First Day Podcast

Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming fundraising in this insightful podcast episode. Join Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. as he sits down with Josh Hirsch, M.S., Digital Marketing Manager for The Fund Raising School. Together, they discuss the potential of AI to revolutionize fundraising practices.

Dive into the world of AI and its applications, from generating content efficiently using large language models to predicting donor behavior for major gift fundraising. Learn how AI serves as a valuable ideation tool, acting as a "second brain," sparking ideas and streamlining the content creation process. By embracing AI, fundraisers can reimagine their strategies while preserving the distinctive voice of their organization.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, join Bill Stanczykiewicz as we dive deep into the realm of social media fundraising with our guest Floyd Jones, the Director of Community and Partnerships at GiveButter.

Are you a nonprofit leader seeking innovative ways to supercharge your fundraising efforts? Look no further. Floyd's expertise shines as he unveils powerful strategies that redefine the art of raising funds in the digital age.

From the secrets of peer-to-peer fundraising, where the community becomes your fundraising powerhouse, to the "four S's of success" framework that unlocks campaign excellence, Floyd shares a wealth of knowledge that transcends traditional fundraising norms.

Discover the art of crafting intention-driven campaigns that inspire a movement, not just contributions. Learn how sharing authentic stories can create profound connections, turning donors into advocates. Floyd reveals the game-changing approach of donor segmentation and the art of meeting supporters where they are, making the giving experience effortless and engaging.

Uncover the potential of mobilizing supporters to amplify your cause. Floyd delves into the dynamics of building a passionate community of fundraisers who drive exponential growth. His insights are a roadmap to bridging the gap between traditional fundraising and the digital age, ensuring your organization thrives and transforms lives in ways you never thought possible.

In this episode, Alice Ferris, ACFRE, the founder of GoalBusters Consulting, discusses the vital link between storytelling and successful fundraising. The conversation looks at the significance of emotional connections and engagement with donors through effective storytelling. Alice emphasizes the need for tailoring stories based on the audience's values and motivations, highlighting the importance of understanding donors' individual characteristics.

Alice underscores the role of emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening for fundraisers to authentically connect with donors. Different types of stories, including founder stories, purpose stories, customer stories, and bridge stories, are explored as essential tools for fundraising success. She provides valuable insights into the art of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with donors, ultimately promoting meaningful giving.

In this eye-opening episode, join host Bill Stanczykiewicz and the dynamic duo of fundraising experts, Tony Pomonis and Tara Adams, as they delve into the crucial and often overlooked topic of ethical fundraising with a focus on cognitive impairments.

Tony and Tara, founders of the Cognitive Empowerment Consulting Group, share their personal experiences that led them to specialize in this critical field of fundraising. They recount harrowing encounters with elderly donors showing signs of cognitive impairment and the alarming lack of available resources for fundraisers facing similar situations.

With deep passion and dedication to ethical practices, they emphasize the need for fundraisers to recognize the signs of cognitive impairment and how to approach these delicate scenarios with empathy and respect. Through their engaging conversation, they stress the importance of never making such decisions alone, promoting a team effort that involves key stakeholders and decision-makers.

Join them as they guide listeners through practical steps to identify cognitive impairment, navigate interactions with donors, and make ethical decisions in alignment with their organization's values. They discuss the significance of stewardship, how to engage family members or power of attorney holders, and the vital role of communication in ensuring the donor's legacy is honored.

This podcast serves as a wake-up call to the fundraising community, reminding us of the noble nature of our profession and the responsibility we carry in upholding ethical standards. Discover how Tony and Tara's dedication to this cause has resulted in guidelines and best practices for ethical fundraising, offering invaluable insights to fundraisers across the industry.

Drawing insights from the recently published "Philanthropy Pulse Report" by CCS Fundraising, Allison Willner reveals eye-opening findings about the fundraising landscape. Despite revenue growth, donor retention emerged as a significant challenge for many organizations. Discover how investing in staff and optimizing donor databases for relationship building played a pivotal role in boosting donor retention and increasing giving over time.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, we unravel the importance of a robust plan for leveraging donor databases effectively. Allison emphasizes that the success of these tools lies not just in technology but in the people behind it. Building a strong partnership between back-office database teams and frontline fundraisers is key to harnessing the full potential of data and fostering deeper donor relationships.

As we navigate the ethical issues of data privacy, Allison shares valuable insights on ensuring donor information is handled responsibly and respectfully. Learn how nonprofits can strike a balance between data utilization and privacy, creating a secure and trustworthy environment for both donors and organizations.

Shivant Shrestha, MA, a research associate at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, shares insights from a research project focused on new models of donor behavior, specifically subscription-based giving. Discover how nonprofit organizations can engage new donors, cultivate deeper relationships with existing donors, and harness the power of recurring giving. Explore the benefits and challenges of subscription-based giving, drawing inspiration from successful models like Netflix and other streaming platforms.

Shivant's expertise sheds light on how nonprofits can provide personalized communications, curated content, and enhanced stewardship to subscription donors, fostering trust and long-term engagement. Gain valuable insights into the motivations of subscription donors and the potential impact on nonprofit fundraising efforts.

In this episode, Aaron Conley, Ed.D. explains why the term "campaign" goes beyond capital campaigns and encompasses comprehensive campaigns in various nonprofit organizations. Learn how campaigns not only raise crucial funds but also serve as a catalyst for strategic growth and organizational improvement. Dr. Conley highlights the significance of board engagement and volunteer involvement in driving campaign success. He shares insights into the different phases of a campaign, from the silent phase to the public phase, campaign closing, and the subsequent stewardship and evaluation.

Discover the different types of campaigns, including capital initiatives, endowment campaigns, and even giving days. Dr. Conley emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and campaign readiness before embarking on a fundraising campaign. He introduces the campaign readiness test, a valuable tool for organizations to assess their preparedness.

Alexis Buchanan Thomas, representing Black Voters Matter, delves into the importance of saying no in fundraising. Alexis emphasizes the need to remain nonpartisan and true to your organization's mission, even when faced with substantial gifts that may not align with their values.

She highlights the significance of conducting thorough research, engaging in team discussions, and creating a gift acceptance policy to ensure that the organization's fundraising efforts are in line with their mission and the communities they serve.

Dr. Gen Shaker, the Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, explores the crucial role of the invitation to give in effective fundraising. The conversation delves into various aspects of donor engagement, emphasizing the significance of understanding donors' motivations and cultivating genuine connections that go beyond valuing their money.

Dr. Shaker highlights that while some charitable gifts may be given without a formal ask, a significant majority, around 90%, are generated following a request or prompt from an organization. This underscores the vital role fundraisers play in generating gifts that enable the fulfillment of missions. Fundraisers are encouraged to develop a strong sense of self-knowledge, acknowledging their own feelings about money and addressing any anxieties or reservations they may have. By recognizing the value of their role and embracing enthusiasm, fundraisers can approach gift conversations with confidence.

The episode also explores the importance of valuing donors as individuals. Cultivating relationships with donors goes beyond merely valuing their financial contributions. Active empathic listening, treating them fairly, and representing the organization in an authentic manner are emphasized as ways to make donors feel valued for their beliefs, confidence, commitment, and legitimacy, in addition to their monetary support.

Dr. Shaker discusses the traits of a successful fundraiser, including strong listening skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, and professionalism. Actively listening, paying attention, and treating donors with respect are highlighted as crucial aspects of building satisfying relationships. Professionalism encompasses both fundraising competencies and interpersonal skills.

Giving USA with Anna Pruitt, Ph.D.