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Nothing But Major Gifts

Nothing But Major Gifts

By Veritus Group

Major gifts fundraising is the lifeblood of non-profit organizations around the world. Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels address major gifts twice monthly, to help you and your organization connect with donors in authentic ways to make an impact in your community – and the world.
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Currently playing episode

Fifteen Questions to Help You Go Deeper with Your Donor (re-release)

Nothing But Major GiftsJul 19, 2022

00:00
19:54
How to Get a Donor Meeting Back on Track

How to Get a Donor Meeting Back on Track

We’ve all been in meetings where the conversation gets sidetracked. Maybe someone present is very chatty and wants to spend the first half hour catching up. Maybe one individual has another topic they want to discuss, outside of what was outlined in the agenda. Or maybe no one is clear on why they’re there at all, so the conversation wanders until the time is up.

How can you make sure your donor meetings stay on track, while being respectful of everyone’s time and contributions? In this episode, Karen and Diana share their tips for how to effectively prepare for a donor meeting and what you can do when things don’t go according to plan.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How to prepare for meetings and set expectations with all participants
  • What you can say when a conversation gets off-track
  • How to use Permission-Based Asking to move the conversation forward in a way that feels authentic and honoring
  • How to handle emotions that may come up, in yourself and in your donor
Mar 19, 202425:11
Celebrating Women in Fundraising, Featuring Yolanda F. Johnson

Celebrating Women in Fundraising, Featuring Yolanda F. Johnson

In celebration of Women’s History Month, today’s episode is all about how women are shaping and changing the field of fundraising. Our special guest joining us for this conversation is Yolanda F. Johnson, President and Founder of YFJ Consulting and Women of Color in Fundraising and Leadership (WOC)™, which specializes in fundraising, philanthropy, and best practices for equity and inclusion.

Listen in to learn more about Yolanda’s work and to hear her perspective on lifting up more women and people of color in the non-profit sector. If you enjoy the episode and you’d like to continue the conversation with Yolanda, see the show notes below for ways to get in touch.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The four pillars of allyship, and how embracing the idea of “sponsorship” can help to elevate more women and women of color in the sector   
  • Mentorship opportunities for women who are interested in non-profit management and leadership
  • Moving away from the scarcity mindset and finding ways for women to work together, to champion each other
Mar 04, 202425:13
Yes, You Do Need to Ask All Year Long!

Yes, You Do Need to Ask All Year Long!

Asking your donors for gifts isn’t something you should save for the year-end giving season. When you’re tuned in to your donor’s giving preferences and interests, you can bring them additional giving opportunities even outside their regular giving season.

For this episode, we invited two guest fundraisers and clients of ours to share their expertise on this subject. Sarah Coen-Frei, Senior Individual Giving Manager at Minnesota Public Radio, and Fritz Gutwein, Major Gift Officer at Bread for the World, join Veritus Group’s Karen Kendrick (Senior Director of Client Engagement) and Diana Frazier (Senior Client Experience Leader) for this conversation about how to approach asking year-round. 

We hope you find these tips helpful as you work toward your next donor asks!

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Moving away from transactional asking (e.g. waiting for year-end appeals) to adopt a more relational model

  • How to use Permission-Based Asking when asking your donor for a gift

  • Inspiring donors to give outside of their regular giving season

Feb 20, 202435:18
Working From Your Energy: Bringing Your Best Self to Your Work With Donors

Working From Your Energy: Bringing Your Best Self to Your Work With Donors

When you work at a non-profit organization, just as in any job, there will be times that you feel stuck, discouraged, or uninspired. This work is hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience feelings of burnout or frustration. 

If you’re in a space like that, how do you shift your energy so you can bring your best self to your work with donors?

For this episode, Karen and Renita share some questions to ask yourself on those days to help you approach your energy differently. We hope these suggestions leave you feeling encouraged with some strategies to help you move forward and find more satisfaction in your daily work!

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Mindset challenges that affect how you feel and show up in your work

  • Practices to help you avoid burnout as a non-profit professional

  • Steps leaders can take to support their staff

Feb 08, 202432:02
Finding the Right Job: Tips from a Non-Profit Recruiting Expert

Finding the Right Job: Tips from a Non-Profit Recruiting Expert

When you’re looking for your next fundraising position, how do you evaluate which opportunities are most aligned with your professional goals? What questions should you ask in your conversations with hiring managers to learn more about their culture and evaluate whether the role is a good fit?

In this podcast episode, Karen and Matt are joined by special guest Paul Towne, VP of Executive Search with Cooper Coleman. As a search consultant who works exclusively with non-profit and social impact organizations, Paul has extensive knowledge about how to interview for the right roles and identify which opportunities will be the best fit for you.

We hope this conversation gives you some helpful ideas and tools to use when you’re interviewing for your next fundraising role!

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Factors impacting the job-hunting landscape across the non-profit sector

  • How to identify roles that will be the best fit for you

  • What candidates should look for when interviewing at a non-profit

  • Questions to ask that will help you learn more about an organization’s culture 

Jan 23, 202451:02
How to Get Yourself Transitioned into the New Year

How to Get Yourself Transitioned into the New Year

Welcome to January! In these first weeks of the year, you’re likely still finishing out the year-end season, thanking donors for gifts received, and assessing your performance compared to your goals. At the same time, you’re working on communication plans and strategies for the year ahead. 

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Theresa Tapocsi and Edie Dahlen, two of our Client Experience Leaders, for an overview of what fundraisers and leaders need to know right now while you’re wrapping up from year-end and getting started on your top priorities in 2024.

We are honored to walk alongside fundraisers as they chart their course for a new year. If you could use an external partner to support your work as a fundraiser, we’d love to chat. Schedule a call today for a no-pressure conversation about ways we can partner with you and your organization so you can achieve even more for your mission.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Common challenges facing fundraisers in January after a busy year-end fundraising season

  • How to evaluate your performance, beyond whether or not you met your revenue goals

  • Where to focus your attention at the start of the calendar year

  • Tips for leaders to help their teams celebrate their work last year and transition to new priorities in the year ahead

Jan 09, 202420:31
How to Be an Effective Non-Profit Leader and Manager
Dec 19, 202331:33
An Interview with the American Brain Foundation

An Interview with the American Brain Foundation

When an anonymous check for $100,000 arrived at the American Brain Foundation, their fundraising team was blown away. The organization certainly wasn’t so large that this level of giving was typical. Who was this anonymous person, and what made them decide to give so generously? 

