Welcome to the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast hosted by Trevor Bragdon. Each episode features a successful nonprofit leader who explains a fundraising strategy or tactic to increase your impact and rapidly grow your organization.
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What if your annual fundraiser could raise nearly $300,000 in a single evening without requiring months of donor fatigue or an all-day event? In this episode, Trevor Bragdon sits down with Amy Ford, co-founder of Embrace Grace, to unpack the fundraising strategy that helped their organization grow a traditional golf tournament from $60,000 to nearly $300,000 annually. Amy shares the exact…
Growth rarely feels comfortable in the moment. In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon shares a story from a flight home from Orlando where he met a woman flying for the very first time. What started as a simple conversation about turbulence and takeoff became a powerful reminder about what it feels like to learn something new. Trevor explains how moments of embarrassment,…
On this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon sits down with Matt Paprocki, President and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, to break down one of the most important skills in fundraising: storytelling. Matt explains why most fundraising stories fail before they even begin. Instead of creating emotional connection, many fundraisers summarize facts, report outcomes, or speak in vague…
“A donor may trust your voice before they ever meet you.” That idea sits at the center of this conversation between Trevor Bragdon and Dr. Jared Musgrove of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), the nation’s largest Christian fraternity. In this episode, Jared breaks down how BYX turned podcasting into a relationship-building tool that strengthens donor trust, deepens alumni engagement, and creates meaningful…
In this episode of the 7 Figure Fundraising Podcast, Trevor Bragdon breaks down a proven strategy nonprofit leaders are using to attract new donors: persuasive public speaking. Drawing from both personal experience and recent fundraising trends, Trevor explains why getting in front of the right audience can lead directly to meaningful donor relationships — but only when the message is structured…
What do you do when you're hit with a tough question—one you didn’t expect and don’t have a polished answer ready for? Whether it’s a curveball in a donor meeting, a media interview, or a town hall Q&A, today's episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast breaks down three clear strategies you can use to stay composed and persuasive—even under pressure. Trevor shares a memorable story from the Miss…
How many of you know a good story? One you've never forgotten—one that moved you, inspired you, or stuck with you long after you heard it. What made it so compelling? In this clip, we dive into why stories are the lifeblood of an effective pitch and how you can find and frame great stories to persuade donors. Learn about: The Story Safe—a simple habit for collecting powerful stories The Story…
What do you want your new donors to see and hear from your organization during their first 100 days? This period is your chance to make a lasting impression and turn a first-time donor into a lifelong supporter. In this clip, we break down how to craft a 100-day plan that keeps donors engaged, including: The four-part thank-you strategy that sets the right tone How to plan four meaningful…
In this episode, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss why project fundraising is not a sustainable strategy for nonprofits. They compare project fundraising to a gift card that offers a one-time benefit but does not engage donors in the organization's overall mission. They explain that project fundraising can actually cost money and send a negative message internally. They emphasize the…
In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast , hosts Trevor and Tarren Bragdon explore the key strategies outlined in their new book, 7-Figure Fundraising: A Guide to Raising Millions to Change the World . They discuss the practical, step-by-step approach nonprofit leaders can use to transform their fundraising efforts and scale their impact. Why We Wrote the Book : To help nonprofit…
View Episode 49 Show Notes on our website here . Co-founders Elaine Alowo-Matovu and Takako Mino discuss the founding and fundraising journey of Musizi University, a new university in Uganda, and their vision behind it. They discuss their backgrounds and how they came together to start the university. Elaine and Takako also explain the unique programs and curriculum offered at Musizi University,…
View Episode 48 Show Notes on our website here . Joey Coleman helps companies keep their customers and employees. As an award-winning speaker, he shares his First 100 Days® methodology for improving customer and employee retention with organizations worldwide (e.g., Whirlpool, Volkswagen Australia, and Zappos). His Wall Street Journal #2 best-selling book, Never Lose a Customer Again , shows how…
View Episode 47 Show Notes on our website here . Trevor and Tarren Bragdon discuss how to think about fundraising for a startup nonprofit. We have a lot of people new to fundraising who find us through the podcast and we’d wanted to do a podcast specifically for fundraising for a startup nonprofit. 3 phases of a Startup Nonprofit Idea phase - Finding the product and market fit Read the book The…
View Episode 46 Show Notes on our website here . To grow your fundraising, focus on these 7 steps. 1. Ask Donors Only Once a Year (1:22) This is how major donors organize their giving Match your ask to their timetable Don’t nickel and dime your major donors by asking them for a big donation and later asking them for smaller donations or sponsorships. 2. Treat Donors Like Partners (5:05) Poverty…
View Episode 45 Show Notes on our website here . In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor Bragdon looks into the Psychology of Fundraising with Tarren Bragdon, co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising and founder and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability. In this episode, they look at: How you create fundraising habits. Habits for the task you want to do but don't. Habits for things…
