Fundraising Bright Spots

Every fundraiser knows those conversations that get avoided. The donor meeting where the ask never gets made. The strategic mistake that goes ahead because we didn’t manage to speak up.
Paul McKenzie from Giant Steps calls this 'being nice' as opposed to ‘being kind’. And he reckons it's costing you more than you think. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Paul unpacks why the bravest thing you can do is ask clearly, speak truly, and stop softening things because they feel awkward. He agrees it doesn’t always feel easy! And he shares things you can do to get yourself to speak up anyway, and the massive upside when you prioritise ‘kind’ over ‘nice’. 
We'd love to know what you think! And thank you for supporting our podcast, e.g. by sharing it with colleagues or on social media. We are both on LinkedIn.

Most fundraisers know the frustration of hearing a funder say no to something you believe in. After years of this, Shamime decided to stop asking funders to fit her vision into their boxes - and started building her own system instead.
She created Bollyfit Active to solve a real problem: giving women a safe, culturally affirming space to enjoy exercise. But funding challenges tested her resolve. This episode captures the moment she shifted from grant dependency to earned income and found a better strategy. It's a lesson in trusting your vision, telling your story and adapting your approach until it works.

Fundraising can feel safer when we stick to what's tried and tested, but is that quietly holding us back? In this episode, Chris Murphy, Director of Fundraising at Maggie's, shares five principles that have helped him grow results, including being willing to take risks. Chris and Rob discuss ways to make this easier to do, for yourself and others. And Chris gives examples of how this approach makes work more interesting and rewarding. If you've ever wondered whether playing it safe is costing you more than it's saving you, this one's worth a listen.

Most fundraisers and leaders have experienced it – the feeling sometimes that you’re not quite good enough, or that it’s only a matter of time before someone finds you out. It’s uncomfortable, and it can quietly limit what you do and how boldly you do it.
The good news? You’re in very good company. Coach and trainer Lara Roche shares why these feelings are far more widespread than we tend to assume. And she offers practical tools to help you reduce how often they arise – and find your way back to feeling confident.

If your fire has dimmed a little lately, you're not alone and this episode is for you. Esther Kwaku shares powerful questions to help you get unstuck, reconnect with your why, and bring more joy and purpose back into your fundraising. She also draws on her own story and the fresh perspectives she has gained from working both inside and outside the sector - and offers breathing and grounding practices and tools to help you enjoy your work.