Frank Mumford, a seasoned fundraiser with 14 years in the charity sector, shares rich insights on the pressing challenges nonprofits face today. He emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships over transactional approaches, particularly in donor engagement. The discussion addresses staff turnover's impact on these relationships and advocates for diversity in charitable leadership. Mumford also explores the role of AI in enhancing engagement while stressing that the human touch remains irreplaceable. Lastly, he highlights work-life balance as crucial for fundraisers.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Fundraising Began As A Student Caller
Frank Mumford started fundraising as a university student caller and loved building donor connections.
He later returned to nonprofit work after private-sector roles to follow his passion for impact.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Make The Second Message A Real Thank-You
Personalize stewardship beyond the automatic confirmation email; treat that first human follow-up as the real thank-you.
Spend two minutes checking donor history and mention one relevant detail in your follow-up.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start Calls By Saying You’re Not Asking
When you call donors, start by saying you are not asking for money to lower barriers and build trust.
Use calls to genuinely thank donors and prompt open conversation.
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Struggling with staff leaving, keeping donors happy, or having competent leaders? In this episode of The Small Nonprofit, host Maria Rio sits down with fundraising expert Frank Mumford, who shares his journey from student caller to nonprofit consultant and thought leader. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of fundraising, the importance of authentic donor stewardship, and how nonprofits can navigate trends like AI and data-driven personalization to build meaningful relationships.
Frank also delves into his experiences transitioning from frontline fundraising to the vendor side, offering practical advice for fundraisers looking to amplify their impact and explore new opportunities in the sector.
Donor Relationships & Fundraising Trends - the highlights:
Why donor stewardship is more than just a thank-you email – it’s about creating a personal connection.
Tips for balancing professional and personal relationships with donors while keeping the focus on the mission.
How to personalize donor engagement without overcomplicating the process, including leveraging data and thoughtful follow-ups.
Trends in fundraising, such as the rise of mid-level giving and the use of AI to save time and prioritize donor outreach.
Challenges nonprofits face, from staff turnover to data management, and how leaders can foster more sustainable organizational cultures.
The importance of introducing donors to other staff and leaders to strengthen their connection to the organization.
Why fundraisers should embrace their power and advocate for healthier workplace practices.
🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!
About Frank Mumford:
Our guest is Frank Mumford, a seasoned fundraiser with 14 years in the charity sector. Frank started as a student fundraiser and now works at Gravyty, where he helps charities with new software solutions. He's been a CFRE since 2019 and is active in several nonprofit boards. Frank will share his views on the challenges that charities and fundraisers face today.
Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions