Nonprofit CourageLab

In this inspiring episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, I, Julie Ordonez, had the pleasure of speaking with Will Zweigert, the CEO of Flatbush Cats in Brooklyn. Will shared his transformative journey from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector, and how his passion for animal welfare led him to establish Flatbush Cats, an organization dedicated to solving the issue of overcrowded animal shelters.Will's story is a testament to the power of personal transformation and the courage to ask for more. He discussed the challenges and successes of their recent capital campaign, which raised over $3 million to open their first spay, neuter, and veterinary clinic. This achievement was made possible through intense fundraising and development work, and Will is eager to share the lessons learned with other organizations.During our conversation, we delved into the importance of building relationships with donors and the strategic decision-making that goes into fundraising. Will highlighted the value of stewardship and the joy of thanking and reporting back to supporters. He also emphasized the need to have direct conversations about financial needs, which can lead to more significant gifts and a deeper understanding of donors' passions.Will's experience with the Courage Lab, my six-week major gifts training program, has been transformative. He learned to stop censoring himself and to ask for what his organization truly needs. This shift in mindset has already led to substantial fundraising wins, including a gift that was quadruple the amount he initially considered asking for.I'm thrilled to see the impact that Courage Lab has had on Will and Flatbush Cats. If you're struggling with asking for major gifts or finding yourself avoiding the work, Courage Lab is designed to give you the strategy, training, and courage you need. For more information, visit JulieOrdonez.com and click on Courage Lab.Thank you for joining us on this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab. If you've been encouraged, please rate and review the podcast, and remember, no one has changed the world without first changing themselves.

This episode is a continuation of the Q&A recording of the live masterclass I did on wrapping up your year end strong. I answer questions about real life scenarios that come up with trying to get major gifts from donors. I dig into how to go deeper to find out what your donors are thinking, get insight from them that will help you shape conversations and give you more confidence to ask. If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

In this episode, we're going to talk about the essential ingredient for major gifts success – courage. In this recording of a live masterclass, I dug into what it takes to wrap the year up with a bang and start the new year off feeling rejuvenated and with the momentum you need to hit your goals. Fancy strategies and consultants are not the keys to success, there will always be the need for genuine human connection. And when you are actually approaching your fundraising effort with a people first mentality, you not only give yourself an advantage, you also build relationships that are so important in raising major gifts. Pick up the phone, have direct conversations, and approach major gifts with authenticity and confidence, listen in to this episode, I’ll show you how. If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

Over the last 10+ years, I’ve been to over 1,000 major donor meetings and coached hundreds of CEOs, fundraisers, founders, development directors, and major gifts officers. In all those conversations, all those meetings, I’ve learned some things that I hope are helpful to you and will help you decide whether Nonprofit CourageLab is right for you!I have learned that:Fundraisers usually value money above time. It’s the opposite for wealthy people.Fundraisers are afraid to do their jobs!Nobody is really talking about fear.In my 6 week program Nonprofit Courage Lab, you will learn how to have successful conversations with donors, close gifts, build confidence in yourself and your program, and move into bold action.  In this episode I’ll walk you through the process of the program, answer some FAQs, and give you some more insight so you can decide if CourageLab is right for you.Our next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistIf you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

In this episode I’ll give you a taste of a masterclass that I will soon have available! We will be discovering your fundraising persona. Are you a Stress Sammy? Newbie Nelly? Maybe Timid Trinity, or a combination of 2 or all 3? There are ways to address your struggles with each of these, but it all comes down to your mindset, your skillset, and your character.I’ll share a few mantras to help you get through your barriers, such as:Abundance is guaranteedThere are people waiting to be part of what you are doing“Yes” lives in the land of “no”Giving is a gift to the giverThe mission is more important than your comfort zoneYou don’t need the “perfect” pitch deck. Don’t wait to feel courageous.  Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Find some accountability and some support, and pick up the phone.If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistStudies mentioned:https://afpglobal.org/sites/default/files/attachments/generic/FEP%20Q4%202022%20Final.pdfhttps://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2023/demo/p70br-183.pdfhttps://doublethedonation.com/matching-gift-statistics/https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/08/14/three-steps-to-overcoming-resistance/?sh=7f2ceec95eaehttps://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=mHTEkvyjaLwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=astd+study+on+accountability&ots=Tl_zG176Yi&sig=qGr1ndwsihxE_Pd2ko0WhPtsuJk#v=onepage&q=astd%20study%20on%20accountability&f=falseMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

