Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast
Episodes
Fundraising With Confidence, Part Two w/ Thomas Dauber
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Part Two continues the Brady Ware webinar series with a deep dive into leadership vision and the emotional steadiness required for transformational ph...
Fundraising With Confidence, Part One w/ Thomas Dauber
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Part One of this special three-part training, Thomas shares the opening portion of a webinar he delivered for Brady Ware’s nonprofit division. Th...
How to End the Year Like a Professional Fundraiser w/ Tom Dauber
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December has a way of messing with a fundraiser’s head.If you hit your goal, there is relief. If you came up short, it can feel like the year someho...
Never Sell Through the Close: Lessons from a Life in Planned Giving w/ Joe Bull
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After decades in fundraising, Joe Bull has seen nearly everything—from million-dollar surprises to the conversations that quietly define a donor’s...
Why Planned Giving Thrives When Everything Else Slows Down w/ Joe Bull
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Economic downturns test every fundraiser’s patience and creativity—but Joe Bull has seen enough recessions to know that generosity doesn’t disap...
The Unplanned Career in Planned Giving w/ Joe Bull: A Practical Look at How Fundraisers Build Skills, Confidence, and Calling.
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Bull never set out to become one of the most respected voices in planned giving. Trained in law and athletic administration, he thought he’d spe...
Fundraising, "Wednesday," and the Myths We Need to Kill w/Tom
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A pop-culture detour with a purpose: Tom breaks down how Netflix’s Wednesday (Season 2) portrays fundraising—manipulative galas, predatory leaders...
Fundraising Courage, Board Chemistry & Big Vision Campaigns w/ Phil Washburn
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this final segment of Tom’s conversation with Phil Washburn, President and CEO of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, the focus turns squarely to...
Lean Six Sigma for Nonprofit Leaders w/ Phil Washburn
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Phil Washburn, President and CEO of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio and a black belt in Lean S...
When the CEO Is Also a Major Gift Officer w/ Phil Washburn
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom sits down with his longtime friend and fellow Bowling Green alum, Phil Washburn, President and CEO of the Furniture Bank of Centr...
Fund the Dream, Not the Gap
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too many fundraising leaders fall into the trap of focusing on what’s missing—trying to “fund the gap” instead of casting a bold vision for wh...
Hiring Fundraisers the Right Way: What We All Miss
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of our conversation, Brianna Quinn flips the script: she talks about what hiring managers get wrong, how organizations unintentionally rep...
Job Searching Out Loud: A Fundraiser's Honest Journey
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this candid conversation, Brianna Quinn, VP of Development at Let’s Get Ready, shares what it was like to conduct a public job search after leavi...
The $25,000 Foosball Table: Making the Case for Fundraising Investment
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, Tom Dauber breaks down the hidden costs of underinvesting in fundraising staff—and why s...
Why You Can't Afford NOT to Invest in Fundraising
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many nonprofit leaders hesitate to invest in additional fundraising staff—often out of a scarcity mindset. But what if that hesitation is actually c...
When Fundraisers Have Money Baggage Too – Doing the Heart Work
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do fundraisers bring their own money trauma to donor conversations? Absolutely—and Courtney offers powerful advice for confronting your own beliefs ...
Safe Spaces and Stuck Generosity – Getting to the Heart of Donor Psychology
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Courtney shares eye-opening stories of how unresolved trauma and attachment to wealth can block generosity—even for those who deepl...
When Wealth Isn't the Answer – Understanding the Emotional Side of Money
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Courtney Markley, founder of the Center for Financial Discipleship, shares her journey from bridal fashion designer to financial counselor. She and To...
Finding Private Funding When Federal Funding Disappears.
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Tom discusses how organizations dependent on federal funding can prepare themselves to find private support.
Getting the Ask Right & Navigating Tricky Donor Conversations w/ David Chambliss
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, David Chambliss gets into the part of fundraising most people secretly dread: actually asking for the gift, living with the number yo...
From Awkward Donor Moments to Transformational Gifts w/ David Chambliss
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, David Chambliss pulls back the curtain on the messy, very human side of major gifts: the things you wish you could take back, the pol...
Hybrid Work, Retention & Building Your Fundraising Career w/ David Chambliss
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with David Chambliss, Associate Dean for Development at Vanderbilt University, and gets practical abou...
Inside Vanderbilt's Dare to Grow Campaign: Scaling People, Data & Strategy w/ David Chambliss
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom sits down with David Chambliss, Associate Dean for Development and Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives at Vanderbilt Uni...
Tom Dauber: Embracing transparent curiosity for better results.
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom discusses common assumptions fundraisers make about donors, why they prevent good fundraising and how to do better by embracing t...
Tom Dauber: The Art of the Presolicitation Part 2
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom continues his discussion on how to have a presolicitation conversation with a potential donor and shares some thoughts the state ...
Tom Dauber: The Art of the Presolicitation Part 1.
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom discusses how you can dramatically increase your success as a major gift fundraiser, by learning to ask for permission to have a ...
When a 7-Figure Gift Disappears: Corporate Partnerships, Stewardship & Tough Donor Moments w/ Bernice Martin Lee
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom wraps up his conversation with Bernice “Bea” Martin Lee, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, by diving into the real-world messin...
