Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach

Starting a nonprofit is an exciting journey, but many founders quickly discover that passion alone isn't enough to sustain an organization. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark shares some of the most common fundraising and startup mistakes nonprofit leaders make—and how to avoid them. From researching whether your community truly needs another nonprofit to understanding that incorporation is only the beginning, you'll learn practical steps to build a stronger foundation for long-term success. Whether you're launching a new nonprofit or considering starting one, this episode will help you think strategically about fundraising, sustainability, and creating lasting impact.

***NEW RESOURCE*** The Board Member's Guide to Fundraising (Without the Ask) - Check it Out: https://www.thefundcoach.com/the-board-member-s-guide-to-fundraising-without-the-ask

FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in

Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa

Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page

Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114 or

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854

What if one of the biggest limitations on your organization's fundraising success is the belief that major gifts are only for campaigns? Too many nonprofits wait until they're launching a capital campaign or special initiative before they begin engaging major donors. The problem is that meaningful donor relationships can't be rushed when a funding need arises. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we're exploring why major gifts should be a year-round fundraising strategy, not a campaign tactic. You'll learn how organizations unintentionally limit donor engagement when they only pursue major gifts during campaigns, and why building consistent relationships with major donors can lead to stronger fundraising, greater sustainability, and transformational support for your mission. Let's Huddle Up!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in

Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa

Need Private Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page

Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

What happens when the executive director and the board stop operating separately—and start partnering together around fundraising? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore how healthy fundraising cultures are built through strong relationships, shared ownership, and intentional collaboration between nonprofit leaders and their boards. Too often, fundraising becomes the burden of one person while board members remain unsure of their role. But when boards understand how to engage relationally—without pressure to make the ask—everything changes. This conversation will help nonprofit leaders rethink board engagement and discover how stronger partnerships can lead to deeper donor trust, greater impact, and more sustainable fundraising success.

FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/

To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in

Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa

Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page

Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

One of the biggest reasons nonprofit leaders struggle to secure transformational gifts has nothing to do with donor wealth — it has everything to do with the confidence behind the ask. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark dives into why leaders often ask too small, how fear and scarcity thinking quietly limit fundraising success, and why your ask communicates how much you truly value your mission. If you’ve ever hesitated before making a major gift ask or wondered why wealthy donors aren’t stepping up at higher levels, this episode will challenge the way you think about fundraising leadership, donor psychology, and the power of confident vision. Because major donors don’t just invest in causes — they invest in conviction.

FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/

To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in

Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa

Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page

Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114 or Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I break down how to run a fundraising event that does more than sell tickets—it creates real major gift opportunities. We talk about securing sponsorships to cover event costs, setting a clear net fundraising goal, and most importantly, building meaningful connections with attendees that lead to transformational follow-up conversations. If you want your next event to strengthen donor relationships and grow major gifts instead of just creating another transactional experience, this episode is for you. Let's Huddle Up!

Are you tired of feeling like your nonprofit’s survival is tied to a "Hunger Games" style lottery? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I dive deep into the hidden dangers of grant dependency and the burnout that comes from chasing every "restricted" dollar. We’re breaking down why Competition Fatigue is a choice and how you can reclaim your organization’s sovereignty. Learn how to shift from a scarcity mindset to a strategy of abundance, allowing you to stop twisting your mission to fit grant criteria and start building a sustainable, independent funding engine. It’s time to stop playing the game and start baking your own pie. Tune in and Huddle Up.

Are you communicating with your donors—or actually connecting with them? In a world where email, text, and social media make it easier than ever to reach people, many nonprofit leaders are unintentionally substituting messages for meaningful conversations. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore why real, interpersonal connection—through phone calls, in-person meetings, or video conversations—is essential for building trust with major donors. You’ll learn how to use technology the right way: not as a replacement for connection, but as a bridge to deeper, more authentic relationships that lead to lasting support.

Have you ever wondered why a donor who once gave consistently suddenly disappears? It’s a frustrating and often confusing experience for nonprofit leaders. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we unpack the real reasons donors stop giving—and it’s not always what you think. More often than not, it comes down to the relationship, not the dollars. I’ll walk you through the most common pitfalls that quietly erode donor trust and connection, and more importantly, how you can lead differently to keep your donors engaged, committed, and inspired to give. Register today for my LIVE free training: Big Mission Bigger Gifts scheduled for April 16th, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET

Why do so many nonprofit leaders hesitate when it’s time to ask for a meaningful gift—even when they believe deeply in their mission? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore something most fundraising advice ignores: your personal relationship with money. The beliefs, experiences, and messages you’ve carried over time may be quietly shaping how you show up in donor conversations—often without you realizing it. If asking for larger gifts feels uncomfortable, intimidating, or even a little off, this episode will help you understand why—and how to move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Register today for my LIVE free training: Big Mission Bigger Gifts scheduled for April 16th, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET