FUNDRAISER’S FRIDAY
‘Fundraisers Friday,’ is the must-watch series for fundraisers serious about fundraising. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your current efforts, this series is packed with actionable takeaways to help you secure grants, inspire donors, inspire yourself, and reach new levels of revenue for your organization. Fundraising is one of the most challenging professions and the amount of support provided externally and internally is often limited. We’re Live each Friday for you! Don’t miss your chance to transform your fundraising – tune in to ‘Fundraisers Friday’ on The Nonprofit Show– build knowledge, build confidence, and lead your nonprofit to the next level of financial success!
This high-energy episode of Fundraisers Friday is packed with smart, actionable tips to help nonprofit leaders reignite board engagement—especially when things feel slow or disconnected. Cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall bring clarity, candor, and creativity to the perennial challenge of motivating board members to actively participate in fundraising.
“If board members understand their roles and are equipped with tools, they can feel confident and proud to help raise funds,” starts Tony. He encourages nonprofits to start with clear job descriptions and fundraising expectations—not as pressure, but as empowerment.
Julia adds heart to the conversation with a powerful reflection: “When we elevate one board conversation, that knowledge often travels with members into other parts of their community.” This ripple effect of board engagement is a golden opportunity for nonprofits to build momentum well beyond their own walls.
They cover eight key strategies, including:
· Revisiting board policies and roles in fundraising
· Turning mission moments into impact moments
· Using real dollar amounts (not percentages!) to make financial urgency tangible
· Engaging board members in grant applications and partnership opportunities
· Celebrating donor wins and learning from not-so-great experiences
· Tapping into each member’s personal “why” to foster deeper commitment
One particularly refreshing approach? Encouraging board members to share their successes—and even their mistakes—so others can learn and grow together. “We’ve all had experiences as donors, good and bad,” says Tony. “Sharing both helps us create better outcomes and stronger relationships.”
You’ll also hear a compelling conversation about how board members can fill various fundraising roles—prospector, cultivator, solicitor, or steward—so no one feels forced into uncomfortable territory. “Every board member can participate in at least one of these ways,” Tony reminds us.
This episode is perfect for any nonprofit leader preparing for a seasonal push or looking to infuse new energy into board culture. With warmth and wisdom, Julia and Tony show that reigniting your board starts with real connection, clarity of purpose, and honest conversation.
For nonprofit leaders who want to improve internal communication, build a culture of philanthropy, and empower their entire team to support fundraising goals, cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall spark an important and timely conversation about the often-misunderstood role of fundraising teams—and how to break down the organizational silos that hold back true impact. This
With wit, warmth, and wisdom, the pair explores why internal teams—from programming to finance to marketing—need to better understand the full picture of development work. From donor stewardship to impact selling, the development role is far more than gala invitations and lobster dinners. “Fundraising is everyone’s business,” Tony shares, “because all departments contribute to the promises we make to donors.”
The cohosts lay out how development professionals are often misperceived as simply social butterflies, when in fact their work is relationship-building, mission-selling, and impact-driving. They offer smart, actionable suggestions for fostering stronger internal collaboration—such as shared Google Docs for monthly updates and scheduled cross-departmental briefings—to ensure all team members know what’s happening across the organization.
Julia and Tony also discuss the powerful role of storytelling, customer service, and donor engagement, comparing nonprofit stewardship to luxury brand experiences. They encourage staff to become donors themselves—to feel what it’s like to be thanked (or not) and to understand the emotional side of giving.
They wrap up with a compelling case for emotional intelligence in leadership. Julia recounts a story where a development director felt deflated after discovering their C-suite colleagues didn’t know the annual fundraising goal—only to realize that fear, not apathy, was behind the silence. “There are no dumb questions when we’re trying to serve our community better,” Tony adds.
Finding great fundraising talent doesn’t have to feel like searching for unicorns! On this Fundraisers Friday conversation, Julia Patrick and Tony Beall team up to demystify the talent search and show nonprofits how to recruit smarter, not harder. Whether you’re scrambling to fill a vacant role, thinking about future staffing needs, or exploring nontraditional ways to build your dream team, this conversation is packed with smart ideas and refreshing encouragement.
Tony kicks things off with a reality check: “There’s a lot of talent out there—but how do we find them, and how do we know they’re the right fit for our organization?” From there, the episode unpacks practical strategies for uating current and future needs, exploring interim and fractional solutions, and rethinking how we define “qualified” candidates.
