7-Figure Fundraising Podcast

51 - Don't Project Fundraise Oct 10, 2024

In this episode, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss why project fundraising is not a sustainable strategy for nonprofits. They compare project fundraising to a gift card that offers a one-time benefit but does not engage donors in the organization's overall mission. They explain that project fundraising can actually cost money and send a negative message internally. They emphasize the importance of having a compelling vision and avoiding one-off projects that distract from the organization's mission. They provide tips on how to pitch the big vision to donors and build long-term partnerships.

Takeaways

Project fundraising is not a sustainable strategy for nonprofits as it reduces the organization's vision to one-off projects and can cost money.
Donors who are engaged in the organization's overall mission are more likely to become long-term partners.
When pitching to donors, focus on the problem you solve from their perspective, present a solution that feels safe or unique, and explain how it works in a concise and compelling way.
Share success stories that demonstrate the impact of your organization's work and paint a vision of how lives will be improved in the future.
Avoid project fundraising and instead focus on building relationships with donors based on the organization's big vision.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

50 - 7-Figure Fundraising: A guide to help you raise millions to change the world Aug 28, 2024

In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, hosts Trevor and Tarren Bragdon explore the key strategies outlined in their new book, 7-Figure Fundraising: A Guide to Raising Millions to Change the World. They discuss the practical, step-by-step approach nonprofit leaders can use to transform their fundraising efforts and scale their impact.

Why We Wrote the Book: To help nonprofit leaders understand fundraising both at the big picture level and with specific tactics. It’s a short, actionable read—just 127 pages.
Key Lessons:
- Fundraising is a Skill: No one is born a natural fundraiser—it’s a skill you can work on and improve.
- Three Levers of Fundraising Growth: GROW your existing donors, KEEP them by increasing retention, and ADD new donors strategically.
Focus Areas for Success:
- ASK: Ask once a year with the right timing and a persuasive pitch.
- PARTNER: Treat major donors like partners with a 4-star level of service.
- FIND: Add a few new donors each year by securing referrals and hosting strategic events.
Team Roles:
- Closer: The person who makes the ask—often the CEO.
- Conductor: Manages donor relations and ensures they receive top-tier service.
- Connector: Focuses on finding new donors and setting up prospect meetings.

Get your copy today, available exclusively on Amazon. The audiobook will be released at the end of September.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

49 - From Vision to Creation: Starting Musizi University in Uganda with Elaine Alowo-Matovu and Takako Mino Dec 20, 2023

View Episode 49 Show Notes on our website here.
Co-founders Elaine Alowo-Matovu and Takako Mino discuss the founding and fundraising journey of Musizi University, a new university in Uganda, and their vision behind it.

They discuss their backgrounds and how they came together to start the university. Elaine and Takako also explain the unique programs and curriculum offered at Musizi University, emphasizing the importance of practical skills and indigenous knowledge.

The podcast includes insights into their fundraising strategy, the importance of warm introductions, building relationships, and crafting compelling pitches. In addition, you’ll hear insights on overcoming university startup challenges, actionable advice for ambitious ideas, donating to Musizi University, and the interesting significance of "Musizi."

00:00 Introduction
00:43 Background and Inspiration for starting Musizi University
03:53 Unique Approach and Model of Musizi University
07:09 Co-founding Musizi University and Takako's Background
13:58 The Meaning of Musizi
16:16 Blending Western and Ugandan Talent in the University
26:32 Fundraising for a Startup University
30:43 Fundraising Success and Building Relationships
38:26 Tactics for Warm Introductions and Relationship Building
41:52 Crafting a Compelling Pitch
47:41 Navigating Challenges of Starting a University
48:16 Actionable Advice for Ambitious Ideas
49:43 Building Meaningful Relationships with Donors
51:07 How to Donate and Learn More About Musizi University

To learn more about Musizi University visit: https://www.musizi.ac.ug/

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

48 - How to Never Lose an Employee Again with Joey Coleman Jun 28, 2023

View Episode 48 Show Notes on our website here.
Joey Coleman helps companies keep their customers and employees. As an award-winning speaker, he shares his First 100 Days® methodology for improving customer and employee retention with organizations worldwide (e.g., Whirlpool, Volkswagen Australia, and Zappos). His Wall Street Journal #2 best-selling book, Never Lose a Customer Again, shows how to turn any sale into a lifelong customer or donor.

