Q2 Reflection: What We Built, What We Learned, What's Next

Fundraiser, we're at the bridge between spring and summer. Q2 is closing. And I want to pause and reflect with you.

We've talked about a lot these past eight weeks. The mid-year audit. Finding hidden prospects. Handling objections. Activating your board. Summer cultivation. Q3 strategy.

But beneath all of that, there's something bigger happening.

You're building a major gift program that doesn't depend on luck. That doesn't depend on one big donor or one good year. You're engineering sustainable growth. And that changes everything about how you fundraise — and how you feel about it.

Reflecting on Q2: What the Community Built

I've gotten messages from fundraisers all over the country. Here's what I'm hearing:

"I did the database filters and found 15 hidden prospects I'd never thought to ask."

"I booked three fall meetings in July instead of scrambling in September."

"My board member said yes to hosting a small table. For the first time, she's not reluctant. She's excited."

"I used the word-for-word script and the donor said yes to a $25,000 gift."

"I'm doing the 90-minute audit this week."

That's what community looks like. That's you, doing the work. That's the 4-Step System showing up in real life.

I want you to know: the emails I get about these wins? They matter to me more than you'd think. You're not just closing gifts. You're changing how you see yourself as a fundraiser. That's the real work.

The Small Table Big Philanthropy Launch — What It Felt Like from the Inside

In April, we released Small Table Big Philanthropy. And I want to tell you something honest about what that process looked like.

I spent three years writing that book. Three years thinking about how to capture the philosophy that's built this entire coaching movement.

And when it went live, I was nervous.

Would it land? Would fundraisers actually use the staircase? Would the small table concept feel real, or would it feel aspirational?

And then I started hearing from you.

Fundraisers who were hosting backyard dinners with three couples. Boards who suddenly understood their role. Donors who, when asked, said yes because someone cared enough to invite them properly.

The book wasn't aspirational. It was instruction. And it worked.

That's what Q2 built. Not just a book. A framework that hundreds of fundraisers are now using to transform their programs.

The 3 Questions That Came Up Repeatedly This Quarter

I've been paying attention to the themes in your questions, your challenges, your "but how does this work when..."

Three questions keep coming back:

Question One: "What if my board won't participate?"

This one comes from fear. You're afraid you don't have buy-in. But every time a fundraiser actually runs the 3-questions exercise with their board, the resistance disappears. Board members don't hate fundraising. They hate feeling like they don't know what to do. Give them a clear role, and they show up. I promise.

Question Two: "What if I'm too behind to catch up by Q4?"

This one comes from honesty. You look at your pipeline and panic. But "behind" is a story you're telling. You're not behind. You're starting now. And now is perfect timing. If you book five cultivation meetings in July, if you draft your proposals in August, if you have readiness conversations in September — you will close gifts in Q4. I've seen it happen a hundred times. Starting now gives you exactly the runway you need.

Question Three: "What if they say no?"

This one comes from love. You love your donors. And the thought of them saying no feels like rejection. But here's the truth: no is not rejection. No is information. Sometimes it's timing. Sometimes it's the wrong ask. Sometimes they genuinely can't. And your relationship survives it. Actually, it strengthens, because you respected them enough to ask. You're going to be okay.

The Lesson I Didn't Expect: Why This Resonates Beyond Major Gifts

This is the vulnerable part.

When we started Hey Fundraiser, I thought the 4-Step System and the small table philosophy would be for major gift programs. For fundraisers trying to close five-figure gifts.

But Q2 taught me something different.

The small table philosophy isn't about major gifts. It's about relationship. It's about showing up for people. It's about inviting instead of asking. It's about the belief that when you love people and invite them into something meaningful, the money follows.

And that works for mid-level donors. It works for monthly sustainers. It works for event fundraising. It works for annual fund.

The philosophy is bigger than the mechanics.

A fundraiser in Colorado wrote: "I ran a small table with ten of my $100 donors. I just wanted to hear from them. No ask. And at the end, three of them said they'd become $1,000 donors. Just because someone cared enough to invite them in."

That's the lesson. That's why this resonates.

What to Focus on in Q3: One Relationship, One Summer, One Brave Invitation

Here's what I'm asking you to commit to in Q3.

Not five relationships. Not ten.

One.

Who is the one person or couple where, if you showed up consistently for three months, something real could shift?

Not because you're asking for a big gift. But because you care about them. Because their passion matters. Because you believe in them.

Invite them to coffee. Invite them to your backyard. Invite them to a site visit. Invite them into the community.

And watch what happens.

When you stop trying to close everyone and start showing up for one, the energy changes. The relationship deepens. And often, that person becomes your champion. They refer others. They give more. They show up.

One relationship. One summer. Make that your focus.

Major Gift Momentum Enrollment is Open

I want to tell you about what's next.

We're opening enrollment for Major Gift Momentum. This is the coaching program where we go deep into the 4-Step System. Where you work through your actual pipeline. Where you get real feedback on your real donor conversations.

It's for fundraisers who've listened to this podcast, who've read the books, and who are ready to commit to changing their program.

You'll get:
- Twice a week group coaching with me
- A peer community of fundraisers doing the same work
- Accountability on your pipeline and your asks
- Word-for-word scripts and frameworks for every conversation

Enrollment is open. But I'm telling you now so you can think about whether this is the right next step for you.

This is not for everyone. It's for fundraisers who are ready to stop hoping and start engineering.

The Closing Message

Fundraiser, your work matters. You are the bridge between generosity and impact.

Every conversation you have, every relationship you deepen, every brave ask you make — it changes lives.

Maybe you're raising funds for youth programs. Maybe it's an arts organization. Maybe it's health research. Maybe it's housing for the unhoused.

I don't know the cause. But I know this: the work you're doing, the way you're building relationships, the way you're inviting people into something meaningful — it matters.

Q2 was about learning. Q3 is about doing. Q4 is about harvesting what you've sown.

You've got the system. You've got the scripts. You've got permission.

Now you've just got to show up.

The Final Charge

When you're unsure what to do next, ask.

When you're afraid of what they might say, ask anyway.

When you think "maybe they're not ready," ask them directly: "Would you be open to exploring a deeper commitment?"

The worst that happens? They say no or "not right now." And your relationship survives that. It actually grows stronger, because you respected them enough to ask.

The best that happens? They say yes. And you change the trajectory of your organization.

The odds are better than you think.

Go build something beautiful, Fundraiser.

This summer is yours. This Q3 is yours. This Q4 is yours.

And when you love people and invite them into something meaningful, the money always follows.