Explore every episode of the podcast The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human-Centered Major Gifts | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:20:44 | |
A donor rode a city bus at 6:15 a.m. He hadn't been on one since college. The woman next to him had lived in that neighborhood for forty years. She was about to change his $250,000 gift. They were riding the route families take to the local food pantry. One hour and ten minutes. One transfer. And when they arrived, the doors didn't open until ten. He looked at his watch and said, "Nobody who works a morning shift can do this." She smiled. "That's what we've been trying to tell you." He and his wife had offered a gift to expand the warehouse. Instead of saying yes on the spot, the executive director invited them to sit at a table with other donors and five paid neighborhood residents to decide together. The table chose a mobile market along bus routes and evening hours. The donors? They turned their gift into a multi-year commitment. That's what this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser is about: "Human-Centered Major Gifts." We talk about:
🎧 Listen to this episode, then share it with a colleague, an ED, or a board member who's ready to fundraise with, not for. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Thinking Global: Cross-Border Major Gifts | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:22:20 | |
A 6:45 a.m. call from London. A donor wanted to give $1.5 million to the children's hospital that saved her little brother. Her gift officer was thrilled. Thirty seconds later, she was terrified. Because the donor was a US citizen living in London. Her husband was British. The money was in pounds. Their business had accounts in two countries. Who gets the tax benefit? Which account does the money come from? What if the exchange rate moves? Here's what I love. She didn't pretend to have the answers. She said, "I want to get this right for you. Can I ask a few questions, then bring in our finance team and your advisors?" Two months later, the gift was structured in a way that worked for everyone. Every payment arrived on time. That's what this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast is all about: "Thinking Global: Cross-Border Major Gifts." I talk about:
Listen at or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with a colleague or board member who should hear it too. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Bringing Relationships Back from the Brink | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:20:26 | |
Her mother's name was spelled wrong. It was on the plaque. On dedication day. In front of her grandkids. The mistake didn't end the relationship. What came next almost did. The clinic took six weeks to fix it. Nobody called. The apology email said, "We apologize for any inconvenience." The family went silent for a year. Then a new major gift officer picked up the phone. She named what happened. She said she was sorry. She asked to hear about the donor's mom. Forty-five minutes later, the door was open again. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, "Bringing Relationships Back from the Brink," I share:
So let me ask you: What's one apology your organization owes a donor right now? 🎧 Listen to this episode, then share it with a colleague who's been carrying a donor relationship they're nervous to touch. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:22:29 | |
My worst December as a fundraiser? I spent it chasing a stock transfer with no name on it. My plan had been "we'll get serious after the gala." The gala ended in mid-November. You can guess how that year went. Here's what I learned the hard way. December isn't where year-end is won. It's where you find out how well you planned in October. And year-end 2026 raises the stakes. New tax rules. Donors who "bunched" their giving into last year. Complex gifts that need more lead time than ever. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, "Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts," I walk through:
Give it a listen this week, then share it with a colleague who's heading into Q4 with a long list and a short runway. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Impact Reporting That Deepens Commitment | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:20:00 | |
One page changed everything. A donor said it was the first report she'd ever kept. Two years later, she made the largest gift in the organization's history. It wasn't a glossy annual report. No pie charts. No forty pages. Just one number she cared about, one note from a teacher, and one honest line about what the team was learning. The difference? Her development director asked her what success looked like before she made the gift. That's what this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser is all about. I talk about:
Listen to "Impact Reporting That Deepens Commitment" and share it with a colleague who's rethinking donor reporting. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Today’s Gifts, Tomorrow’s Legacy | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:22:45 | |
One question. A lasting legacy. Andrea almost didn't ask it. She was afraid it would muddy her donor's renewal. Her donor, Walter, had given faithfully for eleven years. He was about to renew his major gift. And he kept asking one thing: "Will this program still be here someday?" Andrea realized Walter was already having the legacy conversation. She just hadn't joined it yet. So she asked: "What would you want this program to look like twenty years from now?" That question led to a renewed and increased gift, and a legacy commitment to sustain the program for years to come. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, "Today's Gifts, Tomorrow's Legacy," I share:
Here's what I'm wondering What's holding you back from raising legacy giving with your major donors? Listen to this episode, then share it with a colleague or board member who cares about your mission's future. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Calming the Waters: Supporting Anxious Donors | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:19:03 | |
He went quiet for two months. She thought she'd blown the ask. She hadn't. The donor had watched his business take a hit, watched the news every night, and frozen. He wasn't saying no to her $250,000 proposal. He was saying he didn't know how to say yes to anything right now. Here's what she finally did. She sent a note that had nothing to do with the gift. She just asked how he was thinking about the year ahead. He called at 8:15 the next morning and talked for forty minutes. About his company. His kids. How unsure everything felt. She didn't re-pitch. She asked one question near the end: what would make a commitment feel manageable for you right now? Five years instead of three, he said. And a conversation each January. He signed for $300,000. The gift got bigger because the risk got smaller. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm walking you through the emotional layer of giving in 2026, the four conversational moves I use with anxious donors, and five gift structures that help people feel safe saying yes to something big. Here's my question for you. When a donor hesitates, is your first instinct to shrink the number or to shrink the risk? Listen to the episode, then share it with someone on your team who has an anxious donor conversation coming up this week. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Growing the Next Wave of Major Gift Talent | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:17:39 | |
She gave me four minutes. It changed my career. Almost thirty years ago, I had a donor meeting with a man who genuinely intimidated me. My development director stopped by my desk and asked what I planned to ask him. I recited my agenda. She listened, then said, "That's fine. But what do you really want to know about him?" I said I wanted to know why he kept giving to us when he clearly didn't need us. She said, "Ask him that." He talked for twenty minutes about his mother, a scholarship, and a debt he'd been paying back for forty years. He made our largest gift that year. Four minutes at my desk. No budget. No program. No conference. That's the whole thing I want us to understand about developing the next generation of major gift fundraisers. We keep trying to hire our way out of what is really a coaching problem. If someone on your team told a story like that about you ten years from now, what would they say you did? This week on The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I walk through what's different about the fundraisers coming up now, the four competencies they need, five coaching moves that cost nothing, and what it quietly costs your donors when you skip all of it. Give it a listen, then share it with a manager who's carrying a team and wondering why hiring hasn't fixed it. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| When Clicks Meet Conversations: Digital and Major Gifts | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:19:09 | |
The lobby test. Your website is the lobby of your building. It never closes the gift. But it absolutely sets the tone for everything that happens around it. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell the story of a six-figure donor who tried to give on her phone in December, gave up three screens in, and mailed a check instead. The gift still came. The dashboard still looked healthy. And a loyal donor quietly filed away one piece of information about the organization she loves: this is harder than it should be. We talk about why digital shapes what your largest donors believe about you, even the ones you have lunch with. The four elements that matter most to a donor giving at the top of your file. And the digital behavior signals sitting in your data right now that point toward your next major gift conversation. Then I give you a twenty-minute audit you can run before your next staff meeting. Here's my question for you: if a financial advisor researched your organization tomorrow, what one sentence would they report back to your donor? Give it a listen, and share it with the person on your team who owns your website. This one is better as a conversation than a solo listen. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Campaign Planning When the Future Is Fuzzy | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:23:27 | |
"What's our plan if we only raise nine?" A campaign chair asked that in a planning meeting for a $14 million campaign, and the room went completely quiet. She wasn't being negative. She'd run a manufacturing business for thirty years, and she said, "I've never run a three-year plan that came in exactly where the model said it would." So we built an answer. Three of them, honestly. Conservative, moderate, and optimistic, all built around one internal working goal. Eighteen months later, the $4 million lead gift came in at $1.8 million. In most campaigns, that's an emergency board meeting. In this one, it was a Tuesday, because everyone already knew what to do. They finished at $11.4 million, and the board called it a success. In this episode, I walk through what a working goal really is, the three scenarios you build around it, how to write triggers you can see coming, and the five sentences that keep a board steady when the number moves. Give it a listen, then share it with someone on your team who's been waiting for a better moment to launch. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Recognition That Feels Right Today | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:18:52 | |
A donor wall almost cost them their best donor. At the opening of a gorgeous new wall, one of their most generous donors leaned in and said, "I didn't give so my name could be up there. I gave for the kids. I wish the wall told me about them." That one sentence is the whole episode. On this week's Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, Recognition That Feels Right Today, I dig into what donors are signaling about recognition now, fresh mission-centered practices you can borrow, and how to handle sensitive naming questions without walking into a landmine. Recognition, done right, isn't a plaque. It's a window into the change a donor made possible. Is your recognition making donors feel important, or connected? Give it a listen, then share it with someone wrestling with their own donor wall. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Build for What's Next | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:37:06 | |
Urgency can steal our future. I’ve watched it happen in nonprofit teams everywhere. We race from grant deadlines to events to year-end goals, doing everything possible to meet today’s needs. But somewhere along the way, the relationship-building work that creates tomorrow’s major gifts gets pushed aside. In my conversation with Mark Stuart, President and CEO of San Diego Foundation, I was reminded that fundraising is not just a development department responsibility. It is a team sport. 🤝 When we make room for curiosity, courageous conversations, and long-term planning, we give donors something more meaningful than a transaction. We give them agency to help shape a better future. So here’s my question: What important fundraising work are you protecting this quarter, even when urgency is loud? 🎧 Listen to this episode for practical inspiration on building for what’s next, then share it with a fundraiser, executive leader, or board member who needs this reminder. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Guest: Mark Stuart, President and CEO of San Diego Foundation 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 | |||
| Donor Listening That Leads to Action | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:17:35 | |
What if the ask isn't for money? What if it's a question? A donor of fifteen years told one of my clients, "Nobody ever asked me what I thought. They just told me what they'd done." He'd made peace with being a checkbook. I keep hearing versions of that story. Loyal donors who'd give more, and stay longer, if we simply asked them what they see. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I make the case that listening is a fundraising strategy, not a courtesy. We get into how to design listening sessions and donor advisory councils, and the one step almost everyone skips: closing the loop so donors see what changed because they spoke up. When's the last time you asked a major donor, "What are we missing?" Listen to this week's episode, then share it with someone who needs the reminder that donors want to be heard, not just thanked. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Culture as Your Ultimate Major Gifts Strategy | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:18:55 | |
If you vanished tomorrow, would anyone else in your building know how to talk about a donor with warmth? I've watched two organizations, same size, same budget, same tactics. One had a major gift officer carrying every donor relationship alone. The other had a program director who told donor stories unprompted, because she'd been invited to sit in on a visit once and it stuck. Same resources. Completely different trajectory. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I dig into what a real culture of philanthropy looks like, why it might be your most important major gifts strategy, and one small internal campaign you can try this month. What would change at your organization if donor relationships weren't yours alone to carry? Listen to this episode and share it with someone on your leadership team. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Healthy Boundaries with Major Donors | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:18:15 | |
He asked to sit in on hiring. She almost said yes to that too. Here's what changed her mind. On this week's episode, I tell the story of a major gift officer whose biggest donor had slowly taken over her evenings, her weekends, and nearly her hiring decisions. We walk through the power dynamics that show up in almost every major gift relationship, the red flags worth naming early, and the reset language that protected both her dignity and the gift. What's one boundary you've had to set with a generous donor? Listen to this episode and share it with anyone on your team navigating a tricky donor dynamic right now. More from Tammy Zonker Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Book Tammy to Keynote Your Next Event Reserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| It Takes a Village: Internal Partners in Major Gifts | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:18:15 | |
A gift once took eleven months to close. Not because the donor said no. Because one person was carrying five jobs. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell the story of a major gift that stalled for nearly a year, and what finally unstuck it. Spoiler: it wasn't a better pitch. It was the right people in the room. We talk about:
Who on your team, outside of development, deserves more credit for your last big gift? Listen to this episode and send it to a colleague who's ready to stop carrying major gifts alone. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Events that Actually Move Major Gifts | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:19:41 | |
Her gala cost $40K. Her dinner cost $200. Guess which one got a bigger gift. On this week's episode, I tell the story of two events that happened the same spring, one an eleven-month gala, one a Wednesday dinner for eight people. Only one of them led to real major gift conversations. It wasn't the expensive one. We walk through the 3P framework I now use with clients: purpose, people, program, plus the follow-up system that turns a good event into an actual gift instead of a nice memory. What's one event on your calendar right now that could use a smaller, more focused redesign? Listen to this episode and share it with anyone on your team planning a donor event this year. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Working Smarter: Automation for Major Gift Officers | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:18:25 | |
6:30 a.m. Calendar chaos already. By 10 a.m., she hadn't talked to a single donor yet. Six months later, same alarm, same portfolio. Totally different morning. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through what changed for a major gift officer named Renee, and exactly which categories of work she handed off to AI and automation, and which she never will. In this episode, Working Smarter: Automation for Major Gift Officers, I cover: → The real numbers behind a 45-hour week, and where they were really going → Three categories of tasks that are safe to delegate to AI and automation → Two workflows you can set up this week, no technical background required What's one task on your calendar right now that drains you and barely touches a donor? Listen to the episode and share it with a teammate who's ready to get their week back. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:21:00 | |
A gala put them on stage. Then ghosted them for good. Three community leaders invited up front, never contacted again. Zero gifts. One hurt feeling that traveled fast. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell that story next to a very different one. A major gift officer who spent four months building trust with a community before she ever made an ask. No agenda. No pitch. Just curiosity, and a lot of listening. The result? A yes within a week, and two more families who joined in the following year. In this episode, Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice, I walk through: → Why inclusive fundraising is now core major gifts strategy, not a side initiative → The tokenism traps that quietly cost you trust and gifts → The internal work, representation, language, policy, and power, that makes your outreach believable What's one practice you'd like to start, or stop, in how your organization engages diverse donors? Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who's ready for this conversation. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Building Predictable Major Gifts Revenue | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:15:32 | |
What if your major donors wanted to commit longer? Most of them already do. They just haven't been asked. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I'm talking about one of the most underused strategies in major gifts: recurring and multi-year commitments. Not because donors resist them. Because most fundraisers don't have the language to invite them in. Here's what we cover:
And your challenge: draft one multi-year invitation this week. Email, letter, or phone script. Just get it on paper. Here's a question to sit with: What would change in your organization if you knew, right now, what your major gift revenue would look like for the next three years? That's what these conversations can make possible. Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who handles major donor relationships. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Beyond Cash: Unlocking Asset-Based Major Gifts | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:20:58 | |
$5k a year. For 12 years. Then she sold her business. The fundraiser said, "congratulations," and changed the subject. Sixty days later, with one different question, that same donor transferred $400,000 in appreciated stock before the sale closed. Same donor. Same relationship. Different question. This week on The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm pulling back the curtain on what most major gift teams are quietly missing in 2026: asset-based gifts. Stock. DAFs. Closely held business interests. Real estate. These are not "planned giving department" conversations anymore. They are the next frontier of major gifts for nonprofits of every size. In this episode, Beyond Cash: Unlocking Asset-Based Major Gifts, I walk through: → The donor signals that say "I'm ready for this conversation" → Two conversation openers that stay donor-centered and advisor-friendly → The four asset types every major gift officer should be fluent in → Stewardship moves that turn one complex gift into long-term partnership → The internal readiness check you can do with your CFO this week If cash giving in your shop feels flat, this is the door I want to open for you. Listen to this week's episode and share it with your CEO and finance lead. The fundraisers who get comfortable with complex gifts now will quietly outpace everyone else over the next three years. What's the one part of asset-based giving that still feels intimidating in your work? More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Leading from the Major Gifts Seat | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:18:07 | |
Your CEO is not your critic. They might be your scariest internal customer. Once I understood that, everything changed. For years I walked into meetings with my ED ready to defend my portfolio. Why hadn't the gift closed. Why we were behind. Why the donor needed more time. I left those meetings smaller. He left them more anxious. And the donor at the center of it had no idea any of it was happening. Then I learned the move that changed my career. I stopped reporting at my leader and started equipping my leader. ✨ One-page briefings. One donor story per meeting. A predictable rhythm of updates. A 45-minute alignment agenda I now use with every coaching client. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through: → The empathy shift that changes the whole dynamic. → Four managing-up moves that work in 2026. → The exact briefing format and meeting agenda you can use this month. If you've ever felt squeezed between donor reality and leadership expectations, this one is for you. When was the last time you had a structured strategy meeting with your ED or CEO that you walked out of feeling good? Listen, then share with one fundraiser or one nonprofit leader who needs it. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Story and Data: What Major Donors Really Need | 26 May 2026 | 00:19:45 | |
$150,000 gift. One question. 90 seconds. "Who is this changing for?" A development director walked into a meeting with a fund-of-funds founder and a 12-page impact report. He flipped through it in ninety seconds and asked one question: "Who is this changing for, and how do you know?" She closed the report. Told one story. Showed one chart. One photo. Nine minutes. Six days later, the $150K gift came in. When she called to thank him, he said something I think about every week: "I don't need more pages. I need to feel and verify what's working." On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, "Story and Data: What Major Donors Really Need," I break down: → Why even your most analytical donor needs an emotional connection → The Story Spine: a 5-beat framework for major donor narratives → How to weave data inside the story, not bolt it on after → Why dignity-first storytelling is the new bar in 2026 Here's the question I want to leave you with. When did you last test your most-told impact story against a sophisticated donor's hardest question? Listen to the episode, then rewrite one story this week. I'd love to hear how it lands. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Designing Impact Together with Donors | 19 May 2026 | 00:16:49 | |
"You brought me a brochure, not a conversation." A donor said that to one of my clients. It changed how we prep every donor visit now. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I share the story of a $250,000 ask that became a $400,000 partnership plus two warm introductions, all because we changed one thing. We stopped presenting. We started designing. Inside the episode you'll get:
