Most senior fundraisers spend 70% of their week in tactical work instead of leading growth. I’m a practicing Chief Development Officer scaling a $27M shop, and I share the systems that actually work. Every Sunday, you’ll get a 5-minute executive brief with one system, real proof, and one action you can use right away.
Before you pitch that big idea, do this first
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How to Pressure-Test Big IdeasIssue #020 This week's strategic brief (4-minute read) Hi Reader, Today marks twenty issues of Chief Fundraiser Weekly. What began as a short Sunday experiment has turned into a community of sharp, generous nonprofit leaders helping each other grow from $10M to $25M and beyond. If you’ve found these weekly briefs helpful, I’d love your feedback. It takes less than two minutes and helps more fundraising executives discover Chief Fundraiser Weekly. 👉 Share your quick testimonial Now, let’s talk about getting your biggest ideas past the gatekeepers. You might be sitting on a game-changing idea. Maybe you've got a new partnership model, a major program pivot, or an ambitious campaign strategy. But big ideas scare people. And scared people say no. The issue isn't your idea, it's that your leadership has no way to test your judgment before betting big. Chief fundraisers don't just pitch ideas. They test them first. The Pressure-Test FrameworkBefore you walk into that boardroom or executive meeting, run your idea through these five filters: 1. The Math Test Can you back up every number? Leadership spots wishful thinking instantly. Be specific: conversion rate, average gift, retention assumption. Show three scenarios: conservative, moderate, and optimistic. One CFO told me: "If your conservative case looks like wishful thinking, I know your optimistic case is fantasy." 2. The Worst-Case Test What happens if the idea fails? Leadership needs to know the downside before they'll consider the upside. Be honest: is it just time and budget, or does this risk existing revenue? Can you walk it back? Naming the worst-case scenario takes away its power. 3. The Capacity Test Can your team deliver on the idea? Only commit to what you can do. Identify the gaps: new technology, staff, training, consultants. Showing you've thought through execution builds credibility. 4. The Proof-of-Concept Test Can you pilot this before committing fully? Try offering a 90-day test. If you've adopted the quarterly playbook from Issue #10, this fits perfectly. Test with one alliance before rolling it out to ten. Small wins create confidence; big bets create anxiety. 5. The Stakeholder Test Who needs to buy in for this to work? Map influence, not just titles. Who controls budget? Who manages operations? Who could quietly veto it? Get informal feedback before the formal pitch. Nothing kills a great idea faster than blindsiding someone with decision power. Making Your CaseOnce your idea passes these tests, structure your pitch around the questions leadership already asks:
When Leadership Pushes BackIf you've pressure-tested thoroughly and still face resistance, it's usually one of three things:
The Confidence FactorLeadership doesn't need your idea to be perfect. They need to be confident you've thought it through. The best chief fundraisers aren't just visionaries. They're strategists who know how to turn bold ideas into funded realities. Your TurnWhat's the big idea you've been sitting on? Pull out a notepad and run it through each of the five tests. Which one does it fail? That's where you start. Coming Next WeekNext Sunday: The 10-Minute CEO Briefing Formula. You've built credibility, tested your ideas, and secured leadership support. Here's how to deliver it to your CEO. Question for YouWhat’s the question from leadership that always makes you pause? Send it my way. I'd love to help you build a better answer. Until next week, Christine P.S. The difference between visionaries and strategists? Visionaries pitch ideas. Strategists get them funded. I'm Christine Bork, Chief Development Officer at the American Academy of Pediatrics. Chief Fundraiser Weekly helps leaders escape daily chaos and zero in on growth. If this sparked an idea, post it on LinkedIn so other fundraisers can benefit. Not a subscriber yet? Get it in your inbox. |
Chief Fundraiser Weekly
Most senior fundraisers spend 70% of their week in tactical work instead of leading growth. I’m a practicing Chief Development Officer scaling a $27M shop, and I share the systems that actually work. Every Sunday, you’ll get a 5-minute executive brief with one system, real proof, and one action you can use right away.
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