What you’ll get from this post: fundraiser Patrick Kirby’s weekly rhythm for turning donor updates into invitations to give, plus a 30-day plan to start it.
Nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, and donor engagement work best when supporters feel their impact. They work even better when your updates are so clear and human that donors start asking how to help. Then the “ask” becomes an invitation and generosity follows. It seems obvious, but we forget this in the sprint of campaigns and events. In this conversation with Patrick Kirby, we distill a practical communications rhythm that turns mission stories into action.
Patrick Kirby has spent two decades raising money and coaching nonprofits, and he still runs like a practitioner. He insists on weekly working sessions, real benchmarks, and on-the-fly adjustments, because nonprofit life moves fast and so should your plan. “We meet once or twice a week… honing benchmarks… adjusting on the fly,” he says. That cadence keeps momentum and morale high.
Patrick describes himself as a “cheerleader” for teams who are burnt out from reports and events. That steady encouragement is part strategy, part human care, and it shows up in results.
When story and relationship come first, the “ask” feels like participation. Patrick puts it simply: “When you make an ask, it’s not even an ask. It becomes an invitation… people feel moved to give because they’ve seen you across the beginning, middle, and end.” That movement is triggered by feelings, clarity, and consistent updates and thank-yous.
“When you make an ask, it’s not even an ask. It becomes an invitation.”
Patrick Kirby
How to do it this month:
I’ve been thinking about this since Patrick said it. The invitation frame dignifies the ask.
Supporters want to feel the difference they made. Patrick’s advice: pause and celebrate, even when your task list is screaming. “Your donors want to celebrate wins. Your donors want to hear the impact.” That kind of recognition turns gratitude into fuel for the next gift.
“Your donors want to celebrate wins… let’s brag a little.”
Patrick Kirby
How to do it this month:
In the Tellwell Funnel, this is Remind. It closes the circle so people feel “I’m glad we’re in this together.”
Most plans die in the gap between meetings. Patrick fixes that with a simple rule: meet weekly, set micro-benchmarks, adjust fast. It’s practitioner-level coaching. That rhythm keeps campaigns aligned and board conversations focused on results.
How to do it this month:
Weekly accountability is where communications strategy becomes major-gift results.
Patrick shares a story of a long-time sponsor whose giving crescendoed into a $60,000 paddle raise for a puppy auction and then an additional $50,000 gift. That moment happened because years of specific stories built trust and emotion. “It’s the power of getting your story right consistently over the course of years.” That’s how average donors become champions.
“When the moment happens, all the pieces come together.”
Patrick Kirby
How to do it this month:
People leave conferences inspired but stuck. Patrick’s “Nonprofit Therapy Time” solves that by answering one “unsolvable” problem live, so momentum returns immediately. Adopt that mindset internally: surface blockers, solve one together, keep moving.
How to do it this month:
Draft three donor-centered micro-stories (100 to 150 words each) that show impact and name the supporter’s role. Publish one; queue two.
Turn one story into an invitation with a clear “here’s how to help + what it does.” Schedule 10 donor calls; send the rest via email.
Ship a gratitude-only update, no ask. Spotlight a win and a name (with permission).
Review benchmarks; adjust your invite and remind cadence; remove one blocker. Repeat monthly.
Pro tip: Keep your tone human and clear, because clarity is kind and it drives action.
We’re a creative partner for mission-driven teams who want stories that move people to act. Our approach blends strategy, messaging, film, and design so you can Introduce, Educate, Engage, and Remind with confidence and see results in giving, board engagement, and community buy-in. Leaders bring us in for brand messaging, fundraising strategy, and storytelling films that capture real impact.
Patrick said something that made me rethink our day-to-day. If you treat every touchpoint like another brick in a long road, you stop chasing one big moment, and the big moments start chasing you.
Want a practical way to time your stories? Start with our Seasons of Story framework to plan Introduce, Educate, Engage, and Remind all year: https://wetellwell.com/seasons
Then, if you’re ready to align your team and build a plan around it, book a planning call: https://wetellwell.com/get-started/
This episode is a good start. But if you’re ready to stop reading about storytelling and start investing in yours, let’s talk.
