Free Resources for Donors and Nonprofits

As part of my prior business (Do Your Good), which I have wound down to be the Chief of Staff for the Oregon Treasurer, I offered numerous courses and offerings. Below are some free resources that I feel are still relevant today. Please note that I have not updated these courses since 2024.

I also produced a weekly podcast in which I interviewed hundreds of interesting philanthropists and nonprofit leaders. I was proud of this endeavor and had over 55,000 downloads of my work. I include just a few of my favorites on this page.

For now, my entire podcast library remains available to you through any of your favorite streaming channels—just type in Do Your Good, and you will find me there.

I am proud of a four-part series I did on suicide prevention by firearm, which you can listen to here. A few other select interviews are on this page to give you a taste of the podcast.

Equip yourself with the necessary tools to become an effective philanthropist and donor.

Explore my free short video series, Crack the Code, which provides guidance on seven key procedural steps applicable to any cause you care about.

Take the time to figure out your donor type so that you get the best pitch and don't waste time and money running down dead ends.

Identify your Donor Type

Download our helpful checklist to find out more about each type of donor.

Download the worksheet: Are you a sustainer, campaigner or launcher funder?

Deep Dive Into Budget and Finances

Learn the top ten most important pieces of financial and budget information you should expressly ask for in order to save you and the nonprofit time. 

Download the worksheet: Deep Dive Into Budget and Finances

Strategies to Join a Funder Collaboration

Many funders want to collaborate with other donors in order to leverage dollars and learn together about the issue you care about. But you want to be careful because you could easily end up joining the wrong types of collaboration. 

Download the worksheet: Strategies to Join a Funder Collaboration

Download the resource: Hypotheticals

How to Navigate Lobbying

You can fund advocacy, but there are special rules you need to navigate if you want a tax deductible donation in the United States. This lesson offers you tips and tricks to navigate this important issue with success. 

Download the worksheet: How to Navigate Lobbying

Download the resource: Conflict of Interest Template

You don’t want to be in a funder bubble and get the answer that the nonprofits think you want to hear. Learn the top 9 signs that you may be in a funder bubble. Learn the 4 tenets to live by to keep yourself out of a funder bubble so that you can continue to be the best donor possible.  

Get the Real Scoop

Download the worksheet: Get the Real Scoop

How to Fund a Coalition of Nonprofit Partners

Have you ever had a group of nonprofits all come to you and tell you they are working together on a similar issue or project? Learn the key steps to take to fund coalitions the right way.

You will learn the most important items to ask for depending on whether you are a Sustainer, Campaigner or Launcher donor. You will want to review the training on how to identify your donor type prior to watching this video.

What to Ask for in a Proposal

Are you just starting out on your journey to create the perfect fundraising pitch?

Free Messaging Checklist

Download my list of messaging mistakes to avoid and a checklist to get your pitch right from the start.

Be REAL!

Your ticket to successful fundraising

As a nonprofit, you're putting your heart and soul into your cause and you're doing good work, but how do you show that to your donors? This course will teach you what you need to know about being a successful fundraiser.

You spend lots of time creating public-facing materials about your work, but you worry that donors are not actually paying attention. You may be right. Learn about the most important materials that a funder wants to see, and a special tip on how to get a donor to actually open and read your email. 

Lesson 1: Be Relevant

Download the resource: Be Relevant

You will miss the mark if you fail to have a clear read on the type of donor that you are pitching. Learn the differences between 3 donor types - a Sustainer, Campaigner, and Launcher donor - for maximum impact in crafting your fundraising message.

Lesson 2: Be Empathetic

Download the resource: Be Empathetic

You may be turning the funder off by talking about your work too negatively. Learn the 4 strategies to approach your work from a place of abundance and opportunity.

Lesson 3: Be Abundant

Download the resource: Be Abundant

Don’t make the common mistake of turning off a funder by treating them like a bank transaction. Learn the 3 tips to approach a funder as a partner so that they will have a deep connection to your work.

Lesson 4: Level-Up

Download the resource: Level-Up