Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Brad Layland is joined by Jamie Sellers in his annual Year End Appeals episode. In this episode, he evaluates the year-end appeals he received last year. We learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of this facet of fund raising as well as some thoughts about target audience and follow up.

www.thefocusgroup.com

In this conversation, Brad and Patrick McDonald discuss the founding and mission of OpenWell, an organization dedicated to supporting mission entrepreneurs. Patrick shares his journey from founding Viva, an organization that helps children in Latin America, to creating OpenWell, which focuses on empowering others to succeed in their mission work. They explore the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative funding models, and the potential for revival in Europe through collaborative efforts. Patrick emphasizes the need for a shift in how philanthropy is approached, advocating for a model that aligns resources with specific mission imperatives.

Recommended Book:
The Cloud, The Night, The Fire and the Song: With the Mystics in the School of Prayer
by Charlie Cleverly

Link:
https://openwell.co/

 

What can God do with seven students, four families, and a church basement? A whole lot.

Head of School Courtney Palumbo shares how Regent School of Charlottesville grew from a one-room start to a 280-student campus—with significant moments along the way, including a miraculous 20-acre land acquisition and a $600,000 donation that started with a box of paper. 

Website: https://regents-school.org

Book Recommendations:
Boys Adrift, by Leonard Sax
Values Over Valuables: Daring to Live the Life Money Can't Buy, by Harmon Kong

 

In this episode, Brad Layland interviews Steve Atkinson, CEO of The Bible Project, discussing the organization's mission to help people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. They explore Steve's journey from business to nonprofit leadership, the philosophy of generosity, and the innovative crowdfunding model that supports The Bible Project's mission. The conversation highlights the impact of the organization and the importance of community engagement in their work. In this conversation, Brad and Steve discuss the unique approach of the Bible Project, emphasizing the importance of running at the speed of generosity, the impact of community and patronage, and the transformative stories that arise from their work. They explore the balance between numbers and personal stories, the vision for future growth, and the role of education in their mission. The discussion highlights the freedom that comes from trusting in a higher purpose and the importance of inviting others into a shared journey of faith and generosity.

https://bibleproject.com/

Where Heaven and Earth Overlap

Russ Gregg joins us to share the transformative journey of founding Hope Academy, a classical Christian school in Minneapolis that serves children living in poverty. Russ shares his personal story of faith and commitment to education, detailing the challenges faced in starting the school and the miraculous ways God provided resources and support. The discussion also covers the establishment of the Spreading Hope Network, which aims to replicate the success of Hope Academy in other cities, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the need for both founders and funders in educational initiatives.

Book: Gospel Patrons, by John Rienhart

https://spreadinghopenetwork.org/

https://www.hopeacademympls.org/

 

Bryan Bademan didn't set out with a grand vision for Anselm House. When he joined the Christian study center at the University of Minnesota over 15 years ago, the ministry was struggling. It took five challenging years of dedicated effort just to achieve financial stability. However, as Bryan often notes, "God really loves the students and community at this university." This love has been demonstrated through significant changes, including a renewed vision, a strategic relocation to the heart of the main campus in Minneapolis, and increased resources. Listen to our conversation to hear about this journey and how these developments have positioned Anselm House to become a leading force within the broader Christian study center movement. 

Important Book
From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age, by Monsignor James P. Shea 

Website
https://anselmhouse.org/

 

In this conversation, Brad and Scott Brown discuss the mission and impact of Globe International, a unique mission-sending agency that empowers missionaries to pursue their individual callings. Scott shares his personal journey with Globe, the challenges faced in fundraising, and the transformative role of The FOCUS Group in enhancing their development efforts. They highlight success stories from missionaries who have benefited from the "Taking Donor Seriously" model and discuss the future vision for Globe, including new training initiatives and courses. The conversation concludes with Scott sharing his love for books and his own writing endeavors.

Globe International
https://globeintl.org/

Taking Donors Seriously
https://takingdonorsseriously.com/

Books
Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story, by Scott Brown
Baseball in Pensacola: America's Pastime & the City of Five Flags, By Scott Brown
You Can Work Your Own Miracles, by Napoleon Hill
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears, by Mark Batterson
Empower Your Nonprofit: Simple Ways to Co-Create with AI for Profound Impact, by Amy Neumann

In this conversation, Brad interviews Nick Stumbo and John Begeman from Pure Desire Ministries, discussing their mission to help individuals overcome sexual addiction and the importance of community in healing. They share personal stories of struggle and recovery, emphasizing the need for churches to address sexual issues openly. The discussion also covers fundraising challenges, the growth of Pure Desire, and the impact of their counseling programs. The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability, donor engagement, and the vision for changing church culture around sexual health.

Pure Desire: Helping People Break Free from Sexual Struggles by Ted Roberts

https://puredesire.org/

Resources: Weekly podcast, stories of healing, Unwanted by Jay Stringer, 7 Pillars of Freedom workbook.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pure Desire Ministries 02:05 Nick Stumbo's Journey and Role 05:11 John Begeman's Background and Connection 06:43 The Importance of Vulnerability in Healing 09:45 Changing Church Culture Around Sexuality 14:16 Vision for the Future of Pure Desire 17:06 Challenges in Fundraising and Donor Relationships 22:52 Funding and Impact of Pure Desire 28:06 Counseling and Support for Leaders 32:02 Strategic Growth and Capital Campaigns 38:25 Lessons in Fundraising and Donor Engagement 44:20 Resources for Healing and Growth

In this episode, Brad sits down with John Hudson, the founder of 100 Fold Studio, a nonprofit international architecture firm based in Montana that serves both the spiritual and physical needs of communities worldwide. John shares how 100 Fold uniquely blends architecture with vocational discipleship—designing for ministries while equipping the next generation of architects to use their skills for God's kingdom.

John's journey is one of faith, resilience, and obedience to a calling greater than himself. From his early influences in architecture, including his grandmother's legacy, to a life-changing moment in a remote village, John recounts how God led him to create 100 Fold Studio. He also shares the trials that shaped his path—losing a home, facing setbacks, and ultimately trusting God's plan.

As the conversation unfolds, John and Brad discuss the remarkable success of 100 Fold's recent capital campaign, surpassing its $4 million goal ten months early! John reflects on the overwhelming generosity, divine provision, and the lessons he's learned through the process of fundraising for ministry growth.

Whether you're in ministry, business, or simply seeking encouragement in following your own calling, this episode is a powerful testament to the faithfulness of God and the impact of saying "yes" to His plan.

100 Fold Website: https://100foldstudio.org/

Books important to John:

"Radical" by David Platt
"Undaunted Courage" by Meriwether Lewis
"The Pastor" by Eugene Peterson

 

Learning about Water Street Mission's decade-long transformation to become a place that physically demonstrates the love of Christ–especially to those experiencing homelessness–would be a great story. The bonus is that, in this podcast, you will also get to know Jack Crowley who has been serving with the organization over 30 years and now serves as its president. His reflection on their strategic planning process? "I didn't want it to be Jack's strategic plan, and I knew there was a possibility of manipulating the process for that to happen. I wanted to respect the work God is doing at Water Street Mission and make sure we discerned His strategic plan for this organization." I call that a dose of radical honesty. 

Water Street Mission website: https://wsm.org/