Nonprofit CourageLab

 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!

This episode dives into the tricky world of donor relations. Discover effective strategies for dealing with donors who prefer not to engage. Learn how to communicate with an executive director who's pulled back from fundraising efforts. Julie also tackles the misconceptions surrounding board members and fundraising, offering clear ways to involve them more actively. Packed with practical advice and real-time solutions, this discussion is a treasure trove for nonprofit professionals eager to enhance their fundraising efforts.

Discover the inspiring journey of a fundraiser who turned a daunting rejection into an $810,000 gift. By strengthening her 'ask muscle' and embracing emotional intelligence, she learned to take bold risks with loyal donors. Explore how self-perception plays a crucial role in fundraising success and how courage can transform a team's dynamics. This story highlights the ripple effect of major gifts and why leaders must model bravery to inspire their teams.

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.

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Dunn, Executive Director of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF)  I walk you through exactly how I would pitch donors if I was looking to pick up an additional 200k in funding. What you’ll learn in this episode:Why storytelling and donor connection matter more than fancy techThe biggest pain points in donor stewardship—and how Patrick is thinking about improving itWhat Patrick believes is possible with their top donors if they had better systems and stronger asksA live role-play of a real donor conversation (yes, Patrick practices a pitch on the fly!)Messaging that moves donors into deeper giving (without pressure)I loved this conversation with Patrick because it shows the heart of what fundraising should be: human, values-driven, and impact-focused. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making the ask and building real relationships. If you’re wondering how to inspire major gifts even without a big team or budget, this episode will give you ideas (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 

In this episode, I sit down with Maria from Soft Landing Missoula- an incredible nonprofit helping refugee and immigrant families build new lives in Montana. We talk about how they got started, how they fund their work, and the emotional reality of fundraising in a world that’s constantly shifting.Maria shares what it’s like to lead fundraising efforts at an organization where over half of their revenue comes from individual donors and what she’s hearing from those donors right now. Spoiler alert: It’s not always about money. Sometimes donors just need to process what’s happening in the world, and Maria’s learning how to hold space for that while keeping her focus.We also talk honestly about what it means to lead yourself well during tough times, how to listen without taking everything at face value, and why emotional intelligence might be your most important skill as a fundraiser.What we cover in this episode:The mission and impact of Soft Landing MissoulaWhy people in their community give and keep givingNavigating the emotional side of donor conversationsThe difference between what donors say and what they doFundraising challenges in uncertain political and economic timesWhy you should trust the data over the noiseWhat bravery looks like when you're asking for big giftsMy favorite moment? When we talk about how life is always "lifeing" for your donors—even when it’s not making headlines. It’s a powerful reminder that generosity isn’t always logical or linear, but it is resilient.Donors are still giving. The work still matters. And part of our job is managing our own mindset so we can keep showing up with passion and purpose—no matter what.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 

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Heather Beam, founder of Practical Education Network (PEN), a nonprofit that’s transforming the way science and math are taught in Africa. Heather shares the story of how building a wind turbine with students in Ghana sparked her mission to make hands-on, project-based learning the new normal across the continent. We talk about her big vision, the current impact of PEN, and the realities of fundraising for such an ambitious goal. If you're passionate about education, innovation, or nonprofit leadership, this conversation will inspire you.What We Cover in This Episode:Heather’s Origin Story: How her experience in mechanical engineering—and a life-changing classroom project—led to starting PEN in Ghana.The Big Vision for PEN: Why Heather wants to make hands-on STEM education the norm across all of Africa, and what that really means in terms of scale and impact.Current Impact & Reach: Over 9,000 teachers trained since 2016, with programs expanding from Ghana to Rwanda and Liberia.The Challenge of Fundraising: How PEN funds its work through a mix of individual donors, foundations, corporate partnerships, and NGOs—and why individual giving is a key focus area for growth.The Power of Donor Relationships: We dive into why Heather’s most loyal donors give, how the 80/20 principle applies to fundraising, and how to personalize asks to inspire bigger gifts.Heather’s Next-Level Goals: Her plan to double individual giving and create sustainable funding that covers PEN’s operational needs.I loved Heather’s passion for problem-solving and her belief that every student should leave school with the skills to tackle real-world challenges. Her story of building a wind turbine from a plastic bucket and scrap computer parts was such a powerful example of what’s possible with creativity and resourcefulness. And as a fundraiser myself, our discussion about donor motivation and making personalized asks really hit home.Heather’s mission is bold, but so necessary. Education is the foundation for change, and Practical Education Network is doing the work to ensure students are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to innovate and solve problems in their own communities. If you’re inspired by this conversation, I encourage you to learn more about PEN and consider supporting their 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 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