Let's Talk Fundraising

Drowning in donor emails while struggling to craft thoughtful, personalized responses? You're not alone. Fundraisers everywhere face this daily challenge—balancing the need for authentic communication with the reality of limited time and mounting inbox pressure. The secret most successful fundraisers discover is that timely responsiveness isn't just an administrative task—it's a rel...

Every fundraiser faces the same dilemma: we need efficiency, but we can't sacrifice accuracy. When that major donor asks for one critical data point before finalizing their six-figure gift, the pressure to respond quickly meets our professional obligation to be absolutely correct. ChatGPT makes this balancing act even trickier. Its confident, polished responses can mask a dangerous problem: A...

Ever found yourself paralyzed by a blinking cursor, struggling to craft the perfect donor message? You're not alone. Fundraising writing can be deeply intimidating—it needs to reflect understanding, empathy, clarity, and warmth all at once while connecting emotionally with donors. The secret to breaking through this paralysis lies in a simple mindset shift: momentum beats perfection. Every ti...

Every fundraiser knows that donor trust is the foundation of successful philanthropic relationships. But in our rush to embrace powerful AI tools like ChatGPT, we risk compromising that trust through accidental exposure of sensitive information. What begins as an innocent copy-paste into an AI prompt can instantly transform into a serious data breach that damages hard-earned relationships. This ep...

Trapped in an endless cycle of drafting donor emails while meaningful connections take a backseat? The silent crisis of administrative drag is depleting fundraisers' energy and passion nationwide. What if reclaiming hours every week could be as simple as embracing the right technological tools? This transformative exploration reveals how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your fundraisin...

Have you ever left a donor meeting wondering, “Why did I say it like that?” Or felt that quiet pressure to be more agreeable, more polished, more… perfect? In this episode, Keith shares a story fresh from the road—an alumni reception that turned into a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be everyone’s favorite to be an exceptional fundraiser. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, felt th...

Ever poured hours into a project only to watch it get worse, not better? That frustrating cycle of diminishing returns might be fueled by a deeply-held belief that's actually holding you back. Growing up, I absorbed my father's working-class ethos that hard work—defined by time spent, effort exerted, and suffering endured—was the only path to success. This belief followed me through scho...

Have you ever left a donor meeting, recorded quick thoughts on your phone, then spent hours translating those scattered notes into a proper contact report? There's a better way. At AFP Icon in Seattle last month, I watched a room full of fundraisers experience a collective "aha" moment. It wasn't sparked by fancy tech demos or pie-in-the-sky AI promises. It happened when they r...

The journey from behind-the-scenes prospect researcher to frontline major gift officer can feel like jumping into the deep end without a life vest. In this illuminating conversation, Matt Stokes , Leadership Giving Officer at Yale University, shares his experience making this challenging career transition and the lessons he's learned along the way. Matt brings a unique perspective, having spe...

When you picture a successful fundraiser, do you imagine someone who commands the room, speaks eloquently without hesitation, and thrives in crowds of donors? That stereotype has dominated our field for decades—but what if the most powerful fundraising superpower isn't being heard, but truly hearing others? Carissa Konesky, CFRE and advancement officer at Simon Fraser University, challenges t...

Fundraising shouldn’t feel like manipulation. It shouldn’t leave donors feeling drained, guilty, or pressured into giving. Yet, so much of our industry—especially certain political campaigns—leans into fear as a motivator. And while fear might work once , it doesn’t build relationships. It doesn’t make donors want to come back. You know what does? Joy. In this episode, I’m sharing two unforgettabl...

Can AI really enhance human connection in fundraising, or is it just a high-tech distraction? Let's tackle this question head-on, revealing how AI can be a transformative force in the nonprofit sector. This episode isn't about replacing the personal touch — it's about using AI to deepen it. As I prepare for my upcoming session at the AFP Icon conference in Seattle, I'll guide y...

