The Human Connection: Using Relationship-First Fundraising to Turn Donors into Partners (with Jack Padovano)

In an environment where many donors are overwhelmed by urgent appeals and global crises, it's easy for even the most generous supporters to disengage. However, successful organizations realize they don't need to "scream louder" to get attention; they simply need to be clearer, more human, and more intentional about their asks. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf sits down with Jack Padovano, Board Chair of PC Project, to discuss how prioritizing relationship-first fundraising helped this small nonprofit achieve their most successful campaign ever. You'll learn how to leverage peer-to-peer outreach to turn supporters into brave advocates, why a "strategy-first" mindset simplifies fundraising, and how to enroll donors as true partners in your mission. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to [e-mail]. Additional Resources [NPFX] Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Getting Started the Smart Way https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/peer-to-peer-fundraising-getting-started-the-smart-way [NPFX] Improve Donor Retention and Engagement with P2P Fundraising https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/improve-donor-retention-and-engagement-with-p2p-fundraising Guest Jack Padovano, board chair for PC Project, is an advancement and marketing strategist with over four decades of experience helping nonprofit organizations and mission-driven institutions strengthen fundraising programs and deepen donor engagement. He specializes in translating complex missions into compelling, results-driven campaigns that build lasting relationships with supporters and advance organizational priorities. Earlier in his career, Jack held senior marketing leadership roles in the direct-to-consumer sector, including positions with Sara Lee and Wolferman's, where he developed expertise in multichannel marketing, membership growth, and strategic communications. Jack also serves as a trusted advisor in nonprofit governance and strategic planning, guiding organizations on messaging, mission expansion, and long-term sustainability. Known for combining data-informed strategies with persuasive storytelling, he helps advancement teams create programs that engage donors, inspire action, and generate measurable impact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-padovano-48bb4862/ https://www.pachyonychia.org/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement