Story‑Driven Fundraising | Missionary, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups
Do you wish fundraising was easier? Do you wish you didn’t have to worry so much about the money? Feeling the awkwardness, the icky-shame feeling of asking for money? Putting so much effort in but still getting “nos” or worse… ghosting?I’m excited you’re here!! This is the place for you to learn how to fundraise easier, get rid of the shame and awkwardness of asking for money, and finally start growing supporters for your ministry that stay for the long haul!Hi, I’m Lisa. I love Jesus, have been in ministry since I was born (missionary kid...
113 | LIVE COACHING: Clarifying a Vague Fundraising Message
**Ready to fundraise without feeling awkward, embarrassed, or salesy? Join me for my FREE live Fundraise with Confidence workshop. Save your seat at irisstorytelling.com/fundraising
In this live coaching session with missionary Eleanore, we uncover the deeper problem behind her ministry: single mothers caught in a revolving cycle of housing instability, financial struggles, trauma, and crisis. You’ll hear how we turn the vague phrase “families in crisis” into a specific problem donors can picture and emotionally connect with.
You’ll also learn why strong f...
112 | When Missionary Fundraising Feels Selfish: How to Reframe the Ask
**Ready to fundraise without feeling awkward, embarrassed, or salesy? Join me for my FREE live Fundraise with Confidence workshop. Save your seat at irisstorytelling.com/fundraising
Asking someone to give to a ministry project can feel easy. Asking them to help pay for your housing, food, transportation, and everyday life? Suddenly fundraising can feel incredibly personal—and even selfish.
In this episode, we’re digging into why raising personal support creates so much tension for missionaries and how changing the way you understand a do...
111 | How Do You Share an Impact Story in Your Ministry Fundraising Message?
You have a powerful impact story—but you don't know exactly how to use it in your overall message. Should you open with the story? Save it until the end? Put it somewhere in the middle? And how does the story connect to your ministry’s bigger vision without feeling randomly dropped into the message?
In this episode, I’m breaking down two ways I recommend using an impact story in a fundraising presentation, ministry newsletter, gala message, or church presentation.
👉 Work with me one-on-one to clarify your fund...
110 | LIVE COACHING: What to Say in a Donor Meeting to Make Your Fundraising Message Clear
You finally get a meeting with a potential donor…and then realize you have no idea what you’re actually supposed to say.
In this live coaching episode, I’m helping Cindy prepare for a meeting with a potential business donor. She knows her ministry inside and out—but as she admits, “I could talk all day. But I’m not talking about the right things.”
We work through how to structure the conversation, identify the real problem her ministry solves, keep the message focused on the donor, and make a clear a...
109 | 3 Ministry Messaging Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Fundraising
You’ve worked hard on your ministry message. You’ve thought through the words on your website, practiced explaining what you do, and tried to communicate professionally. So why does it still feel like donors aren’t connecting?
Your message may be making one of three incredibly common mistakes I see in ministry fundraising. In this episode, we’re looking at vague language, overly formal communication, and messaging that makes your ministry sound like everyone else. I’ll show you how to spot these problems and start making your message clearer, easier to remember, and more s...
108 | Haven’t Fundraised in Months? 3 Steps to Restart Your Ministry Fundraising Without the Panic
Has it been months since you’ve really fundraised? Ministry got busy, donor communication slipped, and now your support account is getting lower than you’d like. Suddenly, fundraising feels urgent—and you’re wondering where to even begin.
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple way to restart your ministry fundraising without trying to make up for months of silence all at once. We’ll talk about the foundation you need before you start asking, how to create a realistic fundraising rhythm, and what will help you build stronger donor relationships over time.
...
107 | Storytelling for Ministry Fundraising: 2 Ways to Use Story
You’ve heard that storytelling is powerful for fundraising—but storytelling is so much more than finding a good ministry story and retelling what happened.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the 2 main ways to use storytelling in your ministry fundraising. If your ministry communication tends to feel scattered, or you’ve tried sharing stories without seeing much change in your fundraising, this episode will help you understand what may be missing.
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105 | Storytelling for Fundraising: The Simple St...
