The Nonprofit Podcast

Ep 203| The Uncomfortable Reality of Sustainable Fundraising Nobody Mentions

Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger Season 6 Episode 203

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0:00 | 11:07

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The reality of sustainable fundraising nobody tells you? It starts with you.

Not your strategy. Not your donor pipeline. Not your appeal calendar. You.

Most fundraising conversations right now are about doing more with less. This one is different. Because the best fundraisers know the work starts with knowing themselves, what they bring, and how to protect it.

In this episode, Britt Stockert gets honest about what this work actually costs - and what it takes to stay effective, stay present, and stay in fundraising for the long haul.

What you'll learn in this episode:

  • Why the pressure feels different right now (and why that's not in your head!)
  • What happens when you're depleted and don't know it yet
  • How running on empty shows up in your donor relationships
  • Why presence is your most powerful fundraising asset
  • What staying in this work for the long game actually looks like

The core insight:

  • Sustainable fundraising doesn't start with better systems or smarter tools; it starts with a fundraiser who knows themselves well enough to last.
  • When you're grounded and present, you don't need a pitch. Donors feel the difference.

If this episode connects with where you are right now, share it with someone in the sector who needs to hear it.

Chapters 

00:00 – When Was the Last Time Someone Saw You?

01:05 – Leading Through Crisis and Feeling Alone

02:22 – The Impossible Expectations of Fundraisers Today

03:45 – Burnout Is Real (And Getting Worse)

04:44 – Alexithymia: Why You Don’t Know You’re Burned Out

06:20 – AI Can’t Replace Real Human Connection

07:45 – What Actually Works: Honest, Present Fundraising

09:25 – One Simple Reset You Can Try This Week

If you are interested in working with Britt, or simply asking her for advice, you can reach her here

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