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Have you ever felt like fundraising was just begging for money? Like you were throwing out asks and hoping someone would say yes? If so, you’re not alone—but there’s a reason it feels that way. And it’s not just you.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, I break down the difference between real fundraising and what I call panhandling. It all started with a phone call that should’ve been about speaking at a conference—but instead turned into a hard sales pitch for sponsorship. And when the other fundraiser shrugged and said, “Well, we have to ask everybody”, it hit me like a brick.

No. We don’t.

Fundraising isn’t about throwing out asks to anyone with a checkbook. It’s about building real relationships, aligning passions with purpose, and guiding donors on a hero’s journey—where they see themselves as part of the change.

In this episode, we dive into:
🎙️ The huge mistake that makes donors run the other way
🎙️ Why real fundraisers never feel like salespeople
🎙️ The key to making donors excited to give (without pressure)
🎙️ How to stop “panhandling” and start inspiring generosity

If you’re tired of making asks that feel transactional, if you want to build real donor relationships that last, this episode is for you.

🚀 Let’s raise money the right way.

Need to write a contact report, prep for a donor meeting, or prioritize your week—but short on time? Grab my free guide: AI Prompts for Major Gift Fundraisers. Five powerful prompts to help you stay donor-centered and get unstuck fast. Download now → https://downloads.letstalkfundraising.com/aiprompts

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