Podcast Summary: Fundraise Like A Rebel with Lisa Stueckemann
Podcast: Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell
Host: Julia Campbell
Guest: Lisa Stueckemann, CFRE, author of "Fundraising Rebel"
Date: November 26, 2025
Episode Overview
In this invigorating episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell sits down with Lisa Stueckemann—consultant, mentor, and author of Fundraising Rebel—to challenge the status quo of nonprofit fundraising. Together, they explore why playing it safe with traditional fundraising methods is holding organizations back and how embracing rebellious, courageous strategies can truly energize nonprofit missions, donor relationships, and community building. Their conversation unpacks myths, mindsets, and practical tactics while delivering real-world inspiration and encouragement for both nonprofit leaders and everyday fundraisers.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Defining a Fundraising Rebel
Timestamp: [02:39 - 04:19]
- Lisa begins by reclaiming the word “rebel,” referencing iconic imagery like James Dean to flip the usual negative associations:
- “In truth, with their unconventional outlooks and courageous choices, rebels make the world a better place…They rattle cages and defy the status quo. They are masters of innovation and reinvention. They ask the hard questions...They are disruptors. They are brave.” (Lisa, [03:26])
- She asserts that the nonprofit sector’s pressing issues demand more "rebels"—people willing to stop blindly following data, trends, and tradition.
- Notable Quote:
- "What we need are fundraising rebels who refuse to settle for the status quo and who will no longer be guided simply by data, what's hot, and the ‘way we've always done it’ mentality." (Lisa, [04:10])
2. The Motivation Behind the Rebel Approach
Timestamp: [04:31 - 07:02]
- Lisa’s personal background in musical theatre influenced her creative approach, and her donor experiences left her unfulfilled by standard fundraising “playbooks.”
- "For me, I was like, we have to stop this madness, because my husband and I love giving...most [donor experiences] have not been incredibly fulfilling." (Lisa, [05:25])
- The book and her approach are grounded in the real, positive impact on donors' lives by forging authentic connections and reminding practitioners that “meaningful donor experiences could actually change someone’s life.” (Lisa, [06:13])
3. Common Challenges and Myths Holding Fundraisers Back
Timestamp: [07:02 - 10:24]
- Outdated mindsets: “Leaders who are saying things like, ‘Stay the course. The donors will come, our cause is important...’ ”
- Persistent problems with disengaged boards and program staff silos; getting stakeholder buy-in across an organization is an ongoing challenge.
- Lisa recommends regular, structured meetings between fundraising, program staff, and finance to cultivate collaboration and dismantle silos. Sharing authentic, timely stories is easier when all teams are engaged proactively.
- “If you can show that you’re human, that you want to work with them, that regular meeting with finance can be helpful—breaking down silos too.” (Lisa, [10:58])
4. Fundraising in an Era of Declining Trust
Timestamp: [11:36 - 15:42]
- As public trust in institutions dips, nonprofits must emphasize human-to-human, transparent communications.
- Lisa calls out misleading "bad math" in fundraising (e.g., oversimplified “$1000 educates a child”).
- Instead, she advises: calculate and know your fully burdened hourly cost (annual budget divided by 2,080 work hours), then tell the story of what happens in an hour at your organization.
- Notable Quote:
- “As a development professional, it gives me the opportunity to cast a vision of what could happen in an hour. A child could learn some English, a child could learn to read…What happens in an hour?” (Lisa, [15:17])
5. Addressing the Overhead Myth and Real Costs
Timestamp: [15:50 - 17:09]
- Lisa shares both sides of the debate—having led organizations with a 100% model and without—and believes donors can understand the true costs of making an impact.
- “They [donors] are educated…by saying that those things [overhead] are part of the work, I’d like to think we’re kind of...past some of that. The fully burdened cost is important, and your donor should be excited about those things too.”
6. Moving Beyond Donor Centricity—It’s About Shared Purpose
Timestamp: [17:09 - 20:44]
- Lisa contends that traditional donor-centricity—knowing hobbies, anniversaries—misses the point.
- She advocates for understanding the injustices that motivate donors, helping create meaningful experiences and communities around shared causes.
- “We are literally born with injustices we wanna see made right...As nonprofit fundraisers, we need to deeply respect this injustice that your donors are walking around with.” (Lisa, [18:20])
- Shared purpose and belonging trump data points: “Harvard did a study...what they missed [in retirement] was a shared purpose.” (Lisa, [19:43])
7. Shifting Messaging from Scarcity to Meaningful Experiences
Timestamp: [21:41 - 27:24]
- Lisa provides seven guiding questions for crafting donor communications:
- Handwrite your mission.
- Name the injustice/villain you’re up against.
- Identify where the work happens.
- Consider and share the gritty, broken pieces—what really needs fixing.
- List five people positively impacted for real stories.
- Recall your favorite donor experience.
- Ask: Who needs encouragement (staff, clients, parents, etc.)?
- Notable Quote:
- “We get so stuck with the white page, we start saying weird things…This is what is meaningful for a donor and this is the homework you need to do.” (Lisa, [24:54])
- She illustrates the power of two-way communication and engagement tools: inviting donors (and their families) to write notes of encouragement, especially in crisis (e.g., supporting teachers after a hurricane).
8. Advice for Leaders: Building Cultures That Support Rebels
Timestamp: [27:24 - 30:31]
- Lisa pulls no punches for leaders:
- “If you are currently in leadership and everything...you find abhorrent, you find hopeless, you need to leave, you need to go.” (Lisa, [28:01])
- Leaders and boards set the ceiling for what's possible—fear of new ideas suffocates progress.
- She challenges organizations to recognize that the real competition for attention is not with other nonprofits, but with consumer brands like Amazon and Target, noting huge sums of money stuck in DAFs because the giving experience isn't meaningful enough.
9. Advice for Stuck, Discouraged, or Burnt-Out Fundraisers
Timestamp: [30:31 - 32:20]
- Lisa’s practical encouragement:
- Have a mentor—a friend or professional—who helps untangle challenges.
- Practice self-care: walks, naps, time off.
- Reconnect with the mission: meet donors, tour your organization, give yourself.
- “When you help to see [an injustice] made right, you have more purpose in your life…that'll help reduce your stress as well.” (Lisa, [31:40])
Memorable Quotes
- "Rebels rattle cages and defy the status quo. They are masters of innovation and reinvention." (Lisa, [03:26])
- "We have to stop this madness, because my husband and I love giving...most [donor experiences] have not been incredibly fulfilling." (Lisa, [05:25])
- "What happens in an hour?…As a development professional, it gives me the opportunity to cast a vision of what could happen in an hour." (Lisa, [15:17])
- "We are literally born with injustices we wanna see made right…[fundraisers] need to deeply respect this injustice your donors are walking around with." (Lisa, [18:20])
- "If you are that leader, you are holding your organization back. You are literally suffocating your mission." (Lisa, [29:12])
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Lisa defines ‘fundraising rebel’ — [02:39-04:19]
- Why break from tradition? Lisa’s story — [04:31-07:02]
- Biggest myths/stumbling blocks for fundraisers — [07:02-10:24]
- Advice on trust-building in a skeptical world — [11:36-15:42]
- Overhead myth, transparency, and "real" costs — [15:50-17:09]
- Rethinking donor-centricity for shared justice — [17:09-20:44]
- The 7 questions for meaningful donor comms — [21:41-27:24]
- How leaders can—or fail to—support rebellion — [27:24-30:31]
- Encouragement for stuck, tired, or burnt out fundraisers — [30:31-32:20]
Additional Resources & Connections
- Lisa Stueckemann’s Website: fundraisingrebel.org
- Book: Fundraising Rebel on Amazon
- LinkedIn: Lisa Stueckemann, CFRE
- Facebook: Lisa Stueckemann, Fundraising Rebel
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the nonprofit field eager to break free from stale routines, galvanize their teams, and create donor experiences that are bold, meaningful, and truly transformative.