His new book, Never Lose an Employee Again, details a framework companies and nonprofits can use to reduce turnover, and increase employee engagement.

In this episode we cover

Employee Retention
- Treat Employees the same way you would treat a donor
- Donor/customer experience is similar to the Employee experience
New Employees Experience
- The importance of the first 100 days with a new employee
Job Posting
- How to entice the right applicants from the start
- Why you should provide interview questions in advance
- Off-the-cuff questioning vs. the more common interview questions
- Learning about the person as a person instead of an employee
Making a Job Offer
- What to do during the "quiet period" - the time between the offer and the first day
- Making a lasting impression on the first day and how to "Give them something to talk about."
- Making sure a new employee understands their role in the company and why they matter.
Close
- Joey's challenge for the audience
- Pick up a copy of Joey's book, Never Lose an Employee Again

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

47 - Fundraising for a Startup Nonprofit Jun 07, 2023

View Episode 47 Show Notes on our website here.
Trevor and Tarren Bragdon discuss how to think about fundraising for a startup nonprofit.

We have a lot of people new to fundraising who find us through the podcast and we’d wanted to do a podcast specifically for fundraising for a startup nonprofit.

3 phases of a Startup Nonprofit
- Idea phase - Finding the product and market fit
  - Read the book The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
- Proof phase - show your idea works - pilot or small scale success
- Scale phase - figuring out how to take things that work on a small scale and make them work on large scale
Theory of Change Formula
- What is the Problem
- What is your Solution?
- Why are you the best team to solve the Problem?
- Write out your theory of change in less than 140 words.
  - Refine and edit.
  - You'll want to be able to explain it in about 1 minute
How to introduce yourself - to new people and talk about your nonprofit
- Problem, Solution and then a Story
- Introduction from The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Alan Dibs
- “You know how [state the problem you solve]. Well I’m starting a nonprofit that [insert your solution here]. In fact, [give a story about your solution]”
Start working on your pitch -
- See our short video on How to Build a Pitch
  - Elevator Close Video
- We have a video on this and a short course on Udemy on how to build a pitch - almost 600 students enrolled
Phase 2 the Proof phase - showing your idea works - pilot or small scale success
- Communication with donors key
- Start thinking about the size of the nonprofit you want to create
- Building out your team

Wrap up

To grow your fundraising as a Startup, focus on these steps.
- Idea Phase
  - Ask why isn’t this done already
  - Develop out your theory of change
  - Create your introduction and begin your pitch
  - Begin testing your idea on a small scale
  - Pitch donors and listen to their feedback
  - Expect a lot of No’s
- Proof Phase
  - Decide the type of nonprofit you want to build
  - Build out your team
  - Figure out how to scale

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

46 - The 7 Steps for 7-Figure Fundraising Feb 17, 2023

View Episode 46 Show Notes on our website here.
To grow your fundraising, focus on these 7 steps.
1. Ask Donors Only Once a Year (1:22)

This is how major donors organize their giving
Match your ask to their timetable
Don’t nickel and dime your major donors by asking them for a big donation and later asking them for smaller donations or sponsorships.

2. Treat Donors Like Partners (5:05)

Poverty versus the Partnership Mindset
What does treating a partner look like
- See Episode #42 - Creating a 5-Star Donor Experience
How to create a great thank you letter: 5-Sentence Thank You Letter
Creating a 100 day plan for new donors, see Episode #35 - How to Never Lose a Donor

3. Add a Few New Partner Donors Each Year (12:00)

You don’t need hundreds of new donors. A few can go a long way
- Focus on warm leads
- Referrals - ask your donors for only one referral
  - Script to use: "Is there one person, who is like you, that I should talk to about supporting our work?"
- Referrals have some of the highest close and retention rates for new donors

4. Have a Big Vision (17:49)

Why is this important?
If you are trying to figure out your Big Vision
- Think about 1 year first
- Then 2, then 3
- Book:Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt

5. Make a Compelling Pitch (23:06)

Nonprofits are complicated and do lots of great things, but sometimes it's hard to explain everything
How to talk about your work and make it memorable
Watch an overview video of our 8-Step Pitch Template
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Pitching Major Donors

6. Execute on the Big Vision (30:17)

Execution is just as important as a big vision
Build trust with execution - show you are doing what you say
Books on building systems for execution
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney and Sean Covey

