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,...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 9
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 ...
Jun 03, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 ha...
May 27, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 7
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 ale...
May 20, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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 y...
May 13, 2025•54 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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....
Apr 29, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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...
Apr 22, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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...
Apr 15, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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...
Apr 08, 2025•21 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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 perso...
Mar 18, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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 t...
Mar 11, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 11
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. What ...
Mar 04, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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 ...
Feb 18, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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? Strate...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Building strong relationships with major donors is essential for nonprofits looking to sustain and grow their impact. Major donors provide significant financial contributions, but more importantly, they become long-term supporters and ambassadors for your cause. In this episode, we’ll cover the key strategies to attract and cultivate these high-value donors. What You Will Learn: - How to identify potential major donors and understand their giving motivations. - Effective ways to build relationsh...
Feb 04, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Hi friend, In this episode, I’m giving you an inside look at one of our Courage Lab coaching calls. During this session, I shared insights about the relationship between executive directors and development directors and how they can create a culture of feedback to thrive. Here’s what you’ll hear: - Why feedback is essential for growth: If your goals include personal and professional growth—or raising more money than ever before—feedback isn’t optional. It's critical. - Lessons from elite athlete...
Jan 28, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Hi friend, welcome back to the podcast. Today, we’re diving into the mindset mistakes that keep our impact, budgets, teams, and dreams too small. If you’re here, I know you’re driven to create bold, transformative change—not just in your world, but across systems and communities. Me too. But sometimes, our mindset trips us up, and we don’t even realize it. Here’s what we unpacked in this episode: - Scarcity Mindset About Money: Many of us were raised to see money as scarce, stressful, or even ta...
Jan 21, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Hi, friend! In this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, I dive into what it takes to make serious cultural shifts within your organization. If you’re committed to raising millions in the next few years and creating lasting change, this conversation is for you. Here’s what I cover: - Why culture change is non-negotiable: You can’t just hire a fundraiser and expect miracles. To raise millions, your organization needs a culture that fosters accountability, bold leadership, and strategic action. - The...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Hey friend! This episode is a special one—a snippet from my recent workshop, Best December Ever. In it, I walk through The Generosity Code, a set of principles I live by and teach my clients. I attribute 80-90% of our fundraising success to these foundational beliefs. Whether you’re looking to close out the year strong or need a mindset shift any time of year, this episode is packed with transformational insights. Here’s the heart of it: Giving is a gift to the giver. Fundraising isn’t about ple...
Dec 03, 2024•17 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 thing...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Hey there, friends! In today’s episode, we’re diving into some big shifts happening in the world of philanthropy and nonprofits—and why it’s more crucial than ever for us to evolve with the times. We’re in a new era. From policy changes on platforms like Facebook that affect nonprofit fundraising to a noticeable decline in DEI and education funding, it’s clear that yesterday’s strategies won’t carry us forward. We’re seeing funding sources dry up, priorities shift, and high performers leave the ...
Nov 12, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Welcome to another episode of Nonprofit CourageLab! Today, I'm sharing a sneak peek into a recent Pitch-A-thon where we dive into the art of nonprofit pitching – not in a Shark Tank kind of way, but more like engaging in a powerful and meaningful conversation. Together, we’ll explore strategies to connect authentically with donors, practice impactful pitches, and avoid common missteps. This episode is perfect if you’re looking to make a difference through your ask, not just for your organization...
Oct 29, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Hey friend! Today’s episode is a little different. I’m coming to you unfiltered, and honestly, I'm fed up. In my work with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and development directors across the country, I’m seeing some serious gaps that we need to address. We’ve been talking a lot about mental health and wellness in the nonprofit sector, which is important—but what’s missing from the conversation is a real accountability check. We need to give ourselves grace, yes, but we also need discipline. Som...
Oct 22, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode, I guide you through the essentials of major gift fundraising, focusing on strategic planning, effective donor engagement, and optimal time management. I'm going to go over how to schedule and prioritize tasks, reach out to loyal donors, and request multi-year pledges and one-time gifts and the importance of aligning donation requests with your organization's strategic plan and the frequent solicitation of referrals. Learn best practices for donor portfolio reviews, setting weekl...
Oct 15, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode, I share a case study about helping a New York City-based animal welfare organization secure an unrestricted $6 million gift, which is twice their annual budget of $3 million. The discussion covers mistakes to avoid, strategies to build trust and credibility with donors, and the importance of a strategic plan with a big vision for impact. Emphasizing the high capacity and trust with donors, I explore the significance of having direct conversations when asking for large donations,...
Oct 08, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode, I dive into a frequently asked question: how to determine the right amount to ask a donor for? I break down my thought process and introduce my special Ask Amount ebook, which is available for free. I explore three key factors: the organization, the donor, and you, the fundraiser. I dive into evaluating an organization's size, effectiveness, vision, and fundraising goals. For donors, factors include their identity, mission alignment, financial capacity, and inclination to give. ...
Aug 27, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode, I discuss how to determine if Courage Lab, my six-week group coaching accelerator, is the right fit for you. Courage Lab is designed for nonprofit professionals, such as executive and development directors, who are looking to raise unrestricted revenue from individual major gifts of $10k or more. I provide an overview of what the program entails, including live training, recorded modules with six months of access, and personalized feedback. Additionally, I share success stories ...
Aug 20, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, we explore eight crucial habits to help you raise $1 million from September through December. These habits will position you to achieve your year-end fundraising goals. Additionally, consider joining my training on August 27th and 28th to map out your major gift strategy for the rest of the year. Do you need to make bolder asks, but you have to figure out what the heck you're going to say? I have a free gift for you. Go to JulieOrdonez. com and get my fr...
Aug 13, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode of the Nonprofit Courage Lab Podcast, host Julie Ordonez shares her insights on how to raise millions sustainably without burning out. Julie emphasizes the importance of simplifying efforts, treating donors as business partners, and negotiating to avoid unnecessary workload. She highlights common mistakes in the sector, such as asking for too little and overcomplicating messaging. Julie provides actionable strategies to build trust, credibility, and stronger relationships with do...
Aug 06, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this episode, I walk through a case study of how I helped a gun violence prevention client elevate their Major Gifts program from good to great in just six months. We delve into the strategies and coaching techniques used to instill confidence, promote boldness in fundraising, and leverage team strengths to achieve significant results, including securing six and seven-figure gifts. Join me as I share insights from personalized coaching sessions, a strengths-focused team retreat, and practical...
Jul 23, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 4
