First Day Podcast

The Fund Raising School
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The Fund Raising School is excited to launch the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School! Highlighting current news and research, this podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School!

  1. 2D AGO

    International Perspective on Next Gen Giving

    In this lively international edition of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Lynda Harwood-Compton, Director of Latch Fundraising, for a smart and spirited conversation about what it really takes to engage millennial and Gen Z donors around the world. Lynda brings both global perspective and practical wisdom, tracing her own journey from teaching blind children to leading an international fundraising consultancy focused on philanthropy, partnerships, stewardship, and next-generation giving. Her central message lands with the force of a well-aimed Scottish truth bomb: Gen Z and millennials are not just “emerging” donors, they are the future of philanthropy, and fundraisers need to stop waiting for them to arrive and start building relationships now. Lynda makes a compelling case that these generations are already deeply philanthropic, even if that generosity does not always show up as a big check in the mail. Gen Z, in particular, is giving through volunteering, activism, peer support, events, and monthly donations, with 84% saying they support a charitable organization in some way. Add to that the massive global wealth transfer already underway, and the picture becomes crystal clear: millennials and Gen Z are on track to become the wealthiest and potentially most influential philanthropic generations in history. But they do not behave like their predecessors. They care about impact, authenticity, and proximity to the cause, often choosing to support just one or two organizations where they can clearly see results rather than scattering gifts across half a dozen institutions and hoping for the best. The conversation also drills into an important distinction that too often gets blurred: millennials and Gen Z may be grouped together, but they are not the same. Millennials are “digital pioneers,” while Gen Z are true “digital natives,” and that difference matters when it comes to outreach, engagement, and trust-building. Lynda explains that millennials may still respond to Instagram, short videos, alumni connections, workplace giving, and even a well-timed WhatsApp message, while Gen Z is more likely to be found in the world of TikTok, influencers, activism, and collective action. Socially, both generations are moving away from traditional gala culture. Forget the black-tie banquet and auction paddles, this crowd would rather see family-friendly experiences, local connection, meaningful community engagement, and opportunities to bring their whole lives, not just their wallets, into the philanthropic experience. As the episode wraps, Lynda offers a refreshingly clear call to action for fundraisers everywhere: be authentic, be transparent, and do not try to perform some awkward corporate somersault to look “younger.” Millennials and Gen Z do not expect perfection, but they do expect honesty, visible impact, and values they can believe in. They want to advocate for others, especially in causes like education, human services, animal welfare, and mental health, and they are increasingly comfortable using strategic tools like donor-advised funds to make those decisions thoughtfully. Bill ties it all together with a reminder that every donor matters, every gift matters, and today’s modest first gift may become tomorrow’s transformational investment. The takeaway is beautifully simple: the future of fundraising is already here, and it is scrolling, texting, volunteering, organizing, and yes, still giving.

    21 min

  2. MAR 8

    Digital Fundraising: Engaging Life Long Donors

    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jeff Spitko, CFRE, Senior Director of Integrated Fundraising at the San Diego Foundation and a leading voice on digital fundraising strategy. Right out of the gate, the conversation challenges one of the most persistent myths in nonprofit fundraising: that digital fundraising is simply a matter of posting an online ask and waiting for donations to roll in. Jeff makes the case that digital fundraising is not instant fundraising, but relationship fundraising at scale. Just as major gift work depends on cultivating trust over time, effective digital fundraising requires a thoughtful journey built through personalization, customization, and a slow, intentional process of helping donors understand the mission before ever being asked to give. Jeff then walks listeners through the crucial role of lead generation, describing it as the space where marketing and fundraising intersect. Rather than rushing to solicit new contacts, organizations should focus first on inspiring people to engage, often through advocacy campaigns, petitions, quizzes, and other mission-connected content that encourages participation and makes people want to learn more. He draws on examples from his time at the San Diego Zoo, where petitions tied to endangered species protection and quizzes about wildlife helped attract potential supporters and collect email addresses. From there, the real work begins: a welcome series spread across weeks, not days, designed to educate, build familiarity, and gradually deepen connection. The message is clear: getting the email address is only the beginning, not the finish line. The conversation then turns to engagement and what it really means to build a two-way relationship with donors online. Jeff argues that nonprofits are often very good at talking about their mission and making asks, but far less effective at listening, reporting back, and showing donors that their voices matter. Surveys, response data, and behavioral patterns all offer valuable insight into what supporters care about, and organizations should use that information not only to learn, but to act. He emphasizes the importance of segmentation, noting that donors respond best when content reflects their actual interests and motivations. In an increasingly saturated digital landscape, the organizations that stand out are not simply the loudest, but the ones that make donors feel seen, understood, and valued. Finally, Bill and Jeff connect digital fundraising to the broader donor journey, underscoring that the gift itself comes well after a series of earlier steps: consuming content, following on social media, taking non-financial actions, and sharing contact information. In that sense, digital fundraising mirrors the larger principles of fundraising taught at The Fund Raising School, where relationship-building, preparation, and stewardship all come before and after the ask. Jeff reminds listeners that digital donor acquisition is a long-term investment, one that may not generate immediate net revenue but can create sustainable lifetime value when done well. The episode leaves fundraisers with a steadying and important reminder: digital success does not come from speed, but from patience, strategy, and the disciplined work of building trust over time.

    22 min

  3. MAR 1

    The Future Is Now: Practical AI for Fundraising Success

    In this forward-looking episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with AI practitioner and marketing maestro Chris Strom of Sunrise Association to tackle a question that’s buzzing louder than a caffeinated chatbot: what can artificial intelligence actually do for fundraising? Chris doesn’t sugarcoat it. Yes, AI can be wrong. Yes, hallucinations happen. But as he explains, the magic isn’t in blind trust, it’s in smart partnership. Think of AI not as your replacement, but as your overachieving intern who works at lightning speed and still needs supervision. Used wisely, it augments your intelligence, multiplies your output, and frees you to do what fundraisers do best: build real relationships with real people. One of the biggest “aha” moments Chris shares is the power of prompting, because typing a lazy one-liner into ChatGPT and hoping for brilliance is like whispering “abracadabra” and expecting Broadway. His practical CRAFT framework is the game-changer: Context (who you are and what’s happening), Role (the perspective the AI should take), Action (what you want it to do), Format (email, report, etc.), and Tone (make it sound like you). With the right ingredients, AI transforms from a novelty into heavy machinery for your marketing and development shop. The difference between “meh” output and mission-moving copy? Specificity and strategy. Chris also shares how AI becomes a nonprofit’s “second brain.” By using transcription tools like MacWhisper alongside platforms such as ChatGPT, he captures meetings, webinars, and brainstorming sessions; then instantly generates summaries, next steps, and polished notes. The result? Hours saved. Brainpower preserved. Follow-up executed. He’s even built custom GPTs loaded with brand guidelines, mission language, and campaign data so his entire team can generate on-brand, accurate messaging without second-guessing tone or statistics. It’s like having a marketing assistant who never sleeps and always remembers the style guide. The episode closes with a practical, and slightly prophetic, note: invest wisely. While free tools can be powerful, paid subscriptions offer critical privacy protections and better performance. For roughly $20 a month, Chris argues, the return on investment is enormous when measured in reclaimed hours and enhanced productivity. His advice? Start small. Pick one task you’re doing today, invite AI into the process, and experiment. We’re still in the “early innings,” he says, and the fundraisers who learn to swing now will be miles ahead as the technology matures. The future isn’t coming, it’s here. And for nonprofits willing to engage thoughtfully, AI may just be the most practical superpower in the fundraising toolkit.

    22 min

  4. FEB 22

    New Data on DAFS: Significant Growth

    In this data-packed episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back philanthropic powerhouses Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D., and Dan Heist, Ph.D., to unpack the brand-new Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative report. And folks, the headline is clear: DAFs are not just “a thing,” they are a major thing. With $90 billion flowing into donor advised funds in 2024 and a record-setting $65 billion flowing back out in grants. Contributions rebounded sharply after a 2023 dip, mirroring stock market recovery, and now represent roughly 15% of all charitable giving in the U.S. That’s not pocket change, that’s a seismic shift in how philanthropy moves. One of the biggest evolutions? The rise of “donation processors.” Think workplace giving platforms and online tools quietly powering charitable accounts behind the scenes. These platforms have helped push the total number of DAF accounts to 3.6 million, doubling in just five years. Some of these accounts are smaller and transactional, but together they’re transforming access to philanthropy. The barrier to entry has dropped so low that opening a DAF can require little to no initial investment. Translation: this isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy anymore. The “millionaire next door” may now be the “DAF holder next door.” The episode also tackles the payout debate, and yes, there’s math, but the good kind. The reported payout rate of 25% (compared to private foundations’ typical 5–6%) reflects grants made relative to assets held at the start of the year. Meanwhile, the “flow rate,” dollars out compared to dollars in, shows even more velocity. While most DAFs are actively granting, about 8–10% remain relatively inactive over time, sparking ongoing policy discussions. But the data tell a powerful story: when contributions rise, grantmaking rises too. DAF donors aren’t just storing wealth, they’re moving it. For fundraisers, the takeaway is crystal clear: get in the game. Ask donors if they have a DAF. Add it to your event forms. Include it in major gift conversations. Use the publicly available data to identify sponsors in your region and benchmark your results. DAFs are increasingly central to philanthropic strategy across income levels, and fundraisers who understand payout rates, flow dynamics, and donor motivations will be better equipped to engage today’s strategic givers. Bottom line? The money is moving, and the fundraisers who are informed, curious, and proactive will be right there to help direct it toward mission.

