The Donor Centric Approach

Episode 18 - Leading from the Trenches: How Fight Club Catholic is Forming Men for Mission

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, I sit down with Matt Aujero, founder of Fight Club Catholic, for a candid and energizing conversation about building a movement from scratch.
We talk about what it’s really like to lead as a founder—when you’re fundraising, vision-casting, discipling, and doing the setup and takedown every week. Matt shares what’s working for Fight Club, how they’ve grown their reach and community without compromising their core identity, and what he’s learning about building trust with donors from the ground up.
This one’s for every leader who’s building something bold and beautiful—without a blueprint.
In this episode:
The importance of showing up before scaling up
When to move from grassroots to growth mode
Why clarity of identity attracts the right donors
How personal formation drives sustainable mission
Lessons from Matt’s experience as a ministry founder
This conversation is packed with insights, especially if you’re in the trenches of launching or growing your mission.
👉 Learn more about Fight Club Catholic: https://www.fightclubcatholic.com/
🎧 Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app or at: https://thedonorcentricapproach.podbean.com/
 
Book a time with Orlando here: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min
 
Find out more about our work at https://mrpdonordev.com/

Episode 17 — Leading Fundraising Without Burning Out: A Message to Founders

In this solo episode of The Donor-Centric Approach, Orlando speaks directly to the founders and executive directors carrying the weight of the mission and the burden of fundraising. If you feel like you’re wearing every hat—and dropping balls in the process—this episode is your permission to stop doing it all.
💡 You’ll learn:
The 3 fundraising roles only you can own
The 3 things you should let go of today
How to create a monthly rhythm that keeps you focused, energized, and connected to top donors
Why clarity—not hustle—is the secret to growth and sustainability
Whether you’re running a young nonprofit or leading a growing ministry, this episode offers a roadmap to lead with clarity and build development systems that won’t burn you out.
🎯 Plus: Simple, powerful action steps you can take this week to refocus your efforts.
 
Book a time with Orlando here: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min
 
Find out more about our work at https://mrpdonordev.com/

Episode 16 – Clarify Your Message, Multiply Your Impact

In this solo episode of The Donor-Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros breaks down one of the most powerful yet overlooked fundraising tools: clear messaging.
Forget jargon and generic slogans. Orlando introduces a simple but game-changing framework—Problem, Vision, Invitation—that helps nonprofit leaders and fundraisers speak directly to the hearts of their donors. Whether you're crafting your next appeal, prepping for a donor meeting, onboarding a board member, or writing a newsletter, this framework brings clarity that drives action.
 
🔍 In this episode, you'll learn:
Why unclear messaging sabotages your fundraising
How to name the real problem your nonprofit exists to solve
What it means to cast a compelling vision donors can get behind
How to make a clear, proportionate invitation that inspires generosity
The most common messaging mistakes—and how to avoid them
Actionable next steps to immediately improve your appeals, emails, and meetings
💬 Real examples. Practical advice. No fluff. Just clarity that converts.
If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk about your mission in a way that truly resonates—this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.
🎧 Listen now and start refining your message for better fundraising results.
For more, visit https://mrpdonordev.com/
Book a time with Orlando at https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min

Episode 15 – The Quarterly Plan: How to Build a 90-Day Fundraising Strategy That Actually Works

Is your fundraising always in reactive mode? Scrambling to write last-minute appeals, chase down donors, or meet arbitrary goals? It doesn’t have to be that way.
In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros shows you how to shift from chaos to clarity by creating a simple, effective 90-day fundraising plan.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why quarterly planning beats annual wish lists and month-to-month scrambling✅ The four core pillars every 90-day plan needs: Stewardship, Outreach, Messaging, and Leadership✅ Real examples of what a clear, doable fundraising plan looks like✅ How to go from “Are we doing enough?” to “Are we doing the right things?”✅ Simple steps to create your own 90-day plan—starting today
Whether you’re a founder juggling everything or a development lead trying to build consistency, this episode gives you a practical structure to take control of your fundraising calendar—and your sanity.
🎯 Build a plan that works for your team, your capacity, and your goals.
📅 Schedule your free planning call: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min🌐 Learn more about MRP Donor Development: www.mrpdonordev.com

Episode 14 – What Major Donors Actually Care About (And Why You’re Probably Missing It)

Are you unintentionally missing the mark with your major donor pitches?
In this solo episode, Orlando shares powerful, behind-the-scenes insights into what major donors and funders are actually looking for when deciding whether or not to support your nonprofit or ministry. Drawing from years of experience coaching nonprofit leaders and consulting directly with funders, Orlando outlines the five critical factors that high-capacity donors consistently care about—and the top three mistakes that cause good ministries to get passed over.
You'll learn how to:
✅ Identify and fix the “disconnect” between your mission and your major donors✅ Communicate clarity of vision and leadership with confidence✅ Move from stats to story—and make your impact feel personal and human✅ Prepare for your next big ask with a simple but powerful checklist✅ Tailor your invitations so they feel like genuine opportunities—not obligations
If you're preparing for a donor meeting, planning a capital campaign, or simply want to elevate your approach to major gifts, this episode is for you.
🔗 Learn more about our services and book a free strategy call: https://mrpdonordev.com📅 Schedule directly: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min
Subscribe, review, and share if this episode helped you move the needle. Let’s keep building a fundraising culture rooted in trust, clarity, and connection.

