171: You Don't Need Some Guy on a Yacht | Ditching the Fundraising Myths with Patrick Kirby

171: You Don't Need Some Guy on a Yacht | Ditching the Fundraising Myths with Patrick Kirby

Author: Jess Birken, MNM, JD August 20, 2026 Duration: 25:12

Fundraising doesn't have to be intimidating, jargon-filled, or a total drag.

I'm joined by Patrick Kirby, the nonprofit and fundraising consultant behind Do Good Better Consulting and a self-described human exclamation mark. Patrick brings so much energy and joy to fundraising that it's genuinely contagious. We tackle three listener questions, bust some persistent fundraising myths, and Patrick goes on a rant that you will not want to miss.

Real Listener Questions:

What do you do when your software is getting in the way of your marketing? How do you keep the faith when what you're trying just isn't working?

Patrick and I dig into what actually drives donations, why software is never the silver bullet, and why losing a program that made you almost no money might be the best thing that ever happened to your fundraising.

What You'll Learn:

  • Why "this is the way we've always done it" kills good ideas before they start
  • How to be purposeful with your calls to action instead of always asking for money
  • Why a CRM helps but won't magically fix your fundraising for you
  • How to keep your motivation up when donor outreach feels like a grind
  • Why a thank-you voicemail counts as a real, meaningful touchpoint
  • How to make your fundraising about the donor and the community you serve

Bottom line: You're doing more impact than you think. Let the old ways go, focus on great stories and real relationships, and remember that you're part of the solution to problems the government can't fix on its own.

Resources from this Episode

Connect with Us

Listen & Engage

Stay Connected


Ever find yourself wishing for a direct line to seasoned nonprofit leaders, a chance to unpack the real challenges that don’t make it into the glossy annual reports? Charity Therapy is that conversation. With host Jess Birken, who brings her background as a lawyer and a Master of Nonprofit Management to the table, each session feels like pulling up a chair with a trusted advisor. The discussions move beyond theory, tackling the granular details of operations that leaders actually face-whether it’s navigating a tricky IRS compliance question, rebuilding a fundraising strategy from the ground up, or managing the complex interpersonal dynamics that define any mission-driven team. This podcast digs into the operational heart of the sector, offering pragmatic insights you can apply directly to your own work. It’s a resource built on the understanding that running a nonprofit is a continuous practice of problem-solving, and Jess guides these explorations with clarity and a deep respect for the work. Tune in for honest dialogue that treats the daily grind of management as the serious and nuanced craft that it is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Charity Therapy
Podcast Episodes
172: Nonprofit PTSD | Nonprofit Board Basics, Explained by a Teenager [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:41
What happens when you ask a 14 year-old to give advice to a bunch of board members who can't get along? Well, sometimes your local teenager might just give you the BEST take on the situation. I'm joined by a very special…
170: Shots Fired! | Can a Nonprofit Fire Its Own Board? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
What if you could just... skip the whole "having a board of directors" part of running a nonprofit? Turns out, you're not the only one who've thought about it! We all know every nonprofit pro has quietly wondered at some…