Real People. Real Results.

More than 25 years ago, I started as an executive director working for mission centered nonprofits.  Now, I’m sharing my wisdom with you.  Check out what others who have learned from me are saying.

Mark Duncan

Hi, I’m Mark Duncan, fundraising expert, founder of The Fund Coach, and creator of the Relationship Fundraising Academy.  As a former executive director and head of fundraising for various nonprofits, I’m thrilled to help you build trusting relationships with wealthy donors that will lead to big gifts and greater impact.

I always believed I was destined to make an impact in the world.

The nonprofit space was the place where I could really make an impact and I've been doing it for more than 35 years.

Across so many different industries, I tried many different strategies to raise funds but none of the traditional methods - you know, the galas, golf tournaments and even grants - really made the impact I needed for the organizations I served and their communities.

One day I was challenged to plan and execute a capital campaign to raise $3 million. Needing to raise that much left me scratching my head wondering how I would ever be able to do that. Granted, this campaign ran for a couple of years, but still. $3 million? There's no way.

Along the way, I witnessed my back-then-mentor bring in 6 figure gifts simply by having a long-standing and trusting relationship with a wealthy person in the community.

That's when it clicked for me.

Yes, direct mail campaigns, galas, golf tournaments, fundraisers and grants are still an important piece of a solid fundraising strategy. But, Relationship Fundraising is what makes timelines collapse and lets you make big leaps with your nonprofit organization — in less time spent than on the traditional methods.

"What do I need to do to get in touch with wealthy people...and what do I even say?"

That's the number one question I get asked anytime I talk about Relationship Fundraising.

Here's the simple answer to that question: communication and etiquette.

But just because it's simple doesn't mean that it's easy. There's a lot that goes into building relationships...

Maybe you found yourself asking these questions on a daily basis:

• What even defines an authentic relationship?
• How is it going to be if I meet with a wealthy (potential) donor for the first time?
• How do you break the ice?
• What topics should you talk about? What topics to stay away from?
• How do you find out if you're talking to the right person?
• Who's paying for lunch or dinner when you meet?
• Should you include the donor's spouse or partner?
• How do you follow up?
• And how do you organize all of the information on that person to make sure you can remember everything by the next meeting? 

If you're skeptical...welcome to the club.

I once was too.

Mark then...

"I'm not sure if relationship fundraising will work for my unique organization."

Mark today...

The great thing is that the strategies are adaptable to nonprofits with budgets between $1 million and $10 million! I've taught countless nonprofits from the medical field, education, camps and congress centers how to build trusting relationships with overwhelming success. You can take what you need and leave what doesn't work for you.

Mark then...

But that's the thing...I'm already so busy. I don't think I'll have time to study the content, implement it and still get all the things done. I don't have enough staff.

Mark today...

I know how valuable your time is. I've been there, too. That's why I'm offering bite-sized, actionable content to not overwhelm you, and discussions that can easily fit into your schedule. Plus, the knowledge and support you gain will ultimately save you time in your fundraising efforts and to implement what you've learned for real-world results!

Here’s a sneak peak of what you’ll learn inside Donor Pulse over the next 12 months:

Month 1: Building Authentic Connections with Wealthy Donors

Month 2: Close Encounter of The First Kind: Crafting the Perfect First Visit

Month 3: The Art of Small Talk and Relationship-Building

Month 4: Handling Objections with Grace and Confidence

Month 5: Navigating the Ask: Strategies and Best Practices

Month 6: Stewardship and Ongoing Relationship Management

Month 7: Finding Common Ground 

Month 8: When and How to Include the Donor’s Spouse/Partner

Month 9: Check Please! To Pay or Not to Pay for Lunch

Month 10: Promises Kept: Mastering Timely Follow Up

Month 11: It’s Personal: Knowing When and When Not to Get Too Personal

Month 12: Steer Clear: Know What Topics to Stay Away From

... and more!

And because the knowledge and skills are so powerful, I’m able to charge over $4,500 to teach it to my clients one-on-one.

Why?

Because with this knowledge they are then able to go turn it into hundreds of thousands of fundraising revenue for their nonprofit organizations!

But when I decided to package my knowledge and experience into a membership that anyone could learn and implement, at their own pace, I wanted to make it as accessible as possible.