Author | Lightnews

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 9h

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” - Victor Borge

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 21h

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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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 21h

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.

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 1d

“People don’t remember what you said. They remember how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 1d

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

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 1d

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.

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 2d

Be careful how you listen. It might change you.

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 2d

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.
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J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide

Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

buff.ly

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 2d

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?”

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 3d

Playfulness is a sign of trust - in yourself, your work, and the long game.

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 3d

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.

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 4d

Rhythm is stronger than willpower.

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 4d

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.

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 4d

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?

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 5d

“Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare, begin.” - Mel Robbins

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 5d

🎧 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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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 5d

🕺 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

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 6d

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” - Simone Weil

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 6d

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)

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 6d

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?

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 6d

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?

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 6d

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:

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 7d

“The body says what words cannot.” - Martha Graham

J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 7d

And last but not least, Andrew Olsen shares a story of surprise and delight that will get you thinking fresh about bringing joy to your givers - buff.ly/8BtkP8E

Thanks everyone!

Surprise and delight. The unexpected little things that bring us joy. This week I took my youngest daughter to see How to Train Your Dragon. Before the movie, we ordered our movie snacks. She… | Andrew Olsen | 15 comments

Surprise and delight. The unexpected little things that bring us joy. This week I took my youngest daughter to see How to Train Your Dragon. Before the movie, we ordered our movie snacks. She picked…

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J.Paul Fridenmaker @jpfry.bsky.social · 7d

* Jen Wasem - buff.ly/LZml5Oa - Have you unpacked your own beliefs about money?

#transforming #nonprofit #development | Jen Wasem | 24 comments

There’s no way around it… If you’re in nonprofit development, at some point, you will have to unpack your own beliefs about money. My family didn’t talk about money but my dad did tell me he made…

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