Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

BIG NEWS! Our podcast is evolving. Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers. Non-profit work is not easy. It takes heart. It takes courage. And most days, it takes everything you’ve got. Today, more than ever before, it’s important to have a community where you can tell the truth about what this work really demands, without judgment. A space where you can exhale, be reminded that you’re not alone, and gather the tools and encouragement you need to keep going.That’s what Real Talk for Real Fundraisers is all about.We created this podcast as a place to be real- about the challenges, the joy, the doubt, and the purpose that drives it all. Here, you’ll find honest conversations, stories from the field, and practical insights you can carry into your day-to-day.Because the truth is, fundraising isn’t just about raising money- it’s about connecting with one another. It’s about building real relationships, strengthening community, and showing up with authenticity and heart. It’s about staying grounded in your values and true to your mission, even when the pressure is high. And that’s the kind of work worth talking about.Stay tuned for our first episode, dropping soon!

We all have a desire to connect with others, but we’re often afraid to bring our whole, real, and complete self to our work, which often becomes a liability over time. A lack of authenticity in fundraisers has real, revenue-related consequences for the non-profit.    But how do you foster authentic professional relationships, and not just deep, personal bonds? How do you balance building trust with someone while still achieving your donor and organizational goals?    In this podcast episode, Karen is joined by Nick Khoury, a brilliant strategist and communicator who has spent his career helping people and organizations thrive through the power of authentic relationships. Their conversation dives into a variety of key areas and attributes that fundraisers can develop to have more effective relationships with their donors.     Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   How curiosity, courage, and consistency serve as the building blocks for successful donor relationships  The importance of clear expectations and having a solid plan, so you can avoid wasting time for both parties   Our biggest insights and ideas for how to approach and build authentic relationships 

Edie Dahlen, a seasoned fundraising coach at Veritas Group with over 30 years in non-profit development, joins the discussion on starting the year strong in fundraising. They explore essential strategies for thanking and communicating with donors post-holiday season. Edie reveals the importance of refreshing caseloads and the need to evaluate donor responsiveness. The conversation also highlights goal-setting for 2025 and effective cash flow management, emphasizing collaboration within teams to enhance donor engagement.

Teresa Tapocsi, a client experience leader at Veritas with a knack for frontline fundraising, joins Matt Korn, a seasoned nonprofit coach with over 20 years of experience. They dive into effective year-end strategies for fundraisers. Discover how to target last-minute donors and craft concise messages amidst holiday distractions. Learn the importance of tracking daily gift reports and having a solid follow-up plan. Plus, they share insights on making donations easy and personalizing donor engagement before the year's end.

Karen Kendrick, Senior Director of Client Engagement at Veritus, shares her expertise in relational fundraising and donor engagement strategies. She discusses the need for nonprofits to prioritize long-term relationships over immediate financial gain. Karen highlights trends in understanding donor motivations and the importance of mid-level donors. The conversation also touches on how organizations can harness AI for more effective fundraising while maintaining genuine connections. Lastly, they explore community-centric fundraising and the push for collaboration in the sector.

At Veritus, we’re all about relational fundraising, but too often, we hear about non-profit leaders making random budget cuts that negatively impact this tried-and-true approach.   We know that leaders are under a lot financial pressure at their organizations. Tough decisions have to be made when times and budgets are tight. But it’s important for decision-makers to understand how these cuts can impact relational fundraising, and why they need to invest in relational major gifts when things start to feel pinched.    In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by colleague Kendra Loper for an in-depth conversation about how leaders can better support their fundraisers’ work and when to think twice about slashing parts of the budget.   Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   How to shift your mindset about budget cuts and their revenue ramifications  The ways you can get creative and outsource fundraising work if budget cuts are mandatory  Our top tips and best practices for current managers who need to make budget cuts 

In the non-profit sector, if you aren’t willing to advance into management, there is very little opportunity to grow as a fundraiser, take on new responsibilities, and increase your salary.   This is a frustrating reality, because not everyone is right for management.     Leadership requires a different skillset and specific perspective, one that’s interested in finding success and delivering results through others. It’s not as simple as taking your best frontline fundraiser and putting them in charge.    In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by special guest Greg Gibbs, who shares whether management is the right track for your career, and provides some tips to help current managers get better at their jobs.    Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…     The greatest challenges managers face in the non-profit sector  How to determine whether a fundraiser is ready to take on a managerial role, and how to nurture them in the process  Our top tips and best practices for current managers looking to improve the structure of their organization  

More and more, fundraisers are being overworked and underpaid. They’re frequently pulled in different directions and asked to accomplish tasks that don’t fall under their domain – all without a solid support structure. It’s caused many to leave the sector entirely.   There is so much important work to do in our world and we need to take care of our people in order to solve these big problems. That means implementing mindful, self-care practices so you’re ready to approach your work with the energy and focus it deserves.     In this podcast episode, Karen and Megan share their top tips and best practices for managing burnout and overwhelming stress, and provide you with tools to quiet your inner critic.     Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   The way fundraisers are experiencing and dealing with burnout in the industry and the best ways to resolve physical and emotional exhaustion  Some of the benefits that fundraisers receive when they practice self-care and mindfulness   Our team’s top tips for handling stress and cultivating self-compassion 

Matt Gill, a fundraising expert with a Navy background and experience at Veritas Group, shares invaluable insights on donor transitions. He discusses the importance of establishing protocols for seamless handoffs, emphasizing the role of relationship managers as temporary stewards. Common pitfalls in nonprofit transitions and tips for successful donor engagement are highlighted. Gill also addresses how to effectively move donors between giving levels while ensuring they feel valued and understood throughout the process.

How many times has your organization pulled you into something that doesn’t directly relate to your job? This kind of scenario is all too common in the non-profit sector, and the results of it are usually negative: fundraisers lose their focus, have less impact, and solicit less giving.  What if fundraising leaders and management stopped distracting their mid-level and major gift officers with unnecessary organizational tasks, activity-oriented metrics, meetings that aren’t related to their donors, and community events? Well, the results for your organization would probably look a little better: increased revenue, higher donor retention rates, and less staff turnover.  In this podcast episode, Jeff, Karen, and Kendra share their top tips for how fundraising managers and leadership can let their teams do their jobs and find high-value success in their work.  Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   The assumptions that leaders may subconsciously be making about their fundraisers  How to create a culture of trust and accountability  Our team’s top tips for keeping a fundraising team on task