Ask Julie: Gala Burnout, $240k Lost Donor, Famous and Broke
From Nonprofit CourageLab · 37:08
Show by Julie Ordoñez
2-Day Strategy Intensive in Orange, CA December 3-4, 2026: https://julieordonez.com/strat-intensive-dec-26Best December Ever Challenge: https://julieordonez.thrivecart.com/best-december-ever-workshop-2026/Your gala raised $212,000. It also took six months, burned out your team, and cost $60,000. How do you replace it without losing all the cash?A former board member gave $240,000 on his way out the door and hasn’t given since. You’re the new ED, and you’ve barely met him. How do you re-engage him?Everyone tells you your work is inspiring. The press, the awards, the compliments. Your revenue doesn’t match any of it. How do you turn your reputation into revenue?In this episode of Nonprofit CourageLab, I answer five real questions from nonprofit leaders who are doing great work in their communities and know the money is within reach. They just don’t have a clear plan to get it.Some are program people who never trained as fundraisers. Some are a team of one. All of them have loyal donors, strong reputations, and a nagging feeling that they’re leaving money on the table.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to replace a gala that’s wearing out your team without losing the revenue (and the relationships) it brings inHow to approach a former board member you’ve never met about a multi-year, six-figure giftWhether two hours a week is enough to raise major gifts, and exactly what to do with those two hoursHow much to ask a 20-year, $8,000-a-year donor for without coming across as greedyHow to turn press, awards, and “you’re so inspiring” into bigger giftsWhy the gap between how big you look and how much you raise is a plan problem, not a donor problemYou don’t need a bigger team, a bigger event, or more hours in the week. You need to know who to talk to, what to say, and how to ask.If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ nonprofit making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, DM me “Famous” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
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- This CEO raised $592,000 in 6 months without a gala
- Stop Expecting to Raise $250K Gifts When Everyone Around You Is Raising $5K
- How to Stop Doing Your Gala With an Event That Raises More and Costs Nothing
- Ask Julie: How Do I Get New Donors Every Month
- These EDs Raise $100K a Month in Major Gifts Without a Gala (Even in Summer)
- Why Raising An Extra $300K Is So Hard
- Ask Julie: How to Ask for a Major Gift Without Damaging Donor Relationships
- Your Strategy Is Keeping Your Revenue Too Small
- How to Ask for More & Raise Major Gifts
- Courage Is the Catalyst
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