Most nonprofits think they have a fundraising problem. More donors, more events, more staff — that's what they're after. But after years working in fundraising, communications, and leadership, Holly Kobia has a different diagnosis: the real problem starts at the top.In this debut episode of Lead the Ask, Holly breaks down why fundraising is a leadership issue — not a development department issue — and what that means for your organization's culture, clarity, and consistency. From the habits that quietly undermine donor relationships to the systems that high-performing nonprofits swear by, Holly gets real about what's holding your fundraising back and exactly what to do about it.In this episode:Why fundraising culture lives inside leadership, not the development officeThe most common mistakes leaders make (and don't realize they're making)How to move from reactive fundraising to a steady, confident rhythmWhat strong fundraising organizations do differentlyThis week's challenge: take an honest look in the mirror at your fundraising cultureLead the Ask is for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members who are ready to skip the fluff and do the real work of fundraising.Follow Holly on LinkedIn | @leadtheask on Instagram | New episodes drop the last Tuesday of every month.

Fundraising gets easier when leadership gets clearer. Lead the Ask is the podcast for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members who are done guessing their way through fundraising and ready to do the real work.Host Holly Kobia — former TV journalist turned fundraising professional with $100M raised at Virginia Tech — cuts through the fluff and gets into what fundraising actually looks like day to day. We're talking practical strategy, donor psychology, board empowerment, major gifts, stewardship, and the hard conversations nobody else wants to have.Because fundraising isn't about asking for money. It's about inviting people into something bigger than themselves, and leading them there with clarity and confidence.Here, we'll lead boldly, ask clearly, and fund that mission.