Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

Latest Episodes:

Welcome to the NEW Veritus Group Podcast, Real Talk for Real Fundraisers! May 27, 2025

Show notes

BIG NEWS! Our podcast is evolving. Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers.

Non-profit work is not easy. It takes heart. It takes courage. And most days, it takes everything you’ve got.

Today, more than ever before, it’s important to have a community where you can tell the truth about what this work really demands, without judgment.

A space where you can exhale, be reminded that you’re not alone, and gather the tools and encouragement you need to keep going.

That’s what Real Talk for Real Fundraisers is all about.

We created this podcast as a place to be real- about the challenges, the joy, the doubt, and the purpose that drives it all.

Here, you’ll find honest conversations, stories from the field, and practical insights you can carry into your day-to-day.

Because the truth is, fundraising isn’t just about raising money- it’s about connecting with one another. It’s about building real relationships, strengthening community, and showing up with authenticity and heart. It’s about staying grounded in your values and true to your mission, even when the pressure is high.

And that’s the kind of work worth talking about.

Stay tuned for our first episode, dropping soon!

Building Authentic Relationships Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

We all have a desire to connect with others, but we’re often afraid to bring our whole, real, and complete self to our work, which often becomes a liability over time. A lack of authenticity in fundraisers has real, revenue-related consequences for the non-profit.

But how do you foster authentic professional relationships, and not just deep, personal bonds? How do you balance building trust with someone while still achieving your donor and organizational goals?

In this podcast episode, Karen is joined by Nick Khoury, a brilliant strategist and communicator who has spent his career helping people and organizations thrive through the power of authentic relationships. Their conversation dives into a variety of key areas and attributes that fundraisers can develop to have more effective relationships with their donors.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

How curiosity, courage, and consistency serve as the building blocks for successful donor relationships

The importance of clear expectations and having a solid plan, so you can avoid wasting time for both parties

Our biggest insights and ideas for how to approach and build authentic relationships

Your January Checklist Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

How was the end of 2024? Did you make it through OK? A lot of fundraisers we work with enter January exhausted from the busy year-end season, which is often filled with last-minute donor meetings, calls, and holiday events. It can be a stressful time.

While we highly recommend taking time to rest and recover, there are also important strategies you need to focus on during this month to continue to build strong relationships with your donors and keep the momentum going deeper into the winter. We’re here to help!

In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by colleagues Diana Frazier and Edie Dahlen for a great discussion about the key strategies that fundraisers should implement to start their new year and how they can prepare and plan to surpass last year’s goals.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

How to properly thank and stay in communication with donors as their gifts process

The importance of a caseload refresh and what to consider as you review your portfolio

Our biggest insights and ideas for how to approach the start of 2025 and execute a plan for the entire year

Three High Impact Strategies to Do Before 12/31 Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

With about a week remaining in the year, most fundraisers feel like they've exhausted their to-do list. They’ve worked their plan, made their last calls, and written their thank-you cards. What happens to their donors now is mostly out of their hands.

While that may be true, there are still a few achievable strategies to adopt in your plan so that you can make the most of this final stretch before the new year and secure a few remaining and impactful gifts.

In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by colleagues Matt Korn and Theresa Tapocsi for a great discussion about how to prepare for and approach the final week of the year, and make these final seven days count towards your revenue goals.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

How to focus on the right donors and keeping the focus on your relationship together

Having a strategic follow-up, thank you, and impact reporting plan in place

Our biggest year-end insights and ideas for how to approach the final week of 2024 and look forward to 2025

The State of Relational Fundraising: What We’re Seeing Across the Sector! Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Relational fundraising isn’t just a buzzword, it’s part of the Veritus mission. Whether you’re in mid-level, major gifts, or planned giving, being relationship-focused means that you are prioritizing the long-term relationship with the donor over just getting the money.

Ideally, everyone at your organization should see the donor as a vital partner in your work.

It’s been our goal at Veritus to insert this model within the non-profit sector so more organizations can create thriving gift programs, build a culture that prioritizes collaboration over competition, and connect more strategically with their donors. It’s a tough but ultimately rewarding transition that many are making.

