The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast

By Brad Layland, CEO of The Focus Group

What's The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast about?

Taking Donors Seriously® is a time-tested, sustainable framework for relational fundraising. Hundreds of nonprofits and schools have used TDS over 30+ years to successfully raise the funds that are critical to their missions.

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group shares insight, stories, and tips on this podcast.

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The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast episodes:

06.21.2024
From Stockbroker to Apologist
In this special Juneteenth edition of the podcast, we interview Lisa Fields, a prominent apologist, speaker and founder of the Jude 3 Project. The Jude 3 Project exists to help equip the black Christian community to know what they believe and why...
06.11.2024
Redeeming Education for Jesus
As God laid on his heart a desire to re-orient education to the focus of glorifying God, David Nees was drawn to classical education. He is now the Head of School at Heritage Classical Academy outside Cleveland, OH, and has...
06.05.2024
Outbidding the Amish
Hear from Ty Fischer, a 27-year veteran Head of School at Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA. He shares about the need for humility in asking for help with fundraising as well as the surprising diversity God has brought to his...
04.25.2024
From the Holler to the World
Oliver Asher, President of Advancing Native Missions, tells his story of a journey from a Virginia "Holler" to leading an organization that takes good news to the world. From him we hear about joy, optimism, commitment, and strategies he has...
04.09.2024
A Primer on Capital Campaigns (Geneva College)
Dr. Calvin Troup, President of Geneva College opens up about his personal journey into higher ed and shares invaluable insights he's gleaned along the way that will benefit any fundraising professional. Delve into Geneva College's strategic planning process, feasibility studies...
03.26.2024
Sitting With Your Donors Even When They Cannot Talk
Here’s the story of Ben Homan, President of Langham Partnership US, finishing his 14-year career with them. When it comes to fundraising, Brad says, “Follow Ben!” He has had a remarkable ministry as a leader and has seen the ministry...
03.14.2024
The Accidental CEO
Listen to Beth Greco explain to Brad how she became the President and CEO of the Hoving Home, what has happened along the way, and how she manages to get the work done.
02.27.2024
Church Planting with Harbor Network
Brad Layland interviews Dave Owens, Executive Director of the Harbor Network. Learn about this church planting network and how Dave carries out his fundraising to help it all happen.
02.15.2024
An interview with Young Life's Brooke Filipovski
What do Punta Gorda, Florida, Australia, and Macedonia have in common? Brooke Filipovski! This remarkable young woman has raised support and ministered to young people in some interesting places. Enjoy her story!
01.24.2024
An interview with InterVarsity's Tom Lin
Brad Layland interviews Tom Lin, the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 2016.
01.12.2024
Jews for Jesus
Brad Layland interviews David Brickner of Jews For Jesus.
12.08.2023
Year-End Appeals - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast
Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Dan Kennedy discuss year-end appeals, the good the bad, and the ugly.
03.28.2023
Be Encouraged! - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and John Ranheim discuss major gifts, why they're given and why you should be encouraged!
02.28.2023
Fundraising with Jon Eisenberg - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome special guest Jon Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Chief Development Officer at Intervarsity. Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Jon Eisenberg discuss their first exposures to fundraising for ministry and how it has...
12.06.2022
Brad's Favorite End of Year Appeals - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
A podcast a year in the making! Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad summarizes, critiques, and praises the End of Year Appeals he received last year.
09.13.2022
The Portrait of a Graduate - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast, Brad and Max Layland discuss "A Portrait of a Graduate", why they matter and which nonprofits do them best.
04.27.2022
The Prince Dilemma w/ Ted Rodgers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast, Brad Layland and Ted Rodgers talk through a case study of improper estate planning.
02.11.2022
The Mid-Course Correction - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast. Today, Brad Layland discusses a common mistake many organizations make when contacting their donors.
01.25.2022
Partners in Blessings w/ Dr. Scott Rodin - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast. Today, Brad Layland and special guest Dr. Scott Rodin walk through the 5 handy ways to make sure your giving partners are blessed.
11.30.2021
Why Fundraising is (NOT) Scary! w/ Tom MacAdam - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast. Today, Brad Layland and special guest Tom MacAdam talk about their approaches to fundraising. Turns out, it's not as scary as it seems!
10.26.2021
Focus! - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast. How focused is your fundraising? Today, Brad and Max Layland discuss the importance of intentional, focused planning in both fundraising and life.
10.18.2021
The 3 B's of Fish-raising w/ Jamie Sellers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast. Today, Brad Layland and special guest Jamie Sellers talk fishing, funding, and financing. If either fish or fundraising strike your fancy we've got a great episode lined up for you!
09.17.2021
Making the Case w/ Ame Eldredge - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Welcome to another episode of the Taking Donors Seriously podcast. Today, Brad is joined by Ame Eldredge to discuss the function and benefits of a well made case.
07.07.2021
Boards and Fundraising w/ Ted Rodgers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS
Ted Rodgers joins us on The TDS Podcast to share his wisdom on the role of boards in fundraising.
03.10.2021
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Live From ZoomLand
The FOCUS Group Podcast returns! Today, Brad and Max Layland talk through 7 tips to enhance your mission using Zoom.
04.02.2020
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Letting Donors Be Who They Are
In this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss how best to raise money and spirits in these scary times. Stay safe everyone; you can do this!
01.23.2020
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - The Waffle House Approach
On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max praise the Waffle House's perfect efficiency and explore how these same practices can be used in our fundraising projects. But mainly we talk about how good the Waffle House is.
11.19.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Heresy & Compounding Interest
On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad speaks to the future value of ministries while Max raises charges of blasphemy.
10.21.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - The Role of an Ant (and a Fundraiser)
On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss the varying roles each person involved in fundraising must play... They also talk about ants.
09.26.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Why Fundraisers Are Fed Up... and How to Fix it!
On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad speaks to the frustration many fundraisers experience in their work and how best to circumvent it.
07.30.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Running From Lions
On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss the challenges of running races in Kenya and fundraising. (Please note that we at The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast are not qualified zoologists and, as such, any and all advice pertaining...
05.27.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Finding New Donors
In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad responds his most frequently asked question: "How do I find new donors." The answer may surprise you!
04.22.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Going to the Moon
In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad and Max discuss the power of vision to inspire donors and how this can be utilized. Link to Max's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSMau6OT5JI5HoAwr2B9C-w/featured?disable_polymer=1
04.09.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Salad Dressing
In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad illustrates what salad dressing can teach us all about fundraising. I promise this is not a joke.
03.04.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - How to Get a Free Mercedes
In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad and Max Layland discuss the benefits of donor based fundraising. A Mercedes may or may not be one of them.
02.04.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Dyson Vacuum Fundraising
What can we learn about fundraising from a Dyson vacuum? More then you may think.
01.17.2019
Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - New Years Resolutions
As the New Year arrives, it seems like people everywhere are feeling reflective and talking about their goals, resolving that this year will be a turning point. In light of that atmosphere, today I want to share a few resolutions...
07.13.2018
Taking Donors Seriously (TDS), The Power Of Vision
On this episode Brad Layland, CEO of the FOCUS Group, shares about the importance of incorporating vision into an effective Case Statement.
05.01.2017
Considering a Capital Campaign?
Brad Laylland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. shares the information you need in a step-by-step system if your thinking of a capital campaign.
01.18.2017
Year End Appeals
Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. covers the good, the bad and the ugly year end appeals that he received at the end of the year and how to use end of the year appeals most effectively.
11.30.2016
People Give When...
Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. helps you understand some of the deeper reasons why people give and how you can change their lives.
11.30.2016
The Two Most Important Rules About Asking
Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. shares the two most important rules of fundraising. Follow these two principles and increase your effectiveness with relational, sustainable fundraising.
10.27.2016
The Best Time to Raise Money
Brad Layland, CEO of the FOCUS Group, Inc. discusses the best to raise money and how to go about it.
10.13.2016
Events
Brad Layland discusses the downside of events and how to best use events to further your cause in ways that really work.
09.29.2016
A Few Do a Lot
Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, discusses how to use the principle of "A few do a lot and a lot do a little" to fundraise.
09.17.2016
Raising Money Circa 1891
Brad Layland and Ame See review and update to modern times a list of ten 1891 principles of fundraising and provide the four key basics of a successful meeting.
09.17.2016
People Give to People!
Brad Layland and Ame See discuss how you go about raising funds through relationships.
09.17.2016
Q&A - Part 2
Brad Layland and Ame See answer questions from fundraisers needing advice.
09.09.2016
Q&A - Part 1
Brad Layland and Ame See answer fundraising questions from current fundraisers and provide expert advice.
09.09.2016
How to Ask for a Huge Gift
Brad Layland discusses the four steps to Asking for a major gift.

