Summary

In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser Podcast, Monica and Clark delve into the significance of understanding oneself and others in the context of fundraising. They discuss various personality profiles, the importance of listening, and how to adapt communication styles to better connect with donors. The introduction of the ClarkBot, an AI tool designed to assist fundraisers, is also highlighted, along with upcoming training opportunities and hypothetical ideas for future engagement.

Takeaways

• Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is crucial.
• Knowing your partner's love language is more important.
• Curiosity about donors is essential for fundraisers.
• Asking strategic questions can enhance donor relationships.
• Different types of questions can elicit valuable donor insights.
• Listener preferences can impact donor engagement.
• Fundraisers should adapt their communication style to match donor preferences.
• The ClarkBot offers real-time support for fundraisers.
• Confidence in fundraising comes from clarity and action.
• Engaging in training cohorts can enhance fundraising skills.

Summary

In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of personal connections in donor engagement, navigating donor visits that include family and friends, and the value of shared experiences in fundraising. Additionally, he introduces the ClarkBot, an AI-powered tool designed to assist fundraisers with their questions and strategies.

Takeaways

• Rest is not my forte; I typically relax by doing hard things.
• When hosting donors, it's about conducting a visit, not just tour guiding.
• Engaging donors involves asking strategic questions amidst personal connections.
• Bringing family or friends to donor visits can complicate strategic discussions.
• Shared experiences with donors can enhance their commitment to the organization.
• The ClarkBot is a valuable tool for fundraising questions and support.
• Good relationships are built on shared experiences and interactions.
• Asking strategic questions in front of family can be beneficial for all.
• Slow and steady processes can lead to more effective outcomes in fundraising.
• Personal connections are key to successful donor engagement.

Summary

In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the critical role of culture in fundraising, emphasizing that who you are as a fundraiser matters more than what you do. He explores the importance of genuine gratitude, building authentic relationships with donors, and understanding the deeper nature of donor transactions. The conversation highlights practical strategies for cultivating a positive fundraising culture and the right intentions behind asking for donations.

Takeaways

• Culture is more important than strategy in fundraising.
• What you are as a fundraiser speaks louder than your actions.
• Genuine gratitude is essential for successful fundraising.
• Building relationships with donors is key to fundraising success.
• Donors are partners in your mission, not just sources of money.
• Gratitude should be a defining characteristic of fundraisers.
• Understanding the emotional connection behind donations is crucial.
• Asking for donations should be about serving the donor's interests.
• Reflecting on donor impact can enhance feelings of gratitude.
• Creating a positive fundraising culture starts with the right intentions.

SummaryIn this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of meaningful connections in fundraising, the introduction of the AI-powered Clark Bot, and practical advice on crafting effective thank you notes. The conversation emphasizes building strong fundraising habits and strategic questions for engaging donors, highlighting the relationship between fundraising success and authentic connections.

Takeaways

• The importance of reflecting on whether daily tasks matter in fundraising.
• Building relationships with donors is as crucial as spending time with family.
• The Clark Bot is designed to assist fundraisers with practical advice.
• Handwritten thank-you notes are a powerful tool for donor engagement.
• Consistency and intentionality are key in building fundraising habits.
• Daily donor touchpoints can significantly enhance relationships over time.
• Preparation before donor meetings is essential for success.
• Reflection after donor interactions helps in continuous improvement.
• Understanding donor motivations can lead to increased giving.
• The relationship is the primary focus, with money being a byproduct.

Summary:
In this episode, Clark Vandeventer uses the example of his Airbnb hosting experience to deliver a timely message for fundraisers: do the basics well—and then, surprise and delight.

Clark draws on a quote from the Disney Guide on customer service to challenge fundraisers not to rely on occasional grand gestures, but to consistently deliver meaningful, relationship-rich experiences for donors.

You’ll hear about his Stewardship Basics Scorecard, the importance of setting a service baseline, and how playful touches—like fairy gardens and handwritten notes—can only add value after the fundamentals are in place.

This episode is full of practical wisdom for fundraisers who want to steward donors in a way that is both effective and heartfelt.

