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 crisis-proof relationships — no matter what’s happening around you. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when leaders double down on growth, strategy, and self-leadership. And I’ve also seen what happens when we freeze and play small. We can’t afford to do that anymore.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why the old strategies won't work anymore (and what to do instead)
• How to build funding relationships that actually last
• What it means to become truly self-led as a fundraiser and leader
• The power of iteration and how I learned to fundraise in the middle of the Great Recession
• The mindset shift you must make if you want to raise more with less stress
• Why being bold attracts bold donors — and how to stop playing small
• A reminder that you don’t have to do this alone (and in fact, you shouldn’t)

This episode is your invitation to step into the next level of your leadership. If you've been tuning in week after week, soaking up the pep talks — amazing. But the truth is, that’s not enough anymore.

If you’re ready to:

• Get real support
• Uplevel your skills
• Stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results

Then now is the time to take action. Join Courage Lab or get inside Get Real Coaching. You already know the free stuff is powerful — just imagine what’s possible when we actually work together.

No more waiting. No more hoping things will get better. Bold leadership starts with you.

Until next time — see ya.

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