7. Staff with Fundraising Specialist (33:04)

Connector - the person who reaches out to prospects and works on securing a first meeting.
Closer - the person who meets with donors and makes the ask
Cultivator - the person who manages the donor relationship throughout the year, ensuring they are getting a 5-star experience from the nonprofit.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/7-steps-of-fundraising

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

45 - Fundraising Habits - Psychology of Fundraising series Sep 21, 2022

View Episode 45 Show Notes on our website here.
In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon looks into the Psychology of Fundraising with Tarren Bragdon, co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising and founder and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability.
In this episode, they look at:

How you create fundraising habits.
Habits for the task you want to do but don't.
Habits for things you don't want to do but need to do.
Lastly, how do you create habits for those things you hate doing but need to get done?

Mentioned in the episode:
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg https://amzn.to/3R25qrU
Show Notes: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast
7-Figure Fundraising Workshop: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/7ff-workshop

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

44 - Psychology of Fundraising: Renewing Donors Aug 10, 2022

View Episode 44 Show Notes on our website here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss the psychology of fundraising and how it applies to renewing existing donors. They look at the different reasons donors renew and what you can do to set yourself up for your renewal meeting. The goal is to have your major donors happy to meet you and renew their support. This is the second episode in a series on the Psychology of Fundraising.
How to Build a Donor Pitch Video: https://youtu.be/oP7q_wCBGcc
Show notes: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/psychology-of-fundraising-renewing-donors
Learn more about our workshop: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/7ff-workshop

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

43 - Psychology of Fundraising: New Donors Jun 02, 2022

View Episode 43 Show Notes on our website here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss the psychology of fundraising and how it applies to new donors. They look at how new donors think differently, how it's critical to establish trust, and strategies to get that first meeting. This is part of a new series on the Psychology of Fundraising.
Elevator Close for New Donors Video: https://youtu.be/7FmLc6tL1hw
How to Build a Donor Pitch Video: https://youtu.be/oP7q_wCBGcc
Show notes: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/psychology-of-fundraising-new-donors
Learn more about our workshop: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/7ff-workshop

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

42 - Creating a 5-Star Donor Experience - with Dan Remmenga Apr 28, 2021

Read this episode's show notes on our website here.
In this episode, Trevor interviews Dan Remmenga, the Donor Relations Manager for the Foundation for Government Accountability. They discuss the 5-star system FGA uses to create and cultivate meaningful relationships with donors.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

41 - Grit, Growth, and The Media: 2nd Year as CEO - with Megan Rose Apr 06, 2021

Read this episode's show notes on the website here.
Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. Better Together provides a voluntary and preventative alternative to foster care, serves over 15,000 children, and keeps 96% of them out of the foster care system. Megan shares how her organization developed a strong media strategy as well as how her organization dealt with the challenges of the last year.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

40 - [Founders Series] Mothers Advocacy Project - with Chelsea Sabo Mar 17, 2021

Check out this episode's show notes on our website here.
Today on 7 Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Chelsea Sabo, the founder and Executive Director of the Mothers Advocacy Project. Chelsea shares the story of her nonprofit and their mission to support at-risk mothers and their children by helping mothers overcome past trauma.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

39 - [Founders Series] Motherhood Beyond Bars - with Amy Ard Feb 26, 2021

View this episode's show notes on our website here.
In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor interviews Amy Ard, the Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars. Amy shares how she got her start in advocating for pregnant women who are incarcerated, the lessons learned along the way, and how she's hoping to expand the nonprofit's mission.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

38 - [Founders Series] The Raah Foundation of India - with Dr. Sarika Kulkarni Feb 03, 2021

Read this episode's show notes on our website here.
In this episode of 7 Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Dr. Sarika Kulkarni. Sarika is the founder of the non-profit Raah Foundation. The podcast begins with Sarika sharing about this foundation, which is aimed at changing and providing better lives for those in the tribal communities of India. She shares her story of how she went from a professor to an entrepreneur to a nonprofit founder.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

37 - Test the Ideas No One Else Will - with Rory Sutherland and Maddie Croucher Nov 24, 2020

