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.
“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
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!
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.
“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
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.
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.
You are not a machine. Eat the cookie.
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
You are not a machine. Eat the cookie.
What is this job doing to me? That question may be your first step back to wholeness.
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
What is this job doing to me? That question may be your first step back to wholeness.
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
This weekend’s Breakthru Guide speaks directly to that ache.
Read it now here: buff.ly/IkjwX9v
Hospitality isn’t perfection. It’s presence - with a side of brie and Twix.
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Hospitality isn’t perfection. It’s presence - with a side of brie and Twix.
“The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” - Kahlil Gibran
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” - Kahlil Gibran
What are you actually known for?
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
What are you actually known for?
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
We like to think we’ll be remembered for bold asks, clear pitches, or perfect timing. But what if the true legacy of your fundraising isn’t what you said - but how you treated people?
Your tone in the room.
The way you spoke about “the rich."
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be okay if they don’t.’” - Christina Grimmie
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be okay if they don’t.’” - Christina Grimmie
How do you dip your chips (or veggies… or onion rings)?
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
How do you dip your chips (or veggies… or onion rings)?
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.
A. Scoop Big
B. Rake Gently
C. Double Dip (with consent)
D. Own Dip Cup, Thanks
E. Anti-Dip Purist
What does your style say about how you invite people into your cause?
Here’s what I think: Awareness matters.