The Great Wealth Transfer: What It Means for Rural Communities
with Ben Winchester and Janel Frederickson

Over the next two decades, America will see the largest transfer of wealth in history—and rural communities stand to gain or lose more than many realize. In this timely conversation, hosts Camille Walz (West Central Initiative) and Kristi Ackley (Growth By Design) sit down with rural sociologist Ben Winchester and estate attorney Janel Frederickson to break down what the Great Wealth Transfer really means for hometowns across Minnesota and beyond.

✨ Inside this episode:
• What the Great Wealth Transfer actually looks like in rural communities—and why the narrative is more hopeful than you might think
• How nonprofits can position themselves as trusted partners in long-term giving
• The role of community foundations, local relationships, and “place attachment” in capturing generational wealth
• Practical steps for starting conversations about estate gifts (without feeling awkward)
• How to engage younger generations through storytelling, values-based giving, and authentic community connection
• Real-world strategies rural leaders can use to keep local wealth local

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, community advocate, donor, or simply care about the future of small towns, this episode offers clear insights and actionable tools for ensuring rural places thrive for generations to come.

🎧 Listen now to learn how intentional relationships, strong nonprofits, and powerful stories can help communities make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Key Themes: rural philanthropy, donor relationships, estate planning, community vitality, generational giving, local wealth retention

MN State Share: https://mnstateshare.org/

LAL Planned Giving Toolkit: https://leavealegacymn.org/downloads/planned-giving-launch-kit/

Transfer of Wealth Data: https://extension.umn.edu/community-development/transfer-wealth

Great leadership doesn’t just happen — it’s cultivated. In this inspiring conversation, host Ali Schneider talks with business coach and master trainer LuAnn Buechler, board president of The Coach Initiative, a nonprofit providing pro bono coaching to leaders across the humanitarian and nonprofit sector. Together, they unpack how coaching becomes a powerful catalyst for growth, clarity, and expanded impact.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why coaching is one of the most effective tools for nonprofit leaders

• How clarity, accountability, and self-awareness strengthen teams

• What The Coach Initiative is doing to support humanitarian leadership

• Practical ways coaching can elevate your mission-driven work

🎧 Listen in to discover how investing in your leadership can transform the way you lead your team — and the communities you serve.

Key Topics/Themes: Leadership coaching, nonprofit capacity building, professional development, team effectiveness, humanitarian leadership, The Coach Initiative

This Veterans Day, discover how the bond between horses and humans is helping veterans find peace, purpose, and connection. Patti Gruber, Executive Director of Operation Wild Horse, joins host and U.S. Navy veteran Kristi Ackley to share how equine therapy is transforming lives — one relationship at a time.

✨ Inside this episode:

• How horses help veterans rebuild trust, communication, and confidence

• The story behind Operation Wild Horse and its roots in service and healing

• The powerful role of community and small donors in sustaining this mission

• Real stories of transformation from the arena
  

🎧 Listen now to uncover how compassion, connection, and mustangs are changing the way we support those who’ve served.

Key Topics/Themes: Veterans’ healing, equine therapy, community impact, resilience, donor support

Learn more or donate: https://vetrr.org/operation-wild-horse/

Getting your board involved in fundraising doesn’t have to feel like pushing a boulder uphill. In this episode, hosts Camille Pearson Walz and Kristi Ackley sit down with Hillary Frances of Flying Whale Strategies to share practical, proven ways to inspire your board to engage with confidence and clarity.

✨ Inside this episode:

• How to define clear board roles and expectations around fundraising

• Strategies for building stronger, more collaborative board–staff relationships

• Ways to match board member strengths to major gifts, annual giving, grants, and sponsorships

• How storytelling and data together can motivate giving and deepen donor trust
  

🎧 Listen now to discover how to turn board hesitation into energy, ownership, and fundraising success.

Key Topics/Themes: Board engagement, fundraising strategy, leadership development, donor storytelling, collaboration

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-frances-110aa661/ 

What happens when advocacy and generosity work hand-in-hand? In this powerful conversation, Ali Schneider from Animal Humane Society and Kelsey Polcher from Save the Boundary Waters explore how donors can become catalysts for real, lasting change.

✨ In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How fundraising and advocacy strengthen each other

• The crucial role donors play in driving community transformation

• Why generosity—when embraced collectively—can fuel movements

• Real examples of advocacy work shaped by donor engagement
  

🎧 Tune in to see how everyday generosity can ignite extraordinary impact.

Key Topics/Themes: Advocacy in fundraising, donor engagement, community transformation, environmental advocacy, generosity as a movement

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are shaping the future of philanthropy—but how can nonprofits and donors harness them more effectively? Hosts Camille Pearson Walz and Kristi Ackley sit down with Chris Beach of the Minneapolis Foundation for a dynamic look at where DAFs are heading and how they’re influencing modern giving.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How DAFs are evolving and what that means for nonprofits

• Strategies for building stronger relationships with donors who use DAFs

• Ways community foundations deepen engagement and expand impact

• Practical insights for donors wanting to give more intentionally
  

🎧 Press play to gain tools and insights that can elevate your giving—or your nonprofit’s strategy—starting today.

Key Topics/Themes: Donor-advised funds, modern philanthropy, donor relationships, community foundations, strategic giving

Women are shaping the future of giving at an unprecedented scale. Hosts Gay Gonnerman and Camille Pearson Walz talk with Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa about how the great wealth transfer is elevating women’s influence—and what nonprofits need to understand to engage them meaningfully.

✨ In this episode, you’ll explore:

• How women approach legacy planning differently than men

• The unique opportunities—and challenges—women face in financial decision-making

• How to draw out a woman’s vision for impact and long-term legacy

• The rise of giving circles and how they’re empowering future female philanthropists
  

🎧 Join the conversation to learn how women are reshaping philanthropy—and what that means for the future of giving.

Key Topics/Themes: Women in philanthropy, wealth transfer, legacy planning, donor engagement, giving circles, gender-informed fundraising strategies

Generosity grows when it’s planned with intention. In this episode, Kristi Ackley and CPA Kyle Wesely reveal how strategic tax and financial planning can transform charitable giving into a powerful tool for both donors and the causes they support.

You’ll discover:

• Practical tax-wise strategies that maximize donor impact

• How to align giving with personal values and long-term goals

• Ways to strengthen donor relationships through thoughtful planning
  

🎧 Listen now to learn how smart financial planning can unlock generosity that lasts.

Key Topics/Themes: Charitable tax planning, maximizing donor impact, aligning giving with values, donor relationships

The future of fundraising is already unfolding — are you ready for it? Guest host Rebecca Lynn Petersen sits down with Katrina Pierson to explore the trends, skills, and strategies shaping tomorrow’s philanthropic landscape.

We explore:

• Key trends reshaping fundraising today and tomorrow

• Characteristics of successful fundraisers in a changing world

• Why mindfulness and emotional intelligence matter in development work
  

🎧 Listen now to get ahead of the curve and prepare for the future of fundraising.

Key Topics/Themes: Fundraising trends, emotional intelligence, adaptability, future of philanthropy, leadership in development

Thoughtful planning today can shape legacies for generations to come. Host Ali Schneider talks with Sherrie Beal, a leader in one of the nation’s most established planned giving programs, about the art and impact of estate planning.

You’ll discover:

• How to have deeper, more intentional conversations with donors

• Practical ways to educate supporters about planned giving options

• Strategies to foster long-term thinking and maximize fundraising impact
  

🎧 Listen now to learn how estate planning can strengthen donor relationships and create lasting change.

Key Topics/Themes: Estate planning, donor conversations, planned giving strategy, fostering legacy thinking