S5 Ep. 12: How my client raised $10.2M from individuals in 12 months without working til 10pm
S5 Ep. 12 Season 5, Ep 12 - How my client raised $10.2M In Unrestricted Individual Giving in 12 mos without Working Til 10pm
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!
What We Cover in This Episode:
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.
Quotes from the episode
“The idea is doing less, like doing fewer things.
And doing them better and the trap that so many organizations fall into is that in order to raise more money We need to do more stuff and this is wrong thinking and it leads to unsustainable practices It leads to burnout because what ends up happening is that you're doing eight to ten different things Different ways to raise money and you're doing all of them.”
“ I learned that bold leadership attracts bold leaders. It attracts bold donors and business minded donors respect when I am advocating for my mission.”
”They don't actually settle for billionaire crumbs, they negotiate. It's like having investment level conversations rooted in respect, rooted in values, rooted in a shared mission, that if you say that you care about something, then let's back that up with bold action.”
”You stop accepting the crumbs and the scraps and you start advocating for what your mission requires.”
