Have you ever wondered why some major donors become lifelong champions while others quietly slip away?

After nearly three decades in fundraising, I’ve learned that the answer lies in how we steward those relationships-not just with a thank-you, but with genuine, ongoing care.

In this episode, I’ll share the real-life story of how one intentional stewardship journey turned a surprise $25,000 gift into a $250,000 legacy commitment. You’ll hear the strategies, the stumbles, and the simple shifts that made all the difference.

Are you making your major donors feel truly seen, heard, and valued? Or are you missing opportunities to deepen those critical partnerships?

Tune in to discover practical tips, timely trends, and tools you can use right now to retain and grow your most important supporters.

And if this episode resonates, please share it with your fellow fundraisers-let’s raise the bar for donor care together!

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Are major gifts feeling out of reach?

Here's how to tackle the toughest major gift fundraising challenges! 🚀

Feeling like you’re chasing ghosts instead of donors? I know that struggle all too well. After nearly 30 years in fundraising, I’ve seen firsthand how major gift officers, development directors, executive directors, and board members pour heart and soul into donor outreach—only to hit walls of silence, “ghosting,” and stalled relationships.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay stuck. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I share real stories and proven strategies that helped one organization boost major donor revenue by over 453%. From overcoming the fear of the ask to leveraging technology that actually frees up your time, I walk you through practical steps you can implement right away.

Imagine what your nonprofit could achieve with a thriving major gift program. What’s the one challenge holding you back from transformational fundraising success? 🤔

Tune in to this episode for actionable insights, a few laughs, and a whole lot of encouragement.

If you find it helpful, please share it with your team and fellow changemakers—because together, we can transform the world, one intentional gift at a time.

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

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Have you ever felt the goosebumps when a grateful patient shares how your organization changed their life? 💙

Those stories don’t just move us—they move mountains for our missions. But inviting patients and families to share their journeys? That’s a delicate dance between inspiration and sensitivity.

In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I open up about what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) after nearly 30 years in major gifts and nonprofit leadership. I’ll share real-world stories, practical strategies, and a few “aha!” moments about how to honor patient voices, protect privacy, and turn gratitude into lasting impact.

Here’s my question for you: How do you invite authentic stories without ever making someone feel like a fundraising tool? 🤔

If you’re a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member who wants to fundraise with heart—and results—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in, share it with your team, and let’s create a culture of storytelling that transforms communities.

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

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Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Have you ever felt the weight of navigating donor relationships, balancing mission integrity, and leading with courage in the nonprofit sector? I know I have. It’s not always easy, but conversations like the one I had with Roger Ali, AFP Global Board Chair, remind me why we do this work. 🌟

Roger’s journey from a Chamberlain Scholar to a global leader is nothing short of inspiring. He shared powerful lessons about standing firm in your values—even when it’s hard—and embracing collaboration to create richer outcomes. His mantra? “Be courageous. We can do this together.” 💪

We also explored exciting trends shaping the sector, including AFP’s strategic priorities and the must-attend ICON conference. But here’s my question for you: How can we, as nonprofit leaders, show courage in the face of challenges while staying true to our mission? 🤔

👉 Dive into this episode for actionable insights and inspiration.

Let’s elevate our work together! 🎧 Share this post with your colleagues and join the conversation.

Guest: Roger Ali, MBA, C.Dir., CFRE, AFP Global Board Chair

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

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Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Have you ever seen two fundraisers accidentally approach the same donor with conflicting proposals? I have—and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. 😬

It’s a moment I’ll never forget because it taught me one of the most important lessons in my career: fundraising isn’t a solo sport.

In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I’m sharing how embracing a team-first culture can transform your major gifts program. 💡 From personal stories (like that donor mix-up) to actionable strategies, we’ll explore how collaboration can lead to bigger gifts, happier teams, and more engaged donors.

Here’s a question for you: Is your team working together—or just working in the same office? 🤔 If there’s room for improvement (and let’s be honest, there always is), this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to break down silos, build trust, and celebrate team wins that make a real impact. And don’t forget to share this episode with your colleagues—because great fundraising starts with great teamwork!

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.

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Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Is your work running you instead of the other way around? Here's how to break free from the busyness trap...

I’ve certainly been there, and so has Kishshana Palmer, the powerhouse author of Busy is a Four-Letter Word. In our recent conversation on The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, Kishshana shared stories that hit home—like the moment her daughter told her, “You don’t have to monetize everything you’re good at.” 💡 That was her wake-up call to rethink how she approached work and life.

This episode dives deep into overcoming “martyritis” (yes, it’s a thing!), achieving more by doing less, and leading high-performing teams without burnout. Kishshana’s five-step Rethink Method will challenge you to pause, assess, and prioritize wellness—for yourself and your team. 🌟

So, here’s my question to you:

Are you ready to reclaim your time and purpose while still making an impact? If yes, grab a coffee (or tea ☕️), listen to this inspiring episode, and let’s redefine productivity together.

🎧 Listen now and share this with fellow nonprofit leaders who need to hear it! Let’s start a movement for intentional leadership. 💬

Guest: Kishshana Palmer, CEO, ManageMint, Inc.

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.

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Feeling pressure to hit fundraising goals while trying to build lasting donor relationships?

I’ve been there too. It’s like walking a tightrope—balancing board expectations, donor engagement, and strategic goals without losing sight of your nonprofit’s mission. 🎯

In my recent conversation with Cherian Koshy on #TheIntentionalFundraiserPodcast, we dove into the heart of these challenges. Cherian shared game-changing insights on how curiosity can transform stakeholder relationships, why ROI isn’t just about numbers, and how technology can empower us to focus on what really matters—human connection. 💡

So, let me ask you: Are you ready to rethink how you measure success and create sustainable growth in your organization? If so, this episode is for you. 🎙️

👉 Tune in now and discover strategies that will inspire your work and strengthen your impact. Let’s navigate this journey together! 🌟

Guest: Cherian Koshy, Vice President of Product Strategy, Kindsight

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.

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Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Feeling ike your #nonprofit is stuck in a cycle of “just getting by”? In my recent conversation with Alan Clayton, author of Great Fundraising Organizations: Why and How the World's Best Charities Excel at Raising Money, we explored what separates great fundraising organizations from those that struggle. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about having a great mission or a big budget—it’s about intentionality, leadership, and alignment.

Alan shared stories that gave me goosebumps, like how St. Labre Indian School found its true purpose and unlocked transformational growth. He also revealed why donors don’t give to organizations—they give to solve problems—and how understanding this simple truth can change everything.

We discussed that one of the biggest challenges nonprofits face is balancing immediate fundraising needs with long-term sustainability. What's Alan's advice?

👉 Tune in for his answer!

Guest: Alan Clayton, CEO at Revolutionise International, International Consultant, Author

Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.

Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.

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Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.