This is the podcast for development professionals who are serious about raising major gifts without burning out. Hosted by Clark Vandeventer—fundraising coach, endurance athlete, and founder of Major Gifts Fundraiser—each episode offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and strategies to help you deepen donor relationships, elevate your impact, and thrive in your calling. From stewardship systems to in-person asks, from donor travel to daily habits, Clark blends real-life stories, timeless fundraising principles, and a refreshing dose
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October 27, 2025Episode 19721 min
Ep. 197- Be Thankful-And Watch What Happens
Summary:Clark shares his November playbook for development officers: how to turn Thanksgiving into a month-long movement of gratitude that naturally inspires giving. From pulling lists in October to writing year-end letters in December, he explains how to stay relationally abundant and avoid those awkward, last-minute “can you give before midnight?” calls.What You’ll Learn:Why gratitude—not urgency—is your most powerful fundraising motivatorThe difference between thank-you calls and gratitude callsHow to structure your October, November, and December moves for maximum impactHow small, consistent “no-ask” touches create major giving opportunities laterWhy there’s no such thing as a “transactional” giftKey Quotes:“Gratitude is an attractive quality. People give without being asked.”“There are no underperforming donors—only underperforming organizations.”“Trust the process, and the big gifts will come.”Action Step:Turn November into “Gratitude Month.” Send notes, texts, and cards. Make calls. Don’t ask—just thank.Connect with Clark:📧 Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.com🌐 MajorGiftsFundraiser.com
October 21, 2025Episode 19620 min
Episode 196- The Two Lists You Need Before Year-End
SummaryAs year-end approaches, Clark shares the methodical moves that separate top-performing development officers from everyone else. In this episode, he walks through the two lists every fundraiser should pull before November hits—and how to use them to strengthen relationships and prevent last-minute panic calls in December.What You’ll LearnWhy now is the time to pull your LYBUNT list—and how to read it strategically.The second critical list: your top cumulative givers over the past two years.How to spot “underperforming relationships” without labeling donors as underperforming.What to do with donors who’ve given less this year, and how to reconnect before year-end.How methodical development work in October and November makes December “miraculously easy.”Key Quotes“There are no underperforming donors—only underperforming organizations.”“If you do the work between October and December, names will magically disappear off your LYBUNT list. It’s not magic—it’s methodical.”“Good relationships are built on an accumulation of shared experiences and shared interactions.”Action StepPull your two lists today:LYBUNT: Last Year But Unfortunately Not This Year.Cumulative Givers: Top donors from the past two years, compared to year-to-date.Then ask yourself: Are these relationships on track?Connect with ClarkHave a question or want help building your year-end plan? Email Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comVisit MajorGiftsFundraiser.com to learn more.
October 6, 2025Episode 19524 min
Ep 195-Lessons Learned (Part 2)
SummaryPart two of Clark’s practical “Lessons Learned” series—from an old slide deck that still packs a punch. We cover why mission must lead your conversations, how to cultivate until the “yes” is likely, the art of listening (and how to measure it), why the case must be bigger than your organization, and the simple discipline of getting in the living room, not just the inbox.What You’ll LearnLead with mission, not programs: Define the problem you exist to solve; then show how your programs are the vehicle.Money isn’t the problem: Relational deficit > budget deficit. Build the relationship that makes the gift obvious.Change lives, not line items: Donors give to impact. Your job is to articulate how lives change uniquely through you.Listen like a pro: Aim to speak far less than you listen; measure it after each meeting to improve.Don’t be flippant with the ask: Cultivate and ask—don’t “just ask.” Ask when a “yes” is likely.Emotion moves big gifts: Logic opens the door; emotion carries the gift over the threshold.Meet with both spouses: If both aren’t in the room, your best arguments will go unanswered.Make the case bigger than your org: Community, nation, world—then your distinctive role.Treat giving as a habit to build: Start small with first-time or reluctant givers; grow over time.Recognition matters (even if it’s “no recognition”): Always ask and align.Choose the living room over lunch: Fewer interruptions, clearer decisions.Prior donors predict future gifts: Steward yesterday’s givers to cultivate tomorrow’s.Never take insiders for granted: Keep building the drama for board and volunteers, too.Do your homework: Know their giving, interests, and context before you meet.You must ask: After real cultivation, make the clear, specific ask.Practical ToolsAdd this to every visit report: “% of time I talked vs. % donor talked.” What you measure improves.Pre-visit prep checklist: giving history, household context, mutual connections, LinkedIn scan, recent news.Quotable Moments“Listen. Listen intently. Listen even more intently.” — Jerry Panas“I never give because there’s a need. I give because I’m interested and I believe I can make a real difference.” — as referenced in the episodeRelatedLessons Learned in Major Gifts Fundraising (Part 1)Links & ResourcesMajor Gifts Fundraiser services and trainings: majorgiftsfundraiser.comTry the Clarkbot (AI coaching, prompts, and role-play): majorgiftsfundraiser.comContactHave a question or want feedback on an upcoming ask? Email Clark at Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.com.
