Break Time! Let's Talk About Our Wednesday Webinar with Gordon Douglas
Hey! Is it break time? Grab some iced tea, pull up a comfy chair, and let’s chat about something that might actually solve a problem you’re dealing with right now.
Are you struggling with making your numbers at your donor events? Yeah, me too. Well, not me personally—but I see it happening at a lot of centers, and honestly? It’s exhausting. You pour your heart into these events, spend hours on logistics and details, and sometimes… the donations just aren’t where you hoped they’d be.
That's exactly why I was so excited about Wednesday's webinar with Gordon Douglas.
Let me just say this upfront: Gordon is funny. Like, really funny. He brings this humor to everything he talks about, which makes sitting through strategy and fundraising talk actually… enjoyable. (I know, right? Who knew that was possible?) But here’s the thing—underneath all that humor, he’s got years of practical experience working with centers on fundraising events. Real strategy. Real results.
So, What's the Problem with Most Fundraising Events?
Gordon didn’t come right out and say this, but as he talked through his philosophy, it became clear: a lot of us are doing fundraising events the hard way. We’re focusing on the wrong things, we’re not telling the right stories, and we’re definitely not giving donors a reason to actually want to open their wallets.
That’s where it gets interesting.
Here's What Gordon Thinks About Donors (And It's Game-Changing)
Gordon shared something that honestly should be written on every fundraiser’s wall:
“People invest in what’s working.”
That’s it. That’s the whole thing. Stop and read that again. Because if you’re struggling with fundraising, this might be the reason why.
Donors don’t invest because you’re nice. They don’t give because you’re working hard (even though you are). They give because they see that what you’re doing actually works. They want to see results. They want to know that their money is making a real difference.
So the question becomes: Are you showing them what’s working? Or are you just asking them for money?
The Secret Ingredient: Hope (And It's More Powerful Than You Think)
Gordon got really real about this, and honestly, it hit different. He said:
“Yeah, because we have a reason to celebrate. We are making a difference. Whether or not we’re winning the war or not that day. If you’re doing the best you can, and if you save one baby that year, you’ve done something amazing. If you’ve given one person hope, and I hope, I’m such a big believer in hope.”
He’s not being cheesy here. Gordon actually used comedy in high school to cover pain. And now he uses it to bring life and hope to people. That’s not just a talking point for him—that’s his actual life philosophy. And when he talks about hope being the thing that’s missing? He’s speaking from real experience.
Here’s the kicker: Your donors need to feel that hope too. They need to see it. They need to hear about it. When you’re planning your banquet, your gala, your fundraiser—are you giving them hope? Or are you just asking for money?
Sell the Hope. Sell the Fun. Sell the Success.
Gordon was really clear about what to focus on:
“I love client testimonies because that gives somebody hope. And so I would say that, yes, sell the hope, sell the fun, and the success stories, because again, people invest in what’s working.”
Think about that for a second. What if your entire event was structured around:
- Client testimonies (real people, real transformations)
- Success stories (here’s what actually happened because of donors like you)
- Hope (this is what’s possible now)
- Fun (yes, people actually want to enjoy themselves at your event!)
Not just facts and figures. Not just “we served 500 clients.” But stories. Real stories of transformation.
What About Your Male Donors and Executive Sponsors?
Here’s something a lot of centers struggle with: getting male donors to show up and participate in pregnancy-focused events. And getting executives—the ones with the big budgets—to actually commit.
The truth? They respond to the same thing everyone does, but they want to see it demonstrated clearly. They want to know:
- What are the actual results? Show them.
- Is this a good investment? Prove it with stories and outcomes.
- Will this be worth their time? Make your event engaging, meaningful, and fun.
When you focus on success stories and real outcomes, you’re speaking their language. You’re not being emotional or manipulative—you’re just being honest about the impact. And honestly? That’s way more powerful.
The Practical Stuff: Gordon's Game-Changing Checklist
Gordon mentioned something that I immediately perked up about. He and Mike Williams developed a 20-point checklist for banquets—we’re talking everything from centerpieces to appetizers to how you structure the event flow. This isn’t some generic Pinterest board stuff. This is years of experience distilled into 20 actionable points.
And here’s the best part? He’ll send it to you for free.
No catch. No mailing list. Just a resource from someone who knows what he’s doing.
If you want it, email him at [email protected] and ask for the checklist. Seriously, do it. This is the kind of practical, detailed guidance that can take your event from “fine” to “wow.”
Real Talk: You're Making a Difference
Here’s what stuck with me from the whole webinar. Gordon ended with this:
“People invest in what’s working and we are making a difference.”
You already ARE making a difference. Your center is changing lives. You’re providing hope to women and families when they need it most. The job now is just showing people what you’re already doing, telling them the stories of transformation, and inviting them to be part of something that works.
That’s not manipulation. That’s partnership.
So What Do You Do With This?
- Pull some success stories. Who’s been transformed by your center? Get those stories written down, ready to share.
- Think about your next event. How can you weave hope, real outcomes, and client testimonies throughout?
- Grab that checklist. Email Gordon at [email protected]. It’s free, it’s practical, and it works.
- Change your ask. Instead of “We need donations,” try “Here’s how your donation changes lives. Here’s proof. Here’s hope.”
Want More?
Gordon’s got a whole resource library. Check him out:
- Website: gordondouglasisfunny.com
- YouTube, Instagram, Facebook: Search Gordon Douglas for videos, inspiration, and more
Plus, Jacob and I do these Wednesday webinars every 1st Wednesday of the month. New speakers, new insights, new practical stuff to actually help you do your job better.
Next Month? We’ll see you there.
Until then, grab that iced tea, take a breath, and remember: you’re doing important work. You’re making a difference. Now you’ve just got the tools to show people why it matters.
See you next Month!
Sandy MacNaughton iRapture.com