Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

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 overwhelming and start being fun, creative, and impactful. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll discover…  What gets in the way of effective year-end planning Tips for fundraisers looking for efficiencies in their year-end planning and strategy How non-profit managers and leaders can help their teams create an effective plan for year-end

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 in major gifts. They also share about the average ROI you can expect from a mature major gifts program, and the foundational elements you need to have in place in order to see those benefits.  Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll discover…  The obstacles that hold non-profit leaders back from investing in major gifts, and how to overcome those objections Average return-on-investment you’ll see from a mature major gifts program, and setting expectations for how long it takes to get there The key elements of a major gifts program, including: a donor-centered culture, support from your leadership and finance team, and measurable results that demonstrate the efficacy of your programs

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 and Richard discuss how fundraisers can promote better relationships within their organizations so that everyone is aligned in supporting the donor journey. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…  Why it’s so important for fundraisers to collaborate with other departments How to bridge the gap between your non-fundraising colleagues and donors How fundraisers can encourage better communication between groups

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 summer that will set you up for a successful year-end.  Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Reviewing your caseload to determine whether any donors need to be moved How to get creative with your donor outreach during the summer Using the slower summer months to focus on professional development And more ideas for how fundraisers can make the most of the summer season!

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 about how to attract the right candidates and identify the best match for the position.  We hope this conversation gives you some helpful ideas and tools to use when you’re hiring for your next fundraising role! Show Highlights: In this episode, we discuss…  Why organizations are having such a tough time hiring fundraisers How the rise of remote and hybrid work has impacted the job market How to attract diverse applicants and select candidates who are a good fit for your organizational culture and community

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 when a situation arises.  In this episode featuring special guest Rachel Wyley, CEO and Founder of Culture Kinesis, we talk about the power dynamics at play and how fundraisers and leaders can respond when a donor says or does something that crosses a line. Show Highlights: In this episode, we discuss…  The power dynamics at play in conversations between donors and fundraisers  How to define your own personal boundaries for both physical and psychological safety The lack of support for fundraisers who are dealing with uncomfortable or inappropriate situations What can leaders do to better protect and care for their staff How fundraisers can respond when a donor says or does something that crosses a boundary

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 your donors, so you can build more authentic relationships and encourage donors to engage with you as partners in your mission. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…  What it means to bring your authentic self to your donor relationships The power of listening and asking good questions in your donor conversations How to build strategic, personal touch points into your communication plan that will remind the donor that you know who they are as an individual

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 gifts revenue was down -4% for the first time since 2013, our clients saw an average increase of +22%. And for donors giving $500-$5,000 level (what we would identify as mid-level), national numbers were down -3.9% in revenue in 2022 compared to 2021. Our mid-level clients, however, were up +7%. Getting this kind of growth isn’t rocket science. It takes dedication and commitment to implement a system and structure that’s designed to create long-lasting partnerships with your donors where they feel deeply connected to your organization’s mission. In this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard examine the results of the report and share how non-profits can adopt strategies to reverse these trends and increase giving to their organization. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…  Key insights from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project on the state of donor giving in 2023 Strategies that enabled Veritus clients to grow their revenue, despite lower giving nationally What fundraising leaders can do to achieve these results for their organization

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 and make tweaks to your process so you can improve. They help you see your own roadblocks and work with you to move past them. Then they’re available to keep reminding you of what you’ve learned, guide you through solutions to overcome obstacles, work on creative ideas, and encourage you to keep going.  When you have this kind of support, it can be transformative to your work. But unfortunately, coaching is often not valued in the fundraising world. And this is having a detrimental impact on your ability to be successful as a fundraiser or fundraising leader.  Today’s episode is all about why we believe that everyone needs a coach. With the right support, you can do even more for your mission.   (Interested in what coaching could look like for you or your team? If you’d like to learn more about our coaching approach, schedule some time to chat with us. We love getting to work with fundraisers like you and we’re happy to answer any questions you have about coaching or other resources to support you in your work.) Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…  Why there’s such a need for coaching in fundraising Our process for co-managing fundraisers in partnership with organizational leadership Advice for listeners who are interested in finding a coach or supporting their team in a coaching capacity

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 would be obvious – it’s simply not sustainable for fundraisers to work all the time. Yet many organizations promote a culture that requires 40 hours in the office, at whatever cost, regardless of the many events and donor meetings the fundraiser attends outside those hours. This has got to change if organizations want to keep great fundraisers. Today’s episode is all about creating the kind of environment that gives fundraisers the freedom they need to nurture their donor relationships without working 60+ hours every week. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… Why we believe that major gift fundraising is not a 9-5 job What happens when leadership doesn’t allow flexible schedules for MGOs (who are also expected to meet with donors outside of 9-5) What it means to manage by objectives, rather than overseeing every hour or every step of the process How leaders and fundraisers can advocate for a culture that supports flexibility and prevents burnout