Nonprofit Fundraising Learning
Unleash the power of your fundraising with our curated collection of educational video courses, designed for nonprofits. Step into the expansive and changing world of raising funds effectively, navigating through the proven strategies and innovative techniques that Top Nonprofit Experts shared. These video sessions will lead you on a journey to discover the art and science of persuasive storytelling, engaging donors, and mastering grant writing – to name just a few topics. Whether you are starting a new nonprofit or looking to advance an already robust fundraising program, these learning segments are packed with actionable insights and practical tools to help you reach your goals for your charity, nonprofit, or NGO.
Craig Shelley, CEO of Schultz & Williams, joins Show host Julia Patrick, as they examine how philanthropy and nonprofit leadership are being reshaped under persistent uncertainty. Craig frames the moment succinctly: skepticism toward institutions is rising, which means nonprofits must state their values plainly and show exactly how funds power outcomes. The rubric he uses —“culture, brand, growth,” with culture first—becomes a practical lens leaders can apply immediately.
A central thread is fear—of economic signals, of language missteps, of technology’s speed. Craig notes that newer terms and jargon often widen the gap between sector insiders and the public. The remedy, he argues, is precision in communication and integrity in positioning. Julia observes a leadership pivot she’s hearing across the sector: “I’ve shifted my focus from task management to almost cheerleader,” which reframes modern leadership as energizing teams, not merely allocating tasks.
Remote work adds complexity: video meetings enable contact but thin relationships. Craig cautions that virtual convenience can erode the depth required for durable trust with colleagues and donors. He urges fundraisers—especially early-career professionals—to prioritize in-person relationship building. Otherwise, if their engagement stays purely digital, they compete directly with automated outreach. AI, in his telling, is already table stakes for efficiency—wealth screening, signal-based prospecting, and automated acknowledgments—but not a substitute for human rapport.
The conversation widens to concentric circles of stakeholders: start with staff, then the board, donors, and constituents. Invest in people first—reduce friction, understand motivations, build clarity. Curiosity is the catalyst. Craig’s own practice—asking about lives beyond job titles—models how depth is built. Julia adds a counterweight on “authentic leadership,” wryly noting that unfiltered authenticity can unsettle teams; leaders must project steadiness even while processing strain.
What emerges is a modern leadership compact: clarity about values, consistent communication, judicious use of technology, and intentional relationship work—especially in person. The sector’s generosity hasn’t waned; the environment around it has shifted. Navigating that shift means centering people and partnerships, then aligning tools to support, not replace, human connection.
Joint fundraising: bold idea, complicated feelings. On this Fundraisers Friday, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall swap real-world stories and field notes on how small and midsize nonprofits can team up without tripping over turf, lists, or logistics. Julia sets the table with a grin—“They’re super tricky, they’re very interesting, and I think there’s a lot of fear around it”—then Tony gets granular on where collaboration actually shines: events. Think shared strengths: one NPO’s marketing mojo plus another’s room-flow wizardry equals a stronger guest experience and better net for all.
The throughline is alignment. Serve the same community—youth, seniors, cancer journeys, pets—so the purpose reads as one chorus, not competing solos.
Contracts keep friendships friendly. Spell everything out in an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or partnership agreement: shared costs, who fronts deposits, marketing responsibilities, volunteer management, night-of logistics, and—vital—who’s the fiscal agent. As Tony puts it, “It’s just a reminder that we are running a business.” Marketing lists stay private; attendee lists can be shared with explicit consent at registration. Afterward, leverage an event page for social recaps while each org pushes post-event notes to its own supporters.
Courage shows up at the recap table. Schedule a quick postmortem to capture wins, gaps, and “never again” insights while memories are fresh. Sometimes the bravest answer is one-and-done: celebrate the success and move on. Julia’s take on reality checks lands with a smile and a nod to capacity: big hearts are fantastic, but bandwidth pays the bills!!
#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #Collaboration
The phrase “overhead myth” still haunts the nonprofit world like a stubborn ghost. Host Julia C. Patrick sits down with Adam Holzberg, Partner and CPA at SAX Advisory Group, to teach viewers why judging nonprofits by their administrative expenses misses the point—and how education, transparency, and storytelling can replace outdated thinking with real understanding.