Your best donors are not waiting for a better update. They are waiting to be invited into the work. Here is my question for you today. When was the last time you walked out of a donor visit feeling like you had truly built something together? Listen now, then forward this episode to one teammate who is about to prep a big donor visit. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Peer Power: Ambassadors and Giving Circles | 12 May 2026 | 00:17:33 | |
A $100,000 gift, made in a kitchen. The major gift officer wasn't there. Another donor was. ☕ She invited three friends over for coffee. She told them why she gave. She didn't pitch. She didn't ask. Six weeks later, one of those friends called me ready to make a major gift. That moment changed how the major gift officer thinks about major gift strategy. 🎙️ On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I unpack peer power, ambassadors, and giving circles, and why peer voices carry more weight than staff voices in 2026. We cover: → The four peer roles that work in real programs (Host, Advocate, Champion, Circle Convener) → How to design peer-led experiences that feel like invitation, not pressure → The guardrails that protect against mission drift, peer pressure, and bubble dynamics Here's the question I want to leave you with. Who in your donor base is already telling friends about your work without being asked? That person is your starting point. Listen to the episode, and share it with another fundraiser who's building a peer strategy. The doors you've been knocking on may already be wide open from the other side. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Rethinking Major Gifts Metrics in 2026 | 05 May 2026 | 00:18:50 | |
Bad metrics ruin good fundraisers. Slowly. Quietly. Cycle after cycle. And almost nobody on the team is allowed to say it out loud. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm sharing why the metrics most major gift programs lean on, raw visit counts, dollars to goal, dials made, often miss the actual work. I'm walking through: → The hidden cost of using lagging indicators to coach behavior → Five leading indicators worth tracking instead → Why AI inside your CRM should help you ask better questions, not deliver verdicts → How to turn the next quarterly board report into a coaching opportunity for leadership Here's the question I want to leave you with: If your scoreboard disappeared tomorrow, what would your gift officers actually do differently? If the answer is "not much," your metrics may not be doing the work you think they are. Listen to this episode, then send it to one development director or board member who could use a different conversation about reporting this quarter. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Pruning Your Portfolio to Grow Your Results | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:18:35 | |
Pruning isn't loss. It's care. For years, fundraisers have been told that a bigger portfolio means a healthier pipeline. In my experience, the opposite is usually true. A focused list closes more gifts, and a focused fundraiser feels more human at the end of the week. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through the four lenses I use to decide who stays on an active portfolio, who graduates to stewardship, and who pauses for now. I also share the language to use with leadership when you propose a leaner, sharper list. What if the bravest move you make this quarter is to take 10 names off your portfolio on purpose? Give this episode a listen and pass it along to a fundraiser or development leader who needs permission to focus. The donors who stay on your list deserve your best, and so do you. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Crafting Offers for Transformational Giving | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:17:53 | |
"Fuzzy is the enemy of yes." That line came up this week while I was recording the podcast. And I cannot stop thinking about it. Most major gift offers I see in 2026 are not failing because the relationship is weak or the mission is unclear. They are failing because the offer itself is fuzzy. A program description with a price tag at the bottom is not an offer. It is a proposal. And sophisticated donors can feel the difference. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I walk through the anatomy of a truly transformational gift offer. The five elements that belong on one page. The multi-year and blended structures that feel doable to your donor. And the co-creation conversation that turns a good offer into a great partnership. I share three real stories along the way, including the donor who once told me, "I wrote the check because I liked you. But I never quite understood what I was building." Here is my question for you: Do your best offers feel like proposals, or like invitations? Give this episode a listen this week. And if it lands for you, share it with a colleague who is sitting on a big opportunity right now. That is often the nudge that moves it forward. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| Trust-Building Conversations with Major Donors | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:11:39 | |
Two donors. Same problem. Completely different outcomes. One development officer waited too long to call. By the time she reached out about a delayed project, the donor had already pulled back. A significant gift quietly disappeared. The other officer called early. She was honest. She said, "Here's what happened, here's what we learned, and here's what we did to fix it." The donor's response? "I really appreciate you telling me that. Most organizations only call when they want something." The difference between those two outcomes wasn't strategy or skill. It was clarity and follow-through. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm sharing everything I know about building deep, lasting trust with major donors, even when things don't go as planned. You'll hear:
What's one conversation you've been putting off with a donor? Connect with me on LinkedIn and share in the comments. You might be surprised how many people are in the same place. Listen to the episode and share it with a colleague who's building major donor relationships right now. Let's grow together. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter 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 | |||
| A Modern Tech Stack for Major Gift Success | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:17:32 | |
Too many tools? Too little clarity? And not enough hours to manage it all? This episode is for you. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I talk about what a healthy major gifts tech stack actually looks like, and what to do about everything that's built up around it. We cover the four core tech categories that matter for major gifts work, a five-criteria framework for evaluating any tool in your stack, where AI genuinely fits in a major gifts fundraising context, and a simple ninety-day tune-up plan that won't become another project on your plate. I open the episode with a story about two development teams. One had eleven tools and a monthly meeting just to coordinate them. The other had four and their best portfolio results in years. Here's the question the episode is built around: Is your tech stack making donor relationships easier, or is it one more thing your team has to manage around? Your answer to that question might be worth thirty minutes of your week. 🎧 Listen to this episode and share it with a colleague who's been feeling the weight of too many tools. 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. | |||
| Writing Donor Messages with AI, Not by AI | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:17:34 | |
AI won’t replace your voice, but it can help amplify it. I’ve been talking with so many fundraisers who want to try AI but worry their donor communication will start sounding robotic. I get it. Authenticity matters more than ever in twenty‑twenty‑six. On this week’s Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m sharing how I use AI to draft and refine messages that still sound like me, while saving precious time for deeper donor connections. How are you feeling about using AI in your fundraising communication? Listen to “Writing Donor Messages with AI, Not by AI” and share it with your team or leadership today. 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. | |||
| Take Back Your Week, Grow Your Major Gifts | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:19:18 | |
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. | |||
| From Mid-Level to Major: Mapping the Journey | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:18:30 | |
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. | |||
| Corporate Giving as a Major Gifts Lever | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:21:42 | |
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. | |||
| Next-Gen Major Donors and the New Rules of Engagement | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:22:12 | |
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. | |||
| Your 2026 Case for Transformational Gifts | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:22:36 | |
Your case might be costing you 7‑figure gifts. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share why so many cases still sound like they were written in 2019, and how I’m helping leaders like you update them for a 2026 donor mindset. I walk through the five elements of a modern case, where AI can truly help, and how to pressure‑test your message with trusted donors so they lean in instead of glazing over. What would change for your organization if your case finally matched the level of impact you’re truly capable of? 🎧 Listen to this episode and share it with your team, board, and anyone who helps tell your organization’s story. 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. | |||
| Making Your Major Gift Portfolio Shock-Resistant | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:23:02 | |
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. | |||
| Discovery That Builds Trust, Not Pressure | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:21:04 | |
Your discovery calls shouldn’t feel like a test. In my latest Intentional Fundraiser episode, I walk through how I help fundraisers turn tense, scripted discovery calls into relaxed, donor-centered conversations that still move major gifts forward. We unpack a simple four part framework, real examples of questions that open people up, and a practical way to use AI so you can listen more and type less. What would change in your portfolio if every discovery call felt like a conversation you were both glad you had? Listen to this episode of “Discovery That Builds Trust, Not Pressure,” and share it with a colleague, your team, or 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. | |||
| Turning Leaders into Effective Major Gift Partners | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:15:35 | |
Leaders keep derailing donor visits? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a beautifully teed‑up donor conversation go sideways the moment a well‑intentioned CEO or board member “pops in” unbriefed. You’ve done the research, built the relationship, framed the invitation…and then the message gets fuzzy, the energy shifts, and the donor walks away more confused than inspired. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I’ve learned to turn those moments from chaotic to coordinated over nearly 30 years in major gifts. I walk you through the exact one‑page pre‑brief I use, how I coach leaders before we ever step into the room, and the subtle phrases I rely on to gently steer things back on track when conversations drift. You’ll hear stories from real visits, practical language you can borrow with your own executives and board members, and a few ways AI can quietly help you prep and debrief meetings without losing the human touch. What would change for your major gift program if every leader who joined a donor meeting showed up prepared, concise, and aligned with you? Listen to “Turning Leaders into Effective Major Gift Partners,” and if it’s helpful, share it with a colleague or board member who often joins you in donor conversations. 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. | |||
| Making Stewardship Personal, Scalable, Sustainable | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:19:16 | |
“More touches” are burning teams out 😅 I talk with so many fundraisers who are trying to do heartfelt, hyper-personal stewardship for everyone… and ending up exhausted, guilty, and behind by December. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share a simple 3-tier stewardship system I have used for years to keep donor care personal, scalable, and sustainable. We get into:
I also walk through practical examples you can adapt in a small shop or a large institution, plus a simple challenge you can complete in under an hour. What would change for you and your team if stewardship felt planned and sustainable instead of last minute and overwhelming Listen to “Making Stewardship Personal, Scalable, Sustainable,” and share this episode with a colleague, executive director, or board member who cares about both donors and staff wellbeing. 🎧👉 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. | |||
| AI-Powered Prep: Human-Centered Conversations | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:18:00 | |
AI is already in your donor meetings. I’ve been hearing from so many fundraisers who feel torn. You want to use AI to save time, but you do not want donors to feel like they are talking to a robot instead of a real person. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I use AI as a quiet research assistant, not a replacement for human connection. 🤝 I walk through a real world workflow for:
In my experience, when you get this right, you walk into meetings feeling calmer, more prepared, and more present with your donors. Here is the question I am sitting with: How do you want AI to support your donor work without changing who you are as a fundraiser. Listen to “AI-Powered Prep: Human-Centered Conversations,” then share this episode with a colleague, leadership or board member who is asking big questions about AI and major gifts. 🎧👉 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. | |||
| Finding Your Real Top 25 Donor Prospects | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:23:17 | |
Drowning in “prospect” names? If your major gift list looks impressive on paper but doesn’t translate into actual conversations or gifts, you’re not alone. I’ve sat with teams staring at hundreds of “top prospects” and quietly thinking, “Where do we even start?” In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I share how I helped one nonprofit narrow 600+ “major gift prospects” down to a focused Top 25 using simple donor signals, capacity, affinity, and engagement, not just wealth. We didn’t buy new software. We just read the data you already have in a different way. I walk you through:
Imagine looking at your portfolio and knowing exactly who to call first this week, because the data and the story are both pointing in the same direction. What would change for your organization if your Top 25 were crystal clear, and everyone on your team agreed on who they are? 🎧 Tune in and if this episode helps you breathe a little easier about major gifts, share it with your ED/DD or a colleague who needs this clarity too. 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. | |||
| Your 2026 Major Gifts Plan: Aspirational but Realistic | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:14:49 | |
Big goals without a real plan? That’s the fastest way to create burnout instead of breakthroughs. I’ve seen it too often: a board sets a bold fundraising target, the team nods, and suddenly everyone’s sprinting toward a number that doesn’t match reality. Sound familiar? In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share exactly how to build a 2026 major gifts plan that’s aspirational but realistic, one that inspires confidence instead of chaos. You’ll hear stories from the field, a simple three-scenario model that calms anxiety, and practical steps to right-size your portfolio so you can stay focused on what really moves the needle. ✨ Because big goals are beautiful, but only when they’re grounded in data, relationships, and alignment. How are you balancing ambition and realism in your 2026 plan? 🎧 Listen to this week’s episode and share it with another fundraiser who needs a little clarity and calm as they plan for the year ahead. 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. | |||
| How ‘Calling All Heroes’ Elevates Fundraising and Community Impact | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:13:33 | |
What does it really mean to be a hero in fundraising? After nearly 30 years working alongside major gift officers, executive directors, and nonprofit leaders, I've learned this: our sector's greatest challenges—poverty, injustice, inequality—are simply too big for any one person to solve alone. That's why this week feels so special. I'm celebrating the official release of my new book, Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact, with a brand-new podcast episode that dives deep into human-centered fundraising—where donor-centered and community-centered approaches finally unite. In this episode, I share the story behind the book, including my transformative work with The Children's Center in Detroit (where we tripled philanthropic revenue while centering dignity and partnership), plus practical strategies you can implement immediately to:
Here's the question I kept wrestling with before writing this book: How can we honor both the generosity of our donors AND the wisdom of our communities, bringing every voice to the table without compromising what matters most? If you've ever felt torn between fundraising philosophies, exhausted by the pressure to "go it alone," or frustrated by division in our sector, this episode is for you. Listen now and discover why the future of fundraising belongs to all of us, side by side. Then share it with your team, your board, and anyone who believes in transforming generosity into lasting impact. Let's reclaim what it means to be everyday heroes. Together. 🚀 Today isn’t just a milestone, it’s the launchpad. If “Calling All Heroes” resonates with your experience, your hopes, and your frustrations, I invite you to grab your copy right now at https://www.callingallheroesbook.com/. Need extra copies for your team, chapter, or conference? Ordering in bulk—at a discount of course—is simple at the same link. 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. | |||
| Creating Immersive Experiences that Move Donors to Action | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:11:43 | |
