The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

In this timely and wide-ranging conversation with Deborah Steinkopf and Anthony Petchel, co-founders of the Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy, we take stock of the 2026 philanthropic landscape. With decades of nonprofit leadership experience between them, Deborah and Anthony paint a picture defined by one word: uncertainty. From federal funding being clawed back across human services to an economy widening the gap between everyday donors and the ultra-wealthy, nonprofits are facing a reckoning. Yet the guests find reason for hope: total giving is still rising, Giving Tuesday saw a surge in volunteerism and advocacy, and the sector's long-standing capacity to adapt and do more with less may be exactly the muscle the moment demands. The conversation gets actionable fast, diving into the explosive growth of Donor Advised Funds, the impact of shifting tax policy on giving behavior, and what the donor retention rate in the U.S. reveals about where nonprofits are leaving relationships and money on the table. Deborah and Anthony challenge leaders to move beyond crisis mode and into strategic thinking: building belonging with donors, embracing collaboration and even mergers, and treating stewardship not as a nice-to-have but as the core of a sustainable funding model.  Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-financial-leadership-academy/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy: https://www.npfla.com/ Use Code Elevator 2026 for 20% Off Your Registration Giving USA: https://givingusa.org/ DAFpay: https://www.dafpay.com/ National Council of Nonprofits: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/ AFP Reports: https://afpglobal.org/research-reports/reports

In this episode, Nel Taylor—organizational equity strategist and ethical fundraising expert—explores what it truly means to host a community-centric event. They unpack how traditional gala models have long centered exclusivity, social status, and a narrow definition of donor value, and how shifting to a community-centric framework means rethinking everything from ticket pricing and venue selection to seating arrangements, childcare stipends, and who gets honored on stage. Nel walks listeners through a compelling real-world case study, sharing the creative, budget-conscious decisions that made it a standout success, including sliding scale tickets, honorariums for community storytellers, and a paddle raise that went to an $18 giving level. The conversation also dives into practical tools for expanding accessibility, and aspirational budgeting practices that start with generosity first and work backward. Nel leaves listeners with a powerful guiding principle: always ask yourself what the most generous thing you can do is, and then figure out how to make it work. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Nel Taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nel-taylor/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Nel Taylor: https://www.nowthisconsulting.com/ Free Fundraising Equity Lens Guide: https://www.nowthisconsulting.com/lens SyncWords: https://www.syncwords.com/

In this episode hosts Sam and Kristin continue their exploration of Dr. Paul Zak's SIRTA framework, drawn from his book Immersion, and how it can be applied to nonprofit learning events and conferences. The hosts use their upcoming Elevate Conference as a case study to walk through each element. From pre-event communications and name tags to scripted transitions and a diverse mix of session formats, they illustrate how thoughtful event design removes friction, calms the brain, and primes attendees to absorb and act on new information. The conversation builds on the most overlooked element of any gathering: the action. Whether it’s a donation ask, a sign-up, a Q+A, or simply a clear directive for what attendees should do next, every event needs a call to action. It gives the brain the resolution and satisfaction it's been building toward. The hosts close with a broader rallying cry: in a moment of uncertainty and social strain, gathering people together around a shared mission is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have.  Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Paul Zak TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk

Coach Sam Balto, executive director and co-founder of Bike Bus World, shares how a simple weekly gathering transformed into a global movement. Bike Bus is an organized group bike ride where students cycle to school together with adult chaperones, creating safety in numbers while building community, independence, and joy. What started with a few kids in Portland has grown and inspired bike buses worldwide. The rides provide essential physical activity before school, improve focus and social skills, reduce traffic, and create magical moments of connection between kids, parents, teachers, and neighbors. The movement has captured global attention through viral social media, attracting celebrities including Justin Timberlake and Benson Boone, plus a Netflix Stranger Things collaboration. Now a nonprofit supporting over 300 bike bus leaders worldwide, Bike Bus World demonstrates how a simple idea executed with joy and commitment can build movement. Coach Balto's message: "You don't need to ask for permission to do good things.” Sometimes meaningful change just requires showing up and riding together. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Coach Balto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbalto/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Portland Bike Bus on NBC Nightly News: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/oregon-school-s-unique-way-of-getting-students-to-class-a-bike-bus-150514245826 Connect with Coach Balto: https://www.instagram.com/coachbalto/ Connect with Bike Bus World: https://bikebus.world/

