First Day Podcast

Standout Stories for Distracted Donors

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Nicholas Kristock, Executive Director o...

Board Chair + CEO = Better Fundraising Results

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Martin Georgi, Board Chair of the German F...

Is This a Bad Time for a Fundraising Campaign

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by the philanthropic powerhouse himself, Gene...

Using AI to Strengthen Your Cause

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Cheryl Contee...

Hybrid Work and Fundraising: What’s the Connection?

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this retention-minded, myth-busting episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Erica Do...

Latest Data on High Net Worth Donors

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this donor-focused, data-packed episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jon Bergdoll, I...

Global Philanthropy Environment Index

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this data-rich, globally-minded episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by researchers Dan...

Building a Reserve Fund

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this research-powered, globe-spanning episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Craig Furneau...

Women Donors in Seasons of Uncertainty

19 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful and timely episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Jacqueline Ackerma...

Next Gen Donors the Inside Story

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this lively and eye-opening episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Rachel Gerrol, fou...

Social Media Fundraising: Messaging Matters

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Abhishek Bhati, Ph.D., Associate Professor at ...

Missing Our Mid-Level Donors

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this data-packed and donor-loving episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Mark Rovner, JD, ...

Overcoming Burnout

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this soul-soothing episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with fundraising coach, burnout...

Bridging the Gap in Rural Philanthropy

14 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this wide-ranging episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with rural fundraising champion ...

The Joy Delivery Business

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartwarming episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes certified fundraising dynamo Jenn...

Increase Time for Fundraising with AI

31 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with veteran fundraiser and Scouting America ...

Annual Fund Fundraising: What Works and Why

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined once again by fundraising researcher and nonpr...

Planned Giving: Getting Started

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Dr. Kraig Kinchen, Executive Director of 100 Bl...

Collaboration, Innovation, and Fundraising

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Muhsin Hassan, Managing Director at Leve...

The Latest Trends in Digital Fundraising

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes digital fundraising expert Michelle Boggs, MB...

Don't Spare the Change (Management)

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes fundraising trailblazer Ann Updegraff Spleth ...

Talking with Your Donors About Tax Law Changes

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. dives into the big, shiny (and slightly confusing) chan...

8 Questions to Improve Donor Relations

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with fundraising powerhouse John Zeller, for...

Finally, Some Good News: Using Giving USA Data for Fundraising Planning

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., brings a dose of optimism as he dives into the newly re...

Giving USA 2025: Current Findings

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by philanthropic power duo Una Osili, Ph.D. an...

CEO Transitions and Their Impact on Fundraising

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with executive search guru Bill Peterson of C...

Major Gifts Fundraising from a Donor's Prospective

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with philanthropic power couple Linn and Byron...

Younger Donors: New Fundraising Strategies

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back the brilliant Una Osili, Ph.D., Associate...

Taking the Pulse of Fundraising

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes back the ever-insightful Lindsay Marciniak, MP...

Reasonable Hope: The Courage to Continue Fundraising

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., reconnects with his longtime mentor and fundraising sa...

Donor Gifts: To Give or Not to Give

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Dr. George Newman, Associate Professor of Man...

Why Donors Leave

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Virginia Harrison, Ph.D., Assistant Pro...

How to Build Relationships with DAF Donors

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Dan Heist, Ph.D. and Gen Shaker, Ph.D., ...

Resilient Fundraising During Tough Times

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back the legendary Kay Sprinkle Grace to tack...

Donor Confidence and Charitable Giving

20 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Rick Dunham, founder and chair of Dunham...

Put the Funny in Fundraising

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with Mark Mayer, Ph.D., clinical associate pr...

Volunteers and Fundraising

05 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz welcomes Jaclyn Piatak, Ph.D., professor at UNC Charlotte and co-author of Voluntee...

Failed Stewardship Leads to Failed Fundraising

30 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Geah Pressgrove, Ph.D., professor at West Virginia University ...

Fundraising During Times of Disaster

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Patty McIlreavy, President and CEO of the Center for Disaster ...

Latest Guidance on AI and Fundraising

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Dr. Ashutosh Nandeshwar, Senior Vice President at CCS Fundrai...

The Latest on Taxes and Charitable Giving

08 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Dr. Patrick Rooney, Emeritus Professor at the Indiana Universi...

Stewarding Your Middle Level Donors

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Robert Osborne Jr., principal of The Osborne Group, to discuss...

From Disney to Donor Relations

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Lynne Wester, founder and principal of the Donor Relations Gro...

Donor Perceptions of AI

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP®, Vice President at Kindsight and co...

When One Funder is Not Enough

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Ann Fitzgerald, MA, founder of AC Fitzgerald and alumna of the...

Big Vision, Big Goals, Big Fundraising

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Arleen Peterson, ECRF, MA, Executive Director, Relational Serv...

Prioritizing Donor Relations

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Angela Altamore, Associate Vice President of Donor Relations a...

Endowment Fundraising is for You

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Laura MacDonald, CFRE, Founder and Principal of the Benefactor...

Obstacles To Charitable Giving: The Donor Perspective

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Betsy Erickson, Head of Family and Individual Services at Ara...

Fundraising In 2025

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. explores the trends and opportunities awaiting fundraisers in 2025. The epis...

The Experiences of African American Fundraisers

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Anthony Heaven, Ph.D., professor at the Indiana University Lil...

Taking the Ouch Out of Planned Gift Fundraising

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Christopher Beck, CAP, Principal Gift Advisor at ALSAC/St. Jude's ...

