Something is missing in your recipe for success. Not a tool. Not a strategy. But something deeper: your inner grit. This isn’t about hustling harder or pushing yourself until you burn out. It’s about the strength you draw on when you’re tired, when the campaign feels heavy, when the grant report is due, and when your to-do list is longer than your capacity.

In this episode, I’m sharing why grit matters just as much as skill in fundraising, the mindset shifts that make it sustainable, and how to build your own reserve of inner strength so you can lead with clarity, joy, and resilience, even when the work gets hard. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on fumes or questioning if you’ve got what it takes, this episode will remind you: you do. You just need to reconnect with it.

Topics:

• Why inner grit is the missing ingredient in many nonprofit leaders’ success
• How grit differs from hustle culture (and why that matters)
• Practical ways to build mental and emotional resilience
• The connection between grit and long-term fundraising success
• Signs you’re running low on grit (and what to do about it)
• Why skill without grit leads to stalled progress
• How to rally yourself when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or uninspired

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

This episode is for the nonprofit leader doing “all the right things” (you’ve got peer fundraisers, events, email blasts, major donor asks) but you're still not hitting your campaign goals. Sound familiar? It’s not your fault. It’s your foundation.

I recorded this episode fresh off the launch of The Purpose and Profit Club®, and after talking to so many of you, I noticed the same trap over and over: layering modern tactics on top of weak campaigns. If your messaging isn’t emotionally resonant, your campaign lacks urgency, or your structure is shaky, no amount of frosting will save it. In this episode, I break down why your campaign might feel like a “collapsed cake,” what a high-converting campaign looks like, and how my SPRINT Method™ helps you build a strategy that actually works (without the burnout or overwhelm). If you're tired of working harder for diminishing returns, this is the clarity you need.

Topics:

• Why visibility alone doesn’t drive conversion
• What weak campaigns actually look and feel like
• The “collapsed cake” metaphor and what it means for fundraisers
• The difference between emotion vs. passivity in donor messaging
• Why urgency and relevance matter more than volume
• Tactics that don’t work without a strong foundation
• Why layering on social media, peer fundraising, or ads won’t fix poor structure
• The SPRINT Method™: what it is and who it’s for

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Joey Goone is back, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him return to the podcast. If you’ve ever felt like your fundraising events are starting to blend together, or you’re craving something more intentional, joyful, and authentic, this conversation is your permission slip to shake things up.

Joey is the President of Utopia Experience, and honestly, he brings so much heart to the events space. He’s not here for stuffy ballrooms or robotic run-of-shows. He’s here to help nonprofits lead with humanity, center their mission, and create events that people feel long after they leave. We talk about everything from ditching the performance pressure in storytelling to why A/V isn’t just a tech checklist, it’s a storytelling tool. This episode is full of lightbulb moments and reminders that joy and profit are not mutually exclusive. Whether you're a seasoned ED or planning your very first gala, Joey will leave you inspired to lead with more heart, more clarity, and way more impact.

Topics:

• Why the energy and intention behind events matter more than perfection
• How to avoid transactional storytelling and make your audience feel
• The difference between entertainment and impact—and how to do both
• What it means to design experiences with dignity and strength
• How Joey's team creates nonprofit events that are both joyful and profitable
• The ripple effect of honoring people, not just logistics
• Building community through connection—not performance

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

I’m back from a month in Greece, sun-soaked, inspired, and wildly energized, and there’s one theme that keeps showing up in every single conversation I’ve had since: 10 minutes can change everything.

In this episode, I’m sharing the power of micro-bravery. Not hypotheticals, but real stories. A client who made one 10-minute thank-you call and created a deeper connection than she imagined. Another who picked up the phone and walked away with a six-figure intro. I’ll even tell you how a 10-minute YouTube workout changed my whole day. This is about momentum over perfection. Courage over rumination. Action over spinning. You don’t need the perfect deck, a full hour, or a polished strategy. You need 10 minutes and a decision to move. Let’s talk about how to find those moments and what can happen when you do.

Topics:

• What The 10-Minute Ask actually is—and how to use it today
• How coaching and community make these 10-minute wins multiply
• Why this isn’t just about productivity—it’s about possibility
• Real examples of clients who unlocked major donor relationships with one short call
• What rumination is costing your mission
• The difference between waiting for confidence vs. building it
• How to start embedding daily “brave reps” into your workflow

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Most nonprofits wait for permission: a grant panel, a sponsor, an award to tell them they’re the best. This episode flips that script. Today, I share why it’s time to claim your brilliance, boldly articulate what makes you exceptional, and anchor your authority before anyone else does. From a five-star Airbnb in Greece to awkward sponsor meetings where leaders freeze, this conversation unpacks the mindset shifts and tactical moves that help you own your impact. Because you don’t need a medal to stand out, you need the courage to plant your flag.

Topics:

• Why so many nonprofits struggle to claim their brilliance (and how to break the cycle)
• The power of repetition and why your message needs to be heard 17 times
• The difference between bragging and anchoring your authority
• Real-life examples: Airbnb reviews, sponsor meetings, and what clarity really sounds like
• Practical ideas for showcasing your impact everywhere—pitch decks, websites, thank you notes, and beyond
• How to reframe your mindset from “Who am I to say this?” to “Who am I not to?”

