In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Dunn, Executive Director of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF)  I walk you through exactly how I would pitch donors if I was looking to pick up an additional 200k in funding. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why storytelling and donor connection matter more than fancy tech
• The biggest pain points in donor stewardship—and how Patrick is thinking about improving it
• What Patrick believes is possible with their top donors if they had better systems and stronger asks
• A live role-play of a real donor conversation (yes, Patrick practices a pitch on the fly!)
• Messaging that moves donors into deeper giving (without pressure)

I loved this conversation with Patrick because it shows the heart of what fundraising should be: human, values-driven, and impact-focused. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making the ask and building real relationships. If you’re wondering how to inspire major gifts even without a big team or budget, this episode will give you ideas (and courage).

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2