The Donor Centric Approach

Special Episode: A Conversation from Pakistan

For the past several months, I've had the privilege of walking alongside St. Albert's High School and Our Lady of Fatima Orphanage in Pakistan as part of my work helping

Episode 24: Strengthening Campus Ministry with CCMA

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, I sit down with my friend, Rosie Chinea Shawver, Executive Director of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA). Ro

Episode 23: From Ashes to Beauty

This week’s episode is something different — and deeply personal. In this talk, originally given to my local covenant community, I share how my recent accident became a

Episode 22: Healing Wounds, Faith, and Fundraising Leadership (with Dr. Dan Meola)

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, Orlando sits down with Dr. Daniel Meola, co-founder and president of Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry dedicated to b

Episode 21: The Fundraising Lesson I Learned from a Meal Train

Three weeks ago, I was in a serious bicycle accident that changed my perspective — not just on life, but on fundraising. When a friend from high school set up a Meal Tra

Episode 20: My Conversation with JJ Berg

This episode is unlike anything I’ve shared before. A few weeks ago, I was involved in a serious cycling accident. I don’t remember much about what happened on the road

Episode 19 – A Conversation with Doug Stamps

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, Orlando sits down with seasoned fundraiser Doug Stamps, currently serving as Development Director at a major organization i

Episode 18 - Leading from the Trenches: How Fight Club Catholic is Forming Men for Mission

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, I sit down with Matt Aujero, founder of Fight Club Catholic, for a candid and energizing conversation about building a move

Episode 17 — Leading Fundraising Without Burning Out: A Message to Founders

In this solo episode of The Donor-Centric Approach, Orlando speaks directly to the founders and executive directors carrying the weight of the mission and the burden of f

Episode 16 – Clarify Your Message, Multiply Your Impact

In this solo episode of The Donor-Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros breaks down one of the most powerful yet overlooked fundraising tools: clear messaging. Forget ja

Episode 15 – The Quarterly Plan: How to Build a 90-Day Fundraising Strategy That Actually Works

Is your fundraising always in reactive mode? Scrambling to write last-minute appeals, chase down donors, or meet arbitrary goals? It doesn’t have to be that way. In this

Episode 14 – What Major Donors Actually Care About (And Why You’re Probably Missing It)

Are you unintentionally missing the mark with your major donor pitches? In this solo episode, Orlando shares powerful, behind-the-scenes insights into what major donors

Episode 13 – The Stewardship Gap: Why You're Losing Donors and How to Fix It

In this solo episode, Orlando Barros breaks down one of the most overlooked (yet mission-critical) areas in nonprofit fundraising: stewardship. If you’ve ever felt like

Episode 12: From Scarcity to Strategy – Building a Culture of Development in Any Size Organization

If your team ever says, “We just don’t have the time or staff to focus on fundraising,” this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host

Episode 11: The Art of Donor Connection – How to Tell Stories That Actually Land

If you’ve ever told a story in an appeal, newsletter, or donor meeting and it didn’t land, this episode is for you. In this solo session of The Donor Centric Approach, ho

Episode 10: Empowering Mission Startups – Inside Xavier Mission Fund’s Story with Peter Levesque

In this inspiring episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros sits down with Peter Levesque, Founder and Executive Director of Xavier Mission Fund, to expl

Episode 9: Dignity, Impact & Donor Relationships – Inside House of Mercy’s Mission

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, Orlando Barros welcomes Jessica Root, Executive Director of House of Mercy, a Catholic nonprofit serving thousands of famil

Episode 8: Fundraising Without a Team – Practical Strategies for Small Nonprofits

Are you leading a nonprofit or ministry without a full-time development staff? Maybe you're doing everything yourself—running programs, writing thank-you notes, and tryin

Episode 7: How Campus Ministry Transforms Lives – A Conversation with Catholic Terps

In this episode of The Donor Centric Approach, host Orlando Barros sits down with Joelle Fitzmaurice, Development Coordinator at Catholic Terps, the vibrant Catholic camp

Episode 6: Faith, Healing & Fundraising – How Red Bird Ministries is Supporting Families Through Grief

Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can go through, yet so many families suffer in silence without the right support. In this episode of