One concept is hiring for ‘high will, low skill’—especially in entry-level and mid-tier fundraising roles. These candidates bring enthusiasm, adaptability, and mission alignment, even if they lack years of sector-specific experience. As Tony explains, it’s about looking beyond resumes and finding people who are ready to grow with your organization.
The duo also makes a strong case for casting a wider net when posting jobs. Sure, LinkedIn and Indeed are fine—but why not also try your Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, or networking groups? They suggest your next superstar might be a hotel events manager or a corporate sales leader ready for a purposeful pivot into the nonprofit world.
They also tackle “the poaching taboo” head-on. Recruiting local fundraisers isn’t shameful—it’s smart, as long as you’re doing it to grow your mission, not to raid someone else’s donor portfolio.
Finally, they discuss the pros (and myths) around using recruiting agencies. Think they’re just for C-suite hiring? Think again. Even small shops can benefit—these pros understand the landscape, fine-tune job descriptions, and save tons of time and stress.
These two provide you a toolkit for building a resilient, adaptable, and passionate development team—one smart hire at a time.
This fast episode plants more than a few seeds—it digs deep into the fertile soil of fundraising tech and AI, showing nonprofit leaders how to embrace new tools without fear or being overwhelmed.
Co-host Julia Patrick opens with her signature energy: “It’s always a good day when I get to work with my cohost Tony Beall,” . . .and what follows is an energizing discussion around modernizing fundraising practices. The duo tackles AI not as a villain, but as a brilliant assistant. As Tony puts it: “AI is a tool, not a takeover.”
From predictive analytics to donor segmentation, Tony outlines how AI empowers fundraisers to work smarter—not harder. He reminds us that AI “creates a tremendous opportunity for prospecting,” especially now that tools like ChatGPT are as common as Google searches.
Julia reflects on how her organization embraced AI early on. “It has revolutionized the way we do business,” she says, underscoring (not literally!) how prompts, personas, and platform features help tailor messaging to diverse donor groups.
Tony speaks to how “ChatGPT can help you refine messaging for different donor sets… it’s still your words, but it’s helping you shape the message.” He urges fundraisers to treat the tech as an editor—not a ghostwriter.
They also dig into CRM evolution, with Julia commenting, “What we get today is not what we’ll have tomorrow.” Tony shares how CRM vendors are racing to integrate AI and support their users.
The conversation rounds out with a focus on multi-generational training, acknowledging that not every team member shares the same comfort with digital tools. Tony adds that leaders must explain “why we’re doing this” so that staff can buy in, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
This episode isn’t just about tech—it’s about change, mindset, and purpose.
If setting fundraising goals gives you a headache, this episode of Fundraisers Friday is the relief you didn’t know you needed. Our cohosts unpack the complexities of data-informed goal setting with a mix of practicality, good humor, and insight born from the frontlines of nonprofit leadership.
Right from the start, Tony Beall shares his signature "Magic 3" approach: “Three years of past performance is the sweet spot. Go further back, and the trends get stale.” It's not about choosing arbitrary numbers or crossing fingers for a miracle. It's about examining actual fundraising performance across all your revenue channels—events, major gifts, recurring donations—and understanding what those data points mean for the future.
“Don’t just pick a number and yell ‘Bingo!’” Tony quips, debunking the idea that fundraising targets are about gut feelings or guesswork. Instead, he offers a framework where budget goals are built from pipeline reality, retention rates, and channel-specific growth capacity.
Julia Patrick adds, “A lot of boards still think in binary—hit the number, you're a hero; miss it, you’re out. But it's so much more layered than that.” The two discuss how capacity building (staffing, tech, infrastructure) is too often overlooked in budgeting—even though it's the engine that powers results.
The show also digs into predictive metrics, the future of AI tools in analysis, and the shifting cultural values around growth for growth’s sake—and packed with actionable advice, real-world insight, and a fresh reminder that data isn’t dry—it’s your path to smarter, saner fundraising.
00:00:00 Welcome and sponsor shoutout
00:01:31 Why fundraising goals cause stress
00:02:10 The “Magic 3” years: smarter goal planning
00:04:22 Breaking fundraising into revenue lanes
00:06:28 Identifying and solving fundraising gaps
00:08:48 The post-pandemic data reset
00:13:55 Capacity building vs program growth
00:22:01 Boards, ambition, and goal realism
Our cohosts deliver a practical conversation on cultivating relationships with high net worth (HNW) donors. They explore how nonprofit organizations of all sizes can define what “high net worth” means in their context, identify aligned individuals, and thoughtfully steward them toward transformational giving.
