Story‑Driven Fundraising | Missionary, 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
96 episodes
95 | Struggling to Fundraise? 3 Reasons Someone Doesn’t Become a Donor
They loved hearing about your ministry. They asked thoughtful questions. They even said they’d pray about supporting you. So why do so many of those conversations end without a donation?In this episode, you’ll discover the 3 b...
94 | Missionary Fundraising: Why People Ignore Your Emails (and What Gets Their Attention)
You spend hours writing your ministry newsletter… then hit send and wonder if anyone even opened it. No replies. No engagement. Just silence. If that’s happened to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean your supporters don’t care. It may mean your ne...
93 | Why Donors Forget Your Ministry (and 3 Fundraising Shifts That Keep You Top of Mind)
Ever walked away from a fundraising conversation convinced someone was going to support your ministry… only to never hear from them again? It can feel personal, but what if silence doesn’t mean they’ve rejected your ministry?I...
92 | No One Donating? 2 Tips to Spark Ministry Donations Now
If your fundraising has been slow lately, your first instinct might be to work harder or send another email. But what if the problem isn’t how often you’re asking… it’s how you’re inviting people into the story?In this episode...
91 | 5 Signs Your Message Isn’t Clear Enough to Grow Support
You’ve been fundraising for years. You’re sharing updates, meeting with donors, and talking about your ministry. Yet support still feels slower than it should.What if the problem isn’t the economy, donor fatigue, or too much c...
90 | Not Fully Funded Yet? 5 Mistakes Missionaries Make Without Realizing It
You’ve been raising support for months. Maybe years. Maybe even decades. Yet somehow you’re still wondering why fundraising feels slower than it should and why momentum never seems to build.In this episode, I'll share the 5 hi...
89 | Fundraising Without Manipulation: 3 Ways Missionaries Can Invite Support Naturally
You know your ministry needs support, but the last thing you want is for people to feel pressured, guilted, or manipulated into giving. That tension leaves many ministry leaders avoiding fundraising conversations altogether—or asking so cautiou...
88 | Fundraising Is Slow? 5 Amazing Outcomes When You Clarify Your Message
Fundraising feels exhausting when you’re working hard, communicating often, and still not seeing momentum. You know your ministry matters, but somehow donors don’t seem to fully understand the urgency, the impact, or why they should get involve...
87 | The 3 Excuses Keeping Ministry Leaders Stuck in Fundraising
You know your fundraising message could be stronger. You know clearer communication would help donors understand, connect with, and support your ministry. So why haven’t you worked on it yet?In this episode, I share the 3 most...
86 | Experiencing Ministry Burn Out? Josh and Corina Share How to Find Hope Again in Fundraising, Leadership, and Calling
Burnout in ministry is rarely a matter of if. It’s usually a matter of when.In this episode, I’m joined by Josh and Corina from the
85 | Too Busy to Fundraise? 3 Simple Ways Ministry Leaders Stay Consistent in Busy Seasons
You know donor communication matters… but right now? You can barely keep your head above water.Summer schedules. Ministry emergencies. Family needs. Constant reacting. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re still supp...
84 | Stop Struggling to Write Ministry Newsletters: Include These 3 Things Every Time
You know you need to send ministry newsletters… but every time you sit down to write one, your brain goes blank.What do you include? What do you leave out? Do you even have enough to say?In this episod...
83 | Donors Aren’t Saying Yes? Fix This Ministry Fundraising Mistake
You keep talking about your ministry… but donors still aren’t connecting.If people seem interested but never actually support, your fundraising problem may not be your mission-it may be your message.In this episo...
82 | Why Ministry Fundraising Feels Slow and 3 Ways to Build Donor Trust Faster
People might love your ministry… and still hesitate to support it. That’s the frustrating part of fundraising that almost nobody talks about. You have conversations. People listen. They seem interested. They even encourag...
81 | No Time to Fundraise? 3 Ways to Get Time Back for Ministry Support
Do you feel like fundraising keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your list?You know donor relationships matter. You know you should be communicating more consistently. But ministry responsibilities, meetings, events, homesch...
80 | How to Get Donors to Say Yes Faster in Ministry Fundraising
What happens when the donors you were relying on end up not giving… or stop after a little while?It can throw everything off. Logistically, financially, emotionally. You start wondering what happened, why it’s taking so long f...
79 | They Said They’d Give… Then Didn’t. What’s Blocking Consistent Fundraising
They said they’d give. They were excited. They meant it. And then… they don't follow through.Or maybe they gave once… and then stopped.vIt’s one of the hardest parts of fundraising—and it can leave you feeling confused, discouraged, and ...
78 | Think Churches Don’t Care About Missions? What’s Actually Blocking Your Fundraising
You’ve thought it before. Churches just aren’t generous anymore. They don’t really care about missions.And after enough polite conversations, low support, and missed follow-through… it starts to feel true.But w...
77 | Your Fundraising Isn’t Connecting: 3 Ways to Turn Your Message Into a Compelling Story
Your donors are reading your updates… but they’re not responding. You’re sharing what you’ve done, the impact you’re making, the numbers-but something still feels off.Because information isn’t what creates connection. Story do...
76 | Want Your Ministry Fully Funded? 3 Things You Need In Your Fundraising Message
Why won't donors step into support when you know your ministry matters?If people are smiling, nodding, and saying “that’s great”… but not actually giving or engaging, the issue might not be your ministry—it’s your message....
75 | Do Your Donors Feel Like ATMs or Partners? (Ministry Fundraising Relationships That Actually Work)
Be honest for a second… When your donors hear from you, does it feel like a relationship—or a transaction?Because most ministry leaders don’t mean to do it… but their donors end up feeling like ATMs. Only hearing from...
74 | What NOT to Say When Fundraising for Your Ministry (And What to Say Instead)
You’re trying to explain your ministry… and something feels off. You’re talking, they’re nodding—but you can tell they’re not really getting it.So you start wondering: Am I using the wrong words? Am I saying something that...
73 | How to Fundraise for a Building Campaign Without Losing Donor Interest
Fundraising for a building, renovation, or project can feel harder than anything else.Because it’s not a person.It’s not a story.It’s a building.And when you’re trying to talk about it, it can f...
72 | Don’t Make This Mistake After a Donor Says Yes (Ministry Fundraising)
Most ministry leaders think the hard part of fundraising is getting the yes.But what happens after that?Because this is where a lot of people unknowingly make a mistake that slowly disconnects their donors—without realizing it.
71 | You’re Using Story Wrong in Your Ministry Fundraising (Start Here Instead)
You know stories matter in fundraising. But when it’s time to actually use them, everything can start to feel forced. You freeze, overthink, or wonder if you even have a story worth sharing. In this episode, I’m breaking down two simple ways to...