Episode 166 | Making the Move from Live to Virtual Events With Philippa Fabbri
Release Date: 08/04/2020
Episode 190 | Are You Afraid to Shine Too Bright?
The Mary Valloni Show
Have you ever caught yourself holding back or dimming your light so you don’t stand out too much, intimidate others, or risk failure? You’re not alone. So many of us struggle with the fear of shining brightly, even when we know deep down we were created for more. In this episode, Mary unpacks why we hide and the barriers that keep us from stepping fully into who we are. You’ll hear about: The common fears that cause people to dim their light The four “hidden barriers” from The Big Leap that stop us from taking bold steps What happens when we choose safety over shining...
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Episode 189 | The #1 Question to Ask When You Feel Stuck
The Mary Valloni Show
We’ve all been there... stuck in the mud of life, spinning our wheels, and wondering if we’ll ever move forward. In this episode of The Mary Valloni Show, we'll unpack the single most powerful question you can ask yourself when you feel stuck. It’s simple, practical, and can shift your perspective in an instant. If you are wrestling with career choices, finances, relationships, health, or faith, this question will help you create clarity. We'll also walk through an exercise together to immediately take action and see progress. What to expect in this episode: How to recognize the...
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Episode 188 | What is Heart Motivation and Why Do We Need It
The Mary Valloni Show
Have you ever set a goal that looked good on paper but fizzled out before you got there? You’re not alone. Most goals stall out because they’re missing the fuel that keeps us going... heart motivation! Head motivation - "I should do this." Heart motiviation - "I want to do this." In this episode, Mary unpacks what heart motivation really is, why head knowledge alone isn’t enough, and how to connect your goals to your deepest desires so you can finally enjoy the journey and not just the destination. You'll learn how to: Recognize the difference between head goals and heart goals....
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Episode 187 | 7 Steps to Get What You Want
The Mary Valloni Show
Have you ever felt like your dreams are out of reach? You’re not alone. Most people don’t go after what they really want because of three common roadblocks: Fear – of failure, success, or rejection. Lack of Clarity – not knowing what you want or how to begin. Scarcity Mindset – believing you don’t have enough time, money, or connections. In this episode of The Mary Valloni Show, Mary shares her proven 7-Step FREEDOM Framework™, the process that takes you from impossible to possible. You’ll learn how to: Clarify your vision so you know exactly where you’re headed. Build a...
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Episode 186 | How to Create Boundaries to Create Your Dream Life
The Mary Valloni Show
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, resentful, or stuck in situations that drain your energy, it’s time for a reset. In this episode, I’ll walk you through my 6-step process for creating healthy boundaries that protect your time, energy, and focus without feeling guilty. I’ll also share my shopping mall analogy that makes boundaries simple (and even a little fun) to understand, plus a short exercise you can do today to start putting them in place. You’ll hear a real-life story of a client who went from a chaotic life to creating a stable, fulfilling life and it all started...
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Episode 184 | What Happens When You Make Room For Joy
The Mary Valloni Show
In this episode, we explore the quiet power of joy: what it is, why it matters, and how it can radically shift the way you live and lead. You’ll learn the difference between happiness and joy, discover why joy is essential (especially in seasons of overwhelm or uncertainty), and uncover what actually happens when you begin to make space for it in your daily life. We talk about: What joy really is (and how it differs from happiness) Why it’s more than just a “nice to have” How to add more of it to your life The powerful shifts that happen when you start living with joy ...
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Episode 183 | The One Word I Removed From My Life (and Why You "Should" Consider Removing It Too)
The Mary Valloni Show
Over the years, I’ve done a lot of things because I thought I should, especially for my dad (who passed away 12 years ago when this episode airs!). But that one word, “should,” has carried more weight than I ever realized. In this episode, I share why I decided to remove “should” from my every day life and how that one shift has allowed me to take my power and voice back. If you’ve ever felt guilt for not doing enough, shame for not being farther along, or pressure to be someone you’re not, this will be a good episode to listen in to. In This Episode We Talk Through: Why...
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Episode 182 | Why I Pressed Pause and Why I'm Back
The Mary Valloni Show
After nearly 5 years, The Mary Valloni Show is back with new direction and new focus. In this relaunch episode, Mary shares the full story behind the podcast’s evolution, from its beginnings in 2017, to the pause in 2020, and now to a powerful return in 2025. Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new here, this episode will help you reflect on your own seasons of pause, transition, and renewal. You’ll hear how Mary’s vision has expanded to helping purpose-driven leaders like you rediscover joy, gain clarity, and walk in freedom—without the pressure, perfectionism, or burnout....
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Episode 181 | What It Looks Like to Focus Your Vision
The Mary Valloni Show
If you have been following the Fundraising Freedom Podcast, when I first started it I actually called it the Mary Valloni Show. And if you've been following for a while, you know that I follow the steps that I teach in my book, Fundraising Freedom. Those steps follow the acronym FREEDOM because what I want for you, and what I want for me, is freedom.
