Episode Details

You don’t need more time. You need a better strategy.

In this Ask Julie episode, I answer a question from a CEO who just lost their head of fundraising and now has to grow individual giving from $400K to $1M… solo. No time. No team. No margin for wasted effort.

So we cut the fluff. I walk through exactly what I would do in that situation. What to stop doing immediately. Where to focus instead. And how to grow revenue using the fastest, most sustainable path available to you right now.

This is about simplifying your strategy, doubling down on relationships, and actually using your board instead of hoping they magically start fundraising.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why your first move should be deciding what to stop doing, not what to add
• How to choose a fundraising strategy based on your time, energy, and actual strengths
• Why major donor relationships are the fastest path from $400K to $1M
• How to identify and unlock the money you’re already leaving on the table
• What effective donor retention actually looks like when you don’t have time for complexity
• How to use your natural communication strengths for stewardship
• Why newsletters are often a waste and what to do instead
• How to upgrade current donors without overcomplicating your approach
• Why your board isn’t helping you fundraise and how to fix it
• The simple messaging your board actually needs to bring you new donors

You don’t need more tactics. You need focus. The simplest path is almost always the most effective one, especially when you’re short on time. Prioritize relationships, upgrade the donors you already have, and activate your board with clear, simple messaging.

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.