In this episode, I share a comprehensive strategy for the Boys and Girls Club of Bend, Oregon, to raise $2 million in unrestricted funds from individuals within six months. This deep dive covers analyzing their annual report, website, 990 on GuideStar, and existing fundraising efforts. Key suggestions include auditing their messaging, effectively communicating their impact, leveraging compelling data points, optimizing events, and focusing on major gifts. I also discuss building custom donor str...
Jul 16, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, we address a common fundraising issue raised by listener Ben: being too conservative in ask amounts. Many nonprofits fail to raise the desired funds because they don't ask for enough, often due to fears of offending donors. It's important to observe your own thinking, understanding donor intentions, and being bold in asks. Having a strong conviction in an organization's mission and how it ties into successful fundraising is essential to being more bold i...
Jul 09, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome back to another episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab. In this episode I talk about becoming a leader that raises 7 figure gifts. I am going to walk you through what I've seen that it takes and what I have seen with my clients who actually become those leaders. Leadership encompasses mindset, character, and team management. Technical skills cover donor communication, negotiation, and understanding wealth. The strategy involves creating and implementing high-return plans. The episode stresses ...
Jul 02, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode I am answering questions for my LinkedIn. We cover topics such as building relationships, how to ask for more money, how to get meetings, and more. 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 free donor scripts cheat sheet. You'll get the exact words I've used to raise 50 million from individuals. If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out ...
May 21, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this podcast episode, I walk you through The Courage Lab Method for helping you raise $1-3M in 6 months. The method revolves around three key pillars: leadership, technical skills, and strategy. And its also important to develop the right mindset, character, and courage in leadership. You'll also learn about how imortantant it is to master negotiation skills and understanding the wealth dynamics in order to understand how to help donors identify where they have opportunities to be able to giv...
Apr 30, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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?...
Apr 12, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 10
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 eng...
Apr 05, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Hello, courageous leaders! In this episode, we dove deep into the concept that "You Are Your Results." We explored the idea that our actions, or lack thereof, directly reflect the outcomes we achieve in our fundraising efforts. Many of you are leading incredible organizations and have the potential to make significant impacts. However, there's often a disconnect between what we say we want and the actions we take. If your goal is to grow and scale your impact, your calendar should reflect the ne...
Mar 20, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 8
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 educat...
Mar 08, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this inspiring episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, I, Julie Ordonez, had the pleasure of speaking with Will Zweigert, the CEO of Flatbush Cats in Brooklyn. Will shared his transformative journey from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector, and how his passion for animal welfare led him to establish Flatbush Cats, an organization dedicated to solving the issue of overcrowded animal shelters. Will's story is a testament to the power of personal transformation and the courage to ask for more....
Mar 06, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 ...
Dec 27, 2023•28 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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 firs...
Dec 25, 2023•44 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Over the last 10+ 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 i...
Aug 13, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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 w...
Jul 14, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 2
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 ...
Jul 03, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Does this sound familiar? You’re convinced that your donors can’t give any more than they already have, or you’re not sure you even have donors that can give more than $10k. The truth is that the word “all” isn’t accurate. If you want growth, exponential impact, community transformation, and generational change, you need to get out of the cynicism that has you convinced that your donors are maxed out. I’m here to help you: Overcome your disbelief Raise more simply by asking for more Get out of y...
Jun 05, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Things can get tough during an economic downturn. When it’s harder to raise money, often I see leaders projecting their financial difficulties onto their donors or assuming that every donor’s situation is the same. Just because you get feedback from a couple of donors that they are struggling doesn’t mean that every donor is struggling. I have a few pointers to help you build the courage you need to ask during a recession: Remembering the goal Who to ask How to kick fear out of the driver’s seat...
May 18, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 11
How much do you know about your biggest donors? How much do you know about the circumstances around the biggest gifts you have closed? These are clues to what is working and what you can do more of. What you need to make sure you’re not doing is using relationship building as an excuse not to ask for donations. If someone is a huge fan of your work and is really involved in your mission and has the capacity to give a lot of money, ask them! They don’t need another best friend - they need more op...