In this episode, Jeff and Diana interview two members of the team at the American Brain Foundation (ABF) – Jane Ransom, Executive Director, and Lisa Dahlberg, Philanthropic Advisor – to learn how they responded to this unexpected gift. Their efforts to connect with this anonymous donor ultimately led to a multi-million-dollar commitment for ABF. Listen in to learn how a transformational gift like this is possible for your organization.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • How an anonymous gift led to a multi-million-dollar commitment

  • The steps that ABF took to learn more about the donor’s passions and goals

  • The internal culture at ABF that supported this transformational partnership

Dec 05, 202329:44
How to Meaningfully Transition a Donor Relationship

How to Meaningfully Transition a Donor Relationship

When you have a healthy donor pipeline, there will come a time when you need to transition a donor relationship to someone else. Whether the donor is moving from mid-level to a major gifts portfolio or from a higher level of giving back into mid-level or direct response, you need to have protocols in place so that the transition feels seamless to the donor. 

For today’s podcast episode, Karen Kendrick speaks with Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader, and Kara Ansotegui, Director of Client Engagement Services, to ask them about their top tips for how you can meaningfully transition a donor relationship in a way that honors the donor and strengthens their connection to your organization.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • The kinds of donor transitions you need to develop protocols around (how to move a donor from mid-level to major gifts or planned gifts, or back down to mid-level)

  • Some of the common issues we see in non-profits that lead to bumpy transitions for both donors and fundraisers

  • How to manage transitions when you have a hybrid mid-level / major gifts caseload

Nov 28, 202328:23
It’s Time to Move on From Moves Management

It’s Time to Move on From Moves Management

When moves management was first introduced as a strategy to help fundraisers manage their caseloads, it was a step forward in putting some much-needed structure around the donor pipeline. 

But now, some non-profits have taken the idea too far. A lot of organizations have gotten stuck on rigid definitions of what “stage” a donor is at. Moves management has led to these metrics that have caused fundraisers to forget about how actual relationships work.

In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff share an alternative approach to caseload management that will allow you to move your focus back to your donor.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Having a mindset of cultivating donors all the time, instead of designating a status for “Cultivation”
  • How to stay focused on the donor relationship, rather than the stage
  • How to advocate for this new approach when leadership has only known moves management
Nov 16, 202315:21
How The Veritus Way Changed Our Work with Partners: An Interview with the East Texas Food Bank

How The Veritus Way Changed Our Work with Partners: An Interview with the East Texas Food Bank

At the AFP Conference last summer, two fundraisers from the East Texas Food Bank reached out to Jeff. They wanted to share with him how taking our Certification Course two years ago has made a huge difference for them in building deeper donor relationships and bringing in more revenue for their mission.

We felt so inspired by the conversation and the long-term results they’re seeing now, two whole years after taking the training. So, for today’s episode, we invited Hannah Harris, Donor Engagement Advisor, and Alex Fruth, Director of Development for the East Texas Food Bank, to come and share with us about their experience with The Veritus Way of fundraising. 

If you’ve been considering taking a training with us, or you’re wondering what it would mean for your organization to adopt a more relational approach to fundraising, listen in to hear from Hannah and Alex about how it’s made an incredible difference in their work with donors. 

Show Highlights: In this episode, we ask Hannah and Alex to share about… 

  • Key takeaways from our Certification Course and how it’s impacted their work

  • The before-and-after difference of adopting The Veritus Way

  • Learning to use Permission-Based Asking™ in donor conversations

Oct 24, 202329:30
How to Talk About Fundraising Within Your Organization

How to Talk About Fundraising Within Your Organization

One of the greatest barriers to your success in relational fundraising is whether or not the rest of your organization understands and supports this work. 

We hear stories all the time from frustrated fundraisers who aren’t able to get important program information, can’t easily share the impact, and don’t have donor offers to present. 

So for this episode, we’re sharing some guidance, tips, and language to help you start talking about fundraising within your organization so you can get everyone on board and moving in the same direction. 

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • The problems that arise when organizations don’t understand or value the role of fundraising

  • How fundraisers and leaders can educate other groups about fundraising

  • How to connect with Program and Finance teams so they can see the impact donors have on their work

  • How to explain a relational approach to fundraising for those without a background in it

Oct 10, 202316:28
The Basics You Still Don't Have Down

The Basics You Still Don't Have Down

We get a lot of questions from our community about basic best practices in fundraising. And we get it! It’s one thing to understand these ideas in theory, but even the most experienced fundraisers run into questions when it comes to implementation.

So, for this podcast episode, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions we receive about the basics to encourage you and help you make sure you’ve got the basics down.  

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • Why you still need to ask donors to give, even though they’re receiving direct mail

  • How to layer direct mail communications with your relational strategy

  • Why it’s necessary to build a strategic communication plan for each major donor

  • Why you need a 7-step donor qualification process

  • The role of wealth ratings in qualifying your donors

Sep 29, 202327:58
The Three Legs of a Successful Planned Giving Program

The Three Legs of a Successful Planned Giving Program

For your organization to continue to grow, you need to invest in an organized program for identifying and stewarding planned gifts. Planned giving is an essential part of relational fundraising, yet so many fundraisers avoid it simply because they don’t have a system that supports them to engage donors in this way.

So for this podcast episode, we’ll be talking about the three legs that make up a successful planned giving program. Listen in to learn how to build a program that will support your fundraisers in securing more planned gifts for your organization’s mission.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • How we define the three legs of planned giving, and where these areas can support each other

  • Organizational division of labor for these functions – whether you have a distinct position for each role, or one person who manages them all

  • What can go wrong when an organization is not properly supporting all three areas of planned giving

  • Opportunities for collaboration between major gifts and planned giving

Sep 14, 202320:04
How to Be More Efficient in Your Year-End Planning

How to Be More Efficient in Your Year-End Planning

If you put off your year-end planning until October or November, you may find yourself scrambling to get things done at the last minute, without any broader strategy behind your communications. Which is why we recommend starting now! 