In this episode Kat Topaz and Jim Abeles, owners of Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island near Portland join us. They share their unexpected journey from tech and marketing careers to becoming regenerative farmers. What began as a search for a place to moor their tugboat transformed into a 130-acre farm centered on community connection and sustainable agriculture. They describe how neighboring farmers generously supported them through their first challenging seasons, and how they quickly realized their mission extended beyond farming to creating meaningful gathering spaces where people could reconnect and find community. The conversation explores how they built Topaz Farm into a beloved community hub through intentional design and storytelling. From meticulously creating the perfect concert lawn to hosting farm-to-table dinners under a 500-year-old oak tree, every detail reflects their commitment to helping guests be present. The episode also covers their viral advocacy moment when proposed regulations threatened small farms—their heartfelt video mobilized thousands. Kat and Jim offer wisdom for nonprofits about gathering, emphasizing that the best events leave space for organic connection rather than over-programming, and that creating quality environments where people can simply be together is often more transformative than any planned activity. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Jim Abeles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeles/   Kat Topaz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kattopaz/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Topaz Farm: https://topazfarm.com/ Topaz Farm Video That Went Viral: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYhkfmBW0D/

In this special episode hosts Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele dive deep into Dr. Paul Zak's powerful SIRTA framework from his book Immersion. They break down how organizations can apply brain science to create truly transformational fundraising events. Drawing from research into what motivates people to act, the SIRTA acronym stands for Staging, Immersion, Relevance, Target, and Action. These five critical elements work together to help guests feel psychologically safe, emotionally engaged, and empowered to participate meaningfully in your mission. The episode provides practical, actionable guidance for each component. In our current "connection recession," where loneliness and isolation are an epidemic, intentional gatherings aren't just fundraising tools, they're pathways to building connections that make exponential impact possible. This framework offers nonprofit leaders a research-backed approach to move beyond transactional galas toward transformational events that leave guests feeling genuinely satisfied and eager to share their experience. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk

In this episode the team from The Catalyst Co.—Erica Soto, Veronica Kim, and Amie Echeverria—demystify one of fundraising's most critical yet misunderstood practices: donor stewardship. True stewardship is about caring for donors in thoughtful, intentional ways that build genuine relationships over time. The team shares that many lapsed donors were never properly acknowledged or asked to give again—evidence that basic stewardship failures, not donor fatigue, are often behind lost relationships. True stewardship can create belonging and transform transactional giving into community partnership. We explore practical systems that make consistent stewardship sustainable rather than overwhelming. The team emphasizes starting with a clear assessment of your organization's current reality—examining donor data, communication flows, and team capacity before building ambitious plans. They introduce essential tools including gift entry flows, giving tables for segmenting donors, stewardship calendars for planning touchpoints, and their Donor Love Audit. The message is clear: effective stewardship doesn't require perfection or expensive gestures—it requires human connection, consistent rhythm, and clean systems that free fundraisers to focus on relationships rather than drowning in administrative chaos. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   The Cause Catalyst Co. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cause-catalyst-co   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with The Cause Catalyst Co.: https://www.thecausecatalystco.com/ Free Tools + Templates from The Cause Catalyst Co.: https://www.thecausecatalystco.com/resources The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Erica Soto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRc45VbitSs The Stewardship Intensive Part 1: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/webinar-day-1-the-stewardship-intensive The Stewardship Intensive Part 2: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/webinar-day-2-the-stewardship-intensive Connect with Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Connect with DonorDock: https://www.donordock.com/ Connect with Little Green Light: https://www.littlegreenlight.com/   | TRAINING OPPORTUNITY | Looking to dive into Donor Stewardship? The Stewardship Reset Series with Cause Catalyst kicks of January 27th. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2kWYBYlzT-ipLgQEMOiosg#/registration

