Fundraising is the lifeblood of your nonprofit—but it doesn’t have to leave you and your team exhausted. In this episode, host Matt Stockman shares five common fundraising practices that drain small nonprofit leaders of their limited energy and capacity. More importantly, he offers practical alternatives that build sustainability, trust, and stronger donor relationships.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why relying solely on events can burn months of effort for little reward—and how to redirect that energy into building individual donor relationships.
• The hidden costs of chasing grants too early and why building systems, donors, and outcomes first sets you up for long-term success.
• How constantly chasing new donors can distract you from nurturing the ones you already have—and why donor retention is your greatest ROI.
• Why weak messaging is like using a dull axe—and how sharpening your story creates clarity, connection, and results.
• The trap of chasing big one-time gifts while neglecting recurring giving—and how even a small monthly giving program creates stability and deeper commitment.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course
  – Free workbook + videos to clarify your messaging and build a fundraising plan you can confidently use.
• From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist – Free guide with 10 essential steps to move your nonprofit idea into impact.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or stuck in fundraising that doesn’t move the needle, this episode will help you refocus your energy on what truly works.

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www.nonprofitlaunchplan.com
Email Matt: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Matt Stockman | LinkedIn