But we know it can be overwhelming to think about everything you need to do at year-end. So in this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite tips and ideas to help you build efficiencies into your year-end plan, so that this time of year can stop being overwhelming and start being fun, creative, and impactful.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll discover… 

  • What gets in the way of effective year-end planning

  • Tips for fundraisers looking for efficiencies in their year-end planning and strategy

  • How non-profit managers and leaders can help their teams create an effective plan for year-end

Aug 22, 202317:09
Re-Release: What’s Holding You Back from Investing in Major Gifts?

Re-Release: What’s Holding You Back from Investing in Major Gifts?

At this point, most organizations have realized the value of having a relational major gifts program. But there are still many non-profit leaders out there who can’t get over the initial cost of investing in a major gifts program, even though those programs can have an ROI of 10 to 1, or more! 

So, what’s holding you back from investing in major gifts?

In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Jeff and Richard discuss the obstacles that are holding leaders back from investing in major gifts. They also share about the average ROI you can expect from a mature major gifts program, and the foundational elements you need to have in place in order to see those benefits. 

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll discover… 

  • The obstacles that hold non-profit leaders back from investing in major gifts, and how to overcome those objections

  • Average return-on-investment you’ll see from a mature major gifts program, and setting expectations for how long it takes to get there

  • The key elements of a major gifts program, including: a donor-centered culture, support from your leadership and finance team, and measurable results that demonstrate the efficacy of your programs

Aug 08, 202316:34
Can We All Just Get Along?

Can We All Just Get Along?

Having a culture of collaboration is critical to your success in fundraising. Do you have solid relationships with your counterparts in Finance, Program, and Marketing? Or does each department prioritize their own individual goals, at the expense of your mission?

Poor communication and competition between departments means that your donor is not getting the best possible care and service, and they may choose to give elsewhere.

In this re-release of one of our most listened-to episodes, Jeff and Richard discuss how fundraisers can promote better relationships within their organizations so that everyone is aligned in supporting the donor journey.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • Why it’s so important for fundraisers to collaborate with other departments

  • How to bridge the gap between your non-fundraising colleagues and donors

  • How fundraisers can encourage better communication between groups

Jul 25, 202313:57
Re-Release: Five Things Every Fundraiser Should Do in the Summer

Re-Release: Five Things Every Fundraiser Should Do in the Summer

It’s summertime! Hopefully, you’re taking some quality time off. And whenever you’re back in the office, you may even find yourself with some quiet days where your inbox is not blowing up and all your meetings are cancelled. This is a great time to reflect and plan for how you’re going to meet your goals by year-end.

In this episode re-release from 2021, Jeff is joined by Lisa Robertson, Director of Client Services at Veritus Group. Together, they share five ideas for what you can do this summer that will set you up for a successful year-end. 

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… 

  • Reviewing your caseload to determine whether any donors need to be moved

  • How to get creative with your donor outreach during the summer

  • Using the slower summer months to focus on professional development

  • And more ideas for how fundraisers can make the most of the summer season!

Jul 11, 202311:08
How to Identify the BEST Candidate in Your Hiring Pool

How to Identify the BEST Candidate in Your Hiring Pool

Even before the pandemic, finding and hiring the right candidates for fundraising roles was a challenge. Now, many organizations are struggling to even get a good pool of candidates, let alone find the right candidate from within that pool. 

In this podcast episode, Jeff and Karen are joined by special guest Paul Towne, Executive Search Consultant with Cooper Coleman. As a search consultant who works exclusively with non-profit and social impact organizations, Paul has extensive knowledge about how to attract the right candidates and identify the best match for the position. 

We hope this conversation gives you some helpful ideas and tools to use when you’re hiring for your next fundraising role!

Show Highlights: In this episode, we discuss… 

  • Why organizations are having such a tough time hiring fundraisers

  • How the rise of remote and hybrid work has impacted the job market

  • How to attract diverse applicants and select candidates who are a good fit for your organizational culture and community

Jun 27, 202335:34
Dealing with Boundaries and Inappropriate Situations with Donors

Dealing with Boundaries and Inappropriate Situations with Donors

Many fundraisers can share about a time where a donor overstepped one of their personal boundaries. Yet historically, the non-profit sector has not been proactive about preparing for when a donor says or does something inappropriate.

A fundraiser is tasked with bringing in funds for an important cause, but that should never come at the expense of their personal well-being. Fundraisers need to be clear on their own personal boundaries, and they need to feel the support of their organization when a situation arises. 

In this episode featuring special guest Rachel Wyley, CEO and Founder of Culture Kinesis, we talk about the power dynamics at play and how fundraisers and leaders can respond when a donor says or does something that crosses a line.

Show Highlights: In this episode, we discuss… 

  • The power dynamics at play in conversations between donors and fundraisers 

  • How to define your own personal boundaries for both physical and psychological safety

  • The lack of support for fundraisers who are dealing with uncomfortable or inappropriate situations

  • What can leaders do to better protect and care for their staff

  • How fundraisers can respond when a donor says or does something that crosses a boundary

Jun 13, 202335:17
Re-Release: 7 Ways to Stand Out with Your Donors

Re-Release: 7 Ways to Stand Out with Your Donors

Your donors give because it makes them feel connected to their heart and passion for making a difference in the world. And your organization is probably not the only one they’re giving to, which means that your donors are getting a lot of messages from the organizations they sponsor. 

With so much competition for their attention, how do you stand out from the rest and win your donors’ hearts?

In this episode re-release from 2021, Richard and Jeff offer seven ways that you can stand out with your donors, so you can build more authentic relationships and encourage donors to engage with you as partners in your mission.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • What it means to bring your authentic self to your donor relationships

  • The power of listening and asking good questions in your donor conversations

  • How to build strategic, personal touch points into your communication plan that will remind the donor that you know who they are as an individual

May 26, 202322:28
Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Fundraising Effectiveness Project Report

Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Fundraising Effectiveness Project Report

The 2023 report by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project revealed that for the first time in a decade, the national average for major giving revenue went DOWN by -4% in 2022. This has generated a lot of concern in the fundraising community about the future of philanthropy.