September 22, 202524 min
Ep 194-Lessons Learned (Part 1)
Summary:This episode is a walk down memory lane—and a masterclass in the basics that still matter.While looking for a quote from legendary philanthropist Malin Burnham, Clark stumbled on an old slide deck from 2013 titled Lessons Learned: Practical Lessons in Major Gifts Fundraising. It sparked this episode (and likely a series) revisiting the core principles that shaped Clark’s early seminars and still hold true today.If you're a fundraiser who wants to refine your instincts, tighten your messaging, and revisit the “why” behind what works—this episode is packed with timeless truths.Highlights:(00:01) The Malin Burnham quote that still punches today(03:50) Rediscovering Clark’s 2013 fundraising seminar slides(06:00) The 3 E’s of great fundraisers (Empathy, Energy, Enthusiasm)(10:00) Getting the visit is 85% of getting the gift(12:15) Why board members are best at setting up donor meetings(14:30) Don’t sell need—sell vision. You are the solution.(17:10) The 3 things donors look for before making a big gift(22:00) “This is business.” Why donors need to sense you’re on a mission(25:15) How to remove tension in early donor meetings(28:20) How to handle objections without needing to “be right”(30:40) Two closing quotes from Jerry Panas and Alex SpanosQuotes Worth Repeating:“Donors give big, audacious gifts to big, audacious ideas.”—Clark Vandeventer“If the fundraiser isn’t deeply committed, how can they expect me to be?”—Malin Burnham“I never give because I think there’s a need. I give because I think I can make a real difference.”—Alex SpanosResources & Links:Mega Gifts: Who Gives Them, Who Gets Them by Jerold PanasCommunity Before Self by Malin BurnhamExplore our full training programs at majorgiftsfundraiser.comTry the ClarkBot – your AI-powered fundraising assistant, available now for freeContact Clark: Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comEnjoying the podcast?Please follow, rate, and review. Your feedback helps us reach more fundraisers like you. And if this episode resonated, share it with a colleague.
September 16, 2025Episode 19324 min
193-Should You Stay or Should You Go
Summary:Clark's back on the mic—recorded just before heading to Guatemala—and reflecting on gratitude, career courage, and what it means to be all in. Whether you’re planning your next donor visit or questioning your fit in your current role, this episode will challenge you to examine your alignment and make the next right move.You'll hear how a hostel in Antigua ties into Clark’s personal story and why where you sit matters—not just for you, but for your donors, your mission, and your long-term impact.What You’ll Learn:Why gratitude is a fundraiser’s secret weaponThe two questions every development officer should ask themselvesWhat Steve Jobs, Marlin Burnham, and a Guatemalan hostel have to do with your career pathThe cost of staying in the wrong seat—and the joy of finding the right oneHow to know if it's time to quit (or lean in deeper)Quotable Moment:“If you're not all in, you're just delaying yourself. You’re building donor relationships you’re not going to keep. That’s a bummer—for you and for them.”Links & Resources:Learn more about Clark’s work at MajorGiftsFundraiser.comWatch the Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Address (2005)Read: Community Before Self by Malin Burnham Let’s Connect:Got something you’re grateful for?Have a question about your next move?Send Clark an email: Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.com
September 9, 2025Episode 19214 min
192-Fundraising Lessons from Frozen II
Is Asking for a Gift the Next Right Thing?Summary:Are you about to ask someone for a gift? Maybe the meeting is already on the calendar… but before you make the ask, Clark wants you to pause and reflect.In this episode, Clark shares a powerful mindset shift that can elevate your fundraising from transactional to transformational: asking not because you need the money, but because it's the next right thing in the relationship.You’ll hear the story of Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy, a children’s theater program that transformed its fundraising strategy through this principle. Plus, Clark brings in inspiration from an unlikely source—Frozen II—to remind us that when the path feels unclear, our job is simply to take the next right step.What You’ll Learn:Why asking “Do we need the money?” is the wrong questionA better litmus test: “Will this ask serve the donor?”How to build long-term relational abundance, not just hit financial targetsThe donor-centric power of asking only when it deepens the relationshipHow a children’s theater used mentorship—and music—to raise more and serve betterQuotable Moment:“We need to only ask for a gift if we can say that asking is the next right thing.”Links & Resources:Want help discerning your next right move with a donor? Try the AI-powered Clarkbot at MajorGiftsFundraiser.comTake Action:Have a question or want to workshop a donor relationship? Email Clark directly at Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.com If this episode helped you reframe your thinking, please rate and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more mission-driven fundraisers.Want to level up your skills fast? Check out our 5-day course on writing high-performing appeal letters—available now at MajorGiftsFundraiser.com
