Story‑Driven Fundraising | Missionary, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups

Story‑Driven Fundraising | Missionary, Fundraising Ideas, Donations, Marketing Plan, NonProfit Groups

Do you wish fundraising was easier? Do you wish you didn’t have to worry so much about the money? Feeling the awkwardness, the icky-shame feeling of asking for money? Putting so much effort in but still getting “nos” or worse… ghosting? I’m excited you’re here!! This is the place for you to learn how to fundraise easier, get rid of the shame and awkwardness of asking for money, and finally start growing supporters for your ministry that stay for the long haul! Hi, I’m Lisa. I love Jesus, have been in ministry since I was born (missionary kid here) and I love being a part of what God is doing in people’s lives! I’ve worked with and in ministries that struggle to truly connect with supporters. I’ve seen the stigma around raising support, the scramble across platforms and videos to “keep up,” and the relentless trial-and-error that never quite clicks—often ending in burnout. But then I saw first hand the power of story and was BLOWN AWAY at how quickly it engaged donors and encouraged them to donate- the first time I used the power of story in our messaging, we raised so much support, the team wasn’t even prepared for it! This had never happened before! And I want the same for your ministry!! If you’re ready to finally raise the support you need—without the constant stress or worry… If you want to grow your base of supporters and keep them with you for the long haul… If you’re looking for a simple strategy you can use again and again—one that replaces burnout with confidence… And if you’re ready to drop the awkward, icky, or shameful feelings around asking for money… Then this podcast is for you. Grab your coffee, your calling, and maybe a snack—let’s do this. -Lisa Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

Episodes

July 9, 2026 19 mins

They loved hearing about your ministry. They asked thoughtful questions. They even said they’d pray about supporting you. So why do so many of those conversations end without a donation?

In this episode, you’ll discover the 3 biggest reasons people stay interested without ever becoming invested. You’ll learn how to communicate the problem your ministry solves, invite supporters into the story, and make the next ste...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You spend hours writing your ministry newsletter… then hit send and wonder if anyone even opened it. No replies. No engagement. Just silence. If that’s happened to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean your supporters don’t care. It may mean your newsletter isn’t giving them a reason to care.

In this episode, you’ll learn three simple shifts that make your fundraising newsletters far more engaging&mda...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Ever walked away from a fundraising conversation convinced someone was going to support your ministry… only to never hear from them again? It can feel personal, but what if silence doesn’t mean they’ve rejected your ministry?

In this episode, you’ll learn why donors forget, why stories keep your ministry memorable, and three simple shifts that help you stay top of mind without becoming pushy or overwhelming.

...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

If your fundraising has been slow lately, your first instinct might be to work harder or send another email. But what if the problem isn’t how often you’re asking… it’s how you’re inviting people into the story?

In this episode, you’ll learn two simple storytelling shifts that help create urgency, make your ministry more memorable, and give donors a clear path to take action—without feeling...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You’ve been fundraising for years. You’re sharing updates, meeting with donors, and talking about your ministry. Yet support still feels slower than it should.

What if the problem isn’t the economy, donor fatigue, or too much competition? In this episode, I share 5 signs your fundraising message may be confusing donors—and how unclear messaging quietly keeps ministry support from growing. If fundraising feels...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You’ve been raising support for months. Maybe years. Maybe even decades. Yet somehow you’re still wondering why fundraising feels slower than it should and why momentum never seems to build.

In this episode, I'll share the 5 hidden fundraising mistakes that keep missionaries and ministry leaders stuck. If support feels harder to raise than it should be, one of these blind spots may be quietly holding you back.

Similar Epi...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You know your ministry needs support, but the last thing you want is for people to feel pressured, guilted, or manipulated into giving. That tension leaves many ministry leaders avoiding fundraising conversations altogether—or asking so cautiously that donors never understand the opportunity in front of them.

In this episode, I share 3 practical shifts that help you raise support with confidence and integrity. Learn how to con...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Fundraising feels exhausting when you’re working hard, communicating often, and still not seeing momentum. You know your ministry matters, but somehow donors don’t seem to fully understand the urgency, the impact, or why they should get involved.