Over the last few years, we’ve all been through a lot of stress, loss and grief collectively and it has worn a lot of us down. We feel tired and overworked, and many leaders are pushing beyond burnout.When it comes to fundraising, that translates to overthinking, struggling to give up control, and approaching donors with impatience and uncertainty. Remember - your donors are people and they need connections and empathy just like you do, and pushy, desperate energy repels donors. Are you losing sight of your donors’ humanity? What about your own humanity? Are you allowing yourself to ask for help? Are you tending to your own well-being, or just keeping your head down and pushing through?If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

Does this sound familiar? You’re convinced that your donors can’t give any more than they already have, or you’re not sure you even have donors that can give more than $10k. The truth is that the word “all” isn’t accurate. If you want growth, exponential impact, community transformation, and generational change, you need to get out of the cynicism that has you convinced that your donors are maxed out. I’m here to help you:Overcome your disbeliefRaise more simply by asking for moreGet out of your headStop sabotaging yourselfI understand that you want to protect the relationships you have spent years building, but you’re not damaging the relationship by asking for more money. Asking for more is asking them to buy in at a greater level, and that actually strengthens your relationship.If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

Things can get tough during an economic downturn. When it’s harder to raise money, often I see leaders projecting their financial difficulties onto their donors or assuming that every donor’s situation is the same. Just because you get feedback from a couple of donors that they are struggling doesn’t mean that every donor is struggling.I have a few pointers to help you build the courage you need to ask during a recession:Remembering the goalWho to askHow to kick fear out of the driver’s seatThe best research toolIt’s likely that your major donors are ready to step up in new ways because they know people are struggling. You just have to ask them.If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

How much do you know about your biggest donors? How much do you know about the circumstances around the biggest gifts you have closed? These are clues to what is working and what you can do more of.What you need to make sure you’re not doing is using relationship building as an excuse not to ask for donations. If someone is a huge fan of your work and is really involved in your mission and has the capacity to give a lot of money, ask them! They don’t need another best friend - they need more opportunities to help your work even more. Change the way they relate to you so they can see you as the executive they knew you could be. Don’t let relationships be the thing that’s stopping you from raising more money.If you are in a season where you need to grow exponentially, check out my new program, Million Dollar VIP and see if it’s right for you: https://julieordonez.com/millionOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production

I recently did a live workshop and I’m thrilled to bring it to you on the podcast! I’m going to give you practical, actionable steps you can do TODAY to get more major donor meetings.There are a few things that hold us back. For some, it’s the skills. You need a better toolkit. For some, it’s the confidence to talk to your donors and ask the big questions. Today we’re going to talk about your mindset and what you believe about yourself, what you believe about your donors, and how those things need to change.Have you believed any of these things?This donor isn’t responding because they just don’t care that much.They’re super busy and this isn’t a priority right now.Why would these people want to meet with me? These people are so important, who am I?I don’t want to intrude or overstep.I don’t know what I’m gonna say in a meeting, so why should I ask for one?You don’t think your donors actually have much more capacityYou need to accomplish more in your mission before you can meet with certain donors.These are assumptions and beliefs that we assign to what’s happening. It’s not necessarily rooted in data unless the donor told you directly.In this episode, I’ll help you to identify your beliefs and what to do with them. I’ll also tell you EXACTLY what you can write in your emails when you’re asking for a meeting or following up with a donor. I’ll cover 3 case study emails and how I would rewrite them and take some Q&A from workshop attendeesOur next cohort will be in September 2023, so get on the waitlist for CourageLab today! https://julieordonez.com/waitlistMusic credit: With the Flow by Fin ProductionsA Podcast Launch Bestie production