Story‑Driven Fundraising | Ministry, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups
Do you wish fundraising was easier? Do you wish you didn’t have to worry so much about the money? Feeling the awkwardness, the icky-shame feeling of asking for money? Putting so much effort in but still getting “nos” or worse… ghosting?
I’m excited you’re here!! This is the place for you to learn how to fundraise easier, get rid of the shame and awkwardness of asking for money, and finally start growing supporters for your ministry that stay for the long haul!
Hi, I’m Lisa. I love Jesus, have been in ministry since I was born (missionary kid here) and I love being a part of what God is doing in people’s lives!
I’ve worked with and in ministries that struggle to truly connect with supporters. I’ve seen the stigma around raising support, the scramble across platforms and videos to “keep up,” and the relentless trial-and-error that never quite clicks—often ending in burnout.
But then I saw first hand the power of story and was BLOWN AWAY at how quickly it engaged donors and encouraged them to donate- the first time I used the power of story in our messaging, we raised so much support, the team wasn’t even prepared for it! This had never happened before!
And I want the same for your ministry!!
If you’re ready to finally raise the support you need—without the constant stress or worry…
If you want to grow your base of supporters and keep them with you for the long haul…
If you’re looking for a simple strategy you can use again and again—one that replaces burnout with confidence…
And if you’re ready to drop the awkward, icky, or shameful feelings around asking for money…
Then this podcast is for you.
Grab your coffee, your calling, and maybe a snack—let’s do this.
-Lisa
Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com
Episodes
25 episodes
24 | How to Find Stories That Inspire Donors (Even When Ministry Feels Quiet)
Does your ministry ever hit a “quiet” season—when nothing big is happening, donations feel slow, and you’re not sure what to say in your newsletter? In this episode, I share how to stay encouraged and keep your donor communication s...
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Episode 24
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19:23
23 | Wrestling with God after Child Loss w/ Wendy Prevost
Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare. Wendy, a faithful follower of Jesus, never imagined it would happen to her, and yet it did. Why would God allow it? Wasn't He their protector? Didn't He know the good that her son could've done ...
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Episode 23
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52:31
22 | What to Post on Social Media When Your Ministry Needs More Donor Engagement
If you’ve ever stared at your ministry’s social media page wondering “What do I even post?” — this episode is for you!I'll break down a simple, story-driven approach to creating posts that actually grab attention and ...
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Episode 22
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21:52
21 | When Donors Drop Off: 3 Ways to Keep Donations Flowing
Are you worried your donors will start to fade or monthly gifts slow down? It’s normal to feel anxious when supporters stop giving—especially when your ministry depends on their generosity. But instead of blaming th...
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Episode 21
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25:13
20 | Still Not Seeing Donations? 3 Things Every Fundraiser Must Make Crystal Clear
If you’ve ever poured your heart into a presentation, shared stories from your ministry, and still walked away wondering why no one gave—this one's for you.In today’s episode, I'll share 3 things every fundraiser must make ...
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Episode 20
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26:43
19 | Is Marriage Restoration Possible After 8 Years? A Christian Testimony w/ Uliana Komodi
If you’ve prayed for years for your marriage and nothing seems to change, what do you do?In this powerful episode, I sit down with Uliana Komodi, who shares her raw, faith-filled story of waiting, heartbreak, and perseverance —
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Episode 19
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54:30
18 | Hate Fundraising? 3 Things to Get Rid of the Shame of Asking
Does fundraising feel icky, awkward, or like a “necessary evil”? Many women ministry leaders feel stuck—tired of asking, unsure how to talk to supporters, and worried how their ask will come across. In this episode, we'll reframe fu...
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Episode 18
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31:09
17 | When Fundraising Videos Don't Work – 3 Steps for Clear Donor Messaging
Your fundraising videos look great—but they’re not bringing in the donor support you hoped for. Sound familiar? The truth is, even the most powerful film can only do so much if your message isn’t clear.In today’s episode, I’ll...
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Episode 17
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29:45
16 | Donors Ghosting You? The #1 Thing Every Ask Must Have
You’ve shared your ministry vision, made the ask, and then... crickets. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and it leaves you wondering what went wrong.In this episode, we’ll unpack the #1 thing every donor ask needs t...
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Episode 16
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25:49
15 | Burned Out in Ministry? How to Find Joy, Rest, and Safe Support w/ Jourdan Lunsford
Are you quietly unhappy in ministry, feeling burned out, or wondering how long you can keep going? You’re not alone. In this conversation with Jourdan Lunsford, we talk about the hidden pain many women ministry leaders carry—and the step...
