In this episode, we sit down with Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE, CEO and Co-Founder of Capital Campaign Pro, to demystify what capital campaigns are, when nonprofits are truly ready for one, and how to plan them well.

Amy shares how campaigns differ from day-to-day major gift fundraising, key indicators that your organization is ready to “think bigger,” and why careful planning, feasibility studies, and clear strategy are essential for success. She explains how to structure quiet and public phases, engage your board in meaningful roles, protect and even grow your annual fund during a campaign, and invite donors into stretch gifts without burning them out. Amy also touches on the evolving role of technology and AI in campaign planning and donor analytics.

Whether you’re new to major gifts or looking to refine your approach, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to help you build confidence, strengthen your strategy, and connect donors to the impact they care about most.

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Miller, CFRE — nationally recognized fundraising consultant and president of Denali FSP — to discuss the mindset, mechanics, and emotional intelligence behind making a confident fundraising ask. Drawing from his extraordinary personal journey and decades of frontline and consulting experience, Ken breaks down the essential steps fundraisers can take to prepare for major gift conversations. He shares practical frameworks for structuring an ask, overcoming fear, stewarding donor relationships, and using donor data to guide decisions.

Resources:

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In this episode, we sit down with Martie Bernicker, Director of Speak Up, a youth well-being nonprofit that helps teenagers talk openly about the challenges they face—and helps the adults in their lives listen to, guide, and support them. Martie shares the origin story behind Speak Up, how the program works in schools and communities, and what they have learned from serving tens of thousands of youths and their families over the last few decades.

We also discuss how to grow fundraising with a small to mid-sized team:

• systematizing donor data to improve staff confidence,
• segmenting supporters by interests and affiliations, and
• creating more meaningful touchpoints that deepen relationships.

Plus, Martie discusses how the organization is using its 25th anniversary to strengthen engagement and carry momentum into the next chapter.

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