Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

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 achieving your mission. Keep an open mind as you listen in today; if you’ve made these mistakes, that’s ok to admit. Making mistakes is all part of the process. But if you aren't learning and growing each time, then you're missing out on opportunities for positive change. Show Highlights: In this episode, we’ll share how non-profits unintentionally damage their donor relationships when they… Don’t understand the role of fundraising Promote a misguided view of the role of the donor Fail to recognize the spiritual nature of giving Treat donors as a means to an end Set up a system and structure that is disconnected from the donor journey Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [BLOG] Mistakes You’re Making That Suppress Major Donor Giving [VIDEO] What’s Holding Non-Profits Back From Treating Their Donors Well? [WHITE PAPER] Building a Culture of Philanthropy

We talk a lot about the importance of taking your donor to the scene so that the need feels real and personal to them. But there’s a risk of exploiting the very communities you serve if their stories are not told in an honoring way. Some non-profits paint themselves as the heroes, when really, the people they serve deserve the credit for and ownership of their stories. Particularly in communities where the population served may be mostly Black or Latinx, while the non-profit staff members are white, it can feel like another instance of “white saviorism” which has done a lot of damage in these communities. So how do you share stories of transformation from your community, without suggesting a savior mentality? To help us unpack this topic, we’ve invited a special guest, Aliguma Young. Aliguma is the founding CEO of The Super Fundraiser. With almost 20 years in fundraising, Aliguma has raised over $200,000,000 for non-profit organizations, nationally and internationally. She launched The Super Fundraiser to support non-profit organizations in developing equity-led fundraising that empowers communities and drives real change. We hope this episode will inspire you to start a conversation about your own organization’s relationship to the community it serves. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… The concept of “white saviorism,” what it looks like when non-profit organizations or staff members have a savior mentality, and how this is harmful to the communities served How to promote equity as part of your organizational mission How to involve members of the community in creating a solution Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [Podcast] Supporting Black and Brown Colleagues in the Non-Profit Sector [Blog] Why Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Join in the Journey for Racial Justice [Podcast] The Confidence to Have Tough Conversations

What is it that makes The Veritus Way of fundraising so successful? To tell you more about it, we’ve invited a couple of our clients to share about their experiences with the Veritus approach to fundraising. Listen in to learn about how they approached integrating The Veritus Way into their work, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, and what they would share with others who are working to implement a new approach to fundraising. You may recognize some of your own challenges in their stories and successes. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand experiences of… How The Veritus Way stands out from other systems and structures What was most challenging about adopting a new approach What was most impactful in these fundraisers’ success Advice to others who are considering implementing a new system at their non-profit Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: Free Donor File Assessment What is the Veritus Way? Is Co-Management the Solution?

Do you have a strategy to help you allocate your time per donor? The reality is, you only have so much time in a day. And you need to be a good steward of that time. So, while we value all donors as people, the impact they have is not equal. Some will give much more than others, and those donors need a bigger investment of your time and energy. On this episode, Jeff is joined by Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services, to talk about the idea of tiering donor caseloads. This is a core component of the system and structure we follow as part of The Veritus Way. Join us for this conversation about the process of tiering and how it works to help you focus your time where you can make the most impact. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… The process of tiering your caseload donors A-C Misconceptions about what it means to tier donors and engage them at different levels Challenges that arise when a caseload isn’t tiered Differences in tiering a major gifts caseload versus a mid-level caseload How tiering helps fundraisers to better engage their donors Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [White Paper] Tiering Donors to Create Focused Caseloads [Blog] You Can’t Spend All Your Time With a Donor Just Because You Like Them [Video] Why “Tier” Donors in a Major Gift Caseload?

What’s so great about mid-level? We’re so glad you asked! More and more organizations are discovering that mid-level is the key to retaining donors and donor value. When you have a mid-level program that’s focused on building relationships with donors and discovering their passions and interests, it allows you to qualify and move more donors to major gifts. And in addition to inspiring more donor engagement and connection, a mid-level program really makes a difference for your organization’s bottom line. This podcast episode features Kara Ansotegui, one of our Client Experience Leaders, and Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services. Kara and Lisa together have decades of experience with non-profits, and they have a passion for the power of mid-level (and making it FUN). We hope this conversation will inspire you to get started on mid-level, so your organization can make a greater impact toward its mission. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… The role of mid-level in building a healthy donor pipeline where donors are engaged from acquisition all the way to planned giving How mid-level programs improve rates of donor and donor value attrition How a strong mid-level program allows you to qualify and move more donors up into major gifts Net revenue increases that our mid-level clients have seen after starting a mid-level program Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [Podcast] Keep, Lift, Move: The Three Objectives of a Successful Mid-Level Program [Blog] How to Overcome the Fear and Get Started on Your Mid-Level Program [Course] Certification Course in Mid-Level Fundraising

