In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Mladenka Majerić, CEO of the Yellow Dot Foundation in Croatia and an international leader in nonprofit effectiveness, fundraising culture, and philanthropic development across Europe. Bill and Mladenka first connected at the Central and Eastern European Fundraising Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2025, and their conversation centers on a message every fundraiser needs taped to the mirror, the laptop, and possibly the office coffee maker: fundraisers are leaders. They may not always hold the CEO title or sit in the board chair’s seat, but through their relationships, influence, and trust-building, fundraisers help shape organizations, communities, and society itself. The conversation begins with Mladenka reframing fundraising as much more than raising money. Fundraising, she explains, is about developing relationships with donors, building community, influencing public trust, and strengthening the social fabric. Bill adds that nonprofit professionals are often “first responders,” stepping into difficult social challenges and helping communities move toward solutions. Mladenka agrees, noting that fundraisers build not only financial capital but social capital, the kind rooted in values, relationships, and shared responsibility. In other words, fundraisers are not just passing the hat; they are helping stitch the community quilt, hopefully without getting tangled in the thread. Bill and Mladenka then explore what leadership looks like for fundraisers who do not have formal authority. Mladenka offers a beautifully direct answer: “Leadership is communication.” Every donor conversation, public appearance, one-on-one meeting, and stakeholder interaction represents the mission and shapes the reputation of the organization. Bill connects this to what The Fund Raising School teaches as “reference power,” the influence fundraisers earn by being trusted representatives of the mission. Mladenka also introduces the phrase “exquisite fundraising,” describing fundraising that moves beyond planning, managing, and executing into vision, responsibility, and societal change. The episode closes with a focus on self-care, joy, and support for fundraisers who carry heavy expectations in a challenging profession. Mladenka shares advice from her colleague Gary Edwards, who would ask, “Are you having fun?” She expands that idea into joy: fundraisers need to stay connected to the mission, visit with beneficiaries, remember why the work matters, and seek support from colleagues, mentors, coaches, or fundraising communities. Bill echoes this by reminding listeners that fundraising is “the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving,” and that fundraisers are in the “joy delivery business.” The takeaway is clear: fundraisers are leaders not because of their titles, but because of their trust, communication, vision, and ability to connect people to purpose; and when they care for themselves while doing it, they can lead with both effectiveness and joy.

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Phil Purcell, Director of Planned Giving for the Central Territory of The Salvation Army, a veteran faculty member at The Fund Raising School, and nationally recognized expert on planned giving, nonprofit law, and charitable organizations. Phil joins the conversation fresh from leadership roles with the American Bar Association’s charitable giving and organizations work, where he helps advance legal understanding across the nonprofit sector. Together, Bill and Phil tackle a topic that gets plenty of conference-room chatter but not always enough action: nonprofit collaboration, partnerships, and mergers. As Bill notes, everyone loves to say, “Those organizations should work together,” but actually making it happen can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture during a thunderstorm. The conversation begins with why nonprofits pursue partnerships or mergers in the first place. Phil explains that financial pressure is often one driver, especially when an organization has strong programs but a fragile bottom line. Grassroots organizations may also seek fiscal sponsorships or other partnerships because they have mission energy but not yet the fundraising base to sustain themselves. Other collaborations emerge from strategic opportunity, such as organizations with different strengths coming together to address a complex community challenge, or 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations coordinating around advocacy and public policy. Bill adds that donors can be powerful catalysts, sometimes asking why two organizations serving similar missions, neighborhoods, or populations are operating separately when a combined effort might produce greater impact. Bill and Phil then move into the human side of mergers, where the spreadsheets meet the feelings, and sometimes the feelings bring snacks and a lawyer. Phil emphasizes that while boards ultimately decide whether a merger or partnership moves forward, the idea may come from staff, board members, volunteers, thought leaders, or major donors. Still, staff may understandably feel anxious about redundancy, job security, and organizational change. Phil stresses that mission alignment and culture must be addressed before the legal documents arrive on the scene wearing sensible shoes. Work styles, leadership expectations, office norms, governance habits, and organizational identity all matter. Outside consultants can help by conducting interviews, assessing cultural fit, facilitating strategic conversations, and helping leaders determine whether the whole really can become greater than the sum of its parts. The episode closes with Phil outlining the legal and structural issues nonprofits must consider once collaboration becomes serious. He advises organizations to start by understanding exactly who they are legally: their true legal name, articles of incorporation, bylaws, tax-exempt status, state and federal standing, and any unusual provisions that may have been forgotten in the filing cabinet of history. From there, a merger may require a plan of merger, articles of merger, decisions about which entity survives, and attention to state law differences. Phil also explains alternatives to full mergers, including fiscal sponsorships and supporting organization structures, each with its own responsibilities, agreements, and governance questions. Above all, he reminds listeners not to overlook donor intent, restricted gifts, leadership structure, and stakeholder trust. The takeaway is clear: nonprofit collaboration is complicated, emotional, legal, financial, and cultural; but when it strengthens mission, it can be well worth the work.

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Lindsay Marciniak, Managing Partner at CCS, for a data-rich conversation about the fifth edition of the Philanthropy Pulse Report. The report draws on responses from 618 nonprofit organizations across 47 states and 18 countries, giving fundraisers a broad look at both recent fundraising performance and the trends shaping the year ahead. Lindsay shares one of the report’s most encouraging findings: 62% of organizations reported increased revenue in the previous year. Bill places that in context, noting that even amid economic uncertainty, inflation concerns, and questions about recession, donors continue to demonstrate generosity when they are invited to support meaningful work. In other words, philanthropy is still showing up, coffee in hand, ready to help. The conversation then turns to stewardship and donor retention, where the data provide both encouragement and a clear call to action. Lindsay explains that 44% of respondents reported average donor retention rates between 30% and 60%, centering near the national average of 47%. She also notes that organizations are using both personal approaches, such as individual and small-group meetings, and broader strategies, including targeted digital communications. In fact, 69% of organizations plan to support donor retention through targeted digital outreach. Bill reinforces a key principle taught at The Fund Raising School: stewardship is the fundraising that happens between the asks. Donor retention is not simply something to admire, lament, or put on a spreadsheet with a tiny violin playing in the background. It is something organizations can strengthen through intentional gratitude, communication, and relationship building. Board engagement also receives significant attention in the report and in the discussion. Lindsay explains that organizations with clear expectations for board members, including giving and fundraising responsibilities, reported stronger revenue outcomes. The survey found that 52% of organizations say board members fundraise occasionally, while only 14% report very frequent board involvement, 28% say participation is rare, and 6% report no board participation at all. Bill adds research from The Fund Raising School showing that when nonprofits clearly communicate expectations for board giving and fundraising, board members are 11 times more likely to donate and fundraise. The message is delightfully direct: do not assume board members know what is expected. Clarify, repeat, invite dialogue, and help board members understand that they can contribute not only by asking for gifts, but also through stewardship, introductions, expertise, and credibility. The episode closes with a look at AI, fundraising consulting, and future growth opportunities. Lindsay notes that while nonprofits remain curious about AI, many are still in the early stages of adoption, with close to half of responding organizations not using AI at all. For those that are, AI is most often used to enhance personalized donor engagement through writing, editing, and content support. Both Bill and Lindsay emphasize that AI is currently best understood as an enhancement, not a replacement, especially in a sector where staff often face high expectations and burnout. Looking ahead, the report points to major gifts, mid-level donors, non-cash assets, blended gifts, donor-advised funds, and stronger development operations as major areas of opportunity. The episode offers fundraisers a practical reminder that data are not just numbers on a page; used well, they help organizations steward donors, engage boards, support staff, and build stronger fundraising strategies for the future.