Adam defines the myth plainly: “It’s the idea that a nonprofit is less effective when it has higher overhead.” That assumption, he stresses, is simply untrue. The salaries, training, technology, IT support, and finance work that make up overhead are the very systems that keep programs running effectively. Yet donors and watchdogs still cling to the notion that only direct program spending matters. “In reality,” Adam says, “those programs can’t even function without this infrastructure behind the scenes.”
He traces the myth’s roots to the early days of charity watchdogs comparing organizations through the functional expense schedule on Form 990 filings. Those comparisons turned rough accounting estimates into moral judgments, and the damage stuck. Many nonprofits still feel pressure to brag about low overhead ratios—even when it hurts them.
Adam teaches that context matters. A government-funded nonprofit may appear more efficient because it spends little on fundraising, while a community charity that relies on individual donations will show a larger overhead percentage. There’s no universal benchmark—though watchdogs like Charity Navigator often cite 70 percent program spending as a target. But he cautions against treating that as a rule: every mission, funding model, and cost structure differs.
When asked how to fix the problem, Adam emphasizes education. Nonprofits must explain why investing in staff well-being, technology, and cybersecurity protects impact. His analogy brings it home: “If you build an offense with Patrick Mahomes and top receivers but neglect your offensive line, your team won’t move the ball. Nonprofits are the same—without infrastructure, even the best programs fail.”
Julia and Adam agree that shifting focus from expense ratios to impact data is the next frontier. Impact storytelling shows outcomes numbers can’t: lives changed, communities strengthened, futures rebuilt. Leaders, boards, and funders must learn to read those stories alongside the spreadsheets.
The conversation closes with hope—and a reminder that every conversation helps rewrite the narrative. By teaching donors, boards, and staff that strong infrastructure equals stronger mission delivery, nonprofits can finally end the burden of the overhead myth.
#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFinance #OverheadMyth
Fundraising folklore says the “one big donor” will save the day! Katie Gaston, Director of Product Marketing at Bloomerang, dismantles that ‘chase’ and replaces it with steady, systems-based fundraising. Katie frames her role in product marketing as disciplined storytelling: know your audience, understand what they care about, and read the landscape by listening, surveying, and researching. That same mindset applies to development. Start by cleaning and maintaining data in your CRM so you can actually see who is volunteering, giving monthly, and staying loyal over time. Automation can help—address updates, enrichment, and built-in features you may not have enabled.
Katie moves the conversation from wishful thinking to practical math: “Research shows you will actually raise quite a bit more if you just focus on the donors already in your database.” Loyal monthly givers, long-tenured annual donors, and volunteers represent reliable lift and lower risk than a single major-gift “unicorn.” She urges teams to use AI thoughtfully. Whether through platform-native tools or carefully configured external assistants, AI can scan patterns, surface bequest prospects, identify mid-level donors to upgrade, and recommend next actions.
This timely episode then maps a clear donor journey. Thank first-time donors within 48 hours, then vary contact across channels—email, short mobile video, text, and a newsletter update—to nurture toward recurring and mid-level giving. Build an automated sequence now so December’s influx becomes January’s momentum, not a one-month spike. Even modest, realistic steps matter: one sequence, one board call plan, one January volunteer invitation for first-time donors.
Boards and leadership often share the myth. Bring them along with evidence. Use AI or CRM reports to present streak length, recency, and consistency. Real stories persuade too: a decades-long modest donor who later made a significant bequest once the relationship was cultivated. Katie offers a simple activation: “A board thank you call will actually increase the next gift size by up to 40%.” Pair that with the “48 hour” rule and you have a repeatable, high-leverage play.
Finally, Katie’s suggests we reframe year-end. December isn’t a finish line; it’s the on-ramp for the new year. Lean into the cultural reset of January—invite, ask why they gave, listen, and keep the story going. The takeaway: stop chasing the mythical donor and build a system that compounds loyalty you already have.
Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall get practical about recruiting fundraising talent when Q4 urgency is peaking. They open with empathy for development teams sprinting toward holiday giving, then move straight into the realities leaders must manage: retention, clarity, and smarter channels for sourcing candidates. Tony reminds us of the data behind turnover—average tenure around 19 months—and turns that into a charge for boards and executives to assess culture and expectations, not just replace people. “I’m an advocate of putting salary ranges in job postings,” he says, framing transparency as both respectful and time-saving for everyone.
