Cloudburst: A Rainmaker’s Guide to Fearless Fundraising and Exceptional Donor Stewardship by Tom Iselin

Tom Iselin
Jul 1, 2015
3 min read

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Want to raise a ton of money? Want to learn how to ask for money with confidence? Check you my new book: Cloudburst--A Rainmaker's Guide to Fearless Fundraising and Exceptional Donor Stewardship. I wrote for people just like you! :-)

Cloudburst: A Rainmaker’s Guide to Fearless Fundraising and Exceptional Donor Stewardship by Tom Iselin

I’m excited to finally share some good news.

My new book, Cloudburst: A Rainmaker’s Guide to Fearless Fundraising and Exceptional Donor Stewardship, is officially out—and it was written for people doing the hard, important work of building and sustaining nonprofits.

If fundraising feels intimidating, exhausting, or overly complicated, this book was written with you in mind.

Why I Wrote Cloudburst

After decades of building nonprofits, raising tens of millions of dollars, and working alongside boards, staff, and donors of every size, I saw a recurring problem:

Too many good organizations struggle—not because their missions aren’t worthy, but because their fundraising systems are broken, outdated, or fear-driven.

Cloudburst was written to change that.

This book isn’t about gimmicks, pressure tactics, or transactional fundraising. It’s about building a fearless, relationship-based fundraising program that actually works.

What Cloudburst Is Really About

At its core, Cloudburst is about becoming a rainmaker.

A rainmaker:

Builds trust
Creates meaningful donor relationships
Focuses on long-term stewardship, not short-term transactions
Raises more money by doing fewer things—better

This book walks you through how to:

Overcome fear around asking for money
Build authentic donor relationships
Create donor experiences people actually enjoy
Develop a fundraising culture that’s sustainable and human

Fearless Fundraising—Without the Nonsense

Fundraising doesn’t have to feel awkward, manipulative, or exhausting.

In Cloudburst, you’ll learn how to:

Ask for money with confidence and integrity
Focus on connection instead of pressure
Replace anxiety with clarity and purpose
Build systems that support donors—not chase them

Fearless fundraising isn’t about being aggressive.It’s about being aligned, prepared, and genuine.

Exceptional Donor Stewardship That Builds Loyalty

One of the biggest themes in Cloudburst is donor stewardship.

Great fundraising doesn’t end with a gift—it begins there.

The book dives deep into:

How to thank donors in ways that matter
How to nurture long-term relationships
How to turn first-time donors into lifelong supporters
How to build loyalty through consistency and care

When donors feel valued, respected, and connected, generosity follows naturally.

Who This Book Is For

Cloudburst is written for:

Executive directors
Development professionals
Board members
Fundraising volunteers
Nonprofit leaders tired of outdated advice

Whether you’re running a small grassroots organization or a growing nonprofit, the principles in this book scale.

Why This Matters Now

Fundraising is more competitive than ever.

Donors have more choices.Attention spans are shorter.Trust is harder to earn.

Organizations that succeed in this environment are the ones that:

Build real relationships
Communicate clearly
Steward donors thoughtfully
Lead with purpose

That’s what Cloudburst is designed to help you do.

Key Takeaways

Fear-based fundraising limits growth
Relationships drive long-term revenue
Stewardship matters as much as solicitation
Systems beat sporadic effort
Confident fundraising is learned—not innate

Summary

Tom Iselin Fundraising Cloudburst . . .

Cloudburst isn’t just a fundraising book—it’s a guide to building a stronger, healthier, more sustainable fundraising program.

If you want to raise more money and enjoy the process…If you want donors who stick around for years…If you want fundraising to feel aligned with your values…

This book was written for YOU! Buy it here.

Tom Iselin

Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat

and Strategic Planning Facilitators

About the Author

Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.

Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.

Board Retreats & Strategic Planning

If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!

Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services: