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Fundraising is getting harder. But generosity hasn't disappeared.

So what's actually changing?

Jena Lynch sits down with nonprofit coach, consultant, and host of The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob Harter, to interrogate the real pressures nonprofit leaders are facing right now, donor retention, staffing burnout, supporter engagement, and fundraising performance.

They dig into why relationship-based fundraising matters more than ever, why donor trust drives long-term giving, and why simply doing more outreach may no longer be enough.

In this episode:

• Why donor participation is declining even as giving dollars grow
• How staffing turnover quietly erodes donor trust
• Why retention beats urgency every time
• How small teams can strengthen relationships with limited capacity
• Practical ways AI can help reclaim time and reduce burnout
• Why some traditional fundraising events may need a rethink
• How trust directly influences long-term generosity

Chapters:
00:00 – Why Nonprofit Fundraising Feels Harder

01:31 – Nonprofit Leadership & Donor Trust

05:09 – Why Donor Relationships Matter More

09:51 – Donor Retention vs Constant Outreach

14:16 – AI Tools for Nonprofit Fundraising

23:13 – Rethinking Nonprofit Fundraising Events

About Rob Harter

Rob Harter is a nonprofit coach, consultant, and leadership strategist with more than 30 years of experience in the social impact sector. He works with nonprofit leaders on fundraising, organizational growth, leadership, and navigating change, and is the host of The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast.

Learn more at RobHarter.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Resources mentioned:

• Rob Harter Coaching & Consulting
• The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

About Donorbox

Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over 3 billion dollars in donations worldwide.

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The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.

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