Read this episode's show notes on our website here.
In this episode, Rory Sutherland and Maddie Croucher, marketing experts and behavioral scientists, join host Trevor Bragdon. Rory and Maddie both work for the global advertising and marketing agency, Ogilvy. They discuss why counterintuitive ideas sometimes work, building trust with donors, and creating a culture of innovation.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

36 - Adapt, Learn, and Lead - with Noemi Perez Nov 11, 2020

Read the show notes for this episode on our website here.
Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Noemi Perez. Noemi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Immokalee Foundation, a nonprofit that provides a range of education programs focused on building pathways to professional careers. They serve students in kindergarten through post-secondary education. Noemi shares her advice and experience gained from leading her nonprofit throughout the challenges of the last year.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

35 - Never Lose a Donor Again - with Joey Coleman Oct 21, 2020

Read the show notes for this episode on our website here.
In this 7-Figure Fundraising episode, Trevor interviews Joey Coleman, the award-winning speaker and author of the #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller, Never Lose A Customer Again. During this episode, Joey speaks directly to nonprofit leaders on how to improve their donor retention strategies to achieve lifelong loyalty.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

34 - Encore Episode: What Happens in a 7-Figure Donor Meeting - with Tarren Bragdon Oct 07, 2020

This episode was one of most popular episodes from last year and we've received a lot of feedback on how helpful it was in helping prepare for donor meetings.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Tarren Bragdon, his brother, and co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. Tarren is the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he started in 2011 with $50,000 in seed money and has grown to produce $13 million in revenue annually. He also teaches the 7-Figure Fundraising Workshop.Tarren shares the details of how to successfully prepare and execute a 7-figure donor meeting. He walks through what fundraisers should ask at the beginning of every donor meeting, how to transition from small talk to asking for money and how to structure a compelling pitch that resonates with donors.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

33 - 5-Minute Fundraising: Where to Find More Fundraising Ideas Sep 16, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
In this episode of 5-Minute Fundraising, Trevor shares an idea on where to find new fundraising ideas to improve your nonprofit's performance.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

32 - Preparing for High-Stakes Moments - with Dan McGinn Sep 09, 2020

Read today's show notes on our website here.
Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Dan McGinn. Dan is an author and journalist who serves as the senior editor of the Harvard Business Review, host of the Dear HBR podcast, and is the author of the book Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed. Trevor and Dan discuss how to use the ten minutes before big moments in your career to improve your performance.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

31 - 5-Minute Fundraising: The 100 Hours that Matter Most Sep 02, 2020

In this episode of 5-Minute Fundraising, we're taking a look at the time you spend each year that has the highest impact on your nonprofit. Many fundraisers average 100 hours per year talking to donors. What can you do to turn those critical hours into your peak performance?

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

30 - Finding New, Major Donors - with Judy Cook Aug 26, 2020

Read this episode's show notes here.
In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Judy Cook, the Development Director at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). Judy manages the development staff and the organization’s fundraising plan, and cultivates relationships with prospective donors. During this episode, Judy and Trevor talk through mindsets, tactics, strategies to reach new, major donors.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

29 - 5-Minute Fundraising: How to Get Donors to Talk About Your Nonprofit Aug 19, 2020

In this week's 5-Minute Fundraising tactic, Trevor outlines three ways you can craft shareable content into your donor communications.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

28 - Managing Risk for Your Nonprofit - with Sophie von Laer Aug 12, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
In this episode, Trevor interviews Sophie von Laer, the Founder and CEO of Nafs Coach. Sophie is a coach, engineer, and consultant. With more than a decade of work experience as a coach and consultant for both non-profits, for-profits, and fortune 500 companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and government agencies. Sophie has vast experiences in creating sustainable solutions for her clients to empower them to achieve higher levels of personal and professional success.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

27 - 5-Minute Fundraising: 3 Reasons Donors Give Aug 05, 2020

In this episode, Trevor discusses the 3 big reasons major donors give to nonprofits and how you can incorporate these reasons into your donor communications.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

26 - 5-Minute Fundraising: Finding Better Stories Jul 29, 2020

We’re excited to share with you the first episode in a new series, 5-Minute Fundraising. Every other Wednesday at 8:00 am ET, we’ll share one specific tactic you can apply immediately to your fundraising. Today’s tactic is called The Story Safe: How to find and capture great stories.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

