You’re a nonprofit fundraiser wearing way too many hats.
You’re leading fundraising strategy, talking to donors, writing thank you letters and grants, planning events…and somehow you’re doing it alone.
Maybe you’re a nonprofit leader without a fundraising team, or a Development Director who is the team. You feel less like a fundraiser and more like…a fire fighter.
You know this pace isn’t unsustainable…but you have no idea how to move forward.
That’s why I created The Survival Guide for Solo Fundraisers. It’s a practical workbook that gives you tools and strategies to:
Fundraise smarter (not harder)
Communicate boundaries without guilt
Build systems that actually support you
And mitigate the burnout that comes with doing it all
This Isn’t Another Fundraising Manual
It’s a practical tool designed to help you feel less like you’re always playing catch-up and more focused on what matters.
The Survival Guide for Solo Fundraisers will help you:
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You’ll see how you’re really spending your time and identify simple ways to move your fundraising forward. Less busywork, more momentum.
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Push back on unrealistic requests (like that gala your Board wants to plan) with sample scripts to reframe conversations around priorities and impact.
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You’ll know who to focus on, how to steward them meaningfully, and where to focus your limited time for better results.
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Develop manageable systems to organize donor data, plan your week, and save your sanity
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Finally have the language (and the data) to explain what you do, why it matters, and how to measure fundraising success beyond revenue
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Because you’ll finally have the tools to help you focus your energy where it counts
Introducing
The Solo Fundraiser’s Survival Guide
Smart Systems for Fundraising “Teams” of 1
What’s Inside
Your “Good Enough” Fundraising Checklist
Weekly Workflow
Time Tracking Worksheet
How to Talk About Fundraising Internally
How to Push Back without Burning Bridges
Donor Pipeline 101
Working Smarter With Donors
Donor Retention
What to Do When You’re Burning Out
You Don’t Have to Do this Alone
Hi, I’m Christina.
Recovering Development Director and former Development “team” of 1.
I’m here to help you make fundraising at your organization feel easier.
After more than a decade working with nonprofits - from tiny grassroots orgs to national institutions - I’ve seen one thing over and over again: fundraisers are carrying way too much.
You’re expected to raise money, plan events, write grants, manage data, run communications, and somehow still have a strategy.
And if you’re a team of one? You’re basically running an entire department by yourself.
I built The Survival Guide for Solo Fundraisers to change that.
It’s everything I wish I’d had when I was the only fundraiser on staff - the systems, tools, and language to push back, prioritize, and make this work sustainable.
This guide is for anyone who’s ever felt like your entire organization’s budget was your responsibility.
It’s for:
Development Directors with no one else on their team.
Executive Directors writing thank you notes between Board Meetings.
Nonprofit Founders who love the mission but are exhausted from running programs and trying to keep the lights on.
I made this for every fundraiser who loves this work and wants to keep doing it well - without losing themselves in the process.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I love this job, but I can’t keep doing it like this,” you’re exactly who I made this for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! This isn’t a lesson in fundraising. It’s a practical guide to make your fundraising go further.
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Definitely. While it’s designed for solo fundraisers, the tools are also helpful for small teams that feel stretched then.
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Then start here. This will help you reset expectations, refocus your energy, and find your way back to the work you love.
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As soon as you complete your purchase, it’ll be delivered to your inbox within minutes. Didn’t get it? Send me an email at christina@guavatreestrategies.com.
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You can reach out at any time or explore how I work with nonprofits here.
Ready to Make Fundraising Feel Lighter?
You don’t need a bigger team or a 60-hour week to raise more money. You need better systems, clearer priorities, and permission to let the rest go.
The Survival Guide for Solo Fundraisers helps you do exactly that - set boundaries, focus on what matters most, and give you back some breathing room.
Because you deserve to do work that feels impactful - not impossible.
And you deserve to do that without burning out.