How to Finish the Year Strong (Without Losing Your Mind)
Summary:
Overwhelmed by all the “shoulds” of year-end fundraising? Take a breath — Danielle Locke’s here to help. In this episode, she walks you through how to use what you already have — your stories, your donors, your mission — to create a heartfelt, high-impact campaign. Because effective fundraising isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters most, with purpose.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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FREE RESOURCE✅ - Online Donation Systems & CRMs - an oldie but a goodie!
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🎧 Episode 3 – “Tech Tools That Actually Save You Time (Even If You're Not Techie)”
Think you’re too busy—or too “non-techie”—to use AI and tech tools in your nonprofit? Think again.
In this episode of Fundraising Unfiltered, I'll break down the no-fluff, real-life tech tools I actually use in my day-to-day to save time, stay organized, and build stronger donor relationships. From AI note takers and file sharing to CRMs and ChatGPT, sharing the practical ways tech can help you do more without doing the most.
💥 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the tech talk, this one’s for you.
🎯 You’ll learn:
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FREE RESOURCE
✅
- Online Donation Systems & CRMs - an oldie but a goodie!
WORK WITH ME
📅 Book a Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
📱 LET’S GET SOCIAL
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
▶️ YouTube
🌐 www.LockeStep.com
📩 Email me to get it: Danielle@LockeStep.com
In this eye-opening episode, we’re unpacking where the real money is hiding—and spoiler: it’s not just federal grants. We’re talking about underestimated goldmines like churches, local businesses, small family foundations, giving circles, and service clubs that are still giving generously.
Whether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned pro, this episode is your reminder:
If you’re not asking, you’re not getting.
💡 Takeaways include:
• Why individual donors still lead in giving
• Small family foundations are everywhere—are you looking?
• Local businesses, churches, and Rotary Clubs want to support you
• Fundraising isn’t begging—it’s inviting people to invest in impact
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✅ FREE RESOURCE
New Donor Brainstorming Worksheet!
Use this creative tool to unearth prospects you never thought of. Even better? Assign it as Board homework!
📩 Email me to get it: Danielle@LockeStep.com
WORK WITH ME
📅 Book a Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
🎓 Check out the mini course: “All the Places You Can Ask for Money” for even more gems
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▶️ YouTube
🌐 www.LockeStep.com
Kicking off Fundraising Unfiltered with the story that started it all—where we trade in sugar-coated nonsense for real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and the occasional F-bomb (because fundraising is not for the faint of heart).
I’m Danielle Locke, your Nonprofit Success Partner, and in this very first episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the moment that flipped my life upside down... and set me on a path to build a thriving business helping nonprofits like yours stop scrambling and start scaling.
Here’s the tea:
Then one day? BOOM—fired. No warning.
But here’s the thing: getting fired was the best damn thing that ever happened to me.
In this episode, I spill:
Whether you’ve ever been blindsided by leadership drama, underestimated by your board, or just wondered how the hell to turn your nonprofit’s big messy mission into something funders can actually get behind—this one’s for you.
And because this podcast isn’t just about me and my dramatic origin story, I’m also handing over the practical advice your strategic plan forgot to include:
👉 Why you need to toot your own damn horn
👉 How to break down your impact so donors actually understand it
👉 What fundraising is really about (hint: not sales, not manipulation, just meaningful connections with the people who care most)
So, pour yourself a strong one, hit play, and let’s go!
🔥BONUS:
When you’re ready to dig deeper, hit up www.LockeStep.com for tools, training, and totally doable strategies to help your nonprofit grow without the grind.
Subscribe to my email newsletter.
Share this with your nonprofit bestie who needs the pep talk!
WORK WITH ME
📅 Book a Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
📱 LET’S GET SOCIAL
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
▶️ YouTube
📩 Email me to get it: Danielle@LockeStep.com