Let's Talk Fundraising

Keith Greer, CFRE
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Welcome to "Let's Talk Fundraising" with Keith Greer, CFRE! This podcast is your go-to resource for mastering the essentials of fundraising while discovering how innovative tools and technology can supercharge your efforts. Whether you're a new fundraiser looking to level up your skills or a seasoned professional seeking timely reminders and fresh insights, each episode is packed with practical advice, creative ideas, and inspiring stories. Join Keith as he explores the core principles that drive successful fundraising and uncovers the latest strategies to make your job easier, more enjoyable, and incredibly impactful. From relationship-building and storytelling to leveraging the newest tech, "Let's Talk Fundraising" is here to help you transform your approach and achieve remarkable results for your organization. Subscribe now and be part of a community dedicated to elevating the art and science of fundraising. Together, we'll make a bigger impact, one episode at a time.

  1. 15 HR AGO

    3 Things to Define Before Every Major Gift Donor Meeting

    You've had the donor meeting. It went fine. The conversation flowed, the donor was warm, you covered a lot of ground. And now you're sitting in the parking lot wondering if any of it actually moved the relationship forward. That quiet uncertainty after a visit almost always traces back to the same problem: walking in with a direction instead of a strategy. In this episode, I share the one preparation habit that changed how I lead every donor conversation, and why I wish someone had made it this explicit much earlier in my career. I also come back to a story I've told before on this show, about a donor who gave a six-figure gift to their alma mater instead of us, because I didn't ask in time. The first time I told it, the lesson was about timing. This time, it's about something different: how not having a clear meeting strategy kept me from seeing what was right in front of me. What you'll take away from this episode: three specific things to define before your next donor visit, why writing them down (rather than thinking them through) is the whole point, and how this one discipline changes your post-visit clarity, your portfolio movement, and your confidence in the work over time. Enroll in The AI Advantage for Major Gift Fundraising at letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts. The first cohort starts May 4th. 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    28 min

  2. 13 APR

    Think AI Won’t Work for You? Let’s Talk About That.

    If you’ve been listening to this series and thinking… “This sounds interesting… but I’m not sure it would actually work for me…” This episode is for you. Because that hesitation you’re feeling? It’s not random. And it’s not a sign that you’re behind. It’s actually pointing to the exact places where your work matters most, your time, your donors, your relationships, your results. In this episode, I’m walking through what I’ve been hearing from fundraisers over the last few weeks, the quiet “yeah, but…” thoughts that show up right when things start to feel possible. Things like: “I’ve never used AI before”“I don’t think my organization would allow it”“I’ve tried ChatGPT… it wasn’t that helpful”“This seems complicated”“I don’t have time for this”But instead of pushing past those concerns, we’re going to look at what they’re actually telling you. Because every one of them shaped how I built The AI Advantage for Major Gift Fundraising. Not as a theory. Not as another tool. But as a system that fits into the reality of your day-to-day work, and actually helps you move donor relationships forward with more clarity, consistency, and confidence. If you’ve ever felt like AI sounds promising… but hasn’t quite delivered in your actual work yet, this will help you see why. And more importantly, what changes that. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can join the waitlist here: 👉 https://letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts We’ll be opening enrollment soon, and kicking off our first cohort on Monday, May 4. 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    20 min

  3. 6 APR

    The Moment I Knew My Fundraising Was Actually Working

    For months, I was doing everything I thought I was supposed to do as a major gift officer. I was reaching out. I was having meetings. I was putting in the work. But nothing was closing. And the hardest part wasn’t the lack of results. It was not knowing if what I was doing was actually working. In this episode, I’m sharing the moment that changed everything, and how I went from second-guessing my work to having complete clarity and confidence in what I was doing. You’ll hear how I: Moved from scattered effort to focused strategyStopped starting from scratch with every donor interactionBuilt a system to prepare for even the most difficult conversationsCreated visibility into my portfolio so I could actually measure progressWalked into high-stakes leadership meetings knowing I had the answersThis isn’t theory. This is the exact process I used to transform my own major gift work, and it’s what I’ve now built into my program, The AI Advantage for Major Gift Fundraising. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still unsure if it’s working, this episode is for you. 👉 Join the waitlist for early access: https://letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts We’ll be opening enrollment later this month, and the first cohort begins May 4. 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    31 min

