Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

Fundraising can be meaningful work, but it can also come with a lot of pressure and scares. The worries can range from making the ask to wondering whether you’ll hit your goal or keep your job. Even experienced fundraisers carry fears that can be difficult to talk about, especially when the economy feels uncertain, workloads keep growing, and expectations seem impossible to meet.  In this Hallowee...

Non-profits can have a strong mission, a dedicated team, and years of community service behind them, yet still struggle to reach the people who could become their most meaningful supporters. Often, the challenge begins with who has a seat at the table and whether the organization has built the relationships needed to earn trust beyond its traditional networks.  In this episode of Real Talk for Rea...

This week we're sharing an episode from our friends at System Catalysts, a podcast about the philanthropists and changemakers working to improve the systems that shape our world. We think this conversation will change how you see the major donors on your caseload. Anthropologist Bridget Kustin, Senior Research Fellow at Oxford's Saïd Business School and Director of Ownership Project 2.0, h...

If you’re looking at your year-end number and then at your to-do list and wondering how you’ll get it all done, you’re far from alone. Late September into October is when that pressure lands on almost every frontline fundraiser, and the roughly 75 days left in the year can feel impossibly short.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Lauren Centrella, a V...

Most stewardship programs are built around a formula: give at this level, receive this letter; give more, get invited to this event; give enough, get your name on a wall. But that model is quietly failing because donors can tell when they’re being processed instead of known.  In this episode of  Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels and co-host Christopher Beck have a candid conversatio...

Fundraiser turnover is one of the biggest threats to long-term fundraising success, and the cost goes far beyond an empty desk. When a fundraiser leaves, organizations lose donor trust, relationship momentum, institutional knowledge, and often significant future revenue.  In this episode of  Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by co-host Christopher Beck for a candid and imp...

If you’ve ever looked at your caseload and thought,  “I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?”  — there’s a good chance qualification is the issue.  In this episode of  Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation about what it actually means to qualify donors—and why...

Your donors are trying to tell you something. The question is, are you set up to actually hear it?  In this episode of  Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels sits down with fundraising consultant Jeff Brooks for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what actually drives fundraising success today. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things but not seeing the resul...

Your donor database should make it easier to build strong relationships with donors. But for many fundraisers, the CRM ends up feeling like one more thing to maintain instead of a tool that actively supports their work.  In this episode of  Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation abo...

Grant writing is one of the most misunderstood roles in the non-profit sector, and that misunderstanding may be costing your organization serious money. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Holly Rustick, a grant strategist with more than 20 years of experience, author of four books, and the founder of a movement that has helped organizations raise over...

Start your year with clarity and direction. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical, no-fluff conversation about what actually matters for fundraisers heading into 2026.  Whether you’re a frontline major gift officer managing a caseload, a development director overseeing a team...

In this special episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Christopher Beck—Associate Director of Individual and Planned Giving at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and a 20-year fundraising veteran—as a new co-host for an ongoing 2026 series centered on equity, inclusion, and the real-world challenges facing fundraisers of color.  This conversation centers around the...

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels welcomes Diana Frazier, Veritus Group’s senior client experience leader with more than 40 years of fundraising experience, for an essential conversation about winning the final stretch of the year.  Diana has coached over 300 mid-level and major gift officers during her 12 years at Veritus, and she brings a rare blend of wisdom an...

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff sits down with Marne Fauser, President and CEO of United Way of Central Illinois and a former college basketball coach, to talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity.  Marne shares how her coaching background shaped the way she builds and leads teams, why she believes failure is essential for growth, and how trust, communicati...

In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed episode, Jeff Schreifels sits down with the legendary Tom Ahern, one of the most sought-after experts in donor communications and fundraising copywriting. With decades of experience, six books under his belt, and a career that began in commercial marketing, Tom shares his fascinating journey into the non-profit world and how marketing principles, psychology, and...

Aligning development teams with the donor pipeline is one of the most important—and often overlooked—keys to sustainable fundraising success.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels sits down with Veritus co-founder Richard Perry to unpack why organizational structure matters so much for fundraising success. They dive into the philosophy behind Richard's new ventur...

Fundraising in today’s non-profit world is more challenging—and more rewarding—than ever before. Organizations are facing an unprecedented mix of economic, political, and social pressures, and fundraisers are being asked to navigate it all while keeping their mission moving forward.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels sits down with fundraising veteran T. Clay Buck...

Public media is evolving, and organizations must strengthen donor relationships to secure a sustainable future.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Joyce MacDonald, Greater Public president and CEO, for an insightful conversation about the future of public media and how stations can adapt to current challenges by rethinking their approach to fundraisin...

When we talk about philanthropy, we're not just talking about giving—we're talking about power, ethics, and responsibility.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels sits down with author and fundraising strategist Jason Lewis for a provocative conversation about the future of philanthropy and the moral questions surrounding big giving.  Together, they explore th...

Marketing isn’t just about visibility. It’s about clarity, connection, and alignment.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Bongo Consulting founder and partner Michael D’Antonio for an insightful conversation about what makes non-profit marketing truly effective.  Together, they break down the key elements of a strong marketing strategy, from defining y...

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity for fundraisers navigating today’s uncertainty.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Veritus Group Client Experience Leaders Laura Lang and Lauren Centrella for a timely conversation about what it means to lead with empathy, courage, and steadiness in the face of ongoing challenges.  Together, they expl...

At a time of uncertainty and stress, the need for practical guidance in non-profit leadership is crucial.  In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by David Rhode, a non-profit consultant and author of Passion Isn't Enough , for a thoughtful discussion about the essential elements needed to be an effective non-profit leader and manager.    Together, they ad...

Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the kind of space where others feel safe enough to ask the hard questions.   In this debut episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Adrian Owen Jones, a partner at Success Lab and the CEO and Founder of Lady Jones Consulting, for a vulnerable and energizing conversation about what it truly mean...

BIG NEWS! Our podcast is evolving. Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers.  Non-profit work is not easy. It takes heart. It takes courage. And most days, it takes everything you’ve got.  Today, more than ever before, it’s important to have a community where you can tell the truth about what this work really demands, without judgment. A space where you can exhale, be reminded that you’re not alo...

We all have a desire to connect with others, but we’re often afraid to bring our whole, real, and complete self to our work, which often becomes a liability over time. A lack of authenticity in fundraisers has real, revenue-related consequences for the non-profit.    But how do you foster authentic professional relationships, and not just deep, personal bonds? How do you balance building trust wit...