Fundraising is Dead

Ryan Dobson
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Tired of chasing donors, begging for money, or following fundraising formulas that never deliver? Fundraising Is Dead is your antidote. Hosted by Ryan Dobson, author, speaker, and donor development expert who has helped raise hundreds of millions for nonprofits worldwide.This podcast exposes the broken systems that are failing you and replaces them with practical, relationship-driven strategies that actually work. The same ones used to build Focus on the Family a $163M budget. If you're ready for fundraising that feels good, builds trust, and creates sustainable growth, you're in the right place.

Episodes

  1. 11/18/2025

    The Donor Retention Masterclass: How Gratitude Raised $163M a Year

    In today's episode, you're getting Day 1 of my Donor Retention Masterclass! This is the same gratitude system my dad used to grow Focus on the Family from a two-room office to a $163M annual budget. You'll learn why donor retention is 10x more valuable than donor acquisition, how gratitude rewires the donor's brain, and the simple steps to turn first-time donors into lifelong partners. If you want help building a donor development system that brings peace, stability, and predictable giving, visit RyanDobson.com and book a coaching call.

    21 min

  2. 06/11/2025

    There are Only Two Types of Donors

    Everyone wants major donors—but most nonprofits lose them before the second gift. Why? Because they don't understand one foundational truth: There are only two types of donors. Seed Donors. Sacrificial Donors. In this episode, Ryan Dobson breaks down the difference between these two groups and how most fundraising strategies fail both. You'll hear powerful personal stories—including a $70-a-month donor who turned into a $60,000 supporter, and a family who gave up boxed cereal to make their monthly gift. Whether it's $17 or $20,000, every donation is a statement of trust—and how you respond determines what happens next. If you've ever wondered why donors disappear after their first gift… this episode is for you.

    17 min

  3. 05/28/2025

    The Most UN-Sexy Topic of All!

    Everyone wants the next big idea to raise more money. But the truth? You're probably ignoring the one thing that will actually take your donor relationships to the next level: your data. In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson exposes why most nonprofits stay stuck in survival mode—and how collecting the right data in your CRM can turn that around fast. With real stories (including a golf tournament game-changer), practical tools, and one unforgettable puppy tale, you'll walk away knowing how to make your CRM your most powerful fundraising ally. Forget gimmicks. Forget flash. It's time to build trust, loyalty, and long-term support—with data. Fundraising is Dead

    24 min

  4. 05/21/2025

    Should You Hire a Celebrity Speaker?

    Big name. Big crowd. Big donations… right? Not always. In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson shares what really happens when you bring in a celebrity speaker—from powerful wins to painful disasters. With nearly 300 events under his belt, Ryan breaks down when a celebrity works, when it backfires, and the three questions you must ask before booking a big name. You'll hear stories of Tim Tebow, Kirk Cameron, and a political guest who nearly tanked an entire donor base. This episode will save your next banquet—and maybe your reputation.

    26 min

  5. 05/15/2025

    How to Talk to Donors Without Asking for Money

    In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson answers one of the most common questions he hears from nonprofit leaders: "If I'm not making an ask… what do I say?" From voicemails to phone calls, note-taking to data collection—Ryan walks through exactly how to build long-term donor relationships without pressure or awkwardness. You'll learn the exact questions to ask, how to leave a message that gets results, and why taking notes is your most underused fundraising tool. Plus, Ryan shares how billionaire friendships and advice from Jerry Seinfeld shaped his strategy for talking to high-capacity donors (without damaging the relationship). In This Episode: Why your first 2-3 donor calls should always go to voicemail How to leave powerful messages that build trust (not fear) What "number questions" are—and why Jerry Seinfeld uses them How to prep before a call to make it personal and effective The donor development power of a good notebook and a quiet pen     🔗 Want to stop chasing donors and start building lasting relationships? Visit FundraisingIsDead.com to download our free Donor Retention Guide and learn how Dobson Philanthropic can help your organization grow.

    18 min

  6. 05/15/2025

    Fundraising is Dead: Stop Pretending Its Not!

    Modern fundraising isn't just struggling—it's broken. In this debut episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson and Troy Van Go expose why the old playbook of desperate asks, endless cold calls, and donor exhaustion no longer works (if it ever did). Ryan and Troy break down the hard data behind donor attrition, shares real-world stories of donor burnout, and introduce a better way forward: relationships built on gratitude, not gimmicks. If you're tired of chasing donors and ready to build something that actually lasts, this is where the new journey begins. 🎯 Learn why 70% of first-time donors never give again 🎯 Hear why the "Big Ask" mentality is killing your future funding 🎯 Discover what real donor development looks like (and how you can start today) Subscribe now—because it's time to stop pretending. Fundraising is dead. Resources Mentioned: Free Donor Retention Guide: FundraisingIsDead.com Connect with us:  Website: FundraisingIsDead.com Instagram: @FundraisingIsDead

    22 min

  7. 04/28/2025

    There Are NO Magic Words

    If you think there's a secret phrase that will unlock donor dollars... think again. In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson tears down one of the biggest myths in nonprofit fundraising: the idea that the right "ask" will magically open wallets. Ryan shares real-world examples—from billion-dollar ministries to personal stories of high-capacity donors—proving that sustainable fundraising isn't about clever words. It's about real relationships, trust, and deep, lasting connections. 🎯 Why direct asks damage high-net-worth relationships 🎯 How Focus on the Family grew without asking donors for money 🎯 Why gratitude and data—not pitches—drive true generosity Ready to stop chasing "magic" and start building something real? This is your roadmap. 📝 Show Notes: In this episode: Why "just ask" is terrible advice for real donor development The story of The Gathering—how $10M a year is raised without a direct ask How to connect with donors without damaging the relationship Real strategies to grow giving without gimmicks or desperation Three simple ways to build support without ever "asking" for money Resources Mentioned: Free Donor Retention Guide: FundraisingIsDead.com Connect with us: Website: FundraisingIsDead.com Instagram: @FundraisingIsDead

    13 min

  8. 04/28/2025

    Stop Thanking Your Donors—It's Costing You Money

    Think you're thanking your donors the right way? Think again. In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson reveals why most nonprofits are losing donors—not because they aren't saying "thank you," but because they're doing it badly. Learn why a weak or transactional thank you drives donors away, and how a heartfelt, strategic thank you can transform casual givers into lifelong champions for your cause. 🎯 The critical difference between "checking the box" and creating connection 🎯 The science behind donor retention—and why proper gratitude changes everything 🎯 Simple steps you can take today to thank donors in a way that grows giving If your budget isn't growing year-over-year, it's not a donor problem—it's a gratitude problem. Find out how to fix it. 📝 Show Notes: In this episode: Why most nonprofits are doing "thank you" wrong How gratitude—not pressure—drives second, third, and lifelong gifts What the research actually says about donor retention Real-world stories of organizations losing (and keeping) high-capacity donors Actionable tips to start mastering donor thank-yous today Resources Mentioned: Free Donor Retention Guide: FundraisingIsDead.com Connect with us: Website: FundraisingIsDead.com Instagram: @FundraisingIsDead

    12 min

  9. 04/28/2025

    The Myth of the "Big Ask"

    "Just ask big!" they say. "Go for the major gift!" In this episode of Fundraising is Dead, Ryan Dobson dismantles one of the most harmful ideas in nonprofit culture: the myth of the "Big Ask." You'll learn why chasing one giant donation isn't a strategy—it's a recipe for burnout, lost trust, and donor fatigue. Ryan shares insider stories from his decades of donor development work (including lessons from Focus on the Family and his own experiences with high-net-worth donors) to reveal what actually grows sustainable funding—and what destroys it. 🎯 Why "asking bigger" usually backfires 🎯 What major donors are REALLY looking for 🎯 How you can grow lifetime support without gimmicks or pressure You don't need bigger asks—you need deeper relationships. Subscribe now and find out how real donor development works. 📝 Show Notes: In this episode: Why the "Big Ask" strategy sounds good—but fails most nonprofits How relationship equity builds bigger gifts naturally—without asking What wealthy donors won't tell you (but Ryan will) Why the best fundraisers act more like friends—and less like salespeople Practical shifts you can make today to move from asks to advocacy Resources Mentioned: Free Donor Retention Guide: FundraisingIsDead.com Connect with us: Website: FundraisingIsDead.com Instagram: @FundraisingIsDead

    9 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Tired of chasing donors, begging for money, or following fundraising formulas that never deliver? Fundraising Is Dead is your antidote. Hosted by Ryan Dobson, author, speaker, and donor development expert who has helped raise hundreds of millions for nonprofits worldwide.This podcast exposes the broken systems that are failing you and replaces them with practical, relationship-driven strategies that actually work. The same ones used to build Focus on the Family a $163M budget. If you're ready for fundraising that feels good, builds trust, and creates sustainable growth, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Dobson
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Fundraising is Dead