Old School Fundraising Won’t Get You New School Money

Let’s get real. The gala, the auction, the 5K—those “tried and true” fundraising events? They’re dinosaurs. They may have worked 10 or even 5 years ago, but donor habits, motivation, and expectations have shifted dramatically. If you ended last year thinking “we pulled it off, but wow, that was a grind”—you’re not alone. The truth is, the very strategies you’ve been clinging to are often the bottleneck to your next revenue breakthrough.

The Big Misconception: “It worked before, so it should work now.”

Fundraising isn’t timeless. Donor behavior has evolved—fast. Think about how quickly the world adapted post-2020. Grandma figured out Zoom. Entire industries went remote overnight. And now, donors expect information, connection, and action right at their fingertips. They’re influenced by peers, culture, and what’s trending on their feeds—not by a glossy direct mailer that takes months to produce.

If you’re still relying on galas, long cultivation cycles, or “spray and pray” direct mail, you’re not meeting donors where they are—and it’s costing you.

What’s Not Working Anymore

  • Galas as the main event: Unless you’re netting serious six figures, they’re more staff drain than ROI.

  • Treating donors like ATMs: Constant 911 asks erode trust and connection.

  • Slow-motion fundraising: Long cultivation cycles are outdated. Today, visibility and trust can be accelerated through digital channels.

  • Ignoring digital gold: If you’re not leveraging email, influencer partnerships, and ambassador programs, you’re leaving real money on the table.

The Modern Alternative: Connection, Movement, Influence

Fundraising today is about creating movements that donors can’t ignore. That means bold storytelling, a digital-first approach, and—this is the game-changer—activating a social street team.

Influencers (and no, we’re not talking Kardashians) are the secret sauce. Hyper-local parents, alumni, advocates, or lifestyle creators with 5,000, 10,000, or 100,000 engaged followers can do more for your visibility and fundraising momentum than any single event. And the best part? These partnerships are in-kind, not paid.

Imagine your mission being amplified by dozens of credible voices online, each pulling their community into your movement. That’s how campaigns go from slogging toward the goal to hitting it by lunchtime.

The Risk of Waiting

I get it—change feels risky when the stakes are high. But the bigger risk? Staying stuck. I’ve seen too many organizations come back a year later with the same revenue, only more burnt out. Meanwhile, bolder nonprofits are out here collapsing timelines, growing faster, and engaging donors in ways that feel fresh, fun, and irresistible.

Where to Start

You don’t need a bigger staff or a massive budget to do this. You need a smarter system—one that helps you identify influencers already in your orbit, gives them the right tools, and mobilizes them as your street team. That’s exactly what we build inside The Purpose & Profit Club®.

Because fundraising shouldn’t feel like begging. It should feel like momentum. It should feel like a movement. And when you shift from old school tactics to bold, digital-first strategies, that’s exactly what you create.


Want to learn how to build your own unstoppable street team? Join us inside The Purpose & Profit Club®. join the waitlist so you’re first when doors open again: splendidcourses.com/waitlist. We’ll hand you the scripts, templates, and strategy to turn tired fundraising into a bold movement that multiplies your revenue.

Christina Edwards