Nonprofit CourageLab

Join Regina Nixon, Executive Director of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music, as she shares her insights on authentic leadership in fundraising. With nearly thirty years in the industry, Regina reveals how dropping the overly cheerful persona helped her connect with donors more genuinely. She discusses securing $235,000 through candid communication and building trust without grants or galas. Discover the importance of honesty in donor relationships, overcoming personal money beliefs, and how aligning energy with real needs can transform an organization.

Hey friend — this episode is a bit of a rant, because honestly, I just can’t take it anymore. There is some really bad fundraising advice floating around the nonprofit world, and one piece in particular absolutely drives me up the wall. You may have heard it before — “If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money.”The idea behind it is that you should ask donors for their input first as a “relationship building tactic,” and then eventually you’ll be able to ask for money. But here’s what actually ends up happening: nonprofit leaders avoid asking for financial support altogether. They keep having meetings, asking for advice, collecting feedback… and meanwhile, the mission is still under-funded. I see this constantly with EDs, CEOs, development staff — and it’s not relationship-building. It’s manipulation. It’s having a hidden agenda.And I don’t do hidden agendas.In this episode, I talk about why “ask for advice to get money” is dysfunctional, manipulative, and ultimately ineffective in raising sustainable funding. I share why honesty is the real trust-builder, why clarity is more respectful than tip-toeing around your intentions, and why being direct is not rude — it’s actually generous. If we’re asking for support because our work matters, then we don’t need to hide that.We also talk about:Why confidence matters more than perfectly scripted asksHow “advice collecting” is often just procrastination dressed up as strategyWhy you should only ask for advice from people who have actually done what you’re trying to doHow implementing someone’s feedback (and reporting back) is what actually strengthens relationshipsWhy direct, honest asking raises more money faster — without the emotional exhaustionIf you've been told to “build the relationship first” but were never taught how, this episode is going to feel like taking a huge breath of fresh air. You don’t need to manipulate. You don’t need to disguise your intentions. You don’t need to be scared of asking.You need courage, clarity, and clean communication — and we talk about all of that here.Take a listen — especially if you’ve been avoiding the ask. This might be the moment everything clicks.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 

Discover the powerful strategy of asking for more from current donors without overthinking it. Learn how humility can trump perfectionism and why direct, confident conversations are key. Overcome the fear of asking too much and embrace the reality that mistakes can strengthen donor relationships. Explore how to navigate awkwardness and conflict, turning them into opportunities for growth. Plus, hear tips on determining ask amounts and the importance of revisiting and adjusting your requests for maximum impact.

Discover three game-changing habits to streamline end-of-year fundraising without burning out. Learn why dedicating the first hour of your day to donor outreach boosts momentum. Uncover the power of ruthless time management to align activities with your fundraising goals. Embrace an abundance mindset to foster stronger connections with donors, while setting healthy boundaries with your team. This insightful guide equips you with practical strategies to enhance your fundraising efforts and achieve success.

C Stewart, an attendee representing a nonprofit, dives into donor stewardship and capital campaign asks during a practical workshop replay. They explore strategies for upgrading consistent donors, emphasizing the importance of one-on-one interactions over events. Key topics include how to effectively request higher amounts based on donor passion, establishing clear projections for fundraising goals, and the significance of building courage in asking for big gifts. C Stewart's insights make the case for simplicity in fundraising efforts.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gala is really worth all the time, money, and energy it takes to pull off, this episode is for you. I’ve been in the trenches planning big-name events with celebrity co-chairs and keynote speakers, and I’ve also seen nonprofits raise six- and seven-figure gifts in just a few conversations. When you compare the cost, the time, and the results—it’s not even close.In this episode, I’m breaking down the true ROI of galas versus focusing on major gifts, why galas are almost always more exhausting than they are profitable, and how you can start raising unrestricted dollars in less time with a better strategy. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:Listener wins: real stories of people who closed $15K, $75K, and even seven-figure gifts just from listening to this podcastThe hidden costs of galas- staff time, hard expenses, and energy drainWhy gala money is often restricted (and why that ties your hands)The challenge of converting gala guests into loyal donorsHow major gifts free up your time and bring in bigger, unrestricted dollars fasterA client case study: what shifted when she stopped underestimating her board and started asking for moreThe real reason leaders cling to galas (hint: it’s a courage problem, not a strategy problem) If you say you value relationship-building, why are you still prioritizing event planning? Major gifts are hands-down the highest ROI strategy, and they don’t burn out your team. You can raise six figures in just a few hours a week with the right strategy, confidence, and language—and without spending nine months planning a gala.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 

 Hi friends! I’m so excited to share this episode with you because it’s a conversation with one of my Courage Lab grads, Cara Augspurger. Cara is the Executive Director of the Grace Care Center Foundation just north of Indianapolis, and she’s an all-star leader who has experienced incredible growth over the last six months.When Cara and I started working together, she was confident in operations and communications but hesitant around major gifts and board engagement. Fast forward just half a year, and her board has hosted an event that raised $273,000 in one night - with multi-year commitments and new major donors at the table. Even more powerful? Cara’s own confidence has skyrocketed.In this episode, Cara shares how she went from overthinking and procrastinating to boldly inviting donors and board members into the mission  and the specific Courage Lab strategies that helped her get there.Cara’s journey from board chair to solo ED  and why she invested in coaching instead of a bonusHow she made the case to her board to join Courage LabThe mindset shift that stopped her from overthinking major giftsThe event strategy that brought in $273k in one night (with 18 three-year commitments!)Why accountability, templates, and consistent invitations completely changed her fundraising resultsHow she’s now 25% ahead of her fundraising projections - for the first time in organizational history Cara’s story is proof that you don’t have to do fundraising alone  and that courage, clarity, and accountability can change everything. Whether you’re a solo ED or just feeling stuck, her transformation shows what’s possible when you stop playing it safe and step into major gifts with confidence.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 

Kick off year-end fundraising without stress! Discover how to navigate current funding shifts and the power of strong donor relationships that lead to significant gifts. Learn the vital leadership skill of saying no and how to stop tolerating underperformance. Find out how to advocate for yourself and refocus on high-return activities. With actionable advice, you'll realize your potential, lead confidently, and cultivate a thriving fundraising culture.

Discover how true confidence stems from self-trust, built through keeping promises to yourself. Learn to identify your motivation style and design an environment that fosters accountability. Explore the crucial link between courage and confidence, with practical steps for building momentum. Julie highlights the importance of setting boundaries to combat people-pleasing and shares inspiring client victories. Ultimately, it's about taking risks and celebrating small wins to enhance your courageous journey.

Explore the three major obstacles hindering fundraising efforts: the importance of a strategy tailored to your organization's unique culture and values, the courage needed to face rejection and stand firm against donor interference, and the pivotal role of emotional intelligence as a fundraising superpower. Discover how emotional intelligence can enhance donor relationships and guide you through challenging situations. Get inspired by real stories of resilience and learn to build those crucial fundraising muscles!