Shows
The Nonprofit ShowEvents, Donors, Deadlines: Managing Fundraiser's Stress!It’s Fundraiser’s Friday—and we engage in a candid, layered conversation about one of the sector’s least addressed yet most persistent realities: stress. Specifically, the stress experienced by nonprofit fundraisers who juggle mounting expectations, emotional labor, event overload, and relentless revenue goals.Cohost Julia Patrick opens with a sobering observation: “We can’t, as a sector, keep fundraisers going. They burn out and leave—an average tenure of only 18 months.” This sets the tone for a deep dive into the sources of that burnout and practical frameworks to address them. Cohost Tony Beall offers a powerful, cent...2025-05-0232 min
The Nonprofit ShowReal Talk for Fundraisers: Goals, Gratitude, and Getting It DoneIt’s Fundraisers Friday, and Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall are back with an episode full of big opinions, thoughtful advice, and even a little Kung Fu Panda wisdom. This time, they dive into real questions from viewers—and they don’t hold back, with an honest and supportive conversation about the ins and outs of development work, from transparency in fundraising goals to the fine line of donor privacy.One of the first questions tackled: Should fundraising goals be shared organization-wide, or kept within the C-suite? Tony makes the case for balance: “The way you communic...2025-04-2529 min
The Nonprofit ShowMaster the Grant Cycle: From Rejection to Funding!In this high-energy Fundraisers Friday Show, cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall unpack the complexities of grant writing and grant readiness with an eye toward practical, data-driven insights. It’s a masterclass in actionable wisdom for any nonprofit professional involved in grant development—covering strategy, timelines, win rates, and relationship-building.Julia sets the tone with her signature candor, stating: “Fundraisers are expected to do this and it is a very specific trade or craft.” This immediately defines the reality that for many nonprofit professionals, grant writing is just one of several responsibilities they juggle.Tony responds...2025-04-0431 min
The Nonprofit ShowFundraiser's Friday: Burnout, Give or Get, CFRE ValueIn this Fundraisers Friday conversation, hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall answer viewers questions, but also explore the vital importance of joy and authenticity within the nonprofit sector. Starting the fast-paced chat, the talk about the growing challenge of burnout, particularly among fundraising professionals, they offer up some strategies for stress management and maintaining personal authenticity amidst external pressures."There is a lot of joy in this work, despite the challenges," Tony says, in talking about the necessity of personal well-being in achieving sustainable success. Julia points to a notable trend: nonprofit leaders actively seeking joy by...2025-03-2831 min
The Nonprofit ShowIs Your CEO Fueling Fundraising—or Creating Chaos?Cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall dig down into a topic that’s equal parts provocative and practical: the often chaotic intersection between nonprofit CEOs and fundraising.Right out of the gate, Julia sets the tone: “I've seen this occur and I continue to see it occur... the CEO position and fundraising chaos—it can be a little intense, right?” That word—chaos—rings true for many nonprofit leaders who juggle major gift asks, team oversight, and community expectations.But leave it to Tony to cut through the storm with clarity: “Initially, I would say... the CEO is not...2025-03-2130 min
The Nonprofit ShowCorporate Social Responsibility is a Game-Changer for FundraisersCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly critical for both corporations and nonprofits. Our cohosts dig into the nuances and potential of CSR partnerships. Cohost Tony Beall begins by defining CSR as "what organizations commit to in terms of how they want to represent their brand to the community," encompassing environmental, ethical, social, philanthropic, and economic responsibilities.The duo discuss the strategic importance for fundraisers to understand these distinct CSR pillars to enhance their approaches. Cohost Julia Patrick admits, "I just lumped it all together," pointing to the common mistake nonprofits make. Tony expands on this concept...2025-03-1429 min
The Nonprofit ShowCultivating Donors For The Long Term: It's Not Just The Ask!The critical art of cultivating donors for the long term—a concept that many nonprofits struggle to implement effectively.Co-host Julia Patrick sets the stage by highlighting the challenge: “We live check to check. Such a bad mentality… we just get this and then we’re moving.” She speaks to the need to shift from short-term survival mode to a sustainable donor cultivation strategy. Co-host Tony Beall, a leading nonprofit consultant, breaks down the process, distinguishing cultivation from stewardship and offering practical steps to build trust-based relationships with donors.One of Tony’s keys is the differen...2025-02-2830 min
The Nonprofit ShowFundraising, Marketing & Board Policies—Surprising Insights!Love is in the air, and so is wisdom! In this special Fundraisers Friday – Valentine’s Day Q&A, cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall dive into pressing nonprofit leadership questions, blending deep insights with their signature wit and camaraderie.From unexpected board policies to the evolving role of marketing in fundraising, this episode is packed with practical takeaways that every nonprofit leader should hear.One of the most thought-provoking questions came from a young expecting woman: Should boards have a maternity policy for their members? While many policies set attendance rules, they don’t always...2025-02-1527 min
