Most stewardship programs are built around a formula: give at this level, receive this letter; give more, get invited to this event; give enough, get your name on a wall. But that model is quietly failing because donors can tell when they’re being processed instead of known. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels and co-host Christopher Beck have a candid conversation with Dwayne Ashley, founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, one of the largest full-service fundraising and advisory firms in the world. They explore what stewardship looks like when donors are treated as partners rather than sources of capital, including why the ask should move at the donor’s pace, why calling a donor for advice can be more meaningful than another impact report, and how gift acceptance and naming policies can quietly cost organizations major gifts. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: people give to people. Donors are evaluating your leadership, your flexibility, and whether they trust the people behind the mission just as much as they’re evaluating your programs. Jeff also shares a story from earlier that morning about being on the receiving end of a permission-based ask and what it felt like to experience that approach as a donor. This is a conversation about moving beyond transactional stewardship and creating donor experiences that actually feel personal. From designing experiences people want to attend to adapting your approach across generations, Jeff, Christopher, and Dwayne make the case that effective stewardship isn’t about following a formula. It’s about knowing the individual donor and building a relationship that works for them. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   <ul><li>Why authentic stewardship is about knowing donors as people, not moving them through a tiered system  </li></ul><ul><li>How permission-based asking, donor advice, and honest conversations can build deeper trust and partnership  </li></ul><ul><li>Why gift acceptance policies, pledge practices, and organizational flexibility can either strengthen or undermine donor relationships  </li></ul><ul><li>How to create more meaningful, personalized donor experiences by adapting to individual interests, expectations, and generations </li></ul> Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.   Additional Resources:   <ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/three-critical-elements-of-planned-giving/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Three Critical Elements of Planned Giving</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/building-a-culture-of-philanthropy/?hsLang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Building a Culture of Philanthropy</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[Podcast] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/christopher-beck-five-questions-every-non-profit-leader-needs-to-answer-about-equity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity</a> </li></ul>

Most stewardship programs are built around a formula: give at this level, receive this letter; give more, get invited to this event; give enough, get your name on a wall. But that model is quietly failing because donors can tell when they’re being processed instead of known. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels and co-host Christopher Beck have a candid conversation with Dwayne Ashley, founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, one of the largest full-service fundraising and advisory firms in the world. They explore what stewardship looks like when donors are treated as partners rather than sources of capital, including why the ask should move at the donor’s pace, why calling a donor for advice can be more meaningful than another impact report, and how gift acceptance and naming policies can quietly cost organizations major gifts. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: people give to people. Donors are evaluating your leadership, your flexibility, and whether they trust the people behind the mission just as much as they’re evaluating your programs. Jeff also shares a story from earlier that morning about being on the receiving end of a permission-based ask and what it felt like to experience that approach as a donor. This is a conversation about moving beyond transactional stewardship and creating donor experiences that actually feel personal. From designing experiences people want to attend to adapting your approach across generations, Jeff, Christopher, and Dwayne make the case that effective stewardship isn’t about following a formula. It’s about knowing the individual donor and building a relationship that works for them. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… Why authentic stewardship is about knowing donors as people, not moving them through a tiered system How permission-based asking, donor advice, and honest conversations can build deeper trust and partnership Why gift acceptance policies, pledge practices, and organizational flexibility can either strengthen or undermine donor relationships How to create more meaningful, personalized donor experiences by adapting to individual interests, expectations, and generations Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [Blog] Three Critical Elements of Planned Giving [White Paper] Building a Culture of Philanthropy [Podcast] Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity

Most stewardship programs are built around a formula: give at this level, receive this letter; give more, get invited to this event; give enough, get your name on a wall. But that model is quietly failing because donors can tell when&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;being processed instead of known.&nbsp;In this episode of&nbsp;Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff&nbsp;Schreifels&nbsp;and co-host Christopher Beck have a candid conversation with Dwayne Ashley, founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, one of the largest full-service fundraising and advisory firms in the world. They explore what stewardship looks like when donors are treated as partners rather than sources of capital, including why the ask should move at the donor’s pace, why calling a donor for advice can be more meaningful than another impact report, and how gift acceptance and naming policies can quietly cost organizations major gifts.&nbsp;At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: people&nbsp;give&nbsp;to people. Donors are evaluating your leadership, your flexibility, and whether they trust the people behind the mission just as much as&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;evaluating your programs. Jeff also shares a story from earlier that morning about being on the receiving end of a permission-based ask and what it felt like to experience that approach as a donor.&nbsp;This is a conversation about moving beyond transactional stewardship and creating donor experiences that actually feel personal.&nbsp;From designing experiences people want to attend to adapting your approach across generations, Jeff, Christopher, and Dwayne make the case that effective stewardship&nbsp;isn’t&nbsp;about following a formula.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;about knowing the individual donor and building a relationship that works for them.&nbsp;Show Highlights: In this episode,&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;learn about…&nbsp; &nbsp;<ul><li>Why authentic stewardship is about knowing donors as people, not moving them through a tiered system&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How permission-based asking, donor advice, and honest conversations can build deeper trust and partnership&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Why gift acceptance policies, pledge practices, and organizational flexibility can either strengthen or undermine donor relationships&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How to create more meaningful, personalized donor experiences by adapting to individual interests, expectations, and generations&nbsp;</li></ul> Veritus&nbsp;Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned&nbsp;giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>[Blog]&nbsp;<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/three-critical-elements-of-planned-giving/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Three Critical Elements of Planned Giving</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/building-a-culture-of-philanthropy/?hsLang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer">Building a&nbsp;Culture&nbsp;of Philanthropy</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[Podcast]&nbsp;<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/christopher-beck-five-questions-every-non-profit-leader-needs-to-answer-about-equity" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>

Donors Can Smell It: Why Authenticity Wins, ft. Dwayne Ashley

If you’re looking at your year-end number and then at your to-do list and wondering how you’ll get it all done, you’re far from alone. Late September into October is when that pressure lands on almost every frontline fundraiser, and the roughly 75 days left in the year can feel impossibly short. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Lauren Centrella, a Veritus client experience leader and former frontline fundraiser, to walk through those 75 days one stretch at a time. Together, they break down how to prioritize your caseload, prepare for year-end asks, and stay focused on the donor relationships that matter most, so you can finish the year with a clear plan and feel good about the work you’ve done, whatever the final number. Lauren starts with the first week of October, when it pays to slow down and audit your caseload donor by donor. They cover where each donor stands against their goal and last year’s giving, who hasn’t given yet, and which gifts, including DAFs, stock, and QCDs, may come with earlier deadlines than you expect. They also discuss the internal conversations with Finance, Program, and Marketing that need to happen before the year-end rush makes them harder to have. From there, Jeff and Lauren cover how to prioritize high-value donors, revisit Tier C prospects, and use Permission-Based Asking™ through mid-December. They also discuss communicating with managers when goals shift and finishing strong with follow-ups, DAF gifts, out-of-office planning, and thank-you calls that deepen donor relationships. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… <ul><li>What to review in the first week of October, including donor goals, giving history, and gifts with early deadlines </li></ul><ul><li>How to prioritize the donors who matter most, prepare for Permission-Based Asking™, and communicate with your manager when goals shift </li></ul><ul><li>How to finish strong from December 16–31, follow up on commitments, and use year-end stewardship to strengthen relationships </li></ul><ul><li>Lauren’s immediate action plan: identify your top five donors, find one impact story for each, and choose one outreach you can make this week </li></ul>Additional Resources:   <ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/how-to-build-a-year-end-donor-plan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Build a Year-End Donor Plan</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/year-end-fundraising-planning-guide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90-Day Year-End Fundraising Planner</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-fundraising-again" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fall in Love with Fundraising Again</a>  Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/">⁠ ⁠</a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/">⁠www.VeritusGroup.com⁠</a>.   </li></ul>