Donors don’t remember stats. They remember how you made them feel! My keynote titled "Casting Your Donors in a Lead Role: The Power of Immersion," which I delivered last week at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, generated so much conversation. Last week, I witnessed 800 nonprofit professionals moved to tears and action by stories that make our missions come alive. It’s clear our field is hungry for ways to move beyond transactions and ignite true empathy. From water walks to blindfolded dinners, immersive donor experiences can change everything. Here's what I know: Donors want to feel your mission, not just fund it. In this episode, I share some inspiring examples (charity: water, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Covenant House Michigan, and MADD) that have changed my perspective on fundraising. Donor empathy skyrockets, support deepens, and fundraising transforms. Listen and share it with your leadership and team or a colleague! 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. | |||
| The Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Experience | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:09:53 | |
What if I told you the most powerful major gift fundraising seminar of your life could happen in your favorite chair, no travel required? I just experienced it firsthand, livestreamed for three days, and let me tell you, the connections and insights our faculty delivered in a virtual setting blew me away. I’ll never forget one moment: watching seasoned major gift fundraisers build new relationships and spark those “aha!” revelations during our virtual one-on-one “park bench” sessions. It made me realize that sometimes, the most meaningful growth happens when we step outside the expected. In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m sharing my reflection from our recent “Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar.” Plus, why you might want to rethink what’s possible for YOUR major gifts program. Listen in and pass it on to a colleague who needs some inspiration! As we close, I’m thrilled to invite you to our next three-day virtual Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar on January 27–29. Mark your calendar, rally your development team, and reserve your spot at modernicg.com. The opportunity to transform your major gift fundraising starts here. 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. | |||
| Building a Human-Centered Fundraising Pipeline | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:14:31 | |
Are you chasing numbers or building relationships? Most fundraisers are stuck on the hamster wheel. Chasing donors. Juggling events. Burning out. But what if the real breakthrough comes from slowing down? Here’s the playbook for human-centered, relationship-first fundraising: Schedule ONE meaningful conversation this week. → Ask, “What inspired you to support us?” → Listen—no agenda. Map supporters by engagement TYPE, not just dollar size. → Who shows up at events? → Who shares your content? → Who asks tough questions? Be transparent about your team capacity. → “It’s just me, but I’m committed to getting this right with you.” → People value authenticity. Audit your outreach for inclusivity. → Who’s missing from your newsletters? → Are your stories and photos truly diverse? → Try translating content or inviting others to share their voice. Focus on quality over quantity. → 5 heartfelt connections are worth more than 50 mass emails. Use stories, not just stats. → Share one real example of impact (and don’t be afraid to mention setbacks). TL;DR: Transformational fundraising happens when you focus on real relationships, not just transactions. Pre-order your copy of my new book, "Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact.” → https://www.callingallheroesbook.com/ And to make it worth your while: When you pre-order your copy of Calling All Heroes at the link in the show notes and submit your receipt or order number, you’ll receive a special invitation to my free, 90-minute training session: “How to Implement Human-Centered Fundraising in Your Organization.” It’s my way of saying thank you for walking with me on this journey. And if you want extra copies for your team, chapter or an upcoming conference, we offer special discounts on bulk orders. 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. | |||
| Why “Tips and Tricks” Are Failing Fundraisers | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:12:59 | |
This one has been simmering inside me for months. It’s about the language we use in the nonprofit sector—and why we need to be more mindful of it. Specifically, I’m making a plea to eliminate phrases like “tips and tricks” when we talk about engaging donors. Because giving is not a “trick.” Donors are not targets. And we are not magicians trying to perform sleight of hand to win gifts. When we say things like “tips and tricks” or “low-hanging fruit” in fundraising, we might think we’re being harmless, maybe even clever. But in reality, we’re reinforcing a belief system that positions fundraising as transactional, manipulative, or worse, dishonest. That’s why in this episode, I take us on a journey into the power of language in fundraising, how it shapes donor relationships, and how it shapes us. Listen in and let’s transform our language (and our sector!) together. 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. | |||
| Strategies for Major Donor Retention | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:15:37 | |
Only 45% of first-time major donors come back. Let that sink in. For years, I believed winning that first major gift was the hardest part—until I realized the real challenge (and transformation) is turning new donors into lifelong champions. In this episode, I share personal stories, the tools I use, and proven strategies for moving beyond transactional gifts to genuine partnership. If you could double your donor retention this year, what would it mean for your mission? → Take a listen. Share with your team, and let’s transform fundraising—together. 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. | |||
| Breaking Down Silos: Why the Future of Fundraising is Human-Centered | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:18:12 | |
Feeling stuck between fundraising approaches? Break down the silos! I’ve seen the fundraising divide firsthand—and I believe there’s a better way. I call it human-centered fundraising. I recently heard a longtime donor say, “I’m tired of being just a checkbook. I want to be part of something bigger.” I’ve felt that tension, too. Donor fatigue is real—but connection changes everything. Let’s stop choosing sides and start building bridges. Want to learn how human-centered fundraising could transform your mission? Tune in to this episode and share it with a colleague who’s ready to reimagine fundraising for greater impact. 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. | |||