Looking for inspiration to help you plan for the fall fundraising season? Look no further! Since we’re privileged to work with so many different non-profit organizations, we have a bird’s-eye view of the latest fundraising trends and themes. From year-end planning to giving trends to technology in the relational giving space – exciting things are happening. On this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard are joined by Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services, to share some tips based on what’s working well for our clients. Listen in for some great ideas and strategies to energize your fundraising program this fall! Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… Fundraising trends and themes we’re seeing with Veritus clients Strategies our clients are using to provide exceptional donor service (and how you can apply these in your own organization) Common challenges that non-profits are facing in the second half of 2022 Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: Exceptional Donor Service Starts With You Do You Provide a 5-Star Donor Experience? Discovering Your Donor’s Passions and Interests

In this re-release of our all-time most popular episode, Richard and Jeff share 15 questions for you to use in conversation with your donors to help you better understand their passions, interests, and goals for their giving. No matter what you think you know about your donor, always stay curious about their story. Do you really know why they give to your organization? Your donors want to be known. When you ask these kinds of open-ended questions, it creates an opportunity for deeper connection with your donors. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… How to take your donor relationships deeper by staying curious Specific questions to ask your donors so that you can better understand their passions and bring them more joy in their giving Why it’s so important to know the specific drivers behind your donor’s giving Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [WHITE PAPER] How to Create Meaningful Connections with Donors [VIDEO] Do You Really Know the Driver Behind Your Donor’s Passions and Interests? [COURSE] Discovering Your Donor’s Passions and Interests

Talking about your mission with donors can sometimes feel challenging, especially if you’re an organization that provides indirect services. Do you know if you’re effectively communicating your mission and impact to your donors? It may seem pretty straightforward for organizations that provide direct services like housing, meals, or other tangible items. But what if your organization is an advocacy group or a similar kind of organization that gets results through others? On today’s podcast episode, Jeff is joined by Karen Kendrick, our Senior Director of Learning at Veritus Group, for a conversation about how organizations with an indirect impact can talk about their mission in a way that resonates with donors. Telling your story is just as important, and maybe even more necessary, when your mission is less direct. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… The biggest challenges that non-profits have when it comes to speaking about their mission (whether they provide direct or indirect services) How to shift your mindset so you can communicate about your mission in a way that connects with donors Strategies to help you develop your mission statement, and examples of what works well Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [WHITE PAPER] Transporting Your Donor to the Scene [VIDEO] How do you report back on impact when your non-profit doesn’t offer direct services? [BLOG] Donors As Mission: A New Paradigm

Many non-profits have a membership model as a key part of their fundraising strategy. And while membership donors can be some of the most loyal and consistent in their giving, a membership model can also be limiting. Donors are going to give what you ask for. If you ask donors to give $120 a year (for a free tote bag!), that’s what people will give you. But your donors have the capacity and the desire to do more – if you bring them an offer that matches their passions and interests. If you’re not incorporating relationship-based fundraising into your strategy, you aren’t tapping into your donors’ potential to give transformationally. On today’s podcast episode, we’re doing a deep dive on this topic, and we’ve invited a special guest. Joining us today is Joyce MacDonald, CEO of Greater Public. She’ll share what happened when organizations she worked with shifted from basically a membership-only model to invest in mid and major gift fundraising programs. Listen to find out the results! And if you’re looking for support in starting up or growing your major gifts program, check out our Certification Courses for Major Gift Fundraisers and for Fundraising Managers and Leaders. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… · The history of membership models · How to move from a membership mindset to a mid / major gifts approach · What you can learn from the success of public media stations in developing major and mid-level gift programs · How to get started on this path and make the case for change using real numbers to gain buy-in from leadership Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: · Take the Next Step: Request Your Free Donor File Assessment · The Problem with Giving Societies and Membership Programs · Do Membership Programs Suppress Giving?

More and more non-profits are discovering that mid-level is the key to a healthy donor pipeline. If you’re wondering where to find more major donors, the answer is almost always: look to your mid-level donors. But how do you know if your mid-level program is working as it should? At Veritus, we evaluate mid-level programs based on three key objectives: Keep, Lift, and Move. When you measure each of these components, you’ll be able to see the real impact of your mid-level program in growing your donor pipeline. For this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff hand it over to Lisa and Kara, two of our in-house experts on mid-level programs, for a conversation about how to approach your mid-level goals and KPIs so that you can retain more donors and move those who are ready into major gifts. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… How to measure and report on the success of your mid-level program, and the three main KPIs for mid-level: Keep – What are your donor retention and attrition rates for mid-level? Lift – How many mid-level donors are increasing their giving year over year? Move – How many of your mid-level donors are you moving into major gifts? Getting a baseline for your donor attrition rates and average gift sizes. (You can request our free donor file analysis here.) What kind of timeline to expect before you see results from a new mid-level program. Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: Cultivating Mid-Level Donors for Maximum Results Do You Need Goals for Mid-Level? Certification Course for Mid-Level Fundraisers