The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

The Fundraising Elevator Podcast
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  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Fundraising Elevator: where we’re all headed up. Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele are using their decades of fundraising, event strategy and storytelling experience to help you change the world at your next event. Listen to conversations with industry leaders for insights and tools you can use to connect more people to your mission. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

  1. Episode #110 | Philanthropic Economic Update with Deborah Steinkopf + Anthony Petchel

    4D AGO

    Episode #110 | Philanthropic Economic Update with Deborah Steinkopf + Anthony Petchel

    In this timely and wide-ranging conversation with Deborah Steinkopf and Anthony Petchel, co-founders of the Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy, we take stock of the 2026 philanthropic landscape. With decades of nonprofit leadership experience between them, Deborah and Anthony paint a picture defined by one word: uncertainty. From federal funding being clawed back across human services to an economy widening the gap between everyday donors and the ultra-wealthy, nonprofits are facing a reckoning. Yet the guests find reason for hope: total giving is still rising, Giving Tuesday saw a surge in volunteerism and advocacy, and the sector's long-standing capacity to adapt and do more with less may be exactly the muscle the moment demands. The conversation gets actionable fast, diving into the explosive growth of Donor Advised Funds, the impact of shifting tax policy on giving behavior, and what the donor retention rate in the U.S. reveals about where nonprofits are leaving relationships and money on the table. Deborah and Anthony challenge leaders to move beyond crisis mode and into strategic thinking: building belonging with donors, embracing collaboration and even mergers, and treating stewardship not as a nice-to-have but as the core of a sustainable funding model.  Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-financial-leadership-academy/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Nonprofit Financial Leadership Academy: https://www.npfla.com/ Use Code Elevator 2026 for 20% Off Your Registration Giving USA: https://givingusa.org/ DAFpay: https://www.dafpay.com/ National Council of Nonprofits: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/ AFP Reports: https://afpglobal.org/research-reports/reports

    1h 27m
  2. Episode #109 | Community-Centric Events with Nel Taylor

    MAR 4

    Episode #109 | Community-Centric Events with Nel Taylor

    In this episode, Nel Taylor—organizational equity strategist and ethical fundraising expert—explores what it truly means to host a community-centric event. They unpack how traditional gala models have long centered exclusivity, social status, and a narrow definition of donor value, and how shifting to a community-centric framework means rethinking everything from ticket pricing and venue selection to seating arrangements, childcare stipends, and who gets honored on stage. Nel walks listeners through a compelling real-world case study, sharing the creative, budget-conscious decisions that made it a standout success, including sliding scale tickets, honorariums for community storytellers, and a paddle raise that went to an $18 giving level. The conversation also dives into practical tools for expanding accessibility, and aspirational budgeting practices that start with generosity first and work backward. Nel leaves listeners with a powerful guiding principle: always ask yourself what the most generous thing you can do is, and then figure out how to make it work. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Nel Taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nel-taylor/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Nel Taylor: https://www.nowthisconsulting.com/ Free Fundraising Equity Lens Guide: https://www.nowthisconsulting.com/lens SyncWords: https://www.syncwords.com/

    1h 15m
  3. Episode #108 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through Learning Together with Samantha Swaim + Kristin Steele

    FEB 25

    Episode #108 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through Learning Together with Samantha Swaim + Kristin Steele

    In this episode hosts Sam and Kristin continue their exploration of Dr. Paul Zak's SIRTA framework, drawn from his book Immersion, and how it can be applied to nonprofit learning events and conferences. The hosts use their upcoming Elevate Conference as a case study to walk through each element. From pre-event communications and name tags to scripted transitions and a diverse mix of session formats, they illustrate how thoughtful event design removes friction, calms the brain, and primes attendees to absorb and act on new information. The conversation builds on the most overlooked element of any gathering: the action. Whether it’s a donation ask, a sign-up, a Q+A, or simply a clear directive for what attendees should do next, every event needs a call to action. It gives the brain the resolution and satisfaction it's been building toward. The hosts close with a broader rallying cry: in a moment of uncertainty and social strain, gathering people together around a shared mission is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have.  Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Paul Zak TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk

    1 hr
  4. Episode #107 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through Transit with Coach Sam Balto

    FEB 18

    Episode #107 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through Transit with Coach Sam Balto

    Coach Sam Balto, executive director and co-founder of Bike Bus World, shares how a simple weekly gathering transformed into a global movement. Bike Bus is an organized group bike ride where students cycle to school together with adult chaperones, creating safety in numbers while building community, independence, and joy. What started with a few kids in Portland has grown and inspired bike buses worldwide. The rides provide essential physical activity before school, improve focus and social skills, reduce traffic, and create magical moments of connection between kids, parents, teachers, and neighbors. The movement has captured global attention through viral social media, attracting celebrities including Justin Timberlake and Benson Boone, plus a Netflix Stranger Things collaboration. Now a nonprofit supporting over 300 bike bus leaders worldwide, Bike Bus World demonstrates how a simple idea executed with joy and commitment can build movement. Coach Balto's message: "You don't need to ask for permission to do good things.” Sometimes meaningful change just requires showing up and riding together. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Coach Balto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbalto/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Portland Bike Bus on NBC Nightly News: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/oregon-school-s-unique-way-of-getting-students-to-class-a-bike-bus-150514245826 Connect with Coach Balto: https://www.instagram.com/coachbalto/ Connect with Bike Bus World: https://bikebus.world/

    42 min
  5. Episode #106 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through a Concert Series with Kat Topaz + Jim Abeles

    FEB 11

    Episode #106 | The Neuroscience of Connection Through a Concert Series with Kat Topaz + Jim Abeles

    In this episode Kat Topaz and Jim Abeles, owners of Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island near Portland join us. They share their unexpected journey from tech and marketing careers to becoming regenerative farmers. What began as a search for a place to moor their tugboat transformed into a 130-acre farm centered on community connection and sustainable agriculture. They describe how neighboring farmers generously supported them through their first challenging seasons, and how they quickly realized their mission extended beyond farming to creating meaningful gathering spaces where people could reconnect and find community. The conversation explores how they built Topaz Farm into a beloved community hub through intentional design and storytelling. From meticulously creating the perfect concert lawn to hosting farm-to-table dinners under a 500-year-old oak tree, every detail reflects their commitment to helping guests be present. The episode also covers their viral advocacy moment when proposed regulations threatened small farms—their heartfelt video mobilized thousands. Kat and Jim offer wisdom for nonprofits about gathering, emphasizing that the best events leave space for organic connection rather than over-programming, and that creating quality environments where people can simply be together is often more transformative than any planned activity. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Jim Abeles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeles/   Kat Topaz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kattopaz/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Topaz Farm: https://topazfarm.com/ Topaz Farm Video That Went Viral: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYhkfmBW0D/

    1h 49m
  6. Episode #105 | The Neuroscience of Connection to Transform Your Fundraising Event with Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim

    FEB 4

    Episode #105 | The Neuroscience of Connection to Transform Your Fundraising Event with Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim

    In this special episode hosts Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele dive deep into Dr. Paul Zak's powerful SIRTA framework from his book Immersion. They break down how organizations can apply brain science to create truly transformational fundraising events. Drawing from research into what motivates people to act, the SIRTA acronym stands for Staging, Immersion, Relevance, Target, and Action. These five critical elements work together to help guests feel psychologically safe, emotionally engaged, and empowered to participate meaningfully in your mission. The episode provides practical, actionable guidance for each component. In our current "connection recession," where loneliness and isolation are an epidemic, intentional gatherings aren't just fundraising tools, they're pathways to building connections that make exponential impact possible. This framework offers nonprofit leaders a research-backed approach to move beyond transactional galas toward transformational events that leave guests feeling genuinely satisfied and eager to share their experience. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk

    30 min
  7. Episode #104 | A Stewardship Roundtable with The Cause Catalyst

    JAN 28

    Episode #104 | A Stewardship Roundtable with The Cause Catalyst

    In this episode the team from The Catalyst Co.—Erica Soto, Veronica Kim, and Amie Echeverria—demystify one of fundraising's most critical yet misunderstood practices: donor stewardship. True stewardship is about caring for donors in thoughtful, intentional ways that build genuine relationships over time. The team shares that many lapsed donors were never properly acknowledged or asked to give again—evidence that basic stewardship failures, not donor fatigue, are often behind lost relationships. True stewardship can create belonging and transform transactional giving into community partnership. We explore practical systems that make consistent stewardship sustainable rather than overwhelming. The team emphasizes starting with a clear assessment of your organization's current reality—examining donor data, communication flows, and team capacity before building ambitious plans. They introduce essential tools including gift entry flows, giving tables for segmenting donors, stewardship calendars for planning touchpoints, and their Donor Love Audit. The message is clear: effective stewardship doesn't require perfection or expensive gestures—it requires human connection, consistent rhythm, and clean systems that free fundraisers to focus on relationships rather than drowning in administrative chaos. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   The Cause Catalyst Co. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cause-catalyst-co   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with The Cause Catalyst Co.: https://www.thecausecatalystco.com/ Free Tools + Templates from The Cause Catalyst Co.: https://www.thecausecatalystco.com/resources The Fundraising Elevator Podcast with Erica Soto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRc45VbitSs The Stewardship Intensive Part 1: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/webinar-day-1-the-stewardship-intensive The Stewardship Intensive Part 2: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/webinar-day-2-the-stewardship-intensive Connect with Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Connect with DonorDock: https://www.donordock.com/ Connect with Little Green Light: https://www.littlegreenlight.com/   | TRAINING OPPORTUNITY | Looking to dive into Donor Stewardship? The Stewardship Reset Series with Cause Catalyst kicks of January 27th. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2kWYBYlzT-ipLgQEMOiosg#/registration

    1h 29m
  8. Episode #103 | Unlocking Donor Advised Funds with Chariot's Mitch Stein

    JAN 21

    Episode #103 | Unlocking Donor Advised Funds with Chariot's Mitch Stein

    In this episode we explore donor-advised funds (DAFs) with Mitch Stein, head of strategy at Chariot. Mitch explains how DAFs work as tax-advantaged accounts where donors commit funds irrevocably to charity. He challenges the notion that DAFs hoard money, noting they actually encourage more generous giving, with donors increasing their gift sizes by an average of 10 times once they start using DAFs. We also look at practical solutions through Chariot's DAFpay technology, which integrates directly into donation platforms to allow instant gift completion. Traditional DAF processes can create friction at fundraising events, sometimes resulting in losses from unfulfilled pledges. Mitch’s key advice is for nonprofits to educate their teams and incorporate DAF language into all communications. Tune in to get the full rundown on DAFs and how you can powerfully integrate them into your fundraising. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Mitch Stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-stein/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Chariot: https://www.givechariot.com/#newsletter Connect with Mitch Stein: mitch@givechariot.com Get the DAF Fundraising Report: https://www.givechariot.com/daf-fundraising-report Connect with DAFpay: https://www.dafpay.com/ DAF Day: https://www.dafday.com/ Daffy: https://www.daffy.org/ Charityvest: https://www.charityvest.org/

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About

The Fundraising Elevator: where we’re all headed up. Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele are using their decades of fundraising, event strategy and storytelling experience to help you change the world at your next event. Listen to conversations with industry leaders for insights and tools you can use to connect more people to your mission. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The Fundraising Elevator Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Fundraising Elevator Podcast