In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Mladenka Majerić, CEO of the Yellow Dot Foundation in Croatia and an international leader in nonprofit effectiveness, fundraising culture, and philanthropic development across Europe. Bill and Mladenka first connected at the Central and Eastern European Fundraising Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2025, and their conversation centers on a message every fundraiser needs taped to the mirror, the laptop, and possibly the office coffee maker: fundraisers are leaders. They may not always hold the CEO title or sit in the board chair’s seat, but through their relationships, influence, and trust-building, fundraisers help shape organizations, communities, and society itself.

The conversation begins with Mladenka reframing fundraising as much more than raising money. Fundraising, she explains, is about developing relationships with donors, building community, influencing public trust, and strengthening the social fabric. Bill adds that nonprofit professionals are often “first responders,” stepping into difficult social challenges and helping communities move toward solutions. Mladenka agrees, noting that fundraisers build not only financial capital but social capital, the kind rooted in values, relationships, and shared responsibility. In other words, fundraisers are not just passing the hat; they are helping stitch the community quilt, hopefully without getting tangled in the thread.

Bill and Mladenka then explore what leadership looks like for fundraisers who do not have formal authority. Mladenka offers a beautifully direct answer: “Leadership is communication.” Every donor conversation, public appearance, one-on-one meeting, and stakeholder interaction represents the mission and shapes the reputation of the organization. Bill connects this to what The Fund Raising School teaches as “reference power,” the influence fundraisers earn by being trusted representatives of the mission. Mladenka also introduces the phrase “exquisite fundraising,” describing fundraising that moves beyond planning, managing, and executing into vision, responsibility, and societal change.

The episode closes with a focus on self-care, joy, and support for fundraisers who carry heavy expectations in a challenging profession. Mladenka shares advice from her colleague Gary Edwards, who would ask, “Are you having fun?” She expands that idea into joy: fundraisers need to stay connected to the mission, visit with beneficiaries, remember why the work matters, and seek support from colleagues, mentors, coaches, or fundraising communities. Bill echoes this by reminding listeners that fundraising is “the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving,” and that fundraisers are in the “joy delivery business.” The takeaway is clear: fundraisers are leaders not because of their titles, but because of their trust, communication, vision, and ability to connect people to purpose; and when they care for themselves while doing it, they can lead with both effectiveness and joy.