Why You Should Stop Asking Your Board to Fundraise and Why Donors Rock

Wait… should you stop asking your board to fundraise? It might sound a little counterintuitive—but in this episode, Sarah Olivieri breaks down a fresh perspective that might completely shift how you think about fundraising. We explore why relying on your board for fundraising may not always be the most effective strategy, and how creating a dedicated fundraising structure—like a committee—can allow your board to focus on governance and leadership instead. At the same time, we dive into why donors truly “rock” and how nonprofits can better engage them, including why many donors actually prefer giving unrestricted funds. Sarah also shares practical strategies for building a strong donor base (including how to get your first 150 donors), where to find aligned supporters, and how to simplify your approach—sometimes without needing complex tools like CRMs or heavy social media strategies. Plus, we discuss creative ways to think about messaging and donor engagement—even borrowing concepts from industries like weight loss marketing to better connect with your audience.If you’re ready to rethink your fundraising strategy and build stronger donor relationships, this episode will open your eyes to new possibilities.ABOUT OUR GUESTSarah Olivieri is a nonprofit strategist, consultant, and founder of PivotGround, where she helps nonprofit leaders build sustainable, high-impact organizations. She is the creator of the Impact Method, a framework designed to help nonprofits increase their capacity, improve operations, and achieve greater results without burnout.Sarah specializes in helping organizations simplify their strategies, strengthen donor relationships, and build systems that support long-term growth and mission success.RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.