The core lesson: start with a carefully crafted role. Compensation, deliverables, and core competencies belong upfront so you can source with precision. Julia pushes the conversation further: what if someone has been in the role for ten years? Tony offers a balanced lens—deep relationships can be a huge asset provided the organization’s future vision and the person’s strengths still connect.
From there, they map pathways to strong candidates: specialized job boards (AFP global and chapter sites, Chronicle of Philanthropy, local consulting firms’ boards), professional networks, and the university pipeline. Today’s philanthropic studies programs and micro-credentials (including LinkedIn Learning) expand opportunities for both organizations and professionals; mid-career learners with real-world experience can be exceptional hires. Julia points to the Lodestar Center at ASU as an example of a robust regional hub producing talent across ages and backgrounds.
They also cover the human side: discretion on LinkedIn (quietly indicating recruiter-friendly status), partnering with search firms, and managing communications in small communities where reputations travel fast. Tony’s encouragement is simple and memorable: “You have to be in it to win it.” That means showing up, telling trusted peers you’re exploring options, and being thoughtful about where and how you share.
The episode closes with practical optimism. Recruiting well isn’t about luck—it’s about clarity, channels, and consistent relationship-building. Name the role. State the range. Know the competencies. Post where fundraisers actually look. Tap universities and certificates. And keep your personal brand healthy—because your next opportunity often starts with the conversations you have today!
#TheNonprofitShow #FundraisersFriday #NonprofitCareers
If you want donors to move, tell them exactly where to go. In this Fundraisers Friday conversation, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall turn vague appeals into precise, energizing calls to action (CTA’s)—across giving, events, engagement, volunteering, and advocacy. Tony lays the foundation early: “Start with the call to action. What do I want folks to do?” When you begin with the outcome, every sentence supports momentum, not meandering.
Julia puts a common myth on the table: “It’s not just like go out and ask a bunch of rich people for money.” Fundraising isn’t speed-dial; it’s relationship-building, timing, and clarity. Tony reinforces the point: “Fundraising is all about relationships,” and your CTA is the moment you convert relationship energy into tangible next steps—give, register, share, join, or contact.
Time-bound CTAs matter. Use real clocks, not artificial pressure. Matching gifts? Set the deadline: “Donate by October 15 so your gift will be doubled.” Community emergencies? Be specific: protect 20 roofs, feed families during power loss, or restore safe access to services this week. Impact framing turns abstract dollars into visible outcomes: $50 feeds one student for a month—$100 feeds two. That clarity invites bigger gifts because supporters can instantly see scale.
Equally important: truth and fit. If the amount and impact don’t match, supporters feel it. Build your figures from real program data, and keep the language human. Julia adds a practical lens for events: swap “RSVP” for action-forward phrases like “Save my seat.” Tap joyful FOMO without panic. Want engagement? Ask for it. “Click subscribe,” “Invite 10 friends,” “Share with a neighbor adopting a pet.” Want volunteers or in-kind items? Say exactly how to respond and how you’ll make it easy.
Advocacy belongs in your CTA toolkit too. This isn’t about politics—it’s about mission. Invite your community to “Stand with families—email your legislator today to support…” Frame the request around the people you serve and the outcome your programs create.
Finally, close the loop with gratitude-based storytelling. Julia’s favorite “Because of you” CTA wraps action and appreciation into one cadence: Because of you, 50 students received laptops; because of you, seniors got meals during outages. That framing reminds supporters they are the hero—today and tomorrow.
Start with the action you need, frame it with authentic impact, and invite your community to step forward—now.
Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall turn board jitters into momentum with a simple, generous framework: four board roles that make fundraising feel natural, human, and actually fun. Julia sets the tone with a zinger that boards will remember: “This is not a no situation. This is a KNOW situation.” From there, Tony maps the path: “Prospector, cultivator, solicitor, and steward—four very simple roles that are really impactful.”
Prospectors spark the pipeline by looking at real relationships—LinkedIn, circles of influence, workplace connections—to spot people who might love your mission. Julia notes this is the one job every board member can do without sweaty palms. Cultivators then step in as brand ambassadors, sharing stories, hosting small gatherings, and learning what lights a supporter up—without making the ask. Think hype team with heart!
