The Beacon

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Vern Snyder about university advancement, the field from which he retired after a long and successful career. Vern discusses:

• The changes in university advancement over the decades

• How university fundraising work differs from that of other nonprofits

• Advice he would give to someone looking forward to a successful career in university advancement

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Joan Bahner, senior consultant, talks with Patrick Johnson, senior vice president of institutional advancement at Meharry Medical College. They discuss developing colleges’ relationships with corporations, foundations and other organizations. In their conversation, Patrick addresses:

• How corporations, foundations and other organizations differ from individuals in terms of giving.

• Ways colleges can identify companies and organizations that would be good partners.

• What a corporate engagement strategy should look like.

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Karen and Norm Baldwin about women and higher education leadership roles. Karen is a philanthropy consultant and the former vice president for advancement at The University of Alabama. Norm is also a consultant and professor emeritus at The University of Alabama. Together, they share personal experiences and research findings on women in higher education and address:

• Common barriers encountered by women in higher education leadership roles.

• Ways men and women can create an environment that promotes equal opportunity.

• Advice for women looking to advance their careers in higher education.

“If you have five years or more, and you have individual donors who are roughly 55 and over, then you’re ready to embark on planned giving.” – Tony Martigentti

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy is joined by planned giving consultant and host of Nonprofit Radio, Tony Martignetti. As a planned giving expert, Tony advises nonprofits on:

How to begin a planned giving program.

What should be in place before a planned giving program is implemented.

Why the Planned Giving Accelerator is a great option for small- to mid-sized nonprofits that are new to planned giving.

Bio:

A recovering attorney, Tony Martignetti became a dedicated evangelist for the power and potential of planned giving when he helped Iona College establish its first planned giving program in 1997.

In 2003, he launched Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors, a consulting practice in which he works side-by-side with nonprofits to develop and execute successful planned giving programs to meet their fundraising goals. He has helped his clients raise more than $100 million through planned giving.

Seeing the vast opportunity for nonprofits of all sizes to benefit from planned giving, Tony launched Planned Giving Accelerator in mid-2020, a year-long virtual program that gives small- and midsize nonprofits the expertise, resources, tactics, and support necessary to establish a planned giving program.

You might also know Tony through his weekly podcast, Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio, where he picks the brains of authors, consultants, and thought leaders to help small to mid-size nonprofits grow and thrive. It is the #1 podcast for nonprofits.

“Have a plan. Be flexible with that plan; it will change. And then follow it regularly.” – Rick Byrd

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant David Snow discusses how Executive Director Rick Byrd successfully executed a virtual gala with the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of JDRF. Rick shares:

About JDRF and its fundraising activities.

The factors that led JDRF to switch to a virtual gala instead of cancelling.

JDRF’s preparation and execution of the virtual event; and

The keys for a successful virtual gala.

About our guest

Rick Byrd is a nonprofit executive with over twenty years of management and development experience. Rick started his career with the YMCA of Greater Houston serving in a variety of positions, including executive director, district executive director and vice president of development/executive director of the YMCA of Greater Houston Endowment Foundation. Over the last three years, Rick has served as executive director of the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of JDRF, leading efforts in community engagement, fundraising and awareness of type one diabetes and JDRF-funded research. During his tenure, Rick has been recognized for his fundraising achievements, as well as leadership capabilities. Rick also has a proven track-record of organizational revenue growth, board and volunteer development, strategic planning, and positive community relations.

Rick currently serves on the Board of the Houston Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he acted as Treasurer from 2017 – 2019. He is a founding member of the Wilchester Neighborhood Men’s Club, a 501(c)3, non-profit, which supports youth development, education and “neighbors in need”. Rick is married to Susan and they have two children, Alexander (17) and Elizabeth (13). In addition to being involved in his children’s various activities, he enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, tennis, and spending time in Colorado.

“This arm’s-length fundraising culture ultimately interferes with the fundraising professional’s ability to accomplish their goals.” – Jason Lewis

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Jason Lewis, managing partner of Lewis Fundraising and author of “The War for Fundraising Talent.” In their discussion, Jason explains how we can be better fundraising professionals and addresses:

The case against arm’s-length fundraising.

How to attract top fundraising talent.

The lesson he would like every reader to take away from his book.

Bio:

Jason Lewis, CFRE & AFP Master Trainer, provides the sector with an often-needed contrarian voice willing to question deeply engrained beliefs and assumptions of how effective fundraising really works. Whether writing or speaking, Jason challenges the prevailing wisdom about effective fundraising practices, hiring decisions and donor behavior. Jason is the founder of Lewis Fundraising and Managing Partner of BetterSchools LLC. In the last two decades, Jason has raised millions of dollars for a variety of non-profit organizations throughout the United States. Jason is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a recognized member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Master Trainers. Jason earned his MS in nonprofit management at Eastern University in 2010 and graduated from the College of Executive Coaching in 2014.

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Marc Whitt, the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communication’s director of media and strategic relations, about his new book, PR Lessons Learned Along the Way. In the book, Marc shares his advice for young PR professionals and inserts life lessons he has learned over his 35-years-long career. In his discussion with Jeff, Marc shares:

How becoming a sponge for an organization’s culture will make you a better fundraising professional; The importance of adjusting your story for the audience; and Three lessons he wants every reader to remember

“Coordination of the message is not luxury but is critical as institutions communicate with their donors.” – Marc Whitt

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Marc Whitt, director of philanthropy and advancement communications for the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications’, joins Jeff Jowdy to discuss integrating fundraising and communications functions in higher education. Marc shares:

The importance of messaging coordination.

How fundraising messaging and communications differs from overall university messaging and communications.

Advice for maximizing fundraising communications.

About our guest

Marc Whitt is director of Media & Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications. He also serves as a part-time instructor in UK's Department of Integrated Strategic Communication and is a former PR and marketing columnist for the national trade magazine, University Business. His first book, “PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional” (Cherrymoon Media), is set for release in July 2020.

Marc is a frequent presenter having addressed such organizations as the American Association of State Colleges & Universities, International Town & Gown Association, Council for Advancement & Support of Education, and Brazil's International Higher Education Marketing Institute.

Recently Onalytica, a British-based marketing research firm that identifies social influencers, ranked Marc 21st among the "Top 100 Public Relations Influencers on Twitter."

Follow Marc: @MarcWhitt