First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Sara Konrath, Ph.D., a social psychology expert recognized for her research on empathy and its connection to philanthropic behavior. The conversation centers on recent findings from a study tracking empathy trends among Gen Z and Millennials. Initially, research from 1979 to 2009 revealed a concerning decline in empathy among young Americans, which was coupled with an increase in narcissism. However, new data shows a surprising "V-shaped" recovery in empathy starting around 2008, leaving researchers intrigued and searching for explanations.

Dr. Konrath explores possible factors behind this unexpected rise in empathy, ruling out economic conditions and social media as primary causes. Despite the popular belief that social media contributes to declining empathy, the study suggests otherwise, showing an increase in empathy even as social media use grew. Dr. Konrath discusses the complex relationship between loneliness and empathy, suggesting that rising loneliness might be driving a heightened sense of empathy among young people, as they seek connection and respond to the distress of others.

The episode also touches on the implications of these findings for the nonprofit sector. With empathy being a key motivator for charitable giving, the resurgence of empathy among younger generations offers a hopeful outlook for the future of philanthropy. Dr. Konrath emphasizes the importance of engaging Gen Z through meaningful volunteer opportunities, as their hunger for connection and desire to make a difference could translate into sustained philanthropic involvement, even if their current financial resources are limited.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Fund Raising School with a special guest, Tim Seiler, Ph.D., who led the School for 20 years. Together, they take a nostalgic trip through the evolution of fundraising, sharing key insights from the school's history and the enduring principles that have shaped the field. Dr. Seiler fondly recalls the teachings of the School's founder, Dr. Henry Rosso, emphasizing the timeless mantra: "Fundraising succeeds when you plan, plan, plan, and ask." This strategy remains vital, though Dr. Seiler notes that modern fundraising requires additional focus on stewardship, accountability, and donor engagement.

The conversation shifts to how fundraising has adapted over the years, particularly in response to generational changes. Dr. Seiler highlights the growing skepticism of institutions among Millennials and Gen Z, which contrasts with the trust Baby Boomers once had. This shift has led to a greater emphasis on proving organizational worth and aligning missions with donors' personal values. He also touches on the changing techniques in fundraising, such as the rise of social media and the decline of reliance on large events, advocating for more intimate, meaningful gatherings that foster a sense of community.

One of the core themes of the discussion is the importance of ethical fundraising. Dr. Seiler passionately discusses how language and approach matter in building genuine, transformational relationships with donors. He underscores the idea that fundraising is not just about transactions but about inviting people to join in fulfilling a shared mission. This, he argues, is a key component of what makes fundraising a "gentle art" and a deeply rewarding experience for both fundraisers and donors alike.

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the ongoing relevance of foundational fundraising principles, such as the importance of relationships and the "four I's"—inform, invite, involve, and invest. Despite technological advances and new methods, these core tenets remain crucial to successful fundraising. The podcast also highlights the continued evolution of The Fund Raising School, with updated courses and resources designed to equip fundraisers with evidence-based practices rooted in both tradition and modern research.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. looks at the uncertain economic climate of mid-2024 and its potential impact on fundraising efforts. The big question on everyone’s mind: are we on the brink of a recession, or is it just a distant possibility? With conflicting signals from various economic indicators—like the rise in unemployment to 4.3%, fluctuations in the stock market, and a mixed performance in sectors like construction and manufacturing—Stanczykiewicz explores the nuances of these trends and what they might mean for nonprofit organizations.

Stanczykiewicz emphasizes that while the economy shows signs of both strength and potential decline, the principles of effective fundraising remain consistent. The key takeaway for fundraisers is to maintain strong, trust-based relationships with donors, focusing on their philanthropic values and motivations, which don’t waver with economic conditions. He notes that during economic downturns, organizations with solid donor relationships often retain support, even as overall charitable giving might see minor declines, typically just half a percent after inflation.

Additionally, Stanczykiewicz highlights the importance of preparing for potential recessions by building an operating surplus. While this may sound daunting, he reassures listeners that it’s a skill that can be learned and implemented, pointing to the training offered by The Fund Raising School as a resource. Moreover, he underscores the idea that fundraising should be a constant effort—recession or not—where every day presents an opportunity to share your nonprofit’s story and make a compelling case for support.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Abby Jarvis, Head of Content for Neon One. They discuss Neon One's new Recurring Giving Report, revealing significant trends and insights into the world of repeat donations. Abby breaks down the concept of recurring giving, explaining it as donations set to repeat at regular intervals, typically monthly. Surprisingly, the report shows a 127% increase in recurring donors between 2018 and 2022, suggesting that many donors are opting into these programs organically, without targeted fundraising efforts.

One standout finding is the remarkable long-term value of recurring donors. While annual donors might give more in a single year, they typically engage for just under two years. In contrast, recurring donors stay engaged for an average of eight years, creating a more stable and reliable funding stream for nonprofits. Abby emphasizes the emotional and personal connection these donors have with their chosen causes, which fosters long-lasting relationships. This deep connection is further evidenced by an analysis of over 13,000 donor notes, showing that recurring donors often express their personal identities and emotional investments in their contributions.

The conversation then shifts to the nonprofit organizations themselves. The data encompasses over 2,000 nonprofits of various sizes and sectors, revealing that larger nonprofits tend to capitalize more on recurring donations due to their greater resources and staff dedicated to these programs. However, Abby encourages smaller and mid-sized nonprofits to take cues from their larger counterparts and begin asking for recurring gifts. She highlights the importance of simply starting – enabling recurring donations on forms and communicating this option to donors through various channels.

As they wrap up, Bill and Abby discuss practical advice for fundraisers. The key takeaway is to start asking for recurring donations and to incorporate this option into regular fundraising appeals. By doing so, nonprofits can build deeper, long-term relationships with donors, leading to sustained support and increased funding over time. The episode underscores the potential of recurring giving programs to transform fundraising efforts and ensure the longevity and stability of nonprofit organizations.

In this special 50th-anniversary episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Amir Pasic, Ph.D., Dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The discussion begins by reflecting on the Fundraising School’s impactful journey over the past half-century. Dr. Pasic emphasizes the importance of this milestone, noting the School’s significant contributions to the field and the global reach of its alumni, who consistently report increased fundraising success due to their education.

Dr. Pasic highlights the symbiotic relationship between higher education and professional development. He recalls how the School’s founder, Henry Rosso, integrated academic research into the curriculum to ensure a robust foundation for practical fundraising skills. This model, unique to the Fundraising School, allows for continuous innovation and adaptation in the field. Dr. Pasic points out that having academic and professional development programs under one roof enables immediate collaboration and synergy, enhancing the relevance and application of their research.

As the conversation unfolds, Bill and Dr. Pasic discuss the evolution of fundraising as a global profession. Dr. Pasic reflects on the international growth and professionalization of the field, fueled by cultural exchanges and the universal human inclination towards generosity. He discusses the dynamic nature of fundraising, likening its development to the global expansion of industries like music and film. This analogy underscores the burgeoning opportunities for learning and innovation in diverse cultural contexts, driven by shared principles of relationship-building and public service.

Looking ahead, Dr. Pasic offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of fundraising amidst rapid technological advancements and societal changes. He underscores the importance of choice and agency in philanthropy, encouraging fundraisers to embrace the evolving landscape with a sense of purpose and adaptability. Bill wraps up by highlighting the academic pathways available at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, including online Master’s programs and professional Doctoral degrees designed to integrate academic rigor with practical application. This episode not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires listeners to consider their role in shaping the future of philanthropy.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Julia Campbell, a fundraising consultant specializing in digital communications and storytelling for nonprofits. They discuss the art of storytelling to enhance fundraising efforts, emphasizing its power in connecting with donors on a human level. Julia underscores that stories are fundamental to human communication and processing complex information, which is why they are so effective in fundraising.

Julia addresses common challenges fundraisers face, such as determining which stories are worth sharing and navigating confidentiality issues. She highlights the importance of focusing on the "why" of an organization’s mission—its vision for the future and the problem it aims to solve—over the "what" and "how." She suggests thinking like journalists and looking for everyday anecdotes that reflect the mission’s impact, even if they don't involve direct client interviews.

The conversation moves to the ethical considerations of storytelling in fundraising. Julia advocates for a "Storyteller Bill of Rights" to ensure the subjects of stories have control over their narratives. Trust between the organization and the storytellers is crucial, as is the respect for their autonomy. She shares her own experience in developing trust with program participants and stresses the importance of evaluating whether the stories would make the storytellers proud if shared publicly.

Finally, Julia discusses the value of stories that don’t have happy endings. These narratives can be powerful fundraising tools by illustrating the ongoing challenges and needs within the organization’s mission. Authenticity about the difficulties faced and the progress being made helps donors understand the complexity of the issues and motivates continued support. The episode wraps up with a reminder of the practical courses offered by the Fundraising School, designed to equip nonprofit professionals with skills to enhance their fundraising strategies.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. emphasizes the critical role of a strategic plan as the foundation for successful fundraising efforts. He begins by likening the strategic plan to a "Big Bang" moment for nonprofits, stressing its pivotal role akin to the genesis of relationships or partnerships. Bill highlights a surprising statistic from his extensive nonprofit experience: many organizations lack a formal, written strategic plan, hindering their ability to articulate their mission, goals, and impact effectively.

