Whether you’re new to major gifts or looking to refine your approach, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to help you build confidence, strengthen your strategy, and connect donors to the impact they care about most.

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Miller, CFRE — nationally recognized fundraising consultant and president of Denali FSP — to discuss the mindset, mechanics, and emotional intelligence behind making a confident fundraising ask. Drawing from his extraordinary personal journey and decades of frontline and consulting experience, Ken breaks down the essential steps fundraisers can take to prepare for major gift conversations. He shares practical frameworks for structuring an ask, overcoming fear, stewarding donor relationships, and using donor data to guide decisions.

Resources:

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In this episode, we sit down with Martie Bernicker, Director of Speak Up, a youth well-being nonprofit that helps teenagers talk openly about the challenges they face—and helps the adults in their lives listen to, guide, and support them. Martie shares the origin story behind Speak Up, how the program works in schools and communities, and what they have learned from serving tens of thousands of youths and their families over the last few decades.

We also discuss how to grow fundraising with a small to mid-sized team: 

• systematizing donor data to improve staff confidence,
• segmenting supporters by interests and affiliations, and
• creating more meaningful touchpoints that deepen relationships.

Plus, Martie discusses how the organization is using its 25th anniversary to strengthen engagement and carry momentum into the next chapter.

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Whether you’re strengthening donor relationships or simply trying to stay on top of your notes, this episode offers actionable strategies you can apply right away. We’re joined by Ceciry Rodriguez-Pimentel, the Director of Development & Community Engagement at the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, to explore how fundraisers can better understand their donors, stay organized, and make more intentional asks. 

She shares practical insights from managing a full donor portfolio as a one-person development team—including how donor histories, giving patterns, and everyday conversations shape her engagement approach. You will learn how to use donor data to personalize outreach and connect supporters with program needs in a meaningful way.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Mintzer, CEO and Founder of Youth Mentoring Partnership, a youth development organization that has experienced remarkable programmatic and fundraising growth by combining mission-driven passion with data-informed decision-making.

Mintzer shares how mentorship changes lives, why understanding community needs shapes effective messaging, and how a business-minded approach to strategic planning has strengthened their fundraising operations. In this episode, you will learn practical steps for building sustainable giving programs, improving donor stewardship, and using tools like donor data, updated forms, and monthly giving strategies to support long-term organizational growth.

In this episode of Nonprofit Expert, we dive into how nonprofits can transform digital interactions into lasting donor relationships. Join Constant Contact’s Matthew Montoya and DonorPerfect’s Darryl Moser as they share essential nonprofit fundraising tips on leveraging clicks, opens, and engagement data to truly understand and engage your audience. You'll discover why click rates matter more than open rates, how to use segmentation to send targeted messages, and how thoughtful digital connection drives more meaningful and frequent giving. Whether you're new to nonprofit fundraising or looking to sharpen your marketing for nonprofits, this episode offers practical strategies for turning digital touchpoints into valuable donor connections.

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When fundraising feels overwhelming, this episode of Nonprofit Expert offers a short guided affirmation practice to help you stay grounded. Fundraising coach Mallory Erickson helps you recenter, release stress, and move forward with compassion for yourself and your donors.

Go beyond dollars raised! In the final episode of her mini series, fundraising coach Mallory Erickson introduces key relational KPIs you can start tracking in 2026 — including trust, engagement consistency, and impact awareness — to measure what truly matters and strengthen long-term donor relationships.

Stop sending one-size-fits-all messages to your donors. In this episode of Nonprofit Expert, Mallory Erickson shows you how to use donor segmentation to tailor your appeals, strengthen connections, and make every donor feel seen. Learn which segments to start with and how to track engagement in your CRM.

Learn how to overcome hesitation and confidently reach out to lapsed or quiet donors. In this episode, nonprofit expert Mallory Erickson shares practical strategies for leading with courage, authenticity, and transparency, so you can build stronger donor relationships without waiting to “feel ready.”

Boost your email open rates with curiosity-driven subject lines. In this episode, nonprofit expert Mallory Erickson explains how to use the “curiosity gap” to spark interest, inspire clicks, and motivate donors to engage more deeply with your mission, plus simple tweaks you can test in your next campaign.