25 - Leadership Lessons for Times of Crisis - with Joel Manby Jul 16, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Joel Manby, author of Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders. Joel is also the former CEO of Sea World, Saab North America, and Herschend Enterprises. In this episode, Joel shares his experience and advice on leading major companies through times of turmoil and uncertainty.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

24 - Preview of the Live, Online 7-Figure Workshop Jun 18, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor and Tarren Bragdon had a conversation about how fundraising has changed over the last few months for Tarren's nonprofit. They also discussed and previewed content from the upcoming live, online 7-Figure Fundraising workshop.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

23 - Think Big & Ask Big - with Kevin Gentry May 27, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor interviews Kevin Gentry. Kevin is the vice president for special projects at Koch Companies Public Sector and a member of Stand Together’s board of directors. During this interview, they discuss the mindsets of both major donors and fundraisers as well as the keys to successful fundraising events.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

22 - The Return - Your Donor Pitch for the COVID Crisis May 14, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon continues the series on Fundraising During Uncertainty, in which Trevor discusses the nuances and challenges of fundraising during the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, Trevor outlines a pitch script nonprofit leaders can use to explain to donors the changes and new opportunities their nonprofit is facing. You can download your own copy of the pitch script here.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

21 - Keys to Crafting a Great Donor Pitch - with Roy Lenardson Apr 22, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Roy Lenardson, president of Strategic Advocacy. Roy has worked with some of America's largest companies and organizations as a political strategist, operative, and manager. He is a specialist in crafting specific and clear messaging, and has worked as a pitch coach at all of the 7-Figure Fundraising workshops. Trevor and Roy discuss principles for creating a great pitch in this episode.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

20 - Finding Opportunities in Uncertainty - with Becky Lewis Apr 08, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
Becky Lewis is the Executive Director at Trinity Christian Academy Foundation, one of the largest private K-12 schools in Texas. She provides all fundraising direction for the academy including managing capital campaigns major giving and planned giving. Becky has grown Trinity Christian’s fundraising by more than $8 million a year and through expanding major donor giving and events with speakers like George W. Bush, Payton Manning, and Tim Tebow. In this episode, Trevor interviewed Becky about previous times of uncertainty like 9/11 and the Financial Crisis and what that looked like for fundraising.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

19 - Keep Calm and Innovate - with Kelly Shackelford Mar 25, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
Kelly Shackelford, Esq., is President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Under his leadership, First Liberty’s legal team has participated in cases before the United States Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, federal district courts, and various state courts, where they have won more than 90 percent of their cases. In this episode, Trevor and Kelly discuss how First Liberty navigated previous national crises.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

18 - Fundraising During Times of Uncertainty - with Fred Fransen Mar 14, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
With all the uncertainty with the Coronavirus, limited air travel, and the volatility in the stock market, it’s an interesting time to be a fundraiser. For the next few episodes of the podcast, we are going to be focused on fundraising under uncertainty with interviews from people who worked during other times of crisis and how they made decisions and took action. Today’s guest is Fred Fransen. Fred is the Co-Founder of Certell, Inc., an educational non-profit which provides Social Studies curriculum to more than 5,000 teachers, who teach more than 475,000 students across the country. Fred has also worked for years as a donor advisor to major donors and advised them on their charitable giving.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

17 - Mentorship & Bringing the Entrepreneurial Mindset to Your Nonprofit - with Donnie Wilson Mar 04, 2020

Read the full show notes here.
President of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, Donnie Wilson, began his career as a serial entrepreneur in 1977, at only 17 years old. While he originally focused on building equipment for the gas and oil industries, Donnie was later presented with an opportunity to scale his ventures internationally. In recent years, Donnie began dedicating much of his time to advising and mentoring young entrepreneurs and in December 2016, he accepted the position of President of Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship. Donnie is driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and enthusiasm that stems from his own entrepreneurial experience. He has seen first-hand the changes that CEO brings to young people and the promise it holds for communities across the United States. It is his drive, his vision and his enthusiasm that guide the Midland Institute Team and the expansion of the CEO Program nationwide.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

16 - Excellence Wins: Why Nonprofits Should Think Like the Ritz-Carlton - with Horst Schulze Feb 19, 2020

View this episode's show notes here.
In this episode, Trevor Bragdon interviews Horst Schulze the co-founder and former president of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group and founder and chairman of the Cappella Hotel Group. Horst discusses how to bring a culture of excellence into your nonprofit and how to increase your relationship with donors. Horst also discusses his book, Excellence Wins and how his principles of the highest level of customer services are now used across industries.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

