About this episode

Tom Dauber discusses how to effectively run donor meetings and handle objections in fundraising.

You got the meeting. Now what? In this installment of Abundant Vision Academy, Tom walks through exactly how to run a donor meeting from start to finish, and why the first 15 minutes have nothing to do with money. You'll learn why you must be upfront about your role as a fundraiser from the very first meeting, how to transition from rapport building to your presentation without it feeling awkward, and what to do when a donor shows up angry. Spoiler: an angry donor is almost always better than an indifferent one. Tom shares the story of a disgruntled dental alum who turned his frustration into tens of thousands of dollars in gifts, and why that outcome was completely predictable. Then Tom gets into the pre-solicitation, the often-skipped step that separates fundraisers who close gifts from those who get surprised by a no. You'll hear how to ask for permission to have the gift conversation, how to read a donor's response when they push back on a number, and why Tom almost always goes in at double what he's hoping to close. This is Parts 6, 7, and 8 of a 10-part series releasing every two weeks. Catch up on earlier installments before tuning in. Looking for fundraising coaching…

More episodes of Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast

• Abundant Vision Academy, Parts 4 & 5: How to Contact Donors, Handle Objections & Get the Meeting · July 6, 2026 · 20 min
• Abundant Vision Academy, Part 2 & 3: Meeting Prep, the Cultivation Cycle & Building Your Portfolio · June 22, 2026 · 16 min

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