S3E3 -From Exhausted to Empowered: A Smarter Way to Fundraise with Dee Dee Kiesow

Step into a powerful episode of Driven By Cause featuring Dee Dee Kiesow, founder of the Six-Figure Fundraising™ Network, creator of the Monetize Your Minutes® framework, and author of The Joy of Fundraising: A Spiritual Guide to Giving. With more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, Dee Dee is known for helping organizations raise millions through scalable strategies and joyful donor engagement. In this episode, Dee Dee shares her journey from grassroots fundraising to becoming a trusted consultant and auction strategist for nonprofits nationwide. She reveals how to reverse-engineer fundraising events to drive outcomes far beyond dollars raised—including building stronger boards, identifying major donors, and turning first-time attendees into lifelong supporters. You’ll discover how her Six-Figure Fundraising™ process helps teams stop “winging it” and start executing high-impact events with intention. From pre-event planning to post-event stewardship, Dee Dee emphasizes a strategic mindset that transforms galas and campaigns into engines of sustainable growth. She also explores the psychology behind joyful giving and explains why authentic storytelling—not guilt—leads to deeper donor relationships. Listeners will gain practical tools for maximizing donor lifetime value, attracting the right guests, and leveraging matching gifts and corporate partnerships. Plus, Dee Dee shares real-world examples of how her clients doubled or tripled their event revenue by focusing on outcomes, not attendance. Whether you’re a one-person development team or a seasoned fundraising pro, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your next campaign and move your mission forward.