13 Years in One Fundraising Role: How Pam Still Loves Her Job

This episode of The Focused Fundraiser dives into how small-shop fundraisers can beat burnout, build better donor relationships, and focus on what matters most. 

Rob Burke sits down with Pam Thompson, Development Director at Cystic Fibrosis of North Dakota, to unpack what 13 years in the same fundraising role has taught her about avoiding burnout, setting boundaries, and juggling “all the hats” in a tiny development shop.

Pam shares how she turns a Turkey Trot into a year-end fundraising engine, uses donor segmentation and journeys in DonorDock, and treats every supporter according to their unique “donor love language.” You’ll hear practical ways to use your nonprofit CRM for better notes, stronger donor retention, and moving people from a $25 gift to long-term, major-donor relationships.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind on thank-yous, or afraid to pick up the phone, this conversation will help you simplify, refocus, and build a healthier, more sustainable fundraising practice.

What you’ll learn:

• How to recognize and fight fundraiser burnout
• Why boundaries and a shorter work week can actually improve results
• Turning event participants (like Turkey Trot runners) into year-round donors
• Using tags, journeys, and notes in DonorDock (or any CRM) to personalize outreach
• How to discover each donor’s “love language” and steward them accordingly
• Simple ways to re-engage lapsed donors with authentic conversations
• The #1 action you should take today: pick up the phone and call a donor

If you’re curious how DonorDock can help you focus on what matters most and build a strong donor base, visit DonorDock.com and keep up with future episodes of The Focused Fundraiser.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser & intro to Pam

00:27 Pam’s unlikely path into fundraising

01:28 Burnout is real: how Pam stayed 13 years in the same role

02:37 Wearing all the hats in a small development shop

03:24 Prioritizing the “loudest” tasks & Turkey Trot focus

05:10 Turning a Turkey Trot into a year-end fundraising engine

06:45 Tagging Turkey Trot participants & email journeys in DonorDock

07:31 Donor “love languages” & personalized stewardship

09:12 Using CRM notes to deepen donor relationships

11:10 Fighting fundraiser burnout with peers & perspective

12:50 From $25 gift to major donor: the long game

13:36 Overcoming overwhelm with simple next steps

15:39 The one thing every fundraiser should do today: pick up the phone

16:42 Closing thoughts & DonorDock invitation