How Receptivity Makes You a Better Fundraiser and Leader
We’ve all been there — grinding away at fundraising goals, pushing harder, making the calls, sending the follow-ups, tightening our grip on the outcome. And still… the big gift doesn’t land, the board member doesn’t engage, the campaign feels like an uphill battle.
When that happens, our natural instinct is to push harder. Do more. Work later. Call again. But here’s the truth I’ve learned in my years of leading and coaching nonprofit professionals: sometimes it’s not about working harder.
It’s about opening yourself up to receive.
What “Receptivity” Really Means
Receptivity isn’t passivity. It’s not sitting back with your feet up, hoping the universe drops a check in your mailbox.
It’s a state of being where you’re open to:
Opportunities you didn’t plan for.
Help you didn’t specifically ask for.
Feedback you might not want to hear.
Gifts and connections that come in unexpected ways.
It’s allowing rather than forcing.
It’s trusting rather than controlling.
And it’s harder than it sounds — especially for high-achieving nonprofit leaders who are used to living in “go mode” 24/7.
The Hidden Ceiling on How Much We Can Receive
I discovered my own limit during what should have been a blissful vacation with my husband. We were in Jamaica — sunshine, ocean, great food, zero responsibilities.
It was perfect… until about day four.
I got restless. Emotional. My mind started telling me, We should probably head home soon.
Nothing had gone wrong. But I had bumped into my own “receiving ceiling” — that invisible comfort zone for how much joy, rest, and support I could allow in before my brain started sabotaging.
We all have one. And unless we stretch it, it will also limit how much financial support, partnership, and opportunity we allow into our organizations.
Why This Matters in Fundraising
The same thing happens in donor relationships.
When you’re clinging too tightly to an outcome — We need $50,000 or we’re sunk — your energy changes. Even if you say all the right words, donors can feel desperation, fear, or pressure. And just like you, they pull away when they sense that.
When you’re genuinely open to receiving — without attaching your worth or your mood to whether a donor says yes or no — the energy shifts. You listen more. You connect more authentically. You leave space for the relationship to grow naturally.
And here’s the magic: people tend to give more when they feel no pressure to give at all.
How to Build Your Receptivity Muscle
Receptivity is a skill. And like any skill, it strengthens with practice. Here’s where to start:
Notice Your Deflections
When someone offers a compliment, a connection, or help — do you accept it, or immediately wave it off? Practice saying simply, “Thank you, I appreciate that.” No explanation. No downplaying.Release the Outcome Before the Ask
Before every donor meeting, take a moment to let go of expectations. Your job is to connect and understand, not to force a yes on the spot.Listen Without Interrupting
Give people space to fully share their story — especially if they’re offering feedback or a complaint. The ability to listen without fixing or defending is one of the most powerful trust-builders in fundraising.Say Yes to Help
Let the board member host that small gathering. Let the volunteer take on that task. Stop doing everything yourself — it blocks others from contributing.Celebrate the Gifts You Already Have
Gratitude creates more of what you appreciate. Start every team meeting with wins. Send thank-you notes even when no gift was given — just because you value the relationship.Make Space for Joy
When you’re lit up in your life, it shows up in your work. Your enthusiasm is magnetic — donors feel it and want to be part of it.
From Chasing to Attracting
Leaders who thrive aren’t the ones who push the hardest on the “ask.” They’re the ones who create environments where giving feels joyful and inevitable.
When you expand your capacity to receive, you shift from chasing donors to attracting them. You stop operating from scarcity and start leading from trust and abundance.
So, the next time you catch yourself gripping tightly to a fundraising goal, pause. Take a breath. Loosen your hold just a little. Make space. Stay open.
Because sometimes, the biggest gifts arrive when you’re not straining to make them happen.
Final Thought: Your Openness is Contagious
When you show up in a meeting open, calm, and ready to receive — whether that’s a donation, an idea, or honest feedback — you give everyone else in the room permission to do the same. That energy fosters trust, collaboration, and deeper relationships — which is exactly what makes fundraising sustainable.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to grow your fundraising results by shifting your mindset, I’d love to help you increase your ability to receive, release pressure, and connect more deeply with donors.
📅 Book your free Influence Activator Call Book your free Influence Activator Call with me hereme here — let’s explore how to move from chasing to attracting and open the floodgates for more support, more ease, and more impact.