In this episode we explore donor-advised funds (DAFs) with Mitch Stein, head of strategy at Chariot. Mitch explains how DAFs work as tax-advantaged accounts where donors commit funds irrevocably to charity. He challenges the notion that DAFs hoard money, noting they actually encourage more generous giving, with donors increasing their gift sizes by an average of 10 times once they start using DAFs. We also look at practical solutions through Chariot's DAFpay technology, which integrates directly into donation platforms to allow instant gift completion. Traditional DAF processes can create friction at fundraising events, sometimes resulting in losses from unfulfilled pledges. Mitch’s key advice is for nonprofits to educate their teams and incorporate DAF language into all communications. Tune in to get the full rundown on DAFs and how you can powerfully integrate them into your fundraising. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Mitch Stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-stein/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Chariot: https://www.givechariot.com/#newsletter Connect with Mitch Stein: mitch@givechariot.com Get the DAF Fundraising Report: https://www.givechariot.com/daf-fundraising-report Connect with DAFpay: https://www.dafpay.com/ DAF Day: https://www.dafday.com/ Daffy: https://www.daffy.org/ Charityvest: https://www.charityvest.org/

In this episode, Aleksander Levental, Co-Founder and CEO of Feathr, discusses why digital marketing is essential for nonprofits in 2026. With federal funding decreasing and donor attention harder to capture, he makes a compelling case for why nonprofits should look at utilizing some of the same marketing tools and competitive mindset as for-profit companies. Our conversation breaks down how different tools serve distinct purposes: websites act as signal collectors tracking what visitors care about, email serves as both a signal generator and activation tool, social media provides the cheapest way to gain attention and test content, and digital advertising delivers the final push to convert interested prospects into donors. The episode demystifies advanced tactics like drip campaigns, retargeting, and geofencing. Throughout, Aleksander challenges nonprofits to adopt a growth-focused, marketing-savvy culture. Tune in for ideas about incorporating these tools into your own organization. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Aleksander Levental LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alevental/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/demo See Feathr Case Studies: https://www.feathr.co/resources/case-studies Explore Feathr’s Blog: https://www.feathr.co/resources/blog

In this inspiring episode, Shereen Thor—comedian turned executive coach and author of Revolutionary Woman—shares her journey from workplace drudgery to transformation through comedy and coaching. Using the Energy Leadership Index® assessment, she explains how sustainable success comes from collaborative energy rather than the competitive levels where most of corporate America operates.  Her advice for women leaders centers on building support systems, unplugging from toxic measuring sticks, and committing to healing as part of leadership development. She emphasizes that joy is a conscious choice that creates potential and encourages leaders that most people lead while scared—this offers the opportunity to redefine leadership toward more collaborative, transparent models.  Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Shereen Thor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereenthor/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Shereen: https://shereenthor.com/ Read Shereen’s Book: https://shereenthor.com/book Energy Leadership Index Assessment: https://www.energyleadership.com/assessment APA Article on Women Leaders: https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/female-leaders-make-work-better Harvard Business Review on Women in Leadership: https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills “How to Create a Future that Empowers Women” TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dUmw1Au7Y8 “The Intelligence of Being Irrational” TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyWJHqlC9ss

In this ENCORE episode of The Fundraising Elevator, we continue our fascinating conversation with neuroscientist and author Dr. Paul J. Zak, diving deeper into the brain science behind fundraising storytelling, donor engagement, and happiness. If you missed part one, be sure to start there, this continuation builds on insights into why stories inspire generosity and action in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Zak explains his groundbreaking concept of neurologic immersion which is a blend of attention and emotional resonance in the brain that predicts which stories move people to act. He introduces the SIRTA framework (Staging, Immersion, Relevance, Targeting, Action), a practical tool that nonprofits can use to design donor experiences that increase connection, engagement, and giving. We explore real-world research on how immersive storytelling in fundraising videos drives donations, why staging matters for successful fundraising events, and how to lower barriers for donors by building camaraderie and relevance.  The conversation also shifts into the science of happiness, exploring Dr. Zak’s newest book, The Little Book of Happiness. He shares how high-value social experiences not only strengthen donor relationships but also enhance well-being, increase generosity, and even extend our lives. With wisdom rooted in both neuroscience and the practices of Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Zak offers a roadmap for living more connected, fulfilled, and generous lives. If you’re a nonprofit professional looking to improve donor retention, boost fundraising results, and create more impactful donor experiences, this episode is packed with actionable insights at the intersection of neuroscience, storytelling, and nonprofit fundraising strategies. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Dr. Paul J. Zak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Paul Zak: https://pauljzak.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ The Little Book of Happiness: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Paul Zak TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU  