The good news is – you don’t have to accept decreasing revenue as the new normal. 

When this report came out, we took a look at how our clients had done by comparison. While the findings showed that nationally, major gifts revenue was down -4% for the first time since 2013, our clients saw an average increase of +22%. And for donors giving $500-$5,000 level (what we would identify as mid-level), national numbers were down -3.9% in revenue in 2022 compared to 2021. Our mid-level clients, however, were up +7%.

Getting this kind of growth isn’t rocket science. It takes dedication and commitment to implement a system and structure that’s designed to create long-lasting partnerships with your donors where they feel deeply connected to your organization’s mission.

In this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard examine the results of the report and share how non-profits can adopt strategies to reverse these trends and increase giving to their organization.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • Key insights from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project on the state of donor giving in 2023
  • Strategies that enabled Veritus clients to grow their revenue, despite lower giving nationally

  • What fundraising leaders can do to achieve these results for their organization

May 09, 202323:47
Everyone Needs a Coach

Everyone Needs a Coach

Have you ever experienced the impact of a coach in your life? Maybe you had a great coach when you played sports or an instrument. Or perhaps you’ve worked with a life coach, spiritual advisor, or someone who’s an expert in a hobby of yours. How has that impacted you? 

The role of a coach is somewhat different from a teacher or instructor. They’re not just lecturing or demonstrating. A coach takes a different approach. They see your strengths, and they work with you to hone your abilities and make tweaks to your process so you can improve. They help you see your own roadblocks and work with you to move past them.

Then they’re available to keep reminding you of what you’ve learned, guide you through solutions to overcome obstacles, work on creative ideas, and encourage you to keep going. 

When you have this kind of support, it can be transformative to your work. But unfortunately, coaching is often not valued in the fundraising world. And this is having a detrimental impact on your ability to be successful as a fundraiser or fundraising leader. 

Today’s episode is all about why we believe that everyone needs a coach. With the right support, you can do even more for your mission.  

(Interested in what coaching could look like for you or your team? If you’d like to learn more about our coaching approach, schedule some time to chat with us. We love getting to work with fundraisers like you and we’re happy to answer any questions you have about coaching or other resources to support you in your work.)

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… 

  • Why there’s such a need for coaching in fundraising
  • Our process for co-managing fundraisers in partnership with organizational leadership

  • Advice for listeners who are interested in finding a coach or supporting their team in a coaching capacity

Apr 25, 202324:19
Major Gifts Is NOT a 9-5 Job

Major Gifts Is NOT a 9-5 Job

This topic is a controversial one. But stay with us for a minute! Any fundraiser’s primary objective is to connect with donors. And those donors are people with busy lives. They might only be available after 5pm, or only on weekends. They might be located internationally. For so many reasons, MGOs need to be flexible so they can meet when it’s convenient for the donor.


So, should MGOs also be expected to sit at a desk from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday?


It seems like the answer would be obvious – it’s simply not sustainable for fundraisers to work all the time. Yet many organizations promote a culture that requires 40 hours in the office, at whatever cost, regardless of the many events and donor meetings the fundraiser attends outside those hours. This has got to change if organizations want to keep great fundraisers.


Today’s episode is all about creating the kind of environment that gives fundraisers the freedom they need to nurture their donor relationships without working 60+ hours every week.


Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…

  • Why we believe that major gift fundraising is not a 9-5 job
  • What happens when leadership doesn’t allow flexible schedules for MGOs (who are also expected to meet with donors outside of 9-5)
  • What it means to manage by objectives, rather than overseeing every hour or every step of the process
  • How leaders and fundraisers can advocate for a culture that supports flexibility and prevents burnout
Apr 11, 202317:17
You (Yes, YOU) Can Talk Confidently About Planned Giving!

You (Yes, YOU) Can Talk Confidently About Planned Giving!

If you’ve shied away from bringing up planned giving in your donor conversations… you’re not alone! Whether you’re a major gift officer, mid-level officer, executive director of your organization – many people feel some hesitation about bringing up a topic that touches on the donor’s death.

On this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard interview Robert Shafis, our Director of Planned Giving Services, to put some of those fears to rest and give you some tools and strategies to help you feel more confident about discussing planned giving.

Remember, at its core, planned giving is an incredible way for your donors to leave a legacy that will support your organization into the future. And it truly is accessible to anyone.

Listen in to learn how you can start to have these conversations so you can make a bigger difference for your organization while providing your donors with the opportunity to leave something behind that’s meaningful to them.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How to overcome the obstacles that are stopping you from bringing up planned giving with your donors
  • What it looks like when fundraisers are speaking confidently about planned giving (and when they’re not)
  • How to incorporate planned giving into your broader fundraising strategy
  • What indicators to look for and how to begin a conversation with a donor about making a planned gift
Mar 28, 202327:46
Boards + Fundraising: How to Create a Thriving Partnership

Boards + Fundraising: How to Create a Thriving Partnership

Are your board members actively engaged in fundraising for your non-profit? And if not – how can you encourage them to get involved?

In this episode, Jeff Schreifels and Karen Kendrick are joined by Renita Tyson for a conversation about how non-profits can build a better partnership with their boards. Renita is a Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group with a background in numerous sectors, from Fortune 500 companies to small industrial manufacturers. She’s held positions in sales, marketing, development, and senior management, and she also brings her own experience as a board member herself.

Whether you’re seeking out new board members, or you’d like to see more participation from an existing board, this episode will give you some new perspective on how to support your board members so they can do more for your mission.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The role of board members in fundraising
  • How to shift the way your board thinks about fundraising and engage them in your mission
  • The resources your board needs in order to do an effective job
  • Recommendations for organizations seeking to diversify their board
Mar 14, 202321:41
Moving From Money to Mission: How to Transform Donor Conversations

Moving From Money to Mission: How to Transform Donor Conversations

Imagine this scenario: you’re a leader of a non-profit, and you run into a major donor at an event. They ask how things are going at the organization. How do you respond?

A: “Things are great! We’re on track to meet our revenue goals by the end of the year.”

B: “Right now, we’re focused on growing our XYZ Program so we can provide more services for families in need. We’ve seen some incredible results through this program already; can I share a little about what we hope to do in the year ahead?”