September 1, 2025Episode 19123 min
Episode 191: The Golden Package Title: Every Package Is the Golden Package: Building a Culture of Donor Care
Summary:What if every donor interaction was treated like a golden opportunity? In this episode, Clark builds on the themes from Episode 187 ("Surprise and Delight") to dig deeper into what it really takes to create a culture of excellence in donor stewardship.Drawing from his time working at FedEx—and their legendary commitment to quality service—Clark unpacks how great organizations don’t just occasionally go above and beyond. They do the basics well every single time, and then look for small ways to deliver consistent, meaningful moments of surprise, delight, and trust.You’ll hear real stories from FedEx, reflections on company culture, and how the same principles apply directly to your fundraising. If you want donors to give joyfully—and give more—you’ve got to treat each one like they matter… because they do.Key Topics Covered:The “Purple Promise” and what fundraisers can learn from FedExWhy wow moments matter—but only after you've built trust through consistencyThe power of mindset: how internal culture shapes external serviceWhat FedEx’s “Golden Package” teaches us about donor stewardshipA Super Bowl story that shows how far a great organization will go to serveHow to build a system of small, daily wows for your donorsWhy culture—not rules—is what drives long-term success in donor careHow to create happy donors ready to make big, audacious giftsWhy gratitude, consistency, and excellence go hand-in-handFeatured Quote:“You can’t overcome many missteps with one great act of service. That’s not how it works. First, you meet expectations. Then you exceed them.”Resources Mentioned:Episode 187: Surprise and Delight: How to Build Donor LoyaltyBe Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service by Disney InstituteFedEx’s “Golden Package” Super Bowl commercial (1994)ClarkBot: AI-powered coaching and donor messaging supportWant to Build a Better Year-End Appeal?Check out our new course: Write Your Year-End Appeal in 5 DaysLed by Monica Vandeventer, this asynchronous course walks you step-by-step through building a powerful, donor-centric year-end campaign—with full ClarkBot integration.👉 Register now at MajorGiftsFundraiser.comConnect with Us:Email Clark: Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comFollow us on social:Instagram: @majorgiftsfundraiserLinkedIn: Major Gifts FundraiserFacebook: Major Gifts FundraiserTry the ClarkBot for free at MajorGiftsFundraiser.comIf This Podcast Has Helped You…Please take a moment to rate and review the show. It means a lot—and it helps us reach more mission-driven fundraisers like you.
August 25, 2025Episode 19032 min
Episode 190: 4 Ways to Grow Your Gratitude Muscle
Summary:In this episode, Clark dives into the most underrated (yet powerful) skill a fundraiser can cultivate: gratitude.Far beyond gift acknowledgments and thank-you letters, Clark explores how authentic gratitude—when it’s woven into your worldview—can transform your relationships with donors, elevate your joy in the work, and even raise more money. Drawing from personal reflections, practical tips, and the wisdom of Henri Nouwen, he outlines a simple but profound truth: fundraising isn’t about begging—it’s about partnership.You’ll walk away with actionable practices to help you strengthen your “gratitude muscles” so that you don’t just express gratitude… you live it.Key Topics Covered:Why entitlement, bitterness, and resentment are red flags in fundraisingThe sacredness of the donor’s gift: they’re giving you a piece of their lifeWhy real stewardship starts with internal gratitude, not external tacticsPractical daily exercises to grow your gratitude muscles:Journaling and listing what you’re thankful forSending spontaneous thank-you textsWriting long-form letters of appreciationTipping generously as an act of abundance and perspectiveHow gratitude changes not just your donor relationships, but your entire posture toward the worldThe connection between abundance, joy, and generosity in leadershipFeatured Quote:“When donors give their money, they’re giving you little fragments of their life.”Mentioned in This Episode:A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenClark’s personal gratitude routinesThe phrase “poco a poco” — little by little, one travels farJimmy Buffett’s line: “Made enough money to buy Miami, but I pissed it away so fast…”Opportunities for Deeper Engagement:Clarkbot – Your AI-powered fundraising coach trained on Major Gifts Fundraiser strategy. Try it freeNew Course: Write Your Year-End Appeal in 5 Days – Led by Monica, this asynchronous course will walk you through building your entire year-end fundraising campaign.Monica@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comConnect with Clark:Email: Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comSocial:Instagram: @majorgiftsfundraiser / @clarkvandLinkedIn: Major Gifts FundraiserFacebook: Major Gifts FundraiserEnjoying the show?Follow, rate, or review the podcast—your feedback helps us reach more mission-driven fundraisers just like you.
