Nonprofit CourageLab

Hosted by Julie Ordoñez

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Aug 2026

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Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts coach, fundraiser, and founder of CourageLab, a 6-month major gifts training program for nonprofit founders, EDs, and fundraisers to raise 6-figures in 6 months in just 1-2 hours a week without grants or a gala. Nonprofit CourageLab shares soul-shaking insights on how to become a more courageous leader and raise more money for your nonprofit. No one changed the world without first changing themselves. If you want to raise more money to change the world, you are in the right place.

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August 11, 202643 min

Unshakeable Fundraiser Energy: Stop Backing Down in Major Donor Meetings

Ever go into a meeting with a major donor with a plan to ask for a gift, and something throws you off? You leave the meeting kicking yourself because you didn’t make the ask. You had a purpose for the meeting, but somehow you got off track, and now you feel like you wasted your time with this major donor. This has happened to me what feels like 10,000 times in my career. And after coaching 651 nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and major gifts fundraisers over the last eight years, I’ve seen the same thing happen again and again. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes clip from one of my weekly CourageLab coaching calls. We get into the hidden dynamics behind why we back down in major donor meetings, especially with rich, powerful, assertive donors, and what you can actually do about it. What you'll learn in this episode How difference and power dynamics can take you off track in a donor meeting How to relate to rich, powerful people without giving away your own power Why you must reclaim your power when a conversation gets uncomfortable The dynamics you need to understand when it feels hardest to hold your ground What really stops you from making the ask Why asking donors for advice can be a dumb idea Where confidence actually comes from, and how to strengthen it in tough circumstances How to develop a no-pressure fundraising culture Why great partnerships are built on honesty, not just transparency Why giving donors more information can actually create more confusion If you’ve ever felt like your best-laid plans are hard to stick to when you’re sitting across from a powerful, rich, assertive donor, this episode is for you. If I were sitting down with you over coffee and sharing the truths I hope would get into your bones, this is that conversation. Every nonprofit founder, CEO and fundraiser needs this conversation. share this with a colleague or friend. DM me the letters CL on LinkedIn if you’d like to learn more about CourageLab and raise more unrestricted major gifts. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

August 4, 202630 min

Bold Fundraising: The Method That Raised $91M in Unrestricted Major Gifts

If you're constantly bending over backwards for difficult donors, accepting restricted gifts that create more work than they're worth, or letting wealthy people dictate your strategy, this episode is going to challenge you. This episode breaks down the philosophy behind Bold Fundraising. It isn't about being louder or more aggressive. It's about having the courage to lead your nonprofit with clear standards, clear values, and the confidence to stop chasing money that pulls you away from your mission. Sharing the mindset shifts that have helped organizations raise millions in unrestricted revenue, scale without burnout, and build donor communities based in trust instead of transactions. If you've ever felt like your fundraising strategy depends on keeping everyone happy, this episode offers a completely different way forward. What you'll learn in this episode Why self-respect is one of the biggest competitive advantages in fundraising How to define the kind of donor community you actually want to build Why unrestricted revenue should become your fundraising standard The difference between trust-based donors and high-maintenance donors Why you should stop asking your board, "Who do you know that's rich?" The three relationship shifts every fundraiser needs to make before walking into a major donor meeting How to stay in the driver's seat when meeting with confident, successful donors Why saying "we don't accept restricted gifts" often leads to better conversations, not fewer gifts How your calendar and budget should reflect the leader you're becoming, not the nonprofit you've outgrown Why scaling your organization starts with saying no to work that no longer serves your mission The organizations that grow the fastest aren't saying yes to every opportunity. They're crystal clear about where they're going, who belongs on the journey, and what they're no longer willing to tolerate. That's what Bold Fundraising looks like. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

June 16, 20268 min

Major Gifts Are Won (Or Lost) in the Summer

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 is one of the most overlooked opportunities in major gifts fundraising. While many organizations focus on events, planning, or internal projects, the strongest fundraisers are staying close to their top donors. The truth is simple: the work you do this summer determines how your year ends. If you want bigger gifts, more unrestricted revenue, and stronger donor partnerships, now is the time to invest in relationships. What you'll learn in this episode Why summer is one of the most important seasons for major gifts fundraising How donor relationships built in June, July, and August impact year-end results The mistake many nonprofits make after a busy spring fundraising season Why consistent communication creates trust and leads to larger gifts How to stay connected with donors without feeling transactional What true donor partnerships look like beyond writing a check Why unrestricted revenue grows when trust grows How strong stewardship helps donors feel connected to your mission The difference between taking donors for granted and intentionally investing in relationships How to create a more peaceful, successful end-of-year fundraising season At the end of the day, major gifts are not built in November and December. They're built months earlier through trust, communication, and consistent relationship-building. Summer stewardship isn't extra work. It's the work. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

