HighRaise 1:1 Fundraising Coaching
For leaders of Mosdos Torah carrying real fundraising responsibility
Fundraising rarely fails because leaders aren’t working hard.
It fails when effort is spread thin—without enough clarity, structure, or accountability to translate work into steady progress.
This page outlines how I work with leaders who carry that responsibility and want a more disciplined, sustainable way to approach fundraising.
Most leaders I work with are already deeply committed.
They are juggling budgets, people, institutional pressures, and limited time—while fundraising remains a constant, unresolved responsibility.
Even with real effort, fundraising can feel heavy, unpredictable, and reactive.
Weeks fill up. Urgent needs crowd out important work. Conversations happen, but it’s not always clear which ones truly move things forward.
The challenge is usually not motivation or dedication.
It’s the absence of clarity about what matters most right now, where focus should go next, and how to tell whether effort is actually turning into progress.
What’s missing is not effort—but structure.
A structured approach to fundraising clarity
Clarity in fundraising doesn’t come from working harder.
It comes from working with structure.
The approach I use reflects how experienced leaders bring order to complex fundraising realities — by maintaining a clear line of sight between effort and results.
Rather than reacting to the loudest urgency, leaders focus on a small number of disciplines that keep fundraising intentional and measurable.
Those disciplines are simple:
- Clarity about what matters most right now
- Structure around how fundraising work is prioritized
- Consistent accountability so effort moves things forward
This approach keeps fundraising focused, sustainable, and grounded — without adding pressure or unnecessary complexity.
Who this is (and isn’t) for
This work is designed for leaders of mosdos Torah who personally carry fundraising responsibility.
That typically includes executive directors, Roshei Mosdos, Roshei Kollel, and senior leaders for whom fundraising is a core part of the role — not a side task.
HighRaise is a strong fit if you:
- are accountable for real budgets and targets
- balance fundraising alongside many other responsibilities
- are already working hard, but want more structure and clarity
- value disciplined thinking over tactics or pressure
It is not designed for:
- those new to fundraising looking for basic instruction
- leaders seeking scripts, shortcuts, or one-off solutions
- anyone unwilling to review their work honestly and consistently
This work suits leaders who want a steady, thoughtful way to approach fundraising — and who are prepared to engage with it seriously.
If that reflects how you approach your work, the next step is straightforward.
How the coaching works
HighRaise is 1:1 coaching, tailored to the responsibilities you carry, the institution you lead, and the goals you are accountable for.
The work is collaborative and grounded in your real fundraising context — not generic frameworks or pre-set programs.
Part of that work often involves clarifying the institution’s direction — not as an abstract vision statement, but as a practical understanding of what the organization is building, where it is heading, and what needs to be resourced to get there.
When leaders are grounded in that clarity, fundraising becomes more focused.
Priorities sharpen.
Conversations strengthen.
Effort stops scattering.
Together, we focus on:
- clarifying fundraising goals and timelines
- deciding what deserves attention — and what does not
- structuring donor relationships and next steps
- preparing for key conversations and decisions
- building simple systems that support consistent follow-through
Sessions are working sessions.
We meet regularly in structured working sessions, with continuity and follow-through between meetings.
We review what’s happening, identify what matters next, and agree on clear actions — so fundraising remains intentional rather than reactive.
There are no scripts, slogans, or motivational tactics.
Just clear thinking, disciplined prioritization, and steady accountability.
What changes through the work
Over time, leaders I work with experience a shift in how fundraising feels — and how it functions.
Instead of responding to whatever feels most urgent, they gain clarity about what truly matters in the current phase — and what can wait.
Common changes include:
- clearer fundraising priorities, week to week
- greater confidence and steadiness in donor conversations
- a structured way to track relationships and next steps
- consistent progress toward defined goals
- fewer dropped balls and fewer last-minute scrambles
The work does not add more activity.
It reduces noise.
Leaders are not doing more.
They are focusing more deliberately — with a clearer line of sight between effort and results.
Fundraising becomes intentional, measurable, and sustainable — without relying on pressure or constant urgency.
What leaders usually come in with
Most leaders I work with are already deeply committed.
They carry real responsibility and take their role seriously. Fundraising sits alongside managing people, budgets, boards, and institutional pressures — often without much margin.
Many arrive feeling:
- stretched across too many priorities
- reactive rather than intentional in their fundraising work
- unsure where focused effort will have the greatest impact
- largely alone in making fundraising decisions
They’re working. Conversations are happening. Follow-ups are being made.
What’s missing is not effort.
It’s a clear way to decide what matters now, what can wait, and whether work is actually translating into progress.
They don’t need motivation or pressure.
They need clarity, structure, and an experienced perspective that understands their reality.
What leaders have shared
“Avraham has a gift for transforming complexity into clarity. His framework helped me develop a clear, actionable strategy — and break fundraising into manageable next steps.”
Amiel Diamond - Executive Director, One Toronto
“Avraham guided me through the donor’s thought process and helped strengthen my written and verbal communication. The advice was concrete — and it improved both effectiveness and systems.”
R' Binyomin Babad - Executive Director, Relief Resources
“No platitudes or coachspeak — just focus, understanding, and practical guidance. His approach is methodical, consistent, and grounded in reality.”
R' Avigdor Goldberger, Executive Director, Minneapolis Kollel
“Avraham is a master at keeping the focus on what counts most. His organized mehalech ensures opportunities are maximized and nothing gets dropped.”
R' Yitzchok Krausz, Executive Vice President, Cheder D’ Monsey
If you’d like to explore whether this is a fit, start here.
In addition to ongoing 1:1 leadership coaching, I also work with mosdos in specific fundraising contexts, including:
Kickstarter (new fundraising hires), Capital Campaign Coaching, and Online Matched Giving Campaign Coaching.
About Avraham Lewis
For over a decade, Avraham Lewis has worked closely with leaders of mosdos Torah across North America, Europe, and Israel.
Before coaching, he spent years fundraising directly for mosdos Torah—developing systems that worked under real pressure, with real accountability.
The coaching reflects patterns seen across many mosdos and leadership contexts—not theory.
In practice, he helps leaders:
- think clearly about fundraising
- build disciplined, practical processes
- raise funds responsibly and sustainably
More than 175 Jewish leaders have worked through HighRaise™ frameworks, contributing to hundreds of millions raised across annual, capital, and online campaigns.
Avraham lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his family and works globally with mosdos Torah.
Format & Commitment
- 1:1 coaching
- Ongoing, structured working sessions
- Limited client capacity to ensure depth and responsiveness
- If early on we determine this is not the right fit, we part ways with no obligation.
That’s it. No hype. No promises.
Next Step
If you’re looking to bring more clarity and structure to how you approach fundraising — and want an experienced partner to think it through with you — the next step is to explore working together.
Avraham Lewis works with leaders of mosdos Torah to bring structure and clarity to fundraising — so it can be done responsibly, sustainably, and with less strain.
