J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
I help charity leaders to multiply major gift fundraising results for their favorite causes (and have fun doing it) with systems, psychology, sanity, and sacredness.
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J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
· Feb 11
#LetsGrowThisThing!
Are you leading a small charity ($500K to $2M) and thinking about adding a major gift strategy? Here are a few key things to consider:
Are you leading a small charity ($500K to $2M) and thinking about adding a major gift strategy? Here are a few key things to consider:
“Listen with your eyes as well as your ears.” - Graham Speechley
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Listen with your eyes as well as your ears.” - Graham Speechley
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about something most fundraisers underestimate: The small, quiet contributions we make that change everything.
Not dramatic. But still sacred.
Not dramatic. But still sacred.
November 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide is about something most fundraisers underestimate: The small, quiet contributions we make that change everything.
Not dramatic. But still sacred.
Not dramatic. But still sacred.
One of the first things I asked when stepping into my new role at Sinapis was how the organization equips entrepreneurs. The more I learn, the more I appreciate how clear and practical the approach is.
November 28, 2025 at 12:30 AM
One of the first things I asked when stepping into my new role at Sinapis was how the organization equips entrepreneurs. The more I learn, the more I appreciate how clear and practical the approach is.
My CEO had just wrapped a 73-minute monologue. No questions asked - literally.
And… he was way overdressed. Black suit. Tie. Even a pocket square.
Afterward, my friend pulled me aside and said: “Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
And… he was way overdressed. Black suit. Tie. Even a pocket square.
Afterward, my friend pulled me aside and said: “Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
My CEO had just wrapped a 73-minute monologue. No questions asked - literally.
And… he was way overdressed. Black suit. Tie. Even a pocket square.
Afterward, my friend pulled me aside and said: “Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
And… he was way overdressed. Black suit. Tie. Even a pocket square.
Afterward, my friend pulled me aside and said: “Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
“The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” - Thomas Edison
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” - Thomas Edison
He was ready to give. I was ready to ask.
But as we talked, I realized: this wasn’t the moment. He and his wife were in a different season. Their passions were shifting. Our cause wasn’t the best fit this time around - and I knew it.
But as we talked, I realized: this wasn’t the moment. He and his wife were in a different season. Their passions were shifting. Our cause wasn’t the best fit this time around - and I knew it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:54 PM
He was ready to give. I was ready to ask.
But as we talked, I realized: this wasn’t the moment. He and his wife were in a different season. Their passions were shifting. Our cause wasn’t the best fit this time around - and I knew it.
But as we talked, I realized: this wasn’t the moment. He and his wife were in a different season. Their passions were shifting. Our cause wasn’t the best fit this time around - and I knew it.
In these first weeks at Sinapis, I’m hearing stories that stick with me.
Anne’s is one of them.
In 2024 she was working as a tailor at Home254 Apparel in Nairobi. Earlier that year, floods destroyed her home and swept away nearly everything her family owned.
Anne’s is one of them.
In 2024 she was working as a tailor at Home254 Apparel in Nairobi. Earlier that year, floods destroyed her home and swept away nearly everything her family owned.
November 26, 2025 at 12:30 AM
In these first weeks at Sinapis, I’m hearing stories that stick with me.
Anne’s is one of them.
In 2024 she was working as a tailor at Home254 Apparel in Nairobi. Earlier that year, floods destroyed her home and swept away nearly everything her family owned.
Anne’s is one of them.
In 2024 she was working as a tailor at Home254 Apparel in Nairobi. Earlier that year, floods destroyed her home and swept away nearly everything her family owned.
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that made fundraisers stop and think.
Today’s feature: So, You're 90 Days In? (How's it going so far?)
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that made fundraisers stop and think.
Today’s feature: So, You're 90 Days In? (How's it going so far?)
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that made fundraisers stop and think.
Today’s feature: So, You're 90 Days In? (How's it going so far?)
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that made fundraisers stop and think.
Today’s feature: So, You're 90 Days In? (How's it going so far?)
“It takes 6‑7 attempts to reach a donor to set up an appointment … Most people stop. Yet the donor may still want to give.” - Marc A. Pitman
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“It takes 6‑7 attempts to reach a donor to set up an appointment … Most people stop. Yet the donor may still want to give.” - Marc A. Pitman
My encouragement to those of you in major gift fundraising this week - be on the lookout for unexpected moments where connection breaks through!
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
My encouragement to those of you in major gift fundraising this week - be on the lookout for unexpected moments where connection breaks through!
Big news, friends.
Instead of my usual Saturday Standouts this weekend, I want to highlight the remarkable work of www.sinapis.org.
Instead of my usual Saturday Standouts this weekend, I want to highlight the remarkable work of www.sinapis.org.
Sinapis : Business Training for Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs
Sinapis is a global community blending intensive training with faith-based principles and access to capital. Entrepreneurs learn how to scale their businesses while also making a social and spiritual…
www.sinapis.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Big news, friends.
