Starting a Nonprofit? Avoid These Common Fundraising Mistakes

Starting a Nonprofit? Avoid These Common Fundraising Mistakes

Starting a nonprofit is an exciting journey, but many founders quickly discover that passion alone isn't enough to sustain an organization. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark shares some of the most common fundraising and startup mistakes nonprofit leaders make—and how to avoid them. From researching whether your community truly needs another nonprofit to understanding that incorporation is only the beginning, you'll learn practical steps to build a stronger foundation for long-term success. Whether you're launching a new nonprofit or considering starting one, this episode will help you think strategically about fundraising, sustainability, and creating lasting impact. ***NEW RESOURCE*** The Board Member's Guide to Fundraising (Without the Ask) - Check it Out: https://www.thefundcoach.com/the-board-member-s-guide-to-fundraising-without-the-ask [https://www.thefundcoach.com/the-board-member-s-guide-to-fundraising-without-the-ask] FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth [https://bit.ly/4hFkOth] Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in [https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in] Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa [https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa] Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page [https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page] Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach [https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach] Subscribe to the podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114] or Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854 [https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854]

The Costly Major Gifts Mistake: Why Major Gifts Aren't Just for Capital Campaigns

What if one of the biggest limitations on your organization's fundraising success is the belief that major gifts are only for campaigns? Too many nonprofits wait until they're launching a capital campaign or special initiative before they begin engaging major donors. The problem is that meaningful donor relationships can't be rushed when a funding need arises. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we're exploring why major gifts should be a year-round fundraising strategy, not a campaign tactic. You'll learn how organizations unintentionally limit donor engagement when they only pursue major gifts during campaigns, and why building consistent relationships with major donors can lead to stronger fundraising, greater sustainability, and transformational support for your mission. Let's Huddle Up! FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth [https://bit.ly/4hFkOth] Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in [https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in] Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa [https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa] Need Private Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page [https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page] Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach [https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach]

The Board + Executive Director: A Power Partnership That Transforms Fundraising

What happens when the executive director and the board stop operating separately—and start partnering together around fundraising? In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, we explore how healthy fundraising cultures are built through strong relationships, shared ownership, and intentional collaboration between nonprofit leaders and their boards. Too often, fundraising becomes the burden of one person while board members remain unsure of their role. But when boards understand how to engage relationally—without pressure to make the ask—everything changes. This conversation will help nonprofit leaders rethink board engagement and discover how stronger partnerships can lead to deeper donor trust, greater impact, and more sustainable fundraising success. FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth   Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/   To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa   Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page   Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach

Small Asks Kill Big Gifts: Why Fear is Costing Your Mission Millions

One of the biggest reasons nonprofit leaders struggle to secure transformational gifts has nothing to do with donor wealth — it has everything to do with the confidence behind the ask. In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, Mark dives into why leaders often ask too small, how fear and scarcity thinking quietly limit fundraising success, and why your ask communicates how much you truly value your mission. If you’ve ever hesitated before making a major gift ask or wondered why wealthy donors aren’t stepping up at higher levels, this episode will challenge the way you think about fundraising leadership, donor psychology, and the power of confident vision. Because major donors don’t just invest in causes — they invest in conviction. FREE GUIDE: 5 Habits of Executive Directors Who Land Big Gifts: https://bit.ly/4hFkOth [https://bit.ly/4hFkOth] Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlduncan/] To get this video podcast in your inbox, visit and subscribe here: https://www.thefundcoach.com/opt-in Check out the Relationship Fundraising Academy: https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa [https://www.thefundcoach.com/rfa] Need 1:1 Coaching? Click here to schedule a strategy session to discuss your fundraising needs: https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page [https://www.thefundcoach.com/discovery-session-booking-page] Windfall - Wealth Analytics Report: https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach [https://analytics.windfall.com/partner/the-fund-coach] Subscribe to the podcast on Apple -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huddle-up-with-mark-the-fund-coach/id1799766114] or Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854 [https://open.spotify.com/show/03LPM7zjoDMLV0OGPJBxTO?si=c730fc5b97a04854]

Your Fundraising Event Can Level Up Your Major Gifts

In this episode of Huddle Up with Mark The Fund Coach, I break down how to run a fundraising event that does more than sell tickets—it creates real major gift opportunities. We talk about securing sponsorships to cover event costs, setting a clear net fundraising goal, and most importantly, building meaningful connections with attendees that lead to transformational follow-up conversations. If you want your next event to strengthen donor relationships and grow major gifts instead of just creating another transactional experience, this episode is for you. Let's Huddle Up!