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Nonprofit CourageLab: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Julie Ordoñez
Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts coach, fundraiser, and founder of CourageLab, a 6-month major gifts training program for nonprofit founders, EDs, and fundraisers to raise 6-figures in 6 months in just 1-2 hours a week without grants or a gala. Nonprofit CourageLab shares soul-shaking insights on how to become a more courageous leader and raise more money for your nonprofit. No one changed the world without first changing themselves. If you want to raise more money to change the world, you are in the right place.
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- 5 days ago35 min
Your Strategy Is Keeping Your Revenue Too Small
You’re told to raise more you need to do more. I “did more”, raised $1.1M, and I lost sleep, and my hair fell out. I met the goal, but it cost me my health. 8 years later, I raised $2,500,000 and was vibrant and healthy. The difference was a different strategy and skill set.Of course, there was still stress. But there’s a difference between stressed and burnt out.In this episode of the @Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, I share a glimpse into the typical nonprofit revenue model and the real cost vs. raising 2x more with a simplified model.I’m tired of hearing:“The gala nearly killed me” or“We’re doing too much, and it’s not sustainable”Here’s what I cover:Why doing more keeps revenue flat and what to do insteadHow people-pleasing is killing revenue growthYour authentic role as a fundraiser and how to reclaim itRevenue growth models that lead to burnout and complexityHow complexity is the ultimate growth killerMy own story of raising bigger gifts from fewer people without a galaHow selling more stuff, bells and whistles actually repels your best donorsHow your view of yourself impacts your fundraising resultsWhy the most sustainable strategy is offensively simpleWhat to do when your strategy is designed for burnoutIf you feel pressure to do more and execute on every idea that comes across your desk to raise 12% more than last year, this episode is for you.Share it with a friend, colleague, and your team.Fair warning: I get real fired up in this, so if you are a sensitive flower, it may be too much for ya.I’m mad. And when I’m mad, I fight. The fight in me is for you. For your health. For your impact. For your legacy. For your time with loved ones. For the vacation you deserve. For the results.Slide Deck From This Episode: Big Gifts for Operations Workshop Slide DeckWant 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- Aug 11, 202643 min
Unshakeable Fundraiser Energy: Stop Backing Down in Major Donor Meetings
Ever go into a meeting with a major donor with a plan to ask for a gift, and something throws you off?You leave the meeting kicking yourself because you didn’t make the ask. You had a purpose for the meeting, but somehow you got off track, and now you feel like you wasted your time with this major donor.This has happened to me what feels like 10,000 times in my career. And after coaching 651 nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and major gifts fundraisers over the last eight years, I’ve seen the same thing happen again and again.In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes clip from one of my weekly CourageLab coaching calls. We get into the hidden dynamics behind why we back down in major donor meetings, especially with rich, powerful, assertive donors, and what you can actually do about it.What you'll learn in this episodeHow difference and power dynamics can take you off track in a donor meetingHow to relate to rich, powerful people without giving away your own powerWhy you must reclaim your power when a conversation gets uncomfortableThe dynamics you need to understand when it feels hardest to hold your groundWhat really stops you from making the askWhy asking donors for advice can be a dumb ideaWhere confidence actually comes from, and how to strengthen it in tough circumstancesHow to develop a no-pressure fundraising cultureWhy great partnerships are built on honesty, not just transparencyWhy giving donors more information can actually create more confusionIf you’ve ever felt like your best-laid plans are hard to stick to when you’re sitting across from a powerful, rich, assertive donor, this episode is for you. If I were sitting down with you over coffee and sharing the truths I hope would get into your bones, this is that conversation.Every nonprofit founder, CEO and fundraiser needs this conversation. share this with a colleague or friend. DM me the letters CL on LinkedIn if you’d like to learn more about CourageLab and raise more unrestricted major gifts.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- Aug 4, 202630 min
Bold Fundraising: The Method That Raised $91M in Unrestricted Major Gifts
If you're constantly bending over backwards for difficult donors, accepting restricted gifts that create more work than they're worth, or letting wealthy people dictate your strategy, this episode is going to challenge you.This episode breaks down the philosophy behind Bold Fundraising. It isn't about being louder or more aggressive. It's about having the courage to lead your nonprofit with clear standards, clear values, and the confidence to stop chasing money that pulls you away from your mission.Sharing the mindset shifts that have helped organizations raise millions in unrestricted revenue, scale without burnout, and build donor communities based in trust instead of transactions. If you've ever felt like your fundraising strategy depends on keeping everyone happy, this episode offers a completely different way forward.What you'll learn in this episodeWhy self-respect is one of the biggest competitive advantages in fundraisingHow to define the kind of donor community you actually want to buildWhy unrestricted revenue should become your fundraising standardThe difference between trust-based donors and high-maintenance donorsWhy you should stop asking your board, "Who do you know that's rich?"The three relationship shifts every fundraiser needs to make before walking into a major donor meetingHow to stay in the driver's seat when meeting with confident, successful donorsWhy saying "we don't accept restricted gifts" often leads to better conversations, not fewer giftsHow your calendar and budget should reflect the leader you're becoming, not the nonprofit you've outgrownWhy scaling your organization starts with saying no to work that no longer serves your missionThe organizations that grow the fastest aren't saying yes to every opportunity. They're crystal clear about where they're going, who belongs on the journey, and what they're no longer willing to tolerate. That's what Bold Fundraising looks like.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- Jun 16, 20268 min
Major Gifts Are Won (Or Lost) in the Summer
Have a big 6 or 7-figure ask coming up? Book a Big Gift 1:1 Strategy Session today. Let's plan your approach before the meeting, the ask, any written proposal, and the follow-up. I've helped nonprofit CEOs raise $95 million in major gifts in the last 7 years. Click here to book your 1-hour private call now. Stop treating summer like a fundraising break.The nonprofits that have a calm, confident September are not scrambling to reconnect with donors. They spent June, July, and August building relationships.In this final episode of Season 8, I explain why summer stewardship is one of the most overlooked opportunities in major gifts fundraising. While many organizations focus on events, planning, or internal projects, the strongest fundraisers are staying close to their top donors.The truth is simple: the work you do this summer determines how your year ends. If you want bigger gifts, more unrestricted revenue, and stronger donor partnerships, now is the time to invest in relationships.What you'll learn in this episodeWhy summer is one of the most important seasons for major gifts fundraisingHow donor relationships built in June, July, and August impact year-end resultsThe mistake many nonprofits make after a busy spring fundraising seasonWhy consistent communication creates trust and leads to larger giftsHow to stay connected with donors without feeling transactionalWhat true donor partnerships look like beyond writing a checkWhy unrestricted revenue grows when trust growsHow strong stewardship helps donors feel connected to your missionThe difference between taking donors for granted and intentionally investing in relationshipsHow to create a more peaceful, successful end-of-year fundraising seasonAt the end of the day, major gifts are not built in November and December. They're built months earlier through trust, communication, and consistent relationship-building. Summer stewardship isn't extra work. It's the 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- Jun 9, 202613 min
Million Dollar Success Principles Part 2
Most nonprofits are sitting on more donor potential than they realize.In this second part of my live CourageLab coaching session, I walk through some of the fundraising principles that separate organizations stuck at one level from those that break through to the next. If you're raising $1 million and trying to get to $3 million, these are the kinds of mindset shifts and fundraising behaviors that matter.We talk about donor communication, confidence, wealth conversations, and why asking for bigger gifts gives you the best donor data you'll ever get. None of this is complicated. But it does require courage, consistency, and a willingness to stop making assumptions about your donors.The organizations raising transformational gifts are not waiting for perfect conditions. They're staying in touch, telling the truth, having wealth conversations, and asking boldly. That's what this episode is about.What you'll learn in this episode• Why staying in touch with donors is not optional and is actually ethical fundraising• How consistent donor communication builds trust long before a larger gift arrives• Why confidence transfers to donors and apologetic energy does too• How bold leaders naturally attract bold philanthropists• What wealth events are and why they happen every single day regardless of the economy• How conversations about stock gifts, donor advised funds, and assets can unlock gifts far larger than cash donations• Why asking for a major gift reveals more useful information than any wealth screening tool ever will• The questions that help you understand a donor's true giving capacity and timeline• How to stop making assumptions about donor loyalty, priorities, and long-term commitment• Why better donor conversations lead to more accurate fundraising projections and stronger planningThe best way to find out what a donor is capable of is not another report, dashboard, or wealth screen. It's a conversation. Stay in touch, tell the truth, ask boldly, and let donors show you who they are. Most of the certainty you're looking for is sitting on the other side of a bigger ask.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- Jun 2, 202612 min
Million Dollar Success Principles Part 1
