What does it really take to align your board and CEO around a successful campaign?

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, Chris Looney sits down with LaMont Hayes, Associate Vice President of Development at the National WWII Museum, to unpack one of the most critical and misunderstood dynamics in campaign fundraising: managing board and CEO involvement.

With more than 20 years of experience leading major campaigns across healthcare, higher education, arts and culture, and now one of the nation’s premier museums, LaMont shares practical, candid insight into:

• The distinct roles of the board and CEO in a campaign

LaMont also shares stories from campaigns that exceeded goal and ones that did not, offering real-world wisdom about listening to donors, aligning strategy, and building long-term relationships beyond a single campaign.

If you are preparing for a campaign, in the middle of one, or simply trying to better partner with your board and CEO, this conversation is packed with actionable insight you can use immediately.

Watch the full episode and subscribe for more conversations with nonprofit leaders mastering their craft.

The fundraising playbook is being rewritten in real time.

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, Tom Mitchell draws on decades of leadership in higher education advancement to confront a hard truth: many institutions are hesitating at the very moment bold leadership is required.

Tom has spent his career helping universities build strong advancement programs, develop talent, modernize strategy, and raise transformational resources in service of their communities. From campaign strategy to leadership development to innovation in data and analytics, his work has shaped institutions and influenced professionals across the country. In this conversation, he reflects on the inflection points that defined his journey and what they reveal about the future of fundraising.

Together, we explore:

• The Great Hesitation and why leaders are stuck between stability and change

If you lead advancement, development, alumni engagement, or philanthropy strategy, this episode challenges assumptions and invites you to think bigger.

The question is not whether fundraising will change. It is whether we are ready to lead that change.

Listen now and join the conversation shaping the future of our profession.

Hiring and Retaining Major Gift Officers: Getting It Right from Day One | Mastering Fundraising

Why is it so hard to retain strong Major Gift Officers? And what are organizations getting wrong in the hiring process?

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, Christopher Looney sits down with Chad Peddicord, Vice President of Philanthropy at the Catholic Leadership Institute, to unpack the real costs of MGO turnover and what it actually takes to hire and lead well.

This is not a surface level conversation. Chad shares candid reflections from his own experience, including:

• Why retention begins long before day one

Chad also explains his unique and rigorous hiring process, including mock solicitations with real donors, and why organizations should widen their search beyond traditional fundraising resumes.

One of the most powerful takeaways:

Whether you are an executive leader trying to build a stronger philanthropy team, or a Major Gift Officer discerning your next move, this episode will challenge and equip you.

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Mastering Fundraising Episode: Co-Creating Impact With Donors featuring Anna Lee

In this episode, Chris Looney sits down with Anna Lee, Executive Director of the AIP Foundation, to explore one of the most important and evolving topics in fundraising today: co-creating impact with donors and funders.

Anna brings more than two decades of experience across corporate relations, foundation partnerships, and major gift fundraising. Now leading the philanthropic arm of the American Institute of Physics, she works at the intersection of science, philanthropy, and social impact, helping supporters invest in discovery and the people who make it possible.

Together we explore

Anna also shares practical advice for fundraisers who feel hesitant to invite donors into early stage conversations, and offers a simple but powerful reminder. The strongest partnerships start with active listening.

If you are a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or anyone who wants to deepen donor relationships and design programs with greater clarity and alignment, this episode will give you tools you can use right away.

Tune in and learn how to move from transactions to true collaboration.

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, host Chris Looney sits down with Jamie Cappetta, Senior Vice President at FOCUS, to explore a career move that many leaders consider but few openly discuss: stepping out of the CEO seat and into frontline development leadership.

Jamie shares his deeply personal and professional journey from executive leadership in campus ministry to managing a major gift portfolio within one of the fastest growing Catholic organizations in the country. Together, Chris and Jamie unpack what truly transfers from executive leadership into fundraising, what does not, and what leaders must be willing to relearn when they return to the day to day work of donor engagement.

This conversation goes beyond tactics. It touches identity, humility, patience, trust, rejection, and faith. Whether you are a seasoned fundraiser, a nonprofit executive, or someone discerning your next chapter, this episode offers rare insight into the inner life of leadership transitions and the long arc of authentic philanthropy.

Why executive skills like trust building, communication, and relationship management translate powerfully into fundraising

The biggest misconception executives have about development, especially timelines for transformational giving

How shifting from organizational oversight to donor relationships can challenge identity and ego

Why activity, not dollars raised, is the most important early metric in development work

How patience, persistence, and courage in the face of rejection shape long term fundraising success

What organizations can do to better support leaders transitioning into development roles

If you believe fundraising is about relationships, not transactions, this episode will resonate deeply.

Subscribe to Mastering Fundraising for more conversations that strengthen leaders and advance mission driven work.

Mastering Fundraising welcomes Christina Romero, Executive Director of the Santa Ana College Foundation, for a powerful conversation on social capital, authenticity, and the Trust Triangle in donor relationships.

