The Nonprofit Podcast Ep 202| Slow Fundraising: How to Do Less and Raise More with Chad Barger
Slow Fundraising: How to Do Less and Raise More with Chad Barger
Fundraising feels busy. Packed calendars, constant campaigns, endless asks. But results are not keeping pace. Many teams are working harder than ever and still missing growth targets.
Jena Lynch sits down with Chad Barger, founder of Productive Fundraising, to unpack his approach to slow fundraising. His work with nonprofits focuses on cutting through noise, using data to guide decisions, and building systems that actually deliver results.
Slow fundraising is not about doing less for its own sake. It is about doing the right work, consistently. This conversation breaks down how to focus your time, strengthen donor relationships, and build a fundraising approach that supports long-term growth without burnout.
What You’ll Learn
- Why many nonprofit teams are stuck doing too much and how slow fundraising helps identify the few activities that actually drive results
- How to use simple data tracking to understand what is working, what is not, and where time is being lost
- What it takes to build a sustainable fundraising rhythm that avoids burnout and supports long-term growth
- Why donor retention and stewardship matter more than constant acquisition, and how small improvements can increase revenue
- A practical approach to donor engagement that strengthens relationships without adding more to your workload
More About Our Guest:
Chad Barger is the founder of Productive Fundraising, where he helps nonprofits simplify their fundraising strategies and focus on what drives real results. He is a trainer, speaker, and coach known for his practical, data-informed approach to building sustainable fundraising programs, including his work around slow fundraising.
Head over to Productive Fundraising's well-stocked library of fundraising resources here.
Chapters
00:00 – The Fundraising Hamster Wheel
01:26 – What is Slow Fundraising?
03:00 – The 3 Principles That Change Everything
05:32 – Do Fewer Things (80/20 Rule for Fundraising)
07:38 – Fix Your Data First
09:06 – The Relief of Doing Less With a Plan
10:34 – Stop Burnout: Find a Sustainable Rhythm
11:54 – Time Blocking and Deep Work for Fundraisers
14:47 – Donor Retention and Stewardship
18:20 – Simple, High-Impact Donor Engagement Ideas
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