The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast

A gala put them on stage. Then ghosted them for good.Three community leaders invited up front, never contacted again. Zero gifts. One hurt feeling that traveled fast.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell that story next to a very different one. A major gift officer who spent four months building trust with a community before she ever made an ask.No agenda. No pitch. Just curiosity, and a lot of listening.The result? A yes within a week, and two more families who joined in the following year. In this episode, Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice, I walk through:→ Why inclusive fundraising is now core major gifts strategy, not a side initiative→ The tokenism traps that quietly cost you trust and gifts→ The internal work, representation, language, policy, and power, that makes your outreach believableWhat's one practice you'd like to start, or stop, in how your organization engages diverse donors?Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who's ready for this conversation. More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

$5k a year. For 12 years. Then she sold her business.The fundraiser said, "congratulations," and changed the subject.Sixty days later, with one different question, that same donor transferred $400,000 in appreciated stock before the sale closed.Same donor. Same relationship. Different question.This week on The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm pulling back the curtain on what most major gift teams are quietly missing in 2026: asset-based gifts.Stock. DAFs. Closely held business interests. Real estate.These are not "planned giving department" conversations anymore. They are the next frontier of major gifts for nonprofits of every size. In this episode, Beyond Cash: Unlocking Asset-Based Major Gifts, I walk through:→ The donor signals that say "I'm ready for this conversation"→ Two conversation openers that stay donor-centered and advisor-friendly→ The four asset types every major gift officer should be fluent in→ Stewardship moves that turn one complex gift into long-term partnership→ The internal readiness check you can do with your CFO this weekIf cash giving in your shop feels flat, this is the door I want to open for you.Listen to this week's episode and share it with your CEO and finance lead. The fundraisers who get comfortable with complex gifts now will quietly outpace everyone else over the next three years.What's the one part of asset-based giving that still feels intimidating in your work?More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

$150,000 gift. One question.90 seconds."Who is this changing for?" A development director walked into a meeting with a fund-of-funds founder and a 12-page impact report. He flipped through it in ninety seconds and asked one question:"Who is this changing for, and how do you know?"She closed the report. Told one story. Showed one chart. One photo. Nine minutes.Six days later, the $150K gift came in.When she called to thank him, he said something I think about every week: "I don't need more pages. I need to feel and verify what's working."On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, "Story and Data: What Major Donors Really Need," I break down:→ Why even your most analytical donor needs an emotional connection→ The Story Spine: a 5-beat framework for major donor narratives→ How to weave data inside the story, not bolt it on after→ Why dignity-first storytelling is the new bar in 2026Here's the question I want to leave you with. When did you last test your most-told impact story against a sophisticated donor's hardest question?Listen to the episode, then rewrite one story this week. I'd love to hear how it lands.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInGuest: Name, Title, CompanyResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

A $100,000 gift, made in a kitchen.The major gift officer wasn't there.Another donor was. ☕She invited three friends over for coffee. She told them why she gave. She didn't pitch. She didn't ask. Six weeks later, one of those friends called me ready to make a major gift.That moment changed how the major gift officer thinks about major gift strategy.🎙️ On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I unpack peer power, ambassadors, and giving circles, and why peer voices carry more weight than staff voices in 2026.We cover:→ The four peer roles that work in real programs (Host, Advocate, Champion, Circle Convener)→ How to design peer-led experiences that feel like invitation, not pressure→ The guardrails that protect against mission drift, peer pressure, and bubble dynamicsHere's the question I want to leave you with. Who in your donor base is already telling friends about your work without being asked? That person is your starting point.Listen to the episode, and share it with another fundraiser who's building a peer strategy. The doors you've been knocking on may already be wide open from the other side.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

Pruning isn't loss. It's care. For years, fundraisers have been told that a bigger portfolio means a healthier pipeline. In my experience, the opposite is usually true.A focused list closes more gifts, and a focused fundraiser feels more human at the end of the week.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through the four lenses I use to decide who stays on an active portfolio, who graduates to stewardship, and who pauses for now. I also share the language to use with leadership when you propose a leaner, sharper list.What if the bravest move you make this quarter is to take 10 names off your portfolio on purpose?Give this episode a listen and pass it along to a fundraiser or development leader who needs permission to focus. The donors who stay on your list deserve your best, and so do you.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInGuest: Name, Title, CompanyResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

Two donors. Same problem.Completely different outcomes. One development officer waited too long to call. By the time she reached out about a delayed project, the donor had already pulled back. A significant gift quietly disappeared.The other officer called early. She was honest. She said, "Here's what happened, here's what we learned, and here's what we did to fix it." The donor's response?"I really appreciate you telling me that. Most organizations only call when they want something."The difference between those two outcomes wasn't strategy or skill. It was clarity and follow-through.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm sharing everything I know about building deep, lasting trust with major donors, even when things don't go as planned.You'll hear:What "radical clarity" actually sounds like in a donor conversationFour practical feedback loop ideas you can start this quarterHow to use AI to scale your stewardship without losing the human touchA simple thirty-day challenge that could change how you approach donor relationshipsWhat's one conversation you've been putting off with a donor? Connect with me on LinkedIn and share in the comments. You might be surprised how many people are in the same place. Listen to the episode and share it with a colleague who's building major donor relationships right now. Let's grow together. More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies

AI won’t replace your voice, but it can help amplify it.I’ve been talking with so many fundraisers who want to try AI but worry their donor communication will start sounding robotic. I get it. Authenticity matters more than ever in twenty‑twenty‑six.On this week’s Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m sharing how I use AI to draft and refine messages that still sound like me, while saving precious time for deeper donor connections.How are you feeling about using AI in your fundraising communication?Listen to “Writing Donor Messages with AI, Not by AI” and share it with your team or leadership today.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingMajor Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Your next major donor might already be givingI’ve seen so many mid-level donors quietly reading emails, showing up at events, and faithfully giving year after year, without ever being invited into a deeper conversation.When we finally slow down, notice their behavior, and map a simple journey from “thank you” to “tell me what matters most to you,” everything starts to change. Gifts grow, trust deepens, and fundraising feels more relational and less transactional.What if your best future major donor is already in your mid-level file, just waiting to be seen a little more personally?In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I talk about “From Mid-Level to Major: Mapping the Journey” and share practical steps you can take with your own donorsListen to the episode and share it with your team, your executive director, or a board member who cares about growing major gifts in a more intentional way.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingMajor Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

The biggest donors aren’t “the future” anymore. They’re already here. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share what I’m seeing as younger, women, and values‑driven donors rewrite the rules of major giving. From shorter cultivation cycles to co‑designing impact and bringing families and circles into the conversation, I walk you through real stories and practical moves you can start testing right away.If donors want speed, transparency, and a true voice at the table, what needs to change first in your approach🎧 Listen to this episode and share it with a colleague, your executive director, or a board member who needs to hear this conversation.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingMajor Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInGuest: Name, Title, CompanyResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

One donor should never control your budget.In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share a story of a strong organization that felt “safe” until one major donor hit pause and everything started to wobble. We walk through how to map your top 20 donors, spot concentration risk, and start multi‑year commitment conversations that make your portfolio far more shock‑resistant.How exposed are you to one donor’s decision right now?Listen to this episode and share it with your team, your executive leader, or your board so you can strengthen your portfolio together.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingMajor Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingMajor Gifts Training: Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInGuest: Name, Title, CompanyResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Leaders keep derailing donor visits?I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a beautifully teed‑up donor conversation go sideways the moment a well‑intentioned CEO or board member “pops in” unbriefed. You’ve done the research, built the relationship, framed the invitation…and then the message gets fuzzy, the energy shifts, and the donor walks away more confused than inspired.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I’ve learned to turn those moments from chaotic to coordinated over nearly 30 years in major gifts. I walk you through the exact one‑page pre‑brief I use, how I coach leaders before we ever step into the room, and the subtle phrases I rely on to gently steer things back on track when conversations drift.You’ll hear stories from real visits, practical language you can borrow with your own executives and board members, and a few ways AI can quietly help you prep and debrief meetings without losing the human touch.What would change for your major gift program if every leader who joined a donor meeting showed up prepared, concise, and aligned with you?Listen to “Turning Leaders into Effective Major Gift Partners,” and if it’s helpful, share it with a colleague or board member who often joins you in donor conversations.Guest: Name, Title, CompanyResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

AI is already in your donor meetings.I’ve been hearing from so many fundraisers who feel torn.You want to use AI to save time, but you do not want donors to feel like they are talking to a robot instead of a real person.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I use AI as a quiet research assistant, not a replacement for human connection. 🤝I walk through a real world workflow for:Turning public information into a one page prep brief 📝Using AI to practice tough donor questions before you walk in the room 🎯Setting simple guardrails so your team stays ethical and confident 🔒In my experience, when you get this right, you walk into meetings feeling calmer, more prepared, and more present with your donors.Here is the question I am sitting with:How do you want AI to support your donor work without changing who you are as a fundraiser.Listen to “AI-Powered Prep: Human-Centered Conversations,” then share this episode with a colleague, leadership or board member who is asking big questions about AI and major gifts. 🎧👉Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

Big goals without a real plan?That’s the fastest way to create burnout instead of breakthroughs.I’ve seen it too often: a board sets a bold fundraising target, the team nods, and suddenly everyone’s sprinting toward a number that doesn’t match reality. Sound familiar?In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share exactly how to build a 2026 major gifts plan that’s aspirational but realistic, one that inspires confidence instead of chaos.You’ll hear stories from the field, a simple three-scenario model that calms anxiety, and practical steps to right-size your portfolio so you can stay focused on what really moves the needle.✨ Because big goals are beautiful, but only when they’re grounded in data, relationships, and alignment.How are you balancing ambition and realism in your 2026 plan?🎧 Listen to this week’s episode and share it with another fundraiser who needs a little clarity and calm as they plan for the year ahead.Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policiesNewsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.