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Everyone’s chasing the wrong spotlight—and in this episode, I explain why. You think you need a Grammy winner to post your fundraiser, but what you actually need is a solid campaign and a Social Street Team® to spread it. I share real stories of big-name flops, what gets campaigns to convert (hint: it’s not fame), and how to build a movement of aligned, trusted messengers who drive results. If you’re tired of waiting for someone famous to save your fundraiser, it’s time to flip the script and start thinking like a strategist. Let’s talk about how to ditch the vanity metrics and lead with clarity, trust, and a campaign that scales.

Topics:

• Why celebrity endorsements rarely translate into real impact
• The myth of visibility = value
• What makes a campaign “irresistible” and share-worthy
• How to build and activate a high-impact Social Street Team®
• Real examples of both failed celebrity posts and micro-influencer wins
• Shifting from vanity metrics to sustainable fundraising strategy
• How to align your board and leadership with modern donor behavior

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

What if your birthday could change lives?

In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Houchin, founder of Sonder Bakehouse, a passionate fundraiser, and a longtime advocate for Charity: Water. Kayla shares how a book and a single birthday campaign turned into over $100,000 raised (and counting!) to bring clean water to communities worldwide. We talk about the power of starting small, how joy and creativity fuel sustainability in fundraising, and why showing up with purpose can inspire a whole town to rally behind your mission. From auctioning cakes to hosting galas, Kayla proves that you don’t need to be a full-time nonprofit pro to make a massive impact—you just need clarity, consistency, and a little courage to ask. Whether you’re planning your first peer-to-peer campaign or dreaming of a million-dollar impact, Kayla’s story will reignite your belief in grassroots fundraising and remind you why the why matters most.

Topics:

• Kayla shares how reading a book led her to start her first birthday fundraiser for Charity: Water
• Kayla explains how she raised over $100K—one cake (and birthday) at a time
• How tapping into joy fuels both donor enthusiasm
• Inside Kayla’s first gala with Scott Harrison from Charity: Water
• Powerful stories from the front lines of grassroots giving
• How staying connected to purpose helps you push past discomfort and keep going

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

What if your next major hire isn’t a person, but a system?

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the “NextGen Fundraising Engine”, a proven campaign system that replaces the need for a marketing coordinator, development associate, and monthly giving manager. If you’re stuck in a cycle of burnout, chasing one-off donations, or hiring your way out of a revenue gap, this episode is your permission slip to do it differently. You’ll learn why the smartest nonprofits are stealing proven growth tactics from e-commerce brands, and how to streamline your fundraising, storytelling, and donor retention strategies without bloating your payroll. This isn’t hustle culture. This is what it looks like to fundraise smarter.

Topics:

• Why hiring more staff isn’t the answer (and what to build instead)
• The difference between a capacity issue and a clarity issue
• How e-commerce strategies are helping nonprofits grow faster
• The three essential fundraising functions most orgs try to hire for—and how to replace them with one system
• Viral partnerships & the Social Street Team® Method
• Monthly donor engines that work (without outsourcing)

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Feeling stuck at $200K? Plateaued at $500K? Are you wondering why you can’t push past $1M even when your mission is solid and your team is working nonstop? In this episode, I explain why nonprofit revenue stalls — and more importantly, how to move beyond it. From outdated donor funnels to board bottlenecks, this episode offers a smarter system for sustained growth. I walk you through real revenue tiers, key mistakes organizations make at each level, and what to do instead. If you're ready to stop treading water and start building a pipeline that scales, this is for you.

Topics:

• The three most common growth ceilings in nonprofit fundraising (and what causes them)
• Why having “more donors” isn’t always the answer
• The real difference between organizations that scale and the ones that stay stuck
• A smarter way to upgrade your donor journey (without chasing every social media trend)
• How to stop letting the board be the bottleneck
• What to do when your lead funnel is cold, your campaign fell flat, or your big funder says no

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

If your fundraising strategy still runs on 2010 logic, this is your wake-up call. In this episode, I break down the concept of NextGen Fundraising—not just for Gen Z, but for every generation of donor who now expects fast, friction-free, modern giving experiences. I share why traditional tactics are burning you out, why your board doesn’t need another gala, and how to cut the clutter and focus on what actually works. Get ready for mindset shifts, strategy overhauls, and some tough love on why clinging to the past is costing you funding. If your nonprofit is still waiting on permission, outdated systems, or “someday” grants—this one’s for you.

Topics:

• What “NextGen Fundraising” really means
• Why traditional fundraising tactics are failing — and how donor habits have shifted faster
• The outdated “fundraising OS” most orgs are still using
• The myth of long cultivation cycles
• Why chasing new donors while losing your current ones is the ultimate leaky bucket
• What nonprofit leaders can learn from Shopify and Amazon
• How to use Social Street Team® to expand reach
• Why being grant-dependent is a risk, not a strategy — and what to do right now if you’ve lost a major funder's support
• Real wins from real nonprofits
• Why holding out for board meetings or retreats is costing you more than you realize

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links