Nonprofit CourageLab

Hey friend ,in this episode I’m breaking down the three biggest pain points I see over and over again when it comes to raising the money you need to fund your mission. Whether you're a nonprofit CEO, ED, or development leader, these are the places where we often get stuck... but we don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s what we’re diving into: Strategy That Actually Fits You It’s not enough to copy what...

I’ve always wanted to host a live call-in show where folks ask their biggest fundraising questions and I just dive right in with real-time advice. Since we’re not quite doing live radio, this episode is the next best thing. In this one, I’m answering three tough, common questions I’ve gotten from past clients and people on my email list. These are the situations that come up all the time - and the...

 In this episode, I’m bringing you a story that perfectly captures why courage is one of the most important skills you can build as a fundraiser — and how it can completely change your results. You’ll hear about my client Laura, a high-performing fundraiser who pushed herself to take a huge risk. First, she asked a donor for a $250,000 gift and heard “no.” But she didn’t let that stop her. Sh...

Hey, friends in this episode, I’m breaking down what it really looks like to operate from an abundance mindset as a fundraiser or nonprofit leader. If you're tired of feeling pressure to chase every donor, scared to hear “no,” or stuck in scarcity, this is for you. I’m sharing real stories and practical signs that show when you’re leading from a place of trust, service, and confidence, not despera...

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Dunn, Executive Director of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF)  I walk you through exactly how I would pitch donors if I was looking to pick up an additional 200k in funding.  What you’ll learn in this episode: Why storytelling and donor connection matter more than fancy tech The biggest pain points in donor stewardship—a...

In this episode, I sit down with Maria from Soft Landing Missoula- an incredible nonprofit helping refugee and immigrant families build new lives in Montana. We talk about how they got started, how they fund their work, and the emotional reality of fundraising in a world that’s constantly shifting. Maria shares what it’s like to lead fundraising efforts at an organization where over half of their...

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Heather Beam, founder of Practical Education Network (PEN), a nonprofit that’s transforming the way science and math are taught in Africa. Heather shares the story of how building a wind turbine with students in Ghana sparked her mission to make hands-on, project-based learning the new normal across the continent. We talk about her big...

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I build quarterly engagement plans for donors- even the ones who haven’t given a dollar yet. Whether you’re working with major donors, connectors, or board members, I’m sharing the strategy behind how I map out touchpoints, meeting goals, and creative ways to bring people closer to the mission. I’m also talking about one of my favorite things: “...

Last week, I hosted a 3-day intensive here in sunny Los Angeles with seven of my amazing clients, and let me tell you—it was powerful. Teaching for three full days was both exhausting and energizing in the best way, and I knew I had to bring a piece of it to the podcast.  In today’s episode, I’m sharing the very first session I taught on Day 1 of the intensive. It’s all about the exact roadma...

Last year, I worked with a client who was outwardly successful- they had just wrapped a major capital campaign and were bringing in over $2 million annually. But behind the scenes, they were working around the clock, checking emails late into the evening, and spending weekends catching up on work. When we started coaching together, their biggest desire wasn’t another big win,it was a different way...

Hey friend — today's episode is one of those real talk moments we all need. If you're a leader or a fundraiser trying to navigate this wild moment in time, I want you to know: you're not imagining things. Things are changing. Funders are pulling back. DEI efforts are being defunded. And the economic and political climate is shaky at best. But here's the truth: in uncertain times, you can still be...

If you’re looking to raise major gifts without working till 10 PM every night, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down exactly how my client raised $10.2 million in unrestricted revenue from individuals in just 12 months without burnout. This episode is especially for you if you already have individual donors (including monthly donors and board members who give personally or through their compa...

In this episode, I’m diving into a question that came up inside my six-month coaching and training program, Courage Lab 2.0. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you totally should—people inside are seeing incredible results, making big moves, and getting a huge return on their investment. During one of our recent community Q&A calls, someone asked a really important question: What do you do whe...