Christina shares how genuine connection, emotional intelligence, and a personalized approach help fundraisers create meaningful donor experiences that last far beyond a single gift. Her insights include how to understand donor motivations, how to build trust through consistent and transparent communication, and why successful fundraising blends both personal and professional connection.

In this episode you will learn:

If you are looking for practical ways to deepen donor relationships and elevate your fundraising practice, this episode offers inspiration and real world tools you can use immediately.

Be sure to like and subscribe to Mastering Fundraising, and check out our other shows, Lead for Good and The Nonprofit Edge, for more conversations that support nonprofit leaders and fundraisers everywhere.

Episode Title: What Is Behind Christian Generosity and Fundraising for a Christian Organization Guest: Justin Coleman, Salvation Army In this episode of the Mastering Fundraising Podcast, host Chris Looney sits down with Justin Coleman to explore the deeper foundations of Christian generosity and what it truly means to fundraise for a Christian organization. This conversation goes beyond fundraising tactics to examine faith, stewardship, leadership, and responsibility. Justin shares how his leadership journey has always been rooted in ministry rather than a traditional career path, and how his faith shapes the way he leads teams, stewards resources, and builds trust with donors. Together, Chris and Justin unpack core biblical principles that inform Christian generosity, including the belief that God owns it all and we are simply stewards, that to whom much is given much is required, and that God loves a cheerful giver. Justin explains how joy in giving comes from understanding impact and how transparency and accountability are essential expressions of faithful stewardship. The conversation also highlights the unique responsibility fundraisers carry when representing Christian organizations, the importance of meeting human need without discrimination, and how leaders can invite donors into participation in God’s work rather than framing giving as sacrifice or obligation. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Christian generosity flows from stewardship, not ownership. Joyful giving grows when donors clearly see the impact of their generosity. Transparency builds trust and honors both donors and God. Fundraising in a Christian context is ministry, not transaction. Leaders must stay grounded in mission, especially during economic uncertainty. Vision, humility, prayer, and authenticity are essential for Christian fundraising leadership. This episode offers encouragement and perspective for fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and anyone interested in faith based generosity that is rooted in purpose, trust, and impact.

In this episode of the Mastering Fundraising, host Chris Looney sits down with Ray Watts, Interim Vice President for Advancement at California State University, San Bernardino, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on plannual giving.

Plannual giving is the intentional integration of annual giving and planned or asset-based giving. Ray challenges the traditional separation between these strategies and makes the case that loyalty, consistency, and generosity today are often the strongest indicators of legacy gifts tomorrow.

This conversation moves beyond technical planned giving mechanics and focuses on donor behavior, mindset, and relationships. Ray reframes planned giving as a celebration of asset-based philanthropy and shares real-world examples from his career in higher education advancement.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why planned giving should be understood as asset-based philanthropy, not a technical specialty

This episode is ideal for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members who want to build sustainable philanthropy while honoring donors as whole people, not just transactions.

Be sure to like, follow, and subscribe to Mastering Fundraising, and check out our other podcasts, Lead for Good and The Nonprofit Edge, for more conversations on leadership, governance, and the future of the nonprofit sector.

Mastering Fundraising Podcast: Capital Campaigns with Ryan Marshall, Assistant Vice President for Development at Atrium Health Foundation

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, Chris Looney sits down with Ryan Marshall to explore one of the most important and misunderstood areas of fundraising: capital campaigns. Ryan brings more than a decade of hands-on campaign experience, from national consulting work to leading major philanthropic initiatives within Atrium Health, one of the most dynamic healthcare systems in the country.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to prepare for a successful campaign long before the first gift is solicited. Ryan shares candid insights on organizational readiness, feasibility studies, early donor engagement, and how to build momentum that carries through the quiet phase and beyond.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

Ryan’s blend of humility, clarity, and practical wisdom makes this a must-listen for any fundraiser preparing for a campaign, considering a campaign, or currently in one.

Listen, learn, and subscribe for more conversations that help you master the art and science of fundraising.

Integrating Storytelling, Marketing, and Philanthropy with Victor Martin – University of Puget Sound

How do you build a communications strategy that inspires generosity and strengthens donor relationships?

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, host Chris Looney sits down with Victor Martin, Vice President for University Relations at the University of Puget Sound, to explore how his team has successfully integrated a centralized marketing and communications function within the advancement office.

Together, they discuss how storytelling, brand, and philanthropy intersect — and how aligning these disciplines can elevate fundraising results, enhance donor stewardship, and deepen community engagement.

You’ll learn:

How an integrated MarCom-Advancement model transforms institutional storytelling

Ways to infuse philanthropy and donor impact into communications across all channels

Strategies for improving collaboration between fundraisers and communicators

The leadership mindset needed to unite teams around shared purpose

Whether you’re a chief advancement officer, communications director, or frontline fundraiser, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at how authentic storytelling drives meaningful philanthropy.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean — and subscribe for future conversations that help you master the art and science of fundraising.