Fundable by Design

Latest Episodes:

What "Fundable" Really Means (And Why Most Nonprofits Aren't) Feb 25, 2026

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I hear nonprofit leaders say this all the time: "We just need to become more fundable."

But when I ask what that actually means, most people can't clearly explain it.

So today, I want to talk about what fundable really means — not from the nonprofit's perspective, but from the funder's.

If you've been doing the work but still not seeing consistent funding, this conversation will help you identify the real gap.

Fundable is not a label. It's a position you build into your organization.

And once you understand that, everything shifts.

Where Is the Money? (And Why It's Not Reaching Your Nonprofit) Feb 23, 2026

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I hear this question constantly: "Where is the money?"

Because from your side, it can feel like funding has dried up, donors have disappeared, and grants are harder than ever to secure.

But I can tell you this clearly that the money didn't disappear.

Funding doesn't move randomly. It moves toward clarity, structure, and reduced risk.

If you've been working hard but still wondering why the money isn't reaching your organization, this conversation will help you see what funders see — and what needs to shift.

The money is there. The question is whether you're positioned for it.

Why Funders Invest in Systems, Not Just Stories Feb 21, 2026

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Today I want to talk about something that might challenge you a little bit.

Funders do care about your story. They care about the people you serve. They care about impact. But they invest in systems.

After nearly 40 years in the nonprofit space, I've watched organizations tell powerful, emotional stories — and still walk away without funding. Not because the story wasn't strong. But because the structure behind it wasn't.

If you've been leading with story but struggling with sustainability, this conversation will help you understand what funders are actually evaluating.

Stories open hearts. Systems open checkbooks.

And if you want funding to be consistent, you have to build what makes you safe to invest in.

The Fundable Nonprofit Summit | Houston, Texas Feb 19, 2026

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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗡𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧

3 Days to Build It Right — Before You Try to Fund It

Houston, TX

May 6–8, 2026

8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

HOSTED BY Jennifer Yarbrough

Nonprofit Strategist | Trainer | Grant & Fundraising Expert

Founder, Fundable By Design Podcast

What Nonprofits Must Do Before Their First Grant (Most Skip This Step) Feb 17, 2026

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I'm often asked, "What should we be doing before we get our first grant?" And the truth is, what happens before that first grant matters more than the grant itself.

If you're waiting on your first grant and wondering why it hasn't happened yet, this conversation will help you understand what needs to come first — and how to build it the right way.

Grants don't build organizations. Prepared organizations earn grants.

Why You're Paying Out of Pocket for Your Nonprofit (And What You Were Never Taught) Feb 15, 2026

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If you're paying for your nonprofit out of your own pocket, I want you to know something first: you're not alone.

I see this all the time. Passionate leaders quietly covering costs, filling gaps, and telling themselves it's just "for now." But the truth is, most nonprofit founders were never taught why this happens or how to stop it.

If you're tired of carrying the organization on your back and want to build something that can actually sustain itself, this conversation will help you understand what's missing and what to do next.

Your mission deserves support. So do you.

If You've Ever Been Rejected for Funding, This Conversation Is for You Feb 13, 2026

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If you've ever applied for funding and received a rejection email… or a generic "we went in another direction"… or no response at all, then this conversation is for you.

In this video, I talk directly to nonprofit leaders who have done the work, submitted the applications, waited patiently, and still heard no.

I share what those rejections usually mean, what funders are really saying (even when they don't explain it), and why rejection is often about positioning and readiness, not worth or effort.

How to Position Your Organization to Be Fully Funded in 90 Days Feb 11, 2026

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Let's talk about next steps.

If you've been learning, listening, and realizing that something needs to change in how your organization is set up, this video is about moving from awareness to action.

In this conversation, I walk you through how I think about positioning an organization to be fully funded within the next 90 days, not through wishful thinking, but through clarity, structure, and alignment.

You'll Never Get It Right If You Understand It Wrong Feb 09, 2026

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I see this mistake over and over again: smart, passionate leaders working hard and still not getting the results they want.

And the problem usually isn't effort. It's understanding.

If you've felt like you're doing everything you're "supposed" to do but nothing is clicking, this conversation will help you identify where the misunderstanding started and how to realign.

You don't need to work harder. You need to understand better.

The Two Hats Every Nonprofit Leader Wears Feb 05, 2026

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There are two hats you wear. You wear a program hat, and you wear an administrative entity hat.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything and still falling behind, this conversation will help you understand what's really happening and how to lead more effectively.

You don't need to do more. You need to lead differently.

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