First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Muhi Khwaja, MPA, CFRE, CFRM, co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), discusses the organization's role and growth since its inception in 2017. With over $8.6 million in assets, AMCF operates numerous donor-advised funds and endowments, serving as a pivotal national platform for supportin...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D., shares his thoughts on fundraising prospects for 2024. He begins by reflecting on the resilience of the United States' economy in 2023, despite earlier fears of a recession. This robust economic performance bodes well for fundraising efforts in the upcoming year, as it suggests that potential donors may have more disposabl...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Mark Wilhelm, Ph. D., professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to distill over two decades of research into the world of philanthropy and fundraising. The discussion centers on the multifaceted motives that drive individuals to contribute to charitable ca...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Elizabeth Lynn, the Project Director for the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The discussion centers on the dynamic relationship between faith and philanthropy. The Lake Institute's primary focus is to explore how faith commitments and values inform...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Shivant Shrestha, a research associate at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The episode looks at a study aimed at mapping nonprofit spending on climate change in the United States. This research seeks to understand the amount of money U.S.-based nonprofits are allocating towards climat...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Dr. Dwight Burlingame, Professor Emeritus of Philanthropic Studies and Glenn Family Chair in Philanthropy at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Dr. Burlingame, recognized as a pioneer in this field, co-authored Chapter 39 of "Achieving Excellence in Fundraising," which covers the nuances an...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Una Osili, Ph. D and Sitashma Thapa to dive into a groundbreaking research study focusing on charitable giving trends by race and ethnicity. They discuss the research findings, revealing that economic downturns have affected donors of all backgrounds, leading to declining rates of giving. Particularly, the Grea...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Ben Miller, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Analytics at Bonterra. The duo discuss the latest trends in charitable giving for the first quarter of 2023, providing valuable insights for nonprofit professionals. Miller explains the role of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, which, in collaboration w...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Pat Danahey Janin, Ph. D. and Angela Logan, Ph. D. as they discuss the intricacies of fundraising and foundation engagement. Learn why foundations should be a part of your nonprofit's fundraising strategy but not the sole focus, as the hosts emphasize the importance of diversifying your funding sources. Gain va...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Una Osili, Ph. D. and Jon Bergdoll from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to dissect the findings from the Bank of America Philanthropy Study. Explore how affluent donors are sustaining high rates of giving, the recovery in volunteering post-pandemic, and the notable role of women in p...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by Kathleen Loehr, a leading fundraising consultant, to explore the proven practices that empower fundraisers to tap into the incredible potential of women donors. Kathleen shares her deep passion for women's philanthropy and reveals fascinating insights from the Women's Philanthropy Institute at Indiana Universit...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. is joined by experts Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph. D. and Dan Heist, Ph. D. as they look into the world of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). They explore the fundamentals of DAFs, offering a comprehensive guide for fundraisers looking to tap into this unique giving vehicle. Discover what a Donor Advised Fund truly is and how it fu...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. sits down with Rashad Zakee Nelms, Associate Vice President for Strategy and Innovation at Indiana University, as he shares his profound insights on the coaching mindset in leadership, especially within the realm of fundraising. Rashad's remarkable background spans 18 years of service with the United Nations World Food Prog...

In this captivating episode, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. sits down with Susan Madon, MBA, CFRE, a seasoned fundraiser and the author of "The Disappearing Donor." Susan shares her unconventional approach to teaching fundraising through her suspenseful novel, offering invaluable insights into planning, leadership, and adaptability in the nonprofit sector. Discover the art of inferring fundraisi...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz is joined by renowned guest Russell James III, an authority on planned gift fundraising. Together, they explore the world of planned giving principles, offering valuable insights for nonprofits and fundraisers alike. Russell, the author of Chapter 36 in Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, 5th Edition, shares his journey from law s...

In this informative episode, we explore digital fundraising worldwide with our guest, Shivant Shrestha. Shivant discusses the findings of the groundbreaking study titled "Digital for Good," which explores emerging philanthropic trends across eight diverse countries, including Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In this episode, you'll discover...

In the latest episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz unpacks the highlights from the Giving USA 2023 report, recent data on charitable giving, and its implications for your nonprofit's fundraising strategy. Bill addresses the anxieties and concerns that have emerged in the philanthropic community due to this report's headline feature—a decline in charitable giving. This decline...

In this episode, Tina Nugent, President of S.I. Events, engages in a deep conversation about the crucial aspects of fundraising, diversity, and effective leadership. This episode delves into Tina's diverse background, encompassing experiences in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Her journey includes working with the Orlando Magic and the mayor's office in Orlando, providing her with a un...

Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming fundraising in this insightful podcast episode. Join Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed. D. as he sits down with Josh Hirsch, M.S., Digital Marketing Manager for The Fund Raising School. Together, they discuss the potential of AI to revolutionize fundraising practices. Dive into the world of AI and its applications, from generating content efficiently...

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, join Bill Stanczykiewicz as we dive deep into the realm of social media fundraising with our guest Floyd Jones, the Director of Community and Partnerships at GiveButter. Are you a nonprofit leader seeking innovative ways to supercharge your fundraising efforts? Look no further. Floyd's expertise shines as he unveils powerful strategies that redefine the ar...

In this episode, Alice Ferris, ACFRE, the founder of GoalBusters Consulting, discusses the vital link between storytelling and successful fundraising. The conversation looks at the significance of emotional connections and engagement with donors through effective storytelling. Alice emphasizes the need for tailoring stories based on the audience's values and motivations, highlighting the importanc...

In this eye-opening episode, join host Bill Stanczykiewicz and the dynamic duo of fundraising experts, Tony Pomonis and Tara Adams, as they delve into the crucial and often overlooked topic of ethical fundraising with a focus on cognitive impairments. Tony and Tara, founders of the Cognitive Empowerment Consulting Group, share their personal experiences that led them to specialize in this critical...

Drawing insights from the recently published "Philanthropy Pulse Report" by CCS Fundraising, Allison Willner reveals eye-opening findings about the fundraising landscape. Despite revenue growth, donor retention emerged as a significant challenge for many organizations. Discover how investing in staff and optimizing donor databases for relationship building played a pivotal role in boosting donor r...

Shivant Shrestha, MA, a research associate at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, shares insights from a research project focused on new models of donor behavior, specifically subscription-based giving. Discover how nonprofit organizations can engage new donors, cultivate deeper relationships with existing donors, and harness the power of recurring giving. Explore the benef...

In this episode, Aaron Conley, Ed. D. explains why the term "campaign" goes beyond capital campaigns and encompasses comprehensive campaigns in various nonprofit organizations. Learn how campaigns not only raise crucial funds but also serve as a catalyst for strategic growth and organizational improvement. Dr. Conley highlights the significance of board engagement and volunteer involvement in driv...