Episode 13 – The Stewardship Gap: Why You're Losing Donors and How to Fix It

In this solo episode, Orlando Barros breaks down one of the most overlooked (yet mission-critical) areas in nonprofit fundraising: stewardship.
If you’ve ever felt like donors give once and then disappear—or if you’re stuck in a cycle of constantly chasing new donors—this episode is for you.
🎯 What you'll learn:
Why most stewardship efforts fall flat—and how to avoid the same mistakes
What donors actually want after making a gift (spoiler: it’s not just a thank-you email)
A simple, sustainable 3-part rhythm you can implement starting this week:
Thank fast and thank well
Share impact within 30 days
Create one “delight moment” each quarter
💡 Whether you work with major donors, monthly givers, or event-based supporters, this episode gives you a concrete game plan to build trust, increase donor retention, and strengthen long-term partnerships.
🚀 Want help building your stewardship rhythm? Book a free strategy call with Orlando: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min
To learn more visit https://mrpdonordev.com/ 

Episode 12: From Scarcity to Strategy – Building a Culture of Development in Any Size Organization

If your team ever says, “We just don’t have the time or staff to focus on fundraising,” this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros breaks down how any nonprofit or ministry—no matter how small—can shift from a scarcity mindset to a development culture that works.
💡 In this episode, you'll learn:✅ What a culture of development really is (and what it’s not)✅ 3 mindset shifts to help you build it from the ground up✅ Why fundraising is everyone’s job—and how to make that a reality✅ Practical, actionable strategies to implement this week✅ How clarity, consistency, and intentionality unlock donor engagement
Whether you’re a one-person shop or leading a lean team, this episode will help you bring fundraising out of the shadows and into the shared mission of your organization.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!📩 Schedule a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min🌐 Learn more: www.mrpdonordev.com📢 Follow @MRPDONORDEV on social media
👉 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with your team or board and start building your culture of development today!

Episode 11: The Art of Donor Connection – How to Tell Stories That Actually Land

If you’ve ever told a story in an appeal, newsletter, or donor meeting and it didn’t land, this episode is for you. In this solo session of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros unpacks the storytelling mistakes most nonprofits make—and how to fix them fast.
💡 What you'll learn in this episode:✅ Why many nonprofit stories fall flat with donors✅ The “People–Pivot–Purpose” storytelling framework✅ How to write stories that connect emotionally and move donors to action✅ Real-world examples from House of Mercy and Xavier Mission Fund✅ Expanded action steps to strengthen your next appeal, email, or campaign
Whether you're writing your next donor update or preparing a major gift ask, this episode will help you craft stories that resonate, inspire, and drive results.
🛠️ Actionable takeaways included.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!📩 Work with Orlando: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min📢 Follow @MRPDONORDEV on social media🌐 Learn more: https://mrpdonordev.com/
👉 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review and share it with a nonprofit friend!

Episode 10: Empowering Mission Startups – Inside Xavier Mission Fund’s Story with Peter Levesque

In this inspiring episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros sits down with Peter Levesque, Founder and Executive Director of Xavier Mission Fund, to explore the powerful role of administrative support and donor partnerships in launching new Catholic ministries.
Peter shares the story behind Xavier Mission Fund’s founding, the real challenges early-stage ministries face, and how his team walks alongside new apostolates to remove administrative obstacles—freeing leaders to stay mission-focused and donor-ready.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why administration is often the “hidden ministry” behind mission success✅ How Xavier Mission Fund incubates new Catholic startups and ministries✅ How clarity in your mission story creates unity—and attracts donors✅ Strategies for overcoming donor fatigue and building lasting donor relationships✅ Actionable fundraising tips for startups with limited resources
❤️ Support Xavier Mission Fund:🌐 Visit: https://www.xaviermissionfund.org🤝 Connect with Peter: https://www.xaviermissionfund.org/connect
🎧 Listen now and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!📩 Work with Orlando: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min📢 Follow @MRPDONORDEV on social media🌐 Learn more: https://mrpdonordev.com/
👉 Inspired by this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review!

Episode 9: Dignity, Impact & Donor Relationships – Inside House of Mercy’s Mission

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, Orlando Barros welcomes Jessica Root, Executive Director of House of Mercy, a Catholic nonprofit serving thousands of families through its food pantry, thrift store, and donation center.
Jessica shares the power of meeting real needs with dignity, the challenges of running a fast-growing nonprofit, and the fundraising insights she’s gained from years of hands-on experience in executive leadership.
💡 What you’ll hear in this episode:✅ How House of Mercy served 80,000+ people last year—and why dignity is at the heart of it all✅ One powerful story of a client-turned-entrepreneur whose life was transformed✅ Real talk about communicating impact to donors who may not relate to the problem✅ Strategies for building donor relationships without a large development team✅ Why in-person gatherings and storytelling are critical to their success
Plus: Jessica and Orlando reflect on their time working together—and what it really takes to build a fundraising strategy rooted in relationships, not transactions.
❤️ Support House of Mercy:🌐 Visit: https://houseofmercyva.org🎁 Donate or shop their Amazon Wish List📍 Volunteer or organize a food drive (if local to Northern VA)
🎧 Listen now and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!📩 Work with Orlando: https://calendly.com/orlando-mrpdonordev/45min📢 Follow @MRPDONORDEV on social media🌐 Learn more: https://mrpdonordev.com/
👉 Liked this episode? Leave a review and share it with a nonprofit leader!