Tony Beall opens with a foundational point: “We need to define what high net worth means for our own organization—because it looks different depending on your size, mission, and goals.” This nuance sets the stage for a broader conversation that deconstructs common assumptions about wealth and reminds nonprofit professionals that big gifts are rooted in deep, intentional relationships—not cold outreach.
Rather than chase only new wealth, Tony urges nonprofits to begin by mining existing donor data. “Let’s start with who already cares about our mission. We can often elevate those relationships before even casting a wider net,” he shares. The advice is practical and encouraging, especially for smaller teams with limited capacity.
Julia Patrick and Tony also touch on the human side of fundraising—empathy, trust, and consistency. Julia shares a personal story about securing her first $1 million donation, which came not over a fancy lunch, but at a modest cafeteria. “He told me he had grown up without enough to eat, and seeing all that food reminded him of how far he’d come. For him, that was luxury,” she recounts. It’s a moving reminder that motivations are deeply personal—and often surprising.
From prospecting strategies like leveraging SEC filings, Google Alerts, and local business journals to understanding the long timelines involved in major gift cultivation, the episode offers a balanced blend of emotional intelligence and tactical guidance.
As Tony puts it, “Patience and consistency are what build trust—not just with donors, but with the broader community.” And that trust, over time, is what unlocks major gifts.
00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday
00:00:20 Julia praises Tony's impact on the sector
00:02:00 What does “high net worth” really mean?
00:03:50 Why your organization needs its own HNW definition
00:07:05 Start with your current donors
00:10:15 Tools for identifying HNW prospects
00:13:20 Using local journals and social registers
00:18:10 Understanding donor motivations
00:22:00 A powerful story about humility and generosity
00:23:30 The two-year major gift timeline
00:26:00 How trust drives long-term giving
00:29:00 Closing thoughts and sponsor thank you
#MajorGiftStrategy #DonorEngagement #NonprofitLeadership
this session of Fundraisers Friday bubbles over with wit and wisdom from cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall. Tackling real-world fundraising dilemmas, the duo dives into sticky questions nonprofits often tiptoe around.
We kick off with a sparkling debate: when a donor grows from a small supporter to a major one, who "owns" the relationship? Tony reminds us, “Relationships come first. Structure comes second.” His point: when a fundraiser elevates a donor’s giving, the organization should also elevate the fundraiser’s role. Julia reflects, “I didn’t think of it that way… they should be elevated—and they haven’t been.”
Next up: corporate crossover. What happens when an individual donor brings their business into the giving picture? Should the relationship transfer to the corporate team? Tony weighs in: “The development professional may not have the skill sets for corporate partnerships. So, invest in training—or consider a strategic handoff.”
Then comes the glitzy question—exclusive events for high-net-worth donors. Are these smart strategies or community-killers? Tony, a champion of inclusivity, says, “Exclusivity has its place… if it leads to planned giving and legacy conversations.” Julia adds in, saying how savvy orgs are shifting these events toward behind-the-scenes access and thought leadership rather than fancy galas.
They wrap with the boardroom. Should fundraisers speak at board meetings? Tony suggests quarterly appearances. “Your board should know the development team—if you see them in the grocery store, you should say hello!” Julia adds, “It’s not about asking for money. It’s about connection, introductions, and understanding.”
Packed with humor, heart, and practical advice, this fast-paced convo gives nonprofit professionals tools they can use—and some new ways to look at old problems.
00:00:00 Welcome
00:02:06 Who Owns a Donor: Structure vs. Relationship
00:03:18 Fundraiser Elevation Through Donor Growth
00:05:49 Corporate Sponsorship Conflicts
00:06:55 Managing New Corporate Gifts from Existing Donors
00:10:22 Exclusive Events for Top Donors
00:12:00 Are VIP Events Worth It?
00:18:12 Should Fundraisers Speak at Board Meetings?
00:24:24 Board Member Roles in Fundraising
00:27:30 Wrapping Up: Ask Questions, Share Freely
#FundraisersFriday #NonprofitLeadership #DonorRelationships
It’s Fundraiser’s Friday—and we engage in a candid, layered conversation about one of the sector’s least addressed yet most persistent realities: stress. Specifically, the stress experienced by nonprofit fundraisers who juggle mounting expectations, emotional labor, event overload, and relentless revenue goals.
Cohost Julia Patrick opens with a sobering observation: “We can’t, as a sector, keep fundraisers going. They burn out and leave—an average tenure of only 18 months.” This sets the tone for a deep dive into the sources of that burnout and practical frameworks to address them. Cohost Tony Beall offers a powerful, centering reminder: “Give yourself the grace and accept that you need these things for yourself. There’s no guilt in taking care of the caretaker.”
Together, they examine six categories of stress fundraisers commonly endure: revenue pressure, donor expectations, event management demands, campaign overload, internal organizational scrutiny, and peer isolation. Instead of simply bemoaning these conditions, the cohosts provide tactical insight. From outsourcing logistics and investing in professional benefit auctioneers, to building strong volunteer committees and peer support networks, they propose both mindset shifts and structural solutions.
Tony emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication—up, down, and across the organization—as one of the most effective antidotes to mounting stress. Equally essential, Julia insists, is understanding the often-forgotten emotional toll of donor relationships and campaign deadlines, which can be exacerbated by unrealistic leadership expectations or outdated traditions like “we’ve always done this event.”
What emerges is a roadmap for healing a profession at risk. This isn’t just an episode—it’s a resource, a reset, and a reaffirmation for nonprofit professionals who need permission and tools to stay in the work they love.
00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday
00:01:00 Fundraiser burnout and short tenure
00:02:00 Revenue pressure and mental strain
00:05:00 Open communication as stress management
00:07:35 Donor relationships and expectation stress
00:10:00 Fundraisers as accidental event managers
00:13:15 Return on effort for fundraising events
00:16:00 Volunteer committees and shared ownership
00:18:10 Benefit auctioneers and event ROI
00:21:00 Campaign overload and tech tools
00:24:00 Internal scrutiny and team pressure
00:27:00 Peer support and professional associations
00:30:00 Final takeaways and call for self-care
Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
It’s Fundraisers Friday, and Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall are back with an episode full of big opinions, thoughtful advice, and even a little Kung Fu Panda wisdom. This time, they dive into real questions from viewers—and they don’t hold back, with an honest and supportive conversation about the ins and outs of development work, from transparency in fundraising goals to the fine line of donor privacy.
One of the first questions tackled: Should fundraising goals be shared organization-wide, or kept within the C-suite? Tony makes the case for balance: “The way you communicate goals matters—empathy and intention are key.” Julia adds that fundraisers often get put under pressure when goal updates trickle down without context or support.
They also unpack a tricky topic—sharing top donor info with board members. Julia suggests, “Having a policy is key. Without it, you risk someone casually announcing a donor’s gift in public.” Tony agrees but reminds us, “Unless the donor asked for anonymity, listing them for board review isn’t a breach of privacy.”
Perks for development staff? This duo has thoughts. Forget just bagels—Tony encourages nonprofits to ask staff what’s actually meaningful to them. From car washes donated by board-owned businesses to flexible scheduling, he reminds us, “Perks don’t have to cost much to show value.”
Perhaps the most surprising take came on newsletters vs. annual reports. Tony challenged the typical approach, saying monthly newsletters can feel stale, while an annual report can be a dynamic, story-driven tool: “If I had to choose, I’d go with the annual report every time.” Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
One of the most pressing conversations in nonprofit leadership: when and how to expand your development team! With humor, candor, and real-world insights, our cohosts unpack the strategy behind scaling up—and why it’s not just an “expense” but an investment in your mission’s growth.
“Now more than ever—we’ve heard that phrase for decades. We need to call things out for what they really are,” Tony Beall begins, challenging nonprofit leaders to rethink overused buzzwords and focus instead on strategic timing. Expansion isn’t just about growth—it’s about aligning strategy, operations, and finance to support your organization’s evolution.
Julia Patrick adds: “So many nonprofits are going to have to change the way they look at their revenue models… and their labor structures.” She emphasizes that expanding your fundraising team is not just a trend—it’s a necessity in a shifting landscape of donor behavior and economic pressures.
The duo explores reasons for team expansion, from burnout prevention and portfolio diversification to risk mitigation. Tony offers a caution: hiring someone simply for their donor list is shortsighted. “I’m not hiring you for your portfolio of potential. I’m hiring you for your ability to perform.” That clarity helps frame realistic expectations and long-term outcomes.
They also discuss the evolving spectrum of fundraising talent—why someone good at one-on-one donor relationships might not excel at grant writing or digital campaigns. Tony and Julia encourage leaders to define the revenue streams they aim to grow, then match those streams with specialized skills, not generic fundraising experience.
Another highlight: the value of hiring individuals with mission-aligned backgrounds, even if they come from outside the sector. Whether it’s a sales star from a car dealership or a community relations manager from city government, Tony suggests onboarding should flex to match their prior experience while still emphasizing program impact and community outcomes.
The lively discussion closes with guidance on posting salary ranges, offering flexible benefits, and using fractional or contract talent to test-drive new roles. Transparency, customization, and equity are themes woven throughout their practical advice.
This is a masterclass in nonprofit workforce development—and a terrific reminder that the future of fundraising depends not just on your raising dollars, but on raising the right team.
#DevelopmentStrategy #FundraisersFriday #NonprofitLeadership Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
Unpacking what it really takes to move from frontline nonprofit roles into independent consulting—with cohosts Tony Beall, Founder of Mr. Nonprofit Consultancy, and Julia Patrick.
If you've ever felt boxed in by one organization, this conversation will challenge your assumptions. From building your personal brand and selecting a niche to navigating ethical landmines and saying “no” to work that doesn’t fit — Tony doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of consulting. He shares how he scaled impact while protecting sanity and why too many consultants chase dollars instead of purpose. Thinking about making the jump? This is your essential primer. Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
In this high-energy Fundraisers Friday Show, cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall unpack the complexities of grant writing and grant readiness with an eye toward practical, data-driven insights. It’s a masterclass in actionable wisdom for any nonprofit professional involved in grant development—covering strategy, timelines, win rates, and relationship-building.
Julia sets the tone with her signature candor, stating: “Fundraisers are expected to do this and it is a very specific trade or craft.” This immediately defines the reality that for many nonprofit professionals, grant writing is just one of several responsibilities they juggle.
Tony responds, echoing: “Grant writing is one of the most important combinations of style and substance… tell a story and back it with data.” He reinforces this by recommending that fundraisers align time investment with expected revenue—if grants are expected to make up 20% of a nonprofit's budget, then 20% of time should be spent on them.
The show also dives into success rates. Tony notes, “National or federal grants may have just a 5%–10% win rate, whereas local grants can hit 40%–50%,” pushing nonprofits to think strategically when choosing which grants to pursue.
The duo explore application timelines, portal logistics, and how a lack of consistency across systems can be a major hurdle. Despite these challenges, they encourage you to create internal systems and document folders to manage recurring information—especially vital as Tony quips, “You’ll be so good at this… you’ll spend 50–75% less time on your narrative over time.”
A big theme emerges around the evolving role of funders and the increased opportunity for relationship-building. Julia points out, “This isn’t just a shot in the dark anymore—funders are listening and often willing to adjust.”
Perhaps most inspiring is Tony’s call for resilience and learning in the face of rejection: “If there’s an opportunity to reach out to the funder and ask, by all means—make the phone call.”
They wrap with encouragement for new nonprofit leaders and a hot tip: don’t be afraid to explore AI tools in your grant writing toolkit.
#NonprofitStrategy #GrantWritingTips #FundraisersFriday Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
In this Fundraisers Friday conversation, hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall answer viewers questions, but also explore the vital importance of joy and authenticity within the nonprofit sector. Starting the fast-paced chat, the talk about the growing challenge of burnout, particularly among fundraising professionals, they offer up some strategies for stress management and maintaining personal authenticity amidst external pressures.
"There is a lot of joy in this work, despite the challenges," Tony says, in talking about the necessity of personal well-being in achieving sustainable success. Julia points to a notable trend: nonprofit leaders actively seeking joy by disengaging from stressful media, stepping away from negative news and crime dramas, and gravitating towards humor and fulfilling personal activities.
Tony also introduces the powerful concept of fostering joy through intentional community gatherings, describing his local AFP chapter's decision to host events free of agendas or speakers, purely aimed at fostering genuine connections. Julia concurs, predicting that this innovative approach "is going to serve its members maybe better than they've ever served."
Further into the conversation, they tackle the debated "Give or Get" board policy. Tony critically comments that true altruism from board members shouldn't require formal mandates, advocating instead for universal financial participation at any level. Julia offers a more nuanced viewpoint, acknowledging the potential limitations of such policies, quoting Sherry Quam Taylor who argues, "You leave money on the table" by setting strict minimum contributions.
