Send us a text Have you ever left a donor meeting wondering, “Why did I say it like that?” Or felt that quiet pressure to be more agreeable, more polished, more… perfect? In this episode, Keith shares a story fresh from the road—an alumni reception that turned into a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be everyone’s favorite to be an exceptional fundraiser. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, felt the weight of performance, or questioned your unique style in this work, this episode i...
Jun 16, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text Ever poured hours into a project only to watch it get worse, not better? That frustrating cycle of diminishing returns might be fueled by a deeply-held belief that's actually holding you back. Growing up, I absorbed my father's working-class ethos that hard work—defined by time spent, effort exerted, and suffering endured—was the only path to success. This belief followed me through school and into my career, where I'd routinely second-guess myself, redo perfectly good work until ...
Jun 09, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Have you ever left a donor meeting, recorded quick thoughts on your phone, then spent hours translating those scattered notes into a proper contact report? There's a better way. At AFP Icon in Seattle last month, I watched a room full of fundraisers experience a collective "aha" moment. It wasn't sparked by fancy tech demos or pie-in-the-sky AI promises. It happened when they realized that tools like ChatGPT could immediately solve real problems they face every day. One fundraiser...
May 19, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text The journey from behind-the-scenes prospect researcher to frontline major gift officer can feel like jumping into the deep end without a life vest. In this illuminating conversation, Matt Stokes , Leadership Giving Officer at Yale University, shares his experience making this challenging career transition and the lessons he's learned along the way. Matt brings a unique perspective, having spent years analyzing data and identifying prospects before stepping across the table to buil...
May 05, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text When you picture a successful fundraiser, do you imagine someone who commands the room, speaks eloquently without hesitation, and thrives in crowds of donors? That stereotype has dominated our field for decades—but what if the most powerful fundraising superpower isn't being heard, but truly hearing others? Carissa Konesky, CFRE and advancement officer at Simon Fraser University, challenges this outdated notion through her remarkable career journey. Recognized as a Top 30 Under 30...
Apr 28, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text Fundraising shouldn’t feel like manipulation. It shouldn’t leave donors feeling drained, guilty, or pressured into giving. Yet, so much of our industry—especially certain political campaigns—leans into fear as a motivator. And while fear might work once , it doesn’t build relationships. It doesn’t make donors want to come back. You know what does? Joy. In this episode, I’m sharing two unforgettable stories from my time in hospice fundraising—one about a 102-year-old who became the...
Feb 17, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text Can AI really enhance human connection in fundraising, or is it just a high-tech distraction? Let's tackle this question head-on, revealing how AI can be a transformative force in the nonprofit sector. This episode isn't about replacing the personal touch — it's about using AI to deepen it. As I prepare for my upcoming session at the AFP Icon conference in Seattle, I'll guide you through the ethical integration of AI, showing how it can streamline repetitive tasks and allow us to ...
Feb 10, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text Have you ever felt like fundraising was just begging for money ? Like you were throwing out asks and hoping someone would say yes? If so, you’re not alone—but there’s a reason it feels that way. And it’s not just you. In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising , I break down the difference between real fundraising and what I call panhandling . It all started with a phone call that should’ve been about speaking at a conference—but instead turned into a hard sales pitch for sponsorsh...
Feb 03, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text Join us for an enlightening conversation with Bri Gerzevske, an expert in nonprofit fundraising leadership, as she shares her transformative approach to creating high-functioning teams. Ever wondered how to step into a new leadership role and immediately start building trust and a positive team culture? Bri’s strategy centers around joy and belonging, and she shares how one-on-one meetings can help set expectations and understand team dynamics, all while maintaining healthy work-l...
Jan 27, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text What if holiday generosity could transform lives beyond the festive season? Leanne Baumel, Chief Development Officer at Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, joins us to share her insights from the frontline of holiday fundraising. We'll unravel the complexities and joys of orchestrating campaigns like "Triple the Hope," which has successfully raised over $550,000, and explore the heartfelt process of bringing Christmas cheer to 350 children. Leanne's stories shed light on the power of ...