15 - Strategies for Creating and Navigating Massive Nonprofit Growth - with Jonathan Bechtle Jan 15, 2020

View this episode's show notes here.
Jonathan Bechtle is the Chief Operating Officer and Counsel at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). As COO, he specializes in implementing systems that scale for the organization’s rapid growth and making sure FGA is in compliance with state and federal laws in their 38 states of operation. In this episode, Jonathan highlights the business breakthroughs and tools FGA utilizes to help creativity thrive, connect their remote team, and take their annual revenue from $2 million to $13 million in six years.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

14 - Create Change in Your Nonprofit Using Behavioral Science - with Trevor Bragdon Jan 01, 2020

Read this episode's show notes here.
In today’s episode, the tables turn. Our host and Co-Founder Trevor Bragdon is interviewed by fellow Co-Founder and brother, Tarren Bragdon. Trevor shares how he discovered the power of Behavioral Science and how he taught nonprofit CEOs to implement it in their strategy for powerful fundraising results.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

13 - Lessons Learned in the First Year as CEO - with Megan Rose Dec 18, 2019

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Megan Rose is the CEO of Better Together, a nonprofit that provides a voluntary, preventative alternative to foster care. Megan has spent her entire career working in social services and was recently awarded the 2019 Civil Society Award by the Manhattan Institute. In today’s episode, she shares about the important work Better Together accomplishes, facing Imposter Syndrome as a CEO, and balancing motherhood and leadership.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

12 - Year-End Strategies to Boost Your Fundraising in 2020 - with Tarren Bragdon Dec 04, 2019

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Co-Founder of 7-Figure Fundraising and the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, Tarren Bragdon, is an expert in fundraising and nonprofit success. Today, he’s highlighting the actionable, intentional steps necessary to tailor your year-end communication in a way that is both thoughtful and unforgettable.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

11 - The Actionable Tools Behind One of the Country’s Top Websites - with Leslie Graves Nov 13, 2019

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Leslie Graves, Founder and Publisher of Ballotpedia, is a leading figure in digital media and civic activism. Today, Ballotpedia is one of the top 500 websites in the country and the gold standard for election information at the federal, state, and local level. She shares the actionable systems and processes that have shaped their success, including their secret weapon that has transformed their workflow and efficiency over the last year.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

10 - Revolutionize Your Development Shop: How Three Staff Raise $13 Million a Year - with Tarren Bragdon Oct 30, 2019

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Today’s show features Tarren Bragdon, the Co-Founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. He’s also the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he started in 2011. He shares the transformational shift and smart strategy that took his nonprofit from $50K in seed money to more than $13 million in revenue yearly with a development staff of three.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

09 - Building an Impactful Development Team - with Wolf von Laer Oct 23, 2019

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In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon speaks with Wolf von Laer. Wolf is the CEO of Students for Liberty, a nonprofit focused on supporting pro-liberty students on college campuses in the United States and around the world. Wolf manages a 65-person, international staff and has grown the organization to a five million dollar budget. He earned a PhD in political economy at King’s College in London and has lived and studied in the United States, Spain, Turkey, Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Argentina. Wolf has written a book on central banking and he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Huffington Post, and C-SPAN.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

08 - Building a Grassroots Donor-Base - with Scott Hennig Oct 16, 2019

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During this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon speaks with Scott Hennig, the president and CEO of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has been a unique nonprofit taxpayer advocacy group in Canada for the last 29 years. Scott has worked for the Federation for 14 years, moving up the ranks before taking over leadership in 2019. Across Canada, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has over 200,000 members and activists. Scott unpacks how the Canadian Taxpayers Federation uses grassroots fundraisers and one-on-one donor meetings to build a base of over 26,000 individual donors.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

07 - How to Launch a Wildly Successful Capital Campaign - with Becky Lewis Oct 09, 2019

View the show notes for this episode here.
During this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Becky Lewis. Becky is the executive director at Trinity Christian Academy Foundation, one of the largest, private, Christ-centered K-12 schools in Texas. She’s the chief fundraiser for the academy and manages their capital campaigns, major giving, and planned giving. Becky has raised more than $50 million for Trinity Christian in the last decade through expanding major donor giving and through events with speakers like George W. Bush, Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow. Over the last 25 years, Becky has raised more than $100 million as a fundraising executive for organizations such as Baylor Healthcare System Foundation, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, West Dallas Community School, Sky Ranch Christian Camps and now at Trinity Christian Academy.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