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Episode 15
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54:22
14 | 3 Things Confusing Your Donors (and How to Fix Them)
Have you ever shared about your ministry and gotten that polite smile… but deep down you knew they didn’t really get it? Maybe their eyes glazed over, or they nodded along, but you could tell your words weren’t landing. It’s frustrating, right?...
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Episode 14
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30:57
13 | Low Donor Growth? 3 Things to Prioritize in Your Donor Communication
Are you pouring countless hours into websites, social media, and updates—yet still not seeing donor engagement or ministry growth? You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders feel spread thin, juggling every role and wondering if their effort...
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Episode 13
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31:53
12 | Ministry Storytelling Made Simple: A Framework to Engage Donors
You know stories are impactful, but you don't really know how to tell a story well. Or maybe you’re given just a few minutes to share an update and felt unsure how to tell a story that's short but engaging and effective....
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Episode 12
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27:34
11 | Persevering Through Years of Hardship w/ Margo & Joe Carl
Margo and Joe Carl were told their daughter had a very low chance of survival, after being born at 24 weeks. What followed was nearly 30 years of a deep, ongoing battle—walking through hardship, uncertainty, and countless moments of perseveranc...
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Episode 11
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51:38
10 | Struggling With Donor Communication? What God Says About Imposter Syndrome
Do you ever feel stuck when it comes to donor communication? You sit down to write an update or share about your ministry, and suddenly the words just don’t come. Or maybe you do get the words out, but they feel flat… and you walk away w...
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Episode 10
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19:56
09 | 5 Steps to Write Your Ministry Newsletter So Donors Engage
If you’ve ever sat down to write your ministry update and thought, “What do I even say?” or “This feels like a chore”—this episode is for you.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a practical, step-by-step fram...
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Episode 9
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25:26
08 | 3 Steps to Build a Ministry Story Bank that Engages Donors
Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a treasure box full of ministry stories—organized, searchable, and ready to share whenever you need them?In this episode of The Story-Driven Ministry, I’ll walk you through 3 simple b...
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Episode 8
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24:38
07 | Forgotten by God: Grief, Doubt, and Hope w/ Ben & Jessi Bock
What do you do when obedience to God leads you into a season of deep loss, unanswered prayers, and silence from heaven?In this raw and vulnerable conversation, missionaries Ben & Jessi Bock share their journey through grie...
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Episode 7
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1:03:47
06 | From Fundraising Dread to Joyfully Sharing Your Mission
Does fundraising feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even a little icky? Do you find yourself dreading the “ask” and wishing you could just focus on the ministry work God has called you to?In this episode, Lisa unpacks a powerful ...
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Episode 6
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23:43
05 | 7 Steps to Engage Your Donor: The Story Framework
Is your donor messaging accidentally turning supporters into outsiders? In this episode, I unpack the exact storytelling framework I use with ministries to help them clarify their message, engage their ideal donor, and grow support. You’ll disc...
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Episode 5
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31:06
04 | Get Your Donors to Pay Attention Amidst the Noise
Are your donors tuning you out? You’re doing your best to share your ministry’s heart and mission—but people just nod politely and move on. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why your message may not be connecting and exactly how to cut thr...
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Episode 4
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26:23
03 | Pouring Out & Still Failing w/ Jackie Prevost
She poured out everything she had- and still felt like she was failing.In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with my grandma, Jackie Prevost, to share a story from one of the lowest seasons of her life as a mom of seven. Seve...
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Episode 3
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41:19
02 | Donors aren't growing? This could be why
Are your donors pulling back- or not responding at all?In this episode, we unpack the real reasons donor support may be stalling. It’s not just the economy or donor fatigue. You’ll learn:Common excuses ministry leaders may be...
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Episode 2
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28:00
01 | Why Don't Donors Care Like I Do? How to Increase Donor Engagement
If your audience or donors don’t seem as passionate about your mission as you are-this episode is for you.In this kickoff to The Story-Driven Ministry, I share why ministries often struggle with donor engagement (even when the m...
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Episode 1
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20:23
The Story-Driven Ministry: Helping Ministry Leaders Tell Stories that Glorify God and Nurture Donors
You’re a ministry leader who longs to share what God is doing with clarity and impact. Yet too often your message feels scattered, and raising support feels heavy.Welcome to The Story-Driven Ministry Podcast—a space t...
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1:00