In this energizing and highly practical episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Lisa Hacker, Director of Philanthropic Planning for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, for a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation about fundraising with millennials and Gen Z. The episode begins by challenging one of the sector’s most outdated assumptions: millennials are no longer merely “the next generation” of donors, they are already here, already giving, and increasingly shaping the future of philanthropy. Lisa explains that her organization began preparing for this shift nearly two decades ago, recognizing both a transfer of wealth and the importance of building donor relationships long before individuals reach their peak earning years. Bill reinforces that point with research showing that while boomers still give the most per household, millennials have already surpassed their parents in average annual household giving, a striking reminder that fundraisers must stop thinking of younger donors as a future audience and start engaging them as a present reality. What makes the conversation especially useful is how clearly Bill and Lisa separate what remains timeless in fundraising from what truly needs to evolve. The essentials, mission, impact, transparency, trust, and long-term relationship building, remain unchanged. Lisa emphasizes that donors of every generation still want to see meaningful outcomes, hear compelling stories, and understand how their gifts make a difference. What is changing, however, is the way younger generations prefer to engage. Millennials, in particular, are drawn to social media, peer-to-peer influence, and opportunities to document and share their own experiences rather than simply consume polished institutional messaging. As Bill notes, they do not just want to receive the organization’s photos, they want to take the selfies and “usies” themselves. Lisa offers a vivid example through Cincinnati’s ATID program, a cohort-based leadership and philanthropy initiative for emerging Jewish leaders, where participants meet monthly for values-based learning, relationship building, and candid conversations about community responsibility. The program’s success is measured not only in increased giving, but in something deeper: participants continued gathering even after the formal cohort ended, a strong sign that the experience created genuine ownership and connection. As the episode concludes, the focus broadens from millennials to the wider pipeline of next-generation philanthropy, including Gen Z, and this is where the discussion becomes especially valuable for practitioners thinking long term. Lisa describes how the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati is building a sequence of engagement opportunities, from early social and educational entry points to more structured leadership development, helping younger adults find their place in community life before asking them to shoulder major philanthropic responsibility. Bill draws out the larger lesson beautifully: engaging younger donors is not about mastering slang, chasing trends, or pretending to be someone you are not. It is about listening, inviting participation, and treating donors as collaborators rather than transactions. Lisa’s advice to veteran fundraisers is especially strong and reassuring, have fun with it, bring younger colleagues into the conversation, and do not be afraid to ask questions. The episode leaves listeners with an encouraging and deeply practical message: successful next-generation fundraising is not about abandoning proven principles, but about applying them with openness, curiosity, and the humility to let younger donors help shape what comes next.

In this timely and highly practical episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jon Bergdoll, MA, interim director of data and research partnerships at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, for a clear-eyed conversation about what the 2025 federal tax policy changes could mean for charitable giving. The episode opens with an important reminder that taxes are not the only force shaping generosity, but they do matter, and they matter enough to influence billions of dollars in giving behavior. Drawing on new research from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Jon explains that the overall effect of the policy is expected to be a modest drag on giving, roughly $5.5 to $6 billion annually, even as one major provision, the return of the universal charitable deduction, could bring more than 8 million donors into or back into the donor pool. That tension gives the episode its central insight: tax policy can expand participation while still reducing total dollars, because not all donors give at the same scale. What makes the discussion especially useful is the way Bill and Jon unpack how unevenly those effects are likely to be distributed. Smaller and midsize donors who do not itemize may actually increase their giving thanks to the new deduction, creating a projected gain of around $4 billion. At the same time, higher-income households face several new limitations that are expected to reduce giving by roughly $8 billion, a much larger effect because these donors account for a disproportionate share of total philanthropy. The episode does an excellent job of translating technical policy into practical fundraising implications, especially for organizations trying to understand whether this matters for their own donor base. Jon offers an important caution here: even organizations that do not think they serve top-tier donors may still be receiving gifts from wealthy individuals whose giving is spread across many causes. Bill reinforces the point with his usual clarity, reminding listeners that aggregate research is most valuable when it helps frame smarter, more informed conversations with actual donors. As the episode concludes, the focus shifts from prediction to action, and this is where the conversation becomes especially valuable for frontline fundraisers. Jon emphasizes that tax incentives only work when donors know they exist, noting that many households still misunderstand whether they itemize and what giving is deductible. That means nonprofits have a real opportunity, and perhaps a real responsibility, to educate supporters about the universal charitable deduction and to communicate clearly that they are qualified charitable organizations. Bill draws the lesson together beautifully: this is not simply a policy story, it is a donor-relations story. Fundraisers should not panic, and they should not assume every donor will react the same way. Instead, they should use the research as a baseline, ask better questions, and help donors understand how the new rules may intersect with their values and giving plans. For organizations navigating a shifting philanthropic landscape, this episode offers both grounding and direction, showing that even in the world of tax policy, the most important work still begins with knowing your donors well.