Drawing on his own leadership experience, Bill recounts the impact of strategic planning on nonprofits, citing a significant foundation's insistence on seeing a strategic plan before awarding grants. He underscores how a well-documented strategic plan not only guides organizational strategy and programmatic decisions but also serves as a vital tool for fundraising, enabling nonprofits to clearly demonstrate to donors and stakeholders where their contributions will make a meaningful difference.

Bill walks listeners through the essential components of a strategic plan, including vision statements, mission statements, declarations, goals, and objectives. He emphasizes the importance of these elements in crafting compelling fundraising appeals and engaging with donors and volunteers effectively. By involving a broad range of stakeholders in the strategic planning process, including board members, staff, and external partners, nonprofits can ensure alignment with their mission and enhance their organizational governance and fundraising effectiveness.

Ultimately, the episode underscores the strategic plan's foundational role in nonprofit sustainability and growth, positioning it as not just a document but a roadmap for achieving impactful results and fostering donor confidence and support.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Dr. Gene Tempel, the founder of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Dr. Tempel shares the history and evolution of the Fund Raising School, which was established by Henry and Dottie Rosso in 1974 and later donated to Indiana University in 1988. He highlights how the School has transformed the field of fundraising by training nonprofit professionals to develop permanent fundraising infrastructures within their organizations, moving beyond the traditional reliance on external consultants.

Dr. Tempel reflects on his own journey with the Fund Raising School, starting as a student in 1980, where he was impressed by the comprehensive training methods and the vision of its founders. He discusses how Hank Rosso's innovative concepts, such as the systematic approach to engaging donors and the importance of training practitioners, laid the foundation for the School's enduring success. Dr. Tempel emphasizes the significance of integrating fundraising within academic and research institutions, which has allowed the School to maintain a strong focus on evidence-based practices and the broader context of philanthropy.

The episode also touches on the enduring principles of fundraising taught by the School, such as the joy of giving, the critical role of the Board, and the importance of a well-articulated case for support. Dr. Tempel highlights how technological advancements have evolved fundraising practices, yet the core concepts remain relevant. The Fund Raising School continues to adapt, offering a range of courses and certificates to meet the needs of today's nonprofit professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to effectively engage donors and support their missions.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Anna Pruitt, Managing Editor for Giving USA and Adjunct Faculty Member from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. They discuss the 2023 findings from the Giving USA report. The total charitable giving in the United States reached a record high of $557 billion in current dollars, showcasing a 2% increase from the previous year. However, when adjusted for inflation, there was a slight decline, highlighting the impact of economic factors on philanthropic trends.

The breakdown of charitable sources revealed a significant milestone as foundations surpassed $100 billion in donations for the second consecutive year, representing a steady increase in their share of total giving. Despite this growth, individual giving, which remains the largest segment at $374 billion, saw fluctuations influenced by economic conditions and personal income levels.

Corporate giving also showed resilience, closely tied to GDP growth and corporate profits, although it did not keep pace with inflation-adjusted terms. Among the nine sub-sectors of charitable recipients, seven sectors experienced growth even after adjusting for inflation, with notable increases in areas linked to stock market performance and high-net-worth giving.

Looking back at multi-year trends, the data indicated that charitable giving in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reflecting ongoing support despite global uncertainties. The episode underscored the importance of strategic fundraising planning based on these insights, emphasizing the role of Giving USA data in guiding nonprofit strategies for donor engagement and sustainability.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Angelica Suarez-Trujillo, a seasoned advisor at Resilia specializing in nonprofit capacity building. The discussion centers on the crucial practice of relationship-based fundraising in higher education and beyond. Angelica defines this approach as shifting from transactional to transformational relationships, where nonprofits and donors collaborate to create lasting impact. She emphasizes the importance of genuine human connections amidst the distractions and fast-paced nature of modern nonprofit work, drawing from her extensive experience in both coaching nonprofits and leading fundraising efforts herself.

Angelica underscores the common pitfalls nonprofits face in prioritizing tasks over relationships, highlighting her own past mistakes and those she's observed in her coaching role. She advocates for fundraisers to start by understanding themselves and their attitudes towards relationships and money, suggesting introspective exercises to overcome barriers to effective donor engagement. Angelica shares practical strategies for fostering meaningful connections, such as active listening, personalizing interactions based on donor interests, and demonstrating genuine appreciation beyond financial contributions. She encourages fundraisers to balance organizational goals with the quality of donor relationships, navigating pressures for quick results by staying true to core values of stewardship and genuine connection.