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.
Where you place it is a choice. Applied well, it strengthens discipline, documentation, connection, and prayer. Applied poorly, it feels like bad body odor.
If you lead in this space, you should be reading this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
Reach out to three people today.
If you lead in this space, you should be reading this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
Reach out to three people today.
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Where you place it is a choice. Applied well, it strengthens discipline, documentation, connection, and prayer. Applied poorly, it feels like bad body odor.
If you lead in this space, you should be reading this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
Reach out to three people today.
If you lead in this space, you should be reading this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
Reach out to three people today.
And last but not least, Michelle Benson’s sneaky accurate and hilarious list of Valentine givers - buff.ly/RcBbSNI
Thanks everyone!
Thanks everyone!
Valentine Donors | Michelle Benson | 42 comments
𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴...𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀. 🍫 The box of chocolates donor ↳ you never know what…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
And last but not least, Michelle Benson’s sneaky accurate and hilarious list of Valentine givers - buff.ly/RcBbSNI
Thanks everyone!
Thanks everyone!
* John David Woods, CSSBB - buff.ly/6sKCDrp - When a coffee shop remembers your name, you come back. What if every interaction with your cause was an experience like that?
Nonprofits Must Prioritize Customer Experience Like Retailers | John David Woods, CSSBB posted on the topic | LinkedIn
Good afternoon, network! Sometimes I think we forget that non-profits are in the same business as any retailer or brand. They’re not selling products, they’re asking for something far more valuable:…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* John David Woods, CSSBB - buff.ly/6sKCDrp - When a coffee shop remembers your name, you come back. What if every interaction with your cause was an experience like that?
* Seth Godin 🌔 - buff.ly/feedOdH - Tap is going to keep coming… How then shall we live?
TIP FOR TAP There is plenty of unintentional harm in our world. We’ve all been bruised or derailed by someone who had no ill intent. We often respond with intentional harm, to make a point and to… | Seth Godin 🌔 | 13 comments
TIP FOR TAP There is plenty of unintentional harm in our world. We’ve all been bruised or derailed by someone who had no ill intent. We often respond with intentional harm, to make a point and to…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Seth Godin 🌔 - buff.ly/feedOdH - Tap is going to keep coming… How then shall we live?
* Andrew Olsen - buff.ly/qTB2aGR - What you think are your biggest problems probably aren’t… Here’s what actually tanks fundraising efforts.
Nonprofit Fundraising Fails Due to Lack of Strategy | Andrew Olsen posted on the topic | LinkedIn
Your Fundraising Isn't Failing Because of the Economy. Or because of the political landscape. It's failing because you don't have a strategy. I see it constantly: nonprofits throwing tactics at the…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Andrew Olsen - buff.ly/qTB2aGR - What you think are your biggest problems probably aren’t… Here’s what actually tanks fundraising efforts.
* Adam Grant - buff.ly/02lnzUT - The cure for ignorance.
Adam Grant posted on LinkedIn
Adam Grant posted images on LinkedIn
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Adam Grant - buff.ly/02lnzUT - The cure for ignorance.
* Justine Juillard - buff.ly/7ijGSW9 - Great feature on Anthropic cofounder Daniela Amodei. “She just knows that the future doesn’t belong to people who can do what AI can do.”
Anthropic’s cofounder just said humanities education will be “more important than ever.” When I first moved to the US, I was shocked by how people talked about humanities majors. Like they’d chosen… | Justine Juillard | 26 comments
Anthropic’s cofounder just said humanities education will be “more important than ever.” When I first moved to the US, I was shocked by how people talked about humanities majors. Like they’d chosen a…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Justine Juillard - buff.ly/7ijGSW9 - Great feature on Anthropic cofounder Daniela Amodei. “She just knows that the future doesn’t belong to people who can do what AI can do.”
* Rohan Sheth - buff.ly/Bo64wp1 - A great list of superpowers for major gift fundraisers. Number 6 is particularly potent.
15 Career Truths I Wish I Knew At 25 by Rohan Sheth | Rohan Sheth | 139 comments
At 25, I worked hard. But I worked blind. I spent years thinking talent and effort would be enough to get ahead. They weren't. The real lessons came from understanding how careers actually work. Not…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Rohan Sheth - buff.ly/Bo64wp1 - A great list of superpowers for major gift fundraisers. Number 6 is particularly potent.
* Gary Vaynerchuk - buff.ly/UCqUWmT - When the math doesn’t math, be a great leader.
When the math doesn’t math .. be a great leader.. and that starts with being fair .. don’t ask for things that aren’t achievable out of audacity.. that’s the start ❤️ | Gary Vaynerchuk | 126 comments
When the math doesn’t math .. be a great leader.. and that starts with being fair .. don’t ask for things that aren’t achievable out of audacity.. that’s the start ❤️ | 126 comments on LinkedIn
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Gary Vaynerchuk - buff.ly/UCqUWmT - When the math doesn’t math, be a great leader.
* Amanda Smith, MBA, MPA, bCRE-PRO - buff.ly/t5cqlo2 - How many times are you thanking your givers?
Most nonprofits thank donors once. Top-retention organizations thank them seven times in seven ways. Donors who feel “seen” renew at two to three times the rate of those who only get a receipt. A… | Amanda Smith, MBA, MPA, bCRE-PRO | 52 comments
Most nonprofits thank donors once. Top-retention organizations thank them seven times in seven ways. Donors who feel “seen” renew at two to three times the rate of those who only get a receipt. A…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
* Amanda Smith, MBA, MPA, bCRE-PRO - buff.ly/t5cqlo2 - How many times are you thanking your givers?
DHTFaT;GMYF [Don’t Have Time For All These; Give Me Your Favorite]
* Mario Hernandez - buff.ly/YBDJAV4 - Here are 5 (super smart) simple shifts that turn a passive story into a giver magnet.
* Mario Hernandez - buff.ly/YBDJAV4 - Here are 5 (super smart) simple shifts that turn a passive story into a giver magnet.
Many nonprofits lose 6 figure donors because they tell their story the wrong way | Mario Hernandez
Many nonprofits lose 6 figure donors because they tell their story the wrong way Here are 5 quick shifts that change everything: You already have the mission. You already have the credibility. And…
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
DHTFaT;GMYF [Don’t Have Time For All These; Give Me Your Favorite]
* Mario Hernandez - buff.ly/YBDJAV4 - Here are 5 (super smart) simple shifts that turn a passive story into a giver magnet.
* Mario Hernandez - buff.ly/YBDJAV4 - Here are 5 (super smart) simple shifts that turn a passive story into a giver magnet.
That’s why I’m grateful for the folks here on LinkedIn who keep showing up to share wisdom, tools, insights, and even a few laughs.
Each Saturday I choose 10 posts that stood out to me from across the major gift and philanthropy world. Enjoy!
Each Saturday I choose 10 posts that stood out to me from across the major gift and philanthropy world. Enjoy!
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
That’s why I’m grateful for the folks here on LinkedIn who keep showing up to share wisdom, tools, insights, and even a few laughs.
Each Saturday I choose 10 posts that stood out to me from across the major gift and philanthropy world. Enjoy!
Each Saturday I choose 10 posts that stood out to me from across the major gift and philanthropy world. Enjoy!
AND - if you’ve done this work for more than five minutes, you know that it’s not always a straight line. One week you’re encouraged, the next you’re doubting your entire approach.
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
AND - if you’ve done this work for more than five minutes, you know that it’s not always a straight line. One week you’re encouraged, the next you’re doubting your entire approach.
This piece isn’t about blaming leaders or fixing everything. It’s about naming what’s actually happening so the work doesn’t quietly get distorted.
If major gift fundraising is your day-to-day work, check this out at jpfriden.substack.com & make sure you’re receiving The Breakthru Guide every week.
If major gift fundraising is your day-to-day work, check this out at jpfriden.substack.com & make sure you’re receiving The Breakthru Guide every week.
J.Paul | Substack
I’m one of those weird creatures who genuinely lights up at the intersection of fundraising, marketing, and world-changing missions. Give me a bold cause, an audacious vision, and a community ready…
jpfriden.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM
This piece isn’t about blaming leaders or fixing everything. It’s about naming what’s actually happening so the work doesn’t quietly get distorted.
If major gift fundraising is your day-to-day work, check this out at jpfriden.substack.com & make sure you’re receiving The Breakthru Guide every week.
If major gift fundraising is your day-to-day work, check this out at jpfriden.substack.com & make sure you’re receiving The Breakthru Guide every week.
If you carry significant responsibility in major gift fundraising, make sure you’re receiving this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 12:30 PM
If you carry significant responsibility in major gift fundraising, make sure you’re receiving this series.
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
👉 buff.ly/wbzv1tm
Today’s Breakthru Guide, “Smell Like A Leader,” explores:
* Where pressure actually helps
* Where it reliably backfires
* Why affirmation and prayer are leadership work
* And how to “smell like a leader” in the best relational sense of the phrase
* Where pressure actually helps
* Where it reliably backfires
* Why affirmation and prayer are leadership work
* And how to “smell like a leader” in the best relational sense of the phrase
February 14, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Today’s Breakthru Guide, “Smell Like A Leader,” explores:
* Where pressure actually helps
* Where it reliably backfires
* Why affirmation and prayer are leadership work
* And how to “smell like a leader” in the best relational sense of the phrase
* Where pressure actually helps
* Where it reliably backfires
* Why affirmation and prayer are leadership work
* And how to “smell like a leader” in the best relational sense of the phrase
Samuel Kumi-Gyau is making space for people like Christian Johnson to learn, ask questions, and contribute meaningfully. Which means something deeper and more amazing happens - employees become co-builders.
February 14, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Samuel Kumi-Gyau is making space for people like Christian Johnson to learn, ask questions, and contribute meaningfully. Which means something deeper and more amazing happens - employees become co-builders.
It’s about applying pressure to the work - not to the people doing the work. If you lead a fundraising team, this one is for you.
Subscribers receive it a week early:
👉 buff.ly/dsULIZD
Subscribers receive it a week early:
👉 buff.ly/dsULIZD
J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide
Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.
buff.ly
February 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
It’s about applying pressure to the work - not to the people doing the work. If you lead a fundraising team, this one is for you.
Subscribers receive it a week early:
👉 buff.ly/dsULIZD
Subscribers receive it a week early:
👉 buff.ly/dsULIZD