In this thoughtful and instructive episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Michal Werner, CAP, CFRE, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, for a rich conversation about major gift fundraising and the patience it requires. Framed around the idea that there is “joy in the journey,” the episode explores what happens when a donor who seems like a certain yes instead says no, and how that moment can become the beginning of something far more meaningful. Drawing on a real donor story from early in her tenure, Michal offers a grounded and compelling example of what it looks like to stay in the relationship, listen more carefully, and let the donor’s interests shape the path forward rather than forcing a gift onto the organization’s preferred timeline. What makes the episode especially valuable is the way it reveals the difference between fundraising driven by institutional assumptions and fundraising rooted in genuine discovery. Rather than walking away after the initial rejection, Michal kept the conversation open, did deeper research into the donor’s private foundation giving, and uncovered a more expansive vision of social justice than the organization had initially presented. That shift led to a very different opportunity: funding a dedicated position focused on building allyships across faith communities and combating antisemitism through collaboration, education, and relationship-building. Bill skillfully draws out the lesson that major gifts are rarely about simply matching capacity with a dollar figure. They are about finding the intersection between organizational purpose and donor values, then building enough trust to move forward together. The result in this case was not the original seven-figure ask, but a five-year commitment of $50,000 annually that proved both strategic and transformational. As the discussion continues, the episode becomes an excellent case study in stewardship, internal leadership, and long-term fundraising discipline. Michal explains how regular impact reporting, visible program results, and continued donor engagement helped turn an initial five-year commitment into ongoing support, with the donor now committed to sustaining the work beyond the original pledge period. Just as important, she speaks candidly about the internal pressure fundraisers often face from boards or executives who expect major gifts to close quickly or at a higher level. Her advice is clear and practical: do not hear “no” as final, do not rush trust-building, and do not treat major gift fundraising like annual fund work. Bill closes by reinforcing a theme that runs throughout the episode: if a donor keeps taking the meeting, the conversation is still alive. For fundraisers navigating complex donor relationships, this episode offers both reassurance and a strong reminder that some of the most meaningful gifts emerge not from certainty at the start, but from patience, humility, and persistence over time.