Demystifying Donor Advised Funds

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., speaks with Elaine Martyn, Senior Vice President, Private Donor Group, of F...

Raising More Money with AI

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., speaks with Travis Tester, MA, CFRE, Chief Development and Communications O...

Promoting Diversity In Philanthropy

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., speaks with Christopher Beck, CAP, Principal Gift Advisor for St. Jude Chil...

Are Taxes Taxing Your Donors?

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Howard Husock of the American Enterprise Institute and E.J. McMaho...

Inclusive Philanthropic Engagement

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Alyssia Coates, Ph.D., Senior Director of Development Inclusive Phi...

Being Resourceful to Raise More Resources

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Danny Gatling, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations ...

Celebrities In Fundraising

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D., professor of philanthropic studies a...

Fundraising to the Next Gift

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with Ann Fitzgerald, founder of AC Fitzgerald, to talk about the c...

Inclusive Fundraising: A Real Life Example

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with Miguel Lopez, CFRE, Senior Manager of Development at the San ...

Why Fundraisers Stay

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. sits down with Hava Goldberg, Director of Corporate and Major Giving for Hab...

GivingPulse: Data for Fundraising Planning

22 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. chats with Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, about th...

Making Sense of Giving USA

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of "The First Day from the Fund Raising School," host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. discusses the key findings of the 2024 Giving USA rep...

The Power of the Fundraising Profession

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this celebratory episode of "The First Day from the Fund Raising School," host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Lilya Wagner, Ed.D., CFRE, a pio...

Using Gratitude To Identify Major Gift Donors

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Chad Gobel, MBA, a renowned fundraising consultant, about a nov...

Gen Z, Empathy, and Charitable Giving

25 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Sara Konrath, Ph.D., a social psychology expert recognized for ...

Fundraising Wisdom Through The Years

18 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Fund Raising School with a special gu...

Fundraising in These Turbulent Times

11 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. looks at the uncertain economic climate of mid-2024 and its potential impact...

The Power Of Recurring Donors

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Abby Jarvis, Head of Content for Neon One. They discuss Neon On...

Fundraising Training: Research Required

28 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special 50th-anniversary episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Amir Pasic, Ph.D., Dean of the Indiana Uni...

Finding The Fundraising Story

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Julia Campbell, a fundraising consultant specializing in digita...

Fundraising Starts With Your Strategic Plan

14 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. emphasizes the critical role of a strategic plan as the foundation for succe...

Fifty Years Of Fundraising Wisdom

07 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Dr. Gene Tempel, the founder of the Indiana University Lilly Fa...

Giving USA: The Latest Data

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Anna Pruitt, Managing Editor for Giving USA and Adjunct Faculty...

Personalizing Donors Relationship

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Angelica Suarez-Trujillo, a seasoned advisor at Resilia special...

What Do Nonprofit Fundraisers Need to Know About AI

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Karen Boyd, Ph.D., Economist and Director of Research at the Po...

Household Giving & A Growth Mindset

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. discusses the complexities of household charitable giving, aiming to dispel ...

Presidential Elections Impact on Fundraising

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Patrick Rooney, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Economics and Phil...

Major Gifts Are Not Enough

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jessica Browning, MBA, Principal and Executive Vice President a...

Need New Donors? Look To Millennials

19 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sheds light on the evolving landscape of donor demographics, particularly f...

Fundraising Together: The Power of Collaboration

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Diane Kaplan, Senior Fellow at Indiana University Lilly Family ...

New Data For Fundraising Campaigns

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE and Steven Shattuck of Capital Campaign P...

Donor Advised Funds: The Latest Data

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at DePaul U...

Planned Gift Fundraising: Busting The Myths

21 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Christy Boysen, MA, CFRM, FCEP, the founding CEO of Apex Legacy...

Donor Stewardship After The Event

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jamila Trimuel, Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, an organiz...

Helping Your CEO Fundraise

07 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Ron Schiller, Founding Partner and Senior Consultant at Aspen L...

Global Philanthropy Tracker

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Coco Xiaonan Kou, Managing Director of Research at the Lilly Fa...

Why People Give: Reaching All Donors

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Otis Fulton, Ph.D., Vice President of Psychological Strategies...

Philanthropy Outlook 2024

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jon Bergdoll, Associate Director of Data Partnerships from the ...

Attracting New Donors

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm, Ph.D., professor of philanthropic studies ...

Higher Fundraising By Developing Community

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Katrina VanHuss, Founder and Partner at Turnkey. Katrina highli...

The Deplorable State Of Donor Retention

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jay Love, Co-Founder and current Chief Relationship Officer of ...

What Are Donors Thinking

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Erinn Andrews, the founder and CEO of GiveTeam, a consulting fi...

Fundraising Campaigns: For The Right Reason

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gene Tempel, Ed.D. to discuss the foundational aspects that dri...

Fundraising When Leadership Changes

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gasby Brown. They explore the critical topic of succession plan...

Hispanics And Philanthropy

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Hilda Vega, Deputy Vice President, Philanthropic Practice. The ...

Storytelling For Diverse Fundraising

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Nikole Collins-Puri, former CEO and current adviser to Techbrid...

KPIs and other Measurement Metrics for Fundraisers

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Muhi Khwaja, MPA, CFRE, CFRM, co-founder of the American Muslim...

Fundraising for the New Year

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., shares his thoughts on fundraising prospects for 2024. He begins by reflect...