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
43 episodes
42 | Tired of Chasing Donors? How to Create Sustainability in Your Fundraising
Are you tired of chasing donors? If fundraising feels like an exhausting cycle of constantly finding new people because the ones you have aren’t sticking around, you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack why that burnout happens and what it ...
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Episode 42
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20:13
41 | When Your Ministry Feels Invisible: 3 Steps to Build Donor Trust
Have you ever felt invisible in your fundraising—like no matter how hard you work, how many emails you send, or how consistently you show up, donors just aren’t responding? Many ministry leaders feel unseen and unheard, even while doing ...
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Episode 41
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13:29
40 | Is Your Website Losing Donors? 2 Things Your Homepage Needs for Better Fundraising
Is your website losing potential donors? If your ministry fundraising feels stuck, your nonprofit website might be the silent culprit. Your homepage is often the first place donors land—and within seconds they decide whether they’ll stay, explo...
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Episode 40
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16:29
39 | How Imposter Syndrome Is Sabotaging Your Fundraising Messaging
If you’ve ever stepped into your fundraising role and felt unqualified, unsure, or like you’re “faking it,” this episode is for you. Imposter syndrome doesn’t just affect your confidence—it quietly sabotages your messaging and shapes the way do...
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Episode 39
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20:30
38 | How to Quit the Burnout: Simplifying Your Fundraising Strategy
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by endless tasks, and discouraged by the lack of progress in your fundraising, this episode is for you. Today we talk about what happens when you try to show up on every platform, chase every t...
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Episode 38
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18:43
37| Out of People to Ask? 3 Steps to Mission-Driven Fundraising
If you feel like you’ve asked everyone you know for support—and you’re running out of people to approach—this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Today we’re talking about why relationship-based fundraising (“people give because they like me...
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Episode 37
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14:43
36 | Why Is Asking for Money So Hard? How to Reframe Your Fundraising Mindset
If asking for money feels awkward, heavy, or even a little shameful, you are absolutely not alone—and it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode, we dig into why fundraising so often triggers discomfort, the beliefs we’ve absorbed over t...
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Episode 36
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20:48
35 | The Fundraising Shift That Makes Donors Pay Attention
If your fundraising feels buried under noise, ignored by donors, or lost in a sea of competing messages, this episode will help you cut through the overwhelm. Today we’re unpacking the simple storytelling element that makes donors lean in, pay ...
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Episode 35
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16:48
34 | Hard Time Fundraising? Clarify Your Ministry Story
Are you having a hard time fundraising—and you can’t quite figure out why? Your ministry messaging might be confusing donors without you realizing it. In this episode, we break down the three key roles in every effective ministry story—why your...
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Episode 34
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18:04
33 | How to Write Ministry Newsletters That Support Your Fundraising
Most ministry leaders know they should send newsletters, but writing them often feels confusing, overwhelming, or like a task that isn’t actually helping their fundraising. In this episode, we break down how to turn your ministry newsl...
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Episode 33
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19:50
32 | Why Do Donors Go Silent? 3 Relationship Gaps Ministries Miss
Why do donors go quiet—even when they believe in your ministry? In this episode, we unpack the three relationship gaps most ministries overlook and how they quietly lead to donor drift. You’ll learn why supporters stop engaging, what the...
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Episode 32
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17:26
31 | 4 Steps to Sharing Stories That Engage Donors
Ever felt overwhelmed, thinking “I should share stories with donors…but I don’t even know where to start,”?You already know how powerful stories are—especially when you see God transforming lives through your ministry. Those sto...
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Episode 31
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18:33
30 | 3 Fundraising Mistakes That Are Costing You Donors—And How to Fix Them
If you’re struggling to grow your donor base, build monthly support, or create real momentum in your fundraising… this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing.In this episode, you’ll learn the three comm...
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Episode 30
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15:58
29 | Why Pastors Aren’t Engaging—And How to Reach the Ministry Donors Who Will
Have you been discouraged, ignored, or brushed off while trying to raise support—especially by pastors or church leaders?Maybe you’ve reached out for meetings, sent messages, shared your heart, and still… nothing.Or worse, ...
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Episode 29
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14:19
28 | Donor Engagement Down? Use Storytelling to Rebuild Ministry Support
If you’re ending the year feeling discouraged, burned out, or wondering why your ministry isn’t further along… this episode is for you.Maybe you expected more donors… more financial stability… more momentum.Maybe you...
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Episode 28
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19:53
27 | How Storytelling Transformed an Unfocused Vision into a Ministry Movement w/ Karen Prevost
What happens when your ministry has a powerful vision—but no clear direction?In today’s episode, I sit down with my mom, a missionary to Spain for over 40 years, to talk about how their team had a God-given dream to share the gospel in e...
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Episode 27
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49:58
26 | Your 5-Minute Window: The 5-Step Framework to Instantly Engage Donors at Church
You walk on stage. The timer starts. You’ve got five minutes—just five—to share what God is doing through your ministry and invite people to be part of it.How do you get people interested that quickly?How do yo...
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16:59
25 | Why Your Fundraising Stats Aren’t Bringing Donations—and What Will
As ministries approach year-end giving season, it’s easy to feel the pressure to “wow” donors with staggering statistics or shocking facts. But here’s the truth: numbers don’t move people.In this episode, I'll unpack the scien...
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Episode 25
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18:09
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