Next up: solicitors. Some board members truly enjoy asking (yes, unicorns exist). Tony clarifies that “strength in numbers” doesn’t mean bringing a stranger to the ask; the right voice in the room is the one with an authentic relationship. Finally, stewards keep the glow going—handwritten notes, quick calls, social shout-outs, tours—feeding the feedback loop so staff and board hear what donors feel and see. Introverts rejoice: stewardship offers tons of low-pressure ways to shine.
Julia and Tony keep it real about energy, fit, and growth. Not everyone will love every role, but everyone can contribute somewhere—and many will stretch into new skills with a little structure and encouragement. The pair celebrate their new book, The Architecture of Fundraising (artwork by Tony, applause from Julia), and salute Executive Producer Kevin Pace for nudging the dream into reality.
Bottom line: pick your lane, keep the lanes moving, and talk about them at every board meeting with intention. When board members match their temperament to the right role, confidence rises, the process hums, and your mission gets the fuel it deserves.
Giving Tuesday can feel like a moving target—but after this discussion with guest Jared Throneberry of Bloomerang, you’ll have a clear, energizing plan. Jared blends tech savvy with a lived heart for service—Big Brothers Big Sisters, foster parenting since 2011, and community leadership—so his guidance lands with real-world credibility. His first message: you don’t have to participate just because everyone else is. If the timing crowds your year-end efforts, your team is stretched thin, or the format doesn’t fit your culture, sit it out without guilt. But if you choose to participate, choose to excel.
Success begins with a specific purpose. “You want to have a specific campaign for this. You want to have a purpose,” Jared tells us. He urges organizations to set a reasonable, public goal and show visible progress with a giving thermometer. Momentum matters; keep supporters informed throughout the day and celebrate milestones. Matching gifts can amplify urgency—secure a partner that doubles donations during the 24-hour window.
Communication is the engine. Schedule emails and posts before, during, and after the day. If social media is your lane, lean in. If your audience responds better to email or text, use those channels with clarity and brevity. Bloomerang’s Giving Tuesday templates can help you prepare messages in advance, so your team is executing—not scrambling—on the day.
Think beyond dollars. Jared proposes creative non-financial asks: diapers for a pregnancy center, items from an Amazon wish list, or a “share this post” action to expand reach. He even flips the script: host a donor appreciation touchpoint—coffee, breakfast, or a thank-you event—to strengthen relationships and set the tone for year-end. It’s generous, memorable, and aligned with the spirit of the day.
Competition can be fun, but mission comes first. Craft your campaign around a tangible need—a piece of equipment, a program milestone, or a defined impact story—so supporters feel the “why” in every update. As Jared reminds us, “Don’t just give to us because it’s Giving Tuesday. Give to us to this cause for this reason.” Choose intentionally, plan early, communicate often, and finish with gratitude. Do that, and #GivingTuesday becomes more than a date—it becomes a launchpad for deeper engagement.
#TheNonprofitShow #GivingTuesday #NonprofitFundraising
Fundraisers Friday cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall dive into a thought-provoking conversation about the future of corporate sponsorships, the changing dynamics of nonprofit partnerships, and the launch of their new book, The Architecture of Fundraising.
The show kicks off with Julia setting the tone for a discussion that is anything but light—because corporate sponsorships in 2026 will demand more strategy, accountability, and creativity than ever before.
Tony adds his perspective, explaining how employee engagement has overtaken gala tables as the centerpiece of sponsorship. He explains: “When structured well, employee engagement helps a corporation develop emerging leaders through volunteerism, while strengthening teams through shared service experiences.”
Julia expands the conversation by connecting sponsorships to employee retention, HR priorities, and brand loyalty. She shares real stories from her career, including the tough calls nonprofits face when lucrative corporate dollars come from companies with misaligned values. Together, the cohosts explore how consumer behavior and corporate reputation intersect with philanthropy, reminding us that today’s donors and customers expect alignment of values, not just a logo on a program.
