Nonprofit CourageLab

Have a big 6 or 7-figure ask coming up? Book a Big Gift 1:1 Strategy Session today. Let's plan your approach before the meeting, the ask, any written proposal, and the follow-up. I've helped nonprofit CEOs raise $95 million in major gifts in the last 7 years. Click here to book your 1-hour private call now.

Stop treating summer like a fundraising break.

The nonprofits that have a calm, confident September are not scrambling to reconnect with donors. They spent June, July, and August building relationships.

In this final episode of Season 8, I explain why summer stewardship...

Most nonprofits are sitting on more donor potential than they realize.

In this second part of my live CourageLab coaching session, I walk through some of the fundraising principles that separate organizations stuck at one level from those that break through to the next. If you're raising $1 million and trying to get to $3 million, these are the kinds of mindset shifts and fundraising behaviors that matter.

We talk about donor communication, confidence, wealth conversations, and why asking for bigger gifts gives you the best donor data you'll ever get. None of this is complicated. But...

Stop trying to earn donor trust with polished updates.

In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a training I recently led inside Courage Lab. These are the kinds of conversations we have with nonprofit leaders who are serious about raising more money and leading at a higher level.

This is Part 1 of a teaching on Million Dollar Success Principles. Not tactics. Not donor hacks. The deeper truths I’ve learned from raising millions of dollars, learning from incredible mentors, and watching successful nonprofit leaders do this work over and over again.

This episode might ruffle some feathers. Good. Because we need to talk honestly about the real cost of galas, especially for small nonprofit teams that are already stretched thin.

After hearing yet another executive director say, “the gala nearly killed me,” I wanted to pull this conversation into the light. Not because I’m anti-event in every circumstance, but because too many organizations are sacrificing their people in the name of fundraising. And that should bother all of us.

In this episode, I break down why sustainability matters more than profitability, why small teams are drowni...

Stop doing fundraising that nearly kills you. Seriously.

In this episode, I’m walking through the profitable fundraising swaps I would make every single time after helping clients raise more than $70 million. These are the simpler, more sustainable, higher-return strategies I’d choose over the exhausting nonprofit habits that so many teams normalize.

Some of the most common fundraising strategies are draining your team, eating your time, and producing way less ROI than you think.

If you’re an ED or fundraiser constantly exhausted by events, campaigns, and “doing all the things,” this episode is...

A donor asked one of my clients, “How much do I have to give for you to stop asking?” Oof. That question hit me right in the chest. And honestly, I think a lot of fundraisers have either been asked something like this or secretly fear hearing it.

In this episode, I break down exactly how I would respond and why I believe obligation has no place in major gifts fundraising. None. I’m not interested in convincing, pressuring, manipulating, or cornering someone into giving. That’s not partnership. That’s coercion with a tax receipt.

We talk...

There are a handful of patterns I see over and over again when organizations get stuck around $300K in individual giving.

Not because they don’t care. Not because their mission isn’t strong. But because of how they’re operating day to day.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest mistakes that quietly cap your growth. The ones that feel normal. Even smart. But are actually keeping you from getting to $1M in major gifts.

From overthinking and waiting for the perfect moment, to chasing random strategies and writing emails no one r...

If your board keeps saying they’ll help fundraise but nothing actually happens, this is for you.

This is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from EDs and development leaders. You ask. You remind. You bring it up in meetings. And still… no real results.

In this episode, I break down the three mistakes that are keeping your board stuck and what to do instead. Because your board can be one of your strongest pipelines for new donors, but only if you lead them, equip them, and stop assuming they know what they’re doing...

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 a...

Moves management is slowing you down. And it’s costing you real money.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why the traditional donor life cycle is outdated at best and harmful at worst. We’ve been taught to move donors through a neat, predictable pipeline. Discovery, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship. Sounds clean. Doesn’t work in real life.

Because donors don’t move on your timeline. And they definitely don’t need to be “managed.”

I walk you through what actually works instead. How to recognize when someone is ready right now. How to stop putting...

You’re not stuck. You’re just playing it way too cool.