Instead of my usual Saturday Standouts this weekend, I want to highlight the remarkable work of www.sinapis.org.
Instead of my usual Saturday Standouts this weekend, I want to highlight the remarkable work of www.sinapis.org.
Joan’s not burned out. She’s still showing up, still producing, still getting gifts in.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This week's Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction, not just energy, begins to slip.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This week's Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction, not just energy, begins to slip.
November 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Joan’s not burned out. She’s still showing up, still producing, still getting gifts in.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This week's Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction, not just energy, begins to slip.
But the ache underneath is harder to name: “I don’t know if I still believe in this.”
This week's Breakthru Guide is about what happens when conviction, not just energy, begins to slip.
Monday mornings in fundraising can hit weird.
Do I follow up on the ask?
Did that giver ghost me?
Am I doing this whole thing right?
That’s why I’m writing INSPIRED - a new 8-week series to anchor you in the work.
The introduction is this week’s free Breakthru Guide.
Do I follow up on the ask?
Did that giver ghost me?
Am I doing this whole thing right?
That’s why I’m writing INSPIRED - a new 8-week series to anchor you in the work.
The introduction is this week’s free Breakthru Guide.
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Monday mornings in fundraising can hit weird.
Do I follow up on the ask?
Did that giver ghost me?
Am I doing this whole thing right?
That’s why I’m writing INSPIRED - a new 8-week series to anchor you in the work.
The introduction is this week’s free Breakthru Guide.
Do I follow up on the ask?
Did that giver ghost me?
Am I doing this whole thing right?
That’s why I’m writing INSPIRED - a new 8-week series to anchor you in the work.
The introduction is this week’s free Breakthru Guide.
Mel Robbins recently shared 8 affirmations that changed how I start my day.
I’ve adapted them for fundraisers - and turned them into a weekly called INSPIRED.
💬 Bite-sized encouragement
🛠️ Real-life fundraising reflections
🙏 Sacred grounding for your work
I’ve adapted them for fundraisers - and turned them into a weekly called INSPIRED.
💬 Bite-sized encouragement
🛠️ Real-life fundraising reflections
🙏 Sacred grounding for your work
November 23, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Mel Robbins recently shared 8 affirmations that changed how I start my day.
I’ve adapted them for fundraisers - and turned them into a weekly called INSPIRED.
💬 Bite-sized encouragement
🛠️ Real-life fundraising reflections
🙏 Sacred grounding for your work
I’ve adapted them for fundraisers - and turned them into a weekly called INSPIRED.
💬 Bite-sized encouragement
🛠️ Real-life fundraising reflections
🙏 Sacred grounding for your work
“In fundraising, an objection is almost always better than indifference.” - Nathan Stelter
November 22, 2025 at 4:17 AM
“In fundraising, an objection is almost always better than indifference.” - Nathan Stelter
If you’re a fundraiser or charity leader who feels tired, scattered, or wondering why the work feels so heavy lately… I want to invite you to consider a fresh rhythm:
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
If you’re a fundraiser or charity leader who feels tired, scattered, or wondering why the work feels so heavy lately… I want to invite you to consider a fresh rhythm:
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
🟡 INSPIRED - 8 Affirmations to Anchor Your Fundraising Life
Character is Contagious (So is Cynicism)
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Character is Contagious (So is Cynicism)
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Teams watch how you treat givers. Givers watch how you treat your team.
Do your colleagues leave meetings feeling like they’re part of something sacred?
Systems save you when your brain is tired.
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Systems save you when your brain is tired.
Before you go into your next ask, here’s a good question: “Have I earned the right to be trusted with this conversation?”
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
November 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Before you go into your next ask, here’s a good question: “Have I earned the right to be trusted with this conversation?”
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
That’s what the Strength of Relationship tool is really about.
Before looking at wealth and urgency, consider the following:
Flexibility is a spiritual discipline.
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Flexibility is a spiritual discipline.
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🕺 Breakthru Guide “Top Performer” Series 💃
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m resharing one of the most-read and talked-about Breakthru Guides from the past two years - the ones that really hit a nerve with major gift fundraisers.
Today’s feature: He Looked At Him And...
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” - Joyce Meyer
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” - Joyce Meyer
It's a new week for major gift fundraising... and no matter what happens this week, you can handle it.
💖👊
💖👊
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's a new week for major gift fundraising... and no matter what happens this week, you can handle it.
💖👊
💖👊
Some callings are whispered over eggs and toast.
November 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Some callings are whispered over eggs and toast.
Yesterday’s Breakthru Guide closes out the 👻Spooky Season😱 series (the questions that keep us up at night): “Will I still believe in this 10 years from now?”
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Yesterday’s Breakthru Guide closes out the 👻Spooky Season😱 series (the questions that keep us up at night): “Will I still believe in this 10 years from now?”
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.
Because burnout is one thing. But losing your sense of meaning? That’s something deeper.