It’s pretty clearly B, right? And yet, a lot of fundraisers are so focused on the money that they struggle to talk about their mission in a way that connects with donors.

For this podcast episode, we’ve invited a special guest to help us discover what it means to speak in terms of your mission. Luke Wilson, CEO of A Rocha Canada, will share how focusing on his organization’s mission has transformed his conversations with donors.

As you’re listening in, think about your own elevator pitch and whether it’s working to engage donors with your mission in a meaningful way.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • Why so many fundraisers and non-profit leaders struggle to talk about their mission
  • What gets in the way of having more meaningful donor conversations
  • The difference between a money-focused conversation and a mission-focused one
Feb 28, 202340:55
How Self-Love Transforms Everything, Including Fundraising
Feb 14, 202351:46
Are You Properly Nurturing Your Donor Pipeline?

Are You Properly Nurturing Your Donor Pipeline?

If you're over-investing in donor acquisition and cultivation, but not investing enough in the upper end of the pipeline, then the donors that you've acquired can't be properly cultivated into mid-level, major gifts, or planned gifts. And the reverse is a problem too, when non-profit leaders insist on discovering new major donors outside of their existing donor pools, because they’re not investing enough in donor cultivation. How do you find the right balance?

In this episode, Richard and Jeff discuss the components of the donor pipeline and how to invest across each stage of the donor journey.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…

  • The different stages of the donor pipeline including acquisition, cultivation, mid-level, major gifts, and planned giving
  • How these stages relate to one another and where to invest across the donor pipeline so you’re seeing maximum ROI
  • How to use our Diversification Analysis worksheet to evaluate the balance of your investments across the pipeline
Jan 24, 202319:49
Why Outsourcing Management Is Key to Your Success

Why Outsourcing Management Is Key to Your Success

Successful fundraising programs depend on great managers who can provide fundraisers with feedback, accountability, and encouragement. It’s a full-time job, and it requires a certain set of skills.

Yet many non-profit managers are expected to continue to manage their own caseloads in addition to their team’s. They may have been moved into their role without training or support. And on top of that, the skills that make someone a successful fundraiser don’t necessarily translate to being an excellent manager. This is where a co-management solution comes in.

In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff explain what we mean by “co-management.” They share how Veritus partners with non-profit organizations to provide this service and how it compares to in-house management of frontline fundraisers.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you'll learn...

  • What “co-management” means and how it works for non-profit organizations
  • How co-management solutions compare to in-house management
  • Benefits of co-management and how to overcome obstacles
Jan 10, 202315:13
5 Things to Do When You Get Back from the Holidays

5 Things to Do When You Get Back from the Holidays

When you get back to the office or start up your computer again after a holiday, it always takes a while to get re-oriented. If you do a little prep now, you’ll thank yourself when you come back with a clear game plan to follow!

We hope you have a peaceful and relaxing holiday season, with some time off that helps you to recharge. And when you get back to work, you can feel confident that you’re starting the year off right with these areas as your top priorities during your first week back.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…

  • Where to focus your time and effort during your first week back after the holidays
  • The value of doing a “year in review” session with your team or manager
  • How to prepare for a caseload refresh so you have all the info you need in advance
  • The importance of saving time for self-care and setting the tone for the new year

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Dec 20, 202212:54
Creative Ways to Stand Out at Year-End

Creative Ways to Stand Out at Year-End

There’s a temptation to send out more communication at the end of the year. And it’s understandable; there’s a lot to share during this season, and you want to keep your donors informed.

But communicating more frequently doesn’t make it more effective. In fact, if you send emails and letters about every event, fundraising campaign, organizational report, and holiday greeting, your donors may start to tune out.

In this podcast episode, we’re sharing our tips to help you create engaging and relevant communications that will stand out to your donors during the year-end season. This episode features Jeff Schreifels, Principal, and Drew Coursin, one of our Client Experience Leaders. We hope you’ll enjoy the conversation.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn…

  • Ideas to engage your donor with meaningful touch points at year-end
  • The risk of over-communicating during this busy time of year
  • How to take a holistic view of all the content that your organization is sending out to donors so that your communications are relevant and valuable

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Dec 05, 202224:03
Using Permission-Based Asking with Your Donors and Securing Meetings

Using Permission-Based Asking with Your Donors and Securing Meetings

It’s the most intimidating part of fundraising: asking someone for a gift.

But that’s not the only thing that fundraisers need to ask for. They’re also requesting meetings, inviting people to give their time at events, and asking donors to share the personal driver that inspires their giving.

So, whatever your ask is for – how do you do it in a way that honors the donor as a partner in your mission?

We developed our Permission-Based Asking™model as a framework for more authentic dialogue. No more guessing what your donor is thinking or making assumptions about what’s going on for them. When you align with the donor throughout the conversation, you’re getting their buy-in before moving forward with an ask, so they’ll never be caught off guard.

Donors can and will give more, but they want to be asked. And they want to be asked in a way that’s honoring to them and acknowledges their personal desire to make a difference in the world.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How Permission-Based Asking™ works to build collaborative dialogue
  • Strategies to practice and develop your asking skills in any context
  • Results from Veritus clients who’ve used Permission-Based Asking with their donors

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Nov 15, 202237:43
Bringing Your Authentic Self to Your Work

Bringing Your Authentic Self to Your Work

Does your organization encourage you to bring your authentic self to your work in the non-profit space? Or do you feel pressure to self-censor certain parts of your identity?

Many non-profit employees say that their workplace culture has created an environment where they’re not comfortable or do not feel safe bringing their authentic selves to work. And this is particularly damaging in fundraising, where you need to bring a certain amount of vulnerability because of the deeply personal nature of your work with donors.

To help promote authenticity in non-profit organizations, we’ve invited two special guests, Paul Towne and Rachel Wyley, to guide us along this journey toward authenticity.

Paul Towne is an Executive Search Consultant at Cooper Coleman. Paul has devoted his 20-year career to advancing social good, splitting his time between raising funds for some of the world’s most impactful organizations and championing technology that promotes charitable giving and organizational effectiveness.

