Most nonprofits think fundraising is about getting the pitch right—but what if that's the wrong starting point? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I sit down with Jeff Schreifels of Veritus Group to talk about how asking great questions (not writing great appeals) is the real game-changer in major gifts. We unpack why donors actually want to give more, the overlooked power of high-touch relationships, and how your ROI could be 30:1 if you just focus on what works. This one is a must-listen if you’re tired of chasing grants and want a more sustainable path to growth.

Episode Highlights

• 03:02 Fundraising Philosophy and Challenges

• 03:54 The Joy of Giving and Donor Engagement

• 05:43 High Touch Relationships in Fundraising

• 07:01 Major Gifts and Relationship Building

• 11:58 Effective Fundraising Strategies

• 14:22 Building Donor Relationships: Tactics and Trends

• 16:21 The Role of Major Gift Officers

• 16:47 Balancing Investments in Donor Programs

• 17:05 Building Mid and Major Gift Programs

• 18:03 The Power of Asking Questions

• 19:53 Diversifying Revenue Sources

• 23:28 Success Stories in Major Gift Programs

• 25:42 How to Invest in Individual Giving

• 30:03 Resources and Support for Fundraisers

Jeff Schreifels is the Principal and Owner of Veritus Group, a global

consulting agency specializing in major gifts and mid-level fundraising strategy. With over 30 years in the nonprofit sector, Jeff is a pioneer of relationship-centered fundraising. Under his leadership, since 2009 Veritus has helped increase mid and major gift revenue and decrease donor value attrition for hundreds of non-profits worldwide that have adopted the “Veritus Way” of mid and major gifts.

Jeff is co-author of the award-winning Passionate Giving Blog, a regular contributor to NonProfit Pro, and author of two bestselling books, It’s Not JUST About the Money and It’s Not JUST About the Donors. A soughtafter speaker, Jeff has delivered keynotes at top conferences like the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy International Conference and London’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention.

Jeff’s passion for empowering nonprofit leaders with actionable

strategies has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor driving

meaningful change in the sector.

Connect with Jeff:

[email protected]

Website: http://www.veritusgroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/VeritusGroup/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veritusgroup/reels/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@veritusgroup

Blog: https://veritusgroup.com/blog

Podcast: https://veritusgroup.com/podcasts

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Schreifels/e/B085TCSHCK

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I break down why traditional budget approvals by nonprofit boards can actually hurt your organization—and what to do instead. I’ll walk you through what “approval” really means, the unintended consequences of board-controlled budgets, and the simple shift to “budget confirmation” that leads to better planning, stronger oversight, and less drama. If budget season always feels like a battle, this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights

• 02:09 Understanding Budget Approval

• 03:19 The Role of the Board in Budget Approval

• 05:01 A New Approach: Confirming the Budget

• 07:19 Case Study: Successful Implementation

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Technology is woven into every part of your nonprofit—but is it actually working for you? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri sits down with nonprofit tech and operations expert Roz Zavras to talk about how to clean up your data, simplify your systems, and use the right tools to move your mission forward. From bad password habits to donor communications and AI, Roz shares practical insights that will help your team stop spinning its wheels and start making smarter, easier tech choices.

Episode Highlights

• 03:48 Nonprofit Tech Strategy and Operations

• 05:09 Data Privacy and Security Concerns

• 07:19 Effective Use of Password Managers

• 12:29 Adapting to Cloud-Based Technology

• 14:30 Improving Internal Communications

• 18:03 Addressing Inequities and Biases in Tech Literacy

• 23:13 Enhancing Donor Communications

• 27:19 Data Cleanliness and Strategy

Rosalind 'Roz' Zavras is an experienced non-profit operations expert with about 20 years of experience building operational and technical infrastructure for global and local social impact organizations. She has a talent for identifying systemic challenges and designing new tools to overcome them. From revamping cash-based accounting systems in East Africa to creating a grant and donor tracking system for a city-based community foundation, Roz has a proven track record of finding solutions to a wide range of operational challenges. With a Masters in Law and Diplomacy and a Bachelors in Economics & Mathematics, as well as advanced work in accounting, technology, and fundraising, Roz brings an equity-focused, multidisciplinary approach to her work.

