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First Day Podcast

First Day Podcast

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 The Fund Raising School is excited to launch the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School! Highlighting current news and research, this podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School!All rights reserved
Episodios
  • 8 Questions to Improve Donor Relations

    8 Questions to Improve Donor Relations
    Jul 13 2025
    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with fundraising powerhouse John Zeller, former Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, to unpack the behind-the-scenes magic of major gift fundraising. While the headlines may tout seven- and eight-figure gifts, Zeller emphasizes that consistent cultivation, stewardship, and relationship-building are the real power players behind any billion-dollar campaign. Case in point: nearly a third of gifts during Penn’s $5.4 billion campaign came from donors giving less than $50,000. The message? Every gift counts, and every donor deserves attention. Zeller shares how he and his team shifted from a transactional mindset to a holistic approach, ensuring donors were involved long before and after the ask. At Penn, they implemented a strategy called “non-financial objectives,” inviting people to volunteer, serve on committees, and participate in university life without writing a check. It wasn’t just nice, it was strategic. By formalizing volunteer roles with job descriptions and term limits, they attracted over 32,000 volunteers across two campaigns. Volunteers became passionate advocates, and many transitioned into donors, with research showing that 80% of engaged volunteers go on to give financially. Bonus stat: over half of high-net-worth individuals volunteer, making this a double win for fundraisers. Of course, the million-dollar (sometimes literally) question is: When do you make the ask? Zeller offers his “8-question method” as a roadmap. The first four help determine donor capacity, interest, relationship strength, and philanthropic inclination. The next four zoom in on specifics: gift area, amount, timing, and potential assets involved (like IPOs or business sales). If you can confidently answer all eight, go ahead and pop the question, because if you’ve done your homework, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. And if the timing's off, donors will let you know. Zeller closes by underscoring that stewardship isn’t just a step in the giving cycle, it’s a mindset. From matching students with donors to hosting impactful scholarship receptions and “Engaging Minds” events featuring top researchers, Penn created moments that made donors feel connected, appreciated, and inspired to give more. Even in today’s fast-paced, AI-infused fundraising world, Zeller insists the essentials remain the same: data-informed strategies and genuine human relationships. In fundraising, as in life, it’s all about showing up, saying thank you (often), and making people feel like part of the mission.
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    18 m
  • Finally, Some Good News: Using Giving USA Data for Fundraising Planning

    Finally, Some Good News: Using Giving USA Data for Fundraising Planning
    Jul 6 2025
    In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., brings a dose of optimism as he dives into the newly released Giving USA 2025 report, spotlighting charitable giving in 2024. The big headline? Americans donated a record-breaking $592.5 billion, a 6.3% increase in current dollars and a healthy 3.3% bump after adjusting for inflation. It’s a hopeful sign for fundraisers everywhere, proving that the spirit of giving hasn’t just survived, it’s thriving. Bill zeroes in on individuals and corporations as the twin engines powering this philanthropic boom. Individual giving soared by 8% in current dollars (5% after inflation), despite the lingering psychological cloud of inflation hanging over many households. Corporations also stepped up with their most generous year yet, contributing $44 billion, up 9% in current dollars and 6% inflation-adjusted. Even with uncertainty in the air, the data reflects a confident commitment to giving from both people and businesses alike. Foundations, while still doling out over $100 billion for the third year running, saw a slight dip after inflation, down just half a percent. But context is key: their giving had ballooned during the pandemic, so this modest decline is more of a breather than a backslide. Even better news? Every single one of the nine charitable sub-sectors saw growth in current dollars, an all-subsector upswing that’s happened only 14 times in 40 years. So what’s a savvy fundraiser to do with all this good news? For starters, keep the momentum going. Bill urges fundraisers to tap into the enduring generosity of individuals and corporations, focus on stewardship (that’s fundraising between the asks), and expand outreach beyond just affluent households. With millennials rising in generosity ranks and AI tools freeing up time for more personal donor engagement, the moment is ripe. And remember: planning for multiple scenarios, economic boom, bust, or somewhere in between, keeps your strategy agile and your outlook optimistic.
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    15 m
  • Giving USA 2025: Current Findings

    Giving USA 2025: Current Findings
    Jun 29 2025
    In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by philanthropic power duo Una Osili, Ph.D. and Jon Bergdoll, M.A., to unpack the freshly minted Giving USA 2025 report. Spoiler alert: Americans gave over $590 billion in 2024. Adjusted for inflation, giving grew a solid 3.3%, with a hefty assist from a booming stock market, low unemployment, and a collective sigh of economic relief post-pandemic. Dr. Osili brings the analytical fire, grounding her insights in decades of data while reminding us that while 2024 hit a record in current dollars, inflation-adjusted giving still trails some pandemic-era highs. Still, the philanthropic glass is more than half full. Giving from individuals surged 8% (5% after inflation), and corporate generosity followed suit with a 9% bump. Foundations held steady after three fat years, showing that even giving giants need to catch their breath. On the receiving end, religious institutions still top the charts, though their share has dipped below 30%. Human services climbed to second place, nudging education to bronze, thanks to ongoing support for basic needs post-COVID. All nine subsectors of charitable giving saw growth in current dollars, a feat achieved only 14 times in the last 40 years. Even donor-advised funds (DAFs) got their moment in the sun, showing up everywhere and nowhere all at once. But the big question: So what? Dr. Osili offers three golden takeaways for fundraisers. First, Americans are consistently generous, even in uncertain times. Second, diversify your donor base: individuals, foundations, corporations, and planned gifts. And third, it’s innovation time. As giving methods evolve, nonprofits must sharpen their skills, adapt their tools, and embrace the future. Because in fundraising, staying still is the fastest way to fall behind.
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    18 m
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