Rachel Wyley is the CEO and Founder of Culture Kinesis, an agency which focuses on cultural reimagination and supporting organizations and individuals to do the foundational work that’s needed before starting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives – the mindset work, the unlearning work, and the community building work that supports you in creating an inclusive culture.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • What’s going on in the non-profit world that makes people feel like they need to self-censor at work
  • The cost to non-profits and individuals when authenticity is not embraced
  • Resources for how to have these conversations and shift your organizational culture

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Oct 26, 202243:53
Terrible Things Non-Profits Do That Drive Donors Away

Terrible Things Non-Profits Do That Drive Donors Away

Usually, people have the best of intentions. But it’s shocking how many organizations have internalized some misguided views of fundraising without realizing how their mindset is hurting their donor relationships.

There’s plenty of wrong thinking out there, and on today’s episode, we’ll talk about what it looks like when fundraising leaders and professionals don’t prioritize the donor. Remember, donors are not a means to an end. They’re the lifeblood of your organization and partners in achieving your mission.

Keep an open mind as you listen in today; if you’ve made these mistakes, that’s ok to admit. Making mistakes is all part of the process. But if you aren't learning and growing each time, then you're missing out on opportunities for positive change.

Show Highlights: In this episode, we’ll share how non-profits unintentionally damage their donor relationships when they…

  • Don’t understand the role of fundraising
  • Promote a misguided view of the role of the donor
  • Fail to recognize the spiritual nature of giving
  • Treat donors as a means to an end
  • Set up a system and structure that is disconnected from the donor journey

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Oct 17, 202235:35
Taking Your Donor to the Scene, Without Promoting a Savior Mentality

Taking Your Donor to the Scene, Without Promoting a Savior Mentality

We talk a lot about the importance of taking your donor to the scene so that the need feels real and personal to them. But there’s a risk of exploiting the very communities you serve if their stories are not told in an honoring way.

Some non-profits paint themselves as the heroes, when really, the people they serve deserve the credit for and ownership of their stories. Particularly in communities where the population served may be mostly Black or Latinx, while the non-profit staff members are white, it can feel like another instance of “white saviorism” which has done a lot of damage in these communities.

So how do you share stories of transformation from your community, without suggesting a savior mentality?

To help us unpack this topic, we’ve invited a special guest, Aliguma Young. Aliguma is the founding CEO of The Super Fundraiser. With almost 20 years in fundraising, Aliguma has raised over $200,000,000 for non-profit organizations, nationally and internationally. She launched The Super Fundraiser to support non-profit organizations in developing equity-led fundraising that empowers communities and drives real change.

We hope this episode will inspire you to start a conversation about your own organization’s relationship to the community it serves.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The concept of “white saviorism,” what it looks like when non-profit organizations or staff members have a savior mentality, and how this is harmful to the communities served
  • How to promote equity as part of your organizational mission
  • How to involve members of the community in creating a solution

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Oct 03, 202254:06
The Veritus Way in Action: Interviews with Our Clients

The Veritus Way in Action: Interviews with Our Clients

What is it that makes The Veritus Way of fundraising so successful?

To tell you more about it, we’ve invited a couple of our clients to share about their experiences with the Veritus approach to fundraising.

Listen in to learn about how they approached integrating The Veritus Way into their work, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, and what they would share with others who are working to implement a new approach to fundraising.

You may recognize some of your own challenges in their stories and successes.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand experiences of…

  • How The Veritus Way stands out from other systems and structures
  • What was most challenging about adopting a new approach
  • What was most impactful in these fundraisers’ success
  • Advice to others who are considering implementing a new system at their non-profit

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Sep 19, 202228:31
Tiering Your Donors: The Ultimate Caseload Management Strategy

Tiering Your Donors: The Ultimate Caseload Management Strategy

Do you have a strategy to help you allocate your time per donor?

The reality is, you only have so much time in a day. And you need to be a good steward of that time. So, while we value all donors as people, the impact they have is not equal. Some will give much more than others, and those donors need a bigger investment of your time and energy.

On this episode, Jeff is joined by Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services, to talk about the idea of tiering donor caseloads. This is a core component of the system and structure we follow as part of The Veritus Way. Join us for this conversation about the process of tiering and how it works to help you focus your time where you can make the most impact.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The process of tiering your caseload donors A-C
  • Misconceptions about what it means to tier donors and engage them at different levels
  • Challenges that arise when a caseload isn’t tiered
  • Differences in tiering a major gifts caseload versus a mid-level caseload
  • How tiering helps fundraisers to better engage their donors

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Sep 06, 202219:41
5 Reasons Why We Love Mid-Level (And You Should Too!)

5 Reasons Why We Love Mid-Level (And You Should Too!)

What’s so great about mid-level? We’re so glad you asked!

More and more organizations are discovering that mid-level is the key to retaining donors and donor value. When you have a mid-level program that’s focused on building relationships with donors and discovering their passions and interests, it allows you to qualify and move more donors to major gifts.

And in addition to inspiring more donor engagement and connection, a mid-level program really makes a difference for your organization’s bottom line.

This podcast episode features Kara Ansotegui, one of our Client Experience Leaders, and Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services. Kara and Lisa together have decades of experience with non-profits, and they have a passion for the power of mid-level (and making it FUN).

We hope this conversation will inspire you to get started on mid-level, so your organization can make a greater impact toward its mission.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The role of mid-level in building a healthy donor pipeline where donors are engaged from acquisition all the way to planned giving
  • How mid-level programs improve rates of donor and donor value attrition
  • How a strong mid-level program allows you to qualify and move more donors up into major gifts
  • Net revenue increases that our mid-level clients have seen after starting a mid-level program

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Aug 15, 202214:58
Tips to Better Serve Your Donors

Tips to Better Serve Your Donors

Looking for inspiration to help you plan for the fall fundraising season? Look no further!

Since we’re privileged to work with so many different non-profit organizations, we have a bird’s-eye view of the latest fundraising trends and themes. From year-end planning to giving trends to technology in the relational giving space – exciting things are happening.

On this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard are joined by Lisa Robertson, our Director of Client Services, to share some tips based on what’s working well for our clients. Listen in for some great ideas and strategies to energize your fundraising program this fall!

