Episode Details

What can four decades of frontline fundraising teach you about being effective, staying sane, and actually enjoying this work?

In this conversation, Tom talks with mentor and long time fundraising leader Bill Bartolini about the practical lessons he learned going from public radio pledge drives to principal gifts of 5 million dollars and more.

You will learn:

• How Bill accidentally “backed into” fundraising and what his first on air pledge drive taught him about motivation and generosity
• The real purpose of moves management and how to use it as a helpful structure instead of a cudgel for beating up fundraisers
• Why empathy sits at the heart of philanthropy and how fundraisers can actually grow their own empathy over time
• The practical differences between major gifts and principal gifts and what has to change in your approach as gift size grows
• How newer generations of fundraisers are coming in with a built in sense of social justice and what that means for the future of our profession
• Simple habits Bill used to keep learning, find good mentors, and stay curious through a long career

If you are early in your fundraising journey or trying to figure out your next chapter, this episode will help you see what a healthy, meaningful long term career in major gifts can look like.

Looking for fundraising coaching?  Check out www.abundantvision.net