If you’re looking at your year-end number and then at your to-do list and wondering how you’ll get it all done, you’re far from alone. Late September into October is when that pressure lands on almost every frontline fundraiser, and the roughly 75 days left in the year can feel impossibly short. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Lauren Centrella, a Veritus client experience leader and former frontline fundraiser, to walk through those 75 days one stretch at a time. Together, they break down how to prioritize your caseload, prepare for year-end asks, and stay focused on the donor relationships that matter most, so you can finish the year with a clear plan and feel good about the work you’ve done, whatever the final number. Lauren starts with the first week of October, when it pays to slow down and audit your caseload donor by donor. They cover where each donor stands against their goal and last year’s giving, who hasn’t given yet, and which gifts, including DAFs, stock, and QCDs, may come with earlier deadlines than you expect. They also discuss the internal conversations with Finance, Program, and Marketing that need to happen before the year-end rush makes them harder to have. From there, Jeff and Lauren cover how to prioritize high-value donors, revisit Tier C prospects, and use Permission-Based Asking™ through mid-December. They also discuss communicating with managers when goals shift and finishing strong with follow-ups, DAF gifts, out-of-office planning, and thank-you calls that deepen donor relationships. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… What to review in the first week of October, including donor goals, giving history, and gifts with early deadlines How to prioritize the donors who matter most, prepare for Permission-Based Asking™, and communicate with your manager when goals shift How to finish strong from December 16–31, follow up on commitments, and use year-end stewardship to strengthen relationships Lauren’s immediate action plan: identify your top five donors, find one impact story for each, and choose one outreach you can make this week Additional Resources: [Blog] How to Build a Year-End Donor Plan [White Paper] 90-Day Year-End Fundraising Planner [Blog] Fall in Love with Fundraising Again Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at⁠ ⁠⁠www.VeritusGroup.com⁠.

If you’re looking at your year-end number and then at your to-do list and wondering how you’ll get it all done, you’re far from alone. Late September into October is when that pressure lands on almost every frontline fundraiser, and the roughly 75 days left in the year can feel impossibly short.&nbsp;In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Lauren Centrella, a Veritus client experience leader and former frontline fundraiser, to walk through those 75 days one stretch at a time. Together, they break down how to prioritize your caseload, prepare for year-end asks, and stay focused on the donor relationships that matter most, so you can finish the year with a clear plan and feel good about the work you’ve done, whatever the final number.&nbsp;Lauren starts with the first week of October, when it pays to slow down and audit your caseload donor by donor. They cover where each donor stands against their goal and last year’s giving, who hasn’t given yet, and which gifts, including DAFs, stock, and QCDs, may come with earlier deadlines than you expect. They also discuss the internal conversations with Finance, Program, and Marketing that need to happen before the year-end rush makes them harder to have.&nbsp;From there, Jeff and Lauren cover how to prioritize high-value donors, revisit Tier C prospects, and use Permission-Based Asking™ through mid-December. They also discuss communicating with managers when goals shift and finishing strong with follow-ups, DAF gifts, out-of-office planning, and thank-you calls that deepen donor relationships.&nbsp;Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…&nbsp;<ul><li>What to review in the first week of October, including donor goals, giving history, and gifts with early deadlines&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How to prioritize the donors who matter most, prepare for Permission-Based Asking™, and communicate with your manager when goals shift&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How to finish strong from December 16–31, follow up on commitments, and use year-end stewardship to strengthen relationships&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Lauren’s immediate action plan: identify your top five donors, find one impact story for each, and choose one outreach you can make this week&nbsp;</li></ul>Additional Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/how-to-build-a-year-end-donor-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to Build a Year-End Donor Plan</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/year-end-fundraising-planning-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer">90-Day Year-End Fundraising Planner</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-fundraising-again" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fall in Love with Fundraising Again</a>&nbsp; Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠ ⁠</a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠www.VeritusGroup.com⁠</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Strategies for a Successful Year-End Fundraising Season

