Fundraising Beyond Transactions: Rediscovering the Logic of the Gift w/ Jason Lewis
About this episode
This episode explores the concept of gift theory in fundraising and its implications for donor relationships.
Most fundraisers have never heard the term "gift theory." Yet it may explain many of the frustrations we experience in our work.In this conversation, Jason Lewis and I explore a foundational question: what actually makes a gift different from a sale or a tax? Jason introduces the concept of "modes of exchange" and explains how societies have historically organized themselves around three different ways of relating: gift, market, and coercion. We examine how modern fundraising may have borrowed too heavily from sales and bureaucratic models, and why that matters for donor retention, trust, and long-term relationships. If you have ever felt that fundraising can become transactional, pressured, or overly mechanical, this episode will help you step back and reconsider the moral architecture behind what we do.Topics we cover: -Jason's fundraising origin story -What gift theory is and where it comes from -Gift mode vs sales mode vs coercive mode -Why fundraising often feels transactional -Whether we are using the wrong toolbox in our profession This episode sets the foundation for a deeper exploration of generosity, responsibility, and the true nature of the gift. Find Jason's…
More episodes of Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast
- Three Questions Every Fundraiser Must Answer
- Back to the Relationship: Proximity, Presence, and the Future of Fundraising w/ Jason Lewis
- Personalization Isn't Personal: Data, Scale, and the Supervisor Problem w/ Jason Lewis
- Are We Treating Donors Like Customers? w/ Jason Lewis
- Bonus Q&A From the Brady Ware Webinar w/ Thomas Dauber
- Fundraising With Confidence, Part Three w/ Thomas Dauber
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast podcast page.