Published by 7-Figure Fundraising
Welcome to the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast hosted by Trevor Bragdon. Each episode features a successful nonprofit leader who explains a fundraising strategy or tactic to increase your impact and rapidly grow your organization.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWhat if your annual fundraiser could raise nearly $300,000 in a single evening without requiring months of donor fatigue or an all-day event? In this episode, Trevor Bragdon sits down with Amy Ford, co-founder of Embrace Grace, to unpack the fundraising strategy that helped their organization grow a traditional golf tournament from $60,000 to nearly $300,000 annually. Amy shares the exact framework behind their Topgolf fundraising event, including sponsorship pricing, donor underwriting, silent auctions, premium swag, sponsor retention, and event execution. Whether you're a nonprofit leader looking for a fresh fundraising idea or trying to increase the ROI of your existing events, this episode offers practical tactics that can be implemented immediately. Learn More: Embrace Grace: www.embracegrace.com To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
Growth rarely feels comfortable in the moment. In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon shares a story from a flight home from Orlando where he met a woman flying for the very first time. What started as a simple conversation about turbulence and takeoff became a powerful reminder about what it feels like to learn something new. Trevor explains how moments of embarrassment, overwhelm, and uncertainty are often unavoidable when developing new skills.. But he also shares the often-overlooked side of growth: people are usually willing to help once you take the first step. If you’ve been hesitating to try something new, this episode is a reminder that discomfort is temporary, but growth can change everything. Take the step. Book the flight to Chicago. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
On this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon sits down with Matt Paprocki, President and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, to break down one of the most important skills in fundraising: storytelling. Matt explains why most fundraising stories fail before they even begin. Instead of creating emotional connection, many fundraisers summarize facts, report outcomes, or speak in vague language that donors quickly forget. In this conversation, Trevor and Matt unpack a practical storytelling framework built around three core ideas: situation, stakes, and shift. Throughout the episode, Matt shares real examples from donor meetings, family life, leadership, and nonprofit work to show how stories create trust, emotional engagement, and long-term donor relationships. They also discuss how great storytellers use vivid details, dialogue, and emotion to pull listeners into a moment rather than simply describing it. Whether you are a nonprofit founder, major gift officer, executive director, or communicator, this episode gives actionable tactics you can immediately use in donor conversations, pitches, presentations, newsletters, and public speaking. If you want donors to remember your mission, start by giving them stories they can feel. Follow Matt: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-paprocki-86337220b Website: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/author/mpaprocki/ To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
“A donor may trust your voice before they ever meet you.” That idea sits at the center of this conversation between Trevor Bragdon and Dr. Jared Musgrove of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), the nation’s largest Christian fraternity. In this episode, Jared breaks down how BYX turned podcasting into a relationship-building tool that strengthens donor trust, deepens alumni engagement, and creates meaningful conversations at scale. What started as an attempt to better tell the organization’s story evolved into a long-term strategy for reaching supporters across the country without relying solely on travel, donor meetings, or traditional marketing. Trevor and Jared discuss: Why consistency matters more than perfection in podcasting How to secure high-level guests for your show Why evergreen content compounds over time How podcasts create familiarity before donor meetings The role storytelling plays in nonprofit fundraising How appearing on other podcasts can directly lead to donations Learn more about BYX: BYX.org Man to Men Podcast To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
In this episode of the 7 Figure Fundraising Podcast, Trevor Bragdon breaks down a proven strategy nonprofit leaders are using to attract new donors: persuasive public speaking. Drawing from both personal experience and recent fundraising trends, Trevor explains why getting in front of the right audience can lead directly to meaningful donor relationships — but only when the message is structured to inspire action. He introduces the Hand Framework, a five-part model designed to help leaders craft speeches that resonate. From defining the audience’s desired action to opening with a powerful hook, maintaining attention with clear structure, addressing objections, and delivering a frictionless next step, Trevor walks through the exact elements that turn presentations into fundraising opportunities. Whether preparing for a conference talk or a donor pitch, this episode provides a practical blueprint for building persuasive content that motivates giving and deepens engagement. Here's the link to the article talk about in the episode: How to Create a Persuasive Speech: The Hand Framework Here's a link to our handout: Handout: 5-Part Persuasive Speech Template To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
What do you do when you're hit with a tough question—one you didn’t expect and don’t have a polished answer ready for? Whether it’s a curveball in a donor meeting, a media interview, or a town hall Q&A, today's episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast breaks down three clear strategies you can use to stay composed and persuasive—even under pressure. Trevor shares a memorable story from the Miss Teen USA pageant that became one of the first viral “word salad” moments on YouTube—and how most of us would probably stumble in similar high-stakes situations. From there, he walks through three tactics you can practice and deploy to answer confidently, clearly, and concisely. What You’ll Learn The 3 go-to frameworks for answering tough questions: Two Points – A simple, structured response to organize your thinking. Story + Insight – A technique to connect emotionally and drive home a takeaway. Thinking Then and Now – A method for gracefully correcting misinformation. Why pausing for just a few seconds before responding can help you sound more thoughtful and credible. Download the One-Page Cheat Sheet Click here to download a quick reference guide to the three tactics you can print or keep at your desk. https://7figurefundraising.kit.com/f7370c2df6 To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
How many of you know a good story? One you've never forgotten—one that moved you, inspired you, or stuck with you long after you heard it. What made it so compelling? In this clip, we dive into why stories are the lifeblood of an effective pitch and how you can find and frame great stories to persuade donors. Learn about: The Story Safe—a simple habit for collecting powerful stories The Story Buckets method for organizing and retrieving compelling narratives How to frame your story to maximize its impact Want to get the full formula for crafting unforgettable fundraising stories? Get the book: Paperback & Kindle : https://www.amazon.com/7-Figure-Fundraising-guide-millions-change/dp/B0DC8K1MRD/ Audiobook : https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DJRSBL79?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006 To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
What do you want your new donors to see and hear from your organization during their first 100 days? This period is your chance to make a lasting impression and turn a first-time donor into a lifelong supporter. In this clip, we break down how to craft a 100-day plan that keeps donors engaged, including: The four-part thank-you strategy that sets the right tone How to plan four meaningful touchpoints over the first 100 days Proven ideas like behind-the-scenes insights, success stories, and impact updates Want the full strategy to build donor relationships that last? Get the book: Paperback & Kindle : https://www.amazon.com/7-Figure-Fundraising-guide-millions-change/dp/B0DC8K1MRD/ Audiobook : https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DJRSBL79?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006 Make the first 100 days count—and create donors for life. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
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
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
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
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
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 - f iguring 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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