Half of all donations received by your organization happen in the fourth quarter. But to break those stats down even further, half of those gifts come in the month of December, half of those gifts occur the last week of December, and half of those gifts happen the last day of December.
It is easy for nonprofit leaders to move quickly toward the question, “How much can we raise?” But before we get there, there are better questions to ask.
In Part 2 of How CEOs Recruit and Retain Great Fundraisers, Roy Jones continues the conversation with Pam Axberg, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. Drawing on her experience leading both major corporations and a mission-driven nonprofit, Pam shares how executive leaders should think about recruiting, developing, and retaining fundraising talent.
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.
What if the secret to breakthrough fundraising wasn’t another conference, but a small circle of peers sharpening one another? In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with marketing professor and nonprofit strategist Dina Jones to unpack the power of mastermind groups. Together, they explore how masterminds go beyond networking, providing nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and CEOs with a safe, faith-centered space to share challenges, spark creativity, and build confidence. From her first experience in Nashville to co-leading groups today, Dina shares how masterminds can transform isolation into innovation—and how this cutting-edge approach is shaping the future of fundraising.