June 9, 202613 min

Million Dollar Success Principles Part 2

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 it does require courage, consistency, and a willingness to stop making assumptions about your donors. The organizations raising transformational gifts are not waiting for perfect conditions. They're staying in touch, telling the truth, having wealth conversations, and asking boldly. That's what this episode is about. What you'll learn in this episode • Why staying in touch with donors is not optional and is actually ethical fundraising • How consistent donor communication builds trust long before a larger gift arrives • Why confidence transfers to donors and apologetic energy does too • How bold leaders naturally attract bold philanthropists • What wealth events are and why they happen every single day regardless of the economy • How conversations about stock gifts, donor advised funds, and assets can unlock gifts far larger than cash donations • Why asking for a major gift reveals more useful information than any wealth screening tool ever will • The questions that help you understand a donor's true giving capacity and timeline • How to stop making assumptions about donor loyalty, priorities, and long-term commitment • Why better donor conversations lead to more accurate fundraising projections and stronger planning The best way to find out what a donor is capable of is not another report, dashboard, or wealth screen. It's a conversation. Stay in touch, tell the truth, ask boldly, and let donors show you who they are. Most of the certainty you're looking for is sitting on the other side of a bigger ask. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

June 2, 202612 min

Million Dollar Success Principles Part 1

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. We talk about trust, donor behavior, leadership, vision, and why so many organizations unintentionally create the fundraising problems they complain about. Some of these ideas might sting a little. That's okay. The truth tends to do that. If you want bigger gifts, stronger donor relationships, and more sustainable fundraising, this episode will challenge how you think about donors and your role as a leader. What you'll learn in this episode Why honest donor communication builds more trust than polished success stories How constantly sharing wins can actually weaken donor confidence The real reason donors ask for restricted gifts and more control Why trust, not control, is the foundation of major donor relationships How a clear long-term vision helps you raise larger and multi-year gifts Why donors stop giving when they run out of future with your organization The connection between strategic planning and major gift fundraising How donor behavior often reflects the leadership they're receiving Why donors only know what you tell them and give based on what you ask for The fundraising mistakes leaders make when they assume donors know what they need The leaders who raise the most money are willing to tell the truth. They trust donors with the real story. They paint a compelling future. And they take responsibility for leading donor behavior instead of blaming it. That's what creates trust, partnership, and transformational giving. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

May 26, 202624 min

Kill Your Gala Before It Kills You

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 drowning trying to manage seven revenue streams at once, and why unrestricted major gifts are often the better path forward. This is about more than fundraising strategy. It’s about leadership, courage, culture, and deciding what kind of organization you actually want to build. If you’ve ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of sponsorships, ticket sales, late nights, burnout, and recovery mode, this conversation is for you. What you’ll learn in this episode Why many small-team galas are completely unsustainable The hidden emotional and operational cost most organizations ignore when evaluating events Why “profitable” does not automatically mean healthy or aligned with your mission How spreading yourself across too many revenue streams leads to mediocre results everywhere Why unrestricted major gifts can outperform gala revenue with far less staff strain The difference between relationship-based fundraising and event-based fundraising How donor-hosted house parties can create momentum without crushing your team Why courageous conversations with boards are necessary if you want lasting change The leadership mindset required to move away from burnout-based fundraising What “kill your gala before it kills you” actually means At the end of the day, the way you raise money is part of your mission. If your organization values human dignity, care, and sustainability, your fundraising culture should reflect that too. Burning out your staff to fund the mission is not the flex some organizations think it is. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