Connect with Rosalind

Instagram: @RosalindZavras

Website: https://www.aropaconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/zavrasdr

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Is your board stuck in the weeds (again)? In this short but powerful solo episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri breaks down the real reasons boards get tangled in the details—and how to fix it fast. From the myth of “strategic vs. operational” decisions to unintentional permission-seeking by executive directors, Sarah shares her top three causes of board micromanagement and shows you exactly how to shift your board’s role to oversight—where it belongs.

Episode Highlights

• 01:35 Why The Line Between Strategic & Day-to-Day Decisions Is Never Clear

• 02:59 Executive Directors Leading Boards into the Weeds

• 04:33 Lack of Information and Skills for Decision Making

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®ï¸, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Is your online donation form secretly scaring donors away? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I’m joined by Josh Bloomfield, founder of GiveCloud, for a refreshingly honest look at why most nonprofit fundraising tech is stuck in the past—and how small changes can make a big impact. We talk about “trust-raising” instead of just fundraising, what nonprofits can learn from e-commerce giants like Amazon, and why a slow, thoughtful donor journey almost always beats a rushed one. If your donation form feels like an IRS document, it’s time for a change.

Episode Highlights

• 02:51 Challenges in Traditional Fundraising

• 03:49 The Birth of GiveCloud

• 04:34 Optimizing Donor Experience

• 06:50 Addressing Donor Imposition

• 11:38 Lessons from GiveCloud's Journey

• 14:23 Capitalizing on Momentum

• 14:32 The Impact of Social Media Tactics

• 15:14 Design Patterns for Engagement

• 15:45 The Power of Simple Rewards

• 17:13 Understanding Trust in Design

• 19:47 Trust and Cognitive Dissonance

• 21:27 The Emotional Basis of Trust

• 27:12 Future-Proofing Fundraising

Josh Bloomfield, CEO and Founder of Givecloud, is transforming the way nonprofits engage donors and raise funds. With a background in sales, strategy, and software development, Josh has spent over a decade building enterprise solutions, including for the U.S. government. His passion lies in helping nonprofits focus less on fundraising and more on their mission to change the world, empowering them through innovative, donor-centric technology.

Connect with Josh:

Givecloud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/givecloud-com

Givecloud Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Givecloud

Josh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshbloomfield/

Website: www.givecloud.com

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Why does communication between executive directors and boards break down so often—even when everyone has the best intentions? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri unpacks the five biggest reasons board–ED communication goes sideways, from unclear decision-making lines to insecurity and information overload. With a blend of insight and tough love, Sarah shares what really causes the tension and what you can do to fix it—so your board and leadership can finally get on the same page and keep your nonprofit moving forward.

Episode Highlights

• 01:12 Introduction to Communication Breakdowns

• 02:16 Reason 1: Strategic vs. Day-to-Day Decisions

• 03:38 Reason 2: Asking for Permission vs. Informing

• 04:43 Reason 3: Insecurity in Leadership

• 06:21 Reason 4: Board Members' Concerns

• 08:01 Reason 5: Overloading with Details

• 10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Is unrestricted fundraising really the hardest kind? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri sits down with Sherry Quam Taylor to challenge that long-held belief and unpack how nonprofits can build stronger, more effective fundraising strategies by focusing on investment-level giving. They dig into the real reasons many nonprofits stay stuck in low-ROI tactics like events and appeals, and what it takes to shift into a high-return, relationship-based model. From calculating your true financial need to rethinking donor conversations, this episode is packed with insights to help you raise more money with less stress—and no gala required.

Episode Highlights

• 03:21 Fundraising Challenges and Strategies

• 04:05 Investment Level Giving and ROI

• 05:08 Relational Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• 09:01 Shifting Fundraising Mindsets

• 13:01 Building Donor Relationships and Financial Planning

• 18:51 Field Testing Your Messaging

• 19:19 Overcoming Perfectionism in Fundraising

• 19:47 Balancing Organizational Health Perceptions

• 21:10 Equipping Teams for Deeper Conversations

• 23:02 Evaluating Fundraising Efficiency

• 27:50 Shifting to Sustainable Fundraising

• 29:28 The Power of Relational Fundraising

Meet the Guest

Sherry Quam Taylor works with business-minded Nonprofit CEOs whose Strategic Plans require expansive budgets and larger amounts of general-operating revenue for growth. To become investment-level ready, Sherry helps leaders see their revenue potential and helps them see what may be blocking donors from giving in this way. Sherry’s clients know how to attract larger donors by solving the funding challenges at the root of the issue.