Stop trying to earn donor trust with polished updates.In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a training I recently led inside Courage Lab. These are the kinds of conversations we have with nonprofit leaders who are serious about raising more money and leading at a higher level.This is Part 1 of a teaching on Million Dollar Success Principles. Not tactics. Not donor hacks. The deeper truths I’ve learned from raising millions of dollars, learning from incredible mentors, and watching successful nonprofit leaders do this work over and over again.We talk about trust, donor behavior, leadership, vision, and why so many organizations unintentionally create the fundraising problems they complain about. Some of these ideas might sting a little. That's okay. The truth tends to do that.If you want bigger gifts, stronger donor relationships, and more sustainable fundraising, this episode will challenge how you think about donors and your role as a leader.What you'll learn in this episodeWhy honest donor communication builds more trust than polished success storiesHow constantly sharing wins can actually weaken donor confidenceThe real reason donors ask for restricted gifts and more controlWhy trust, not control, is the foundation of major donor relationshipsHow a clear long-term vision helps you raise larger and multi-year giftsWhy donors stop giving when they run out of future with your organizationThe connection between strategic planning and major gift fundraisingHow donor behavior often reflects the leadership they're receivingWhy donors only know what you tell them and give based on what you ask forThe fundraising mistakes leaders make when they assume donors know what they needThe leaders who raise the most money are willing to tell the truth.They trust donors with the real story. They paint a compelling future. And they take responsibility for leading donor behavior instead of blaming it. That's what creates trust, partnership, and transformational giving.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- May 26, 202624 min
Kill Your Gala Before It Kills You
This episode might ruffle some feathers. Good. Because we need to talk honestly about the real cost of galas, especially for small nonprofit teams that are already stretched thin.After hearing yet another executive director say, “the gala nearly killed me,” I wanted to pull this conversation into the light. Not because I’m anti-event in every circumstance, but because too many organizations are sacrificing their people in the name of fundraising. And that should bother all of us.In this episode, I break down why sustainability matters more than profitability, why small teams are drowning trying to manage seven revenue streams at once, and why unrestricted major gifts are often the better path forward. This is about more than fundraising strategy. It’s about leadership, courage, culture, and deciding what kind of organization you actually want to build.If you’ve ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of sponsorships, ticket sales, late nights, burnout, and recovery mode, this conversation is for you.What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy many small-team galas are completely unsustainableThe hidden emotional and operational cost most organizations ignore when evaluating eventsWhy “profitable” does not automatically mean healthy or aligned with your missionHow spreading yourself across too many revenue streams leads to mediocre results everywhereWhy unrestricted major gifts can outperform gala revenue with far less staff strainThe difference between relationship-based fundraising and event-based fundraisingHow donor-hosted house parties can create momentum without crushing your teamWhy courageous conversations with boards are necessary if you want lasting changeThe leadership mindset required to move away from burnout-based fundraisingWhat “kill your gala before it kills you” actually meansAt the end of the day, the way you raise money is part of your mission. If your organization values human dignity, care, and sustainability, your fundraising culture should reflect that too. Burning out your staff to fund the mission is not the flex some organizations think it is.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
- May 19, 202627 min
Profitable Fundraising Swaps I'd Make Every Time
Stop doing fundraising that nearly kills you. Seriously.In this episode, I’m walking through the profitable fundraising swaps I would make every single time after helping clients raise more than $70 million. These are the simpler, more sustainable, higher-return strategies I’d choose over the exhausting nonprofit habits that so many teams normalize.Some of the most common fundraising strategies are draining your team, eating your time, and producing way less ROI than you think.If you’re an ED or fundraiser constantly exhausted by events, campaigns, and “doing all the things,” this episode is your permission slip to stop overcomplicating fundraising. There is an easier way to raise serious money without burning yourself out in the process.What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy house parties build stronger donor relationships than galasThe hidden cost of fundraising events that small teams rarely account forWhy major gifts are a better long-term strategy than chasing grantsHow restricted revenue is actually dangerous to the sustainability of your organizationWhy donors don’t need more control in order to trust youThe problem with relying too heavily on wealth screening toolsHow to build stronger donor relationships without expensive softwareHow to save years of loneliness and painful trial and errorThe fundraising strategy shift that creates more predictable revenueThe free, underused donor connection tool for nonprofitsFundraising should not feel like a constant recovery cycle. If your strategy leaves your team exhausted, overwhelmed, and scrambling every few months, that’s a systems problem, not a work ethic problem.If working harder was the answer, you’d be raising $10M a year by now.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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
About Nonprofit CourageLab
Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts coach, fundraiser, and founder of CourageLab, a 6-month major gifts training program for nonprofit founders, EDs, and fundraisers to raise 6-figures in 6 months in just 1-2 hours a week without grants or a gala. Nonprofit CourageLab shares soul-shaking insights on how to become a more courageous leader and raise more money for your nonprofit. No one changed the world without first changing themselves. If you want to raise more money to change the world, you are in the right place.
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