Happy holidays! During our break we are running an ENCORE episode. In this special two-part opener, hosts Sam and Kristin sit down with world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak, a pioneer in neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing. Best known for discovering oxytocin’s role in trust and human connection, Dr. Zak brings cutting-edge insights on donor psychology, empathy, and storytelling in fundraising. In Part One, we explore the science of giving: why humans are wired to cooperate, how oxytocin fuels generosity and trust, and why storytelling is the most effective tool for donor engagement. Dr. Zak breaks down how attention, emotion, and immersion inspire people to act—and shares proven strategies for fundraisers to design high-impact campaigns and events. From crafting stories that spark empathy to creating immersive donor experiences, this episode offers practical applications backed by neuroscience. If you’re a nonprofit professional, fundraiser, or development leader looking to increase donor trust, deepen engagement, and inspire generosity, this episode delivers evidence-based strategies to elevate your fundraising success. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Dr. Paul J. Zak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Paul Zak: https://pauljzak.com/ Empathy, Neurochemistry, and the Dramatic Arc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1a7tiA1Qzo Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ The Little Book of Happiness: https://pauljzak.com/books/ No One Wants to Read Your Sh*t: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30556551-nobody-wants-to-read-your-sh-t SIX: your6.com “Virtual Reality Education Increases Neurologic Immersion and Empathy in Nursing Students”: https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/9/336 Paul Zak TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU The Value Measurement: https://www.getimmersion.com/

In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim take listeners behind the scenes at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in San Diego, California. Recording live from the red carpet studio, Kristin and Sam talk to industry leaders, gathering their insights on what fundraisers should focus on right now and where they are finding inspiration in the sector.  Featured Guests: Ken Miller - President, Denali FSP Diana Farias Heinrich - CEO, Habrá Marketing Steven Screen - Co-Founder, The Better Fundraising Co. Janelle Suzanne - Chief Marketing Officer, Louder Agency T. Clay Buck - Principal, Next River Fundraising Strategies John Lepp - Partner, Agents of Good Erik Tomalis - Chief Revenue Officer, Avid Kelly Russell - Founder + Benefit Auctioneer, Artisan Auctions Frank Velásquez Jr. - Founder, 4 Da Hood Erica Soto - Fractional Fundraiser, The Cause Catalyst Co.  Special thanks to The AV Department and the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Nonprofit Storytelling Conference: https://nonprofitstorytellingconference.com/ Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Denali FSP: https://denalifsp.com/ Connect with Habrá Marketing: https://habramarketing.com/ Connect with The Better Fundraising Co.: https://betterfundraising.com/ Connect with Louder Agency: https://louderagency.com/ Connect with Next River Fundraising Strategies: https://www.nextriverfundraising.com/ Connect with Agents of Good: https://agentsofgood.org/ Connect with Avid: https://www.avidai.com/ Connect with Artisan Auctions: https://www.artisanauctions.com/ Connect with 4 Da Hood: https://4dahood.com/ Connect with The Cause Catalyst Co.: https://www.thecausecatalystco.com/  

In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim take listeners behind the scenes at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in San Diego, California. Recording live from the red carpet studio, Kristin and Sam talk to two sector experts about their new books. Behavioral science expert Cherian Koshy’s book Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making is a groundbreaking exploration of how neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology reveal the true drivers of charitable giving. This book is not about persuasion or pressure. It’s about understanding the generosity that already lives inside every donor—and removing the friction that gets in its way. Veteran fundraiser Tammy Zonker’s book Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact, delivers a compelling discussion about the crossroads at which the nonprofit sector finds itself. Here, traditional fundraising approaches are no longer sufficient to tackle the complex challenges of nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. This book helps fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates find common ground by uniting around shared values and focusing on human-centered practices that empower communities and build genuine connections. Special thanks to The AV Department and the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Cherian Koshy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/   Tammy Zonker LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyzonker/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Nonprofit Storytelling Conference: https://nonprofitstorytellingconference.com/ Get Cherian’s Book: https://neurogivingbook.com/ Get Tammy’s Book: https://www.callingallheroesbook.com/

