Nonprofit CourageLab

Julie Ordoñez
  • 5.0 (62)
  • Non-Profit
  • Weekly Series

Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts coach, fundraiser, and founder of CourageLab, a 6-month major gifts training program for nonprofit founders, EDs, and fundraisers to raise 6-figures in 6 months in just 1-2 hours a week without grants or a gala. Nonprofit CourageLab shares soul-shaking insights on how to become a more courageous leader and raise more money for your nonprofit. No one changed the world without first changing themselves. If you want to raise more money to change the world, you are in the right place.

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  1. Episode 1

    Bold Fundraising: The Method That Raised $91M in Unrestricted Major Gifts

    If you're constantly bending over backwards for difficult donors, accepting restricted gifts that create more work than they're worth, or letting wealthy people dictate your strategy, this episode is going to challenge you. This episode breaks down the philosophy behind Bold Fundraising. It isn't about being louder or more aggressive. It's about having the courage to lead your nonprofit with clear standards, clear values, and the confidence to stop chasing money that pulls you away from your mission. Sharing the mindset shifts that have helped organizations raise millions in unrestricted revenue, scale without burnout, and build donor communities based in trust instead of transactions. If you've ever felt like your fundraising strategy depends on keeping everyone happy, this episode offers a completely different way forward. What you'll learn in this episode Why self-respect is one of the biggest competitive advantages in fundraisingHow to define the kind of donor community you actually want to buildWhy unrestricted revenue should become your fundraising standardThe difference between trust-based donors and high-maintenance donorsWhy you should stop asking your board, "Who do you know that's rich?"The three relationship shifts every fundraiser needs to make before walking into a major donor meetingHow to stay in the driver's seat when meeting with confident, successful donorsWhy saying "we don't accept restricted gifts" often leads to better conversations, not fewer giftsHow your calendar and budget should reflect the leader you're becoming, not the nonprofit you've outgrownWhy scaling your organization starts with saying no to work that no longer serves your mission The organizations that grow the fastest aren't saying yes to every opportunity. They're crystal clear about where they're going, who belongs on the journey, and what they're no longer willing to tolerate. That's what Bold Fundraising looks like. Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

  2. Episode 2

    Unshakeable Fundraiser Energy: Stop Backing Down in Major Donor Meetings

    Ever go into a meeting with a major donor with a plan to ask for a gift, and something throws you off? You leave the meeting kicking yourself because you didn’t make the ask. You had a purpose for the meeting, but somehow you got off track, and now you feel like you wasted your time with this major donor. This has happened to me what feels like 10,000 times in my career. And after coaching 651 nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and major gifts fundraisers over the last eight years, I’ve seen the same thing happen again and again. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes clip from one of my weekly CourageLab coaching calls. We get into the hidden dynamics behind why we back down in major donor meetings, especially with rich, powerful, assertive donors, and what you can actually do about it. What you'll learn in this episode How difference and power dynamics can take you off track in a donor meetingHow to relate to rich, powerful people without giving away your own powerWhy you must reclaim your power when a conversation gets uncomfortableThe dynamics you need to understand when it feels hardest to hold your groundWhat really stops you from making the askWhy asking donors for advice can be a dumb ideaWhere confidence actually comes from, and how to strengthen it in tough circumstancesHow to develop a no-pressure fundraising cultureWhy great partnerships are built on honesty, not just transparencyWhy giving donors more information can actually create more confusion If you’ve ever felt like your best-laid plans are hard to stick to when you’re sitting across from a powerful, rich, assertive donor, this episode is for you. If I were sitting down with you over coffee and sharing the truths I hope would get into your bones, this is that conversation. Every nonprofit founder, CEO and fundraiser needs this conversation. share this with a colleague or friend. DM me the letters CL on LinkedIn if you’d like to learn more about CourageLab and raise more unrestricted major gifts. Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

  3. Episode 3

    Your Strategy Is Keeping Your Revenue Too Small

    You’re told to raise more you need to do more. I “did more”, raised $1.1M, and I lost sleep, and my hair fell out. I met the goal, but it cost me my health. 8 years later, I raised $2,500,000 and was vibrant and healthy. The difference was a different strategy and skill set. Of course, there was still stress. But there’s a difference between stressed and burnt out. In this episode of the @Nonprofit CourageLab podcast, I share a glimpse into the typical nonprofit revenue model and the real cost vs. raising 2x more with a simplified model. I’m tired of hearing: “The gala nearly killed me” or “We’re doing too much, and it’s not sustainable” Here’s what I cover: Why doing more keeps revenue flat and what to do insteadHow people-pleasing is killing revenue growthYour authentic role as a fundraiser and how to reclaim itRevenue growth models that lead to burnout and complexityHow complexity is the ultimate growth killerMy own story of raising bigger gifts from fewer people without a galaHow selling more stuff, bells and whistles actually repels your best donorsHow your view of yourself impacts your fundraising resultsWhy the most sustainable strategy is offensively simpleWhat to do when your strategy is designed for burnout If you feel pressure to do more and execute on every idea that comes across your desk to raise 12% more than last year, this episode is for you. Share it with a friend, colleague, and your team. Fair warning: I get real fired up in this, so if you are a sensitive flower, it may be too much for ya. I’m mad. And when I’m mad, I fight. The fight in me is for you. For your health. For your impact. For your legacy. For your time with loved ones. For the vacation you deserve. For the results. Slide Deck From This Episode: Big Gifts for Operations Workshop Slide Deck Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.

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Trailer

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About

Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts coach, fundraiser, and founder of CourageLab, a 6-month major gifts training program for nonprofit founders, EDs, and fundraisers to raise 6-figures in 6 months in just 1-2 hours a week without grants or a gala. Nonprofit CourageLab shares soul-shaking insights on how to become a more courageous leader and raise more money for your nonprofit. No one changed the world without first changing themselves. If you want to raise more money to change the world, you are in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Julie Ordoñez
  • Episodes
    100
  • Seasons
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Julie Ordoñez
  • Show Website
    Nonprofit CourageLab

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