Throughout the discussion, Julia and Tony encourage fundraisers to thoughtfully define growth targets. They advise setting realistic, yet ambitious donor goals by assessing internal strengths and strategically leveraging them to maximize opportunities. Transitioning to skills crossover from for-profit to nonprofit sectors, Tony describes his support for sales professionals moving into fundraising, provided they have a passion for social impact, reinforcing that relationship-building remains pivotal across both spheres.
Finally, addressing career progression, the duo explore the rising importance of the CFRE designation in the nonprofit fundraising space. Tony shares that CFRE is becoming increasingly expected as a professional standard, noting its role in elevating fundraisers' credibility. He humorously yet insightfully captures the trend: "More and more fundraisers see CFRE behind other people’s names and think, 'I'm missing out if I don't do this also.” Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
Cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall dig down into a topic that’s equal parts provocative and practical: the often chaotic intersection between nonprofit CEOs and fundraising.
Right out of the gate, Julia sets the tone: “I've seen this occur and I continue to see it occur... the CEO position and fundraising chaos—it can be a little intense, right?” That word—chaos—rings true for many nonprofit leaders who juggle major gift asks, team oversight, and community expectations.
But leave it to Tony to cut through the storm with clarity: “Initially, I would say... the CEO is not your primary fundraiser, but they are the one that has the ultimate accountability for the success of fundraising.” With that, the conversation takes off, weaving through structures, leadership styles, and evolving titles e.g. Chief Development Officer, all with real-world empathy and experience.
Tony points to the need for strategic involvement: “Every donor is in your portfolio to some degree.” It’s not about micromanaging—it's about knowing when to step up and when to empower your team.
And speaking of teams, Julia flags a common donor behavior that throws a wrench in delegation: “Higher level players want to meet with the decision-maker… they kind of discount the development people.” This dynamic often pressures CEOs to jump into ‘asks’, sometimes prematurely.
Tony offers a smart fix: don’t surprise donors. “If we're bringing the CEO into the conversation, we need to do that before the ask.” It’s about future-focused cultivation, not last-minute theatrics.
They also tackle a hot-button issue—bonuses. Tony doesn’t hold back: “My first reaction was: hell no.” But he tempers that with nuance, suggesting creative, non-cash incentives that support retention and morale.
The episode also takes a heartful turn as Tony shares the trend of successful fundraisers being poached by the private sector: “They’ve moved into wealth management and financial advisor roles… that comparison is tough to compete with.”
Packed with actionable thinking, reflective moments, and a dash of humor this convo is a must-watch for nonprofit teams assessing fundraising expectations.
#NonprofitLeadership #FundraisingStrategy Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly critical for both corporations and nonprofits. Our cohosts dig into the nuances and potential of CSR partnerships. Cohost Tony Beall begins by defining CSR as "what organizations commit to in terms of how they want to represent their brand to the community," encompassing environmental, ethical, social, philanthropic, and economic responsibilities.
The duo discuss the strategic importance for fundraisers to understand these distinct CSR pillars to enhance their approaches. Cohost Julia Patrick admits, "I just lumped it all together," pointing to the common mistake nonprofits make. Tony expands on this concept, describing how nonprofits must align specifically with a company's CSR goals to effectively establish mutually beneficial relationships.
The discussion explores the intersection between CSR and cause marketing. Tony differentiates the two clearly: "CSR is focused on doing good as part of the business operation…cause-related marketing is how you express what's happening, how you engage customers."
Ethical alignment also becomes central in the conversation, citing the value for nonprofits to choose corporate partners whose activities align with their mission and values. Julia speaks to the weight of ethical decisions and the challenge when nonprofit leaders reject lucrative but misaligned partnerships. Tony concurs strongly, remarking, "You have to have those standards within your organization."
The two also talk about the practical need for clearly articulated agreements through ‘Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)’, described as a necessary "formal handshake". This formality, rather than inhibiting relationships, provides clarity and aligns expectations, further nurturing a more sustainable corporate partnership.
Finally, they emphasize relationship nurturing and the critical importance of asking corporate sponsors about their reporting and engagement preferences. Tony says powerfully: "It is so important that we understand what is valuable and important and motivates the individual donors and the corporate supporters." Follow the ongoing conversation at #TheNonprofitShow