Episode 265: Reframing Fundraising as Connection & Impact with Esther Saehyun Lee

Are you tired of hearing, “I’m not a fundraiser”?

In this episode, Tom Kelly sits down with nonprofit strategist Esther Saehyun Lee to reframe what fundraising really means. Esther helps executive directors, board members, and staff see that fundraising isn’t just about the ask—it’s about connection, trust, and sharing your mission in meaningful ways.

They dive into:

• Why so many nonprofit leaders feel like fundraising isn’t their job
• The lightbulb moment when people realize they already are fundraisers
• How small and medium nonprofits can engage their teams and boards to share the fundraising load
• Simple, high-impact donor stewardship practices you can implement today
• The power of authentic storytelling and avoiding extractive narratives

Free Gifts for Listeners

1. Sweet Treat Quiz for Nonprofit Leaders – Take a fun, silly quiz to find out what sweet treat you need and what it says about your leadership archetype. Take the quiz here https://opinionstage.com/page/d95ef3db-f580-4a72-9b57-265e34ad6cc5
2. Limited Troubleshooting Calls – Esther is offering 4 private 30-minute troubleshooting calls to help you tackle your nonprofit’s fundraising challenges. To secure one of the 4 spots, email her directly at esther@elevatephilanthropyconsulting.com

If you want to reimagine fundraising, engage your team, and strengthen your nonprofit’s impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights and encouragement to get started.

Want to chat with Esther directly? Find her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-saehyun-lee/

For more info on Esther, visit her website: https://www.elevatephilanthropyconsulting.com/

and for more additional resources from her here: https://candid.org/blogs/hidden-labor-behind-nonprofits-authentic-storytelling/