T. Clay Buck has spent over 30 years in the trenches of nonprofit fundraising and he's got a message every fundraiser needs to hear: the foundation of a great giving program isn't a tactic. It's a philosophy.In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Clay joins Rob Burke to talk about what inclusive fundraising really looks like, why recurring giving is an outcome (not a strategy), and how to tell compelling stories even when your mission doesn't fit the "sad picture" mold.Clay is also previewing two of his upcoming talks at the WellTold Conference this April — "The Impossible Story" and his future-focused look at where philanthropy is headed over the next 5, 10, and 20 years.Whether you're a development director juggling five roles or an ED trying to build real donor relationships on a tight budget, this conversation will shift how you think about your fundraising program from the ground up.🎟️ WellTold Conference — April 2026 in Fargo, ND (in-person + online). welltoldconference.com📌 What you'll learn in this episode:Why inclusivity is the #1 marker of a healthy giving programHow to tell stories when your mission doesn't have a clear "beneficiary face"Why recurring giving works best as an outcome of culture, not a standalone askWhat fundraisers should be doing NOW to prepare for the next decade of givingA preview of Clay's WellTold sessions on storytelling and the future of philanthropy🔗 Learn more about DonorDock: https://www.donordock.com🎙️ The Focused Fundraiser is brought to you by DonorDock — donor management that just works.Chapters0:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser0:49 Clay Buck's path from actor to 30-year fundraiser2:02 What Clay is most excited about at WellTold3:10 The Impossible Story — rethinking nonprofit storytelling3:50 Future-focused philanthropy — planting trees for tomorrow4:17 WellTold Conference details and speaker lineup5:50 What does a healthy individual giving program look like?6:03 Why inclusivity is the foundation of strong fundraising7:30 Recurring giving as outcome, not starting point8:30 Welcoming every donor into the mission10:00 How community culture shapes generosity12:00 Closing thoughts and where to find Clay

Are your nonprofit board members disengaged from fundraising? In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with nonprofit strategist Christal Cherry to talk about how boards set the tone for fundraising culture, how executive directors can better manage up, and how to build strong governance practices that drive real impact.With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and board development, Christal shares practical strategies to help fundraisers:• Reframe fundraising as storytelling and relationship building• Engage disengaged board members• Build accountability between boards and executive directors• Strengthen board governance and recruitment practices• Increase recurring giving and planned giving• Improve donor retention with meaningful appreciationIf you’re a fundraiser, executive director, or board member looking to build stronger relationships and create a healthy fundraising culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can implement immediately.Christal will also be speaking at the WellTold Conference in Fargo (and virtually), where nonprofit leaders will walk away with hands-on, actionable strategies—not just inspiration.Listen now and learn how to focus on what truly matters in fundraising: relationships, accountability, and mission-driven leadership.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:55 Christal Cherry’s nonprofit journey02:04 Why speak at the WellTold Conference?03:33 How boards set the tone for fundraising culture05:55 Making fundraising less scary for board members06:16 How to engage a disengaged board08:08 Board accountability and partnership with leadership11:43 Managing up as an executive director13:25 Building strong board governance17:01 Fundraising trends: recurring & planned giving19:17 Tactical takeaway: creative donor appreciation20:41 Storytelling, leadership, and actionable fundraising

Fundraising isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Amanda Clark-Wahl, founder of Cocktails and Caregivers, to talk about storytelling, donor relationships, and the fundraising habits that actually move the needle.Amanda shares her personal journey into nonprofit leadership, why caregivers are often invisible, and how simple, authentic storytelling can outperform polished campaigns. They also dig into donor stewardship, thanking supporters, fundraising events, hiring your first employee, and why unpolished videos are often the most effective tool fundraisers have.If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or executive director looking to raise more while staying mission-focused, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insights.👇 Topics covered:• Storytelling vs statistics in fundraising• Donor retention and stewardship• Thank-you strategies that actually work• Video fundraising without big budgets• Hiring your first nonprofit employee• Gala fundraising realities• Staying focused on mission while growingChapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:27 – Amanda’s caregiver journey and nonprofit origin story02:35 – Balancing full-time work and nonprofit leadership03:46 – Why storytelling drives donor behavior05:49 – Where nonprofits get storytelling wrong07:10 – Emotional transparency in fundraising08:35 – What nonprofit messaging should stay the same (and what should change)11:08 – Non-negotiable fundraising activities12:42 – Unpolished video thank-yous that work14:53 – Hiring your first nonprofit employee16:48 – Fundraising habits leaders must learn18:45 – Tactical takeaway for fundraisers19:26 – The power of saying thank you

Fundraising doesn’t have to feel reactionary or chaotic.In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with nonprofit leader Erin Davison to unpack one of the biggest challenges fundraisers face today: balancing short-term fundraising pressure with long-term donor stewardship.Erin shares real-world insights from leading nonprofits through economic disruption, crisis, and growth, and explains why stewardship isn’t seasonal, fundraising calendars can be misleading, and nonprofits must stop thinking like charities and start operating like confident businesses.This conversation is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, development professionals, and executive directors who want to simplify fundraising, strengthen donor relationships, and build sustainable growth.What you’ll learn:• Why reactionary fundraising hurts long-term success• How stewardship should operate year-round• The difference between fundraising and development• How to educate boards and CEOs on donor development• Why transparency and storytelling build stronger donor trust• How to plan fundraising without living in crisis modeChapters00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:44 – Erin Davison’s nonprofit journey02:43 – The fundraising habit to leave behind05:58 – Why stewardship must be year-round06:57 – What fundraisers should prioritize earlier10:27 – Leading through crisis and disruption12:22 – Why nonprofits must think like businesses13:39 – Short-term pressure vs long-term relationships15:34 – Fundraising vs development explained18:10 – Transparency with donors and investors19:31 – Honest storytelling and real impact22:33 – One action every fundraiser should take today

What does it really take to build sustainable donor relationships and confidently talk about planned giving?In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Rachel Gitner, Director of Advancement at Serendipity Center, to unpack what works in fundraising across large institutions and small nonprofits.Rachel shares practical lessons from her journey—from classical singer to leading development efforts in healthcare, education, and mental health nonprofits. Together, they dive into donor trust, relationship-building, planned giving conversations, and how fundraisers can use systems (and AI) to stay focused and effective.Whether you’re new to fundraising or leading development strategy, this episode is packed with real-world advice you can use today.🎧 Topics include:How donor relationships actually grow over timeMaking planned giving feel natural (not scary)Large vs. small nonprofit fundraising strategiesUsing donor databases and AI effectivelyThe single most important thing fundraisers should do todayCHAPTERS00:22 – Rachel’s path into nonprofit fundraising02:18 – What skills translate across nonprofit sectors03:22 – Fundraising at large vs. small organizations05:44 – Wearing many hats vs. specialization05:59 – Turning local relationships into long-term donors08:53 – Tracking donor conversations and follow-ups10:24 – Using AI and donor databases effectively11:19 – How to talk about planned giving with confidence14:12 – One thing every fundraiser should do today

How do you build donor trust, steward supporters well, and grow a nonprofit with clarity and purpose?In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, David Robertson, founder of Joshway, talks about building a mission-driven nonprofit rooted in personal story, strong business fundamentals, and ethical storytelling.David shares how his background in fintech shaped Joshway’s donor journey, why nonprofits must think like businesses (without losing heart), and how to steward donors in a way that builds long-term trust — not transactional giving.This conversation is packed with practical fundraising advice, especially for small teams and one-person development shops.🎧 Topics include:• Turning personal pain into purpose• Applying for-profit strategy to nonprofit fundraising• Donor stewardship that actually builds trust• Ethical storytelling without exploiting beneficiaries• Using data and KPIs without losing the human story• Messaging clarity for growing nonprofits• A powerful reflection every fundraiser should do todayIf you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit founder, or development leader looking to sharpen your strategy and reconnect with your “why,” this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:51 The story behind Joshway02:05 Starting a nonprofit rooted in personal loss03:49 What fundraisers can learn from for-profit business07:33 Why data and metrics matter in nonprofit growth08:00 Choosing the right CRM for donor stewardship11:55 Measuring impact through real stories12:23 Ethical storytelling without using people as props14:01 Building donor trust through stewardship16:47 Inviting donors into the mission17:11 Messaging clarity for small nonprofit teams19:38 Tactical takeaway for fundraisers20:02 Remembering your “why”21:12 Final thoughts & DonorDock mention

