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Fundraising Growth Now!

Fundraising Growth Now!

Hosted by Catherine Heitz New, Chief Executive Officer

BusinessInterviews guests

Episodes

80

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Fundraising conversations, advice, and best practices for arts and cultural organizations that want to strengthen donor relationships and raise more money. Learn how you can achieve Fundraising Growth Now!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
July 26, 2026Episode 7922 min

Direct Mail Remains the Cornerstone to Expand Your Donor Base

The most successful arts fundraising programs do not see direct mail as yesterday’s tactic. They use it to welcome new donors, strengthen annual giving, and build the pipeline that leads to tomorrow’s major gifts.In this week’s episode of Fundraising Growth Now!, RSC Associates’ Nicki Inman and Nuri Kye explain why direct mail continues to deliver strong results, how it amplifies digital fundraising rather than competing with it, and why thoughtful, consistent communication is one of the smartest investments an arts organization can make.

July 12, 2026Episode 7839 min

Our Favorite "Bob-isms"—How Bob Swaney Drives Fundraising Success

Some fundraising advice sticks because it is clever. Better advice sticks because it works.That is why Bob Swaney’s “Bob-isms” have lasted at RSC Associates. They are memorable, yes, but they are more than one-liners. They point to a disciplined approach to fundraising: shared leadership, stronger donor relationships, clearer priorities, and better judgment when the work gets noisy.In the latest episode of Fundraising Growth Now!, Bob joins Catherine Heitz New to talk through the “Bob-isms” that have shaped RSC’s counsel for decades, and why they continue to hold up.Do some of these "Bob-isms" feel familiar? Schedule a 30-minute conversation with Catherine to discuss where you are, what may be getting in the way, and practical next steps to strengthen your fundraising.

June 21, 2026Episode 7716 min

The Tax Code Changed. What Does That Mean for Fundraising?

Tax laws have changed, and we continue to be asked: what does this actually mean for fundraising?The answer is less dramatic than the headlines suggest. In this episode, we look at why fundraisers should stay focused on relationship-based fundamentals, what to watch for in major donor conversations, and how to respond to hesitation.Where is this question showing up most for your organization right now: donor conversations, Board discussions, campaign planning, or Development team strategy?

June 7, 2026Episode 7623 min

AI and the Human Work of Fundraising

Artificial intelligence has rapidly changed how people work, communicate, search online, write, and make decisions. And it's here to stay.  For arts and cultural organizations, the questions now are: how can AI help fundraising, and where can only the human element advance philanthropy? In this episode, RSC CEO Catherine Heitz New speaks with Founder Bob Swaney about that question. Bob’s view is practical and measured: AI can help fundraisers prepare better, communicate more clearly, and reduce unnecessary friction. It cannot, however, replace trust, judgment, timing, or the human element needed to grow donor relationships.

May 17, 2026Episode 7528 min

Hear From Your Peer — Jonathan Martin

We're continuing our podcast series, Hear From Your Peer. This week, RSC Principal Consultant Jeremy Hatch sat down with Jonathan Martin, an arts leader who has helped various organizations through growth, financial pressure, Board dynamics, audience change, and long-range planning. Listen in for a few steady lessons that apply to Development staff, Executives, and Board members alike.

May 3, 2026Episode 7425 min

Hear From Your Peer — Brittany A. Hall, Fort Wayne Philharmonic

We're continuing our podcast series: Hear From Your Peer. In our latest episode, Jeremy Hatch talks with Brittany A. Hall, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, about how that mindset shapes audience experience, builds stronger engagement, and supports the path from attendance to philanthropy.

April 19, 2026Episode 7324 min

Hear From Your Peer — Nathan Lutz, Carmel Bach Festival

Earlier this year, we launched a special series, Hear From Your Peer, spotlighting arts leaders and their fundraising practices. Now, we're going to give you more of what you want with an encore series. Join guest host Jeremy Hatch, principal consultant of RSC Associates, as he speaks with more leaders in the field, uncovering the shared practices and mindsets behind today's most successful fundraising teams.Listen in to today's conversation with Carmel Bach Festival Executive Director Nathan Lutz, as we explore how leading meaningful change in an arts organization requires building the trust that helps people move forward together.

April 5, 2026Episode 7228 min

Hear From Your Peer — Shannon Walenta, Opera Omaha

Earlier this year, we launched a special series, Hear From Your Peer, spotlighting arts leaders and their fundraising practices. Now, we're going to give you more of what you want with an encore series. Join guest host Jeremy Hatch, principal consultant of RSC Associates, as he speaks with more leaders in the field, uncovering the shared practices and mindsets behind today's most successful fundraising teams.Join us this week as Jeremy speaks with Shannon Walenta, COO of Opera Omaha, to hear about how organizations earn trust when community engagement is part of how they operate, not just something they add on.

March 22, 2026Episode 7112 min

How Healthy is Your Donor Pipeline?

If individual giving is critical to fundraising growth, the next question is simple: how healthy is the donor pipeline feeding that growth?This week on the podcast, RSC CEO Catherine Heitz New takes a close look at the components of a healthy donor pipeline and how organizations can assess whether their pipeline is strong, developing, or at risk.

March 8, 2026Episode 707 min

How to Get Out of the Weeds — What Fundraisers Can Learn From Restaurants About Managing Workload

If you’re a fundraiser in the weeds right now, you might be blaming yourself for what is actually a systems problem.“In the weeds” is restaurant lingo for what happens when the load exceeds the structure. When rotation breaks, a good server can look like they’re failing in just a matter of minutes.Fundraising is no different. When goals rise, and everything lands at once, the solution is not more hustle. Just like in a restaurant, speed without structure usually leads to more cleanup.Being in the weeds does not mean you’re failing. It means the system can’t hold the load. But systems can be redesigned.RSC CEO Catherine Heitz New unpacks this metaphor and a few practical ways to create capacity in the latest episode of Fundraising Growth Now!

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