106 | Want Business Sponsors? How to Find the RIGHT Partners for your Ministry
Businesses can give bigger donations, so it’s tempting to look for the company with the deepest pockets and think, If we could just get them on board, we’d finally hit our fundraising goal.
But chasing the biggest check can waste a huge amount of time—and sometimes bring the wrong partner into your ministry.
In this episode, we’re talking about how fundraising with business sponsors is different from talking with individual donors and how to communicate with businesses more effectively. You’ll learn why identifying your ideal busi...
105 | Storytelling for Fundraising: The Simple Structure That Makes Your Ministry Message Clear
Your ministry has powerful stories—but knowing how to actually use storytelling in fundraising is a completely different challenge.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the storytelling structure I use to help ministry leaders build a clear fundraising message. We’ll talk about why you need to know exactly who you’re talking to, why conflict should come before explaining what your ministry does, and how to build the rest of your message so donors can see the role they have to play.
Because good storytelling isn’t an...
104 | Comparing Your Ministry to Others? 3 Ways It’s Hurting Your Fundraising
🎉 LAST DAY TO WIN A FREE COACHING SESSION!
I’m giving away a FREE 1-hour Fundraising Message Coaching Session to three winners. We’ll look at your fundraising message together, identify areas that may be holding you back, and help you gain clarity on how to communicate more effectively with donors.
Enter before the giveaway closes tonight: irisstorytelling.com/100
You see another missionary or ministry leader raising support faster than you, and suddenly you’re wondering: What are they doing that I’m not?
<...
103 | Fundraising Is Stealing Time from Your Ministry—3 Shifts That Change Everything
**I’m celebrating the 100th episode of the podcast by giving away three FREE Fundraising Message Coaching Sessions! If you’ve been wanting personalized feedback on your fundraising message, this is your chance.
🎉 Enter the giveaway: https://www.irisstorytelling.com/100
Fundraising feels like it’s stealing time from your ministry—but what if that mindset is actually holding your ministry back?
If you’ve ever sat down to write a newsletter and thought, “I became a missionary to serve people, not spe...
102 | Getting Too Many Fundraising “No’s”? 3 Steps to Handle Rejection Without Losing Confidence
🎉 Episode 100 Giveaway Ends August 10! I’m giving away 3 free Fundraising Message Coaching Sessions to ministry leaders, missionaries, and nonprofit founders. If you want help clarifying your fundraising message, newsletter, donor presentation, or support ask, enter now at irisstorytelling.com/100.
Every “no” in fundraising leaves a mark.
At first, it’s easy to brush off. Then another person says “maybe later.” Someone else ghosts you. Before long, those responses start changing how you show up. You hesitate to ask. You lose confidence. You begin expecting rejec...
101 | Fundraising Is Exhausting; Here Are 3 Ministry Rhythms To Build Ministry Support
🎉 100th Episode Giveaway! I’m celebrating 100 episodes by giving away 3 free Fundraising Message Coaching sessions (a $77 value each)! If you’re struggling to explain your ministry clearly, feeling awkward asking for support, or wondering what’s slowing your fundraising, enter by August 10 at irisstorytelling.com/100.
Does your fundraising swing between complete silence and full panic mode?
Maybe ministry gets busy, so fundraising gets pushed aside. Then one day you look at your support account and realize it’s time to scramble. If that cyc...
100 | Is Your Fundraising Ask Weak? This Mistake Keeps People From Supporting Your Ministry
**🎉 100 EPISODE GIVEAWAY** Enter to win one of 3 free Fundraising Message Coaching sessions at irisstorytelling.com/100 (entries close Aug 10th).
What if the most polite phrase in ministry fundraising is actually keeping people from giving?
“If you feel led.” “Anything helps.” “Give whatever God puts on your heart.”
Those phrases sound humble, but they often create uncertainty instead of confidence. In this episode, we’re talking about why vague fundraising asks leave potential donors stuck, what donor psychology says about clear requests, and how...
99 | Stop Losing Ministry Donors: The Fundraising Follow-Up Strategy That Wins More Yeses
You thought they were excited about your ministry. They asked great questions. The conversation went well. Then… nothing.
Many ministry leaders assume silence means someone isn’t interested. That assumption quietly costs ministries supporters every year.
