A dramatic shift in fundraising is occurring nationwide. Revenues are shifting by channel. A decade ago, easily 75 percent of all revenue came from direct response. Channels like direct mail, email, and digital marketing drove two-thirds to three-quarters of all income.
In this episode, Roy Jones talks with 28 year nonprofit legend, Tony Marciano, president emeritus, of the Charlotte Rescue Mission, about nonprofit leadership and the challenges facing frontline fundraisers in America today. With emphasis on human services and work with homeless shelter guests; connecting to the emotions of the donor, learn strategies for campaigns that get results.
The major gift fundraisers are not magicians. They can’t simply pull their millionaire contacts and tell them to give to your ministry now that they work for you. It just does not happen that way. If you have a large pool of middle donors and/or current major donors that need to be cultivated, then you are ready to hire a frontline fundraiser. Here is some fundraiser hiring best practices:
Learn the five key strategies to make “the ask” more effective, from knowing your audience to the art of the pledge. Don’t miss out on these invaluable tips to boost your fundraising efforts!
Every day your organization goes without an unfilled fulltime fund development position you are losing money.
In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with Pam Axberg, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, to unpack how high-impact nonprofit leaders recruit, hire, and retain exceptional fundraisers. Leading an organization that raises over $20 million annually, Pam shares how mission alignment, cultural fit, and disciplined hiring practices shape her leadership strategy.
From behavioral interviewing techniques to building development teams that balance strategy and execution, Pam offers practical insight into what separates transactional fundraising from relationship-driven philanthropy. If you’re a CEO, executive director, or development leader navigating staffing challenges, this conversation provides clear, actionable wisdom on building teams that strengthen both culture and revenue.
What if the biggest mistake nonprofits make with major gifts is quitting too early?
In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with Michelle Porter, CEO and co-founder of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, to unpack what really happens when an organization commits to building a major gift program from the ground up.
Michelle shares her firsthand experience launching major donor meetings in the middle of rapid organizational growth, what surprised her most about donors, and why the first meeting is rarely where the biggest gifts happen. From learning to listen instead of pitch, to discovering that authenticity outperforms polish, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what sustainable major giving actually looks like.
You’ll hear why year one is the hardest, how donor relationships compound over time, and how simple practices like stewardship meetings and personal communication can transform not just revenue, but culture across an organization.
This episode is for nonprofit leaders, executives, and development teams who know major gifts matter but feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or unsure where to start.
If you’ve ever thought, “We tried major gifts and it didn’t work,” this conversation may change everything.
In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with Michelle Porter, CEO and Co-Founder of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, to unpack what she learned by personally meeting with key supporters—without a large fundraising staff or a formal major gifts department.
Many nonprofits receive half their major donor revenue in December each year. As a result, they often wait until the fourth quarter of the calendar year to start contacting these critical donors. This approach is a mistake…
Fit Fundraising is pleased to announce the successful placement of Krista Gallagher Colt, CFRE as the new Chief Development Officer at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC). This placement marks an important step in strengthening the Mission’s development capacity as it continues its long-standing work of providing Christ-centered hope, housing, and restoration to individuals in the Twin Cities.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Jordan Smith, Executive Chief Development Officer at Tree of Life Ministries, we explore what it really takes to reach donors from Boomers to Gen Z. Jordan breaks down the communication habits of different generations, how Tree of Life grew from a small online presence to more than 13,000 followers, and why social media is now the front door to donor engagement.
In this episode, Roy Jones sits down with Jordan Smith, Executive Chief Development Officer at Tree of Life Ministries in Purcellville, Virginia. Jordan shares how a moment of compassion in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina inspired his family to launch a ministry that now partners with more than 40 churches and serves thousands each year.
In Part 2 of this Fit Fundraising Podcast conversation, Roy Jones and Cheryl Hackett, Director of Development at the Wyoming Rescue Mission, dive deeper into what truly connects donors across generations—stories and relationships.
In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with Cheryl Hackett, Director of Development at the Wyoming Rescue Mission, to explore how giving habits are evolving across generations. From Boomers who still love their direct mail to Millennials and Gen Z donors who live online, Cheryl shares how her team bridges the gap through multichannel fundraising, storytelling, and faith-driven connection. It’s a practical, hope-filled conversation about building trust, embracing innovation, and inspiring generosity that lasts.
From sustainers to segmentation, today’s fundraisers face a world of change. How do we connect with Boomers who still carry the wealth, while preparing for Millennials and Gen Z who are shaping the future of philanthropy?
