Nonprofit CourageLab

Ask Julie: What Do You Do When a Donor Gives Less Than They Promised


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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 they cite political or economic uncertainty, or their priorities are shifting—either way, it puts you in a tough spot.


I’ve seen this scenario play out many times, and there are two main ways to approach it. In this episode, I break down both paths and share how I navigate these conversations with boldness and leadership. Because here’s the thing—this isn’t a new phenomenon, and it’s not going away. But as fundraisers and leaders, we have to step up, challenge the status quo, and advocate for the resources we need to do our work effectively.


What we cover in this episode:

  •  How to respond when a donor changes their commitment
  • The importance of getting curious before reacting
  • Why values clarification is key in donor relationships
  • How to position your organization as a top-performing investment
  • The power of bold, direct conversations that hold donors accountable
  • Why now is the time to lead, not settle for less


If you’ve ever had a donor change course on you, this episode will give you the mindset and strategy to handle it with confidence. It’s time to lead with courage and make sure the best, most effective organizations—like yours—get the funding they deserve.


Listen in, take notes, and let me know what resonates with you!

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 my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/million


Get on the waitlist to the join the next cohort of the CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlist

Music credit: With the Flow by Fin Productions

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

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Nonprofit CourageLabBy Julie Ordoñez

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