If you’ve been feeling discouraged, checked out, or like fundraising just isn’t working right now, this is your wake-up call. Because the problem isn’t your donors. It’s not the economy. It’s not timing.

You’ve lost your edge.

In this episode, I’m walking you through what it actually takes to shake yourself out of that half-hearted energy and start raising serious money again. And spoiler: it’s not another strategy. It’s audacity.

I’m breaking down exac...

If you’ve hit a million in revenue and suddenly everything feels harder, you’re not doing it wrong. You’ve just hit the plateau almost no one talks about.

This episode breaks down why growth slows down right when you’re trying to scale. Not because your mission isn’t strong. Not because you need more tactics. But because the way you lead, communicate, and ask has to change.

I walk through the exact patterns I see with executive directors and small teams stuck at this level. The good news is none of this requires m...

In this episode, I’m sharing something I’ve never broken down this clearly before: the core qualities and inner leadership skills I see in fundraisers who consistently close major gifts with more ease, confidence, and integrity. These ideas come directly from my own experience, from the work I do inside Courage Lab, and from watching fundraisers transform their results simply by shifting how they show up—not by adding more tasks to their plate.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why separating your self-worth from donor responses makes fundraising lighter and far more effective<...

In today’s episode, I’m bringing you a really special conversation with someone I adore — my friend and Courage Lab grad, Sheena Grosshans If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love highlighting fundraisers who are doing courageous, meaningful work, and Sheena is truly one of the best examples of what’s possible when you combine heart, boldness, and a willingness to grow.

Sheena raised $250,000 in just six months while working only 1–2 hours a week inside Courage Lab. Yep — you read that right. And what makes her story even more powerful is that she’s doi...

This episode originally aired on the We Are For Good Podcast in their Working Sessions series. I’m sharing it here on my own channel so you can dive into practical strategies for closing major gifts this season.

It’s giving season, and if you want to close major gifts in the next few weeks, this episode is for you. I walk you through exactly who to ask, how to ask, and how to approach these conversations with courage and confidence. No fluff—just actionable steps to help you move forward with clarity and impact.

Here’s...

In this episode, I’m bringing you a powerful conversation with someone I’ve had the absolute privilege of working with over the last year and a half: Katherine Powers, Executive Director at Pacific Opera Project (POP). Katherine’s story is one of real transformation — as a leader, as a fundraiser, and as a steward of a growing arts organization that’s doing incredible, joyful, boundary-pushing work in Los Angeles.

When Katherine stepped into the ED role, she had no fundraising experience and very little time to figure it out. But what she did have was determination, curiosity...

 In this episode, I’m digging into the real shifts that happen when leaders stop performing, stop softening themselves, and start showing up with clarity, honesty, and real authority — especially in major gifts work. Regina, an Executive Director in Courage Lab, shares her experience of shedding the “always upbeat, always polished” persona and stepping fully into her CEO energy. She talks about what changed when she stopped trying to be overly cheerful for donors who didn’t need or value that, how being direct actually accelerated trust, and what she’s learning as she leads a new development director through this...

Hey friend — this episode is a bit of a rant, because honestly, I just can’t take it anymore. There is some really bad fundraising advice floating around the nonprofit world, and one piece in particular absolutely drives me up the wall. You may have heard it before — “If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money.”

The idea behind it is that you should ask donors for their input first as a “relationship building tactic,” and then eventually you’ll be able to ask for money. But here’s what actually ends up happening...

Hey friend! I’m recording from my new apartment in Chicago, and I’m so excited to bring you Part 3 of my series on end-of-year giving strategies. This episode is a pep talk about the single most important thing I want you to focus on for a successful end of year: asking for more.

I know it sounds simple, but asking for more is the strategy that makes the biggest difference in raising money. I’m talking about asking current donors, loyal supporters, and even monthly donors for more — without overthinking it, without worrying about what’s “too much,” a...

Hey friend, I’m coming to you from Chicago (yes, I just moved here a few days ago!) and I’m not missing a beat. Rain or shine, I’m showing up to help you crush your end-of-year fundraising goals.

