J.Paul Fridenmaker
jpfry.bsky.social
J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
79 followers 93 following 1.8K posts
I help charity leaders to multiply major gift fundraising results for their favorite causes (and have fun doing it) with systems, psychology, sanity, and sacredness.
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#LetsGrowThisThing!
Are you leading a small charity ($500K to $2M) and thinking about adding a major gift strategy? Here are a few key things to consider:
Some people dream of success. Others wake up and log into Salesforce.
In the Breakthru Blog this week I share more about it and how I’ve worked through it.

Check it out and let me know what you think.
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Are you comparing yourself to the person who “already hit their number” or “just closed a six-figure gift.”

Are the whispers relentless?
🫢You’re not doing enough
😱You’re already behind
😬They’re going to find out

I get it because I’ve been there.
The deeper the trust, the more room for transformation.
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about what happens when asking feels like a loss of power.
📬 Want to read it now? Join here (free):
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J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
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“I used to be the one people pitched to. Now I’m the one asking - and sometimes it feels like I’m begging.”

That’s what Richard told me. He used to be a corporate VP. Now he runs a nonprofit for at-risk youth.
“Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you show up anyway.” - Brené Brown
And last but not least, some super practical advice from our favorite professional on-camera person, Ross Kimball - buff.ly/DNDitZW

Thanks everyone!
* William Myatt - buff.ly/siLxvab - Five things that set apart the best fundraisers.
* David Duxbury - buff.ly/GB2hLbf - Super creative initiative from a local church to create sustainable revenue.
* Andrew Olsen - buff.ly/Y5ueA5y - Please (please) test your gut instincts before deciding how, when, and in what ways to engage your major givers.
* Courtney Harrness - buff.ly/vG4lOb1 - If your strategy starts with the ask, you’ve started too late.
* Michelle Benson - buff.ly/VYuJPoz - Senior job titles for your frontline fundraisers are essential.
* Rohan Sheth - buff.ly/plzMEp9 - Three important insights for great networking.
* Marcus Sheridan - buff.ly/Cuh5Pjv - This wisdom absolutely applies to nonprofits. Have you tested putting an “impact estimator” on your giving page?
* Amanda Smith, MBA, MPA, bCRE-PRO - buff.ly/iTDLsp6 - The most valuable metrics in fundraising are relationships strengthened. Can you guess what percentage of nonprofits measure giver satisfaction?
DHTFaT;GMYF [Don’t Have Time For All These; Give Me Your Favorite]
* Mario Hernandez - buff.ly/k3XEGsE - Five exquisite points here about how to raise major funding.
That’s why I’m grateful for the folks here on LinkedIn who keep showing up to share wisdom, tools, insights, and even a few laughs.

Each Saturday I choose 10 posts that stood out to me from across the major gift and philanthropy world. Enjoy!
AND - if you’ve done this work for more than five minutes, you know that it’s not always a straight line. One week you’re encouraged, the next you’re doubting your entire approach.
Time for some Saturday Standouts!

One of my favorite things in the world is watching charity leaders experience breakthroughs in major gift fundraising… Those moments when the conversation clicks, the strategy shifts, and generosity flows.
Is it really “just an invitation” if it feels like begging?

This weekend’s Breakthru Guide explores what’s actually going on beneath that feeling - and what to do about it.

I write this guide every week for major gift fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. You can get it here:
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“The best time to build a bridge is long before you need to cross it.” - Unknown
What do you do when the people you’re inviting to give… used to report to you?

That’s the story behind this weekend’s Breakthru Guide. It’s about status, asking, and the quiet fear of seeming needy.
If it’s not for them, don’t force it. Let them be free.