Many nonprofits are stuck on the fundraising treadmill with little to show for it. This episode on nonprofit revenue strategy shows how to grow without burning out.

 Max Kringen sits down with Sherry Quam Taylor, nonprofit growth expert and founder of QuamTaylor LLC, to unpack what’s really holding mission-driven organizations back. If you're still debating the cost of a website while working 70-hour weeks, this conversation will reframe how you think about general operating revenue, major gifts fundraising, and investment-level donor conversations. A must-listen for leaders ready to stop begging and start building.

By the end, you'll know how to:

• Shift from event-driven fundraising to transformational giving
• Reframe how you talk about general operating revenue with donors
• Spot the hidden costs of “irrational frugality” in your organization
• Lead investment-level donor conversations with confidence
• Align your fundraising strategy with your long-term mission
• Break free from the busywork and focus on scalable revenue activities
• Make the mindset shift from scrappy to sustainable

Key Quote Highlights
"You’re not hiding from donors. You’re hiding from your own potential."
"Events should be a step in the donor journey, not the whole experience."

Guest Bio
Sherry Quam Taylor helps nonprofit leaders scale their revenue by building strong major gifts strategies rooted in confidence and clarity. A former corporate leader turned fundraiser, Sherry has worked with organizations of all sizes to unlock transformational giving without overworking small teams. Her firm, QuamTaylor LLC, empowers leaders to stop being irrationally frugal and start making strategic investments that actually move the mission forward. Learn more at https://www.quamtaylor.com

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Why working harder isn’t working
04:45 Sherry’s journey from corporate to nonprofit growth coach
08:02 What “hours to dollars” fundraising really means
12:45 Breaking free from irrational frugality
20:15 Shifting from event-based asks to major gift relationships
28:00 How to slow down your strategy to speed up your revenue
34:40 The courage to stop hiding and lead boldly
39:00 Peer-to-peer relationships and authentic fundraising

📌 Resources Mentioned

• Sherry Quam Taylor’s website: https://www.quamtaylor.com
• Sherry’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryquamtaylor
• Book: The Answer to How Is Yes by Peter Block
• Ramit Sethi’s podcast and financial philosophy
• Tellwell Story Co.: https://wetellwell.com

🔔 Stay Connected
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📣 About Tellwell the Podcast
Hosted by Max Kringen, Tellwell the Podcast dives into the real stories behind mission-driven work. We talk with nonprofit leaders, marketers, and changemakers to explore how storytelling, strategy, and smart creative fuel meaningful growth.

 #nonprofitgrowth #fundraisingstrategy #major gifts #nonprofitleadership #donorrelationships #generaldoperatingrevenue #investmentlevelfundraising

Your most vulnerable stories are your most powerful fundraising tools. Coach Dayna Del Val reveals how to overcome the fear of judgment and build lasting donor trust.

Full Description:

Your most vulnerable stories are your most powerful fundraising tools. Coach Dayna Del Val, former nonprofit CEO of The Arts Partnership, reveals how to overcome the fear of judgment and build the kind of donor trust that secures major gifts.

Nonprofit leaders often hide their most impactful, human moments behind sanitized success stories and generic mission statements. Dayna identifies the root cause: shame and the paralyzing fear of what people will think. This fear creates distance with donors instead of connection.

In this conversation, you'll learn why the most specific stories are actually the most universal—a principle called narrative transportation that transforms passive supporters into committed champions. Dayna shares the "And What Else?" coaching technique to help you and your team peel back surface-level answers and uncover the emotional core that inspires action.

Whether you're an Executive Director, Development Director, or Marketing VP, this episode provides a clear framework for moving past the idea that your mission is "too precious" to share honestly. You'll discover how to identify the external, internal, and philosophical layers of your organization's story—and why leading with humanity is the most reliable path to fundraising success.

Dayna's final reminder: stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. They're not thinking about you. The stories you're afraid to share are exactly what your donors need to hear.

Timestamps: 

• 0:00 - The struggle to share your story honestly 
• 1:45 - Dayna's journey from nonprofit CEO to coach 
• 6:30 - The game-changing feedback that shifted everything 
• 11:50 - Why honest, critical feedback is essential for growth 
• 14:35 - The biggest barrier to donor connection: shame and fear 
• 17:50 - Coaching through shame with small, relatable stories 
• 20:55 - The "And What Else?" technique for uncovering real stories 
• 23:30 - Narrative transportation: why personal stories generate more response 
• 26:10 - Building a community where storytelling drives action
• 29:15 - Settling down and waiting for the quiet answer
• 32:15 - Final wisdom: no one is really thinking about you

Ready to transform your storytelling? Schedule a conversation with the Tellwell team to explore how a human-first strategy can drive your fundraising goals: wetellwell.com

Are you leading an incredible mission-driven organization, yet you find yourself lying awake at 3 a.m. wondering why your most powerful stories aren’t raising the money or driving the engagement you need? It is a common frustration: you are doing vital work, but as you grow, your message starts to fizzle out.