View Episode 44 Show Notes on our website here . In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss the psychology of fundraising and how it applies to renewing existing donors. They look at the different reasons donors renew and what you can do to set yourself up for your renewal meeting. The goal is to have your major donors happy to meet you and renew…
View Episode 43 Show Notes on our website here . In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor Bragdon and Tarren Bragdon discuss the psychology of fundraising and how it applies to new donors. They look at how new donors think differently, how it's critical to establish trust, and strategies to get that first meeting. This is part of a new series on the Psychology of Fundraising.…
Read this episode's show notes on our website here . In this episode, Trevor interviews Dan Remmenga, the Donor Relations Manager for the Foundation for Government Accountability. They discuss the 5-star system FGA uses to create and cultivate meaningful relationships with donors. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our…
Read this episode's show notes on the website here . Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. Better Together provides a voluntary and preventative alternative to foster care, serves over 15,000 children, and keeps 96% of them out of the foster care system. Megan shares how her organization developed a strong media strategy as well as how…
Check out this episode's show notes on our website here . Today on 7 Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon interviews Chelsea Sabo, the founder and Executive Director of the Mothers Advocacy Project. Chelsea shares the story of her nonprofit and their mission to support at-risk mothers and their children by helping mothers overcome past trauma. To see all the show notes visit:…
View this episode's show notes on our website here . In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor interviews Amy Ard, the Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars. Amy shares how she got her start in advocating for pregnant women who are incarcerated, the lessons learned along the way, and how she's hoping to expand the nonprofit's mission. To see all the show notes visit:…
Read this episode's show notes on our website here . In this episode of 7 Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Dr. Sarika Kulkarni. Sarika is the founder of the non-profit Raah Foundation. The podcast begins with Sarika sharing about this foundation, which is aimed at changing and providing better lives for those in the tribal communities of India. She shares her story of how she…
Read this episode's show notes on our website here . In this episode, Rory Sutherland and Maddie Croucher, marketing experts and behavioral scientists, join host Trevor Bragdon. Rory and Maddie both work for the global advertising and marketing agency, Ogilvy. They discuss why counterintuitive ideas sometimes work, building trust with donors, and creating a culture of innovation. To see all the…
Read the show notes for this episode on our website here . Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Noemi Perez. Noemi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Immokalee Foundation, a nonprofit that provides a range of education programs focused on building pathways to professional careers. They serve students in kindergarten through post-secondary education. Noemi shares her…
Read the show notes for this episode on our website here . In this 7-Figure Fundraising episode, Trevor interviews Joey Coleman, the award-winning speaker and author of the #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller, Never Lose A Customer Again . During this episode, Joey speaks directly to nonprofit leaders on how to improve their donor retention strategies to achieve lifelong loyalty. To see all the show…
This episode was one of most popular episodes from last year and we've received a lot of feedback on how helpful it was in helping prepare for donor meetings. In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Tarren Bragdon, his brother, and co-founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. Tarren is the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he…
Read the full show notes here . In this episode of 5-Minute Fundraising , Trevor shares an idea on where to find new fundraising ideas to improve your nonprofit's performance. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
Read today's show notes on our website here . Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Dan McGinn. Dan is an author and journalist who serves as the senior editor of the Harvard Business Review, host of the Dear HBR podcast, and is the author of the book Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed . Trevor and Dan discuss how to use the ten minutes…
In this episode of 5-Minute Fundraising, we're taking a look at the time you spend each year that has the highest impact on your nonprofit. Many fundraisers average 100 hours per year talking to donors. What can you do to turn those critical hours into your peak performance? To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our…
Read this episode's show notes here . In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising , host Trevor Bragdon interviews Judy Cook, the Development Director at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). Judy manages the development staff and the organization’s fundraising plan, and cultivates relationships with prospective donors. During this episode, Judy and Trevor talk through mindsets,…
In this week's 5-Minute Fundraising tactic, Trevor outlines three ways you can craft shareable content into your donor communications. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
Read the full show notes here . In this episode, Trevor interviews Sophie von Laer, the Founder and CEO of Nafs Coach. Sophie is a coach, engineer, and consultant. With more than a decade of work experience as a coach and consultant for both non-profits, for-profits, and fortune 500 companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and government agencies. Sophie has vast experiences in creating…
In this episode, Trevor discusses t he 3 big reasons major donors give to nonprofits and how you can incorporate these reasons into your donor communications. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com
We’re excited to share with you the first episode in a new series, 5-Minute Fundraising . Every other Wednesday at 8:00 am ET, we’ll share one specific tactic you can apply immediately to your fundraising. Today’s tactic is called The Story Safe: How to find and capture great stories. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To learn more about fundraising and…
