First Day Podcast The Fund Raising School

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at DePaul University and Dan Heist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University shared key findings from their extensive research on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Conducted in collaboration with the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative, their study included data from over 50,000 accounts and partnerships with 110 DAF sponsors. They uncovered that DAFs are predominantly utilized as mid-range philanthropic tools, with baby boomer generations being the primary contributors. Despite concerns about potential misuse for tax benefits, their analysis showed that only about one in nine accounts receive contributions annually, indicating broader philanthropic intentions.

Furthermore, the research highlighted the frequency of grant distributions from DAFs, with over 60% of accounts making grants annually and about 80% within a three-year period. These grants support various charitable causes, with a significant portion being unrestricted, allowing for flexibility in addressing community needs. Additionally, the study revealed that most DAFs have succession plans in place, ensuring continued charitable impact even after the original donor's passing.

Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the behavior of DAF donors and emphasizes the importance of understanding the evolving landscape of philanthropy. The findings underscored the diverse motivations driving charitable giving and the role of DAFs in facilitating impactful grant-making to support communities and causes.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Christy Boysen, MA, CFRM, FCEP, the founding CEO of Apex Legacy Consulting, who has extensive experience in advising nonprofits on planned gifts. Boysen emphasized that while planned giving, such as setting up charitable remainder trusts, appears complex due to its involvement of various professionals like lawyers and financial advisors, the process can be simplified through collaborative efforts. She highlighted the benefits of planned giving not only for the donors, who can make significant tax-efficient contributions, but also for their families and the charities they choose to support.

Throughout the discussion, the need for education and engagement in planned giving was stressed as essential for overcoming the common reluctance among fundraisers. Boysen suggested that fundraisers should be proactive in learning about different planned giving vehicles and engage with donors through open-ended questions that align with their values and interests. This approach helps in uncovering opportunities for planned gifts, which are often overlooked due to the myths surrounding their complexity and the upfront effort required to understand and manage them.

Lastly, the podcast addressed the strategic importance of incorporating planned giving into overall fundraising efforts. Boysen argued that by educating both staff and donors about the simpler forms of planned giving, such as including a nonprofit as a beneficiary in wills or insurance policies, organizations can expand their support base significantly. The episode concluded with a call to action for fundraisers to adopt a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to fundraising, recognizing the potential of every donor to contribute through planned gifts, thus ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of their organizations.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jamila Trimuel, Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls in Chicago. They discuss the critical role of fundraising events within their overall strategy. Initially, their annual "Leading with Virtue Cocktail Reception" accounted for up to 50% of their budget, raising around $200,000 through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, and auctions. While still important, the event now contributes 10-20% of their budget, signaling a strategic shift in fundraising tactics.

Beyond the event itself, Ladies of Virtue emphasizes the significance of post-event donor engagement and stewardship. They maintain relationships through various means, including personal meetings, virtual events, and launching a monthly giving campaign. Their approach involves thanking and involving key stakeholders like the host committee and honorees, ensuring continued support and involvement beyond the event. This ongoing engagement has been instrumental in the organization's growth, with their budget expanding from $40,000 to $1.5 million.

Jamila highlights the evolution of their fundraising strategy, emphasizing the importance of long-term relationship-building over one-off events. She advises fundraisers to focus on profiting from events while also considering the broader impact and opportunities for engagement throughout the year. This podcast episode underscores the power of effective donor stewardship in sustaining and growing nonprofit organizations like Ladies of Virtue, offering valuable insights for fundraisers seeking to maximize their impact.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Ron Schiller, Founding Partner and Senior Consultant at Aspen Leadership Group. In a detailed exploration of the dynamics within nonprofit organizations, particularly between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Development Officer (CDO), the podcast looks at the evolving landscape of fundraising and leadership. The discussion underscores the critical nature of the CEO-CDO partnership in not just propelling the organization's fundraising efforts but also in enhancing the job satisfaction of both roles. The dialogue reveals that successful fundraising is increasingly seen as a collaborative endeavor that demands a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s capabilities, highlighting the shift towards a more integrated approach in leadership roles within the nonprofit sector.

The podcast also sheds light on the changing expectations placed upon CEOs regarding their involvement in fundraising activities. It notes a significant increase in the time CEOs devote to fundraising, reflecting a broader trend across various sectors of the nonprofit industry. This evolution signifies a growing recognition of the importance of fundraising proficiency in the selection and performance of CEOs. Furthermore, the conversation brings to attention the expanded role of CDOs that extends beyond mere fundraising to encompass a wide array of responsibilities such as board engagement, financial planning, and internal politics navigation. This expanded scope underscores the need for CDOs to possess a diverse skill set to effectively manage the complex facets of development and organizational growth.

Finally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of adopting an approach to fundraising, advocating for a shift away from traditional transactional methods towards a model that views philanthropy as a partnership. This paradigm shift aims to mitigate common apprehensions toward fundraising by fostering a collaborative environment that aligns the interests of the organization with those of its donors. Through sharing insights and engaging in honest communication, CDOs are encouraged to serve as vital liaisons, facilitating a deeper understanding of the organizational landscape for their CEOs. This approach not only enhances the fundraising process but also enriches the overall organizational culture, paving the way for more successful and fulfilling partnerships.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Coco Xiaonan Kou, Managing Director of Research at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who discusses the Global Philanthropy Tracker, a comprehensive research project. The Global Philanthropy Tracker aims to understand cross-border philanthropic outflows from 47 countries, covering various stages of economic development. Unlike traditional measures like official development aid, the Global Philanthropy Tracker compares philanthropic giving to other major financial resource flows, highlighting the increasing role of private philanthropy in addressing global societal issues.

Coco explains that the Global Philanthropy Tracker's significance lies in its ability to quantify the impact of philanthropy on global development, showcasing its growth over the past decades. Despite challenges such as limited data availability, the research team's collaboration with international partners and thorough data collection methods ensure a holistic picture of cross-border giving. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding philanthropy's role alongside government aid, particularly in the face of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where philanthropy has shown resilience.

Moreover, the podcast discusses the implications of the Global Philanthropy Tracker findings for fundraisers and policymakers. Fundraisers can leverage the report to demonstrate the importance of supporting local initiatives and effective communication with funders. Meanwhile, policymakers can use the Global Philanthropy Tracker to understand the collaborative nature of global philanthropy and design policies to improve the environment for cross-border giving. Coco also calls for contributions from listeners to enhance future iterations of the report, underscoring the ongoing need for data to further understand and support cross-border philanthropy.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Otis Fulton, Ph.D., Vice President of Psychological Strategies at Turnkey, who discusses the intricate dynamics of donor motivations. He highlights a significant finding: engagement in nonprofits can positively impact life expectancy, underscoring the personal benefits donors derive from their involvement. Fulton challenges the conventional wisdom that giving is primarily driven by the organization's mission, asserting that donors are motivated by their own experiences and the social validation they receive from participating in charitable activities. Through his insights, he reveals the complexity of human behavior, emphasizing the role of social comparisons and the desire to maintain status within social groups as key drivers of charitable giving.

Moreover, Fulton addresses the pressing issue of income inequality and its implications for fundraising efforts. He notes a concerning trend where lower-income individuals, despite potentially having a higher propensity to give, may feel economically marginalized and less inclined to donate. This insight underscores the importance of inclusive fundraising strategies that reach donors across all income levels. Fulton advocates for approaches like peer-to-peer fundraising, which not only engage donors but also provide opportunities for them to connect with the organization's mission on a personal level, thus fostering long-term relationships.

Lastly, Fulton emphasizes the need for fundraisers to shift their focus from immediate returns on investment (ROI) to the long-term value of donors. He argues that while ROI is relevant in the for-profit world, the nonprofit sector should prioritize cultivating lasting donor relationships. By adopting a holistic view of fundraising that emphasizes lifetime donor value, organizations can ensure sustained support and engagement from donors, thereby fulfilling their mission more effectively. Through his holistic perspective and practical advice, Fulton offers fundraisers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of donor motivations and building successful fundraising strategies.