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan McCormick, Executive Director of Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley. Jordan has navigated the intense "growing pains" of taking a volunteer-led concept and scaling it into a regional powerhouse that serves 15 families a day and manages up to 300 pieces of furniture every week.

We explore the transition from "crisis mode" to strategic leadership and the mindset shift required to help people truly start over.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Difference Between Growth and Impact: Why "bigger" isn't always "better," and how to define what success actually looks like for your mission.
• Crisis vs. Noise: How to distinguish between a genuine organizational crisis and a simple problem "dressed up" as one.
• The Power of Dignity: Why mission-driven work should focus on restoring a person's dignity rather than just being "paid in gratitude."
• Leading a "Volunteer Army": Strategies for keeping a team motivated and aligned when the logistics of growth feel overwhelming.
• Living Your Faith Through Action: How simple acts—like providing a bed or a table—can become the ultimate vehicle for your organization's values.

Key Quotes:

About Our Guest:

Jordan McCormick is a Midwest transplant who has built a deeply local, faith-based operation centered on human dignity. Under his leadership, Furniture Mission helps families recovering from crisis—from addiction treatment to emergency shelters—by providing the physical foundation they need to start a new chapter.

About Tellwell:

At Tellwell, we believe clarity is kind. We partner with nonprofits, higher education, and community financial institutions to translate important work into clear, human-first stories that drive action. Whether through impact films, brand strategy, or web design, we help you break through the noise and turn storytelling into real-world results.

Ready to amplify your impact? Learn more about how we can help you tell your story the right way at wetellwell.com.

In our final WellTold minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, we introduce you to Bridgette Bitzegaio from DonorDock, a passionate advocate for nonprofit empowerment and innovation. Discover how Bridgette artfully bridges the worlds of music and data, and learn about her unique journey from music education to nonprofit leadership.

What You’ll Learn:
🎻 How Bridgette's nonprofit, Adapt Music, uses music enrichment to foster connections across all abilities
📈 The power of personalized donor communications and effective stewardship journeys
🤝 Insights into the Agile Stewardship Model that can transform nonprofit outreach

Exclusive Listener Bonus! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for “Back to Early Bird Pricing” for the WellTold Nonprofit Storytelling Conference! Secure your spot at WellToldConference.com today.

About Our Guest:
Bridgette Bitzegaio is a dedicated account manager and customer success specialist at DonorDock, where she leverages her experience as a nonprofit founder to connect with customers on a deeper level. Her passion for creating genuine connections through music and data makes her an invaluable resource for nonprofits aiming to enhance their donor relations.

📢 Join the Conversation!
🔗 DonorDock.com | LinkedIn: DonorDock

🎙️ Tellwell: The Podcast is your go-to source for nonprofit storytelling and marketing insights. Subscribe, share, and let's amplify stories that drive meaningful change!

In the latest minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Max connects with Patrick Kirby, a dynamic force in nonprofit fundraising and the mastermind behind Do Good Better Consulting. Get ready to dive deep into the art and science of relationship building, as Patrick unpacks the power of storytelling in the world of fundraising. Learn how fostering genuine connections can transform donors into lifelong champions of your cause.

What You’ll Learn:
🎯 How storytelling and regular communication can convert a typical donor into a fervent supporter
🤝 Patrick’s unique approach to consulting, emphasizing authentic connections and constant adaptability
💡 A special look at Patrick’s role and insights at the upcoming WellTold Nonprofit Storytelling Conference

Exclusive Listener Bonus! Use the code PODCAST at checkout to knock the price down to Early Bird pricing for WellTold! Secure your place at WellToldConference.com today.

About Our Guest:
Patrick Kirby is the founder of Do Good Better Consulting, where his mission is to assist nonprofits in raising funds by enhancing their storytelling and outreach strategies. Celebrating eight years of impact, Patrick’s enthusiasm and expertise make him a standout resource for any nonprofit professional seeking to amplify their fundraising efforts.

📢 Join the Conversation!
🔗 DoGoodBetterConsulting.com

🎙️ Tellwell: The Podcast is your hub for nonprofit storytelling and marketing insights. Subscribe today, share with your connections, and let's amplify stories that drive change!

Dive into the transformative world of storytelling! In this special minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Max sits down with Lisa Nelson-Haynes, Chief Programs Officer at StoryCorps, to explore the profound impact of narrative practice on personal growth and community empowerment. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Lisa's upcoming presentation at WellTold: A Nonprofit Storytelling Conference.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ The concept of storytelling as an evolving practice and its role in overcoming judgments and biases
✨ Lisa’s journey in storytelling and community engagement, spanning her impactful career
✨ An exclusive sneak peek into Lisa’s presentation for WellTold, focusing on ethical storytelling for nonprofits

Exclusive Listener Bonus! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for that will get you back to Early Bird pricing to WellTold! Secure your spot at WellToldConference.com today.