Read the full show notes here . Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon sits down with Joel Manby, author of Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders. Joel is also the former CEO of Sea World, Saab North America, and Herschend Enterprises. In this episode, Joel shares his experience and advice on leading major companies through times of turmoil and uncertainty. To see…
Read the full show notes here . In this episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising podcast, Trevor and Tarren Bragdon had a conversation about how fundraising has changed over the last few months for Tarren's nonprofit. They also discussed and previewed content from the upcoming live, online 7-Figure Fundraising workshop. To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/ To…
Read the full show notes here . In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising, Trevor interviews Kevin Gentry. Kevin is the vice president for special projects at Koch Companies Public Sector and a member of Stand Together’s board of directors. During this interview, they discuss the mindsets of both major donors and fundraisers as well as the keys to successful fundraising events. To see all the show…
Read the full show notes here . Today on 7-Figure Fundraising , Trevor Bragdon continues the series on Fundraising During Uncertainty, in which Trevor discusses the nuances and challenges of fundraising during the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, Trevor outlines a pitch script nonprofit leaders can use to explain to donors the changes and new opportunities their nonprofit is facing. You can download…
Read the full show notes here . In this episode of 7-Figure Fundraising , host Trevor Bragdon interviews Roy Lenardson, president of Strategic Advocacy. Roy has worked with some of America's largest companies and organizations as a political strategist, operative, and manager. He is a specialist in crafting specific and clear messaging, and has worked as a pitch coach at all of the 7-Figure…
Read the full show notes here . Becky Lewis is the Executive Director at Trinity Christian Academy Foundation, one of the largest private K-12 schools in Texas. She provides all fundraising direction for the academy including managing capital campaigns major giving and planned giving. Becky has grown Trinity Christian’s fundraising by more than $8 million a year and through expanding major donor…
Read the full show notes here . Kelly Shackelford, Esq., is President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Under his leadership, First Liberty’s legal team has participated in cases before the United States Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, federal district courts, and various state…
Read the full show notes here . With all the uncertainty with the Coronavirus, limited air travel, and the volatility in the stock market, it’s an interesting time to be a fundraiser. For the next few episodes of the podcast, we are going to be focused on fundraising under uncertainty with interviews from people who worked during other times of crisis and how they made decisions and took action.…
Read the full show notes here . President of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, Donnie Wilson, began his career as a serial entrepreneur in 1977, at only 17 years old. While he originally focused on building equipment for the gas and oil industries, Donnie was later presented with an opportunity to scale his ventures internationally. In recent years, Donnie began dedicating much of his…
View this episode's show notes here . In this episode, Trevor Bragdon interviews Horst Schulze the co-founder and former president of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group and founder and chairman of the Cappella Hotel Group. Horst discusses how to bring a culture of excellence into your nonprofit and how to increase your relationship with donors. Horst also discusses his book, Excellence Wins and how his…
View this episode's show notes here . Jonathan Bechtle is the Chief Operating Officer and Counsel at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). As COO, he specializes in implementing systems that scale for the organization’s rapid growth and making sure FGA is in compliance with state and federal laws in their 38 states of operation. In this episode, Jonathan highlights the business…
Read this episode's show notes here . In today’s episode, the tables turn. Our host and Co-Founder Trevor Bragdon is interviewed by fellow Co-Founder and brother, Tarren Bragdon. Trevor shares how he discovered the power of Behavioral Science and how he taught nonprofit CEOs to implement it in their strategy for powerful fundraising results. To see all the show notes visit:…
Read this episode's show notes here . Megan Rose is the CEO of Better Together, a nonprofit that provides a voluntary, preventative alternative to foster care. Megan has spent her entire career working in social services and was recently awarded the 2019 Civil Society Award by the Manhattan Institute. In today’s episode, she shares about the important work Better Together accomplishes, facing…
Read this episode's show notes here . Co-Founder of 7-Figure Fundraising and the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, Tarren Bragdon, is an expert in fundraising and nonprofit success. Today, he’s highlighting the actionable, intentional steps necessary to tailor your year-end communication in a way that is both thoughtful and unforgettable. To see all the show notes visit:…
Read this episode's show notes here . Leslie Graves, Founder and Publisher of Ballotpedia, is a leading figure in digital media and civic activism. Today, Ballotpedia is one of the top 500 websites in the country and the gold standard for election information at the federal, state, and local level. She shares the actionable systems and processes that have shaped their success, including their…
Read this episode's show notes here . Today’s show features Tarren Bragdon, the Co-Founder of 7-Figure Fundraising. He’s also the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a nonprofit he started in 2011. He shares the transformational shift and smart strategy that took his nonprofit from $50K in seed money to more than $13 million in revenue yearly with a development staff of three. To…