Kickstarter™ 1:1 Coaching
For new fundraising hires — and leaders stepping into fundraising responsibility
Fundraising rarely fails because effort is missing.
It struggles when a capable person begins without enough structure, clarity, or direction to translate work into early traction.
Kickstarter™ is a focused 1:1 coaching engagement designed to help new fundraising hires — or leaders newly carrying fundraising responsibility — build structure, confidence, and momentum from the outset.
The aim is simple:
To move from uncertainty to clarity —
and from activity to measurable early progress.Why early structure matters
The first months in a fundraising role shape everything that follows.
Without early clarity:
• Time gets underutilized
• Donor conversations feel uncertain
• Follow-through becomes inconsistent
• Leaders grow unsure whether the hire is progressingThe issue is rarely talent or commitment.
It is the absence of a disciplined starting framework.
Kickstarter provides that structure from the outset.
Who Kickstarter is for
Kickstarter is designed for two closely aligned situations.
1. Leaders who have hired — or are about to hire — a fundraiser
You want your hire to:
• Begin with structure
• Use time deliberately
• Represent the organization with clarity and confidence
• Build early traction rather than drift
But you may not have the margin to coach them consistently week to week.
Kickstarter provides that structure and support.
2. Fundraisers — new or experienced — stepping into a new role
You may be:
• New to fundraising entirely
• Experienced, but new to this organization
• A founder or senior leader now carrying fundraising responsibility
You want clarity in how to communicate the organization’s mission, direction, and needs — and how to translate conversations into meaningful commitments.
Kickstarter provides that structure and early framework.
How the coaching works
Kickstarter is short-cycle, highly practical coaching.
In some cases, we begin before the hire officially starts — clarifying role expectations, institutional readiness, and what early success should look like.
From there, the focus is clear:
• Clarifying the organization’s direction and funding priorities
• Structuring the initial prospect pipeline
• Establishing weekly execution discipline
• Developing confident, organization-aligned donor communication
• Building consistent follow-through from the outset
Sessions are working sessions.
We review what is happening, determine what matters next, and agree on specific actions.
No scripts.
No theory.
No motivational tactics.
Just disciplined structure applied early — when it matters most.
What leaders usually come in with
Most leaders or hires arrive committed — but unsure how to translate that commitment into structured progress.
They are often:
• Working hard but unsure where effort should concentrate
• Unsure how to articulate the organization’s direction
• Lacking a defined prospect pipeline
• Feeling the weight of early expectations
They do not need motivation.
They need structure.
Kickstarter provides it.
What changes through the work
Within the first phase, leaders and hires typically experience:
• Greater clarity in how to speak about the organization
• More confidence in donor conversations
• Better use of each workday
• A visible, organized prospect pipeline
• Measurable early traction toward defined goals
The work does not add pressure.
It removes drift.
Momentum becomes intentional rather than accidental.
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
“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
If this reflects where you are — whether as a leader or a new hire — the next step is straightforward.
Kickstarter engagements are intentionally limited to ensure depth and responsiveness.
Avraham Lewis works with leaders of Mosdos Torah to bring clarity and structure to fundraising — so it can be done responsibly, sustainably, and with less strain.
© 2026 Avraham Lewis & Co.