Do you ever feel utterly exhausted trying to secure funding from donors and in spaces that just don’t get you? Like no matter how clearly you state your case, the receptive ears and open hearts just aren’t there. 😕
I’ve been in those shoes too!
As fundraisers, we pour endless energy into changing donors’ minds while our own nervous systems contort under the weight of constantly adapting ourselves to fit oppressive environments. The problem is… over time, it damages our health and dims our light.
I used to think I just needed to work through the discomfort and power on. But my recent conversation with therapist Shulamit Ber Levtov opened my eyes – when we dismiss our body’s warning signs, we risk burning out faster.
The truth? Healing fundraising frustration starts from within.
✅ You can be successful even in an oppressive system.
✅ You can learn to function without debilitating stress and anxiety.
✅ And you can be empowered to walk away from donors who aren’t a good fit.
Not all money is good money! But the good news is, there’s plenty of money and ideal donors out there.
🎤🎤🎤
Together Shula and I explored practical ways to process the collective cultural trauma that shapes our money stories.
Here are a few takeaways:
♥️ Befriend your body – its signals offer intelligence about what support you need. My somatic coaching showed me how to listen.
♥️ Unpack shame triggers – name feelings vs. judgments so you can respond vs. react. Create space between triggers and harmful behaviors.
♥️ Rewrite scarcity stories- see money as sustaining life energy that can flow freely. There’s enough for everyone when fairly distributed.
♥️ Cultivate community – you’re not alone. Connect with peers who truly understand to avoid isolation’s harm. Roleplay and rehearse interactions with those problematic donors so you can feel empowered to respond appropriately when
Want powerfully simple tools for addressing money trauma and avoiding burnout? Listen to the full podcast episode right here, and be sure to let me know what you think 🎧!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/272-no-more-money-shame-with-shulamit-ber-levtov/id1436858854?i=1000644215671
