Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

Ever been in a donor meeting that goes off the rails? Discover how to steer conversations back on track while respecting everyone's time. Learn the art of preparation and setting clear expectations. Explore the value of Permission-Based Asking to foster authentic dialogue with donors. Uncover strategies to manage environments and emotional responses, enhancing engagement and partnership. It's all about practice and authenticity to build productive relationships in fundraising!

In celebration of Women’s History Month, today’s episode is all about how women are shaping and changing the field of fundraising. Our special guest joining us for this conversation is Yolanda F. Johnson, President and Founder of YFJ Consulting and Women of Color in Fundraising and Leadership (WOC)™, which specializes in fundraising, philanthropy, and best practices for equity and inclusion. Listen in to learn more about Yolanda’s work and to hear her perspective on lifting up more women and people of color in the non-profit sector. If you enjoy the episode and you’d like to continue the conversation with Yolanda, see the show notes below for ways to get in touch. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… Yolanda’s work through her organization, Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)™ The four pillars of allyship, and how embracing the idea of “sponsorship” can help to elevate more women and women of color in the sector    Mentorship opportunities for women who are interested in non-profit management and leadership Moving away from the scarcity mindset and finding ways for women to work together, to champion each other

Asking your donors for gifts isn’t something you should save for the year-end giving season. When you’re tuned in to your donor’s giving preferences and interests, you can bring them additional giving opportunities even outside their regular giving season. For this episode, we invited two guest fundraisers and clients of ours to share their expertise on this subject. Sarah Coen-Frei, Senior Individual Giving Manager at Minnesota Public Radio, and Fritz Gutwein, Major Gift Officer at Bread for the World, join Veritus Group’s Karen Kendrick (Senior Director of Client Engagement) and Diana Frazier (Senior Client Experience Leader) for this conversation about how to approach asking year-round.  We hope you find these tips helpful as you work toward your next donor asks! Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Moving away from transactional asking (e.g. waiting for year-end appeals) to adopt a more relational model How to use Permission-Based Asking when asking your donor for a gift Inspiring donors to give outside of their regular giving season

When you work at a non-profit organization, just as in any job, there will be times that you feel stuck, discouraged, or uninspired. This work is hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience feelings of burnout or frustration.  If you’re in a space like that, how do you shift your energy so you can bring your best self to your work with donors? For this episode, Karen and Renita share some questions to ask yourself on those days to help you approach your energy differently. We hope these suggestions leave you feeling encouraged with some strategies to help you move forward and find more satisfaction in your daily work! Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Mindset challenges that affect how you feel and show up in your work Practices to help you avoid burnout as a non-profit professional Steps leaders can take to support their staff

When you’re looking for your next fundraising position, how do you evaluate which opportunities are most aligned with your professional goals? What questions should you ask in your conversations with hiring managers to learn more about their culture and evaluate whether the role is a good fit? In this podcast episode, Karen and Matt are joined by special guest Paul Towne, VP of Executive Search with Cooper Coleman. As a search consultant who works exclusively with non-profit and social impact organizations, Paul has extensive knowledge about how to interview for the right roles and identify which opportunities will be the best fit for you. We hope this conversation gives you some helpful ideas and tools to use when you’re interviewing for your next fundraising role! Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Factors impacting the job-hunting landscape across the non-profit sector How to identify roles that will be the best fit for you What candidates should look for when interviewing at a non-profit Questions to ask that will help you learn more about an organization’s culture 

Welcome to January! In these first weeks of the year, you’re likely still finishing out the year-end season, thanking donors for gifts received, and assessing your performance compared to your goals. At the same time, you’re working on communication plans and strategies for the year ahead.  In this episode, Jeff is joined by Theresa Tapocsi and Edie Dahlen, two of our Client Experience Leaders, for an overview of what fundraisers and leaders need to know right now while you’re wrapping up from year-end and getting started on your top priorities in 2024. We are honored to walk alongside fundraisers as they chart their course for a new year. If you could use an external partner to support your work as a fundraiser, we’d love to chat. Schedule a call today for a no-pressure conversation about ways we can partner with you and your organization so you can achieve even more for your mission. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Common challenges facing fundraisers in January after a busy year-end fundraising season How to evaluate your performance, beyond whether or not you met your revenue goals Where to focus your attention at the start of the calendar year Tips for leaders to help their teams celebrate their work last year and transition to new priorities in the year ahead

When we talk to passionate fundraisers who are deeply committed to their donors, their most common complaint about their work is that they don’t feel supported by their managers. People leave organizations because of it, yet management skills are often undervalued in the non-profit space.  In today’s episode, Karen and Jeff talk through some of the obstacles that may be holding you back as a leader for your fundraising team, and how you can take steps to turn things around. For anyone managing a team of frontline fundraisers, we hope you’ll tune in to this episode for strategies to help you be the kind of manager who inspires your team to do their best work. And if you could use an external partner to support your work as a manager or non-profit leader, we’d love to chat. Schedule a call today for a no-pressure conversation about ways we can support you and your team so you can achieve even more for your mission. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  Some of the most common issues that cause managers and leaders to be ineffective in their roles Practices and actions that define the most effective non-profit leaders and managers How to change the culture at your organization and address any management issues that may be holding your team back

When an anonymous check for $100,000 arrived at the American Brain Foundation, their fundraising team was blown away. The organization certainly wasn’t so large that this level of giving was typical. Who was this anonymous person, and what made them decide to give so generously?  In this episode, Jeff and Diana interview two members of the team at the American Brain Foundation (ABF) – Jane Ransom, Executive Director, and Lisa Dahlberg, Philanthropic Advisor – to learn how they responded to this unexpected gift. Their efforts to connect with this anonymous donor ultimately led to a multi-million-dollar commitment for ABF. Listen in to learn how a transformational gift like this is possible for your organization. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…  How an anonymous gift led to a multi-million-dollar commitment The steps that ABF took to learn more about the donor’s passions and goals The internal culture at ABF that supported this transformational partnership

Diana Frazier, a Senior Client Experience Leader, and Kara Ansotegui, Director of Client Engagement Services, dive into the art of transitioning donor relationships. They share essential strategies for navigating shifts from mid-level to major gifts and highlight common pitfalls that nonprofits face during these transitions. The duo emphasizes the importance of respectful communication and understanding donor profiles. Listeners will learn how to foster stronger connections and ensure a seamless experience that honors donors while enhancing their engagement with the organization.

The podcast dives into the pitfalls of rigid moves management in donor relations, highlighting how it stifles genuine connections. Speakers Richard and Jeff argue for a shift towards a continuous cultivation mindset, emphasizing the importance of nurturing donor relationships over simply tracking stages. They share insights on advocating for change within organizations and reveal how understanding donor passions can lead to more impactful engagements. By focusing on the donor experience, fundraisers can ultimately drive greater revenue through richer, more authentic interactions.