Chief Fundraiser Weekly is a short brief for experienced fundraising leaders who want clear thinking and less noise.
When you're responsible,
clarity matters
A note from a friend who understands the job.
One clear idea. Just for chief fundraisers. Sunday mornings.
Your privacy is respected.
Hi, I'm Christine. Chief Development Officer for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I write as a practitioner who is in the role right now, carrying the same responsibility you are. I've spent 35 years in fundraising. Right now I lead a $27M revenue goal with a team of 16.
"This is a place to slow down, name the real tension, and think it through."
Nothing here is theoretical. These are the systems I'm using in real time — the decisions, the tradeoffs, what held and what didn't.
If you're carrying similar responsibility, I hope this feels like a note from a friend who understands the job.
Questions? christine@chieffundraiser.com
Christine Bork · Chief Development Officer
WHAT YOU'LL GET
One clear idea. Every Sunday.
EVERY ISSUE
A 4-minute executive brief
Written for leaders accountable for $10M+ in fundraising. Short enough to read before the week starts.
SYSTEMS OVER HEADCOUNT
Real decision frameworks
The prompts and systems I use with my own team. We grew results by focusing on decision systems, not adding people.
THE WEIGHT OF THE ROLE
Revenue responsibility taken seriously
Board expectations and budget pressure don't show up on an org chart. This brief takes them seriously.
PEER VOICE
Room to think
Just one experienced fundraiser talking to another. Room to think — one idea that stays with you longer than the read.
I’ve spent more than 35 years fundraising, and I currently lead a $27M revenue goal with a team of 16.
IS THIS FOR YOU?
If you run a $10M-$25M fundraising operation
You carry decisions most people never have to make — budgets, boards, tradeoffs, people
You want clearer thinking, not more noise. You're experienced and don't need the basics
You want peer-level thinking — not vendor pitches
You're ready to slow down, name the real tension, and think it through
This may not be for you if: You're new to fundraising leadership, looking for solicitation scripts, or want another newsletter to skim. This is written for chief fundraisers who are already in the role and want to do it better.