Jan 20, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text Ever wonder why so many fundraisers are burnt out and how to truly support their well-being? Join us as we engage with Raiya Sankari-Diaz , a global HR expert, to uncover the hidden causes of burnout in the fundraising sector. Forget superficial solutions like mindfulness apps; Raiya shares why authentic well-being programs, backed by genuine leadership buy-in, are essential. We explore the pitfalls of "care washing," where insincere initiatives lead only to dissatisfaction and di...
Jan 13, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text Unlocking the secrets to managing effective nonprofit boards, our episode promises to transform your approach to board recruitment and engagement. With our insightful guest, Phelosha Collaros, we uncover how to transcend the traditional focus on financial capacity and instead recruit board members driven by passion and alignment with your mission. This discussion challenges the norm, advocating for a nuanced, staged pipeline approach to recruiting, where financial commitment is ju...
Jan 06, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text Unlock the secret to unlocking donors' hearts and wallets with gratitude! Discover how practicing genuine appreciation can transform your fundraising efforts and create lasting partnerships. Dive into the "rule of seven" and learn how consistent, heartfelt gestures can make your supporters feel truly valued and connected to your cause. Learn from Heidi Atkinson's insights as we explore strategies like thank-you phone calls and celebratory events that can boost donor loyalty. Uncov...
Dec 02, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text Unlock the transformative potential of AI in fundraising, as we explore how technology is reshaping the nonprofit landscape. From the initial skepticism and concerns of job security that accompanied the launch of ChatGPT, to the innovative strides made in aligning AI outputs with organizational values, this episode promises a journey through the evolving perceptions and uses of AI in the nonprofit sector. Discover how AI has transitioned from a misunderstood tool to a creative par...
Nov 18, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Unlock the secrets of authentic leadership with Lasha Murray, the visionary founder of The Unapologetic Leadership Coach . Lasha introduces her groundbreaking BANG framework—Belonging, Authenticity, Networking, and Growth—designed to create meaningful professional connections. Together, we tackle the challenges young professionals face in maintaining their authenticity amidst workplace conformity and explore how leaders can foster individuality without compromising their organizat...
Nov 04, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text Unlock the future of nonprofit success with ChatGPT as your intelligent ally. Ever wondered how artificial intelligence can do more than just draft emails? Dive into a world where ChatGPT revolutionizes nonprofit operations, from automating data tasks to crafting strategic plans and designing dynamic dashboards. We'll reveal practical insights on managing data with precision and creating powerful Excel formulas, freeing up your time to focus on what truly matters—driving your miss...
Oct 28, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text What happens when a job interview turns into an ethical quagmire? Join us as we unravel the story of a fellow fundraiser who faced an unsettling request during a job interview: to bring specific donors along to a new organization. This episode digs deep into the ethical complexities and challenges fundraisers face, especially when moving between jobs. We emphasize the critical need for genuine donor relationships, treating donors as partners in philanthropy rather than assets to b...
Sep 30, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text What does it take to muster the courage to sing in front of an audience when fear grips you by the throat? Join us as we share a personal story that transforms a paralyzing fear into a triumphant moment, revealing profound parallels to the world of fundraising. We unpack the emotional journey fundraisers undertake, from the sting of rejection to the high stakes of advocating for causes that matter. This is a tale of resilience, emotional intelligence, and the unwavering focus on t...
Sep 23, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text Can you imagine fostering genuine understanding between political opponents in today's polarized climate? In this episode, we promise you'll gain the tools to do just that by learning from Dawn Strauss , Director of Development at Braver Angels . Dawn shares her remarkable journey of bringing Trump and Clinton supporters together through Braver Angels’ innovative Red Blue Workshops, which have grown into over a hundred alliances nationwide. We dive into how these initiatives not o...
Sep 09, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text Kevin L. Brown's LinkedIn Post that caught my eye. Ever felt like you're chasing donors who just aren’t that into you? It's time to rethink your strategy. This episode of Let's Talk Fundraising takes a deep dive into why some donors remain elusive and how to stop wasting your time. Inspired by Kevin L Brown 's thought-provoking LinkedIn post and insights from sales expert Liz Wendling , we explore the signs that it's time to move on from unresponsive donors. Discover practical tip...
