Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

Often, we’re too quick to jump into the solution with our donors and we fail to connect the donor, meaningfully, to the problem we’re working to solve. When done properly, connecting your donor to the problem, in human and emotional terms, can have a massive impact for that donor and your organization. In today’s podcast episode, Richard and Jeff share why bringing donors close to the need is such a core part of our fundraising philosophy. They focus on specific tips that will help you draw yourself and your donors closer to the problem your organization is committed to solving. Learn more about connecting your donors to the need in our FREE White Paper, “Transporting Your Donor to the Scene.” You can download your copy here.

As the year comes to a close and you wrap up your year-end fundraising efforts, there are a few strategies and tactics you can do to make an impact next week. This next week can be valuable time to do some follow-up, thank your donors, and prepare for the month to come. If you've done all five of these things, then you've truly done all you can do this season! If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can check out this blog (also this one.) And if you’re eager to start creating a more disciplined and focused approach to your donor communication plans, download our free White Paper on “Creating Strategic Plans and Goals for Every Major Donor.”

Does the idea of having a tough conversation with someone at work give you anxiety? You’re not alone. Most people prefer to steer clear of difficult topics and possible conflict, but the reality is that knowing how to have challenging conversations is critical in developing a cohesive and trusting team. In today’s podcast episode, Jeff Schreifels invites Karen Kendrick, our Senior Director of Learning, and Brandyn Campbell, a communications and DEI expert, to discuss why we often struggle with challenging conversations and how to shift our own perspective to address difficult topics in an honoring and respectful way. Introducing our guest: Brandyn Campbell Brandyn Campbell runs Brandyn Campbell Communications and is a DEI expert. Brandyn is also an accomplished communications specialist, educator, speaker, and strategist who has worked with some incredible organizations including the Philadelphia Eagles. For the past 15 years, she’s devoted her career to providing education on navigating cultural differences to business leaders and students alike. You can connect with Brandyn through her website: https://www.brandyncampbell.com/

How can you focus on being present when there is an endless list of things pulling your attention? Learning to be more present takes practice, time, and boundaries. It requires a change of mindset to stop seeing our value tied to what we produce. In today’s episode, Karen Kendrick does a podcast takeover to speak with Wes Avants and Janis Cooper about how to create boundaries, what activities can help you feel more present, and why self-care is such an important priority for fundraisers, especially during busy seasons. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, visit our website in the Webinar section, under Resources, to find an on-demand webinar about creating boundaries. https://veritusgroup.com/webinars Introducing our guests: Janis Cooper Janis Cooper is a coach and learning development facilitator. She guides individuals, leaders, and teams in ways that offer new insights into themselves, and others, so they may build more effective and influential relationships. Janis uses a variety of tools, assessments, programs, and practices that build self-awareness and help shift negative thoughts and behaviors to ones that produce positive thoughts and outcomes where personal and business success is generated. Janis operates Janis Cooper Consulting. She also provides Leadership, Staff Development, and Wellbeing programs for Best Friends Animal Society, a U.S. animal welfare non-profit organization. She can be reached at janiscooper@janiscooper.com. Wes Avants Building on his background in psychology and leadership development, Wes Avants helps individuals increase their practice of being calm, curious, confident, and clear so they can cultivate meaningful connections and trust with others. Over the course of his career, Wes has come to believe that self-awareness, self-compassion, and moral courage are keys to unlocking the fullest expression of one’s effectiveness and personal satisfaction. Wes and his wife Cindy live in The Woodlands, Texas, where they enjoy cycling, painting, movies, yoga, and sharing coffee on their back porch. They have two grown children and are proud grandparents.

Gratitude feels great in the moment... but this feeling is fleeting. When it comes to celebrating the impact your donors are making, and being grateful for their support, you cannot thank them too much.  In today's episode, Richard and Jeff talk about why showing gratitude is so important in building meaningful donor relationships and in your own mental well-being. They also discuss ways to bring thankfulness into your work to keep you rooted in why you do what you do.  If you want more content related to how you can support your own mental well-being, check out our Webinars page and look for the webinar titled "Depleted? Overwhelmed? Start Setting Boundaries." 

What is it like to be a Black fundraiser in North America? Do you believe the experiences and challenges that Black fundraisers regularly live through and survive in the non-profit sector?  In today's podcast episode, Richard and Jeff talk with the editors of Collecting Courage, a collection of stories from Black fundraisers in the U.S. and Canada. Nneka Allen, Nicole Salmon, and Camila Pereira each have powerful stories to tell. Join us as they share about their experiences working in the non-profit sector and inspire all of us to make change happen.  You can learn more about Collecting Courage and find where to purchase the book here: https://www.collectingcourage.org/ And you can connect with the editors through LinkedIn here: - Nneka Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nnekaallen/ - Nicole Salmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolesalmon1/ - Camila Pereira: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-pereira-phd-8b085814/

There are some fundraising and donor horror stories out there that are startling... and some that are downright unbelievable. And there are many fundraisers in the non-profit sector who have had experiences that are truly bizarre and surprising.  In this episode, Richard and Jeff share some of the stories we've heard from fundraisers that will shock you. These stories are meant to help us all learn how to create better cultures within our organization, set healthy boundaries, and to encourage you to speak up when inappropriate situations occur. 

As a fundraiser or fundraising leader, it can be challenging to know where to go to get your questions answered. It can also be overwhelming to find the right answer with how much information is available through the Internet. When we reached out to our network and asked them to share their most pressing questions, there was an astounding response!  In today's episode, Richard and Jeff respond to a variety of questions submitted by listeners and readers that cover how to know when you need to hire another fundraiser, how to advocate for admin support, and more. 

Do Membership Programs Suppress Giving? Membership programs, when used incorrectly, are causing you to lose out on building true and authentic major donor relationships. Now, we’re not anti-membership programs, but many organizations do not set these programs up in a way that helps fundraisers engage with their donors in meaningful ways. And the result is that these donors get stuck at their annual giving level, while they make more impactful major gifts elsewhere. In this episode, Richard and Jeffrespond to a recent question about if membership programs really do suppress giving and share more about our perspective on the role membership programs should have at your organization.

Many front-line fundraisers are telling us they are being asked to go back to the office this fall. But, with the Delta Variant causing more communities to reinstitute mask mandates and social distancing, is that wise? Do you even need that added stress right now? But here’s the real question: Should frontline fundraisers EVER be required to work from the office? And, if you are going to bring back your staff, how are you doing it in a way that honors and protects them? In this episode, Richard and Jeff discuss what we’re hearing from fundraisers about the transition back to the office and what the research says about whether your team can work remotely.