There is No Courage Without Fear: Finding Strength in Fundraising

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Fundraising isn’t for the faint of heart. At its core, it’s a profession fueled by courage—courage to ask, courage to face rejection, and courage to keep showing up when the odds feel stacked against you. But here’s the thing: courage doesn’t exist without fear. In fact, it’s the presence of fear that makes acts of courage so powerful.

Let me tell you a story that illustrates this in a way you might not expect. It doesn’t start with a fundraising appeal, but rather, with a microphone, a crowded room, and a long-standing fear of singing in public.

A Moment I Had to Find My Courage

Recently, I was speaking at a conference alongside some incredible presenters. I’d just arrived for the session before mine and was settling in when the speaker—a dynamic, talented performer—captured the room’s energy through song. It was inspiring and engaging, and as we all joined in, I felt part of something bigger.

And then, everything shifted.

The performer paused, looked directly at me, and started walking my way. My heart rate picked up. The closer they got, the louder my internal alarm bells rang. The microphone came toward me, and I realized what was about to happen. They wanted me to sing.

Now, I’m perfectly comfortable speaking in front of crowds—public speaking is part of my DNA. But singing? That’s a different story. Alone in the car, sure, I’m basically Taylor Swift. But in public? Absolutely not. I hadn’t sung in front of anyone since a particularly ill-advised karaoke night in my early 20s, where my song choice lasted a lifetime longer than it should have.

As the microphone hovered near my mouth, fear gripped me. My brain raced. I could refuse and let the fear win, or I could embrace this awkward, terrifying moment and just do it.

And then, I remembered something: there is no courage without fear.

So, I sang.

It wasn’t a concert-worthy performance. But I faced my fear, survived, and even shared the story as part of my talk that day. The audience connected with me—not because I was perfect, but because I was human.

What Does This Have to Do With Fundraising?

Everything.

Fundraising, at its heart, is about stepping into discomfort and choosing courage over fear. Whether you’re making your first major gift ask, facing a string of rejections, or presenting to a room full of potential donors, fear is always there. But courage is what allows you to push through.

Here’s why I believe fundraising is one of the most courageous professions out there:

1. You’re asking people to invest in something bigger than themselves.Fundraising is not about selling a tangible product. It’s about selling a vision—an idea of how the world could be better. You’re asking donors to trust you, to believe in your mission, and to invest their hard-earned money in a cause. That’s no small task.

2. You face rejection and keep going.Rejection is an inevitable part of fundraising. No one closes every single ask. And yet, fundraisers keep showing up. You face the discomfort of hearing “no,” knowing that each ask brings you closer to a “yes.”

3. You share your heart.For many of us, the causes we advocate for are deeply personal. Whether it’s healthcare, education, or social justice, fundraising requires vulnerability. You’re not just asking for money; you’re sharing pieces of your story, your passion, and your commitment. That takes guts.

4. You navigate the complexities of human emotions.Fundraising requires understanding people—what they value, what drives them, and what insecurities might hold them back. It’s emotional work, and it demands both bravery and emotional intelligence.

   
   

So when you feel fear rising—fear of rejection, fear of failure, or even fear of asking—it’s a sign that you’re stepping into something meaningful. Courage doesn’t erase that fear; it helps you move forward anyway.

Fear is Part of the Fundraising Journey

Here’s the truth: fear and anxiety are real in fundraising. Whether it’s the pressure of meeting a fundraising goal, the nerves of a big donor meeting, or the sting of hearing “no,” fear comes with the territory.

But courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward in spite of it. So how do we, as fundraisers, tap into that courage when we need it most?

1. Shift Your Focus Back to the Mission

When fear starts to take hold, remind yourself of the “why” behind your work. Fundraising isn’t about you. It’s about the impact your organization is creating.

You’re not just asking for money—you’re offering donors an opportunity to be part of something bigger. You’re inviting them to help change lives, solve problems, and make the world better. That’s a powerful, purpose-driven mindset shift.

When you lead with mission, the fear of rejection or judgment becomes secondary to the difference you’re helping create.

2. Embrace the Small Wins

Fear thrives when the big picture feels overwhelming. Instead of focusing on the enormity of a fundraising goal, break the work into smaller, manageable steps.

• Secure that first donor meeting.

• Send that tough email you’ve been dreading.

• Celebrate when someone says “yes.”

Every small win builds your confidence and pushes fear further into the background. Courage isn’t about giant leaps—it’s about consistent steps forward.

3. Normalize Rejection

Rejection is part of fundraising, plain and simple. But rejection doesn’t have to mean failure.

Instead of fearing “no,” try reframing it as part of the process. Every “no” brings you one step closer to a “yes.” It’s a numbers game—the more asks you make, the more likely you are to succeed.

When you normalize rejection, you take away its power. It’s no longer something to fear; it’s just part of the work.

4. Talk About the Fear

Fear often grows when we keep it bottled up. Whether you’re feeling anxious before a big ask or stressed about your next campaign, talk about it.

Share your fears with your team, your peers, or a mentor. Lean on your support system. You’ll often find that others have experienced the same challenges, and hearing their stories can make you feel less alone.

5. Reframe the Ask as an Invitation

One of the most powerful mindset shifts in fundraising is this: you’re not taking something from donors—you’re giving them an opportunity to make a difference.

When you ask for money, you’re inviting people to align their resources with their values. You’re offering them the chance to create real impact.

Flip the narrative in your mind, and the ask will feel far less daunting.

6. Show Yourself Compassion

Fear often comes from the pressure to be perfect. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to get it right every time. You’re human, and sometimes you’ll stumble—and that’s okay.

Courage means showing up anyway. It’s about learning from each experience, extending yourself grace, and continuing to move forward.

7. Lean Into Preparation

One of the best antidotes to fear is preparation. Do your homework before donor meetings. Know your pitch, anticipate questions, and practice your responses.

The more prepared you feel, the easier it is to face the nerves. Confidence grows with competence, so lean into the work ahead of time.

8. Visualize Success

Athletes do it all the time—they visualize winning before the race even begins. Fundraisers can do the same. Picture yourself having a successful meeting, delivering a confident ask, and hearing “yes.”

When you visualize success, you train your mind to focus on the positive outcome rather than the fear.

Courage Grows Over Time

At the end of the day, courage doesn’t mean you’re fearless. It means you’re willing to take action even when fear is present.

Fundraising is about more than raising money. It’s about raising hope, possibilities, and futures. Every time you choose to show up, every time you ask, and every time you push through fear, you’re creating ripples of impact that matter.

Remember This

Courage doesn’t happen in the absence of fear. It happens because of it.

So the next time fear creeps in—when you’re faced with another “no,” when you’re anxious about a big ask, or when you feel like you’re stepping into uncharted territory—take a deep breath and move forward anyway.

Because that’s what courage looks like. It’s messy, it’s imperfect, but it’s also powerful.

You’ve got everything you need to keep going. The impact you’re making is real. And you’re not in this alone.

So, stay bold. Stay courageous. And let’s keep making a difference—one ask at a time.

You’ve got this.