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • Fundraising trends and themes we’re seeing with Veritus clients
  • Strategies our clients are using to provide exceptional donor service (and how you can apply these in your own organization)
  • Common challenges that non-profits are facing in the second half of 2022

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Aug 02, 202222:05
Fifteen Questions to Help You Go Deeper with Your Donor (re-release)

Fifteen Questions to Help You Go Deeper with Your Donor (re-release)

In this re-release of our all-time most popular episode, Richard and Jeff share 15 questions for you to use in conversation with your donors to help you better understand their passions, interests, and goals for their giving.

No matter what you think you know about your donor, always stay curious about their story. Do you really know why they give to your organization?

Your donors want to be known. When you ask these kinds of open-ended questions, it creates an opportunity for deeper connection with your donors.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How to take your donor relationships deeper by staying curious
  • Specific questions to ask your donors so that you can better understand their passions and bring them more joy in their giving
  • Why it’s so important to know the specific drivers behind your donor’s giving

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Jul 19, 202219:54
How to Approach Fundraising When Your Mission Doesn’t Fit in a Neat Box

How to Approach Fundraising When Your Mission Doesn’t Fit in a Neat Box

Talking about your mission with donors can sometimes feel challenging, especially if you’re an organization that provides indirect services. Do you know if you’re effectively communicating your mission and impact to your donors?

It may seem pretty straightforward for organizations that provide direct services like housing, meals, or other tangible items. But what if your organization is an advocacy group or a similar kind of organization that gets results through others?

On today’s podcast episode, Jeff is joined by Karen Kendrick, our Senior Director of Learning at Veritus Group, for a conversation about how organizations with an indirect impact can talk about their mission in a way that resonates with donors. Telling your story is just as important, and maybe even more necessary, when your mission is less direct.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The biggest challenges that non-profits have when it comes to speaking about their mission (whether they provide direct or indirect services)
  • How to shift your mindset so you can communicate about your mission in a way that connects with donors
  • Strategies to help you develop your mission statement, and examples of what works well

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Jul 05, 202224:42
Moving Out of a Membership Mindset

Moving Out of a Membership Mindset

Many non-profits have a membership model as a key part of their fundraising strategy. And while membership donors can be some of the most loyal and consistent in their giving, a membership model can also be limiting. Donors are going to give what you ask for. If you ask donors to give $120 a year (for a free tote bag!), that’s what people will give you.

But your donors have the capacity and the desire to do more – if you bring them an offer that matches their passions and interests. If you’re not incorporating relationship-based fundraising into your strategy, you aren’t tapping into your donors’ potential to give transformationally.

On today’s podcast episode, we’re doing a deep dive on this topic, and we’ve invited a special guest. Joining us today is Joyce MacDonald, CEO of Greater Public. She’ll share what happened when organizations she worked with shifted from basically a membership-only model to invest in mid and major gift fundraising programs. Listen to find out the results!

And if you’re looking for support in starting up or growing your major gifts program, check out our Certification Courses for Major Gift Fundraisers and for Fundraising Managers and Leaders.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

· The history of membership models

· How to move from a membership mindset to a mid / major gifts approach

· What you can learn from the success of public media stations in developing major and mid-level gift programs

· How to get started on this path and make the case for change using real numbers to gain buy-in from leadership

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

· Take the Next Step: Request Your Free Donor File Assessment

· The Problem with Giving Societies and Membership Programs

· Do Membership Programs Suppress Giving?

Jun 20, 202241:05
Keep, Lift, Move: The Three Objectives of a Successful Mid-Level Program

Keep, Lift, Move: The Three Objectives of a Successful Mid-Level Program

More and more non-profits are discovering that mid-level is the key to a healthy donor pipeline. If you’re wondering where to find more major donors, the answer is almost always: look to your mid-level donors.

But how do you know if your mid-level program is working as it should? At Veritus, we evaluate mid-level programs based on three key objectives: Keep, Lift, and Move. When you measure each of these components, you’ll be able to see the real impact of your mid-level program in growing your donor pipeline.

For this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff hand it over to Lisa and Kara, two of our in-house experts on mid-level programs, for a conversation about how to approach your mid-level goals and KPIs so that you can retain more donors and move those who are ready into major gifts.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How to measure and report on the success of your mid-level program, and the three main KPIs for mid-level:
  1. Keep – What are your donor retention and attrition rates for mid-level?
  2. Lift – How many mid-level donors are increasing their giving year over year?
  3. Move – How many of your mid-level donors are you moving into major gifts?

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Jun 06, 202210:13
How to Approach Donor Stewardship in Planned Giving

How to Approach Donor Stewardship in Planned Giving

Many non-profits feel that once they’ve secured a planned gift from a donor, their work is done. There may not be any plans for follow-up or intentional cultivation of legacy donors after the gift is committed.

Yet, we know that impact reporting is essential to donor retention. And this is no different for planned gifts. Keep in mind that 50% of donors are going to change their wills in the final years of their lives, often removing provisions for organizations who they’ve lost touch with.

So, how do you report on the impact of a future gift? How do you effectively steward your planned giving donors so that they stay engaged with your mission?

On this podcast episode, Jeff and Richard are joined by Bob Shafis, our Director of Planned Giving Services, for a conversation about best practices in legacy donor stewardship. Learn how to build a plan to help your donors remain connected to your organization with confidence in the difference that their gift will make.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How to engage your planned giving donors so that they feel connected to your organization in the years to come
  • How to show the future impact of a gift, when you can't actually show the donors their gifts in action
  • Creating a stewardship plan that includes a process for thanking and recognizing legacy donors
  • Reaching out to planned giving donors to reconfirm their commitment

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

May 24, 202212:27
Supporting Black & Brown Fundraisers in the Non-Profit Sector

Supporting Black & Brown Fundraisers in the Non-Profit Sector

When people of color are not allowed to speak for themselves or their voices are not heard, there’s a psychological toll that often leads to burnout. Black and Brown fundraisers are leaving their organizations because they feel isolated and unwelcome. So, what’s the role of the non-profit sector in fighting systemic racism? How can leaders support Black and Brown staff?

This is an important conversation all leaders need to be a part of, which is why we invited a special guest to join us for this episode. Kia Croom is a fundraising executive with over 20 years of experience. To date, she’s raised close to $400 million dollars for non-profits of all sizes and varieties. She’s worked in a host of development roles and is very passionate about racial justice in philanthropy.

