It Doesn't Hurt to Ask!

The Fundraising Lab
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT

Whether you're a professional fundraiser, volunteer on the board of a non-profit organization or you're about to make your first charitable donation, we've got a podcast for you! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! explores the world of philanthropy through a critical lens. While that might sound serious, we have a lot of fun along the way. In our first season, we're chatting with "Shift Disturbers," charitable sector leaders who are doing things differently. After listening, you won't think about our sector in the same way for our motto is: in fundraising, as in life, it doesn't hurt to ask! We hope you listen, learn and laugh along with us as we chat all things fundraising and philanthropy. Great news! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! is in the Top 25 Fundraising Podcasts to listen to on Feedspot.

  1. It Doesn't Hurt to Ask - The Reboot Teaser

    SEASON 2 TRAILER

    It Doesn't Hurt to Ask - The Reboot Teaser

    It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask is the podcast for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers who want to raise more money with less chaos and build systems that last. Hosted by Cathy Mann, award-winning fundraiser, educator, and founder of The Fundraising Lab, each episode blends decades of sector experience with practical insights you can apply right away. Whether you're leading a team, writing your first grant, or steering a $2M campaign, you'll find real talk, relatable stories, and strategies rooted in social-change philanthropy. Every other week, Cathy and her guests break down how strategy, systems, and culture work together so your organization can scale its fundraising from $200K to $2M and beyond, without burning out your people or your mission. Resources and links: Check out host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com)  Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille at Soundstripe

    2 min
  2. The Mysteries of Major Gifts Revealed with Deb Thompson

    3D AGO

    The Mysteries of Major Gifts Revealed with Deb Thompson

    That first major donor meeting can feel intimidating – but with the right preparation and strategy in place, it’s an opportunity to build a meaningful philanthropic relationship that could transform your organization’s impact. In this episode from the Fundraising Lab archives, we’re joined by Deb Thompson as we provide expert fundraising coaching on how to prepare for an upcoming major gifts meeting with a prospective foundation funder. Whether you’re reconnecting with a past supporter or meeting with high-capacity donors for the first time, this conversation covers essential major gifts strategies for turning that initial meeting into a long-term donor relationship.   Together, we walk through the critical elements of successful major donor meetings – from donor prospecting research and goal setting to asking the right discovery questions and creating clear next steps. We cover: How to research major donor prospects, set meeting goals, and understand their giving patterns and priorities The art of discovery calls: asking the right questions, listening well, and learning what donors truly care about Creating effective calls to action and securing permission for meaningful follow-up that moves the relationship forward  If you’re preparing for your first major gift meeting or looking to strengthen your major donor cultivation strategy, this episode offers practical fundraising best practices to help you build authentic relationships with foundation funders and high-capacity donors.  Resources and links: Check out Debra Thompson and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille at Soundstripe

    20 min
  3. No Growth Without a Game Plan: Growing Your Fundraising Strategy

    3D AGO

    No Growth Without a Game Plan: Growing Your Fundraising Strategy

    So, you’ve got a vision to grow your fundraising program, but you’re not sure how to get there.   Whether you’re volunteer-led, an executive director flying solo, or building your first fundraising team, the path to sustainable fundraising growth isn’t always clear. In this episode, we break down the real stages of fundraising growth and what is required at each stage – not just in terms of fundraising strategy, but in terms of systems, organizational culture and capacity building.  We’re talking about:  The 4 key stages of fundraising growth (and what to focus on at each stage) Why fundraising success depends on alignment across your entire organization What it means to invest in a culture of philanthropy that supports fundraising efforts Common traps like unrealistic fundraising hiring expectations, weak infrastructure, and the myth of the “lone fundraiser” Real-life stories about how fundraising success leads to overwhelm – and practical ways to prevent burnout We also dig into why financial reconciliation, donor database management, and clear team communication are just as critical as your fundraising plan – and why you might feel like you're spinning your wheels without these systems in place.  If you're navigating the messy middle, stuck between growing pains and big fundraising goals, this one's for you.  Resources and links: Check out host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Download our Four Pillars of Fundraising Guide for free Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille at Soundstripe

    19 min

  4. 11/15/2022

    The Work Doesn't End with Signing a Cheque

    Tune in as Cathy interviews Paul Taylor, Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto. Paul is a lifelong anti-poverty activist who has used his experience to fuel a career focused on helping others and dismantling the beliefs and systems that lead to poverty and insecurity.

    22 min

  5. 08/23/2022

    Episode 21 - Voluntary Ranting for the Common Good (Replay)

    This is a replay of one of our favourite episodes from last season. In this episode,  Simone Joyaux, ACFRE (proclaimed by Cathy as the Grand Dame of Social Change Philanthropy) reviews the do's, don'ts and dilemmas of fundraising for social change. From the professionalism of fundraising to board governance, this wide-ranging conversation will surely leave you thinking about the ethical challenges of philanthropy in new ways.

    48 min

  6. 07/26/2022

    Episode 20 - Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable (Replay)

    This is a replay of one of our favourite conversations from last season. On today's episode, Cathy sits down with Ajeev Bhatia, Manager of Policy and Community Connections at the Centre for Connected Communities. Ajeev discusses how the situations of his past have transformed into motivation for his future as he charts a new course for philanthropy and invites us to get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable.

    46 min

  7. 06/28/2022

    Episode 19 - Research 'n Rage (Replay)

    This episode is a replay of one of our favourite conversations from last season of It Doesn't Hurt to Ask. Dr. Elizabeth Dale is a fundraiser turned academic who studies the giving habits of women and LGBTQ donors as an Assistant Professor at Seattle University's Nonprofit Leadership Management program. Elizabeth's insights are invaluable on both a practical level and in a big-picture way and she's got the research to back it all up! If you've ever wondered about the hows and whys behind philanthropic giving through a gender lens, this is the episode for you!

    39 min

  8. 04/01/2022

    Episode 18 - Melding Fundraising with Social Change

    On today's episode, Cathy sits down with Paulina O'Kieffe-Anthony, the executive director of SKETCH based in Toronto. Paulina discusses her new role as Executive Director of SKETCH and some of what she's learned in various roles. She also talks about her work in the arts with racialized and marginalized youth. She then talks through how having a strong fundraising plan and database has been a game-changer for SKETCH. And finally, talks about her hopes for what is to come in the industry and what young leaders can bring. Join our free fundraising plan webinar: https://fundraisinglab.ca/webinar  You can find more info about Spark Premium, and our new course, Donor Database Essentials: https://www.fundraisinglab.ca/spark/database

    27 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Whether you're a professional fundraiser, volunteer on the board of a non-profit organization or you're about to make your first charitable donation, we've got a podcast for you! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! explores the world of philanthropy through a critical lens. While that might sound serious, we have a lot of fun along the way. In our first season, we're chatting with "Shift Disturbers," charitable sector leaders who are doing things differently. After listening, you won't think about our sector in the same way for our motto is: in fundraising, as in life, it doesn't hurt to ask! We hope you listen, learn and laugh along with us as we chat all things fundraising and philanthropy. Great news! It Doesn't Hurt to Ask! is in the Top 25 Fundraising Podcasts to listen to on Feedspot.

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