エピソード

  • Stop Treating Donors Like ATMs | Founder & President Chris Gabriel

    Stop Treating Donors Like ATMs | Founder & President Chris Gabriel
    2026/05/06
    “Don’t treat me like an ATM.” That’s what one major donor told Chris Gabriel—and it reveals one of the biggest problems in fundraising today. In this episode, Chris explains why transactional thinking damages donor relationships and leads to missed opportunities for deeper impact. He reframes the role of fundraisers—not as sellers, but as guides helping donors fulfill their highest purpose. If you want to build stronger, more meaningful donor relationships, this conversation offers a blueprint you can start using immediately.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    47 分
  • From Finance to Fighting Cancer | Executive Director Adam Faitek

    From Finance to Fighting Cancer | Executive Director Adam Faitek
    2026/04/01
    What makes someone leave a stable career in finance to step into the emotional world of nonprofit work? In this episode, Adam Faitek shares how he unexpectedly found his calling in fundraising—and why it became so much more than just raising money. From helping families facing childhood cancer to building trust with donors, Adam reveals the human side of philanthropy. This conversation dives deep into purpose, community, and the real impact behind every dollar given. If you’ve ever wondered what drives meaningful work, this episode will stay with you.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    42 分
  • The Donor Relationship Playbook | VP of Development Matt Sheffield

    The Donor Relationship Playbook | VP of Development Matt Sheffield
    2026/03/04
    What keeps a donor coming back year after year? In this episode, Drew sits down with Matt Sheffield, Vice President of Development at Mosaic, to talk about the not-so-glamorous work that actually builds lasting support. Matt shares what he’s learned after two decades of leading development across multiple regions, and why “relationship” isn’t a buzzword, it’s the whole job. They dig into the difference between managing donors and partnering with them, how to stay mission-first without sounding scripted, and how to build trust when results matter. This conversation is practical, honest, and grounded in real experience. If you’re tired of short-term fundraising and want gifts that repeat, start here.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • Board Members Don’t “Own” Donors | Aldervan Daly

    Board Members Don’t “Own” Donors | Aldervan Daly
    2026/02/04
    Aldervan Daly didn’t get into fundraising because of a big emotional calling — he got in through a database. Then theater taught him the rest. In this episode, Alder van shares how data and storytelling work together, why your donor profile isn’t the same as your donor relationship, and how to stay human in a job that can easily turn transactional. You’ll hear his take on planned giving, board dynamics (“my donor” isn’t a thing), and how to tell stories without putting people on display. Honest, practical, and surprisingly funny.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    46 分
  • Fundraising Is NOT About Money | Chief Development Officer Jeff Kramer

    Fundraising Is NOT About Money | Chief Development Officer Jeff Kramer
    2026/01/07
    What if fundraising wasn’t actually about money? In this episode of Fundraising Leaders with Drew, host Drew Clancy sits down with Jeff Kramer—Chief Development Officer at Nova Ukraine and 43-year veteran of the fundraising world—to reframe everything you thought you knew about development. Jeff shares how a moment at a Jewish summer camp set him on a path of service, how mentors “raised him in the profession,” and why he believes the ask should be the easiest part of fundraising.From Mercy Ships to Nova Ukraine, Jeff’s philosophy is simple: fundraising is about identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships that change lives. Money is just the tool. He unpacks why he’ll fly anywhere in the world to meet a donor, how field visits in Ukraine and Africa transformed his approach, and why authenticity, gratitude, and sustainability matter more now than ever
    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • How Storytelling Raised Millions for the Great Lakes | VP of Development Matt Altstiel

    How Storytelling Raised Millions for the Great Lakes | VP of Development Matt Altstiel
    2025/12/03
    In this episode of Fundraising Leaders with Drew, host Drew Clancy talks with Matt Altstiel, Vice President for Development at the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Matt shares how his journey from adult education classrooms to Chicago Public Schools to urban planning led him to environmental advocacy—and why all of it comes down to one core skill: talking to people. He breaks down how the Alliance uses vivid storytelling (“a credit card’s worth of plastic in our bodies every week”) to make complex issues like microplastics and policy feel personal, urgent, and solvable. Matt also explains how his team builds 15+ touchpoints per year for major donors, why Charity Navigator scores and transparency matter, and how they’re designing a new planned giving program to ensure the Alliance is strong 55 years from now. If you care about systems change, water, and the craft of development work, this conversation is packed with practical insights.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    43 分
  • From $50K Camp Gift to Major Gifts Strategy | VP of Development Dr. Mario Hicks

    From $50K Camp Gift to Major Gifts Strategy | VP of Development Dr. Mario Hicks
    2025/11/05
    A surprise $50K pledge changed everything for a young counselor—and set the course for a career in philanthropy. In this conversation, Dr. Mario Hicks shares how that moment at Cradle Beach Camp shaped his approach to major gifts: from curiosity to relationship-building to aligning donor passions with institutional priorities. He breaks down his experience at Daemen University—moving alumni from nostalgia to the “new Daemen”—and why they needed more than scholarships to inspire. Think compelling projects (like a gross anatomy lab), cross-sector relevance, and an “invite-to-participate” narrative. You’ll also hear how annual giving feeds leadership and major gifts, and why matches and challenges activate leadership donors as ambassadors. Practical, grounded, and deeply mission-focused.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • Storytelling as Fundraising | President of Drew University Dr. Hilary Link

    Storytelling as Fundraising | President of Drew University Dr. Hilary Link
    2025/10/01
    What does it mean to be a “chief storyteller” in higher education? In this episode, host Drew Clancy sits down with Dr. Hilary Link, President of Drew University, to explore the art and strategy of fundraising in today’s shifting landscape. Dr. Link shares how she weaves Drew’s story into every conversation—whether with alumni, students, parents, or community members—and why storytelling makes giving both more personal and more powerful. Together, they examine the narrowing donor pipeline, the rise of targeted philanthropy, and the shift from broad alumni participation to high-impact major gifts. This conversation is a masterclass in balancing tradition with innovation and redefining what it means to fundraise with purpose.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    51 分