If you want to be a force for racial justice, but are still learning, like so many of us, this episode is for you. We’re glad you’re here.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • Recognizing barriers and bias in yourself and in your organization
  • Burnout in Black and Brown employees
  • What it means to be an accomplice, not just an ally, in support of racial equity
  • How non-profit leaders can normalize inclusion
  • How to give voice to and amplify the contributions of people of color
  • How to create a workplace where black and brown staff feel welcome to show up as their authentic selves

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

May 09, 202242:37
How to Take Your Org From Transactional to Relationship-Based Fundraising (Webinar Replay featuring The American Cancer Society)

How to Take Your Org From Transactional to Relationship-Based Fundraising (Webinar Replay featuring The American Cancer Society)

You know you need to move your non-profit from a transactional model to relationship-based fundraising, but maybe you’re not sure where to start, or how to get everyone on board and fully invested in this change. That’s exactly the challenge that the American Cancer Society faced three years ago, when they decided it was time to adopt a new approach to major and mid-level gifts. Since then, fundraising revenue for these areas has doubled. How did they do it?!

Tune in to hear their story firsthand. This special podcast episode is a replay of a webinar we hosted, featuring special guest Ruth Ann Dailey, the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at ACS.

We hope this conversation will inspire you to tackle whatever changes need to be made at your organization so that you can create more authentic relationships with donors, grow your revenue, and achieve your organization’s goals.

If you want to champion a change in your organization’s fundraising strategy, the first step we recommend is actually how ACS got started on their path: our free donor file assessment. There is no obligation to work with us when you do this assessment, but it will give you actionable information about the health of your donor file, problem areas, and your potential revenue over the next 5 years. Fill out the Free Donor Assessment here.

“I would say the game changer was the assessment of our data.” - Ruth Ann Dailey

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • How Ruth Ann persuaded leadership to invest in a new approach, shifting from a more transactional model to relationship-based fundraising
  • Why ACS decided to bring on a partner to revamp their national fundraising strategy
  • How the team responded to a new, donor-centered strategy for major gifts and donor relations
  • How ACS was able to scale these changes at a national level for maximum impact
  • The value of building a mid-level program as a pipeline to major gifts
  • The strategies and process ACS put in place that led them to double their revenue for mid and major gifts
  • The impact of coaching and accountability on the team’s performance and staff retention rates

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Apr 26, 202201:02:32
How to Be a Champion for Organizational Change

How to Be a Champion for Organizational Change

Creating change in your organization can feel like a daunting task. Where should you start? How do you stay on track?

In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff interview a special guest, Ruth Ann Dailey, the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at the American Cancer Society. Ruth Ann played a critical role in championing change in how ACS approached major gifts. And the result? They were able to double their major and mid-level revenue in just three years. Join us for an inspiring conversation about how ACS did this and how you can advocate for and influence change in your organization.

If you want to champion a change in your organization’s fundraising strategy, the first step we recommend is to get started with our free donor file assessment. There is no obligation to work with us when you do this assessment, but it will give you actionable information about the health of your donor file, problem areas, and your potential revenue over the next 5 years. Get started on the Free Donor Assessment here.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • The problems ACS identified that made them realize they needed to change, and how they found the right approach
  • The process for developing leadership buy-in, as well as advice for someone at an organization where leadership is not supportive of major gifts or changing strategy
  • How ACS shifted their fundraising culture to create a disciplined approach to mid and major gift fundraising to build meaningful donor relationships
  • How any size non-profit can learn from ACS and achieve a greater impact for their organization
  • Ruth Ann’s advice to other leaders who are looking to champion change within their organization

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Apr 19, 202233:37
What’s Holding You Back From Investing in Major Gifts?

What’s Holding You Back From Investing in Major Gifts?

When non-profit leaders decide there’s no room in the budget for a major gifts program, it’s counterproductive, because they’re missing out on a huge revenue opportunity. An investment in major gifts can have an ROI of 10:1, or even more.

So let’s say you’re convinced that the investment in major gifts is worth it – now, how do you get a major gift program up and running, or make an existing program better?

In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff will speak to the ROI of major gifts, as well as the foundational elements of a successful major gifts program.

For more on building a strong major gifts program to support your organization, check out our new subscription program called Veritus 365. There are three plan levels, so you can choose the one that’s right for you. When you become a member, you’ll get a wide range of training materials to help you implement a system and structure that will strengthen your donor pipeline and raise more revenue for programs.

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • Why investing in major gifts is the right thing to do right now
  • Reasons why organizations fail to invest in major gifts
  • The revenue opportunity and projected ROIs from a real client example
  • Six essential components that organizations must have to get a major gift program up and running, or make an existing program better

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Apr 05, 202217:13
Does ‘The Veritus Way’ Work for Smaller Organizations?

Does ‘The Veritus Way’ Work for Smaller Organizations?

If you’re at a smaller organization, you might be thinking: “The Veritus Way sounds great, but it won’t work for us. We just don’t have the resources.” Well, here’s the good news: whether you’re a one-person shop or a large-scale non-profit – our systems and processes can help you build more authentic relationships with your donors, whatever the size of your organization.

In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff are joined by Theresa Tapocsi, one of our incredible Client Experience Leaders. Theresa will speak to her own experience as a fundraiser in a small organization, and what she learned while trying (and sometimes failing) to implement The Veritus Way on a small scale. Wherever you are in your fundraising journey, we know this will inspire you.

For more information on how to get started with these strategies to improve donor caseload management at your organization, check out a couple of our white papers: “Qualifying Donors for Major Gift Caseloads” and “Starting a Successful Major Gift Program.”

Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…

  • Best practices in major gifts for smaller organizations
  • A real-life example from Theresa’s experience as a Capital Campaigns Manager for a small organization, and what she learned through trial and error with The Veritus Way
  • How to apply the systems, process, structure, and strategies of The Veritus Way, no matter the size of the organization
  • Where small organizations should focus to make the biggest impact in major gifts

Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, developing compelling donor offers, and strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.

Additional Resources:

Mar 21, 202216:02