Castle Roads with E. Paul Bigham

CR #008: Ben Franklin's Best Advice Is Failing Nonprofits Ben Franklin sailed to France chasing revenue, not pinching pennies - so why does his quote justify budget cuts? Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down why nonprofit leaders default to cutting costs when revenue slows - and why the safer-feeling move is often the more dangerous one. You'l...

CR #007: I Raised $1 Billion Without Pressuring a Single Donor A Marine who served 24 years in prison and a widow who just likes giving money away share one fundraising truth. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down the one insight connecting a Marine who served 24 years in prison and a widow who simply loves giving money away - the same insight behind $1...

CR #006: Same Week, Same Advice - Only One Nonprofit Grew One word was the difference between a $32 million facility and a decade of staying small. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down what happened when two nonprofits got the exact same growth plan the same week - and ended up in completely different places. You'll learn the one question that reve...

CR #005: Fundraising Has a Hidden Currency - And It's Not Money Every nonprofit trades in money, relationships, and influence - but one currency matters more than all the others combined. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down why trust is the most valuable currency in fundraising - and how unnecessary friction destroys it before donors ever write a...

CR #004: She Drove 90 Minutes to a Canceled Fundraiser An 80-year-old donor drove 90 minutes to an event that was already canceled. Here's why. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down the hidden donor friction quietly costing nonprofits money. You'll learn why a social media post doesn't fulfill your obligation to donors, where friction hide...

CR #003: The Phone Call That Cost a Nonprofit Its Best Donor A five-figure donor gave twice and nobody called. By the time they picked up the phone, it was too late. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham tells the real story of a donor who gave $10,000, then $5,000, and never heard a word. Paul breaks down the four things every donor wants in return for their gifts,...

CR #002: 26 to 3 - The Ratio Killing Your Fundraising Appeals Count the "we" vs. "you" in your fundraising materials. If donors feel invisible, they walk. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham exposes the silent killer in most nonprofit communications - the ratio of "we/our" statements to "you/your" statements. Using a real mi...

CR #001: When Old Becomes New and New Becomes Old More channels than ever, fewer donors connecting. The paradox smart fundraisers need to solve. Episode Summary In this episode of Castle Roads , host E. Paul Bigham breaks down the paradox hiding in plain sight - why more digital channels are making it harder, not easier, to reach donors. You'll learn why the "Old Guard" and "Ne...