In this episode, we hear from Alice Ferris, founder of GoalBusters and a veteran fundraiser with over 30 years in the sector. Alice shares her insights on helping small nonprofit teams navigate Federal funding cuts, organizational upheaval, and unprecedented change. She introduces a powerful framework for decision-making: distinguishing between problems (which can be solved) and conditions (which must be adapted to). Alice emphasizes that sharing challenges with donors, even without having all the answers, is more effective than waiting in silence. We also explore the recent GoFundMe controversy, upcoming leadership transitions in the sector, and practical tools like the Fundraising Fitness Test from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. Alice's key advice for organizations feeling overwhelmed: shorten your planning horizons. Rather than traditional three-to-five-year strategic plans that feel permanent and daunting, she recommends 12-week action plans that create achievable goals that can be reset when circumstances change. Her central message is clear—transparency, adaptation, and focusing on what you can control are essential strategies for nonprofits heading into an uncertain future. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Alice Ferris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceferris/ | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Alice at GoalBusters: https://goalbusters.net/ Free Resources from GoalBusters: https://goalbusters.net/free-stuff/ The Fundraising Effectiveness Project: https://afpglobal.org/FundraisingEffectivenessProject Fundraising Effectiveness Project Reports: https://fepreports.org/ GoalBusters on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoalBusters  

In this episode Rhodes Perry, Founder and CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, joins us for a powerful conversation about building psychological safety and trust. Rhodes introduces somatics—a body-based practice that helps leaders move from reactive responses to intentional choices—and breaks down the ingredients of true belonging. He reveals the actual financial cost of exclusion and contrasts the old model of belonging (where individuals had to change to fit in) with co-creation, where everyone contributes to building culture together. Rhodes emphasizes the importance of sitting with questions and building capacity to navigate uncertainty together. He offers practical wisdom for nonprofit leaders amid chaos, leaving listeners with a call to lift each other up and be vulnerable enough to ask for support when you need it, because belonging should extend to everyone. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Rhodes Perry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhodesperry/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rhodes-perry-consulting-llc/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Rhodes Perry: https://www.rhodesperry.com/ Get Rhodes Perry’s Books: https://www.rhodesperry.com/book Follow Rhodes Perry on Substack: https://rhodesperry.substack.com/ Connect with john a. powell’s Work: https://www.johnapowell.org/

What can an encounter with a person in a war-torn Iraqi village teach us about nonprofit storytelling? In this compelling episode, Chris Miano, Founder and CEO of MemoryFox, reveals how his military service unlocked the transformative power of stories—and why the nonprofit sector urgently needs to shift how we collect and share them. Chris defines ethical storytelling as an approach that elevates storytellers rather than extracting their stories, with consent as the North Star: affirmative, written, informed consent that specifies where stories will be shared, how they'll be presented, and for how long. He challenges common practices like pressuring storytellers with last-minute requests and revisits why consent isn't a one-time checkbox but an ongoing conversation. Chris shares practical strategies from leveraging community-generated content that creates "welcome signs" for diverse supporters to moving away from trauma-heavy narratives toward strength-based messaging you can share consistently. Discover why composite videos featuring multiple perspectives outperform single stories, and how your next event could become a goldmine for authentic content. His game-changing advice: build a story bank—a centralized repository of ethically sourced content with proper consent—so you always have the right story for the right person at the right time. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Chris Miano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/memoryfox/ | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with MemoryFox: https://www.memoryfox.io/ MemoryFox’s Ethical Storytelling Report: https://www.memoryfox.io/ethical-storytelling/ Memory Fox Webinars: https://www.memoryfox.io/category/webinars/ The Ethical Nonprofit Summit: https://habramarketing.com/ethicalnonprofitsummit/  

