Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast

Many nonprofit leaders hesitate to invest in additional fundraising staff—often out of a scarcity mindset. But what if that hesitation is actually costing your organization the opportunity to grow? In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast , Tom Dauber breaks down how to make the case for hiring fundraisers, development officers, and donor-facing staff. Whether you're a CEO, CDO,...

Do fundraisers bring their own money trauma to donor conversations? Absolutely—and Courtney offers powerful advice for confronting your own beliefs about money before asking someone else for theirs. From missionaries with $100 to major gift officers asking for $25,000, this episode explores how our past shapes our comfort with fundraising. Learn how fundraisers can shift from imposter syndrome to...

In this episode, Courtney shares eye-opening stories of how unresolved trauma and attachment to wealth can block generosity—even for those who deeply want to give. Tom and Courtney unpack how fundraisers can show up with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge donors based on their stated values. Plus, Courtney explains how giving can be an act of spiritual freedom and how fundraisers c...

Courtney Markley, founder of the Center for Financial Discipleship, shares her journey from bridal fashion designer to financial counselor. She and Tom discuss how wealth doesn’t solve money-related anxiety and how our past—especially childhood trauma—can deeply influence generosity. This episode explores the surprising truth that even high-net-worth individuals often struggle to talk about money,...

In this episode Tom discusses how organizations dependent on federal funding can prepare themselves to find private support.

In this episode, David Chambliss gets into the part of fundraising most people secretly dread: actually asking for the gift, living with the number you chose, and staying present when donor conversations get weird, emotional, or way too personal. David and Tom unpack how to frame solicitations as invitations to invest in impact, not desperate cash grabs, and why under-asking can be more disrespect...

In this episode, David Chambliss pulls back the curtain on the messy, very human side of major gifts: the things you wish you could take back, the political landmines in donor conversations, and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to turn a surprise inquiry into a transformational gift. Whether you’re at a tiny nonprofit or a big institution, David’s stories translate directly to your world: how y...

In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with David Chambliss, Associate Dean for Development at Vanderbilt University, and gets practical about something every shop is wrestling with: how to structure work so people stay, perform, and grow. Even though David sits in a large university campaign, the principles he shares apply whether you are a one-person development office or leading a smal...

In this episode, Tom sits down with David Chambliss, Associate Dean for Development and Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, to talk about what it really takes to build and run a modern higher ed campaign at scale. David shares what life and work look like at Vanderbilt in Nashville, including how he uses campus...

In this episode, Tom discusses common assumptions fundraisers make about donors, why they prevent good fundraising and how to do better by embracing transparent curiosity. Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net

In this episode, Tom continues his discussion on how to have a presolicitation conversation with a potential donor and shares some thoughts the state of the podcast for the new year. Do you have a question you'd like Tom to address on the podcast or have a suggestion for a show topic? Let us know by emailing Tom at thomasdauber@abundantvision.net Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abu...

In this episode, Tom discusses how you can dramatically increase your success as a major gift fundraiser, by learning to ask for permission to have a gift discussion. Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net

In this episode, Tom wraps up his conversation with Bernice “Bea” Martin Lee, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, by diving into the real-world messiness behind big gifts, pulled commitments, and what it takes to build sustainable major gift growth. Bea begins with a powerful corporate solicitation story from her current role: how a pharma summit turned into a genuine partnership when she helped a com...

In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Bernice Martin Lee (“Bea”), CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation and longtime major gift leader, and they get very practical about what it takes to move donors from warm conversation to real commitments. Bea talks honestly about a moment she wishes she could redo: walking into a high-value corporate relationship meeting and realizing her team had neve...

In this episode, Tom sits down with Bernice Martin Lee ("Bea"), CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation and a former major gift officer and CDO, to talk about what happens when a fundraiser steps into the CEO seat and brings her own lived experience with epilepsy to the center of the mission. Bea shares how she went from keeping her diagnosis private because of stigma to publicly naming it on LinkedIn and...

In this solo episode, Tom shares a deeply personal story about being sexually harassed early in his fundraising career and uses it to unpack the uncomfortable reality many fundraisers face: donor power, money, and access can create real vulnerability, regardless of gender. Tom talks about what happened in that donor meeting, how his freeze response affected his choices in the moment, and what he w...

In this episode, Stephen shares more stories and advice on how development staff can communicate and work more effectively with fiscal staff.

Fractional CFO Stephen Newland shares his wisdom in this two part series about how fiscal officers and development officers can work together more effectively and learn to speak one another's language.   Need some Fractional CEO Support?   Contact Stephen at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmnewland/ Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net

In this episode Tom shares how you can start evaluating your own database for free, using simple methodologies that anyone can learn.

In this episode Tom discusses the types of questions you should be asking your constituents to confirm wealth screening results and make sure they are the major gift prospects you are looking for.

In this episode Tom shares some of the realities of wealth screening results, where they fall short and how to understand what those optimistic results really mean.

in this episode Tom shares his thoughts on the ways wealth screenings can be helpful to your fundraising efforts.  

In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Tim Meier and gets very practical about what it really takes to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors over the long haul, especially in complex ministry or networked environments. Tim shares the story of a donor who gave the same seven-figure gift twelve years in a row, and what finally unlocked a fourfold and then fivefold increase when...

In this episode, Tom Dauber talks with Tim Meyer about how to handle donor timelines, build trust, and grow into larger gifts over time, especially when you did not come up through a traditional fundraising path. You will hear how Tim went from English major to global ministry, then into leading development for a large international denomination, and what that journey taught him about money, calli...

In this two part episode, Tom covers the basics of prospect portfolios.  How to figure out who's in, who's out, how to keep the clean and why you should keep them smaller than you probably think!