Hey friend! In this episode, I’m walking you through a case study of what I’d do if I were part of Samaritan—a nonprofit that’s tackling homelessness in an innovative way. They’ve built a tech platform that connects unhoused neighbors with social and financial capital to help them move forward. It’s a mission that’s close to my heart, and I see so much opportunity for growth. So, here’s the fun pa...

Hey friend, I had an eye-opening strategy session with a client last week, and I have to share it with you. She came to our call struggling with prioritizing the ask in her fundraising efforts. She was caught up in the day-to-day grind, and when I asked her how many asks she made last month, she had no idea. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: If you’re not tracking your asks, how do you know you’re...

This episode is a little different—it's a snippet from a coaching call where we dive deep into the "Ten Asks in Ten Days" challenge. If you’ve ever struggled with making bold asks, whether in fundraising, business, or life, this one’s for you. I started my business nearly seven years ago because I saw so many smart, relationally savvy leaders who were “stuck”—not because they lacked strategy, but...

Building strong relationships with major donors is essential for nonprofits looking to sustain and grow their impact. Major donors provide significant financial contributions, but more importantly, they become long-term supporters and ambassadors for your cause. In this episode, we’ll cover the key strategies to attract and cultivate these high-value donors.  What You Will Learn: - How to ide...

Hi friend,  In this episode, I’m giving you an inside look at one of our Courage Lab coaching calls. During this session, I shared insights about the relationship between executive directors and development directors and how they can create a culture of feedback to thrive.   Here’s what you’ll hear:   - Why feedback is essential for growth: If your goals include personal a...

Hi friend, welcome back to the podcast. Today, we’re diving into the mindset mistakes that keep our impact, budgets, teams, and dreams too small. If you’re here, I know you’re driven to create bold, transformative change—not just in your world, but across systems and communities. Me too. But sometimes, our mindset trips us up, and we don’t even realize it. Here’s what we unpacked in this episode:&...

Hi, friend!  In this episode of Nonprofit Courage Lab, I dive into what it takes to make serious cultural shifts within your organization. If you’re committed to raising millions in the next few years and creating lasting change, this conversation is for you.   Here’s what I cover:   - Why culture change is non-negotiable: You can’t just hire a fundraiser and expect miracl...

Hey friend!  This episode is a special one—a snippet from my recent workshop, Best December Ever. In it, I walk through The Generosity Code, a set of principles I live by and teach my clients. I attribute 80-90% of our fundraising success to these foundational beliefs. Whether you’re looking to close out the year strong or need a mindset shift any time of year, this episode is packed with tra...

Hey friends,  Welcome to this week’s episode, a special replay of a workshop I hosted on end-of-year fundraising strategies. If you’re in the nonprofit or fundraising world, this is a must-listen! I’m diving into **practical, tactical advice** for how I approach major gift fundraising to crush ambitious year-end goals. Spoiler alert: this is all about keeping it *simple*—because simplicity is...

Hey there, friends! In today’s episode, we’re diving into some big shifts happening in the world of philanthropy and nonprofits—and why it’s more crucial than ever for us to evolve with the times. We’re in a new era. From policy changes on platforms like Facebook that affect nonprofit fundraising to a noticeable decline in DEI and education funding, it’s clear that yesterday’s strategies won’t car...

Welcome to another episode of Nonprofit CourageLab! Today, I'm sharing a sneak peek into a recent Pitch-A-thon where we dive into the art of nonprofit pitching – not in a Shark Tank kind of way, but more like engaging in a powerful and meaningful conversation. Together, we’ll explore strategies to connect authentically with donors, practice impactful pitches, and avoid common missteps. This episod...

Hey friend! Today’s episode is a little different. I’m coming to you unfiltered, and honestly, I'm fed up. In my work with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and development directors across the country, I’m seeing some serious gaps that we need to address. We’ve been talking a lot about mental health and wellness in the nonprofit sector, which is important—but what’s missing from the conversation is...