May 12, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 10
I recently did a live workshop and I’m thrilled to bring it to you on the podcast! I’m going to give you practical, actionable steps you can do TODAY to get more major donor meetings. There are a few things that hold us back. For some, it’s the skills. You need a better toolkit. For some, it’s the confidence to talk to your donors and ask the big questions. Today we’re going to talk about your mindset and what you believe about yourself, what you believe about your donors, and how those things n...
Apr 27, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Have you ever put something off for a long time and when you finally got around to doing it, it wasn’t nearly as hard as you expected? The fear is almost always worse than actually doing the thing. Fear is the signal that you’re about to grow - it doesn’t mean to stop. Make the decision and take the courageous action. Fear will only grow if you wait. When you learn to take action, even when you’re afraid, you can: Build lots more confidence Raise more money Grow your impact Fulfill your mission ...
Apr 10, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Your goal is set, you have your donor database, your front line fundraisers are ready to go, but you know before you start that the numbers in your projections won’t reach your goal. What do you do? What do you try next? First, ask yourself a few questions: If you really believe that your largest donors were truly on your team, truly have your back and believe in your mission, how would you approach them? Have you asked for new connections, not just for more money? What is your system for cold o...
Apr 03, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Courage comes from being uncomfortable, taking calculated risks that grow our mission and our impact. The one skill that I’ve started doing that has helped me raise millions of dollars is negotiation - and it’s uncomfortable! I learned about negotiation at an event in Los Angeles years ago where I heard a story from a lady who was fundraising for a new hospital wing for low income and homeless families and individuals to really address the issues with healthcare and poverty. She managed to negot...
Feb 08, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Today we’re going to talk about how rich people, your major donors, think during a recession. The important thing to remember is that even though some people are struggling right now, not everyone is. Your most generous donors are generous even in a recession. The best data you can get will come directly from your donors’ mouths when you ask them directly. Many of them prioritize generosity and want to be known by that. Your donors are generous people and when you treat them as such, that’s how ...
Feb 02, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Every few episodes, I’ll share an “Ask Julie” episode, where I’ll talk with a client or nonprofit leader about a question they have. In this episode,I’ll give you a sneak peek into one of my monthly coaching workshops. Today’s question is, “Do I give up on this wealthy donor when there’s radio silence?” If a donor seems to be ghosting you, there are a few things you should consider. What are you doing to stand out among the many other organizations trying to get donations from them? Why should t...
Dec 20, 2022•17 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 ...
Dec 13, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 3
I started my career in fundraising during the great recession and that was a great training ground. I was lucky enough to have a boss that agreed to get me training and really hone my skills as a major gifts fundraiser. What I found was that no matter what situation the world is in, the best way to fundraise is by cultivating genuine relationships with your donors. We are taught that it’s rude to talk about money. But, avoiding talking about money in an attempt to be polite isn’t helping your do...
Dec 06, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 mo...
Nov 15, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
It’s very common to be terrified of hearing “no.” To avoid hearing no, we ask for smaller amounts or avoid asking at all. That’s not the way to raise large gifts. The worst thing that could happen isn’t hearing no. The worst thing that could happen is you not asking for more and your community continuing to suffer. The courage to hear “no” comes from being solid in your why. Is your work urgent? Is it lifesaving, or not? Is the benefit for your community worth your discomfort? There are a few my...
Oct 03, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Part of building relationships and getting your nonprofit to the next level is learning how to activate the catalysts on your board. These are the go-getters, the ones that ask the questions, offer help, and want to do better than their predecessors. Are you really using their skills to their full potential? One reason why you may not be getting the growth you need is because your board members don’t know what to help you with. They may never have done any fundraising before, or served on a boar...
Sep 26, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode, I’m going to talk about my CourageLab process and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you. CourageLab is a 6-week program for major gifts training. In CourageLab, you’ll learn: How to identify the right donors How to get meetings with those donors How to ask them for more Overall strategy for major gifts Accountability and mindset coaching CourageLab may be right for you if you have donors who are giving a thousand dollars or more per year and you know they could give much...
Sep 19, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
