Are your fundraising efforts failing to bring in the big donations you need? Your fear of asking for money might be the very thing holding your nonprofit back from massive growth. Many leaders make this critical mistake, but it's not too late to fix it.

In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson is joined by Kipos Group founder James Misner to discuss what truly great fundraising leaders do differently. They explore why smart people make bad fundraising hires and how to spot the best talent. You will learn the secrets to building relationships with major donors, moving past the fear of asking for large gifts, and why simple, clear communication is your most powerful tool. This conversation provides a practical guide for nonprofit leaders who want to stop chasing small checks and start securing the major funding needed to scale their impact and grow something beautiful.

Learn how you can increase your fundraising revenue with Kipos Group: https://thekiposgroup.com/

🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗

Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/

Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/

Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/

💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙

This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.

To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/

Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/

Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers:

https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

📌 *CHAPTERS* 📌

0:00 - Bigger Isn't Always Better in the Nonprofit World

2:00 - Do Nonprofit Leaders Attend Conferences?

2:50 - The Mission Behind Kipos Group

6:40 - Why the "Great Resignation" Created a New Opportunity

10:05 - The #1 Reason Nonprofits Fail at Fundraising

11:00 - Are You Chasing $5 Donors Instead of $50,000 Checks?

12:15 - Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Fundraising Hires

14:15 - How to Spot a Bad Fundraiser on a Resume

16:35 - The Two Interview Questions That Reveal Everything

18:22 - The "Ideal Team Player" Framework for Hiring

20:15 - How One Bad Hire Can Set You Back 10 Years

22:27 - The Simple Messaging Mistake That Costs You Donors

25:15 - Why You Must Be "Clear Over Clever" in Your Communication

27:05 - Why Leaders Are Afraid to Ask for Major Gifts

29:20 - The Truth About Why People With Wealth Give

31:37 - How to Overcome Your Fear of Asking for Money

33:05 - A 5-Step Framework to Move from Anxiety to Action

38:50 - Should Nonprofits Stop Talking About "Awareness"?

46:13 - The Unique Role Nonprofits Play in a Divided World

48:50 - What Is the Most Effective Way to Reach Donors?

51:12 - How to Talk to Blue-Collar vs. Wall Street Major Donors

53:35 - Don't Make Fundraising Harder By Doing This

59:23 - Why Every Great Leader Needs a Coach