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.