Topics covered:

• The power of establishing a donor stewardship foundation

• Why systems alone are not enough

• When and how to “surprise and delight” your supporters

• What Disney can teach us about consistency in donor care

• Clark’s Tahoe Airbnb: a case study in service and playfulness

• Avoiding the trap of overcompensating with heroic gestures

• Why true service must come from the heart

  
  

Resources mentioned:

• Stewardship Basics Scorecard – a self-assessment tool to evaluate your donor care systems

• Clarkbot – Clark’s AI assistant trained on hundreds of thousands of his words, available at www.MajorGiftsFundraiser.com

  
  

Follow Clark’s Adventure:

• Personal Instagram – @clarkvand

• Professional Instagram – @majorgiftsfundraiser

  
  

Connect with Clark:Have a question or just want to connect? Reach out to Clark at [email protected]

Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Your support helps us serve more fundraisers doing meaningful work.

Summary

In this episode, Clark Vandeventer introduces the innovative ClarkBot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist fundraisers in their efforts. The conversation explores how the ClarkBot can help users navigate donor relationships, set the stage for asks, and determine appropriate ask amounts. Throughout the episode, Clark emphasizes the importance of personal connection and relationship building in fundraising, while also providing insights into the subscription model for accessing the ClarkBot and additional resources.

Takeaways

• The ClarkBot is designed to simulate conversations and provide fundraising advice.
• AI can analyze past coaching calls and training materials to offer tailored support.
• Setting the stage for a donor ask is crucial for success.
• Understanding a donor's history and capacity is key to determining the ask amount.
• Building relationships with donors is essential before making a significant ask.
• Personal connection enhances the fundraising experience and increases the likelihood of success.
• The ClarkBot offers affirming and supportive responses to users' inquiries.
• Fundraisers should focus on getting meetings with donors to build rapport.
• The subscription model for the ClarkBot includes group coaching and additional resources.
• Feedback from beta users highlights the practical benefits of using the ClarkBot.

Summary

In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark Vandeventer discusses the importance of morning routines, personal fulfillment through the three-hour rule, and the balance between maintenance and intensity in life. He emphasizes the need for self-care and intentionality in both personal and professional development, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own routines and goals.

Takeaways

• The three-hour rule allows for personal fulfillment.
• You don’t have to be intense all the time, but you must maintain.
• Life belongs to the community, and we should serve it.
• Morning routines set the tone for the day.
• Self-care is essential for peak performance.
• Budgeting and scheduling are forms of life energy management.
• Maintenance mode is necessary for long-term success.
• Reflect on when to have intense periods of work.
• Thankfulness for the opportunity to serve others is vital.

Clark pulls back the curtain on the internal culture of fundraising teams.

Why do so many talented people leave after 18–24 months? What does it take to create an environment where fundraisers feel empowered, supported, and fulfilled?

From the joy of meaningful work to the burnout that comes from feeling like a cog in a machine, they explore the hidden forces shaping nonprofit development—and how to build something better.

Whether you’re a team leader or just starting out, this episode invites you to reflect on what kind of culture you're helping create.

It's another Masterclass inspired episode. In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares some of his notes from Levar Burton's MasterClass on Storytelling.

You may know LeVar Burton from his years as host of Reading Rainbow.

LeVar talks about how to tell a great story, but Clark emphasizes that great stories only resonnate when they are told be a trusted source, and trust is developed in relationship.

So, as an organization, where are you lacking?

Are you lacking in storytelling?

Or are you lacking in relationships?

Link to LeVar's MasterClass:

https://www.masterclass.com/classes/levar-burton-teaches-the-power-of-storytelling

Clark also shared in this episode that

Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgiftsfundraiser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Major Gifts Fundraiser on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/major-gifts-fundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email Clark:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zoom with Clark:

Find an available time on Clark’s calendar and schedule a Zoom call him: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/clarkvand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more at:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://majorgiftsfundraiser.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host Clark Vandeventer talks about figuring out the right amount to ask for.

Fundraisers! Do you have a hard time knowing the right amount to ask for? Can you ask for too much? What if you "leave money on the table"?

Clark gives some guidance on figuring out the right amount to ask for.

Check out Clark's "other" podcast Around the World with Mr. Clark, available wherever you get your podcasts!

Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgiftsfundraiser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Major Gifts Fundraiser on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/major-gifts-fundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email Clark:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zoom with Clark:

Find an available time on Clark’s calendar and schedule a Zoom call him: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/clarkvand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more at:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://majorgiftsfundraiser.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