First Day Podcast

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...

Alexis Buchanan Thomas, representing Black Voters Matter, delves into the importance of saying no in fundraising. Alexis emphasizes the need to remain nonpartisan and true to your organization's mission, even when faced with substantial gifts that may not align with their values. She highlights the significance of conducting thorough research, engaging in team discussions, and creating a gift acce...

Dr. Gen Shaker, the Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, explores the crucial role of the invitation to give in effective fundraising. The conversation delves into various aspects of donor engagement, emphasizing the significance of understanding donors' motivations and cultivating genuine connections that go beyond valui...

Giving USA with Anna Pruitt, Ph. D.

Pamala Wiepking, Ph. D., Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy; Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, discusses the groundbreaking book "The Fundraising Reader," which offers a comprehensive and accessible resource on fundraising. Pamala highlights the challenges faced in fundraising education across different countri...

Una Osili, Ph. D., Associate Dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, discusses research findings from a recent study on how donors make their giving decisions. The study aimed to understand the changes in giving decisions amidst the global pandemic, social justice movement, and economic uncertainty. The study emphasizes the importance of meeting donors where they are, p...

Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph. D. discusses the philanthropic behaviors of the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing that being LGBTQ+ is not the only factor influencing their giving. She advises fundraisers to get to know donors personally and avoid making assumptions about their motivations and interests. Additionally, she dispels the myth that LGBTQ+ donors only give to LGBTQ+ organizations and notes that they...

Erik Daubert discusses the decline in smaller donors and the continued reliance on major donors in traditional philanthropy, with a decline in donor retention rates and a concerning dependency quotient. He emphasizes the need to focus on new donor acquisition and overall retention, while building good foundational donor bases and annual campaigns. Daubert also highlights the importance of thanking...

Maarten Bout and James Hodge discuss the eight-step process of effective major gift fundraising, emphasizing the importance of a benefactor-centric approach, relationship-building, and understanding the philanthropic behaviors of donors to achieve philanthropic inevitability. They stress the significance of values-based fundraising, building a team around the donor to ideate and explore their pass...

The Giving by Generations study shows that since 2016, Millennial giving has increased by 40%, with faith-based organizations being the second most important use of their charitable giving after places of worship. Donors are increasingly supporting para-Church or para-religious organizations. While Boomers and Gen X are showing a decline in volunteering, Millennials and Gen Z are the most engaged...

Dr. Patrick Rooney discusses how high net worth donors give a lot to different types of legal charities, including religious organizations, basic needs, education, social and racial justice, arts and culture, and animal and environmental causes. Additionally, he reveals that upwards of 90-95% of high net worth households donate, with only 9% having formal giving vehicles such as donor advised fund...

Jeannie Infante Sager, director of the Women's Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, explains that women tend to give differently than men and give more across different income, age, and race levels. She highlights that single women are particularly philanthropic and more likely to give generously. Studies show that women are involved in decision-making...