    23 min

  5. FEB 15

    Fundraising Leadership: From Ideas to Donations

    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes fundraising veteran Rick Shadyac, JD, former longtime leader of ALSAC, the fundraising powerhouse behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Major donors love bold vision. But how do leaders decide which big ideas are brilliant… and which are just bonkers? Rick’s advice is refreshingly practical: start with the problem you’re trying to solve and the audience you’re trying to reach. High-wealth strategy? Mass marketing? Different tools for different tribes. Big ideas aren’t about flash, they’re about fit, feasibility, and fearless execution. Rick shares the jaw-dropping case study of partnering with billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman on a space mission tied to a $100 million (eventually $125 million) challenge gift. The catch? ALSAC had to match it. The risk? Enormous. The reward? Potentially transformational. Instead of auctioning off a seat, they democratized giving, raffle tickets for a dollar, opening the door to entirely new donors, especially younger, space-loving supporters who’d never given to a children’s hospital before. The result? A $250 million fundraising triumph, a successful mission featuring St. Jude patient ambassador Hayley Arceneaux, and global exposure, including a Netflix documentary. Not exactly your standard bake sale. But here’s the leadership lesson behind the rocket fuel: courageous ideas require courageous cultures. Rick describes intentionally hiring people who would challenge him, not nod politely while doodling in meetings. Drawing from his background as a lawyer, he encouraged constructive disagreement, diverse perspectives, and even role-playing in interviews to test whether candidates would push back. Debate in the room? Absolutely. Lock arms when you leave? Non-negotiable. The formula: hire smart, mission-driven people who think differently than you do, and then actually listen to them. That diversity of thought, age, background, and expertise becomes the engine that powers bold, informed decisions. Finally, the episode lands squarely on the CEO-board dynamic. Boards are often risk-averse, but Rick urges leaders to be transparent, inclusive, and above all, communicative. Educate your board. Prepare them. Build trust before you need it. And when it’s time to fundraise, confidence follows preparation. Donors can sense when an idea has been stress-tested and mission-aligned. As Rick reminds us, fundraising happens at the speed of trust, and the donor is the hero of every story. Big ideas may capture attention, but disciplined leadership, shared ownership, and relentless focus on mission are what ultimately turn bold vision into transformational gifts.

    19 min

  6. FEB 8

    Strategic Plans to Inspire Donors

    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Mladenka Majerić, CEO of the Yellow Dot Foundation in Croatia and a respected voice in philanthropy across Central and Eastern Europe. Right out of the gate, the duo tackles a deceptively simple but often neglected truth: fundraising doesn’t start with an appeal, a gala, or a clever email subject line, it starts with a strategic plan. Or, as this episode gently but firmly argues, with the process of building one. Mladenka makes the case that while organizations can raise money without a strategic plan, doing so is like driving cross-country with passion but no map. Strategic planning aligns mission, vision, goals, and activities, giving teams structure, clarity, and confidence. More than that, she frames it as a leadership and team-building tool. When boards, staff, and leadership are meaningfully involved, through workshops, surveys, and candid conversations, the process becomes a kind of organizational group therapy (the healthy kind). People communicate more honestly, understand their roles better, and walk away owning the plan instead of shelving it to collect dust. The conversation then zeroes in on how strategic plans fuel effective fundraising. A good plan is a living document that feeds directly into operational, communications, and fundraising plans. Mladenka highlights the importance of tools like a theory of change, showing how programs lead to outcomes and real-world impact. That clarity makes it far easier for fundraisers to answer donors’ favorite question: “So… how exactly are you changing the world?” Donors, foundations, and funders increasingly expect to see a clear, public-facing strategic plan, and yes, they really do check your website. Finally, the episode lands on inspiration, the secret sauce. Beyond structure and accountability, strategic planning helps organizations articulate why they exist, how they’re unique, and what values guide their work. Vision, mission, and values, when expressed in clear, human language, shift mindsets from “we deliver services” to “we create change.” Bill and Mladenka remind listeners that in a world of millions of nonprofits, distinctiveness matters. The idea is already in your head and the passion is already in your heart. The strategic plan simply brings them together, turning clarity into confidence, and confidence into inspiration for donors, staff, boards, and communities alike.

