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...
125 | Fundraising for Yourself AND Your Ministry? You’re Making It Too Complicated
You’re raising personal support AND funds for your ministry. Does that mean you need two different fundraising strategies?
If you’re a missionary or ministry leader trying to raise money for both yourself and your ministry, you might feel like you’re constantly asking people for money. And figuring out how to talk about each need without confusing your donors can feel overwhelming! But what if you’ve been making fundraising harder than it needs to be?
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple shift in how you approa...
124 | LIVE COACHING: Who’s Your Ideal Ministry Donor?
What if you’ve been looking for new ministry donors in all the wrong places? When you’re trying to raise support, it’s tempting to focus on finding people with money or getting your ministry in front of as many people as possible. But what if the secret to finding more donors is understanding WHO actually connects with your ministry?
In this live coaching session, I’m talking with Eleanore, who helps families in crisis. She shares two very different experiences connecting with potential donors at community events, and we uncover something surprising about th...
123 | Your Ministry Impact Is Hard to See? 3 Ways to Show Donors Their Giving Matters
Your ministry doesn’t have dramatic success stories. So how do you show donors their giving is actually making a difference?
When your ministry focuses on discipleship, mentoring, relationships, or behind-the-scenes work, the impact can be difficult to measure. And that makes sharing stories with donors feel almost impossible! In this episode, I’m sharing three ways to help donors recognize the difference their support is making, even when the results take years to see.
👉 Work with me one-on-one to clarify your fundraising message, remove the guilt around asking, and create...
122 | 3 Ways Your Personal Story Could Hurt Your Fundraising
You know your personal story. You can share how God called you into ministry, the journey that brought you here, and why you’re so passionate about what you do.
People connect with your story. They get excited for you! So why does asking them for financial support still feel so awkward? Your personal story might actually be creating that uncomfortable transition.
In this episode, we’re talking about the hidden problems that happen when your ministry fundraising revolves around your personal calling—and why this approach can ma...
121 | Think You Don’t Have Ministry Stories? 3 Ways to Find Stories for Fundraising
You know stories are powerful for fundraising—but what if you feel like your ministry just doesn’t have any good stories to tell? The problem may not be a lack of stories. You may just be looking for stories that are too big.
In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple ways to start finding the ministry stories already happening around you. Plus, I’ll show you how to start building a story bank so the next time you sit down to write a newsletter, you’re not staring at a blank page wondering what to sa...
120 | Don’t Lose Your Donors After Fundraising: 3 Ways to Keep Them Connected
*LAST CHANCE to join the Fundraise with Confidence Workshop! Come join us LIVE and walk away with freedom in your fundraising: irisstorytelling.com/fundraising *
You finally raised your support. Now you can focus on ministry and put fundraising behind you… right?
That’s where a mistake can happen without you even realizing it. While you’re busy doing ministry, the donor relationships you worked so hard to build can slowly weaken.
In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple ways to k...
119 | LIVE COACHING:"Here’s My Story…Now Open Your Wallet?” How to Make the Fundraising Ask
Fundraise With Confidence is happening LIVE October 5! If fundraising leaves you feeling awkward, guilty, or like you’re begging people for money, this free workshop is for you. We’re going to work through how to let go of that weight and what to say first when talking with potential donors. Save your free seat at irisstorytelling.com/fundraising.
“I can tell the story…but then it feels like, ‘Okay, now open your wallet.’” That’s how Victoria described one of her biggest fears as she prepares to begi...
118 | Why Do I Feel Guilty Asking for Support? What’s Behind the Shame of Ministry Fundraising
**Join me live for Fundraise with Confidence on October 5th. We’re going deeper into the mindset behind fundraising and beginning your story-driven fundraising message together. Grab your seat: irisstorytelling.com/fundraising
You believe deeply in your ministry—so why does asking someone to financially support it suddenly make you feel guilty, embarrassed, or even ashamed?
If fundraising leaves you dreading donor conversations, questioning what people will think of you, or sounding scripted the second money comes up, there may be something deeper underneath that discomfort. In this...
117 | Looking for More Donors? The #1 Thing to Do First in Your Fundraising
Ready to feel more confident talking to potential donors? Join me for my FREE live Fundraise with Confidence workshop, where I’ll show you how to start a donor conversation in a way that gets people to lean in and listen. irisstorytelling.com/fundraising
Feel like you’ve already asked everyone you know to support your ministry? Before you start cold calling, emailing strangers, or desperately looking for more people, there’s something you need to get clear on first.
In this episode, we’re talking about why casti...
116 | LIVE COACHING: Struggling to Find Ministry Donors? Start With WHO, Not Where
**If fundraising feels awkward, uncomfortable, or you’re never quite sure what to say to potential donors, join me for my free live workshop, Fundraise with Confidence.**
You need more donors. So naturally, you start asking: How do we reach more people? But there may be a more important question to answer first: Who are we actually trying to reach?
In this live coaching session, I help a ministry identify their ideal donor for the first time—and you’ll hear the br...
115 | Audit Your Fundraising Message with 3 Simple Checks
***If fundraising still feels awkward, heavy, or uncomfortable, I’m inviting you to my FREE live Fundraise with Confidence workshop! I’ll show you how to change the way you approach fundraising and how to start a donor conversation using a proven, story-driven approach. 👉 Save your free seat: irisstorytelling.com/fundraising ***
You’ve shared your ministry again and again… so why are potential donors still not connecting?
Before you assume you need to reach more people, your fundraising message may need some work.
In this e...
114 | Fundraising Ask Feels Awkward? How to Make the Donor the Hero of Your Ministry Message
**Not sure how to start a donor conversation without it feeling awkward? Join me live and learn what to say to quickly connect donors with your mission and confidently lead toward the ask. Grab your workshop seat: irisstorytelling.com/fundraising**
Your donor conversation is going great… until it’s time to actually ask for money. Suddenly you’re rambling, giving a vague “if you feel led,” or hoping they’ll figure out how to give without you ever clearly asking.
In this episode, we’re lookin...
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...
