Ep. 38 | How to Quit the Burnout: Simplifying Your Fundraising Strategy
Struggling to Write Your Newsletters so Supporters Engage?
You’ve seen God do amazing things- but if your emails are vague or unclear, your supporters won’t feel connected.
This free guide will show you how to:
Write subject lines that get your emails opened
Follow a simple story-driven format for every update
Engage donors with clear, Christ-centered storytelling
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your long to-do list thinking, “I worked all day… so why does nothing feel done?” — you are not alone.
Ministry leaders carry so much.
You’re fundraising, communicating across multiple platforms, managing donor relationships, serving people, leading teams, planning events, creating content, praying, teaching, showing up, and trying to stay faithful to God in the midst of it all.
And somewhere along the way, the weight becomes too much.
You feel overwhelmed, behind, stretched thin, tired, and unsure how to keep going.
Especially when it comes to fundraising.
Because fundraising isn’t just “one more task.”
It often feels like ten.
Email campaigns.
Donor appeals.
Facebook.
Instagram.
TikTok.
YouTube.
Podcasts.
Newsletters.
Messaging.
Strategy.
Content.
Updates.
Stories.
Every platform calls your name. Every trend feels urgent. Every ministry you follow online seems to be doing more. And without realizing it, you start to believe:
“If I don’t keep up with everything, I’ll fall behind.”
“If I’m not doing what they’re doing, donors won’t support us.”
“If I don’t do more, the ministry won’t grow.”
But here’s the truth you need to hear:
You’re holding too much.
You’re exhausted.
And you were never meant to carry all of it.
There is a simpler, clearer, God-led way forward.
The Problem: You’re Doing Too Much
Overwhelm often begins with comparison.
You open social media and see another ministry launching a new video series.
Another doing weekly livestreams.
Another creating Instagram reels.
Another posting daily updates.
Another starting a TikTok account.
Another raising more money.
Another doing ministry “better” or “faster.”
And suddenly you feel behind.
So you add more.
You try harder.
You show up everywhere.
You give everything you have.
But ironically, the more you add, the less effective you become.
You’re spread so thin that nothing grows.
You’re everywhere, but truly nowhere.
You’re posting, but not connecting.
You’re trying, but not seeing fruit.
This is what burnout looks like in ministry fundraising.
And God has something better for you.
Step 1: Pause, Pray, and Surrender It All
This is more than a quick “help me, Lord” prayer.
This is setting aside real time — an hour if you can — to write down every single messaging platform you are using:
Email
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Podcasts
Newsletters
Blogs
Website updates
Facebook groups
Anything else tied to donor communication
Write it all down.
Let yourself feel the weight of it.
Then surrender it.
Open-handed.
Fully.
With willingness to lay each one at the feet of Jesus.
Pray:
“Lord, if You want me to release something… I will.”
“Lead me in the way I should go.” (Psalm 32:8)
Let Him guide you.
He may highlight one platform to keep.
He may tell you exactly what to lay down.
He may surprise you with clarity you didn’t expect.
Step 2: Choose ONE Messaging Platform
Yes, one.
Not five.
Not three.
Not “as many as possible.”
One.
One platform where you will consistently show up, build trust, connect with donors, share stories, and cultivate relationships.
This will be uncomfortable at first — especially if you’ve invested tons of time trying to do “all the things.”
But focusing deeply on one platform brings more growth than spreading yourself thin across ten.
Because:
Depth creates trust
Trust builds relationships
Relationships move donors to action
Choose one.
Commit to it.
Let everything else go.
Step 3: Show Up Consistently — and Do It Well
Once God makes it clear where He wants you, pick a rhythm you can sustain:
Weekly emails
Twice-a-week Instagram posts
A weekly YouTube video
A monthly newsletter
A weekly podcast episode
Whatever it is, let consistency be your strength.
Not perfection.
Not production value.
Not being everywhere.
Just showing up faithfully.
Then write down how long you’re committing to this plan — at least six months.
Less than that won’t give you the fruit or the data you need.
When you show up consistently on one platform, donors learn:
“This is where I can find her.”
“She’s dependable.”
“She cares.”
“I trust her.”
Trust grows.
Engagement increases.
Donors lean in.
Fundraising becomes simpler, clearer, and far more effective.
This Is How You Move From Burnout to Clarity
Burnout comes from trying to do everything.
Clarity comes from doing the right thing — the thing God is highlighting.
You don’t have to carry every platform.
You don’t have to chase every trend.
You don’t have to keep up with everyone else.
You don’t have to be everywhere online.
You don’t have to exhaust yourself to make ministry “work.”
You are allowed to simplify.
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to walk in one God-led direction with confidence.
And when you do, your donors will feel it.
Your messaging will strengthen.
Your connection will deepen.
Your fundraising will grow.
Not because you’re doing more —
but because you’re doing what matters.
You Don’t Have to Fundraise Alone
If you want support, prayer, encouragement, and practical storytelling tools, join the free community:
👉 Ministry Fundraising for Women Leaders
irisstorytelling.com/community
And if you want help clarifying your messaging or choosing your one platform, you can book a 1:1 coaching session here:
👉 irisstorytelling.com/coaching
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are simply carrying too much — and God is inviting you into clarity.
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