Sep 03, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to successful major gifts and capital campaigns with Paul Johnson, the visionary founder of Creative Fundraising Advisors . With over 30 years of experience, Paul shares his invaluable strategies and real-world examples, perfect for both small nonprofits and large institutions. We discuss the critical readiness factors that can make or break your campaign, and the necessity of having a big vision—your North Star—that drives transformative changes like new buildi...
Aug 20, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text Ever wondered how a college internship could lead to a fulfilling career in fundraising? Discover the transformative story of how an internship at Walt Disney World shaped skills in guest relations, trust-building, and creating magical moments, which seamlessly transitioned into a rewarding trajectory in fundraising. This episode uncovers why understanding people's motivations and resolving their concerns is crucial, not just in hospitality but also in nurturing donor relationship...
Aug 12, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text Can expressing genuine gratitude transform your fundraising efforts? In this episode, we promise to reveal how the simple act of saying thank you can enhance donor relationships, reduce stress, and reinvigorate your passion for your mission. Explore practical strategies for making your gratitude heartfelt and impactful, plus get inspired by resources like "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin and the "10% Happier" podcast that can give your gratitude practice a meaningful boos...
Jul 29, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text Ready to transform your Giving Day fundraising efforts? Join me as I share my personal journey from early setbacks to a triumphant campaign that raised over $74,000 in the first attempt at launching a giving day campaign. We'll uncover the five essential steps to ensure your campaign's success, including setting ambitious yet achievable goals, devising a comprehensive marketing strategy, building complementary campaigns, maintaining momentum with real-time updates, and pre-plannin...
Jul 22, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text Ever wondered how to turn your personal network into a powerhouse donor base for your nonprofit? Discover how to engage co-workers, family, and friends who already trust you, and transform them into dedicated supporters. We'll walk you through the art of hosting intimate parlor meetings where you can connect deeply with potential donors, share your mission compellingly, and foster long-term relationships. This episode highlights the essentials of genuine communication and the impo...
Jul 15, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text Hey there, hi, and welcome back to Let’s Talk Fundraising! Have you ever felt like you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall with your newsletters and appeals, hoping something sticks? In this episode, we dive into a game-changing concept that can transform the way you connect with your donors: donor personas. Join us as we break down what donor personas are and why they’re essential for effective fundraising. We'll explore how to create these personas, the steps to gather meanin...
Jul 08, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text Hey there, hi, and welcome back to Let’s Talk Fundraising! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of fundraising events. Before the pandemic, traditional events like galas often felt like a chore—expensive, repetitive, and sometimes even a punchline. But as the landscape has shifted, so have our opportunities to create meaningful, engaging events that align with our missions and resonate with our supporters. Join me as we explore how to reimagine fundraising events to better...
Jul 01, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text In this episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, we’re diving deep into the world of fundraising metrics. Join me, Keith Greer, CFRE, as we explore the top 10 metrics that can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy from good to great. We'll start with a captivating story from a small Sicilian village that learned the power of understanding their supporters, and then break down each essential metric: from Cost Per Dollar Raised and Donation Revenue Growth Rate to Average Gift Si...
Jun 25, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text Hey there, hi, and welcome, Ambitious Fundraisers! 🎙️ In this episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, we're diving deep into creating a culture of philanthropy within your organization. We'll explore why a unified vision is crucial and share strategies to engage everyone from board members to donors. Join me as I share personal stories from my own experiences, illustrating how shifting an organization's culture can lead to remarkable transformations. We'll discuss the pivotal roles of...
Jun 18, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text Welcome back, Ambitious Fundraisers! In this exciting episode of "Let's Talk Fundraising," we dive deep into the transformative power of Lapsed Donor Surveys. Discover how these invaluable tools can help you understand why donors stop giving and, more importantly, how you can win them back. Join your host, Keith Greer, as he shares a personal story from his experience with launching a Lapsed Donor Survey in a previous organization. Learn how a straightforward question and a little...
Jun 12, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 2
