Nonprofit CourageLab

Four of my CourageLab clients told me THIS WEEK they’re now averaging an extra $100k in major gifts per month. Here’s what they do on Monday that changes everything.

They know who is on their list.

They have their prospect list locked in.

They know whom to call and say thank you to.

No, fundraising doesn’t take up their entire day.

They only spend 40 minutes to an hour on this, and it moves the needle because they have a clear roadmap.

They have the courage to ask for big gifts.

Like $120k on a Tuesday lunch. That’s just normal for them.

They have a dialed-in pitch that doesn’t take 20 minutes to explain and leaves the donor cross-eyed.

In this episode of Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, we cover:

• What solo EDs do and STOP doing to raise an extra $100K a month on average
• How they see their job as ED
• What they focus on so they win at major gifts and it doesn’t take up their entire day
• What they do to inspire donors in 90 seconds
• How they lead donors to their best gifts without talking for 20 minutes leaving them cross-eyed
• What they do first thing Monday morning that changes everything
• Why more experience doesn’t mean more success
• Why making it up as you go is costing you 6-figures a month
• What changed in their strategy that made the biggest difference in their results
• How to handle when you struggle to say No for people

If you’re sick of chasing grants, hate galas, and you’re great at relationships, but need to crack the major gifts nut, DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and let’s talk about your fundraising goals.

There are 90 days left in the year. We are headed into the biggest opportunity of the year. Your donors will give again. Will you be ready?

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Most nonprofits think to raise more you have to do more. “We need to raise 25% next year so we need to do another fundraiser.” Except that has a quick ceiling AKA an exhaustion ceiling, and you’re limited by how many events you can do, how many people you can get there, and it only scales by adding hours into your work day. How do you raise more money without adding hours into your work week? What if your workweek is maxed out?

I’ve helped 652 nonprofits raise $101M - teams of 1 or 2 - and I use a simple strategy that raises $300K more without adding more hours of work every week.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

• What obstacles are in the way of our warmest, biggest opportunities
• How my client raised a $10k gift from a donor who had only ever given $100 in one conversation
• How my director development client got 70 new donors in 7 months from board intros (the same board made only 5 intros the year before)
• What I did to help my board chair raise $225,000 from their network in 12 months
• Why you can’t see the six-figures uncaptured in your current community of supporters
• Why the way you’re doing events isn’t raising more money
• The one thing you can change to raise more from the same donors
• The strategy that raises bigger gifts in 40 minutes without more time-consuming, heavy special events

What opportunities might you be overlooking because you’re just too close to it?

It’s not that you’re bad at this, or that you aren’t working hard enough. Good grief, you’re THE HARDEST WORKING PERSON. It’s a different roadmap entirely.

The roadmap you’ve been using is taking you where you’ve already been. If you want to get somewhere new, you need a new route. And you need a guide who’s been there before. Stop trying to go it alone. We all have blind spots. The biggest difference between nonprofits that stay flat and the ones that grow a new roadmap, the skills to walk the path and a guide who can show you the way.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You value relationships. You genuinely care about your donors.

And then it’s time to ask for $100,000 and suddenly you’re saying:

“Whatever you can give would be great!”

Would it, though?

Your mission requires serious money.

In this episode of the Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, we’re talking about the fear that making a big ask will damage the donor relationship—and what might actually be hiding underneath it.

We’re getting into:

• What your real fear is and it’s likely not talking about money
• The difference between relationship building and people pleasing and how to know which one you’re doing
• Why clear is not the same as coercive
• How to stop budgeting donor’s philanthropy for them
• Why your relationship with “No” matters more than you think
• How to handle when things go sideways
• Why avoiding discomfort is costing you big gifts

Your job is to tell the truth about what your organization needs, make the ask, and let another grown adult decide what they want to do. That’s it.

If you’ve been needing some mindset coaching around major gifts and support to stop backing down at the most important moment - when it’s time to ask - then this episode is for you.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

You’re told to raise more you need to do more. I “did more”, raised $1.1M, and I lost sleep, and my hair fell out. I met the goal, but it cost me my health. 8 years later, I raised $2,500,000 and was vibrant and healthy. The difference was a different strategy and skill set.

Of course, there was still stress. But there’s a difference between stressed and burnt out.

In this episode of the @Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, I share a glimpse into the typical nonprofit revenue model and the real cost vs. raising 2x more with a simplified model.

I’m tired of hearing:

“The gala nearly killed me” or

“We’re doing too much, and it’s not sustainable”

Here’s what I cover:

• Why doing more keeps revenue flat and what to do instead
• How people-pleasing is killing revenue growth
• Your authentic role as a fundraiser and how to reclaim it
• Revenue growth models that lead to burnout and complexity
• How complexity is the ultimate growth killer
• My own story of raising bigger gifts from fewer people without a gala
• How selling more stuff, bells and whistles actually repels your best donors
• How your view of yourself impacts your fundraising results
• Why the most sustainable strategy is offensively simple
• What to do when your strategy is designed for burnout

If you feel pressure to do more and execute on every idea that comes across your desk to raise 12% more than last year, this episode is for you.