The Nonprofit ShowThe Power of Case Studies in Nonprofit Fundraising!How do you transform a simple document into a powerful storytelling tool that inspires donor action? That’s exactly what cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall tackled on this week’s Fundraisers Friday episode on How to Use Case Studies in Fundraising. Case studies aren’t just dry reports filled with data; they are dynamic narratives that celebrate an organization’s impact. As Tony put it, “A case study is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of your organization.” Rather than seeing them as another bureaucratic task, nonprofits should recognize them as strategic storytelling tools that capture...2025-01-3131 min
The Nonprofit ShowThe Legal Docs Every Fundraiser Must Have!An essential yet often overlooked aspect of nonprofit fundraising: legal documents. Hosted by Julia Patrick and Tony Beall, this discussion provides an insightful overview of key legal agreements that protect both nonprofits and donors while ensuring compliance and clarity in financial engagements.Tony emphasizes the critical nature of risk management within fundraising, explaining that documents such as donor agreements, gift acceptance policies, and sponsorship agreements are not just formalities but essential tools in establishing trust and accountability. "The fundraising professionals need to know why these documents exist, but it’s really the responsibility of the board and CE...2025-01-2431 min
The Nonprofit ShowFundraiser's Friday: The Truth About Donor Board Seats!Fundraising is as much an art as it is a science, requiring an understanding of donor psychology, strategic engagement, and institutional needs. In this episode of Fundraisers Friday, our cohosts dig into the nuanced realities of donor relations, tackling pressing questions about board membership, fundraising portfolios, donor engagement, and wealth screening tools.The lively conversation begins with an ethical debate: Should major donors automatically be granted board seats? Co-host Tony Beall’s response is resolute—financial contributions should not be a ticket to governance. Instead, board membership should be earned through demonstrated commitment, expertise, and alignment with an o...2025-01-1730 min
The Nonprofit Show2025 Fundraising Prophecies Unveiled: AI, Gen Z, and BeyondOur cohosts don their metaphorical fortune-teller hats to peer into the "2025 Crystal Ball and Prophecies" of nonprofit fundraising. Tackling hot topics like AI ethics, the silver tsunami, Gen Z engagement, and inter-organizational collaboration, the duo blends humor with insight.Tony Beall, aka ‘The Nonprofit Prophet’, reveals "AI is not a human replacement; it’s a tool for collaboration." Meanwhile, Julia Patrick, ‘Madam Fundyraz’, shows the urgency of embracing change, and what’s to come for nonprofits!Their fun prognostications peer deep into donor retention, legacy giving, and the critical role of metrics in an increasingly data-driven...2025-01-1031 min
The Nonprofit ShowGrant Writing and Grant Readiness: Insiders Secrets!The world of grants for nonprofits, with Julia Patrick and Tony Beall, in a dynamic Fundraisers Friday learning episode, “Grant Writing and Readiness.” Packed with actionable and powerful takeaways, this informative conversation is your gateway to mastering the art and science of grant writing, regardless of your nonprofit's size. Julia kicks off with a wise reminder: “Grant writers are amazing human beings—they’re the oil in the machine of nonprofit success.” From there, Tony, aka “Mr. Nonprofit Consultancy,” shares his expertise on navigating grant cycles, taking some of the mystery out of the intimi...2024-11-1530 min
The Nonprofit ShowBuilding a Career in Fundraising: From Challenges to Triumphs!Exploring the nuances of what it takes to succeed as a nonprofit fundraiser, especially in an evolving sector that is increasingly professionalized. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia Patrick and Tony Beall chat about the rewarding yet challenging world of professional fundraising. Julia sets the beginning tone with a meaningful reminder in light of today’s tumultuous times. . . . “We’re going to need professional fundraisers now more than ever.”Tony shares that nonprofit work wasn’t always viewed as a career path; rather, “a lot of us just kind of stumbled into this work.” Now, nonprofit professionals can earn a sol...2024-11-0130 min
The Nonprofit ShowBreaking the Taboo: Discussing Nonprofit Salaries and BenefitsThe delicate and often overlooked subject of compensation for nonprofit fundraisers! With hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall. The Fundraiser’s Friday duo highlight the wide spectrum of pay scales in the sector, ranging from entry-level salaries of $40,000 to executive roles reaching $180,000, with Tony emphasizing the importance of transparency. He says, "We’re seeing more organizations list salary ranges in job postings, and that transparency saves everyone time." This transparency, he suggests, could aid nonprofits in attracting talent and cultivating a healthy work environment, especially as the labor market tightens.The enlightening chat also digs...2024-10-2532 min
The Nonprofit ShowFundraisers Friday | Turning a Donor Frown Upside DownHow to handle unhappy donors and turn their dissatisfaction into renewed support, with Fundraisers Friday co-hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall. Whether it's over-solicitation, poor communication, or shifting priorities, understanding why donors frown and how to respond is crucial for every nonprofit.Tony Beall shares key insights on identifying and addressing donor concerns, emphasizing, “We hope to develop that kind of relationship where a donor can call, text, or even send a carrier pigeon to let us know when they're not happy.” Julia Patrick reflects on the importance of feedback, admitting, “I don’t think I’ve ever been...2024-10-1832 min
The Nonprofit ShowHow A Nonprofit's Branding Increases Fundraising!“Your branding is more than a flashy logo and tagline. It’s about how your messaging connects with your community and builds trust over time.”, says Tony Beall, with cohost Julia Patrick.Their discussion explores the holistic nature of nonprofit branding, emphasizing that a strong brand is about more than just a flashy logo or a catchy tagline—it’s about creating genuine, long-lasting trust with the community and potential investors.Watch on video! Tony makes it clear that nonprofit branding must resonate deeply with the communities being served. This connection is crucial for fundraiser...2024-09-2730 min
The Nonprofit ShowDiversifying Revenues (For Nonprofits)How to diversify revenue for nonprofits, with advice centering on being strategic, assessing the market and the organization’s capacity, and ensuring the board and leadership are aligned on the goals of diversification. Cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall talk about the significant pressure fundraisers face, not only in securing donations but also in ensuring that funds are received. This ongoing challenge is compounded when nonprofits rely too heavily on one source of funding, such as a single donor or government grants, which creates vulnerability if those funds suddenly decrease or disappear.Watch on video!Ju...2024-09-1330 min
The Nonprofit ShowWellness For Fundraisers (Body and mind)From the pressures of meeting goals to the high-stress demands of fundraising, this conversation centers on how important it is to integrate wellness into the culture of nonprofit organizations. Cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall look into an essential topic that’s often overlooked in the nonprofit sector: the wellness of fundraisers!Watch on video!Julia kicks off the discussion with a candid reflection on how a short holiday break can sometimes feel more like an extra burden than a relief, saying, “Sometimes I feel like that day off just creates, like, two days more of w...2024-09-0631 min
The Nonprofit ShowHow To Prepare For An Annual Performance ReviewPreparing for your annual performance review is a critical process that can shape your career trajectory, especially in the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser. It involves setting clear goals, documenting your achievements, advocating for yourself, identifying growth opportunities, and maintaining open lines of communication with your supervisor. During this episode of Fundraisers Friday, cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall offer guidance on how to approach this important conversation. Watch on video!Start Early: The Importance of Goal Setting Tony starts with emphasizing the necessity of setting clear goals and objectives well before the r...2024-08-3030 min
The Nonprofit ShowNavigating Donor Relationships Long DistanceExplore the nuances of maintaining and nurturing donor relationships, particularly when donors are geographically distant in this episode of "Fundraisers Friday," with cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall. Watch on video!Tony begins with his ideas on adapting communication strategies to align with donor preferences, whether through phone calls, video conferences, or digital communication like video clips and PDFs. He describes the importance of understanding how each donor prefers to communicate, with Julia agreeing that this understanding is essential for effective engagement. Julia also brings up the idea that video conferencing might offer a more...2024-08-1631 min
The Nonprofit ShowHow To Incentivize Fundraising StaffThe often-controversial topic of incentivizing fundraisers. A pointed discussion revealing the complexities and challenges nonprofits face in retaining top talent in fundraising roles, where turnover rates are alarmingly high, with the average tenure of a professional fundraiser lasting only 16 to 19 months. Hosted by Julia Patrick, CEO of the American Nonprofit Academy, and Tony Beall, a renowned thought leader in the nonprofit sector.Watch on video!Tony starts with the comment that before even considering incentives, organizations must establish clear policies, processes, and measurements for success. He metaphorically refers to incentives as "the icing on the...2024-08-0930 min
The Nonprofit ShowOvercoming Nonprofit Donor's ObjectionsThis learning segment will give you empowering insights into how to overcome nonprofit donor’s objections to donating by fostering more genuine relationships, transparency, and finding opportunities for mutual understanding.Watch on video! Co-hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall begin with emphasizing the importance of addressing the pain points of fundraisers. Tony highlights the significance of viewing objections as opportunities, setting a positive tone for the conversation. Tony shares insights from his professional development experience at the Museum of Tolerance, where he learned the importance of reframing information and taking a moment before res...2024-07-2632 min
The Nonprofit ShowIs 'Selling' A Dirty Word In The Nonprofit Sector?The nuanced topic of "selling" within the nonprofit sector, shedding light on common misconceptions, presented by co-hosts Tony Beall and Julia Patrick. Watch on video!Julia kicks off the show by introducing the new Fundraisers Friday initiative. "We think that this concept, this epic task that fundraisers have, deserves its own day," she declares, whilst Tony Beall, renowned for his expertise in the nonprofit world, adds a touch of humor and big picture clarity to the conversation. The focus of this episode revolves around the idea of "cause selling," a term Tony introduced t...2024-07-1229 min
The Nonprofit ShowLive! From CULTIVATE 2023!Our co-hosts, Julia Patrick and Jarrett Ransom, broadcast from the Cultivate 2023 Conference in San Diego. The live broadcast captures the excitement and purpose behind this inaugural Cultivate Conference, highlighting the focus on relationships, knowledge, and impact in the nonprofit sector. They are joined by special guests Tony Beall and LaShonda Williams from the Fundraising Academy. The conference, organized by the Fundraising Academy at National University, is aimed at providing valuable and relevant content to attendees in the nonprofit sector.Tony Beall explains that the idea for the conference came about after realizing the need for a dedicated e...2023-06-0125 min