Story‑Driven Fundraising | Ministry, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups

Lisa Diaz - Fundraising Coach, Nonprofit Strategist

Do you wish fundraising was easier? Do you wish you didn’t have to worry so much about the money? Feeling the awkwardness, the icky-shame feeling of asking for money? Putting so much effort in but still getting “nos” or worse… ghosting? I’m excited you’re here!! This is the place for you to learn how to fundraise easier, get rid of the shame and awkwardness of asking for money, and finally start growing supporters for your ministry that stay for the long haul! Hi, I’m Lisa. I love Jesus, have been in ministry since I was born (missionary kid here) and I love being a part of what God is doing in people’s lives! I’ve worked with and in ministries that struggle to truly connect with supporters. I’ve seen the stigma around raising support, the scramble across platforms and videos to “keep up,” and the relentless trial-and-error that never quite clicks—often ending in burnout. But then I saw first hand the power of story and was BLOWN AWAY at how quickly it engaged donors and encouraged them to donate- the first time I used the power of story in our messaging, we raised so much support, the team wasn’t even prepared for it! This had never happened before! And I want the same for your ministry!! If you’re ready to finally raise the support you need—without the constant stress or worry… If you want to grow your base of supporters and keep them with you for the long haul… If you’re looking for a simple strategy you can use again and again—one that replaces burnout with confidence… And if you’re ready to drop the awkward, icky, or shameful feelings around asking for money… Then this podcast is for you. Grab your coffee, your calling, and maybe a snack—let’s do this. -Lisa Connect w/ me:lisa@irisstorytelling.comhttps://irisstorytelling.com

  1. JAN 1

    41 | When Your Ministry Feels Invisible: 3 Steps to Build Donor Trust

    Have you ever felt invisible in your fundraising—like no matter how hard you work, how many emails you send, or how consistently you show up, donors just aren’t responding? Many ministry leaders feel unseen and unheard, even while doing the exact work God has called them to. In this episode, we unpack why that happens and explore 3 practical ways to build donor trust so your ministry no longer feels overlooked in the fundraising process. You’ll learn why consistent donor communication matters more than you think, how storytelling builds deep emotional connection with supporters, and why shifting your language to make the donor the main character dramatically increases donor engagement. These simple but powerful messaging shifts help strengthen donor relationships, clarify your ministry message, and create long-term trust—essential ingredients for healthy, sustainable ministry fundraising. If you’re tired of feeling invisible and want to communicate with confidence, this episode will give you the clarity and encouragement you need to move forward. 👉 Join the free community for women ministry leaders who fundraise: a place for encouragement, prayer, and learning how to use storytelling to connect with donors. https://irisstorytelling.com/community 👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    13 min
  2. 12/29/2025

    40 | Is Your Website Losing Donors? 2 Things Your Homepage Needs for Better Fundraising

    Is your website losing potential donors? If your ministry fundraising feels stuck, your nonprofit website might be the silent culprit. Your homepage is often the first place donors land—and within seconds they decide whether they’ll stay, explore, and engage… or bounce.  In this episode, we walk through the two messaging elements every ministry or nonprofit homepage must communicate immediately. Without these two pieces, your website becomes confusing, donor engagement drops, and you unintentionally lose potential supporters before the fundraising conversation even begins. You’ll learn how to craft above-the-fold messaging that is clear, compelling, and donor-focused, how to avoid the most common nonprofit website mistakes, and how to shift your language from “here’s what we do” to story-driven messaging that invites donors into meaningful action. If you want to strengthen your donor communication, improve your fundraising results, and create a ministry website that actually engages supporters, this episode gives you one practical step you can implement today. 👉 Join the free community for women ministry leaders who fundraise: a place for encouragement, prayer, and learning how to use storytelling to connect with donors. https://irisstorytelling.com/community 👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    16 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Do you wish fundraising was easier? Do you wish you didn’t have to worry so much about the money? Feeling the awkwardness, the icky-shame feeling of asking for money? Putting so much effort in but still getting “nos” or worse… ghosting? I’m excited you’re here!! This is the place for you to learn how to fundraise easier, get rid of the shame and awkwardness of asking for money, and finally start growing supporters for your ministry that stay for the long haul! Hi, I’m Lisa. I love Jesus, have been in ministry since I was born (missionary kid here) and I love being a part of what God is doing in people’s lives! I’ve worked with and in ministries that struggle to truly connect with supporters. I’ve seen the stigma around raising support, the scramble across platforms and videos to “keep up,” and the relentless trial-and-error that never quite clicks—often ending in burnout. But then I saw first hand the power of story and was BLOWN AWAY at how quickly it engaged donors and encouraged them to donate- the first time I used the power of story in our messaging, we raised so much support, the team wasn’t even prepared for it! This had never happened before! And I want the same for your ministry!! If you’re ready to finally raise the support you need—without the constant stress or worry… If you want to grow your base of supporters and keep them with you for the long haul… If you’re looking for a simple strategy you can use again and again—one that replaces burnout with confidence… And if you’re ready to drop the awkward, icky, or shameful feelings around asking for money… Then this podcast is for you. Grab your coffee, your calling, and maybe a snack—let’s do this. -Lisa Connect w/ me:lisa@irisstorytelling.comhttps://irisstorytelling.com