J.Paul Fridenmaker
jpfry.bsky.social
J.Paul Fridenmaker
@jpfry.bsky.social
80 followers 94 following 1.9K posts
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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#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:
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” - Victor Borge
Your inbox > their algorithm. The Breakthru Guide goes straight to your inbox every Saturday - before it ever hits the public feed. Subscribers got it yesterday: buff.ly/gRTZUAX
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
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What if the tension isn’t between authenticity and professionalism - but between posturing and presence?

That’s the heart of this weekend’s Breakthru Guide.
“People don’t remember what you said. They remember how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
BlueSky shows you what trends. I send what matters. Subscribe to the Breakthru Guide and skip the scroll. Direct access. No middleman. No algorithm.
Get it here (free):
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J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
You’re not too much.
You’re not too strategic.
You’re not too spiritual.
You’re not too tender.

This week’s Breakthru Guide is for the fundraiser trying to hold it all together without falling apart.
Be careful how you listen. It might change you.
The algorithm serves what’s popular. I share what’s useful. Get the Breakthru Guide directly - no algorithm, no noise, just real insights for fundraisers who lead with purpose.
buff.ly/4P8Z65u
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
I once sat at a dinner table with eight millionaires and forgot how to introduce myself.

This week’s Breakthru Guide starts there - and wrestles with one of our biggest hidden questions: “Can I be fully myself in this work?”
Playfulness is a sign of trust - in yourself, your work, and the long game.
How do you dip your chips (or veggies, or onion rings, or…)?

Double-dipping is only gross if you haven’t earned the trust of the table.

Same with re-asks in major gift fundraising. If there’s mutual understanding and shared vision, go ahead and dip again.

If not? Back off the queso.
Rhythm is stronger than willpower.
I’ve got thoughts (and I’m super finicking about my chip dipping - it’s annoying).

I’m sure you have thoughts as well. Let’s talk about it.
How do you dip your chips (or veggies, or onion rings, or…)?

Some people rake.
Some scoop.
Some double-dip.
Some demand a spoon.

Isn’t it funny how our chip-dipping preferences say something about how we handle generosity, boundaries, and shared space?
“Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare, begin.” - Mel Robbins
🎧 Includes the audio version if you’d rather hear my sweet, soothing voice.

If you’re new to the Breakthru Guide, you can now subscribe right here on LinkedIn to get weekly insights for fundraisers who think deeply about generosity.
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Weekly Breakthru Guide | LinkedIn
Delivered weekly (audio & written), it's your exit strategy from confusion in major gift fundraising.
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🕺 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: Giving Away a $50,000 Donor
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” - Simone Weil
This is where the “why” re-enters the conversation - and where fundraisers find energy for the next quarter.

(SToR is Strength of Relationship: buff.ly/qJTSKyO)
Did it reflect the giver’s passion and timing?
How was the result communicated and followed up?
Use this review to refine future proposals - not just to count results.

3. Narrative Debrief
What stories are forming? Who surprised us with generosity, delay, or a new direction?
Are they green (4–5 SToR yeses)? Yellow? Red?
Who needs re-engagement?
Look for balance: if the majority of relationships are shallow, resist pushing for deep asks.

2. Invitation Audit
For each ask made, ask your team:
Would we make that same ask again?
Fruits and Roots: How Leaders Evaluate Fundraising Health Quarterly
(Part 3 of 3)

Every quarter, you have a choice: reflect or react. Choose reflection. Here’s your quarterly checklist for leading major gift fundraising teams:
1. Portfolio Health Review
Ask your team to rate each top prospect:
“The body says what words cannot.” - Martha Graham