Nonprofit CourageLab

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 • How your presence, energy, and sincerity directly shape donor conversations • Why genuine curiosity leads to deeper relationships and bigger gifts • How self-awareness and self-acceptance strengthen your confidence with donors • Why releasing assumptions and pressure opens space for more natural, productive conversations • How embodying courage and conviction positions you as a peer to donors—not someone seeking approvalAt the end of the day, what I share in this episode comes down to this: fundraising is an inside job. When you show up grounded, curious, and confident in who you are, everything else becomes easier. You build trust faster, your conversations are richer, and donors feel inspired to step into bigger opportunities. If you want to explore this work further, connect with me on LinkedIn or learn more about Courage Lab. I'm so glad you're here.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

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 doing life-changing work at To Write Love on Her Arms, supporting young people who are struggling with depression, addiction, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Her commitment, her empathy, and her sheer belief in the mission shine through in everything she does.In this episode, you’ll hear us talk about: • How Sheena built a major gifts program from scratch • The mindset shift that transformed her confidence asking for bigger gifts • Why being bold, direct, and unapologetic changed the way donors responded • The tiny follow-up habit that unlocked a $10,000 gift (and a $40,000 annual fundraiser!) • How one “small” $500 gift turned into a $20,000 annual donor • The courage it takes to restructure your role so you can actually raise more money • What it looks like to advocate for your own capacity and get things off your plate • Why consistency builds trust faster than any fancy stewardship plan • How relationship-based fundraising helped her donors feel deeply connected to the missionOne of my favorite moments in this conversation is when Sheena shares the internal shift from “maybe you could give if you want” to “we are the best at what we do, and I’m inviting you into something powerful.” That shift alone can change everything — and you’ll hear exactly how it did for her.If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to step fully into your leadership as a fundraiser, to believe in the value of your work, and to ask boldly from that place of conviction, Sheena’s story is going to light you up.I’m so proud of the work she’s done, and even more excited for you to learn from her today. Let’s dive in.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

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 what we cover:Identifying your warm prospects: I guide you through how to focus on donors who are already primed to give—those who’ve expressed support recently or are “all in” with your mission. Stop overthinking and start taking action.Recognizing signals from your community: From emails, social media engagement, to personal encounters—learn how to spot the people who are most likely to respond.Managing mindset and fear: I talk about why discomfort is normal when asking for major gifts and how courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s acting despite it.How to ask for more confidently: I break down the importance of being specific in your ask, giving donors clarity, and removing obstacles that slow their decision-making.Handling mistakes with humility: I share how showing up authentically, even if imperfectly, builds trust and strengthens relationships.Tools and resources: I offer my free Opportunity Brainstorm PDF to help you map your warm prospects and take immediate action.Asking for major gifts doesn’t have to feel paralyzing. By focusing on the right people, preparing internally, and showing up courageously, you can increase your impact and build stronger relationships with your supporters. Refusing to let fear hold you back ensures your mission gets the resources it deserves—and it’s easier than you think to take those first steps.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

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, and a willingness to learn. In our conversation, she shares honestly about what it was like to come into major gifts as a total beginner, why fundraising initially terrified her, and what shifted once she began learning a clear framework and building her confidence.We talk through the mindset changes that helped her grow POP’s contributed revenue from under $200k to over $400k a year — in just a couple of years — including closing multiple $50k gifts and preparing for POP’s first-ever six-figure solicitation. She gets into the practical steps she took, the scripts and tools that helped her, and the moments where she realized she was becoming the kind of leader who could ask boldly and lead her board and donors with clarity and vision.I love this conversation so much because Katherine’s story proves what I deeply believe: when you have the right model and the right support, you can learn how to raise transformational money — even if you’re a one-person development shop doing five other jobs at the same time.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Katherine went from “I never want to ask for money” to confidently closing $50k giftsThe mindset shifts that unlocked her ability to lead boldly and fundraise effectivelyWhy major gifts became POP’s biggest opportunity — and how she structured her timeThe exact tools and frameworks she used to make her first successful asksHow her transformation changed her board’s culture, donor relationships, and the organization’s trajectoryWhy investing in her own development helped the entire organization growThe revenue growth POP has experienced and what that means for their community, staff, and artistsThis episode is such an encouragement if you’re a solo ED, a first-time fundraiser, or someone who knows major gifts is the next step — but aren’t sure how to start. Katherine’s story is proof that you can learn this, and you can thrive in it.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2 

 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 work. Together, we explore what authentic leadership looks like, why relationships deepen faster when you tell the truth, and how taking courageous action creates real momentum inside an organization.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE • Why donors don’t need (or want) a polished persona — they want clarity, vision, and real talk • How Regina realized she was draining energy by trying to sound upbeat instead of operating as a CEO • The difference between relationship building and performing happiness • How direct, honest communication fast-tracks donor trust • Why showing donors the real challenges — not just the “shiny penny” — actually strengthens the partnership • How her development director stepped into courage early, even while still learning the organization • The mindset shift that helped her team make direct asks confidently, even without long-term relationships • What happened when donors began engaging more deeply, referring others, and leaning into honest conversations • How consistency, authenticity, and direct asks created organizational momentum • Why Regina invested in Courage Lab, what stood out to her, and why the accountability model made all the difference • What changed for their board, their fundraising approach, and their long-term strategy • The transformation she’s already seeing just one month into the program — and what she hopes others take away from this work This conversation is such a powerful reminder that major gifts aren’t built on performance — they’re built on leadership. When you stop worrying about being overly positive, deferential, or “pleasant” and instead tell the truth about what’s needed, donors rise to the occasion. Regina’s story shows what’s possible when an Executive Director claims her authority, leads authentically, and commits to courageous action even before everything feels perfect. It also shows how quickly things can shift when a team has the right structure, accountability, and support. If you want to hear what this kind of transformation looks like behind the scenes — and you’re curious about what Courage Lab can unlock for you — this episode is absolutely worth a listen.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2