Have you ever felt like fundraising was just begging for money ? Like you were throwing out asks and hoping someone  would say yes? If so, you’re not alone—but there’s a reason it feels that way. And it’s not just you. In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising , I break down the difference between real fundraising and what I call panhandling . It all started with a phone call that should’ve been a...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Bri Gerzevske, an expert in nonprofit fundraising leadership, as she shares her transformative approach to creating high-functioning teams. Ever wondered how to step into a new leadership role and immediately start building trust and a positive team culture? Bri’s strategy centers around joy and belonging, and she shares how one-on-one meetings can hel...

What if holiday generosity could transform lives beyond the festive season? Leanne Baumel, Chief Development Officer at Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, joins us to share her insights from the frontline of holiday fundraising. We'll unravel the complexities and joys of orchestrating campaigns like "Triple the Hope," which has successfully raised over $550,000, and explore the heartfe...

Ever wonder why so many fundraisers are burnt out and how to truly support their well-being? Join us as we engage with Raiya Sankari-Diaz , a global HR expert, to uncover the hidden causes of burnout in the fundraising sector. Forget superficial solutions like mindfulness apps; Raiya shares why authentic well-being programs, backed by genuine leadership buy-in, are essential. We explore the pitfal...

Unlocking the secrets to managing effective nonprofit boards, our episode promises to transform your approach to board recruitment and engagement. With our insightful guest, Phelosha Collaros, we uncover how to transcend the traditional focus on financial capacity and instead recruit board members driven by passion and alignment with your mission. This discussion challenges the norm, advocating fo...

Unlock the secret to unlocking donors' hearts and wallets with gratitude! Discover how practicing genuine appreciation can transform your fundraising efforts and create lasting partnerships. Dive into the "rule of seven" and learn how consistent, heartfelt gestures can make your supporters feel truly valued and connected to your cause. Learn from Heidi Atkinson's insights as we...

Unlock the transformative potential of AI in fundraising, as we explore how technology is reshaping the nonprofit landscape. From the initial skepticism and concerns of job security that accompanied the launch of ChatGPT, to the innovative strides made in aligning AI outputs with organizational values, this episode promises a journey through the evolving perceptions and uses of AI in the nonprofit...

Unlock the secrets of authentic leadership with Lasha Murray, the visionary founder of The Unapologetic Leadership Coach . Lasha introduces her groundbreaking BANG framework—Belonging, Authenticity, Networking, and Growth—designed to create meaningful professional connections. Together, we tackle the challenges young professionals face in maintaining their authenticity amidst workplace conformity...

Unlock the future of nonprofit success with ChatGPT as your intelligent ally. Ever wondered how artificial intelligence can do more than just draft emails? Dive into a world where ChatGPT revolutionizes nonprofit operations, from automating data tasks to crafting strategic plans and designing dynamic dashboards. We'll reveal practical insights on managing data with precision and creating powe...

What happens when a job interview turns into an ethical quagmire? Join us as we unravel the story of a fellow fundraiser who faced an unsettling request during a job interview: to bring specific donors along to a new organization. This episode digs deep into the ethical complexities and challenges fundraisers face, especially when moving between jobs. We emphasize the critical need for genuine don...

What does it take to muster the courage to sing in front of an audience when fear grips you by the throat? Join us as we share a personal story that transforms a paralyzing fear into a triumphant moment, revealing profound parallels to the world of fundraising. We unpack the emotional journey fundraisers undertake, from the sting of rejection to the high stakes of advocating for causes that matter...

Can you imagine fostering genuine understanding between political opponents in today's polarized climate? In this episode, we promise you'll gain the tools to do just that by learning from Dawn Strauss , Director of Development at Braver Angels . Dawn shares her remarkable journey of bringing Trump and Clinton supporters together through Braver Angels’ innovative Red Blue Workshops, whic...

Kevin L. Brown's LinkedIn Post that caught my eye. Ever felt like you're chasing donors who just aren’t that into you? It's time to rethink your strategy. This episode of Let's Talk Fundraising takes a deep dive into why some donors remain elusive and how to stop wasting your time. Inspired by Kevin L Brown 's thought-provoking LinkedIn post and insights from sales expert...