1,000 major donor meetings and coached hundreds of CEOs, fundraisers, founders, development directors, and major gifts officers. In all those conversations, all those meetings, I’ve learned some things that I hope are helpful to you and will help you decide whether Nonprofit CourageLab is right for you! I have learned that: Fundraisers usually value money above time. It’s the opposite for wealthy people. Fundraisers are afraid to do their jobs! Nobody is really talking about fear. In my 6 week program Nonprofit Courage Lab, you will learn how to hav ..read more

In this episode I’ll give you a taste of a masterclass that I will soon have available! We will be discovering your fundraising persona.  Are you a Stress Sammy? Newbie Nelly? Maybe Timid Trinity, or a combination of 2 or all 3? There are ways to address your struggles with each of these, but it all comes down to your mindset, your skillset, and your character. I’ll share a few mantras to help you get through your barriers, such as: Abundance is guaranteed There are people waiting to be part of what you are doing “Yes” lives in the land of “no” Giving is a gift to the giver The mission i ..read more

Over the last few years, we’ve all been through a lot of stress, loss and grief collectively and it has worn a lot of us down. We feel tired and overworked, and many leaders are pushing beyond burnout. When it comes to fundraising, that translates to overthinking, struggling to give up control, and approaching donors with impatience and uncertainty. Remember - your donors are people and they need connections and empathy just like you do, and pushy, desperate energy repels donors.  Are you losing sight of your donors’ humanity? What about your own humanity? Are you allowing yourself to as ..read more

In this episode I’m going to go step by step through the process for building a solid foundation for raising major gifts. I’m not talking about foundations or grants. I mean individuals who contribute $10,000 or more per year to your nonprofit.  First, you need to identify who those donors are and align your priorities to build relationships with them. Don’t be so busy working in your business that you neglect your relationships with donors because if they leave you, you won’t have a business to run. You need to spend more time with them if they’re eager, responsive, giving every year, an ..read more

I hear many fundraisers and nonprofit leaders worrying that it’s somehow bad or unethical to raise money during a recession. In this episode, I want to talk about that mindset, how it became so prevalent, whether it’s accurate, and what to do about it.  I started my fundraising career during the great recession. I was working with a community center and I couldn’t justify not fundraising, because the people we served were the most vulnerable. Their needs were the most dire. Times were hard for most Americans at the time, but I had to do what I could to help people survive. The top 3 thing ..read more