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Episode 180 | How to Create a Personal or Organizational Budget That Actually Works for 2021
The Mary Valloni Show
Today we're talking about how to create a personal or an organizational budget that actually works for you coming into 2021.
info_outlineToday I’m joined by Philippa Fabbri, director of communications, fundraising, and school design at the Elsen Academy in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape South Africa.
What do you enjoy about fundraising?
I wouldn’t say I’m passionate about fundraising but I’m passionate about showing the longevity of my school and making sure that we outlast any crisis that comes our way. I think fundraisers have got that fire in their belly that you feel inspired every day to get up and try to find something to either create exposure for yourself or create a connection with a person. Those are the small successes that you live for every day. But when you do manage to connect with a donor who also shares your vision and passion for your organization, that relationship is the most important one. That is the key to fundraising. It’s not how much money can I raise but it’s about the people I can connect with and in turn helping them feel good about donating to a cause they are passionate about.
Tell us about what you do at Elsen Academy and the age range of your students.
We have four schools in one. We have our primary school (grades 1-7), high school (grades 8-12), vocational skills group, and an online learning center for children who weren’t really partial to coming to school every day, wearing a uniform, and other school-related things. We have 145 total students and a staff of 28 which includes teachers, counselors, admin team, and cleaners. Our school purely private, meaning we receive no funds from the state so our only income is fees and our fundraising.
How were you raising funds prior to the pandemic?
We did a golf tournament that raises between $80,000-100,000 and it includes an auction, a raffle, and tee/hole sponsorships. We also do a fun run and music trivia. We try to do one event a term. We rely on people coming out and supporting those.
How have you made the shift in 2020 to ensure you don’t lose access to your students as well as your donors?
It’s all about going virtual, which started for us the week we were locked into our houses. We decided to do some live streaming through Facebook. People were commenting and we were able to comment back and it was amazing to connect with our friends and community virtually and it grew from there. We also celebrated our teachers and students and we hosted a virtual fun run.
What went into setting up virtual space in your home?
It started out in our kitchen, then to the lounge, and now we have a studio in a separate cottage. I had to pivot from being able to physically run an event live to be able to imagine the events through the internet while still providing a sense of community and allowing people to engage. I think people struggle to understand the concept of a virtual event but when you do it once, it’s easy to build from there.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to shift over to a virtual event?
You have to pray that technology actually works and that your internet is stable. You have to start with something you can manage within your skillset and resources. Don’t start with something that’s so huge that you cannot visualize what it’s supposed to look like. I would never have been able to start anything virtually if I didn’t have the right resources at my disposal. I have a lot of guts and courage and I’m happy to make mistakes because that’s how you learn. I’m happy to fail and apologize but you get up and you keep trying again. At the end of the day, I’m not doing it for myself I’m doing it for the good of the school I believe in. It’s about trying your best and if you fail to get up and trying again.
What does fundraising freedom mean to you?
To me, it means that as a fundraiser you never switch off from work. We are always looking for the next opportunity. Being busy can also be my downfall. For me, following your 7 steps is vital so that you don’t end up running around doing everything and losing focus on the end goal. The other thing is that we struggle to delegate – once your team knows what they are doing, let them do it. You can’t do it all because you’re going to end up not doing anything.
Who have you surrounded yourself with in order to be more successful?
With the school, it was me and two other ladies who started the school. It was a sheer challenge of doing something in a space where there wasn’t a lot of facilities for children with special needs in the private sector. So I had to explain my idea and make sure they trusted me enough to jump in with me and help me to get from one side of the pond to the next. Starting out, I was a classroom teacher and thought that was what I was going to be for the rest of my life. And now, I’m doing something I never thought I would do and I’ve had to expand my skillset. You have to surround yourself with people who believe in you and trust you. People are trusting you with their money so they have to know that their hard-earned money is going the right place. Surround yourself with people who share your passion, your honesty, integrity, and the longevity of what you’re doing. It’s not just for the short-haul – you’re in it to win it and to make sure it carries on into the future once you’re gone.
Do you have any parting advice?
It’s all about not giving up. You have to have that grit and resilience. There are no pats on the back in this vocation. You need to be the kind of person who is extremely self-driven and that you don’t mind asking for help. You have to absolutely love what you do, it’s not a job. The most important thing is to work with your own skillset. You’ve got to do what you know you can do well and bring in other people to fill in the gaps. You cannot try and do everything and you can’t be good at everything. When you create your team you’ve got to make sure you have someone who is excellent at admin, someone good at figures and math, a designer, and you’ve got to have the cheerleader. Everybody has their role to play and you have to surround yourself with people you enjoy spending time with and enjoy what you do.
Resources mentioned:
Murder Mystery Virtual Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/983478008778523/
https://www.centrestage.co.za/
Connect with Philippa:
Connect with Mary: