Big Abundance Energy in Fundraising

Jun 3, 2025

Explore the power of an abundance mindset in fundraising. Learn the signs that show you’re operating from a place of trust and confidence. Discover the value of referring mismatched donors to other nonprofits and how it can come back to benefit you. Understand the importance of letting go of misaligned board members and unresponsive prospects. Make audacious asks tied to your organization's vision, not past gifts. Embrace open communication and feedback to strengthen donor relationships and foster genuine connections.

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ADVICE

Refer Donors To Better Matches

Refer donors to organizations that better match their passions instead of pressuring them to give to you.
Offer warm introductions and support; philanthropy grows and benefits everyone when you prioritize impact over your ask.

ANECDOTE

A Referral Came Back As A Donor

Julie described referring a wealthy prospect who later joined the other organization's board after her warm introduction.
Years later that same person returned and wanted to get involved with Julie's nonprofit, showing referrals can come back around.

ADVICE

Release Misaligned Relationships

Release donors, board members, or clients who aren't aligned with your standards or values rather than clinging to them.
Set clear standards, communicate them, and let go when relationships become unsustainable for long-term health.

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Hey, friends in this episode, I’m breaking down what it really looks like to operate from an abundance mindset as a fundraiser or nonprofit leader. If you're tired of feeling pressure to chase every donor, scared to hear “no,” or stuck in scarcity, this is for you. I’m sharing real stories and practical signs that show when you’re leading from a place of trust, service, and confidence, not desperation.

Let’s talk about donor referrals, releasing misaligned people, and making bold asks with zero attachment. Abundance isn't just a nice idea — it's a powerful shift in how you show up and invite generosity.

What We Cover in This Episode:

How to know when you're in an abundance mindset (and what it actually looks like in real life)
Why I refer donors to other nonprofits and how that move came back around years later
The power of low-pressure, service-based leadership in major donor relationships
Letting go of board members, donors, and prospects who aren’t aligned
Why cycling through unresponsive prospects is necessary for growth
The mindset shift behind bold, audacious asks and how I went from $5K/month to a $300K gift
How to stop budgeting donors’ philanthropy for them
Owning your mistakes and asking for donor feedback with confidence

Here’s what I want you to take away: there is plenty. There are plenty of donors, plenty of money, plenty of opportunities. The more we let go of clinging and chasing, the more we make room for aligned, meaningful generosity to flow in.

Being in an abundance mindset doesn’t mean you don’t want results — it means you trust that the right people, the right gifts, and the right timing will come when you lead with service, clarity, and courage.

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 org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2