As a result of learning her methodology, Sherry’s clients become sustainable, diversify revenue, and know how to add significant amounts gen-ops revenue to their budgets. But mostly, their development departments and board have transformed into high-ROI revenue generators – aligning their hours with relational dollars and set free from the limitations of transactional fundraising.

Sherry attributes the success of her business to her passion for modeling radical confidence to the future CEOs in her house - her two college-aged daughters.

Connect with Sherry:

Website: www.QuamTaylor.com

Main Social Media Outlet: LinkedIn

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

What if doing less could actually help your nonprofit get more done? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri shares her simple but powerful 7-step system for boosting productivity without burning out. You’ll learn how to break down projects, prioritize better, and create a visual workflow that helps you and your team focus on what matters most—while actually finishing what you start. If your to-do list is out of control, this episode is your roadmap to getting back on track (and maybe even enjoying your work again).

Episode Highlights

01:16 Seven Steps to Do Less and Get More Done

01:54 Step-by-Step Breakdown

06:15 Bonus Tips and Conclusion

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More>>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

What do gang intervention programs, tech startups, and fly fishing have in common? Leadership—and a whole lot of curiosity. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri is joined by Dan Tocchini, a transformational leadership expert who’s spent over 40 years helping founders and changemakers navigate conflict, unlock potential, and take on problems that won’t leave them alone. From candid conversations to building trust through better language, Dan shares wisdom that nonprofit leaders can apply right now to lead more effectively—without burning out or backing down.

Episode Highlights

• 03:29 Leadership Insights and Team Management

• 06:14 Working with Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits

• 10:06 Navigating Conflict and Candid Communication

• 17:57 Understanding Future Expectations

• 18:39 Mediation in Africa: A Case Study

• 20:46 The Power of Feeling Heard

• 22:10 Conflict Resolution Through Shared Concerns

• 26:45 Complaints as Frustrated Requests

Meet the Guest

Daniel Tocchini is a distinguished entrepreneur and executive with a career spanning over four decades in transformational leadership and organizational development. As the Founder and a Senior Partner at TNG, Daniel has pioneered innovative approaches to team dynamics and leadership training, emphasizing authentic engagement and candid feedback. Daniel was also a Co-Founder, executive, and Board Director for The Grid, a pioneering developer of AI technology to design, construct, and maintain dynamic websites. His expertise extends to his role as Co-Founder & Chairman of Culture ROI, where he specialized in sales and negotiation training, productivity enhancement, and fostering transformational change in corporate cultures.

With a legacy of over 20,000 hours dedicated to training leaders, facilitating workshops, and mentoring executives, Daniel’s impact is evident in his transformative work with companies like Virgin Hyperloop, where he also served as interim Chief of Staff. His methods are not just theoretical; they are grounded in practical application, having been honed through extensive experience with leading enterprises and NGOs alike.

Daniel’s commitment to leadership development is further showcased through his published works and his contributions to the field of transformational technologies and techniques. His vision and dedication to cultivating courageous leadership and resolving conflicts creatively have established him as a venerated figure in the industry.

Connect with Dan:

Website: https://takenewground.com/#team

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_tocchini

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Burnout isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a systemic one in the nonprofit world. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri gets real about burnout: what it looks like, why it happens, and what you can actually do to recover and prevent it. You’ll hear practical strategies for stripping your to-do list, clearing your calendar, and shifting from activity-based planning to results-based action. Plus, Sarah shares her go-to process for creating realistic, joyful schedules that work—without sacrificing impact. If you're feeling the drag, this one's for you.

Episode Highlights

• 01:15 Understanding Burnout in Nonprofit

• 02:00 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

• 03:05 Steps to Combat Burnout

• 04:14 Personal Experience with Burnout

• 05:24 Preventing Future Burnout

• 07:09 Outcome-Based Mindset for Productivity

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.