Story‑Driven Fundraising | Missionary, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups

If you’ve ever poured your heart into a presentation, shared stories from your ministry, and still walked away wondering why no one gave—this one's for you. In today’s episode, I'll share 3 things every fundraiser must make crystal clear before stepping on stage, sending that year-end appeal, or meeting with potential supporters. You’ll learn: How to identify and speak directly to your i...

If you’ve prayed for years for your marriage and nothing seems to change, what do you do? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Uliana Komodi , who shares her raw, faith-filled story of waiting, heartbreak, and perseverance — trusting God for marriage restoration for 8 long years . Uliana opens up about the pain of watching her husband walk away, the moment she told God she was done, and how t...

Does fundraising feel icky, awkward, or like a “necessary evil”? Many women ministry leaders feel stuck—tired of asking, unsure how to talk to supporters, and worried how their ask will come across.  In this episode, we'll reframe fundraising through a biblical lens (2 Corinthians 8) and shows how to invite supporters into God’s work without guilt or pressure. In this episode, you’ll learn: H...

Your fundraising videos look great—but they’re not bringing in the donor support you hoped for. Sound familiar? The truth is, even the most powerful film can only do so much if your message isn’t clear. In today’s episode, I’ll share three key steps to clarify your ministry fundraising message so that your videos (and every other piece of communication) connect with donors in the most effective wa...

You’ve shared your ministry vision, made the ask, and then... crickets.  It’s frustrating, discouraging, and it leaves you wondering what went wrong. In this episode, we’ll unpack the #1 thing every donor ask needs that will help move people from silence to a clear understanding, and drive them to action. You’ll learn: Why many ministry leaders unintentionally leave this piece out of their ask How...

Are you quietly unhappy in ministry, feeling burned out, or wondering how long you can keep going? You’re not alone. In this conversation with Jourdan Lunsford , we talk about the hidden pain many women ministry leaders carry—and the steps toward healing, joy, and sustainable ministry. Jourdan shares her journey of laying down identity tied to ministry roles, processing unresolved pain, and discov...

Have you ever shared about your ministry and gotten that polite smile… but deep down you knew they didn’t really get it? Maybe their eyes glazed over, or they nodded along, but you could tell your words weren’t landing. It’s frustrating, right? You know your ministry matters. You’ve seen God move. But somehow donors aren’t connecting. In this episode, I’m breaking down three sneaky things that mig...

Are you pouring countless hours into websites, social media, and updates—yet still not seeing donor engagement or ministry growth? You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders feel spread thin, juggling every role and wondering if their efforts are really making a difference. In this episode I share a clear starting point for leaders who feel frustrated, overlooked, or ready to give up on communi...

You know stories are impactful, but you don't really know how to tell a story well. Or maybe you’re given just a few minutes to share an update and felt unsure how to tell a story that's short but engaging and effective. In this episode, I share another simple story framework —a tool you can use to tell ministry stories with confidence, even when time is short. Storytelling doesn’t have...

Margo and Joe Carl were told their daughter had a very low chance of survival, after being born at 24 weeks. What followed was nearly 30 years of a deep, ongoing battle—walking through hardship, uncertainty, and countless moments of perseverance as parents. But in the middle of that long season, God was there. He brought goodness out of the struggle in ways only He can. Their journey is one of hol...

Do you ever feel stuck when it comes to donor communication ? You sit down to write an update or share about your ministry, and suddenly the words just don’t come. Or maybe you do get the words out, but they feel flat… and you walk away wondering if donors will ever really get it. You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders wrestle with the same thing—and underneath it all is something deeper: i...

If you’ve ever sat down to write your ministry update and thought, “What do I even say?” or “This feels like a chore” —this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a practical, step-by-step framework for writing email ministry updates that your donors will actually want to read. We’ll cover: Why regular communication keeps donors connected and giving The 5 steps to writing...

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a treasure box full of ministry stories—organized, searchable, and ready to share whenever you need them? In this episode of The Story-Driven Ministry , I’ll walk you through 3 simple but powerful steps to help you collect, document, and follow up on impact stories from your ministry. Whether you have five stories or five hundred, this system will save you time, redu...

What do you do when obedience to God leads you into a season of deep loss, unanswered prayers, and silence from heaven? In this raw and vulnerable conversation, missionaries Ben & Jessi Bock share their journey through grief, spiritual burnout, and the haunting feeling that God had abandoned them. From the loss of both their mothers to raising young children in a spiritually dark environment o...

Does fundraising feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even a little icky? Do you find yourself dreading the “ask” and wishing you could just focus on the ministry work God has called you to? In this episode, Lisa unpacks a powerful mindset shift that can free you from the pressure of fundraising and reframe how you see your donors. What if fundraising wasn’t about asking for money… but offering your do...

Is your donor messaging accidentally turning supporters into outsiders? In this episode, I unpack the exact storytelling framework I use with ministries to help them clarify their message, engage their ideal donor, and grow support. You’ll discover how to position your donor as the hero of the story and why your ministry’s role is not to take center stage, but to guide the transformation. Bring a...

Are your donors tuning you out? You’re doing your best to share your ministry’s heart and mission—but people just nod politely and move on. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why your message may not be connecting and exactly how to cut through the noise with clarity and purpose. We’ll use a simple framework to: Identify your ideal donor Learn how to “call them by name” with your messaging Use...

If your audience or donors don’t seem as passionate about your mission as you are-this episode is for you. In this kickoff to The Story-Driven Ministry , I share why ministries often struggle with donor engagement (even when the mission is strong), a behind-the-scenes look at a film that helped sponsor hundreds of children, and how storytelling—done right—can deepen support and grow your impact. Y...

Are your donors pulling back- or not responding at all? In this episode, we unpack the real reasons donor support may be stalling. It’s not just the economy or donor fatigue. You’ll learn: Common excuses ministry leaders may believe about low giving Why messaging is often the disconnect A story-driven approach that invites donors in How clarity beats cleverness in donor engagement Walk away with p...

She poured out everything she had- and still felt like she was failing. In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with my grandma, Jackie Prevost, to share a story from one of the lowest seasons of her life as a mom of seven. Several of her kids were making destructive choices, and she felt powerless, hopeless, and heartbroken. This conversation is for every ministry leader, parent, or fai...

You’re a ministry leader who longs to share what God is doing with clarity and impact. Yet too often your message feels scattered, and raising support feels heavy. Welcome to The Story-Driven Ministry Podcast —a space to help you tell stories that glorify God, nurture donors, and strengthen the mission He’s called you to. I’m Lisa Diaz. For 15 years I’ve partnered with ministries to craft stories...