In this practical and timely episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Ruth Hansen, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, for a smart conversation about checkout charity and what it reveals about contemporary donor behavior. With her characteristic blend of research rigor and practitioner awareness, Ruth explores a form of giving that many people recognize instantly but few have studied closely: the small, spontaneous donation made at the register or during an online purchase. What emerges is a compelling portrait of “impulse giving” as a meaningful and often overlooked part of the philanthropic landscape. For fundraisers, the episode offers both data and perspective, showing that seemingly modest asks at the point of purchase can unlock real generosity when the conditions are right. One of the episode’s greatest strengths is the way it moves beyond anecdote and into useful insight. Ruth explains that more than half of Americans in her study reported giving through checkout charity in the past year, with rounding up as the most common method by far. But the more interesting takeaway is not simply that people give this way, it is that this type of giving may engage donors who do not always fit the patterns associated with more formal charitable support. While some demographic trends align with broader giving research, others differ in revealing ways, particularly around age, education, and income. Bill does an especially effective job drawing out what this could mean for nonprofit strategy, especially for organizations that may be overlooking everyday donors while focusing heavily on mid-level and major gifts. The conversation becomes a useful reminder that generosity is often situational, and that the right ask, at the right moment, still matters enormously. As the discussion continues, Ruth adds an important layer of nuance by emphasizing the role of familiarity and trust. Most people who gave through checkout charity reported at least some prior awareness of the organization receiving the donation, suggesting that these gifts may be impulsive, but they are not entirely disconnected from relationship-building and visibility. That insight gives the episode much of its practical value. Checkout charity is not presented as a shortcut or substitute for sound fundraising, but as one more channel through which public awareness can translate into action. Bill closes by reinforcing the broader lesson with clarity: people give when they are asked, and nonprofits ignore broad-base donors at their own risk. The episode’s final message is both encouraging and strategic. Small gifts at the register may look incidental, but together they point to a larger truth about philanthropy: when organizations make their work visible and make giving easy, people often respond.

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Alison Jane Martingano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, for a fascinating conversation about empathy, burnout, and what fundraisers can learn from research rooted in healthcare. With clarity, warmth, and just the right amount of scientific precision, Alison Jane unpacks a deceptively simple idea: empathy is not just a feel-good virtue, it can actually help protect professionals from burnout. For fundraisers, whose work is built on connection, compassion, and constant attention to others, that insight lands with particular force. This episode makes a compelling case that understanding how we empathize may be just as important as the fact that we do. A key strength of the conversation is its careful distinction between different types of empathy. Alison Jane explains that empathy is not one single emotional blob, but a multidimensional concept that includes cognitive empathy, empathic concern, and emotional contagion or distress. Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand what someone else is thinking or feeling without becoming overwhelmed yourself. Empathic concern is the warm, compassionate response that keeps the focus on the other person. Those two forms of empathy, she explains, are associated with less burnout. The problem arises with distress-based empathy, when a person does not merely care about someone else’s suffering but begins to carry it internally, mirroring the pain as their own. That distinction becomes one of the episode’s most useful takeaways: feeling for others can sustain us, while feeling overwhelmed with them can slowly wear us down. Bill does an especially effective job translating the research into the daily reality of fundraising, where professionals are constantly immersed in stories of need, urgency, and hope. Fundraisers are, by nature and by job description, intensely other-focused. They advocate for people experiencing hunger, illness, educational barriers, housing insecurity, and countless other challenges. Alison Jane suggests that this outward focus may actually be a source of resilience, so long as it remains grounded in compassion rather than self-consuming distress. In one of the episode’s clearest and most memorable formulations, the conversation draws a bright line between being inspired to help and carrying another person’s suffering “like a bag of bricks.” That difference matters. It gives fundraisers permission to care deeply without believing they must emotionally collapse in order to prove that care is real. As the episode concludes, Alison Jane offers an important note of honesty and restraint: empathy may be preventative, but it is not curative. Once true burnout has taken hold, the answer is not simply to care harder or dig deeper emotionally. Burnout, she explains, is a structural problem caused by too many demands and too few resources, and that means real solutions must include institutional support, reduced stressors, and healthier workplace conditions. Bill closes by reinforcing why psychology matters so much in fundraising in the first place; philanthropy is fundamentally about human connection. Donors, volunteers, and fundraisers alike are driven by meaning, identity, and emotion. The episode’s final message is both reassuring and wise: empathy, when practiced in healthy ways, can help fundraisers stay connected to their mission without losing themselves in the process.