What should fundraisers focus on at the beginning of a new year? And what should they stop doing altogether?In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke and Chris Stibbs, Director of Development at Growing Futures, talk about what actually moves the needle in modern nonprofit fundraising. From donor retention and stewardship to avoiding burnout, segmentation, KPIs, and realistic goal-setting, this conversation is packed with practical insights for fundraisers at every level.Key Topics Covered:• Healthy fundraising habits for the new year• Donor stewardship vs. transactional fundraising• Donor journeys and segmentation strategies• KPIs that actually matter• Grant strategy and approval tracking• Mid-level donor growth• Avoiding burnout on fundraising teams• One simple action every fundraiser should take todayChapters00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:47 – Chris Stibbs’ fundraising journey02:47 – What a healthy start to the year looks like04:27 – Moving from transactions to stewardship06:07 – Fundraising trends that aren’t working anymore07:15 – Donor journeys & segmentation09:03 – Why every donor matters10:29 – The overlooked power of mid-level donors11:21 – Setting realistic fundraising goals13:27 – KPIs fundraisers should actually track15:53 – Grant strategy & approval rates17:27 – Hard conversations fundraisers avoid19:51 – Tactical takeaway: one thing to do today

What if better marketing was the key to greater impact?Daniel Francavilla, founder of Good Growth Company, to unpack how brand clarity, messaging, and focus directly influence fundraising success.Daniel shares why “marketing” isn’t a dirty word in the nonprofit world, how brand builds trust with donors, and why doing fewer things better leads to stronger donor relationships. From choosing the right marketing channels to using storytelling and proof effectively, this conversation is packed with practical insights fundraisers can apply immediately.If you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit leader, or executive director trying to cut through the noise and raise more by focusing on what truly matters—this episode is for you.Key Topics Covered:Why brand is a fundraising amplifierCommon nonprofit misconceptions about marketingHow clarity and consistency build donor trustChoosing the right marketing channels (email, social, ads)Paid ads for nonprofits: what actually worksHow to audit your nonprofit’s messaging todayChapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:54 – Daniel’s journey into nonprofit marketing02:24 – Why marketing skills are missing in social impact03:25 – Misconceptions nonprofits have about marketing04:51 – Why brand matters more than you think05:07 – How clarity builds donor trust06:56 – Defining nonprofit brand positioning07:14 – The 5 elements of strong nonprofit branding09:41 – Choosing the right marketing channels11:55 – Email, SMS, and owning your audience12:41 – Paid ads for nonprofits: realistic expectations15:33 – Making the case for marketing internally17:45 – One tactical takeaway every fundraiser can do today18:57 – Final thoughts on focus and impact

What does it really take to build strong donor relationships that last?In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke and Serena Steele, Development Director at the Center for Working Families, talk about relationship-based fundraising, donor stewardship, and why doing less—but better—leads to greater impact.Serena shares her unconventional path into nonprofit fundraising, practical systems she uses to steward donors long-term, and how setting healthy boundaries makes you a better fundraiser—not a weaker one. This conversation is packed with grounded wisdom for fundraisers navigating year-end pressure, burnout, and the constant tension between short-term revenue goals and long-term donor retention.If you’re a nonprofit professional looking to focus on what truly matters in fundraising, this episode is for you.🎯 What You’ll Learn:How to steward donors without fancy systems or automationWhy Google Alerts are an underrated fundraising toolHow relationship-based fundraising drives retention and sustainabilitySetting boundaries to avoid burnout in nonprofit workBalancing year-end fundraising with long-term donor trustWhy “doing more” can actually hurt your fundraising resultsChapters00:00 Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser00:28 Serena’s Path Into Nonprofit Fundraising02:32 Turning Volunteering Into a Career04:48 Stewarding Long-Term Donor Relationships05:16 Practical Donor Stewardship Systems07:55 Using Google Alerts for Donor Engagement08:46 Staying Focused During Uncertain Times11:32 Short-Term Revenue vs Long-Term Relationships15:28 Doing Less to Raise More16:11 Setting Boundaries as a Fundraiser18:12 Recognizing Seasons of Work and Rest18:54 Tactical Takeaway for Fundraisers

What does it really take to build sustainable fundraising without burning yourself (or your team) out?In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, host Rob Burke sits down with Maddie Szymanski, Director of Development & Marketing at CP and founder of Lucky Seven Dog Rescue. Maddie shares hard-earned lessons from more than a decade in nonprofit leadership—from building donor relationships and running successful appeals to avoiding burnout and creating systems that last beyond any one fundraiser.If you’re a nonprofit fundraiser, development director, or executive leader juggling too many priorities, this episode will help you refocus on what actually moves the needle.