Here’s what I see most often: Experienced, effective development director who knows what roles to hire, manages too many staff, juggling strategy, mentorship, annual and quarterly KPIs for executive team and front-line fundraisers, holding it all together – overworked, doing their damndest to support their CEO to raise more.

"I don't have time or bandwidth or capacity (insert buzzword of your choice) to raise more money because I'm bogged down with admin or operations tasks." Does this sound familiar? That's why I'm doing a series on how to create time and space to do the things that will raise more money.

This is what I think you need to hear today — Uplifting, actionable advice and perhaps a lil kick-in-the-pants motivation to get you going. I have a kick-ass podcast that people love called Nonprofit CourageLab. I launched it in Sept 2022 and we hit #3 in the U.S. nonprofit charts that month!

I started my fundraising career in the height of the Great Recession. I get how complex and worrisome it can be. I also know that to be successful, you’re going to need the right strategy and mindset. Listen to the following episodes of my top-rated podcast, Nonprofit CourageLab. You’re gonna wanna bookmark this page to help you in the future. This is a 5-part series curated specifically to help you raise more major gifts in a recession.

You want to do good in the world. There is an impact you hope to have. How do you decide where to donate? How do know where to give? Swipe through this series to learn more about how I make decisions on who to give to and my best tips for you!

People are more generous than you think. Don't count someone out because they already gave. (The data shows that the average giver gives twice a year anyway, even monthly givers give outside their monthly donations.) Just reach out. Serve them. Allow them to be generous. That's who they are.

To be fair there are a LOT of tips I could give you. This one is good. It's a habit that I want you to build and will change EVERYTHING for you, the number of donors you have, engaged supporters who are ACTUALLY showing up for you and your mission, and you'll get the help that you really, truly need from people you engage with.

Sometimes we write emails to donors like this is the only time we're going to talk to them. (That's scarcity talking, btw.) When you do that, you throw up on them. Not literally. You know what I mean. You go on and on about all this awesome information of your organization, updates on what's happening, changes that have taken place, etc. etc. and SOMEWHERE hidden in there is a vague request to hear back from them.

You don't ask for what you need, so you don't get it. Your organization doesn't need another $200 gift. Your organization needs $100,000 or $500,000. And not a restricted gift either, we're talking general operating support, baby! Even when you have the BEST strategy in place, it takes GUTS to execute on the strategy.

I'm going to let you in on my formula that I attribute to how I've personally raised MILLIONS each year from individuals and how I've helped my clients raise 5, 6 and 7-figure gifts over the last 3 years. Listen, this is a bunch of straight talk. If you're ready to GET REAL, then read on.

We must prioritize ENGAGING, COMMUNICATING, and THANKING the NEW donors we got last year if we plan to keep them this year. Stop prioritizing NEW donors over CURRENT donors. This should be reflected on your calendar. How are you prioritizing your time? Spend time reaching out to current donors and getting to know them.

Today I'm giving you the INSIDE scoop on stuff I usually share with clients. Save it, share, it, send it to your board. Get a conversation going about board composition. It's important. And it's the first place we start when I work with nonprofits to build their major giving revenue. Let me make something clear up front: Every board member should be a donor. This is non-negotiable.