In this episode, I share 5 powerful outcomes that happen when you clarify your fundraising message. You’ll discover why clear messaging helps donors connect faster, stay e...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You know your fundraising message could be stronger. You know clearer communication would help donors understand, connect with, and support your ministry. So why haven’t you worked on it yet?

In this episode, I share the 3 most common excuses ministry leaders make that keep them stuck in fundraising. You’ll learn what’s really behind the excuses, what they’re costing your ministry, and how clarifying your mes...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Burnout in ministry is rarely a matter of if. It’s usually a matter of when.

In this episode, I’m joined by Josh and Corina from the Believe and Become podcast as they share their story of serving in worship ministry for years, carrying too much, hitting emotional and physical overwhelm, and realizing something had to change. We talk about identity, pressure, perfectionism, rest, hearing God’s voice, and ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You know donor communication matters… but right now? You can barely keep your head above water.

Summer schedules. Ministry emergencies. Family needs. Constant reacting. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re still supposed to send newsletters, stay connected with supporters, and keep fundraising moving forward.

In this episode, we’re talking about what to do when ministry life gets so overwhelming that don...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You know you need to send ministry newsletters… but every time you sit down to write one, your brain goes blank.

What do you include? What do you leave out? Do you even have enough to say?

In this episode, I’m sharing the three most important things every ministry newsletter should include so writing becomes faster, simpler, and more effective.

And if you want extra help, I also created a free ministry newsletter checklis...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You keep talking about your ministry… but donors still aren’t connecting.

If people seem interested but never actually support, your fundraising problem may not be your mission-it may be your message.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest mistakes ministry leaders make when communicating with donors.

If fundraising has felt heavy, confusing, or harder than it should be—this episode may help y...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

People might love your ministry… and still hesitate to support it. That’s the frustrating part of fundraising that almost nobody talks about. 

You have conversations. People listen. They seem interested. They even encourage you. Yet somehow the support still feels slow.

In this episode, we’re talking about why donor trust takes so long to build sometimes — and what you can do to speed that process up in ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Do you feel like fundraising keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your list?

You know donor relationships matter. You know you should be communicating more consistently. But ministry responsibilities, meetings, events, homeschooling, emails, and constant interruptions keep taking over.

And before you know it, another month passes without intentionally fundraising or nurturing donor relationships.

In this episode, I share 3 practical ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What happens when the donors you were relying on end up not giving… or stop after a little while?

It can throw everything off. Logistically, financially, emotionally. You start wondering what happened, why it’s taking so long for people to commit, and whether fundraising is always supposed to feel this difficult.

So why does it take some donors months — or even years — to finally say yes?

In this episode, Lisa...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

They said they’d give. They were excited. They meant it. And then… they don't follow through.

Or maybe they gave once… and then stopped.vIt’s one of the hardest parts of fundraising—and it can leave you feeling confused, discouraged, and stuck.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually causing donors not to follow through—and the 3 shifts you need to create more consistent,...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

You’ve thought it before. Churches just aren’t generous anymore. They don’t really care about missions.

And after enough polite conversations, low support, and missed follow-through… it starts to feel true.

But what if that’s not actually the problem? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really blocking your fundraising with churches—and the 3 shifts that will help you communica...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Your donors are reading your updates… but they’re not responding. You’re sharing what you’ve done, the impact you’re making, the numbers-but something still feels off.

Because information isn’t what creates connection. Story does.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 simple ways to turn your everyday updates into compelling stories that actually connect with your donors—so they und...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Why won't donors step into support when you know your ministry matters?

If people are smiling, nodding, and saying “that’s great”… but not actually giving or engaging, the issue might not be your ministry—it’s your message.

In this episode, we walk through the 3 non-negotiable elements your fundraising message must include if you want donors to truly connect, understand the urgency, and say yes fa...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    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.

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    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.

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

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices