When I first learned about Medical Ambassadors International, the scale of their ministry relative to their budget seemed so crazy that it was almost too good to be true. In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, the current President, to explore this incredible Christ-centered, grassroots organization. Their holistic approach beautifully intertwines physical and spiritual care, creating lasting change in communities. We’ll also discuss their recent capital campaign, which has dramatically transformed their work.

Medical Ambassadors International has 231 staff members in 76 countries and utilize a robust number of volunteers. They combine medical help with the gospel's good news, impacting 3,007 communities and 3.4 million people! 

Website: https://www.medicalambassadors.org/

Healing Lives Magazine: https://www.medicalambassadors.org/publications/

Ravi’s book list:

"Best Things in the Worst Times: An Insider’s View of World Vision” by Graeme Irvine

Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Rise from Janitor to Top Executive Hardcover – by Richard Montanez

Subversive Jesus: An Adventure in Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness in a Broken World by Craig Warren Greenfield

Transforming Worldviews: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change by Paul G. Hiebert

Playing two truths and a lie with Trinidad-born Dr. Wintley Phipps would be tricky. It’s hard to fathom the number of famous people whose paths he has crossed—whether singing for Mother Theresa or for one of six different U.S. Presidents, or at Diana Ross’s wedding, or a divine appointment with a young and not-yet-famous Oprah Winfrey. However, one such “chance” meeting on an Amtrak commute with Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship founder, eventually led to his passion for youth and the founding of the U.S. Dream Academy. Dr. Phipps entreats us to consider, “Imagine how much greater America would be today if we invested in character building for the kids who need it most?”

https://www.usdreamacademy.org/

Dr. Calvin Troup, President of Geneva College opens up about his personal journey into higher ed and shares invaluable insights he's gleaned along the way that will benefit any fundraising professional. Delve into Geneva College's strategic planning process, feasibility studies and pivotal elements in their successful capital campaign. But beyond strategies, discover the profound significance of fostering real relationships and pursuing transparency throughout the fundraising process.

Mentioned in the podcast:

A Spirituality of Fundraising: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series

by Henri J. M. Nouwen and John S. Mogabgab

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

Confronts Controversial Topics Including Sexuality, Faith, Feminism, Gender Roles, and Modesty

by Rosaria Butterfield and Kevin DeYoung

The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes

by Nancy R. Pearcey

“Meditation on the Third Commandment” by C.S. Lewis (Found in the book "God in the Dock")

Here’s the story of Ben Homan, President of Langham Partnership US, finishing his 14-year career with them. When it comes to fundraising, Brad says, “Follow Ben!” He has had a remarkable ministry as a leader and has seen the ministry multiply three times over this past capital campaign. He has used strategic planning, feasibility studies, capital campaigns, and team training in his fund-raising efforts. Perhaps the more important thing is how Ben sees his work with donors as a ministry. How he cares about them and cares for them. Not to mention the excellent fruit in the work of the Kingdom by Langham Partnership.

Ben mentions the book, “A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West” from his reading list.

Listen to Beth Greco explain to Brad how she became the President and CEO of the Hoving Home, what has happened along the way, and how she manages to get the work done.

Brad Layland interviews Dave Owens, Executive Director of the Harbor Network. Learn about this church planting network and how Dave carries out his fundraising to help it all happen.

What do Punta Gorda, Florida, Australia, and Macedonia have in common? Brooke Filipovski! This remarkable young woman has raised support and ministered to young people in some interesting places. Enjoy her story!

Brad Layland interviews Tom Lin, the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 2016.

Brad Layland interviews David Brickner of Jews For Jesus.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Dan Kennedy discuss year-end appeals, the good the bad, and the ugly.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and John Ranheim discuss major gifts, why they're given and why you should be encouraged!

Welcome special guest Jon Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Chief Development Officer at Intervarsity.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Jon Eisenberg discuss their first exposures to fundraising for ministry and how it has led them to the national campaigns they lead today.

Dr. Felix Theonugraha, President of Western Theological Seminary shares how he sees fundraising as a way to minister to and care for his donor partners. As many seminaries are struggling, Western, instead is leaning into their distinctives such as focus on mental health and Hispanic ministry. Part of their current capital campaign is raising funding to further innovative initiatives including ministry to those with disabilities and a center for Christian imagination.

https://www.westernsem.edu/

A podcast a year in the making! Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad summarizes, critiques, and praises the End of Year Appeals he received last year. 

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast, Brad and Max Layland discuss "A Portrait of a Graduate", why they matter and which nonprofits do them best.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast, Brad Layland and Ted Rodgers talk through a case study of improper estate planning.

Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast.

Today, Brad Layland discusses a common mistake many organizations make when contacting their donors. 

Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast.

Today, Brad Layland and special guest Dr. Scott Rodin walk through the 5 handy ways to make sure your giving partners are blessed.

Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast.

Today, Brad Layland and special guest Tom MacAdam talk about their approaches to fundraising. Turns out, it's not as scary as it seems!

Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast.

How focused is your fundraising? Today, Brad and Max Layland discuss the importance of intentional, focused planning in both fundraising and life.

Welcome back to the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast.

Today, Brad Layland and special guest Jamie Sellers talk fishing, funding, and financing. If either fish or fundraising strike your fancy we've got a great episode lined up for you!

Welcome to another episode of the Taking Donors Seriously podcast.

Today, Brad is joined by Ame Eldredge to discuss the function and benefits of a well made case.

Ted Rodgers joins us on The TDS Podcast to share his wisdom on the role of boards in fundraising. 

Ray Keen exudes wisdom and compassion. He’s a veteran CEO of The Canby Center, a wrap-around care ministry to youth and families in a small town in Oregon. Even as a growing organization–they are currently finishing up a $10 million campaign to expand their facilities and services– they seek to emphasize dignity and learning for everyone they serve. Advice to his younger self? "Get to know the Lord, yourself, and those you serve."

The Canby Center: thecanbycenter.org

Book List:
Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer
Giving it all away... and getting it back again, by David Green
The 6 Types of Working Genius, by Patrick Lencioni
Atomic Habits, by James Clear

The FOCUS Group Podcast returns! Today, Brad and Max Layland talk through 7 tips to enhance your mission using Zoom. 

In this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss how best to raise money and spirits in these scary times. Stay safe everyone; you can do this!

On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max praise the Waffle House's perfect efficiency and explore how these same practices can be used in our fundraising projects. But mainly we talk about how good the Waffle House is.

On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad speaks to the future value of ministries while Max raises charges of blasphemy.

On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss the varying roles each person involved in fundraising must play... They also talk about ants.

On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad speaks to the frustration many fundraisers experience in their work and how best to circumvent it.

On this episode of the TDS Podcast Brad and Max discuss the challenges of running races in Kenya and fundraising.

(Please note that we at The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast are not qualified zoologists and, as such, any and all advice pertaining to dangerous African wildlife should be taken with a grain of salt.)

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad responds his most frequently asked question: "How do I find new donors." The answer may surprise you!

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad and Max discuss the power of vision to inspire donors and how this can be utilized.

Link to Max's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSMau6OT5JI5HoAwr2B9C-w/featured?disable_polymer=1

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad illustrates what salad dressing can teach us all about fundraising. I promise this is not a joke.

Chuck Hagele, CEO of Project Patch, is no stranger to darkness. The ministry he leads provides therapeutic residential programs for teens struggling with severe depression, anxiety and other acute challenges. Through fundraising, they strive to say "Yes" to kids needing treatment even if finances are a barrier. Chuck discusses the difficulties of learning his role, including transitioning leadership from the founder (who also happens to be his father-in-law.)

Some helpful books he is reading are:

Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Dr. Lisa Demore

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad and Max Layland discuss the benefits of donor based fundraising. A Mercedes may or may not be one of them.

What can we learn about fundraising from a Dyson vacuum?

More then you may think.

As the New Year arrives, it seems like people everywhere are feeling reflective and talking about their goals, resolving that this year will be a turning point. In light of that atmosphere, today I want to share a
few resolutions I have for myself. They are not new. Actually, I have the same resolutions every year! For the last fifteen years or so, I have had four simple disciplines that I do every morning. These four things are really the only things I need to accomplish each day – and honestly, if I do these four things, nothing else really matters.

On this episode Brad Layland, CEO of the FOCUS Group, shares about the importance of incorporating vision into an effective Case Statement.

Brad Laylland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. shares the information you need in a step-by-step system if your thinking of a capital campaign.  

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. covers the good, the bad and the ugly year end appeals that he received at the end of the year and how to use end of the year appeals most effectively.

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. helps you understand some of the deeper reasons why people give and how you can change their lives.

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, Inc. shares the two most important rules of fundraising. Follow these two principles and increase your effectiveness with relational, sustainable fundraising.

Brad Layland, CEO of the FOCUS Group, Inc. discusses the best to raise money and how to go about it.

Brad Layland discusses the downside of events and how to best use events to further your cause in ways that really work. 

Mandy's book is: Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life

https://www.themom.co/home

She has recently enjoyed reading:

Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday

Running with Sherman: How a Rescue Donkey Inspired a Rag-tag Gang of Runners to Enter the Craziest Race in America by Christopher McDougall

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, discusses how to use the principle of "A few do a lot and a lot do a little" to fundraise.

Brad Layland and Ame See review and update to modern times a list of ten 1891 principles of fundraising and provide the four key basics of a successful meeting.

Brad Layland and Ame See discuss how you go about raising funds through relationships.

Brad Layland and Ame See answer questions from fundraisers needing advice.