Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach

Have you ever looked through your donor database and wondered what happened to some of your best supporters? They gave generously, attended your events, and seemed deeply connected to your mission. Then...they went quiet. The good news is that silence doesn't necessarily mean they've lost interest. More often than not, they've simply fallen out of regular communication with your organization. In t...

Most nonprofit leaders spend months—sometimes years—working to secure a major gift. But what happens after the donor says "yes"? Too often, organizations celebrate, send a thank-you letter, and move on to raising the next gift. That's a missed opportunity. In this episode of *Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach*, I'm talking about one of the biggest mistakes executive directors make after receiving...

Are you unintentionally making your mission sound smaller than it really is? Many nonprofit leaders are passionate about their work, but when it comes to talking about their organization, they often focus on limitations instead of possibilities. They downplay the vision, minimize the impact, and hesitate to communicate the full potential of what their mission could achieve. In this episode of *Hud...

Starting a nonprofit is an exciting journey, but many founders quickly discover that passion alone isn't enough to sustain an organization. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark shares some of the most common fundraising and startup mistakes nonprofit leaders make—and how to avoid them. From researching whether your community truly needs another nonprofit to understanding tha...

What if one of the biggest limitations on your organization's fundraising success is the belief that major gifts are only for campaigns? Too many nonprofits wait until they're launching a capital campaign or special initiative before they begin engaging major donors. The problem is that meaningful donor relationships can't be rushed when a funding need arises. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mar...

What happens when the executive director and the board stop operating separately—and start partnering together around fundraising? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach , we explore how healthy fundraising cultures are built through strong relationships, shared ownership, and intentional collaboration between nonprofit leaders and their boards. Too often, fundraising becomes the bu...

One of the biggest reasons nonprofit leaders struggle to secure transformational gifts has nothing to do with donor wealth — it has everything to do with the confidence behind the ask. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach , Mark dives into why leaders often ask too small, how fear and scarcity thinking quietly limit fundraising success, and why your ask communicates how much you t...

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I break down how to run a fundraising event that does more than sell tickets—it creates real major gift opportunities. We talk about securing sponsorships to cover event costs, setting a clear net fundraising goal, and most importantly, building meaningful connections with attendees that lead to transformational follow-up conversations. If you...

Are you tired of feeling like your nonprofit’s survival is tied to a "Hunger Games" style lottery? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I dive deep into the hidden dangers of grant dependency and the burnout that comes from chasing every "restricted" dollar. We’re breaking down why Competition Fatigue is a choice and how you can reclaim your organization’s sovereignty. Learn how...

Are you communicating with your donors—or actually connecting with them? In a world where email, text, and social media make it easier than ever to reach people, many nonprofit leaders are unintentionally substituting messages for meaningful conversations. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore why real, interpersonal connection—through phone calls, in-person meetings, o...

Have you ever wondered why a donor who once gave consistently suddenly disappears? It’s a frustrating and often confusing experience for nonprofit leaders. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we unpack the real reasons donors stop giving—and it’s not always what you think. More often than not, it comes down to the relationship, not the dollars. I’ll walk you through the most com...

Why do so many nonprofit leaders hesitate when it’s time to ask for a meaningful gift—even when they believe deeply in their mission? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore something most fundraising advice ignores: your personal relationship with money. The beliefs, experiences, and messages you’ve carried over time may be quietly shaping how you show up in donor conver...

If you’re leading a nonprofit, you likely feel the tension between a big, meaningful mission and the reality of inconsistent or limited funding. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore why impactful work doesn’t automatically attract major gifts, the hidden assumptions that keep nonprofit leaders stuck, and why traditional fundraising approaches often feel uncomfortable o...

Many nonprofit leaders say the same thing when fundraising comes up: “I’m not a fundraiser.” And honestly, it makes sense. Most executive directors were hired because they believe deeply in the mission—not because they were trained to raise major gifts. But that belief can quietly hold you back from the very conversations that could transform your organization. In this episode of Huddle Up with Ma...

What do you say when the conversation with a major donor turns toward a gift? For many nonprofit leaders—especially those without formal fundraising training—that moment can feel intimidating and awkward. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark shares practical, natural language you can use in real donor conversations. You’ll learn how to open the discussion, transition toward...

Is there a wealthy donor you’ve been meaning to reach out to… but haven’t? If so, you’re not alone — and you’re not lazy. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we unpack the real reason so many nonprofit leaders procrastinate when it comes to high-capacity donors. It’s rarely about strategy. More often, it’s fear — fear of rejection, fear of feeling small, fear of getting it wrong...

Your board says, “We need you to raise $1 million in major gifts.” Now what? If you’re an executive director of a small to midsized nonprofit with no in-house fundraising support, that kind of goal can feel overwhelming fast. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we break down exactly where to begin. You’ll learn how to shrink the big number into practical next steps, identify the...

What would it take for your nonprofit to receive a six-figure gift—and are you truly ready to ask for one? In this week’s episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we talk about the leap every nonprofit leader must make to move from smaller fundraising efforts into major, transformational giving. Securing six-figure gifts isn’t just about finding the right donor—it requires a shift in mindset...

What would it take for your nonprofit to receive a six-figure gift—and are you truly ready to ask for one? In this week’s episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we talk about the leap every nonprofit leader must make to move from smaller fundraising efforts into major, transformational giving. Securing six-figure gifts isn’t just about finding the right donor—it requires a shift in mindset...

Many nonprofit leaders quietly carry the same tension: “I’m not a fundraiser… so why does my job seem to depend on it?” In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we unpack why fundraising feels so uncomfortable for capable, mission-driven leaders—and why the problem isn’t a lack of skill, confidence, or commitment. You’ll hear a reframing that helps you see fundraising not as sales or...

If your board feels hesitant—or invisible—when it comes to fundraising, the problem may not be motivation… it may be altitude. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I’m breaking down why boards stuck in the weeds of day-to-day operations are far less effective in fundraising—and how elevating them to 30,000 feet unlocks their most powerful role: opening doors to people with capaci...

As we come to the close of another year, I wanted to create space for something nonprofit leaders rarely give themselves time to do—pause. In this special year-end episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we talk about why it’s so important to take stock of where you’ve been before charging into what’s next. We celebrate the wins worth rejoicing over, reflect honestly on the mistakes that sh...

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore what’s happening beneath the surface when nonprofit leaders freeze around major asks. Often, the fear isn’t about the donor or the size of the gift—it’s about our personal relationship with money, the memories we carry, and the beliefs we learned long before we ever became leaders. This conversation will help you understand where th...