In this episode, I’ll show you why following up isn’t pushy, why most people simply get distracted, and the simple follow-up system I use to confidently reconnect with potential donors—without feeling awkward or salesy.
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94 | Missionary Fundraisin...
98 | Inconsistent Ministry Communication? 3 Fundraising Shifts That Create Loyal Donors
You get motivated to communicate consistently, send a few updates, and show up online—then ministry gets busy and months pass. When fundraising season comes around, you suddenly start communicating again.
That cycle can quietly weaken donor relationships. In this episode, you’ll learn how to choose the right communication channel, create a rhythm you can sustain, and invite supporters into the full ministry journey so they become loyal, long-term partners.
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94 | Missionary Fundraising: Why People Ignore Your Emails (and What...
97 | Fundraising Storytelling: How to Find Ministry Stories Every Week
You keep hearing that storytelling is the key to better fundraising… but what if you honestly feel like nothing interesting ever happens in your ministry? It’s easy to assume great stories are only for large nonprofits with dramatic testimonies.
In this episode, I’ll show you why you don’t have a storytelling problem—you have a story-finding problem. You’ll learn a simple framework to uncover meaningful stories happening every week so your supporters can see the impact they’re helping create.
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...
96 | The Fundraising Mistake Making Your Ministry Forgettable
Ever visited a ministry website and felt like you’ve read the same mission statement a dozen times? “Sharing the Gospel.” “Making disciples.” “Loving people.” Every one of those is important—but none of them makes a ministry memorable.
In this episode, you’ll learn why your ministry may be far more unique than the way you describe it. I’ll show you three simple shifts that help supporters remember your ministry, connect emotionally with your mission, and understand why your work matters.
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88 | F...
95 | Struggling to Fundraise? 3 Reasons Someone Doesn’t Become a Donor
They loved hearing about your ministry. They asked thoughtful questions. They even said they’d pray about supporting you. So why do so many of those conversations end without a donation?
In this episode, you’ll discover the 3 biggest reasons people stay interested without ever becoming invested. You’ll learn how to communicate the problem your ministry solves, invite supporters into the story, and make the next step so clear that saying “yes” becomes much easier.
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88 | Fundraising Is Slow? 5 Amazing Ou...
94 | Missionary Fundraising: Why People Ignore Your Emails (and What Gets Their Attention)
You spend hours writing your ministry newsletter… then hit send and wonder if anyone even opened it. No replies. No engagement. Just silence. If that’s happened to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean your supporters don’t care. It may mean your newsletter isn’t giving them a reason to care.
In this episode, you’ll learn three simple shifts that make your fundraising newsletters far more engaging—from writing subject lines people actually click to telling stories that help donors feel like they’re part of the ministry instead of just reading another report.<...
93 | Why Donors Forget Your Ministry (and 3 Fundraising Shifts That Keep You Top of Mind)
Ever walked away from a fundraising conversation convinced someone was going to support your ministry… only to never hear from them again? It can feel personal, but what if silence doesn’t mean they’ve rejected your ministry?
In this episode, you’ll learn why donors forget, why stories keep your ministry memorable, and three simple shifts that help you stay top of mind without becoming pushy or overwhelming.
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88 | Fundraising Is Slow? 5 Amazing Outcomes When You Clarify Your Message
92 | No One Donating? 2 Tips to Spark Ministry Donations Now
If your fundraising has been slow lately, your first instinct might be to work harder or send another email. But what if the problem isn’t how often you’re asking… it’s how you’re inviting people into the story?
In this episode, you’ll learn two simple storytelling shifts that help create urgency, make your ministry more memorable, and give donors a clear path to take action—without feeling manipulative or pushy.
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88 | Fundraising Is Slow? 5 Amazing Outcomes When You Clari...
91 | 5 Signs Your Message Isn’t Clear Enough to Grow Support
You’ve been fundraising for years. You’re sharing updates, meeting with donors, and talking about your ministry. Yet support still feels slower than it should.
What if the problem isn’t the economy, donor fatigue, or too much competition? In this episode, I share 5 signs your fundraising message may be confusing donors—and how unclear messaging quietly keeps ministry support from growing. If fundraising feels harder than it should, this episode will help you identify what might be missing.