    18 min

  7. FEB 1

    Benchmarking Donor Data

    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Carly Berna, Vice President of Marketing (and the impressively titled “Fundraiser in Residence”) at Virtuous. Carly shares findings from the latest Virtuous Benchmark Report, a treasure trove of data gleaned from over 570 nonprofits using the platform for at least three years. The result? A layered look at donor trends across sectors and revenue sizes, from faith-based orgs to human services, all the way from scrappy sub-million-dollar shops to the $10M+ fundraising heavyweights. “Flat doesn't mean bad,” Carly notes, sometimes staying steady means you’ve weathered the storm. Bill and Carly dig into the meaty data highlights, starting with online giving. The average online gift increased by $5 in the last year and is up a whopping $22 since 2020, showing just how powerful digital channels are becoming, no surprise given Boomers are now a driving force online (61% of them give that way!). Meanwhile, Carly waves the mid-level donor flag with pride, celebrating growth in this oft-ignored group. Nonprofits are learning not to put all their donor eggs in one major gift basket. The conversation turns to recurring giving, a favorite of sustainability-minded fundraisers everywhere. While the average nonprofit sees 13% of their revenue coming from recurring donors, Virtuous’ top quartile of performers boasts a hefty 33%. Donor retention is also slowly rebounding post-pandemic, reaching a six-year high of 50%. But Carly urges listeners not to settle, “Top performers hit 67%, so shoot for the stars!” Finally, the duo dives into donor acquisition and lifetime value. New donor acquisition is slipping, now around 30%, but those who do give are investing more over time, with average donor lifetime value rising to $784. Carly’s message is clear: nonprofits need to be smart, not just generous: track your data, find your gaps, and don’t just pat yourself on the back for being average. With the right balance of stewardship, segmentation, and sustainability, nonprofits can build donor relationships that last longer than most gym memberships.

    17 min

  8. JAN 25

    Financial Advisors and the Fundraising Process

    In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back the ever-insightful Michele Dole, MS, CFP, Senior Vice President at Key Private Bank and cherished faculty member. Michele brings her unique perspective as both a former fundraiser and a current financial advisor, helping to demystify the world of wealth and financial advising for those in the nonprofit sector. From her origins in hospital foundations to earning her Certified Financial Planner certification, Michele shares how her deep understanding of financial strategy intersects beautifully with charitable giving. “It’s not just about tax efficiency,” she emphasizes, “but about helping clients make meaningful, effective gifts.” The conversation shines a light on how fundraisers and financial advisors can, and should, collaborate. Advisors, Michele explains, aren’t gatekeepers; they’re partners. With full visibility into a client’s financial picture, they can help determine not just if a gift should be made, but how, when, and with what assets. Whether it’s a cash donation, a stock transfer, or a required minimum distribution from a retirement account, financial advisors are instrumental in making philanthropic dreams a financially sound reality. And yes, Michele confirms, she and her colleagues often raise the topic of philanthropy with clients, driven by their role in supporting holistic financial and personal goals. For fundraisers wondering whether to engage with a donor’s advisor, Michele has one golden rule: ask for the donor’s permission first. Once that’s secured, sharing a comprehensive gift proposal with the advisor can be immensely beneficial. Advisors often know what else is on a donor’s financial horizon: other commitments, business sales, or major expenses, that could impact the timing or structure of a gift. And if you’re hosting breakfast events for local planners? Keep it up! While they may not be gatekeepers, financial professionals are key connectors in the community and valuable allies in understanding and championing your mission. This episode also introduces an exciting new offering: Philanthropy for Advisors, a course designed to equip financial professionals with a deeper understanding of charitable giving and the nonprofit sector. Michele is stepping in as lead faculty, bringing her full-circle experience to bear in educating a new generation of philanthropic partners. As always, Bill closes the episode with a hearty reminder; when fundraisers team up with informed financial advisors, donors win, missions grow, and generosity thrives.

    17 min
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About

The Fund Raising School is excited to launch the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School! Highlighting current news and research, this podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School!

Information

  • Creator
    The Fund Raising School
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    414
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    First Day Podcast

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