The episode doesn’t shy away from controversy. DEIB funding withdrawals, politically charged sponsorships, and “cancel culture” pressure on corporations have already reshaped the landscape. Julia tells of an advisory board that lost funding simply for using DEIB language, while Tony points to Pride organizations nationwide that saw longtime sponsors retreat. Yet both emphasize that diversification of revenue, transparent policies, and mission alignment are essential for weathering these storms.
Technology and data are also at the forefront. Sponsors are no longer satisfied with anecdotes or temporary goodwill; they want measurable outcomes. Julia and Tony challenge nonprofits to track impact rigorously, report frequently, and integrate sponsor ROI into community stories. The conversation makes clear: numbers, stories, and values all matter—and nonprofits that can weave them together will win long-term partnerships.
This episode motivates nonprofits to rethink how they approach corporate sponsors. The message is unmistakable: the future of sponsorships is about long-term vision, measurable impact, and authentic alignment.
Fundraisers Friday cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall dive into a thought-provoking conversation about the future of corporate sponsorships, the changing dynamics of nonprofit partnerships, and the launch of their new book, The Architecture of Fundraising.
The show kicks off with Julia setting the tone for a discussion that is anything but light—because corporate sponsorships in 2026 will demand more strategy, accountability, and creativity than ever before.
Tony adds his perspective, explaining how employee engagement has overtaken gala tables as the centerpiece of sponsorship. He explains: “When structured well, employee engagement helps a corporation develop emerging leaders through volunteerism, while strengthening teams through shared service experiences.”
Julia expands the conversation by connecting sponsorships to employee retention, HR priorities, and brand loyalty. She shares real stories from her career, including the tough calls nonprofits face when lucrative corporate dollars come from companies with misaligned values. Together, the cohosts explore how consumer behavior and corporate reputation intersect with philanthropy, reminding us that today’s donors and customers expect alignment of values, not just a logo on a program.
The episode doesn’t shy away from controversy. DEIB funding withdrawals, politically charged sponsorships, and “cancel culture” pressure on corporations have already reshaped the landscape. Julia tells of an advisory board that lost funding simply for using DEIB language, while Tony points to Pride organizations nationwide that saw longtime sponsors retreat. Yet both emphasize that diversification of revenue, transparent policies, and mission alignment are essential for weathering these storms.
Technology and data are also at the forefront. Sponsors are no longer satisfied with anecdotes or temporary goodwill; they want measurable outcomes. Julia and Tony challenge nonprofits to track impact rigorously, report frequently, and integrate sponsor ROI into community stories. The conversation makes clear: numbers, stories, and values all matter—and nonprofits that can weave them together will win long-term partnerships.
This episode motivates nonprofits to rethink how they approach corporate sponsors. The message is unmistakable: the future of sponsorships is about long-term vision, measurable impact, and authentic alignment.
exploring a powerful theme that affects every nonprofit: the necessity of diversifying revenue streams—with cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall. While fundraising is often viewed as a singular number to hit, Tony ignites the convo with, “If we are focused on putting everything in one basket, we’re putting our programs and services at risk.”
Together, they walk through the “lanes” of nonprofit revenue: major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and planned giving—each requiring different skill sets but all anchored in one common thread: relationships. Tony’s thinking. . . “True success in fundraising rests in your ability to build relationships, even in grantmaking where you may need an invitation from a foundation.” Julia echoes the reality that planned giving, while unpredictable, can yield transformational gifts, while corporate sponsorships often demand careful alignment between mission and brand values.
The informative conversation covers monthly giving programs, now empowered by digital tools. What once felt arduous is now a viable, forecastable stream. Monthly donors often “testing” an organization with smaller contributions before stepping into major gift or legacy conversations—a fact savvy nonprofits should embrace. Julia points out how this incremental giving builds a sense of community: donors rowing in the same direction together, proving that even $10 a month can matter.
‘Cause Marketing’ receives sharp focus. Tony explains that beyond revenue, its real value is in brand awareness. “What is the soft dollar value of the exposure your nonprofit gains?” he asks, while cautioning that consumers demand authentic mission alignment; token efforts rarely shift donor or customer behavior without deeper resonance.
The discussion wraps with a thoughtful action strategy: how nonprofits allocate time and talent across lanes. For many, events consume disproportionate staff energy—sometimes to the detriment of post-event stewardship. Tony clarifies how staff specialization matters too—grant writers are not gala planners—and leaders must invest in professional development and digital tools to support diversification.
