J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
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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J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
· Feb 11
#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:
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:
If you’re a fundraiser or charity leader who feels tired, scattered, or wondering why the work feels so heavy lately… I want to invite you to consider a fresh rhythm:
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
If you’re a fundraiser or charity leader who feels tired, scattered, or wondering why the work feels so heavy lately… I want to invite you to consider a fresh rhythm:
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
Character is Contagious (So is Cynicism)
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Character is Contagious (So is Cynicism)
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Systems save you when your brain is tired.
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Systems save you when your brain is tired.
Before you go into your next ask, here’s a good question: “Have I earned the right to be trusted with this conversation?”
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
November 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Before you go into your next ask, here’s a good question: “Have I earned the right to be trusted with this conversation?”
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
Flexibility is a spiritual discipline.
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Flexibility is a spiritual discipline.
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” - Joyce Meyer
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” - Joyce Meyer
It's a new week for major gift fundraising... and no matter what happens this week, you can handle it.
💖👊
💖👊
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's a new week for major gift fundraising... and no matter what happens this week, you can handle it.
💖👊
💖👊
Some callings are whispered over eggs and toast.
November 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Some callings are whispered over eggs and toast.
Yesterday’s Breakthru Guide closes out the 👻Spooky Season😱 series (the questions that keep us up at night): “Will I still believe in this 10 years from now?”
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Yesterday’s Breakthru Guide closes out the 👻Spooky Season😱 series (the questions that keep us up at night): “Will I still believe in this 10 years from now?”
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
You are not a machine. Eat the cookie.
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
You are not a machine. Eat the cookie.
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.
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.
November 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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.
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.
What is this job doing to me? That question may be your first step back to wholeness.
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
What is this job doing to me? That question may be your first step back to wholeness.
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
Burnout gets the attention. But what about a quiet unraveling?
The shift from “I love this work” to “What am I even doing here?”
This week’s Breakthru Guide shares stories and spiritual habits that can help restore joy - even after a long stretch of cynicism.
The shift from “I love this work” to “What am I even doing here?”
This week’s Breakthru Guide shares stories and spiritual habits that can help restore joy - even after a long stretch of cynicism.
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Burnout gets the attention. But what about a quiet unraveling?
The shift from “I love this work” to “What am I even doing here?”
This week’s Breakthru Guide shares stories and spiritual habits that can help restore joy - even after a long stretch of cynicism.
The shift from “I love this work” to “What am I even doing here?”
This week’s Breakthru Guide shares stories and spiritual habits that can help restore joy - even after a long stretch of cynicism.
Hospitality isn’t perfection. It’s presence - with a side of brie and Twix.
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Hospitality isn’t perfection. It’s presence - with a side of brie and Twix.
Joan’s not burned out. She’s still showing up, still producing, still getting gifts in.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction - not just energy - begins to slip.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction - not just energy - begins to slip.
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Joan’s not burned out. She’s still showing up, still producing, still getting gifts in.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction - not just energy - begins to slip.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction - not just energy - begins to slip.
“The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” - Kahlil Gibran
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” - Kahlil Gibran
What are you actually known for?
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
What are you actually known for?
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be okay if they don’t.’” - Christina Grimmie
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be okay if they don’t.’” - Christina Grimmie
How do you dip your chips (or veggies… or onion rings)?
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
How do you dip your chips (or veggies… or onion rings)?
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
“Done is better than perfect.” - Sheryl Sandberg
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Done is better than perfect.” - Sheryl Sandberg
💥 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💥
Each Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resurfacing one of the most-shared and debated Breakthru Guides from the last two years - the ones that got fundraisers talking, nodding, or occasionally arguing (the good kind).
Each Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resurfacing one of the most-shared and debated Breakthru Guides from the last two years - the ones that got fundraisers talking, nodding, or occasionally arguing (the good kind).
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
💥 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💥
Each Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resurfacing one of the most-shared and debated Breakthru Guides from the last two years - the ones that got fundraisers talking, nodding, or occasionally arguing (the good kind).
Each Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resurfacing one of the most-shared and debated Breakthru Guides from the last two years - the ones that got fundraisers talking, nodding, or occasionally arguing (the good kind).
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein
A little greeting and encouragement for major gift fundraisers during my early morning ferry ride today. Love you all!
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
A little greeting and encouragement for major gift fundraisers during my early morning ferry ride today. Love you all!
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” - Leo Tolstoy
November 10, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” - Leo Tolstoy