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86 | Ex...
90 | Not Fully Funded Yet? 5 Mistakes Missionaries Make Without Realizing It
You’ve been raising support for months. Maybe years. Maybe even decades. Yet somehow you’re still wondering why fundraising feels slower than it should and why momentum never seems to build.
In this episode, I'll share the 5 hidden fundraising mistakes that keep missionaries and ministry leaders stuck. If support feels harder to raise than it should be, one of these blind spots may be quietly holding you back.
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86 | Experiencing Ministry Burn Out? Josh and Corina Share How to Find...
89 | Fundraising Without Manipulation: 3 Ways Missionaries Can Invite Support Naturally
You know your ministry needs support, but the last thing you want is for people to feel pressured, guilted, or manipulated into giving. That tension leaves many ministry leaders avoiding fundraising conversations altogether—or asking so cautiously that donors never understand the opportunity in front of them.
In this episode, I share 3 practical shifts that help you raise support with confidence and integrity. Learn how to connect through authentic stories, communicate transformation, and invite donors into something meaningful without feeling salesy or awkward.
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88 | Fundraising Is Slow? 5 Amazing Outcomes When You Clarify Your Message
Fundraising feels exhausting when you’re working hard, communicating often, and still not seeing momentum. You know your ministry matters, but somehow donors don’t seem to fully understand the urgency, the impact, or why they should get involved.
In this episode, I share 5 powerful outcomes that happen when you clarify your fundraising message. You’ll discover why clear messaging helps donors connect faster, stay engaged longer, and makes fundraising feel lighter, simpler, and far more effective.
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86 | Experiencing Ministry Burn Ou...
87 | The 3 Excuses Keeping Ministry Leaders Stuck in Fundraising
You know your fundraising message could be stronger. You know clearer communication would help donors understand, connect with, and support your ministry. So why haven’t you worked on it yet?
In this episode, I share the 3 most common excuses ministry leaders make that keep them stuck in fundraising. You’ll learn what’s really behind the excuses, what they’re costing your ministry, and how clarifying your message can make fundraising simpler, faster, and more effective.
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81 | No Time to Fundr...
86 | Experiencing Ministry Burn Out? Josh and Corina Share How to Find Hope Again in Fundraising, Leadership, and Calling
Burnout in ministry is rarely a matter of if. It’s usually a matter of when.
In this episode, I’m joined by Josh and Corina from the Believe and Become podcast as they share their story of serving in worship ministry for years, carrying too much, hitting emotional and physical overwhelm, and realizing something had to change. We talk about identity, pressure, perfectionism, rest, hearing God’s voice, and how to recognize the lies that make ministry feel heavier than it was ever meant to be.
If you’ve ever wo...
85 | Too Busy to Fundraise? 3 Simple Ways Ministry Leaders Stay Consistent in Busy Seasons
You know donor communication matters… but right now? You can barely keep your head above water.
Summer schedules. Ministry emergencies. Family needs. Constant reacting. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re still supposed to send newsletters, stay connected with supporters, and keep fundraising moving forward.
In this episode, we’re talking about what to do when ministry life gets so overwhelming that donor communication keeps getting pushed aside.
If you’ve been feeling underwater lately, this episode will help you create a realis...
84 | Stop Struggling to Write Ministry Newsletters: Include These 3 Things Every Time
You know you need to send ministry newsletters… but every time you sit down to write one, your brain goes blank.
What do you include? What do you leave out? Do you even have enough to say?
In this episode, I’m sharing the three most important things every ministry newsletter should include so writing becomes faster, simpler, and more effective.
And if you want extra help, I also created a free ministry newsletter checklist to walk you through the process every time...
83 | Donors Aren’t Saying Yes? Fix This Ministry Fundraising Mistake
You keep talking about your ministry… but donors still aren’t connecting.
If people seem interested but never actually support, your fundraising problem may not be your mission-it may be your message.
In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest mistakes ministry leaders make when communicating with donors.
If fundraising has felt heavy, confusing, or harder than it should be—this episode may help you see your message differently.
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82 | Why Ministry Fundraising Feels Slow and 3 Ways to Build Donor Trust Faster
People might love your ministry… and still hesitate to support it. That’s the frustrating part of fundraising that almost nobody talks about.
