Stop Letting Awkwardness Ruin Your Nonprofit Pitches

What this episode covers

Are you tired of feeling awkward or unsure when pitching your nonprofit’s mission? Imagine building confidence, creating stronger donor relationships, and increasing your fundraising success, all by transforming how you approach difficult situations. In this episode of Hey Nonprofits, hosted by Trevor Nelson, fundraising expert Julie Ordoñez reveals how embracing honesty and rethinking outdated strategies can revolutionize your donor conversations. This episode is packed with actionable fundraising tips designed to help you grow your impact and connect with donors on a deeper level.Ready to take your nonprofit to new heights? Start by subscribing to our newsletter for the latest strategies and insights in nonprofit fundraising: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/In Episode 18, "Stop Letting Awkwardness Ruin Your Nonprofit Pitches," Julie shares her journey from reluctant consultant to successful fundraising coach, teaching nonprofit teams to overcome scarcity mindsets and build pathways to abundance. Whether you're navigating board pushback, learning to ask for larger donations, or figuring out how to address fear in fundraising, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Plus, we dive into the importance of emotional intelligence, meaningful donor relationships, and adapting to a fast-changing nonprofit landscape. Need help with fundraising? Get FREE nonprofit coaching here: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/.Don’t let fear hold you back from making bigger asks or improving your nonprofit’s funding strategies. Watch now and hear how to turn challenges into opportunities with real, practical advice you can start using today. Subscribe to Hey Nonprofits for more expert insights, meaningful conversations, and tools to grow your mission with confidence.✈️ Do your donors like to travel? Allow them to spend their travel budgets to have a great vacation, AND fund your nonprofit! Reserve an item here https://hgafundraising.com/💡 Sign up to our newsletter to receive weekly fundraising tips:https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Need help with fundraising? We offer FREE non-profit coaching 👇https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Chapters:0:00 Honest Tips for Awkward Donor Moments1:58 Update Your Old Fundraising Tactics6:44 Julie’s Path to Fundraising Success9:13 $5M Raised by Teaching Fundraising13:54 Change Your Money Mindset Now16:08 Handle Board Pushback on Big Asks20:35 Ask Bigger, Get Bigger Donations22:58 Overcome Fundraising Fear with Courage26:52 Learn and Grow from Fundraising Wins29:21 Accountability Leads to Fundraising Success33:44 Wealthy Donors Want Connection36:03 Wealthy Donors Struggle Too40:26 Go Beyond Money with Donor Support42:12 Honest Fundraising Builds Trust46:03 Understand Donors Before You Ask47:58 Rebuild Trust with Past Donors51:45 Use Silence to Seal the Deal53:50 Prep for Big Donor Talks57:19 Engage Your Board Without Asking59:08 Personal Touches Strengthen Donor Bonds1:03:11 Don’t Fundraise Alone1:05:35 Build Confidence to Ask Big1:09:20 Gratitude Changes Everything1:11:29 Give More, Receive More1:15:09 Follow Julie Ordoñez’s Journey

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Hey Nonprofits!?

This episode is 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

When was this Hey Nonprofits! episode published?

This episode was published on April 29, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Are you tired of feeling awkward or unsure when pitching your nonprofit’s mission? Imagine building confidence, creating stronger donor relationships, and increasing your fundraising success, all by transforming how you approach difficult...

Can I download this Hey Nonprofits! episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.