First Day Podcast The Fund Raising School

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Karen Boyd, Ph.D., Economist and Director of Research at the Policy and Innovation Center, and discuss the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and fundraising. She highlights the rapid advancements in AI technologies, emphasizing their potential to augment rather than replace human fundraisers. Addressing concerns around AI's capabilities and limitations, Boyd stresses the importance of understanding that AI tools are built on human-generated data, which inherently carries biases. She advocates for ethical use, urging fundraisers to leverage AI for tasks like initial draft writing and data analysis, thus freeing up time for more personalized donor interactions.

Boyd underscores the concept of "moral imagination" as crucial in philanthropy, distinguishing human abilities from AI's computational processes. She discusses practical strategies for nonprofits, including careful consideration of AI's impact on donor privacy and the ethical implications of using AI-driven donor prospecting algorithms. Boyd encourages organizations to align AI policies with their missions to ensure transparency and ethical use of data. Ultimately, she positions AI as a powerful tool for enhancing efficiency in fundraising operations while reinforcing the irreplaceable role of human empathy and creativity in building meaningful donor relationships.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. discusses the complexities of household charitable giving, aiming to dispel concerns regarding its purported decline. Stanczykiewicz begins by dissecting the oft-cited statistic that only 50% of households make charitable donations, suggesting that this figure may not accurately reflect the willingness of individuals to give. He challenges fundraisers to adopt a more inclusive approach, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to donors across all economic strata and recognizing the generosity of donors regardless of the size of their contributions.

Furthermore, Stanczykiewicz explores alternative perspectives on household giving behavior, pointing to the phenomenon of "bunching" where donors strategically consolidate their contributions to maximize tax benefits. He highlights the significant increase in donor-advised funds as another factor influencing charitable giving patterns. Despite varying survey results, which paint a nuanced picture of giving rates, Stanczykiewicz urges fundraisers to maintain a growth mindset, emphasizing the potential for impactful fundraising efforts to inspire generosity. Drawing on real-life examples, such as the heartwarming story of Demar Hamlin's crowdfunding campaign, which raised millions for children in need, Stanczykiewicz underscores the power of storytelling and community engagement in driving philanthropic action. Through informative and insightful discussions, "The First Day" provides valuable insights and strategies for fundraisers seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of charitable giving.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Patrick Rooney, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Economics and Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to discuss the impact of presidential elections and other world events on charitable giving. Dr. Rooney shares insights from decades of research, revealing that presidential campaign contributions have a negligible effect on overall philanthropic donations. Despite record amounts spent on elections, these contributions remain a small fraction of total household giving, and people typically separate political donations from their charitable contributions.

Dr. Rooney also addresses the effects of natural and man-made disasters on charitable giving. While such events often lead to a temporary increase in donations, this surge usually lasts only a few months and does not significantly impact long-term giving trends. He emphasizes that philanthropy is a core American value that persists through economic cycles and personal financial disruptions. Even during major economic downturns, like the Great Recession, charitable donations decrease but do not disappear, reflecting the resilience of philanthropic behavior.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of fundraisers maintaining an abundance mentality. Dr. Rooney encourages fundraisers to focus on building long-term donor relationships and to seize opportunities to engage donors, even during election years or in response to disasters. By adopting a proactive approach, fundraisers can ensure a steady flow of charitable contributions and continue to drive their missions forward, leveraging the robust and enduring nature of American philanthropy.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jessica Browning, MBA, Principal and Executive Vice President at the Winkler Group. They discuss the complexities surrounding major and mega gifts in fundraising. Jessica acknowledges the significant contributions of major donors like McKenzie Scott while also highlighting the pitfalls of over-reliance on such gifts. She underscores the danger of neglecting mid-level and smaller donors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a diverse donor pipeline to sustain long-term fundraising success.

Moreover, Jessica discusses the shifting trends in philanthropy, including increased giving from foundations and the impact of changes in tax laws on donor behavior. She stresses the need for fundraisers to educate their boards on the importance of donor retention and the value of inclusive fundraising practices. By focusing on stewardship and understanding donors' passions beyond surface-level interactions, organizations can cultivate deeper relationships with donors across all income levels.

Overall, the episode encourages fundraisers to adopt a balanced approach that values both major and smaller donors while prioritizing donor stewardship and inclusivity. By diversifying fundraising strategies and fostering meaningful connections with donors, organizations can build a sustainable foundation for long-term philanthropic success.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sheds light on the evolving landscape of donor demographics, particularly focusing on Millennials. Contrary to common misconceptions, recent economic data suggests that Millennials are not only financially stable but thriving. They are emerging as significant donors, surpassing Generation X in charitable giving per household.

One key indicator of Millennials' growing influence is their increasing homeownership rates, signaling stability and potential for increased charitable contributions. Surprisingly, Millennials also show a preference for traditional fundraising methods, particularly direct mail, amidst the digital age.

Furthermore, research highlights Millennials' inclination towards cause-driven and relational giving, emphasizing hands-on involvement and impact in philanthropy. They seek meaningful engagement and are eager to contribute their expertise and resources to charitable causes.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and engaging Millennials as prospective donors, challenging outdated perceptions, and tapping into their philanthropic potential. By understanding their preferences and motivations, organizations can effectively cultivate relationships and expand their donor base to ensure long-term sustainability and impact in the nonprofit sector.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Diane Kaplan, Senior Fellow at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. In a revealing discussion on the nuances of nonprofit collaboration, Diane shares her insights from her extensive experience with the Rasmuson Foundation. She illustrates the power of strategic partnerships in leveraging the foundation’s impact far beyond its initial financial capabilities. Starting from its roots as a small bank in Alaska, the Foundation under Kaplan’s leadership, utilized collaboration as a key mechanism to expand its influence and effectiveness in serving the community.

Kaplan elaborates on the Foundation’s strategic approach to broaden its reach and impact through active collaborations across Alaska and beyond. By initiating the "educational tour of Alaska for grantmakers," the Foundation not only showcased the unique challenges faced by the Alaskan communities but also successfully attracted substantial external funding. This innovative approach resulted in over $400 million in contributions aimed at addressing local needs, demonstrating the significant potential of well-orchestrated partnerships in philanthropy.

Highlighting the lessons learned through these collaborations, Kaplan stresses the importance of having all parties involved contribute and learn from the philanthropic process. She points out that physically bringing potential donors to see the challenges and opportunities firsthand radically improves understanding and commitment to support. This model of engagement has not only facilitated substantial financial support but has also fostered long-lasting relationships between various stakeholders, enhancing the overall effectiveness and sustainability of philanthropic endeavors in Alaska.