You have conversations. People listen. They seem interested. They even encourage you. Yet somehow the support still feels slow.
In this episode, we’re talking about why donor trust takes so long to build sometimes — and what you can do to speed that process up in a healthy, honest way. We’ll walk through the 3 things that build trust faster with donors so your ministry fundraising becomes cle...
81 | No Time to Fundraise? 3 Ways to Get Time Back for Ministry Support
Do you feel like fundraising keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your list?
You know donor relationships matter. You know you should be communicating more consistently. But ministry responsibilities, meetings, events, homeschooling, emails, and constant interruptions keep taking over.
And before you know it, another month passes without intentionally fundraising or nurturing donor relationships.
In this episode, I share 3 practical ways to get time back for fundraising and ministry support — even when life feels overwhelming. You’ll learn how to stop living in cons...
80 | How to Get Donors to Say Yes Faster in Ministry Fundraising
What happens when the donors you were relying on end up not giving… or stop after a little while?
It can throw everything off. Logistically, financially, emotionally. You start wondering what happened, why it’s taking so long for people to commit, and whether fundraising is always supposed to feel this difficult.
So why does it take some donors months — or even years — to finally say yes?
In this episode, Lisa walks through the 3 biggest things that help donors support your ministry more quickly. You’ll l...
79 | They Said They’d Give… Then Didn’t. What’s Blocking Consistent Fundraising
They said they’d give. They were excited. They meant it. And then… they don't follow through.
Or maybe they gave once… and then stopped.vIt’s one of the hardest parts of fundraising—and it can leave you feeling confused, discouraged, and stuck.
In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually causing donors not to follow through—and the 3 shifts you need to create more consistent, reliable support.
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51 | Hate fundraising? 3 Ways to Ease the Ick of Asking fo...
78 | Think Churches Don’t Care About Missions? What’s Actually Blocking Your Fundraising
You’ve thought it before. Churches just aren’t generous anymore. They don’t really care about missions.
And after enough polite conversations, low support, and missed follow-through… it starts to feel true.
But what if that’s not actually the problem? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really blocking your fundraising with churches—and the 3 shifts that will help you communicate more clearly, connect faster, and raise support more effectively.
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59 | 3 Signs Your Fundraising Message is Turni...
77 | Your Fundraising Isn’t Connecting: 3 Ways to Turn Your Message Into a Compelling Story
Your donors are reading your updates… but they’re not responding. You’re sharing what you’ve done, the impact you’re making, the numbers-but something still feels off.
Because information isn’t what creates connection. Story does.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 simple ways to turn your everyday updates into compelling stories that actually connect with your donors—so they understand the need, feel it, and want to be part of the solution.
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71 | You...
76 | Want Your Ministry Fully Funded? 3 Things You Need In Your Fundraising Message
Why won't donors step into support when you know your ministry matters?
If people are smiling, nodding, and saying “that’s great”… but not actually giving or engaging, the issue might not be your ministry—it’s your message.
In this episode, we walk through the 3 non-negotiable elements your fundraising message must include if you want donors to truly connect, understand the urgency, and say yes faster.
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69 | 3 Reasons Why Donors Aren’t Engaging With Your Ministry...
75 | Do Your Donors Feel Like ATMs or Partners? (Ministry Fundraising Relationships That Actually Work)
Be honest for a second… When your donors hear from you, does it feel like a relationship—or a transaction?
Because most ministry leaders don’t mean to do it… but their donors end up feeling like ATMs. Only hearing from you when there’s a need. Only part of the story when money is involved.
In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between donors who feel like ATMs and donors who feel like true partners—and how to shift your communication so your relationships actually grow stronger over time.
...74 | What NOT to Say When Fundraising for Your Ministry (And What to Say Instead)
You’re trying to explain your ministry… and something feels off. You’re talking, they’re nodding—but you can tell they’re not really getting it.
So you start wondering: Am I using the wrong words? Am I saying something that’s pushing people away?
In this episode, we’re breaking down what NOT to say in your fundraising—and how to shift your words so your message actually connects, makes sense, and leads to action.
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70 | Read...