  4. 30 MAR

    Why Your Fundraising Outreach Isn’t Working Like It Used To

    There’s a moment in fundraising where you start to feel it. You’re doing the work. You’re following up. You’re being thoughtful in your outreach. And still… things just aren’t moving the way they used to. Response rates are slower. Conversations take longer to start. What used to feel straightforward now feels heavier. It’s easy to assume the problem is in the execution. Maybe the message needs to be stronger. Maybe the research needs to go deeper. Maybe you just need to try harder. But what if that’s not actually what’s happening? In this episode, we break down what’s really changed in fundraising, why the same level of effort isn’t creating the same level of movement, and what that means for how you approach your work moving forward. Because this isn’t just about improving your outreach. It’s about understanding the environment your outreach is landing in. And once you see that shift, it changes everything. If this is something you’ve been feeling in your work, I’ve opened up early access to a new program designed to help you adapt to this shift: 👉 https://www.letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts This is The AI Advantage for Major Gifts, a 6-week live cohort where you’ll learn how to apply AI directly to your day-to-day fundraising work so you can: Know exactly who to prioritizeWalk into meetings preparedCapture and use donor information more effectivelyAnd stop starting from scratchNot in theory. In your actual work. Because at this point, the question isn’t whether fundraising is changing. It already has. The question is what you’re going to do in response to it. 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    31 min

  5. 23 MAR

    The Cost of Waiting Until You Feel Ready (Major Gift Fundraising)

    There’s a moment most fundraisers don’t talk about. The one where you know what needs to happen next… but you’re still trying to get everything lined up before you move. More research. More preparation. More time to “get it right.” And it feels responsible. But over time, that moment starts to cost you something. In this episode, I share a real story from early in my career when I got stuck in that exact place… and what I realized just before it was too late. We’ll walk through: Where “analysis mode” shows up in your workWhat it’s quietly costing your pipelineWhy waiting to feel ready slows down your resultsAnd how to start moving forward with more clarityThis isn’t about doing more. It’s about moving sooner… in a way that still feels thoughtful and aligned with how you do your work. If this resonated with you… I’m building a program called The AI Advantage for Major Gift Fundraising to help you navigate these exact moments with more structure and less friction. You can join the early access list here: 👉 letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    29 min

  6. 16 MAR

    Where AI Fits in the Major Gift Cycle

    Fundraising moves when relationships move. And relationships move when the friction falls away. In this episode, we explore how AI can quietly support every stage of the major gift cycle without replacing the human heart of the work. From prospect identification to stewardship, you’ll hear how practical AI workflows can reduce administrative drag so you can show up with donors more present, more prepared, and more confident. We walk through the major gift cycle step by step and explore how AI can support: • Prospect identification and portfolio prioritization • Faster donor research and one-page briefings • Turning messy post-visit voice notes into CRM-ready contact reports • Stress-testing cultivation strategies and next steps • Strengthening the systems that support real relationships Along the way, I share a real example of narrowing a 150,000-person database to 300 high-potential prospects, and how today’s tools can compress months of manual work into something far more manageable. The goal isn’t to automate fundraising. The goal is to strengthen the systems that allow fundraisers to focus on what matters most: the relationships. If you’re interested in going deeper, I’m developing a new program called The AI Advantage for Major Gifts, where we explore these workflows across the entire major gift cycle. You can join the waitlist here: letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts If this conversation resonates, share the episode with a colleague who lives in spreadsheets and leave a review to help other fundraisers find the show. 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    28 min

  7. 9 MAR

    What If Major Gift Fundraisers Had More Time for Donors?

    Most of us came into this work to build relationships. But too often our days get buried under contact reports, prospect research, and messy systems that keep us tied to a desk. In this episode, we explore a simple idea: what if AI could handle some of the repetitive administrative work so fundraisers could focus more energy on donor relationships? You’ll hear the story behind a set of practical AI workflows that began as small experiments and grew into a framework that supports the entire major gift cycle, from prospect identification and donor research to cultivation strategy, proposal writing, and stewardship. Along the way we talk about: • the hidden cost of administrative work in major gift fundraising • how broken systems once kept me behind a desk nearly full-time • the breakthrough that helped identify the top 300 prospects for a record-setting campaign • how fundraisers are using AI to produce cleaner CRM records and better donor briefings • ethical guardrails, data security, and keeping humans firmly in charge This conversation also introduces a new program I’m developing called The AI Advantage for Major Gifts, built by a career fundraiser to help peers reclaim time and strengthen donor relationships with practical AI workflows. If this idea resonates with you, you can join the waitlist here: letstalkfundraising.com/majorgifts 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    23 min

  8. 2 MAR

    Quiet Power Revisited: Why Introverts Thrive in Fundraising

    Fundraising doesn’t belong only to the boldest voice in a crowded gala. It thrives in the quiet moments where a donor feels understood, a tense call cools with care, and a complex gift moves forward because someone listened long enough to hear what really matters. We sit down with advancement officer and CFRE Carissa Kineski to explore how introverts turn deep listening, patience, and empathy into durable donor relationships—and why those “soft” skills are often the hardest to replace. Carissa shares how de-escalating tough donor inquiries taught her that most people want to be heard before they want solutions. We talk about shifting event metrics from volume to depth, capturing small personal details that compound trust, and pacing conversations so generosity can breathe. You’ll hear practical strategies for big rooms and small reserves: set two meaningful targets at receptions, arrive early to let conversations come to you, pull in a colleague as a connector, and take short resets to protect your energy. We unpack common workplace habits that sideline reflective thinkers and offer simple fixes—send agendas in advance, use hand-raising and round-robin turns, embrace ten seconds of silence after prompts, and normalize hybrid time that fuels focus. We also draw a firm line between introversion and shyness. Introverts aren’t afraid of people; they recharge differently. That difference can be a leadership advantage, especially with donors who need careful attention, clear boundaries, and empathetic pivots when constraints arise. Carissa reflects on the biases quiet professionals face, how to coach resumes toward owned impact without bragging, and why organizations should promote for substance, not volume. If you’ve ever felt pressure to perform extroversion, this conversation offers permission and a plan: lead with presence, measure what matters, and let listening do the heavy lifting. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review—then tell us: what quiet skill drives your biggest wins? 💡 Want to take the next small step? → Free Download: 12 Fundraising Prompts You'll Actually Use → Course:  The Fundraiser's AI Starter Suite

    48 min
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Trailer

About

Welcome to "Let's Talk Fundraising" with Keith Greer, CFRE! This podcast is your go-to resource for mastering the essentials of fundraising while discovering how innovative tools and technology can supercharge your efforts. Whether you're a new fundraiser looking to level up your skills or a seasoned professional seeking timely reminders and fresh insights, each episode is packed with practical advice, creative ideas, and inspiring stories. Join Keith as he explores the core principles that drive successful fundraising and uncovers the latest strategies to make your job easier, more enjoyable, and incredibly impactful. From relationship-building and storytelling to leveraging the newest tech, "Let's Talk Fundraising" is here to help you transform your approach and achieve remarkable results for your organization. Subscribe now and be part of a community dedicated to elevating the art and science of fundraising. Together, we'll make a bigger impact, one episode at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Keith Greer, CFRE
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Let's Talk Fundraising
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Fundraising

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