August 18, 202532 min
Episode 189- Christmas in August?
Summary:In this special episode, Clark is joined by Monica Vandeventer—CEO of Major Gifts Fundraiser and the brain behind the ClarkBot. Together, they unpack how fundraisers can simplify, streamline, and elevate their year-end appeal process using the ClarkBot and a brand-new guided 5-day course.Monica explains how the ClarkBot isn’t just another AI tool—it’s a personalized fundraising assistant trained on Major Gifts Fundraiser’s own methodology, ready to walk with you step-by-step through appeal writing, email copy, social media, phone scripts, and more. Whether you’re staring at a blank page or stuck refining your message, the ClarkBot offers practical help—without the burnout.They also dive into the common mistakes nonprofits make when writing appeals, why message structure matters, and Monica’s signature framework for appeal content: Why, Why Us, Why Now.If you want to avoid a stressful December, this episode is your invitation to give yourself an early Christmas present: a fully prepped year-end campaign that actually works.Topics Covered:What the ClarkBot is and how it worksUsing AI to craft donor-centric, effective year-end appealsThe 5-day course structure and what to expectMonica’s “Why / Why Us / Why Now” messaging frameworkWhy most organizations focus on the wrong part of the appealTips to get your letter opened, read, and acted onHow nonprofits can free up their December by planning nowThe problem with major donors giving messaging adviceUsing data-driven best practices from research (like Next After)Program Info: Write Your Year-End Appeal in 5 DaysCost: $279 one-timeLaunch Date: Opens August 18Structure: 5 asynchronous video modules with hands-on ClarkBot integrationOutcome: A completed multi-channel year-end campaign (letter, emails, social media, phone scripts, timeline)Signup Link: See show notes or visit majorgiftsfundraiser.comMentioned in This Episode:ClarkBot: Your AI fundraising coach, trained on Clark’s voice and donor-centric strategiesNext After: Nonprofit research and A/B testing hub for what actually works in appealsListener Preferences Podcast: (Referenced toward the end of this episode) – learning to tailor messaging for different types of donorsConnect with Us:Email:Clark: Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comMonica: Monica@MajorGiftsFundraiser.comSocial:Instagram: @majorgiftsfundraiserFacebook: Major Gifts FundraiserLinkedIn: Major Gifts FundraiserClark’s personal IG (for Romania updates): @clarkvand
August 11, 2025Episode 18821 min
Episode 188-How long can you do this?
Summary:Are you walking, resting, or sprinting right now? In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares a powerful metaphor drawn from his time trail running in Tahoe to help you evaluate the pace of your fundraising work. He explores what it means to find a rhythm you can sustain for the long haul—and how to avoid burnout.Clark also offers two simple, relationship-rich habits you can adopt today to deepen donor engagement without exhausting yourself. And he introduces the Clarkbot, an AI-powered tool that makes his insight and encouragement available anytime you need it.Topics covered:What endurance running teaches us about sustainable fundraisingThe dangers of running all-out too longThe importance of pacing: when to push and when to restClark’s “3 donor calls on a walk” routineWhy handwritten notes still matterThe mindset of poco a poco—little by little, one travels farMentioned in This Episode:Clarkbot – Clark’s AI-powered chatbot that answers fundraising questions in Clark’s own voice and tone. Try it for free at www.majorgiftsfundraiser.comConnect with Clark:If you'd like personal feedback on your annual work rhythm or just want to say hello, reach out to Clark at Clark@MajorGiftsFundraiser.com.Help Us Grow:If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please consider rating, reviewing, or following the podcast. Your feedback helps us reach and support more fundraisers like you.
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