Stop Circling and Close the Gift: Discovery, Qualification & Cultivation That Stick w/ Bernice Martin Lee
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Bernice Martin Lee (“Bea”), CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation and longtime major gift leader, an...
Leading with Lived Experience: Reframing Vision, Brand & Case for Support w/ Bernice Martin Lee
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom sits down with Bernice Martin Lee ("Bea"), CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation and a former major gift officer and CDO, to talk about ...
When Donors Cross the Line: Sexual Harassment & Power Dynamics in Fundraising
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Tom shares a deeply personal story about being sexually harassed early in his fundraising career and uses it to unpack the uncom...
Stephen Newland Part 2: More thoughts on how CFO's and CDO's can work better together.
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephen shares more stories and advice on how development staff can communicate and work more effectively with fiscal staff.
Stephen Newland Part 1: Building bridges between CFO's and CDO's
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fractional CFO Stephen Newland shares his wisdom in this two part series about how fiscal officers and development officers can work together more eff...
How you can begin screening your own database for FREE!
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Tom shares how you can start evaluating your own database for free, using simple methodologies that anyone can learn.
How to ask questions that reveal gift propensity, donor affinity and gift capacity.
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Tom discusses the types of questions you should be asking your constituents to confirm wealth screening results and make sure they are...
How Wealth Screening CAN'T help you.
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Tom shares some of the realities of wealth screening results, where they fall short and how to understand what those optimistic result...
Wealth Screening and How it Can Help
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
in this episode Tom shares his thoughts on the ways wealth screenings can be helpful to your fundraising efforts.
Mega Gifts, Matching Gifts & Donor Drama w/ Tim Meier
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Tim Meier and gets very practical about what it really takes to cultivate, solicit, and steward m...
Donor Timelines, Trust, and Major Gifts w/ Tim Meyer
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom Dauber talks with Tim Meyer about how to handle donor timelines, build trust, and grow into larger gifts over time, especially wh...
Prospect Portfolios: What are they and how to build them Part 2
25 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this two part episode, Tom covers the basics of prospect portfolios. How to figure out who's in, who's out, how to keep the clean and why you...
Prospect Portfolios; What are they and how to build them Part 1
18 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this two part episode, Tom covers the basics of prospect portfolios. How to figure out who's in, who's out, how to keep the clean and why you...
What Makes Donors Say Yes: Real Meeting Strategies That Work w/ Max Seeland
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with Max [Last Name], we look at what truly moves donors toward meaningful commitments: trust, clarity, and real human connection...
Make No Apologies: Mindset, Coaching & Re-Qualification Wins w/ Maxwell Sealand
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fundraising isn’t about groveling—it’s about impact. In this episode we unpack the “make no apologies” mindset, shifting conversations from ...
Fighting Fundraiser Burnout and Building Healthy Teams w/ Haley Cooper
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does burnout really look like, and how do you recover from it? In this episode, Haley Cooper shares her journey from launching a nonprofit in Mal...
Mastering Real-World Donor Meetings w/ Tom Dauber
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Tom Dauber gets highly practical about what really happens in donor meetings when the setting, the people, and the emotions do n...
Restaurant Rules for Donor Meetings (and Other Things You Won't Learn in School) w/ Tom Dauber
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The little things at the table can make or break a gift conversation. In this solo episode, Tom shares field-tested etiquette for donor meals: what no...
Leading Up, Planned Gifts & Kindness in Practice — w/ April Novotny
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
April shares how to “lead up” with a president from a corporate background, translate between Advancement and Finance, and build trust through mon...
Keeping Fundraisers: Growth, Exposure & Retention — w/ April Novotny,
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: April Novotny, Vice President of Advancement, Capital University.April shares practical ways leaders can retain fundraising talent: expose staf...
How to Lead Fundraisers: 5 Ways to Keep Them Happy and Successful w/ Tom Dauber
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Tom draws on a decade of managing fundraising teams to share five essential lessons for nonprofit leaders who supervise developm...
How "Playing it Safe" Ruins Fundraising ROI, and How to Fix It w/Tom Dauber
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Tom breaks down why the most uncomfortable fundraising activities are often the most effective. He maps common tactics—sales, ...
How Your Values Shape Your Fundraising w/ Curtis Eaton
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
n this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Curtis Eaton, who leads development work at the University of Cincinnati, and they dig into what i...
Building Inclusive Philanthropy and Expanding the Donor Pipeline w/ Curtis E. Curtis
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring conversation, Curtis E. Curtis, Assistant Vice President of Development at the University of Cincinnati Foundation, shares how mento...
Dubious Gifts and Self Interested Donors w/ Tom Dauber
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo breakdown, Tom digs into the headline-grabbing “$237M gift” story and uses it to teach how to vet mega-gifts, private stock donations...
How to Turn a $5k Donor into a $250k Legacy Gift w/ Jason George
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you have donors who give every year but you are not sure how to ask for more, this episode is your playbook.In this conversation with Jason, Chief ...
Perseverance, Transparency, and Two $500K Wins w/ Jason George
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
IJason George (Chief Development Officer, Vineyard USA; formerly OSU & Kenyon) breaks down how persistence and radical transparency turn “hard t...
How Follow Through, Persistence & Resilience Make Better Fundraisers w/ Jason George
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dig into the practical habits that help fundraisers succeed in any setting, from small community nonprofits to large universities....
What "Major Gift Mastery" Really Means: 7 Habits of Top Fundraisers w/ Tom Dauber
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This solo episode breaks down Tom’s definition of “major gift mastery” into seven practical habits you can apply right away. Learn how to cast a...
Going Fractional: Pricing, Boundaries, and a Safer Path into Consulting w/ Cindy Wagman
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cindy Wagman returns to share the exact moment she pivoted from nonprofit employee to fractional fundraiser—negotiating a $125k, 3-days/week, work-f...
Fractional Fundraising 101, The Smart Bridge for Small Shops w/ Cindy Wagman
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom sits down with Cindy Wagman to unpack the “fractional fundraiser” model—why it exists, when it outperforms a junior hire, and how it helps s...
Metrics That Matter, Part 2: Managing for Balance & Results w/ Tom Dauber
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Tom moves from “what to track” to “how to use it.” He shows managers how to read stacked activity charts at a glance to spot three p...
Major-Gift Metrics That Matter w/Tom Dauber
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom talks about the metrics nonprofits should be using to grow fundraising effectively. He also talks about the pros and cons of diff...
Bring Problems, Not Proposals w/Jim Langley
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jim Langley, President of Langley Innovation talks about the barriers that prevent organizations from raising more money. He al...
Stop "Social Cultivation": Move From Wooing to Purposeful Progress w/Jim Langley
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Langley returns to contrast classic moves management with his facilitation-first approach. We unpack why language like “close” distorts behavi...
Beyond "Moves": Build Philanthropic Partnerships, Not Transactions w/Jim Langley
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant and thought leader Jim Langley unpacks why donor-centric partnership beats short-term “close the gift” thinking. He shares data on alar...
Wealth Screening, Hidden Capacity & Practical Prospecting w/Regina Alhassan
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Prospect research pro Regina Alhassan returns to unpack when wealth screenings hit, when they miss, and how the human touch fills the gaps. She flags ...
How to Spot Overlooked Donors and Build a Stronger Pipeline w/ Regina Alhassan
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re learning fundraising on the fly and not sure where to find people who can give larger gifts, this episode will save you months of trial an...
Prospect Research Wins & the Power of Kindness w/Regina Alhassan.
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, prospect research expert Regina Al Hassan (ResearchPro) joins Tom to show how great strategy + bold outreach unlocks transformational...
How Great Leaders Grow Teams and Inspire Donors w/ Colleen Garland
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, we continue our conversation on the skills and perspectives that shape successful fundrais...
From First Asks to Campaign Wins: Lessons for Fundraisers at Every Stage w/ Colleen Garland
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every fundraiser remembers their first ask: the nerves, the pounding heart, and the thrill of a “yes.” In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fund...
Donor Walls: Costly Tradition or Smart Stewardship?
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donor recognition is an essential part of fundraising, but not all methods are created equal. In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podca...
The Secret Ingredient for a Successful Campaign
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Campaigns are often mistaken for parties, brochures, or glossy launch events. In reality, none of those make a campaign succeed. They are just the fro...
How to Lead a High-Performing Fundraising Team w/ Jim Mahoney
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, we look at the lessons learned from moving beyond frontline work into managing other fundr...
Transformational Gifts and Partnering with Leadership w/ Jim Mahoney
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, we explore the impact of transformational gifts and what they mean for the momentum of a c...
Learning from No: Recovery, Relationships, and Resilience in Fundraising w/ Jim Mahoney
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of my conversation with Jim Mahoney, we hear how he recovered from his very first missed solicitation window—and what happened when he w...
Mentors, Missed Windows, and Major Gift Mastery w/ Jim Mahoney
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today I sit down with my very first manager in higher ed fundraising, Jim Mahoney. Jim was the one who pushed me to make my first big solicitation—k...
Kill the Gala, Grow the Gifts: How to Refocus Your Fundraising Strategy w/ Tom Dauber
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Year end is crowded, noisy, and exhausting. If you want next year to look different, you cannot repeat the same mix of mailings, galas, and wishful th...
Asking with Confidence: Ethics, Empathy, and Career Growth w/ Bill Bartolini
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In part three of my conversation with Dr. William Bartolini, we bring together the wisdom of a 45-year fundraising career with practical tools for fun...
Donor Decision-Making and the Heart of the Ask w/ Bill Bartolini
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of my conversation with Dr. William Bartolini, we dig into the psychology of giving and the art of asking. Bill shares insights from his d...
What Great Major Gift Fundraisers Do Differently w/ Bill Bartolini
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What can four decades of frontline fundraising teach you about being effective, staying sane, and actually enjoying this work?In this conversation, To...
Why This Podcast & How It'll Help You w/Tom Dauber
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kicking off the series, Tom shares why he started the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast and how it’s built to help newer and resource-strained non...