06 - How to Find and Keep Recurring Donors - with Ben Greene Oct 02, 2019

View this episode's show notes here.
During this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon speaks with Ben Greene, chief development officer for Food for the Hungry, a Christian nonprofit with over $100 million in annual revenue that works to end all forms of human poverty worldwide. Ben has worked in fundraising and development since 2003 and first joined Food for the Hungry in 2009 as the senior director of sponsorship acquisition. Ben also has worked with Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., returning to Food for the Hungry in 2018 to take on his current role.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

05 - Grand Strategy: How to Fight Fear, Be Bold and Win at Fundraising - with John Tillman Sep 25, 2019

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In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon speaks with John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, a public policy nonprofit. John is one of the nation’s most prominent leaders in the state-based think-tank world. Over the last 12 years, John has grown the Illinois Policy Institute from $80,000 to more than $12 million in annual revenue and nearly 50 staff members. Before entering the public policy field, John was, and continues to be, a businessman and entrepreneur.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

04 - Prospecting Events: How to Find New Major Donors - with Kelly Shackelford Sep 18, 2019

View this episode's show notes here.
During this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon speaks with Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of The First Liberty Institute, the United States’ largest legal organization dedicated exclusively to protecting all Americans’ religious freedom.Kelly founded First Liberty in 1997 to defend religious freedom in the courts and the public arena. First Liberty has participated in cases before the United States Supreme Court, the Federal Court of Appeals, federal district courts and state courts. It has won over 90 percent of its cases, many of them being landmark and religious liberty cases. Kelly shares how they made event fundraising the key for finding new major donors for First Liberty. He details how he sells the vision to donors to how to turn small fundraising events into a series of six-figure fundraising dinners. Kelly also highlights practical steps nonprofit fundraisers can make to create a lasting connections and donations.

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

03 - Inside the Mind of a Donor Handler - with Fred Fransen Sep 11, 2019

Read this episode's show notes here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Fred Fransen. Fred is the founder of Certell Inc., an education nonprofit which provides social studies curriculum to more than 5,000 teachers across the United States. Fred also is an advisor and consultant to major donors who give to higher education, medical and scientific institutions, and the arts. He has 25 years experience in the nonprofit world within universities, colleges, and international think tanks. Fred walks through how small or start-up nonprofits can get into serious fundraising. He shares how to build a positive, beneficial relationship with donor advisors and touches on important insights into how major donors think. Learn more at http://7figurefundraising.com/podcast

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

02 - What Happens in a 7-Figure Donor Meeting - with Tarren Bragdon Sep 04, 2019

View this episode's show notes here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Tarren Bragdon, his brother, and co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. Tarren is the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he started in 2011 with $50,000 in seed money and has grown to produce $13 million in revenue annually. He also teaches the 7-Figure Fundraising Workshop.Tarren shares the details of how to successfully prepare and execute a 7-figure donor meeting. He walks through what fundraisers should ask at the beginning of every donor meeting, how to transition from small talk to asking for money and how to structure a compelling pitch that resonates with donors.Learn more at https://7figurefundraising.com/

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

01 - Mindset: How Successful Fundraisers Think Differently - with Tarren Bragdon Sep 04, 2019

View this episode's show notes here.
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, Trevor Bragdon sits down with Tarren Bragdon, his brother, and co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. Tarren is the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he started in 2011 with $50,000 in seed money and has grown to produce $13 million in revenue annually. He also teaches the 7-Figure Fundraising Workshop.Like many who work in nonprofits, Tarren had no experience in fundraising or managing people when he began a small nonprofit. Through years of experience working in policy and then as a nonprofit CEO, Tarren learned fundraising is the key to a successful nonprofit. However, few people in the nonprofit sector are taught how to fundraise — and fewer are taught how to do it well.Tarren shares the most important mindsets to be a successful fundraiser, how to use them to build a partnership with big money donors and ask for 5, 6 and 7-figure donations that will allow your nonprofit accomplish great things.Learn more at https://7figurefundraising.com/

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

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