May 19, 202627 min

Profitable Fundraising Swaps I'd Make Every Time

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 your permission slip to stop overcomplicating fundraising. There is an easier way to raise serious money without burning yourself out in the process. What you’ll learn in this episode Why house parties build stronger donor relationships than galas The hidden cost of fundraising events that small teams rarely account for Why major gifts are a better long-term strategy than chasing grants How restricted revenue is actually dangerous to the sustainability of your organization Why donors don’t need more control in order to trust you The problem with relying too heavily on wealth screening tools How to build stronger donor relationships without expensive software How to save years of loneliness and painful trial and error The fundraising strategy shift that creates more predictable revenue The free, underused donor connection tool for nonprofits Fundraising should not feel like a constant recovery cycle. If your strategy leaves your team exhausted, overwhelmed, and scrambling every few months, that’s a systems problem, not a work ethic problem. If working harder was the answer, you’d be raising $10M a year by now. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

May 12, 202617 min

Ask Julie: “How Much to Make You Stop Asking?”

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 about the difference between fundraising from desperation versus fundraising from grounded leadership. Because donors can feel your energy. They can feel when you’re white knuckling a goal, trying to force a gift, or needing their validation. And they can also feel when you genuinely mean it when you say: “You do not have to give.” The best donor relationships are built with people who are all in. People who want to be there. The people who don’t just write checks, but become real partners in the mission. That kind of fundraising starts with you releasing pressure from yourself first. What you’ll learn in this episode How Julie would respond when a donor says, “How much do I have to give for you to stop asking?” Why obligation-based fundraising damages donor relationships The psychological reason donors are more likely to give when they feel fully free to choose How desperation and pressure show up in donor conversations, even when you think you’re hiding it Why emotional regulation matters in major gifts fundraising The difference between inviting someone into a mission versus convincing them to fund it How to stop white knuckling individual donor relationships Why real donor partnerships require alignment, not pressure What “walk away power” actually looks like in fundraising conversations How releasing donors from obligation helps attract more passionate, committed supporters At the end of the day, major gifts fundraising is not about getting people to do things they do not want to do. It’s about leading well enough, listening deeply enough, and believing strongly enough in your mission that the right people naturally lean in. The more grounded and pressure-free you become, the more authentic and sustainable your donor relationships will be. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

May 5, 202627 min

The 6 Biggest Mistakes Keeping You Stuck at $300K Individual Giving

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 responds to. And then the deeper shift. Learning how to lead with clarity, make decisions on purpose, and have conversations that actually unlock bigger gifts. This is less about doing more. And more about tightening how you think, how you communicate, and how you show up. What you’ll learn in this episode Why overthinking is keeping you stuck and why action is the only way to get real data on what works The hidden danger of relying on surprise big gifts and why it’s not a strategy How “good times” can actually slow your growth if you stop investing in fundraising Why making up your strategy as you go leads to mediocre results even if you’re good with people How to choose a clear growth strategy and stick to it instead of chasing every idea The real reason your emails are getting ignored and how to fix it fast What donors actually need to give. Trust, credibility, and a clear vision Why hiring people who have never raised money is costing you growth How every fundraiser hits a ceiling and why you need expert support to break through it The biggest missed opportunity. Asking only for cash when 90% of wealth is elsewhere How shifting to conversations about donor wealth can 4x or 10x your results with the same donors If you want different results, you have to stop playing small with your strategy and your thinking. Growth doesn’t come from doing more random tactics. It comes from being intentional, building real skills, and asking at the level your donors actually operate. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

April 28, 202621 min

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Stopping Your Board From Fundraising

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. I’m also sharing real examples of what happens when this clicks, like a $5,000 gift that came in three days after a simple introduction and a $283,000 night from a board-led micro event. This is about getting actual results, not just talking about fundraising. What you’ll learn in this episode Why following your board’s ideas instead of leading them is killing your fundraising results How to redirect unhelpful suggestions like galas into what you actually need What leadership really looks like when it comes to board fundraising Why your board doesn’t know how to make introductions even if it seems obvious to you How to equip board members with simple, fast talking points they can actually use The real reason board members avoid fundraising and it’s not laziness How your own attitude toward fundraising is shaping your board’s behavior Why most board members are not anti fundraising, they’re anti feeling awkward and salesy What it takes to turn board members into a consistent source of new donors How to use simple strategies like micro events to generate major gifts quickly Your board is not the problem. The lack of leadership, clarity, and tools is. When you lead them, equip them, and show them a better way to fundraise, they will step up. And when they do, they can become your strongest source of new donors. 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 ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.