In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by colleague Karen Kendrick for a great discussion about the state of relational fundraising along with the trends and insights they’ve learned this year–and the ones they're anticipating in 2025.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

The major lack of truly relationship-focused fundraising in most organizations

The interesting trends coming out of organizations who fill out the Veritus free donor file assessments.

Our biggest insights about relational fundraising and how organizations can utilize AI to their advantage in 2025

Don't Cut That Budget! Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

At Veritus, we’re all about relational fundraising, but too often, we hear about non-profit leaders making random budget cuts that negatively impact this tried-and-true approach.

We know that leaders are under a lot financial pressure at their organizations. Tough decisions have to be made when times and budgets are tight. But it’s important for decision-makers to understand how these cuts can impact relational fundraising, and why they need to invest in relational major gifts when things start to feel pinched.

In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by colleague Kendra Loper for an in-depth conversation about how leaders can better support their fundraisers’ work and when to think twice about slashing parts of the budget.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

How to shift your mindset about budget cuts and their revenue ramifications

The ways you can get creative and outsource fundraising work if budget cuts are mandatory

Our top tips and best practices for current managers who need to make budget cuts

Are You Made for Management? Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

In the non-profit sector, if you aren’t willing to advance into management, there is very little opportunity to grow as a fundraiser, take on new responsibilities, and increase your salary.

This is a frustrating reality, because not everyone is right for management.

Leadership requires a different skillset and specific perspective, one that’s interested in finding success and delivering results through others. It’s not as simple as taking your best frontline fundraiser and putting them in charge.

In this podcast episode, Jeff is joined by special guest Greg Gibbs, who shares whether management is the right track for your career, and provides some tips to help current managers get better at their jobs.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

The greatest challenges managers face in the non-profit sector

How to determine whether a fundraiser is ready to take on a managerial role, and how to nurture them in the process

Our top tips and best practices for current managers looking to improve the structure of their organization

Burnout and Self-Compassion in Fundraising Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

More and more, fundraisers are being overworked and underpaid. They’re frequently pulled in different directions and asked to accomplish tasks that don’t fall under their domain – all without a solid support structure. It’s caused many to leave the sector entirely.

There is so much important work to do in our world and we need to take care of our people in order to solve these big problems. That means implementing mindful, self-care practices so you’re ready to approach your work with the energy and focus it deserves.

In this podcast episode, Karen and Megan share their top tips and best practices for managing burnout and overwhelming stress, and provide you with tools to quiet your inner critic.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

The way fundraisers are experiencing and dealing with burnout in the industry and the best ways to resolve physical and emotional exhaustion

Some of the benefits that fundraisers receive when they practice self-care and mindfulness

Our team’s top tips for handling stress and cultivating self-compassion

The Art of the Handoff Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

It’s not easy to let go of certain donors, but there comes a time in every fundraising cycle when you’ll need to transition a donor relationship to someone else.

Whether the donor is moving from mid-level to a major gifts portfolio, or from a higher level of giving back into mid-level or direct response, transitioning them to another colleague is one of the best things you can do for your program, organization, and the donor! But you need to have protocols in place so that the transition feels seamless and keeps your pipeline free and clear of any clogs.

In this podcast episode, Jeff, Theresa, and Matt share their top tips and best practices for handling donor handoffs, shifting your thinking, and transitioning members of your caseload.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

The kinds of protocols you’ll need to develop when a donor matches the criteria to move up or down in their giving level

Some of the common issues we see in non-profits that lead to bumpy transitions for both donors and fundraisers

Our team’s top tips for making donor handoffs a seamless process

Let People Do Their Jobs Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

How many times has your organization pulled you into something that doesn’t directly relate to your job? This kind of scenario is all too common in the non-profit sector, and the results of it are usually negative: fundraisers lose their focus, have less impact, and solicit less giving.

What if fundraising leaders and management stopped distracting their mid-level and major gift officers with unnecessary organizational tasks, activity-oriented metrics, meetings that aren’t related to their donors, and community events? Well, the results for your organization would probably look a little better: increased revenue, higher donor retention rates, and less staff turnover.

In this podcast episode, Jeff, Karen, and Kendra share their top tips for how fundraising managers and leadership can let their teams do their jobs and find high-value success in their work.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

The assumptions that leaders may subconsciously be making about their fundraisers

How to create a culture of trust and accountability

Our team’s top tips for keeping a fundraising team on task

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