Share it with a friend, colleague, and your team.

Fair warning: I get real fired up in this, so if you are a sensitive flower, it may be too much for ya.

I’m mad. And when I’m mad, I fight. The fight in me is for you. For your health. For your impact. For your legacy. For your time with loved ones. For the vacation you deserve. For the results.

Slide Deck From This Episode: Big Gifts for Operations Workshop Slide Deck

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Ever go into a meeting with a major donor with a plan to ask for a gift, and something throws you off?

You leave the meeting kicking yourself because you didn’t make the ask. You had a purpose for the meeting, but somehow you got off track, and now you feel like you wasted your time with this major donor.

This has happened to me what feels like 10,000 times in my career. And after coaching 651 nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and major gifts fundraisers over the last eight years, I’ve seen the same thing happen again and again.

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes clip from one of my weekly CourageLab coaching calls. We get into the hidden dynamics behind why we back down in major donor meetings, especially with rich, powerful, assertive donors, and what you can actually do about it.

What you'll learn in this episode

• How difference and power dynamics can take you off track in a donor meeting
• How to relate to rich, powerful people without giving away your own power
• Why you must reclaim your power when a conversation gets uncomfortable
• The dynamics you need to understand when it feels hardest to hold your ground
• What really stops you from making the ask
• Why asking donors for advice can be a dumb idea
• Where confidence actually comes from, and how to strengthen it in tough circumstances
• How to develop a no-pressure fundraising culture
• Why great partnerships are built on honesty, not just transparency
• Why giving donors more information can actually create more confusion

If you’ve ever felt like your best-laid plans are hard to stick to when you’re sitting across from a powerful, rich, assertive donor, this episode is for you. If I were sitting down with you over coffee and sharing the truths I hope would get into your bones, this is that conversation.

Every nonprofit founder, CEO and fundraiser needs this conversation. share this with a colleague or friend. DM me the letters CL on LinkedIn if you’d like to learn more about CourageLab and raise more unrestricted major gifts.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

If you're constantly bending over backwards for difficult donors, accepting restricted gifts that create more work than they're worth, or letting wealthy people dictate your strategy, this episode is going to challenge you.

This episode breaks down the philosophy behind Bold Fundraising. It isn't about being louder or more aggressive. It's about having the courage to lead your nonprofit with clear standards, clear values, and the confidence to stop chasing money that pulls you away from your mission.

Sharing the mindset shifts that have helped organizations raise millions in unrestricted revenue, scale without burnout, and build donor communities based in trust instead of transactions. If you've ever felt like your fundraising strategy depends on keeping everyone happy, this episode offers a completely different way forward.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why self-respect is one of the biggest competitive advantages in fundraising
• How to define the kind of donor community you actually want to build
• Why unrestricted revenue should become your fundraising standard
• The difference between trust-based donors and high-maintenance donors
• Why you should stop asking your board, "Who do you know that's rich?"
• The three relationship shifts every fundraiser needs to make before walking into a major donor meeting
• How to stay in the driver's seat when meeting with confident, successful donors
• Why saying "we don't accept restricted gifts" often leads to better conversations, not fewer gifts
• How your calendar and budget should reflect the leader you're becoming, not the nonprofit you've outgrown
• Why scaling your organization starts with saying no to work that no longer serves your mission

The organizations that grow the fastest aren't saying yes to every opportunity. They're crystal clear about where they're going, who belongs on the journey, and what they're no longer willing to tolerate. That's what Bold Fundraising looks like.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Have a big 6 or 7-figure ask coming up? Book a Big Gift 1:1 Strategy Session today. Let's plan your approach before the meeting, the ask, any written proposal, and the follow-up. I've helped nonprofit CEOs raise $95 million in major gifts in the last 7 years. Click here to book your 1-hour private call now.

Stop treating summer like a fundraising break.

The nonprofits that have a calm, confident September are not scrambling to reconnect with donors. They spent June, July, and August building relationships.

In this final episode of Season 8, I explain why summer stewardship is one of the most overlooked opportunities in major gifts fundraising. While many organizations focus on events, planning, or internal projects, the strongest fundraisers are staying close to their top donors.

The truth is simple: the work you do this summer determines how your year ends. If you want bigger gifts, more unrestricted revenue, and stronger donor partnerships, now is the time to invest in relationships.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why summer is one of the most important seasons for major gifts fundraising
• How donor relationships built in June, July, and August impact year-end results
• The mistake many nonprofits make after a busy spring fundraising season
• Why consistent communication creates trust and leads to larger gifts
• How to stay connected with donors without feeling transactional
• What true donor partnerships look like beyond writing a check
• Why unrestricted revenue grows when trust grows
• How strong stewardship helps donors feel connected to your mission
• The difference between taking donors for granted and intentionally investing in relationships
• How to create a more peaceful, successful end-of-year fundraising season

At the end of the day, major gifts are not built in November and December. They're built months earlier through trust, communication, and consistent relationship-building. Summer stewardship isn't extra work. It's the work.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Most nonprofits are sitting on more donor potential than they realize.