What's The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast episodes:

From Stockbroker to Apologist

Redeeming Education for Jesus

Outbidding the Amish

From the Holler to the World

A Primer on Capital Campaigns (Geneva College)

Sitting With Your Donors Even When They Cannot Talk

The Accidental CEO

Church Planting with Harbor Network

An interview with Young Life's Brooke Filipovski

An interview with InterVarsity's Tom Lin

Jews for Jesus

Year-End Appeals - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast

Be Encouraged! - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Fundraising with Jon Eisenberg - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Brad's Favorite End of Year Appeals - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

The Portrait of a Graduate - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

The Prince Dilemma w/ Ted Rodgers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

The Mid-Course Correction - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Partners in Blessings w/ Dr. Scott Rodin - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Why Fundraising is (NOT) Scary! w/ Tom MacAdam - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Focus! - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

The 3 B's of Fish-raising w/ Jamie Sellers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Making the Case w/ Ame Eldredge - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Boards and Fundraising w/ Ted Rodgers - The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast - TDS

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Live From ZoomLand

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Letting Donors Be Who They Are

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - The Waffle House Approach

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Heresy & Compounding Interest

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - The Role of an Ant (and a Fundraiser)

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Why Fundraisers Are Fed Up... and How to Fix it!

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Running From Lions

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Finding New Donors

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Going to the Moon

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Salad Dressing

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - How to Get a Free Mercedes

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - Dyson Vacuum Fundraising

Taking Donors Seriously - TDS - New Years Resolutions

Taking Donors Seriously (TDS), The Power Of Vision

Considering a Capital Campaign?

Year End Appeals

People Give When...

The Two Most Important Rules About Asking

The Best Time to Raise Money

Events

A Few Do a Lot

Raising Money Circa 1891

People Give to People!

Q&A - Part 2

Q&A - Part 1

How to Ask for a Huge Gift

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