The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast

Tammy Zonker

Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker, and I'm thrilled you're here. I've spent nearly three decades specializing in major gifts. I’ve seen how major gifts often form the backbone of an organization’s financial stability, and yet, I know many of us find this area particularly challenging. Time and again, I’ve been approached by fundraisers and nonprofit leaders eager to establish or supercharge their major gift programs. It’s become crystal clear that there’s a growing hunger for training and expertise in this area. I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with nonprofits from all around the world helping organizations collectively raise nearly one billion dollars. During this time, I’ve developed strategies and tools that have consistently helped organizations transition their mid-level donors into major donors through meaningful engagement. It’s a process that, when done consistently, can truly catapult an organization’s major gift fundraising to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned major gift officer looking to refine your approach, a development director aiming to build a powerhouse program, an executive director looking to scale your organization’s capacity for transformational giving, or a board member seeking to understand the transformative potential of major gifts, The Intentional Fundraiser podcast is your source for growth and excellence in major gift fundraising. So, buckle up! We're about to embark on a journey to take your major gift program to the next level – and beyond. Let's get intentional about major gift fundraising! Keep transforming, Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker Fundraising Transformed #ScaleRaiseDo

  1. MAR 24

    Take Back Your Week, Grow Your Major Gifts

    My calendar used to tell on me. I’d get to Friday and realize I’d spent the whole week in meetings, email, and “urgent” internal stuff… while my top donors barely heard from me. Sound familiar? In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I started treating my calendar like a major gift strategy tool, not a suggestion box. I walk through the three time blocks that changed everything for me, how to negotiate donor-first time with your boss and peers, and where AI can act like a junior assistant so you can focus on real donor relationships, not admin. What might change in your revenue and your sanity if you reclaimed just six focused donor hours each week? Listen to “Take Back Your Week, Grow Your Major Gifts” and share it with your team, your executive director, and your board. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

    21 min
  2. MAR 17

    From Mid-Level to Major: Mapping the Journey

    Your next major donor might already be giving I’ve seen so many mid-level donors quietly reading emails, showing up at events, and faithfully giving year after year, without ever being invited into a deeper conversation. When we finally slow down, notice their behavior, and map a simple journey from “thank you” to “tell me what matters most to you,” everything starts to change. Gifts grow, trust deepens, and fundraising feels more relational and less transactional. What if your best future major donor is already in your mid-level file, just waiting to be seen a little more personally? In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I talk about “From Mid-Level to Major: Mapping the Journey” and share practical steps you can take with your own donors Listen to the episode and share it with your team, your executive director, or a board member who cares about growing major gifts in a more intentional way. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

    20 min
  3. MAR 10

    Corporate Giving as a Major Gifts Lever

    When one question unlocks three streams of giving In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share the story of a longtime donor whose impact multiplied once we connected his personal philanthropy with his role as a corporate leader. We walk through practical ways to spot those “blended” opportunities, bring corporate options into donor conversations without feeling salesy, and use AI to uncover hidden corporate influence in your portfolio. Are you leaving corporate partnership potential sitting quietly inside your major gift file right now? Listen to this episode of “Corporate Giving as a Major Gifts Lever” and share it with your team, your executive director, and your board. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

    23 min
  4. MAR 3

    Next-Gen Major Donors and the New Rules of Engagement

    The biggest donors aren’t “the future” anymore. They’re already here. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share what I’m seeing as younger, women, and values‑driven donors rewrite the rules of major giving. From shorter cultivation cycles to co‑designing impact and bringing families and circles into the conversation, I walk you through real stories and practical moves you can start testing right away. If donors want speed, transparency, and a true voice at the table, what needs to change first in your approach 🎧 Listen to this episode and share it with a colleague, your executive director, or a board member who needs to hear this conversation. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Guest: Name, Title, Company Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

    24 min
  5. FEB 18

    Making Your Major Gift Portfolio Shock-Resistant

    One donor should never control your budget. In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share a story of a strong organization that felt “safe” until one major donor hit pause and everything started to wobble. We walk through how to map your top 20 donors, spot concentration risk, and start multi‑year commitment conversations that make your portfolio far more shock‑resistant. How exposed are you to one donor’s decision right now? Listen to this episode and share it with your team, your executive leader, or your board so you can strengthen your portfolio together. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Major Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Guest: Name, Title, Company Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode. Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

    23 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker, and I'm thrilled you're here. I've spent nearly three decades specializing in major gifts. I’ve seen how major gifts often form the backbone of an organization’s financial stability, and yet, I know many of us find this area particularly challenging. Time and again, I’ve been approached by fundraisers and nonprofit leaders eager to establish or supercharge their major gift programs. It’s become crystal clear that there’s a growing hunger for training and expertise in this area. I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with nonprofits from all around the world helping organizations collectively raise nearly one billion dollars. During this time, I’ve developed strategies and tools that have consistently helped organizations transition their mid-level donors into major donors through meaningful engagement. It’s a process that, when done consistently, can truly catapult an organization’s major gift fundraising to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned major gift officer looking to refine your approach, a development director aiming to build a powerhouse program, an executive director looking to scale your organization’s capacity for transformational giving, or a board member seeking to understand the transformative potential of major gifts, The Intentional Fundraiser podcast is your source for growth and excellence in major gift fundraising. So, buckle up! We're about to embark on a journey to take your major gift program to the next level – and beyond. Let's get intentional about major gift fundraising! Keep transforming, Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker Fundraising Transformed #ScaleRaiseDo

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