#FundraisersFriday #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising
In a conversation that feels more like a real-time crisis briefing than a casual update, Derick Dreher, Government Funding Department Leader at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), breaks down the latest turbulence in federal funding. If your nonprofit depends on government grants—or even corporate partnerships—you’ll want to pay attention.
Derick opens with a stark truth: “Change is the only constant these days.” Over the past several months, nonprofits have faced an unprecedented series of delays, freezes, and sudden shifts in the flow of federal dollars. From an outright funding pause by the Office of Management and Budget to agency-specific cancellations and now a new executive order forcing a 30-day grant-making pause, the reliability nonprofits once counted on has been replaced with a precarious “rolling boil” of uncertainty.
But it’s not just about delays. The newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill—a sprawling 900-page spending package—introduces a corporate giving floor of 1% of taxable income. The concern? Many corporations have historically given just under that threshold, meaning some could cut giving entirely, while others may “bunch” donations into large, infrequent gifts, creating cash flow whiplash for nonprofits.
Derick also tackles a thorny, politically charged issue: DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) language in grant applications. After an executive order forbidding “illegal discrimination” without clearly defining it, some nonprofits began scrubbing websites and documents out of fear of jeopardizing awards. New DOJ guidance offers more clarity, but each organization will need to work with legal counsel to understand the implications.
Equally eye-opening is a startling public perception gap: only 5% of Americans believe they’ve interacted with a nonprofit, despite most having lifelong contact with them—from hospitals and schools to museums and sports leagues. Derick urges nonprofits to continually communicate their value to stakeholders and elected officials, noting that state and local funding often originates from the federal level.
Looking ahead, he’s watching two key indicators: the volume of grants listed on grants.gov (a barometer of federal stability) and the progress of 12 appropriations bills that must pass before October 1 to avoid a government shutdown. His advice? Increase the frequency of cash flow projections, consider lines of credit, and engage corporations now—before the 2026 deduction changes kick in.
Derick’s message is both calming and urgent: understand what you can control, seek accurate information, and act strategically to protect and position your nonprofit to thrive, even in a climate where certainty is in short supply.
Online giving isn’t just the future of fundraising—it’s the now! Emily Kelly, National Accounts Manager at Bloomerang, delivers a practical, energizing roadmap for nonprofits to raise more money online—without adding more stress to already full plates.
This conversation is for any nonprofit ready to increase online giving, improve donor retention, and strengthen relationships in a digital-first world. Emily blends practical “fix it today” steps with a bigger vision for creating donor experiences that inspire giving, year after year.
Emily’s passion for relationship-building is woven through every tactic she shares. With a background in marriage and family therapy, she sees fundraising not as transactions, but as an opportunity for deeper human connection. “The power of please and thank you is so much more powerful than anything else,” she begins—a reminder that technology should serve relationships, not replace them.
Her first piece of advice is deceptively simple: make sure your donate button works. Too often, organizations overlook this basic step. Then, view your donation page through the eyes of a first-time visitor—would you feel compelled to give? Is it clear, inviting, and emotionally engaging? Placement matters too. The donate button should be easy to spot, ideally at the top of your page, without forcing visitors to search for it.
Emily urges nonprofits to offer multiple payment options—credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, and even Venmo—to meet donors where they are. Each generation prefers different tools and limiting payment methods risks losing potential gifts.
She also challenges organizations to reimagine the donor experience for online gifts. Segmentation is key—tailoring acknowledgments by gift size, donor type, or relationship history. A generic thank-you isn’t enough; donors want to feel seen and valued. Communication preference tracking—whether donors prefer email, phone, text, or snail mail—helps build authentic connections and increase retention.
And yes, the old-fashioned phone call is making a comeback. Emily shares research showing that calling a first-time donor within 24–48 hours makes them four times more likely to give again. Whether done by staff, volunteers, or board members, these calls create goodwill on both sides—reigniting board member engagement while deepening donor trust.
Emily’s philosophy is clear: treat every gift, whether $50 or $50,000, as the start of a relationship. One-time gifts can become long-term commitments—or even legacy gifts—when nonprofits follow up with gratitude, intentionality, and consistent communication.
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.