Without hoping and wishing your way to results
I'd celebrate when gifts fell from the sky, then panic about how to repeat that success. In donor meetings, I'd over-prepare, clutching my presentation deck like a security blanket.
A £1M campaign brought my wake-up call. Our donors' verdict? No interest. They didn't even think we had a major gift programme. That report landing on my desk was one of the lowest points of my career.
The Day Everything Clicked
Everything shifted in Madagascar. Watching a donor and her family see their giving in action, I witnessed something extraordinary. That evening, she told me: "Thank you for giving me one of the best days of my life."
That's when I understood - no luxury purchase could give someone one of the best days of their life. As fundraisers, we facilitate these transformational moments.
I've trained over 4,500 fundraisers globally across organisations like The Roddenberry Foundation, WWF South Africa, and the British Red Cross.
I help fundraisers move from hoping for lucky breaks to confidently building major gift programmes that work.
❌ Watching other organisations secure 50K+ gifts while you struggle to move beyond 5K.
❌ Spending countless hours researching prospects but never meeting them.
❌ Attending donor meetings armed with materials, hoping you won't be asked something you can't answer.
❌ Waiting for the next lucky break to hit your target.
❌ Feeling like an imposter at donor meetings.
❌ Unsure what the next steps are with their donors.
✔️ Walking instead into donor meetings confident and prepared (without over-preparing)
✔️ Knowing exactly what to say and do to move the relationship forward
✔️ Building a predictable pipeline of major gifts
✔️ Seeing yourself as a valued philanthropic advisor
✔️ Creating transformational moments for donors
UPCOMING TRAINING
A practical, results-focused 4-session course that transforms how your organisation positions itself to get on funders' radars.
The workshop runs March 4, 11, 18 and 25
Choose from two time options: 10 am GMT or 4 pm GMT.
The popular 'How to Get in Front of Invite Only Funders' training course runs twice a year.
I also run the training for funder grantees and networks. Want bespoke training? Please be in touch
Three months of coaching and accountability to turn major gifts from overwhelming to doable.
We'll map your action plan together, then I'll work alongside you through regular sessions and unlimited Slack support as you implement it.
I'll create a fundraising strategy for your organisation—from prospect research and stakeholder interviews to implementation roadmaps and cultivation frameworks.
Add coaching to embed the approach across your team, or design something bespoke for your needs.
Lizzie Wright, 24-7 Prayer
Another board meeting approaches. That familiar knot in your stomach returns.
Your Executive Director asks about the pipeline, and you talk about 'potential' - but really, you're just hoping for another lucky break to save the day.
You've discovered your true value as a philanthropic guide. You walk into donor meetings carrying something more powerful than presentations - the confidence to build meaningful partnerships.
Your pipeline fills with purpose, each relationship deepening with intention rather than hope. Board meetings become opportunities to share real progress, not just potential.
Brad, Habonim Dror
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER
Join my free fortnightly newsletter that includes:
3 ideas to super-charge your fundraising
2 things I’m loving right now
1 must-know donor-writing tip