Major Gifts Fundraiser Podcast-Hosted by Clark Vandeventer

Summary: Clark shares his November playbook for development officers: how to turn Thanksgiving into a month-long movement of gratitude that naturally inspires giving. From pulling lists in October to writing year-end letters in December, he explains how to stay relationally abundant and avoid those awkward, last-minute “can you give before midnight?” calls. What You’ll Learn: Why gratitude—not urg...

Summary As year-end approaches, Clark shares the methodical moves that separate top-performing development officers from everyone else. In this episode, he walks through the two lists every fundraiser should pull before November hits—and how to use them to strengthen relationships and prevent last-minute panic calls in December. What You’ll Learn Why now is the time to pull your LYBUNT list—and ho...

Summary Part two of Clark’s practical “Lessons Learned” series—from an old slide deck that still packs a punch. We cover why mission must lead your conversations, how to cultivate until the “yes” is likely, the art of listening (and how to measure it), why the case must be bigger than your organization, and the simple discipline of getting in the living room, not just the inbox. What You’ll Learn...

Summary: This episode is a walk down memory lane—and a masterclass in the basics that still matter. While looking for a quote from legendary philanthropist Malin Burnham, Clark stumbled on an old slide deck from 2013 titled Lessons Learned: Practical Lessons in Major Gifts Fundraising . It sparked this episode (and likely a series) revisiting the core principles that shaped Clark’s early seminars...

Summary: Clark's back on the mic—recorded just before heading to Guatemala—and reflecting on gratitude, career courage, and what it means to be all in . Whether you’re planning your next donor visit or questioning your fit in your current role, this episode will challenge you to examine your alignment and make the next right move. You'll hear how a hostel in Antigua ties into Clark’s perso...

Is Asking for a Gift the Next Right Thing? Summary: Are you about to ask someone for a gift? Maybe the meeting is already on the calendar… but before you make the ask, Clark wants you to pause and reflect. In this episode, Clark shares a powerful mindset shift that can elevate your fundraising from transactional to transformational: asking not because you need the money , but because it's the next...

Summary: What if every donor interaction was treated like a golden opportunity? In this episode, Clark builds on the themes from Episode 187 ("Surprise and Delight") to dig deeper into what it really takes to create a culture of excellence in donor stewardship. Drawing from his time working at FedEx—and their legendary commitment to quality service—Clark unpacks how great organizations d...

Summary: In this episode, Clark dives into the most underrated (yet powerful) skill a fundraiser can cultivate: gratitude. Far beyond gift acknowledgments and thank-you letters, Clark explores how authentic gratitude—when it’s woven into your worldview—can transform your relationships with donors, elevate your joy in the work, and even raise more money. Drawing from personal reflections, practical...

Summary: In this special episode, Clark is joined by Monica Vandeventer—CEO of Major Gifts Fundraiser and the brain behind the ClarkBot. Together, they unpack how fundraisers can simplify, streamline, and elevate their year-end appeal process using the ClarkBot and a brand-new guided 5-day course. Monica explains how the ClarkBot isn’t just another AI tool—it’s a personalized fundraising assistant...

Summary: Are you walking, resting, or sprinting right now? In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares a powerful metaphor drawn from his time trail running in Tahoe to help you evaluate the pace of your fundraising work. He explores what it means to find a rhythm you can sustain for the long haul—and how to avoid burnout. Clark also offers two simple, relationship-rich habits you can adopt today to...

Summary: In this episode, Clark Vandeventer reflects on his annual “Tahoe Time” and uses the example of his Airbnb hosting experience to deliver a timely message for fundraisers: do the basics well—and then, surprise and delight. Clark draws on a quote from the Disney Guide on customer service to challenge fundraisers not to rely on occasional grand gestures, but to consistently deliver meaningful...

Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser Podcast, Monica and Clark delve into the significance of understanding oneself and others in the context of fundraising. They discuss various personality profiles, the importance of listening, and how to adapt communication styles to better connect with donors. The introduction of the ClarkBot, an AI tool designed to assist fundraisers, is also...

Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of personal connections in donor engagement, navigating donor visits that include family and friends, and the value of shared experiences in fundraising. Additionally, he introduces the ClarkBot, an AI-powered tool designed to assist fundraisers with their questions and strategies. Takeaways Rest is not m...

Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the critical role of culture in fundraising, emphasizing that who you are as a fundraiser matters more than what you do. He explores the importance of genuine gratitude, building authentic relationships with donors, and understanding the deeper nature of donor transactions. The conversation highlights practical strategi...

Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of meaningful connections in fundraising, the introduction of the AI-powered Clark Bot, and practical advice on crafting effective thank you notes. The conversation emphasizes building strong fundraising habits and strategic questions for engaging donors, highlighting the relationship between fundraising...

Summary: In this episode, Clark Vandeventer uses the example of his Airbnb hosting experience to deliver a timely message for fundraisers: do the basics well—and then, surprise and delight. Clark draws on a quote from the Disney Guide on customer service to challenge fundraisers not to rely on occasional grand gestures, but to consistently deliver meaningful, relationship-rich experiences for dono...

Summary In this episode, Clark Vandeventer introduces the innovative ClarkBot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist fundraisers in their efforts. The conversation explores how the ClarkBot can help users navigate donor relationships, set the stage for asks, and determine appropriate ask amounts. Throughout the episode, Clark emphasizes the importance of personal connection and relationship bui...

Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark Vandeventer discusses the importance of morning routines, personal fulfillment through the three-hour rule, and the balance between maintenance and intensity in life. He emphasizes the need for self-care and intentionality in both personal and professional development, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own routines and go...

Clark pulls back the curtain on the internal culture of fundraising teams. Why do so many talented people leave after 18–24 months? What does it take to create an environment where fundraisers feel empowered, supported, and fulfilled? From the joy of meaningful work to the burnout that comes from feeling like a cog in a machine, they explore the hidden forces shaping nonprofit development—and how...

It's another Masterclass inspired episode. In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares some of his notes from Levar Burton's MasterClass on Storytelling. You may know LeVar Burton from his years as host of Reading Rainbow. LeVar talks about how to tell a great story, but Clark emphasizes that great stories only resonnate when they are told be a trusted source, and trust is developed in relat...

Host Clark Vandeventer talks about figuring out the right amount to ask for. Fundraisers! Do you have a hard time knowing the right amount to ask for? Can you ask for too much? What if you "leave money on the table"? Clark gives some guidance on figuring out the right amount to ask for. Check out Clark's "other" podcast Around the World with Mr. Clark, available wherever yo...

Host Clark Vandeventer talks about SMART Goals: SMART goals are a goal-setting technique that uses five benchmarks to help create concise goals and action steps:  S is for Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish M is for Measurable: Quantify your goals and build in milestones to make them easier to track A is for Achievable: Consider if you have the resources to achieve your goal R is...

In the past, you may have heard Clark Vandeventer talk about adding steps to the process. The more you elongate the major gift process and slowly bring your donors along, the safer you'll be. Clark recently heard Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos share the same idea with the phrase, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." The phrase "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" is a military sa...

It's another Masterclass inspired episode. In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares some of his notes from Robin Arzón's MasterClass on Mental Strength. Robin Arzón is an exercise instructor and author, best known as an instructor at Peloton, for which she is also the Vice President of Fitness Programming. Clark shares an incredible mental test he picked up from Robin for you to use whene...

In this episode, Chief Fundraising Coach Clark Vandeventer goes through the basic script for the four types of donor meetings Discovery Cultivation Solicitation Stewardship What are the go-to questions for each of these different type of meetings? How are the goals for each type of meeting different? email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http...