In this second part of my live CourageLab coaching session, I walk through some of the fundraising principles that separate organizations stuck at one level from those that break through to the next. If you're raising $1 million and trying to get to $3 million, these are the kinds of mindset shifts and fundraising behaviors that matter.

We talk about donor communication, confidence, wealth conversations, and why asking for bigger gifts gives you the best donor data you'll ever get. None of this is complicated. But it does require courage, consistency, and a willingness to stop making assumptions about your donors.

The organizations raising transformational gifts are not waiting for perfect conditions. They're staying in touch, telling the truth, having wealth conversations, and asking boldly. That's what this episode is about.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why staying in touch with donors is not optional and is actually ethical fundraising

• How consistent donor communication builds trust long before a larger gift arrives

• Why confidence transfers to donors and apologetic energy does too

• How bold leaders naturally attract bold philanthropists

• What wealth events are and why they happen every single day regardless of the economy

• How conversations about stock gifts, donor advised funds, and assets can unlock gifts far larger than cash donations

• Why asking for a major gift reveals more useful information than any wealth screening tool ever will

• The questions that help you understand a donor's true giving capacity and timeline

• How to stop making assumptions about donor loyalty, priorities, and long-term commitment

• Why better donor conversations lead to more accurate fundraising projections and stronger planning

The best way to find out what a donor is capable of is not another report, dashboard, or wealth screen. It's a conversation. Stay in touch, tell the truth, ask boldly, and let donors show you who they are. Most of the certainty you're looking for is sitting on the other side of a bigger ask.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

Stop trying to earn donor trust with polished updates.

In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a training I recently led inside Courage Lab. These are the kinds of conversations we have with nonprofit leaders who are serious about raising more money and leading at a higher level.

This is Part 1 of a teaching on Million Dollar Success Principles. Not tactics. Not donor hacks. The deeper truths I’ve learned from raising millions of dollars, learning from incredible mentors, and watching successful nonprofit leaders do this work over and over again.

We talk about trust, donor behavior, leadership, vision, and why so many organizations unintentionally create the fundraising problems they complain about. Some of these ideas might sting a little. That's okay. The truth tends to do that.

If you want bigger gifts, stronger donor relationships, and more sustainable fundraising, this episode will challenge how you think about donors and your role as a leader.

• Why honest donor communication builds more trust than polished success stories
• How constantly sharing wins can actually weaken donor confidence
• The real reason donors ask for restricted gifts and more control
• Why trust, not control, is the foundation of major donor relationships
• How a clear long-term vision helps you raise larger and multi-year gifts
• Why donors stop giving when they run out of future with your organization
• The connection between strategic planning and major gift fundraising
• How donor behavior often reflects the leadership they're receiving
• Why donors only know what you tell them and give based on what you ask for
• The fundraising mistakes leaders make when they assume donors know what they need

The leaders who raise the most money are willing to tell the truth.

They trust donors with the real story. They paint a compelling future. And they take responsibility for leading donor behavior instead of blaming it. That's what creates trust, partnership, and transformational giving.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

This episode might ruffle some feathers. Good. Because we need to talk honestly about the real cost of galas, especially for small nonprofit teams that are already stretched thin.

After hearing yet another executive director say, “the gala nearly killed me,” I wanted to pull this conversation into the light. Not because I’m anti-event in every circumstance, but because too many organizations are sacrificing their people in the name of fundraising. And that should bother all of us.

In this episode, I break down why sustainability matters more than profitability, why small teams are drowning trying to manage seven revenue streams at once, and why unrestricted major gifts are often the better path forward. This is about more than fundraising strategy. It’s about leadership, courage, culture, and deciding what kind of organization you actually want to build.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of sponsorships, ticket sales, late nights, burnout, and recovery mode, this conversation is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why many small-team galas are completely unsustainable
• The hidden emotional and operational cost most organizations ignore when evaluating events
• Why “profitable” does not automatically mean healthy or aligned with your mission
• How spreading yourself across too many revenue streams leads to mediocre results everywhere
• Why unrestricted major gifts can outperform gala revenue with far less staff strain
• The difference between relationship-based fundraising and event-based fundraising
• How donor-hosted house parties can create momentum without crushing your team
• Why courageous conversations with boards are necessary if you want lasting change
• The leadership mindset required to move away from burnout-based fundraising
• What “kill your gala before it kills you” actually means

At the end of the day, the way you raise money is part of your mission. If your organization values human dignity, care, and sustainability, your fundraising culture should reflect that too. Burning out your staff to fund the mission is not the flex some organizations think it is.

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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.