The Focused Fundraiser

This interview features Elizabeth Scott, Director of Development at Galleo Latino Community Development Fund, sharing her journey from ordering copy paper at the League of Women Voters to managing a multimillion-dollar fundraising budget. Elizabeth Scott discusses practical fundraising strategies including grant writing techniques, the importance of accurate data and approachable language, and building relationships with funders. She emphasizes planning ahead by using slow periods to prepare grants, limiting daily tasks to 3-5 items for better focus, and reusing successful grant language. The conversation covers current challenges in fundraising due to political uncertainty affecting foundation and corporate giving, especially for DEI-focused organizations. Scott also addresses nonprofit burnout, advocating for open conversations about mental health and the importance of taking breaks. She concludes with tactical advice for fundraisers to subscribe to newsletters from potential funders to stay informed about their current funding priorities.

In this episode, Amy Pocola, a seasoned nonprofit strategist, shares her journey into fundraising, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what truly matters. She discusses the common challenges faced by fundraisers, regardless of the size of their organizations, and highlights the significance of building strong donor relationships. Amy encourages fundraisers to prepare for key giving periods while maintaining a long-term vision and strategic planning. She also stresses the importance of self-care, urging fundraisers to prioritize their well-being amidst the stresses of their work. The session concludes with an invitation to explore additional resources for support.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Kristen Mitchell, co-founder & executive director of Youth Futures, to unpack practical nonprofit fundraising strategies: leading as an accidental fundraiser, why authenticity beats charisma, lessons from capital campaigns, building business-grade systems, and how to prioritize donor outreach with time blocking, your CRM, and LinkedIn/Sales Navigator. Kristen also shares a refreshing take on “burnout,” staff wellness programs, and staying connected to client stories to fuel resilience.You’ll learn: • Why founders/EDs must embrace being the face of the organization • How to seed momentum for new sites with pre-opening capital • The daily habit that keeps fundraising from getting sidelined • Tactical tools: Calendar + CRM + LinkedIn (and Sales Navigator) • How to build a development department and run your nonprofit like a business • Mindset shifts to avoid burnout and keep donor relationships warm

Kel Haney, a fundraising consultant and expert in phone-first strategies, shares her journey from theater to raising $16M through 20,000 calls. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating strong relationships with mid-level donors and outlines her five-minute call structure for effective asks. Kel reveals the magic of matching gifts for year-end fundraising and offers tips on segmentation using CRM data. She also shares a successful voicemail tactic that resulted in an $18k donation, urging fundraisers to connect personally and proactively to boost results.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Debbie Oxford, founder and president of Grow Our Faith Ministries, to explore what it really means to live your calling — and fund it. From selling everything to move to Kenya at 60 to rescuing children and building wells, Debbie’s story reminds us that purpose and generosity are deeply connected.Discover how she found new life through mission work, her honest take on the realities of fundraising, and why she believes “if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill.” Whether you lead a small nonprofit or just need a reminder of why your work matters, this conversation will move you.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Chris Maggiolo, Deputy Executive Director at Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) in Vermont, to unpack how a rural innovation nonprofit shifted from relying on federal and state grants to building a stronger philanthropy and individual giving engine.You’ll learn how BRIC uses data-driven fundraising and clear impact metrics to win support, why cross-sector partnerships (with universities, industry, and nonprofits) are now central to donor expectations, and practical ways to balance storytelling with data when you’re still early and light on numbers. Chris also shares real-world tactics to avoid fundraiser burnout, manage competing priorities with Gantt charts and agile sprints, and make space for a healthy team culture.What you’ll learn: • Moving from grants to diversified revenue (individual donors, match funding, and community-led campaigns) • Designing donor-ready STEAM education and workforce development initiatives • Turning asset mapping and stakeholder interviews into compelling nonprofit stories • Using partnerships as social proof to scale reach and outcomes—especially in rural communities • Personal systems for focus, prioritization, and burnout prevention

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with Ada O’Quain, Donor Engagement Manager at the Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Ada shares her journey into nonprofit fundraising, the lessons she’s learned navigating burnout, hurricanes, and community challenges in Southwest Louisiana, and how she keeps her focus on what matters most.You’ll learn how to: • Balance donor storytelling with statistics to inspire giving. • Build lasting donor relationships through intentional communication. • Run effective fundraising events without burning out your team. • Segment and personalize donor outreach to keep major, mid-level, and recurring donors engaged. • Stay organized with time-blocking, calendars, and automation tools.If you’re a fundraiser looking for practical strategies and encouragement, this episode will give you fresh ideas and a reminder of why your work matters.👉 Learn more about simplifying your fundraising with DonorDock: https://donordock.com

Nonprofit fundraising is changing, but donors are still giving. In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, former Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO and current Scouting America development leader Erin Davison breaks down how to win with donor intentionality, raw storytelling, and simple focus you can sustain.You will learn how to:- Align with today’s more intentional donors through clear priorities and mission fit- Use raw, phone-shot storytelling to drive real engagement across generations- Segment communication for Boomers to Gen Z and meet donors where they are- Build capacity when your team is stretched thin and time is scarce- Communicate fiscal responsibility the right way, including reserves, endowments, and matching giftsHighlights:- Erin’s path from social work to CEO to development leadership- Multi-generation donor reality. Letters, email, text to give, streaming, and mobile- Raw storytelling beats polished edits when trust matters- The three priorities every shop needs: Funding, Growth, People- Ending the feast or famine cycle with pipeline consistency and transparent reporting

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with Frances Roen, founder of Fundraising Sol, to talk about what really drives successful fundraising. From her early days at the Bakken Museum to launching her own consultancy, Frances shares powerful insights on burnout, prioritization, capital campaigns, and the importance of wellness for nonprofit teams.If you’re a fundraiser juggling too many priorities, this episode will help you pause, focus, and find clarity in your work.Frances emphasizes that tools will always evolve, but relationships remain at the heart of fundraising. Whether you’re leading a capital campaign or just trying to balance short-term fires with long-term strategy, you’ll find practical advice and encouragement here.👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations with fundraisers who are redefining what it means to focus on what matters most.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Maya Severns, Director of Development and Marketing at LION Charter School in New York, to explore the real-world challenges and strategies of fundraising in today’s nonprofit landscape.Maya shares her journey from teaching to development, the lessons she’s learned about donor relationships, and how her team integrates marketing and fundraising to maximize impact. Together, they discuss how to stay mission-driven, avoid burnout, and use storytelling for fundraising to build lasting connections with donors.You’ll hear insights on: • Shifting donor expectations post-pandemic • Why relationships and storytelling remain the cornerstone of nonprofit fundraising • Practical ways to connect donors to the programs they care about most • Tips for avoiding burnout as a fundraiser • The importance of involving your whole organization in fundraisingWhether you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit leader, or simply passionate about mission-driven work, this episode will help you simplify, focus, and engage donors more effectively.👉 Learn more about how DonorDock helps nonprofits steward donors and streamline fundraising at DonorDock.com.