At the AFP Conference last summer, two fundraisers from the East Texas Food Bank reached out to Jeff. They wanted to share with him how taking our Certification Course two years ago has made a huge difference for them in building deeper donor relationships and bringing in more revenue for their mission. We felt so inspired by the conversation and the long-term results they’re seeing now, two whole years after taking the training. So, for today’s episode, we invited Hannah Harris, Donor...

One of the greatest barriers to your success in relational fundraising is whether or not the rest of your organization understands and supports this work.  We hear stories all the time from frustrated fundraisers who aren’t able to get important program information, can’t easily share the impact, and don’t have donor offers to present.  So for this episode, we’re sharing some guidance, tips, and language to help you start talking about fundraising within your organization so you can get...

We get a lot of questions from our community about basic best practices in fundraising. And we get it! It’s one thing to understand these ideas in theory, but even the most experienced fundraisers run into questions when it comes to implementation. So, for this podcast episode, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions we receive about the basics to encourage you and help you make sure you’ve got the basics down.   Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…  Why you still...

For your organization to continue to grow, you need to invest in an organized program for identifying and stewarding planned gifts. Planned giving is an essential part of relational fundraising, yet so many fundraisers avoid it simply because they don’t have a system that supports them to engage donors in this way. So for this podcast episode, we’ll be talking about the three legs that make up a successful planned giving program. Listen in to learn how to build a program that will support...

If you put off your year-end planning until October or November, you may find yourself scrambling to get things done at the last minute, without any broader strategy behind your communications. Which is why we recommend starting now!  But we know it can be overwhelming to think about everything you need to do at year-end. So in this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite tips and ideas to help you build efficiencies into your year-end plan, so that this time of year can stop being...

At this point, most organizations have realized the value of having a relational major gifts program. But there are still many non-profit leaders out there who can’t get over the initial cost of investing in a major gifts program, even though those programs can have an ROI of 10 to 1, or more!  So, what’s holding you back from investing in major gifts? In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Jeff and Richard discuss the obstacles that are holding leaders back from investing...

Having a culture of collaboration is critical to your success in fundraising. Do you have solid relationships with your counterparts in Finance, Program, and Marketing? Or does each department prioritize their own individual goals, at the expense of your mission? Poor communication and competition between departments means that your donor is not getting the best possible care and service, and they may choose to give elsewhere. In this re-release of one of our most listened-to episodes, Jeff...

It’s summertime! Hopefully, you’re taking some quality time off. And whenever you’re back in the office, you may even find yourself with some quiet days where your inbox is not blowing up and all your meetings are cancelled. This is a great time to reflect and plan for how you’re going to meet your goals by year-end. In this episode re-release from 2021, Jeff is joined by Lisa Robertson, Director of Client Services at Veritus Group. Together, they share five ideas for what you can do this...

Even before the pandemic, finding and hiring the right candidates for fundraising roles was a challenge. Now, many organizations are struggling to even get a good pool of candidates, let alone find the right candidate from within that pool.  In this podcast episode, Jeff and Karen are joined by special guest Paul Towne, Executive Search Consultant with Cooper Coleman. As a search consultant who works exclusively with non-profit and social impact organizations, Paul has extensive knowledge...

Many fundraisers can share about a time where a donor overstepped one of their personal boundaries. Yet historically, the non-profit sector has not been proactive about preparing for when a donor says or does something inappropriate. A fundraiser is tasked with bringing in funds for an important cause, but that should never come at the expense of their personal well-being. Fundraisers need to be clear on their own personal boundaries, and they need to feel the support of their organization...

Your donors give because it makes them feel connected to their heart and passion for making a difference in the world. And your organization is probably not the only one they’re giving to, which means that your donors are getting a lot of messages from the organizations they sponsor.  With so much competition for their attention, how do you stand out from the rest and win your donors’ hearts? In this episode re-release from 2021, Richard and Jeff offer seven ways that you can stand out with...

The 2023 report by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project revealed that for the first time in a decade, the national average for major giving revenue went DOWN by -4% in 2022. This has generated a lot of concern in the fundraising community about the future of philanthropy. The good news is – you don’t have to accept decreasing revenue as the new normal.  When this report came out, we took a look at how our clients had done by comparison. While the findings showed that nationally, major...

Have you ever experienced the impact of a coach in your life? Maybe you had a great coach when you played sports or an instrument. Or perhaps you’ve worked with a life coach, spiritual advisor, or someone who’s an expert in a hobby of yours. How has that impacted you?  The role of a coach is somewhat different from a teacher or instructor. They’re not just lecturing or demonstrating. A coach takes a different approach. They see your strengths, and they work with you to hone your abilities...