About Our Guest:
Lisa Nelson-Haynes is the Chief of Programming at StoryCorps, where she fosters the organization’s mission to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. Join Lisa at WellTold as she shares her expertise in crafting meaningful and impactful stories.

📢 Join the Conversation!
🔗 StoryCorps.org | Instagram: @storycorps

🎙️ Tellwell: The Podcast brings you the latest in nonprofit storytelling and marketing. Subscribe now, share with your circle, and let's tell stories that spark change!

Exciting times for nonprofit storytelling! In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast, Max sits down with Matt and Rob from DonorDock to talk about WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. Get an insider look into how DonorDock has revolutionized CRM solutions for nonprofits and how their passion for storytelling has fueled the success of their company.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ The journey behind DonorDock and their approach to nonprofit technology
✨ How WellTold is set to be unlike any other conference—equipping attendees with actionable storytelling tools and frameworks
✨ Insights into the innovative Agile Stewardship model set to transform donor engagement

Exclusive Listener Bonus! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for that will get you back to Early Bird pricing to WellTold! Secure your spot at WellToldConference.com today.

About Our Guests:
Matt and Rob are two driving forces behind DonorDock’s success. With a mission to simplify and enhance nonprofit operations, they are not just building software—they're building community. Join the DonorDock team at WellTold to learn firsthand how storytelling can catalyze change.

📢 Join the Conversation!
🔗 DonorDock.com | LinkedIn: DonorDock

🎙️ Tellwell the Podcast is your go-to source for nonprofit branding, marketing, and storytelling insights. Subscribe, share with your network, and let's create change together!

Storytelling isn’t just compelling—it’s necessary for nonprofits. In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast, we’re joined by Jon McCoy of We Are For Good, a leading voice in nonprofit storytelling. As a keynote speaker at WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference this April in Fargo, Jon shares how his Impact Arc framework helps organizations engage communities, amplify their mission, and make stories work smarter, not harder.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Why storytelling is a nonprofit superpower in today’s digital landscape
✨ How to maximize content using the Impact Arc framework
✨ Strategies for repurposing stories and engaging audiences beyond a single event

Exclusive Listener Bonus! Use code PODCAST at checkout for Early Bird pricing to WellTold! Register at WellToldConference.com.

About Our Guest:
Jon McCoy is the co-founder of We Are For Good, a global nonprofit community and podcast with over 600 episodes and 600,000 downloads. His mission? Equipping changemakers with the tools to build lasting impact.

📢 Join the Conversation!
🔗 WeAreForGood.com | Instagram: @weareforgood | LinkedIn: We Are For Good

🎙️ Tellwell the Podcast explores nonprofit branding, marketing, and storytelling. Subscribe, leave a review, and let’s keep telling stories that create change!

In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast, we’re joined by John Lepp from Agents of Good, a passionate advocate for creative fundraising and storytelling.

John shares his journey from journalism and advertising to nonprofit direct mail fundraising and why art, vulnerability, and creativity are more essential than ever in nonprofit marketing. Plus, he gives a sneak peek into his upcoming session at WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why creativity is a must for nonprofit storytelling
• The power of direct mail in a digital world
• How to find and own your nonprofit’s unique voice

Don’t Miss WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
April 24, 2024 | Fargo, ND & Virtual
🎟️ Use code PODCAST for special pricing!
🔗 Register at welltoldconference.com

Connect with John Lepp:

• Agents of Good: www.agentsofgood.org
• LinkedIn: John Lepp

About Tellwell Story Co.:
Tellwell Story Co. helps nonprofits and mission-driven brands share their stories through branding, video, and marketing. Learn more at wetellwell.com.

Can a bouquet of flowers change lives? In this special edition of Tellwell the Podcast, we sit down with Kelly Krenzel, Founder of Hope Blooms, to explore the power of upcycling, intentionality, and small acts of kindness that create lasting impact.

As part of our WellTold series—leading up to WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference—Kelly shares how Hope Blooms repurposes donated flowers into meaningful bedside bouquets for those facing hardship, isolation, or loss, all with a simple but powerful message: You matter.

In This Episode:

• How Kelly’s love for seniors and storytelling turned into a movement
• The impact of giving new life to flowers once used for celebrations or farewells
• Why small moments of kindness create big change
• A preview of WellTold and how Hope Blooms is closing out the event

Join Us at WellTold!
Want to connect with nonprofit storytellers, marketers, and mission-driven organizations? Don’t miss WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference on April 24th in Fargo or virtually. Use code PODCAST at checkout for an exclusive discount.

🎟️ Register here: welltoldconference.com

Get Involved with Hope Blooms:
Want to spread joy and be a Joy Maker? Donate flowers, volunteer, or support Hope Blooms at: hopeblooms.org