All Episodes

October 16, 2025 18 mins

So, you’ve got a vision to grow your fundraising program, but you’re not sure how to get there.  

Whether you’re volunteer-led, an executive director flying solo, or building your first fundraising team, the path to sustainable fundraising growth isn’t always clear.

In this episode, we break down the real stages of fundraising growth and what is required at each stage – not just in terms of fundraising strategy, but in terms of systems, organizational culture and capacity building. 

We’re talking about: 

  • The 4 key stages of fundraising growth (and what to focus on at each stage)
  • Why fundraising success depends on alignment across your entire organization
  • What it means to invest in a culture of philanthropy that supports fundraising efforts
  • Common traps like unrealistic fundraising hiring expectations, weak infrastructure, and the myth of the “lone fundraiser”
  • Real-life stories about how fundraising success leads to overwhelm – and practical ways to prevent burnout

We also dig into why financial reconciliation, donor database management, and clear team communication are just as critical as your fundraising plan – and why you might feel like you're spinning your wheels without these systems in place. 

If you're navigating the messy middle, stuck between growing pains and big fundraising goals, this one's for you. 

Resources and links:
Check out host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn
Download our Four Pillars of Fundraising Guide for free
Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call
Email us at hello@fundraisinglab.ca
Subscribe to our email list
Share this episode with a friend!

Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab

Music:
Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille at Soundstripe

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.