The Focused Fundraiser

Are you focusing on the right fundraising strategies or just doing more tasks? In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with nonprofit growth expert Noah Barnett to break down what actually drives sustainable fundraising.

They dive into the difference between transactional fundraising vs relational fundraising, why most nonprofit teams struggle with strategy, and how fundraisers can prioritize donor stewardship, donor retention, and meaningful relationships even with limited time and small teams.

Noah also shares a powerful growth framework for nonprofits, how to think about fundraising technology and donor CRM systems, and why your data strategy matters more than your tools—especially as AI becomes more integrated into nonprofit fundraising.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or development director looking to improve donor engagement, fundraising strategy, and sustainable nonprofit growth, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can apply immediately.

You’ll also hear about the upcoming WellTold Conference, where fundraisers gather to sharpen storytelling, leadership, and fundraising strategy.

Welltold Conference: www.welltoldconference.com

DonorDock: www.donordock.com

0:00 Introduction to The Focused Fundraiser

0:45 Noah Barnett’s nonprofit background

1:47 The WellTold Conference and why it matters

4:44 Transactional vs relational fundraising

10:00 A simple growth strategy framework for nonprofits

16:44 How fundraisers should evaluate technology tools

23:12 Why data matters for AI and fundraising

24:01 A tactical donor stewardship action you can take today

26:29 The power of community at fundraising conferences

Discover how to build a sustainable revenue engine through high-ROI, investment-level giving conversations.

On this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Sherry Quam Taylor, a leading fundraising strategist, reveals the "other half of the story" that most nonprofits miss when talking to major donors.

Learn why mid- and major-level donors need more than just mission stories, how to align your fundraising hours with actual dollars, and why framing giving as an investment (not a transaction) transforms your revenue strategy.

Perfect for executive directors, major gift officers, and development leaders ready to move beyond event-driven fundraising.

Featured Guest: Sherry Quam Taylor, Fundraising Strategist (Chicagoland)

Conference Mentioned: WellTold 2026 (April, Fargo, MN) — in-person + online https://welltoldconference.com/

CHAPTERS

0:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

0:39 – Sherry's Background: Corporate to Nonprofit

2:03 – The "Hours to Dollars" Mentality

3:12 – The Hard Truth: Fundraisers Tell Only Half the Story

5:16 – Why ROI Matters: CEO-to-CEO Conversations

5:37 – Who Should Attend Sherry's WellTold Session

6:56 – WellTold Conference Overview & Speaker Lineup

7:45 – Diving Into Major Gift Strategy

T. Clay Buck has spent over 30 years in the trenches of nonprofit fundraising and he's got a message every fundraiser needs to hear: the foundation of a great giving program isn't a tactic. It's a philosophy.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Clay joins Rob Burke to talk about what inclusive fundraising really looks like, why recurring giving is an outcome (not a strategy), and how to tell compelling stories even when your mission doesn't fit the "sad picture" mold.

Clay is also previewing two of his upcoming talks at the WellTold Conference this April — "The Impossible Story" and his future-focused look at where philanthropy is headed over the next 5, 10, and 20 years.

Whether you're a development director juggling five roles or an ED trying to build real donor relationships on a tight budget, this conversation will shift how you think about your fundraising program from the ground up.

🎟️ WellTold Conference — April 2026 in Fargo, ND (in-person + online). welltoldconference.com

📌 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why inclusivity is the #1 marker of a healthy giving program
• How to tell stories when your mission doesn't have a clear "beneficiary face"
• Why recurring giving works best as an outcome of culture, not a standalone ask
• What fundraisers should be doing NOW to prepare for the next decade of giving
• A preview of Clay's WellTold sessions on storytelling and the future of philanthropy

🔗 Learn more about DonorDock: https://www.donordock.com
🎙️ The Focused Fundraiser is brought to you by DonorDock — donor management that just works.

0:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser
0:49 Clay Buck's path from actor to 30-year fundraiser
2:02 What Clay is most excited about at WellTold
3:10 The Impossible Story — rethinking nonprofit storytelling
3:50 Future-focused philanthropy — planting trees for tomorrow
4:17 WellTold Conference details and speaker lineup
5:50 What does a healthy individual giving program look like?
6:03 Why inclusivity is the foundation of strong fundraising
7:30 Recurring giving as outcome, not starting point
8:30 Welcoming every donor into the mission
10:00 How community culture shapes generosity
12:00 Closing thoughts and where to find Clay

Are your nonprofit board members disengaged from fundraising? In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with nonprofit strategist Christal Cherry to talk about how boards set the tone for fundraising culture, how executive directors can better manage up, and how to build strong governance practices that drive real impact.

With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and board development, Christal shares practical strategies to help fundraisers:

• Reframe fundraising as storytelling and relationship building

• Engage disengaged board members

• Build accountability between boards and executive directors

• Strengthen board governance and recruitment practices

• Increase recurring giving and planned giving

• Improve donor retention with meaningful appreciation

If you’re a fundraiser, executive director, or board member looking to build stronger relationships and create a healthy fundraising culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can implement immediately.

Christal will also be speaking at the WellTold Conference in Fargo (and virtually), where nonprofit leaders will walk away with hands-on, actionable strategies—not just inspiration.

Listen now and learn how to focus on what truly matters in fundraising: relationships, accountability, and mission-driven leadership.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:55 Christal Cherry’s nonprofit journey

02:04 Why speak at the WellTold Conference?

03:33 How boards set the tone for fundraising culture

05:55 Making fundraising less scary for board members

06:16 How to engage a disengaged board

08:08 Board accountability and partnership with leadership

11:43 Managing up as an executive director

13:25 Building strong board governance

17:01 Fundraising trends: recurring & planned giving

19:17 Tactical takeaway: creative donor appreciation

20:41 Storytelling, leadership, and actionable fundraising

Fundraising isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Amanda Clark-Wahl, founder of Cocktails and Caregivers, to talk about storytelling, donor relationships, and the fundraising habits that actually move the needle.

Amanda shares her personal journey into nonprofit leadership, why caregivers are often invisible, and how simple, authentic storytelling can outperform polished campaigns. They also dig into donor stewardship, thanking supporters, fundraising events, hiring your first employee, and why unpolished videos are often the most effective tool fundraisers have.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or executive director looking to raise more while staying mission-focused, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insights.

👇 Topics covered:

• Storytelling vs statistics in fundraising

• Donor retention and stewardship

• Thank-you strategies that actually work

• Video fundraising without big budgets

• Hiring your first nonprofit employee

• Gala fundraising realities

• Staying focused on mission while growing

00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:27 – Amanda’s caregiver journey and nonprofit origin story

02:35 – Balancing full-time work and nonprofit leadership

03:46 – Why storytelling drives donor behavior

05:49 – Where nonprofits get storytelling wrong

07:10 – Emotional transparency in fundraising

08:35 – What nonprofit messaging should stay the same (and what should change)

11:08 – Non-negotiable fundraising activities

12:42 – Unpolished video thank-yous that work

14:53 – Hiring your first nonprofit employee

16:48 – Fundraising habits leaders must learn

18:45 – Tactical takeaway for fundraisers

19:26 – The power of saying thank you

Fundraising doesn’t have to feel reactionary or chaotic.

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with nonprofit leader Erin Davison to unpack one of the biggest challenges fundraisers face today: balancing short-term fundraising pressure with long-term donor stewardship.

Erin shares real-world insights from leading nonprofits through economic disruption, crisis, and growth, and explains why stewardship isn’t seasonal, fundraising calendars can be misleading, and nonprofits must stop thinking like charities and start operating like confident businesses.

This conversation is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, development professionals, and executive directors who want to simplify fundraising, strengthen donor relationships, and build sustainable growth.

• Why reactionary fundraising hurts long-term success

• How stewardship should operate year-round

• The difference between fundraising and development

• How to educate boards and CEOs on donor development

• Why transparency and storytelling build stronger donor trust

• How to plan fundraising without living in crisis mode

00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:44 – Erin Davison’s nonprofit journey

02:43 – The fundraising habit to leave behind

05:58 – Why stewardship must be year-round

06:57 – What fundraisers should prioritize earlier

10:27 – Leading through crisis and disruption

12:22 – Why nonprofits must think like businesses

13:39 – Short-term pressure vs long-term relationships

15:34 – Fundraising vs development explained

18:10 – Transparency with donors and investors

19:31 – Honest storytelling and real impact

22:33 – One action every fundraiser should take today

What does it really take to build sustainable donor relationships and confidently talk about planned giving?

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Rachel Gitner, Director of Advancement at Serendipity Center, to unpack what works in fundraising across large institutions and small nonprofits.

Rachel shares practical lessons from her journey—from classical singer to leading development efforts in healthcare, education, and mental health nonprofits. Together, they dive into donor trust, relationship-building, planned giving conversations, and how fundraisers can use systems (and AI) to stay focused and effective.

Whether you’re new to fundraising or leading development strategy, this episode is packed with real-world advice you can use today.