Fundraiser turnover is one of the biggest threats to long-term fundraising success, and the cost goes far beyond an empty desk. When a fundraiser leaves, organizations lose donor trust, relationship momentum, institutional knowledge, and often significant future revenue. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by co-host Christopher Beck for a candid and important conversation with Daphne Valcin, MCC, <a href="https://www.valcinstrategicsolutions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">founder of Valcin Strategic Solutions</a>, a leadership development consulting firm focused on helping organizations build stronger leaders and healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach, trainer, non-profit leader, and leadership development consultant, Daphne offers powerful insight into why so many talented fundraisers are leaving, and what leaders can do to change that.  Throughout the episode, Jeff, Christopher, and Daphne unpack the deeper causes of fundraiser burnout, moving beyond the assumption that turnover is simply an HR issue. They explore how vague job descriptions, poor onboarding, unrealistic workloads, weak management, and outdated leadership styles create environments where fundraisers struggle to thrive. The conversation also examines the challenges faced by fundraisers of color and the hidden cost of turnover, especially when donor relationships are interrupted and trust is broken. This is a real-talk conversation for non-profit leaders who are ready to stop normalizing burnout and turnover, and ready to start building organizations where fundraisers feel valued, supported, and equipped to stay for the long haul. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… <ul><li>Why fundraiser turnover is not just an HR issue, but a major financial, strategic, and relational challenge </li></ul><ul><li>What organizations lose when fundraisers leave, including donor trust, momentum, and institutional knowledge </li></ul><ul><li>How Daphne’s “Three M’s” framework—meetings, mentorship, and messaging—can improve retention and team culture </li></ul><ul><li>Why inclusion, allyship, and difficult conversations are essential to building healthier nonprofit workplaces </li></ul>Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.   Additional Resources:   <ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/white-men-wake-up" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Men, Wake Up!</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/building-a-culture-of-philanthropy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Building a Culture of Philanthropy</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[Podcast] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/christopher-beck-five-questions-every-non-profit-leader-needs-to-answer-about-equity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity</a> </li></ul>

Fundraiser turnover is one of the biggest threats to long-term fundraising success, and the cost goes far beyond an empty desk. When a fundraiser leaves, organizations lose donor trust, relationship momentum, institutional knowledge, and often significant future revenue. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by co-host Christopher Beck for a candid and important conversation with Daphne Valcin, MCC, founder of Valcin Strategic Solutions, a leadership development consulting firm focused on helping organizations build stronger leaders and healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach, trainer, non-profit leader, and leadership development consultant, Daphne offers powerful insight into why so many talented fundraisers are leaving, and what leaders can do to change that. Throughout the episode, Jeff, Christopher, and Daphne unpack the deeper causes of fundraiser burnout, moving beyond the assumption that turnover is simply an HR issue. They explore how vague job descriptions, poor onboarding, unrealistic workloads, weak management, and outdated leadership styles create environments where fundraisers struggle to thrive. The conversation also examines the challenges faced by fundraisers of color and the hidden cost of turnover, especially when donor relationships are interrupted and trust is broken. This is a real-talk conversation for non-profit leaders who are ready to stop normalizing burnout and turnover, and ready to start building organizations where fundraisers feel valued, supported, and equipped to stay for the long haul. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… Why fundraiser turnover is not just an HR issue, but a major financial, strategic, and relational challenge What organizations lose when fundraisers leave, including donor trust, momentum, and institutional knowledge How Daphne’s “Three M’s” framework—meetings, mentorship, and messaging—can improve retention and team culture Why inclusion, allyship, and difficult conversations are essential to building healthier nonprofit workplaces Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [Blog] White Men, Wake Up! [White Paper] Building a Culture of Philanthropy [Podcast] Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity

Fundraiser turnover is one of the biggest threats to long-term fundraising success, and the cost goes far beyond an empty desk. When a fundraiser leaves, organizations lose donor trust, relationship momentum, institutional knowledge, and often significant future revenue.&nbsp;In this episode of&nbsp;Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by co-host Christopher Beck for a candid and important conversation with Daphne Valcin, MCC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.valcinstrategicsolutions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">founder of Valcin Strategic Solutions</a>, a leadership development consulting firm focused on helping organizations build stronger leaders and healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach, trainer, non-profit leader, and leadership development consultant, Daphne offers powerful insight into why so many talented fundraisers are leaving, and what leaders can do to change that.&nbsp;&nbsp;Throughout the episode, Jeff, Christopher, and Daphne unpack the deeper causes of fundraiser burnout, moving beyond the assumption that turnover is simply an HR issue. They explore how vague job descriptions, poor onboarding, unrealistic workloads, weak management, and outdated leadership styles create environments where fundraisers struggle to thrive. The conversation also examines the challenges faced by fundraisers of color and the hidden cost of turnover, especially when donor relationships are interrupted and trust is broken.&nbsp;This is a real-talk conversation for non-profit leaders who are ready to stop normalizing burnout and turnover, and ready to start building organizations where fundraisers feel valued, supported, and equipped to stay for the long haul.&nbsp;Show Highlights: In this episode,&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;learn about…&nbsp;<ul><li>Why fundraiser turnover is not just an HR issue, but a major financial, strategic, and relational challenge&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>What organizations lose when fundraisers leave, including donor trust, momentum, and institutional knowledge&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How Daphne’s “Three M’s” framework—meetings, mentorship, and messaging—can improve retention and team culture&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Why inclusion, allyship, and difficult conversations are essential to building healthier nonprofit workplaces&nbsp;</li></ul>Veritus&nbsp;Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned&nbsp;giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>[Blog]&nbsp;<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/white-men-wake-up" rel="noopener noreferrer">White Men, Wake Up!</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/building-a-culture-of-philanthropy/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Building a Culture of Philanthropy</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[Podcast]&nbsp;<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/christopher-beck-five-questions-every-non-profit-leader-needs-to-answer-about-equity" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>

Why Your Best Fundraisers Leave (and What Makes Them Stay)

If you’ve ever looked at your caseload and thought, “I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?” — there’s a good chance qualification is the issue. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation about what it actually means to qualify donors—and why it changes everything for a major gift officer. Jeff and Diana break down one of the most common challenges MGOs face: spending time on donors who don’t want a relationship. They explain what a qualified donor really is (hint: it’s not just someone who gives), and why the absence of true two-way engagement leads to frustration, stalled relationships, and missed revenue. They also walk through a clear, structured approach to qualification, including how to do a “gut check” on your caseload, how persistence plays a role in unlocking engagement, and why a portion of donors will respond if you approach them the right way. The conversation highlights what happens when MGOs shift from managing names in a portfolio to building relationships with people who actually want to connect. If you want more clarity, more confidence, and better results in your fundraising, this episode will help you rethink how you’re spending your time—and who you’re spending it on. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… <ul><li>What it really means for a donor to be “qualified” and why two-way communication is the key  </li></ul><ul><li>How unqualified donors create friction, frustration, and inefficiency in your caseload  </li></ul><ul><li>The “gut check” process that helps you quickly assess donor engagement  </li></ul><ul><li>Why persistence matters—and how one-third of donors may engage with the right outreach </li></ul> Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.   Additional Resources:   <ul><li>[Blog] <a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/what-to-expect-when-you-try-to-qualify-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What to Expect When You Try to Qualify Donors</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/qualifying-donors-for-major-gift-caseloads-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qualifying Donors for Major Gifts Caseloads</a> </li></ul><ul><li>[Blog]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/in-fundraising-vulnerability-is-your-greatest-strength/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/do-you-qualify-mid-level-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Do You Qualify Mid-Level Donors?</a> </li></ul>

If you’ve ever looked at your caseload and thought, “I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?” — there’s a good chance qualification is the issue. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation about what it actually means to qualify donors—and why it changes everything for a major gift officer. Jeff and Diana break down one of the most common challenges MGOs face: spending time on donors who don’t want a relationship. They explain what a qualified donor really is (hint: it’s not just someone who gives), and why the absence of true two-way engagement leads to frustration, stalled relationships, and missed revenue. They also walk through a clear, structured approach to qualification, including how to do a “gut check” on your caseload, how persistence plays a role in unlocking engagement, and why a portion of donors will respond if you approach them the right way. The conversation highlights what happens when MGOs shift from managing names in a portfolio to building relationships with people who actually want to connect. If you want more clarity, more confidence, and better results in your fundraising, this episode will help you rethink how you’re spending your time—and who you’re spending it on. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… What it really means for a donor to be “qualified” and why two-way communication is the key How unqualified donors create friction, frustration, and inefficiency in your caseload The “gut check” process that helps you quickly assess donor engagement Why persistence matters—and how one-third of donors may engage with the right outreach Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com. Additional Resources: [Blog] What to Expect When You Try to Qualify Donors [White Paper] Qualifying Donors for Major Gifts Caseloads [Blog] Do You Qualify Mid-Level Donors?