In this episode Brandon Lenzi, founder of Bowtie Strategies, shares his transformative approach to fundraising rooted in authentic relationships. Brandon defines fundraising as an opportunity for individuals to realize their vision for the community they want to live in, emphasizing the importance of sitting on the same side of the table with donors to solve problems together. He discusses navigating current challenges by focusing on individual giving and being transparent with donors about funding gaps while inviting them to be part of the solution. The episode also features a compelling case study of how Brandon transformed a $500,000 event into a million-dollar fundraiser using an innovative anchor gift strategy. By securing a $100,000 anchor gift and strategically matching it multiple times he created collective momentum that inspired broader participation. Brandon emphasizes that fundraising isn't a water pump but rather a flywheel that gains momentum through consistent relationship building. As year-end approaches, he advises organizations to focus on authentic storytelling and treating donors as team members, recognizing that donors are consolidating their giving to fewer organizations that matter most to them. Breakdown of the Million Dollar Strategy: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/how-to-turn-your-fundraising-event   Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:    Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Brandon Lenzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-lenzi-992955138/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Bowtie Strategies: https://www.bowtiestrategies.co/   Willamette Week’s Give!Guide: https://giveguide.org/  Tabor Dance: https://www.tabordance.org/ Bike Bus PDX: https://www.bikebuspdx.org/

In this episode we talk with Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, about what it really takes to launch a successful capital campaign. With over 25 years of experience in major gift fundraising, Amy shares practical advice for organizations ready to dream big—and fund those dreams sustainably. Amy explains that a capital campaign is more than a fundraising goal, it’s a long-term investment in an organization’s future. She walks through the key phases of a campaign, from early planning and feasibility studies to the quiet and public phases, emphasizing that success begins with thoughtful preparation and authentic donor engagement. She talks about how annual fundraising and campaign efforts can strengthen one another rather than compete, and also introduces her modern approach to feasibility studies, where nonprofit leaders engage directly with donors to build stronger relationships and deeper trust. Her final advice is simple but powerful: have one meaningful conversation with a donor every single day. It’s a reminder that great fundraising isn’t just about dollars—it’s about relationships that sustain impact for years to come. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bloomerang.com/learn/demo-live/?utm_medium=referral_partner&pscd=try.bloomerang.co&ps_partner_key=OGI3NDc1MzkxZmEx&ps_xid=ASf9UvjXjU56ES&gsxid=ASf9UvjXjU56ES&gspk=OGI3NDc1MzkxZmEx Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click. Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Amy Eisenstein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital-campaign-pro/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyeisensteinacfre/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Capital Campaign Pro: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/subscribe/ Free Strategy Session to Discuss Your Capital Campaign Plans: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/start/

In this powerful episode, hosts Kristin and Sam make an urgent case for why now is exactly the wrong time to cancel your fundraising events. They explore the neuroscience behind why gatherings work: shared experiences literally sync our heartbeats, create neural alignment that enhances trust and cooperation, and generate collective effervescence—that bubbly, transcendent energy that individuals simply cannot achieve alone. When we watch stories unfold together, oxytocin flows, bonds form, and donors can look around a room and see tangible proof that they're part of a movement. For event planners deep in the logistics trenches right now, the episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance: get specific with storytelling rather than trying to cram every program into one night, remove transactional clutter in favor of genuine connection, and always include a clear ask—because not inviting people to give actually tanks satisfaction scores. This episode is a rallying cry to gather with intention, host like the world depends on it, and remember that a room full of people holding up paddles isn't just raising money—they're building the safety net your organization needs to weather whatever comes next. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak, Part 1 :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M&t=3s Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk&t=1706s Audience Members Hearts’ Beat Together at the Theatre: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/news/2017/nov/audience-members-hearts-beat-together-theatre “Beyoncé Isn’t Giving Up on America” Cannonball with Wesley Morris: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyonc%C3%A9-isnt-giving-up-on-america/id1151436460?i=1000721020745 “Quantifying Collective Effervescence”: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3306345/ Safety Protocols: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/event-safety-recommendations-and