This topic is a controversial one. But stay with us for a minute! Any fundraiser’s primary objective is to connect with donors. And those donors are people with busy lives. They might only be available after 5pm, or only on weekends. They might be located internationally. For so many reasons, MGOs need to be flexible so they can meet when it’s convenient for the donor. So, should MGOs also be expected to sit at a desk from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday? It seems like the answer...

If you’ve shied away from bringing up planned giving in your donor conversations… you’re not alone! Whether you’re a major gift officer, mid-level officer, executive director of your organization – many people feel some hesitation about bringing up a topic that touches on the donor’s death. On this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard interview Robert Shafis, our Director of Planned Giving Services, to put some of those fears to rest and give you some tools and strategies to help you feel more...

Are your board members actively engaged in fundraising for your non-profit? And if not – how can you encourage them to get involved? In this episode, Jeff Schreifels and Karen Kendrick are joined by Renita Tyson for a conversation about how non-profits can build a better partnership with their boards. Renita is a Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group with a background in numerous sectors, from Fortune 500 companies to small industrial manufacturers. She’s held positions in sales,...

Imagine this scenario: you’re a leader of a non-profit, and you run into a major donor at an event. They ask how things are going at the organization. How do you respond? A: “Things are great! We’re on track to meet our revenue goals by the end of the year.” B: “Right now, we’re focused on growing our XYZ Program so we can provide more services for families in need. We’ve seen some incredible results through this program already; can I share a little about what we hope to do in the year...

Sometimes fundraisers are so self-sacrificing in their work that they lose themselves. They give 110%, until they can’t do it anymore. These are the ones who are at risk of burning out and leaving the profession entirely. That’s why we’re devoting this episode to a conversation about self-love and setting boundaries to give yourself room for renewal. When you practice self-love and self-care, you’ll be able to bring more to your role as a fundraiser and create deeper relationships with...

If you're over-investing in donor acquisition and cultivation, but not investing enough in the upper end of the pipeline, then the donors that you've acquired can't be properly cultivated into mid-level, major gifts, or planned gifts. And the reverse is a problem too, when non-profit leaders insist on discovering new major donors outside of their existing donor pools, because they’re not investing enough in donor cultivation. How do you find the right balance? In this episode, Richard and...

Successful fundraising programs depend on great managers who can provide fundraisers with feedback, accountability, and encouragement. It’s a full-time job, and it requires a certain set of skills. Yet many non-profit managers are expected to continue to manage their own caseloads in addition to their team’s. They may have been moved into their role without training or support. And on top of that, the skills that make someone a successful fundraiser don’t necessarily translate to being an...

When you get back to the office or start up your computer again after a holiday, it always takes a while to get re-oriented. If you do a little prep now, you’ll thank yourself when you come back with a clear game plan to follow! We hope you have a peaceful and relaxing holiday season, with some time off that helps you to recharge. And when you get back to work, you can feel confident that you’re starting the year off right with these areas as your top priorities during your first week...

There’s a temptation to send out more communication at the end of the year. And it’s understandable; there’s a lot to share during this season, and you want to keep your donors informed. But communicating more frequently doesn’t make it more effective. In fact, if you send emails and letters about every event, fundraising campaign, organizational report, and holiday greeting, your donors may start to tune out. In this podcast episode, we’re sharing our tips to help you create engaging and...

It’s the most intimidating part of fundraising: asking someone for a gift. But that’s not the only thing that fundraisers need to ask for. They’re also requesting meetings, inviting people to give their time at events, and asking donors to share the personal driver that inspires their giving. So, whatever your ask is for – how do you do it in a way that honors the donor as a partner in your mission? We developed our Permission-Based Asking™model as a framework for more authentic dialogue....

Does your organization encourage you to bring your authentic self to your work in the non-profit space? Or do you feel pressure to self-censor certain parts of your identity? Many non-profit employees say that their workplace culture has created an environment where they’re not comfortable or do not feel safe bringing their authentic selves to work. And this is particularly damaging in fundraising, where you need to bring a certain amount of vulnerability because of the deeply personal...

Usually, people have the best of intentions. But it’s shocking how many organizations have internalized some misguided views of fundraising without realizing how their mindset is hurting their donor relationships. There’s plenty of wrong thinking out there, and on today’s episode, we’ll talk about what it looks like when fundraising leaders and professionals don’t prioritize the donor. Remember, donors are not a means to an end. They’re the lifeblood of your organization and partners in...