The Fundraising Flywheel: How to Raise Funds Without Feeling “Icky”

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Feeling uneasy about asking for money? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Duerksen, CEO of BuildGood, to break down a simple flywheel that takes the pressure off the ask and builds trust through the parts most teams skip: listening deeply, engaging like a real community, celebrating every gift, and reporting back with honesty. When those four pieces are strong, asking becomes a natural next step instead of a nerve-wracking leap.

We also share how the Fundraising Academy blends coaching, cohorts, and live copy sessions so EDs and solo fundraisers can build pattern recognition and confidence faster. If you want asking to feel earned—and you want donors to feel seen, effective, and connected—this framework will help you install a sustainable rhythm that grows loyalty and revenue. If this conversation sparks ideas, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to tell us which part of your flywheel you’ll strengthen next.

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