If&nbsp;you’ve&nbsp;ever looked at your caseload and thought,&nbsp;“I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?”&nbsp;—&nbsp;there’s&nbsp;a good chance qualification is the issue.&nbsp;In this episode of&nbsp;Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at&nbsp;Veritus&nbsp;Group, for a practical conversation about what it&nbsp;actually means&nbsp;to qualify donors—and why it changes everything for a major gift officer.&nbsp;Jeff and Diana break down one of the most&nbsp;common challenges&nbsp;MGOs face: spending time on donors who&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;want a relationship. They explain what a&nbsp;qualified donor&nbsp;really is (hint:&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;not just someone who gives), and why the absence of true two-way engagement leads to frustration, stalled relationships, and missed revenue.&nbsp;They also walk through a clear, structured approach to qualification, including how to do a “gut check” on your caseload, how persistence plays a role in unlocking engagement, and why a&nbsp;portion&nbsp;of donors will respond if you approach them the right way. The conversation highlights what happens when MGOs shift from managing names in a portfolio to building relationships with people who&nbsp;actually want&nbsp;to connect.&nbsp;If you want more clarity, more confidence, and better results in your fundraising, this episode will help you rethink how&nbsp;you’re&nbsp;spending your time—and who&nbsp;you’re&nbsp;spending it on.&nbsp;Show Highlights: In this episode,&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;learn about…&nbsp;<ul><li>What it really means for a donor to be “qualified” and why two-way communication is the key&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>How unqualified donors create friction, frustration, and inefficiency in your caseload&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>The “gut check” process that helps you quickly assess donor engagement&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Why persistence matters—and how one-third of donors may engage with the right outreach&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Veritus&nbsp;Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned&nbsp;giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at<a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.VeritusGroup.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>[Blog]&nbsp;<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/what-to-expect-when-you-try-to-qualify-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer">What to Expect When You Try to Qualify Donors</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[White Paper]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/digital-touch-points-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/whitepapers/qualifying-donors-for-major-gift-caseloads-form/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Qualifying Donors for&nbsp;Major Gifts Caseloads</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>[Blog]<a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/in-fundraising-vulnerability-is-your-greatest-strength/" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://veritusgroup.com/blog/do-you-qualify-mid-level-donors/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Do You Qualify Mid-Level Donors?</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>

The Power of Qualifying Donors

How do you keep donors moving from direct response giving, to bigger gifts, into your major gift program? Fundraising expert Jeff Brooks talks with Richard and Jeff about the major gifts "pipeline" and the best things you can do to keep, lift and move your donors forward.

How do you keep donors moving from direct response giving, to bigger gifts, into your major gift program? Fundraising expert Jeff Brooks talks with Richard and Jeff about the major gifts "pipeline" and the best things you can do to keep, lift and move your donors forward.

The Major Gifts Pipeline, with guest Jeff Brooks

Richard and Jeff kick off their podcast by discussing how donors give best – not as an annual duty, but as an ongoing response to their desire to do good in the world, through your organization.
The "Nothing But Major Gifts Podcast" is a production of Veritus Group, an industry leader in major gifts fundraising. Learn more at <a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com">VeritusGroup.com</a>.

Richard and Jeff kick off their podcast by discussing how donors give best – not as an annual duty, but as an ongoing response to their desire to do good in the world, through your organization. The "Nothing But Major Gifts Podcast" is a production of Veritus Group, an industry leader in major gifts fundraising. Learn more at VeritusGroup.com.

Richard and Jeff kick off their podcast by discussing how donors give best – not as an annual duty, but as an ongoing response to their desire to do good in the world, through your organization.
The "Nothing But Major Gifts Podcast" is a production of Veritus Group, an industry leader in major gifts fundraising. Learn more at <a href="https://www.veritusgroup.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">VeritusGroup.com</a>.

Why doesn't the word "Annual" belong in a MGO's vocabulary?

Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, the podcast where fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts come together to vent, laugh, and learn. Through candid storytelling and insightful interviews, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. With a fearless, irreverent, and conversational tone, we’re breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating a safe space to tackle the real struggles of the nonprofit world- one honest conversation at a time.

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