This episode is part two of our mini-series on end-of-year giving. If you haven’t already listened to the workshop replay in the previous episode, go back and queue that up - it’s full of strategy, tactics, and my full roadmap for hitting your year-end goals.

Today, I’m sharing three specific practices that keep me focu...

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 the vibe here.  

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:  

1. Mapping Your Fundraising Roadmap

  We kick things off by setting goals and creating a clear strategy to get there. I break...

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gala is really worth all the time, money, and energy it takes to pull off, this episode is for you. I’ve been in the trenches planning big-name events with celebrity co-chairs and keynote speakers, and I’ve also seen nonprofits raise six- and seven-figure gifts in just a few conversations. When you compare the cost, the time, and the results—it’s not even close.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the true ROI of galas versus focusing on major gifts, why galas are almost always more exhausting than they ar...

 Hi friends! I’m so excited to share this episode with you because it’s a conversation with one of my Courage Lab grads, Cara Augspurger. Cara is the Executive Director of the Grace Care Center Foundation just north of Indianapolis, and she’s an all-star leader who has experienced incredible growth over the last six months.

When Cara and I started working together, she was confident in operations and communications but hesitant around major gifts and board engagement. Fast forward just half a year, and her board has hosted an event that raised $273,000 in one night - with...

Season seven of Nonprofit Courage Lab kicks off with a truth-telling pep talk. End-of-year fundraising doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights, burnout, or tolerating underperforming teams and boards. You’re capable of raising millions—unrestricted—and doing it in a way that feels fun and sustainable.

In this episode, I’m calling out the silent habits that hold fundraisers back: saying yes when you need to say no, underestimating yourself and your donors, making excuses for your team, and tolerating mediocrity that poisons your culture. I’ll share what separates the organizations that thrive from those that fall be...

We’ve made it to the final episode of Season 6! Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many episodes we’ve done together, but I do know this: I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for committing to your own journey of becoming a more courageous fundraiser, leader, and human.

In this episode, I’m talking all about how to build confidence — and not in the fluffy, "say affirmations in the mirror" kind of way (though hey, nothing wrong with that!). I'm diving into the real, practical ways I’ve built confi...

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 worked for another organization. I walk through how to develop a fundraising strategy that’s aligned with...

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 they’re not easy. But I’m walking you through how I’d handle them, step by step.

Here’s what we cover in...

 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. She kept strengthening her “ask” muscle and later made a $1.5 million ask — which led to an incredible $810,000 gift that helped her team close out their fiscal year strong.

And h...

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 desperation.

Let’s talk about donor referrals, releasing misaligned people, and making bold asks with zero attachment. Abundance isn't just a nice idea — it's a powerful shift in how y...

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:

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 revenue comes from individual donors and what she’s hearing from those donors right now. Spoiler alert: It’s not always about money. Sometimes donors just need to process what’s h...

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 vision, the current impact of PEN, and the realities of fundraising for such an ambitious goal. If you're passionate about education, innovation, or nonprofit leadership, this conversation will inspire you.

What We...

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: “big swings”. That’s the list of dream donors I revisit regularly with playful, intentional outreach. You’ll hear a couple of my favorite stories about how I got the atte...

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 roadmap I’ve followed to raise $2.5 million—multiple times. This isn’t theory. This is what I actually do: how I think, ho...

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 to work.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to raise more by doing less, why growth often comes through subtraction, and how our internal beliefs about worthiness ca...

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 unstoppable.

In this episode, I'm sharing what it takes to lead boldly, raise major gifts, and build crisis-proof relationships — no matter what’s happening around...

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 companies). Major gifts are a priority for your nonprofit’s revenue strategy.  You have at least one person helping with fundraising, even if they’re just getting started. You want to become a stronger leader, a...

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 when a donor who previously committed to giving a certain amount suddenly decides to give less? Maybe they cite political or economic uncertainty, or their priorities are shifting—either way, it...

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 part: If I were in their shoes, how would I raise $5 million in six months? Let’s break it down.

What We Cove...

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 not making enough? 

In this episode, I break down why tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is critical for fun...