🎧 Topics include:

• How donor relationships actually grow over time
• Making planned giving feel natural (not scary)
• Large vs. small nonprofit fundraising strategies
• Using donor databases and AI effectively
• The single most important thing fundraisers should do today

00:22 – Rachel’s path into nonprofit fundraising

02:18 – What skills translate across nonprofit sectors

03:22 – Fundraising at large vs. small organizations

05:44 – Wearing many hats vs. specialization

05:59 – Turning local relationships into long-term donors

08:53 – Tracking donor conversations and follow-ups

10:24 – Using AI and donor databases effectively

11:19 – How to talk about planned giving with confidence

14:12 – One thing every fundraiser should do today

How do you build donor trust, steward supporters well, and grow a nonprofit with clarity and purpose?

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, David Robertson, founder of Joshway, talks about building a mission-driven nonprofit rooted in personal story, strong business fundamentals, and ethical storytelling.

David shares how his background in fintech shaped Joshway’s donor journey, why nonprofits must think like businesses (without losing heart), and how to steward donors in a way that builds long-term trust — not transactional giving.

This conversation is packed with practical fundraising advice, especially for small teams and one-person development shops.

🎧 Topics include:

• Turning personal pain into purpose

• Applying for-profit strategy to nonprofit fundraising

• Donor stewardship that actually builds trust

• Ethical storytelling without exploiting beneficiaries

• Using data and KPIs without losing the human story

• Messaging clarity for growing nonprofits

• A powerful reflection every fundraiser should do today

If you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit founder, or development leader looking to sharpen your strategy and reconnect with your “why,” this episode is for you.

00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:51 The story behind Joshway

02:05 Starting a nonprofit rooted in personal loss

03:49 What fundraisers can learn from for-profit business

07:33 Why data and metrics matter in nonprofit growth

08:00 Choosing the right CRM for donor stewardship

11:55 Measuring impact through real stories

12:23 Ethical storytelling without using people as props

14:01 Building donor trust through stewardship

16:47 Inviting donors into the mission

17:11 Messaging clarity for small nonprofit teams

19:38 Tactical takeaway for fundraisers

20:02 Remembering your “why”

21:12 Final thoughts & DonorDock mention

What should fundraisers focus on at the beginning of a new year? And what should they stop doing altogether?

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke and Chris Stibbs, Director of Development at Growing Futures, talk about what actually moves the needle in modern nonprofit fundraising. From donor retention and stewardship to avoiding burnout, segmentation, KPIs, and realistic goal-setting, this conversation is packed with practical insights for fundraisers at every level.

Key Topics Covered:

• Healthy fundraising habits for the new year

• Donor stewardship vs. transactional fundraising

• Donor journeys and segmentation strategies

• KPIs that actually matter

• Grant strategy and approval tracking

• Mid-level donor growth

• Avoiding burnout on fundraising teams

• One simple action every fundraiser should take today

00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:47 – Chris Stibbs’ fundraising journey

02:47 – What a healthy start to the year looks like

04:27 – Moving from transactions to stewardship

06:07 – Fundraising trends that aren’t working anymore

07:15 – Donor journeys & segmentation

09:03 – Why every donor matters

10:29 – The overlooked power of mid-level donors

11:21 – Setting realistic fundraising goals

13:27 – KPIs fundraisers should actually track

15:53 – Grant strategy & approval rates

17:27 – Hard conversations fundraisers avoid

19:51 – Tactical takeaway: one thing to do today

What if better marketing was the key to greater impact?

Daniel Francavilla, founder of Good Growth Company, to unpack how brand clarity, messaging, and focus directly influence fundraising success.

Daniel shares why “marketing” isn’t a dirty word in the nonprofit world, how brand builds trust with donors, and why doing fewer things better leads to stronger donor relationships. From choosing the right marketing channels to using storytelling and proof effectively, this conversation is packed with practical insights fundraisers can apply immediately.

If you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit leader, or executive director trying to cut through the noise and raise more by focusing on what truly matters—this episode is for you.

• Why brand is a fundraising amplifier
• Common nonprofit misconceptions about marketing
• How clarity and consistency build donor trust
• Choosing the right marketing channels (email, social, ads)
• Paid ads for nonprofits: what actually works
• How to audit your nonprofit’s messaging today

00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser

00:54 – Daniel’s journey into nonprofit marketing

02:24 – Why marketing skills are missing in social impact

03:25 – Misconceptions nonprofits have about marketing

04:51 – Why brand matters more than you think

05:07 – How clarity builds donor trust

06:56 – Defining nonprofit brand positioning

07:14 – The 5 elements of strong nonprofit branding

09:41 – Choosing the right marketing channels

11:55 – Email, SMS, and owning your audience

12:41 – Paid ads for nonprofits: realistic expectations

15:33 – Making the case for marketing internally

17:45 – One tactical takeaway every fundraiser can do today

18:57 – Final thoughts on focus and impact