In this lively international edition of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Lynda Harwood-Compton, Director of Latch Fundraising, for a smart and spirited conversation about what it really takes to engage millennial and Gen Z donors around the world. Lynda brings both global perspective and practical wisdom, tracing her own journey from teaching blind children to leading an international fundraising consultancy focused on philanthropy, partnerships, stewardship, and next-generation giving. Her central message lands with the force of a well-aimed Scottish truth bomb: Gen Z and millennials are not just “emerging” donors, they are the future of philanthropy, and fundraisers need to stop waiting for them to arrive and start building relationships now. Lynda makes a compelling case that these generations are already deeply philanthropic, even if that generosity does not always show up as a big check in the mail. Gen Z, in particular, is giving through volunteering, activism, peer support, events, and monthly donations, with 84% saying they support a charitable organization in some way. Add to that the massive global wealth transfer already underway, and the picture becomes crystal clear: millennials and Gen Z are on track to become the wealthiest and potentially most influential philanthropic generations in history. But they do not behave like their predecessors. They care about impact, authenticity, and proximity to the cause, often choosing to support just one or two organizations where they can clearly see results rather than scattering gifts across half a dozen institutions and hoping for the best. The conversation also drills into an important distinction that too often gets blurred: millennials and Gen Z may be grouped together, but they are not the same. Millennials are “digital pioneers,” while Gen Z are true “digital natives,” and that difference matters when it comes to outreach, engagement, and trust-building. Lynda explains that millennials may still respond to Instagram, short videos, alumni connections, workplace giving, and even a well-timed WhatsApp message, while Gen Z is more likely to be found in the world of TikTok, influencers, activism, and collective action. Socially, both generations are moving away from traditional gala culture. Forget the black-tie banquet and auction paddles, this crowd would rather see family-friendly experiences, local connection, meaningful community engagement, and opportunities to bring their whole lives, not just their wallets, into the philanthropic experience. As the episode wraps, Lynda offers a refreshingly clear call to action for fundraisers everywhere: be authentic, be transparent, and do not try to perform some awkward corporate somersault to look “younger.” Millennials and Gen Z do not expect perfection, but they do expect honesty, visible impact, and values they can believe in. They want to advocate for others, especially in causes like education, human services, animal welfare, and mental health, and they are increasingly comfortable using strategic tools like donor-advised funds to make those decisions thoughtfully. Bill ties it all together with a reminder that every donor matters, every gift matters, and today’s modest first gift may become tomorrow’s transformational investment. The takeaway is beautifully simple: the future of fundraising is already here, and it is scrolling, texting, volunteering, organizing, and yes, still giving.

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jeff Spitko, CFRE, Senior Director of Integrated Fundraising at the San Diego Foundation and a leading voice on digital fundraising strategy. Right out of the gate, the conversation challenges one of the most persistent myths in nonprofit fundraising: that digital fundraising is simply a matter of posting an online ask and waiting for donations to roll in. Jeff makes the case that digital fundraising is not instant fundraising, but relationship fundraising at scale. Just as major gift work depends on cultivating trust over time, effective digital fundraising requires a thoughtful journey built through personalization, customization, and a slow, intentional process of helping donors understand the mission before ever being asked to give. Jeff then walks listeners through the crucial role of lead generation, describing it as the space where marketing and fundraising intersect. Rather than rushing to solicit new contacts, organizations should focus first on inspiring people to engage, often through advocacy campaigns, petitions, quizzes, and other mission-connected content that encourages participation and makes people want to learn more. He draws on examples from his time at the San Diego Zoo, where petitions tied to endangered species protection and quizzes about wildlife helped attract potential supporters and collect email addresses. From there, the real work begins: a welcome series spread across weeks, not days, designed to educate, build familiarity, and gradually deepen connection. The message is clear: getting the email address is only the beginning, not the finish line. The conversation then turns to engagement and what it really means to build a two-way relationship with donors online. Jeff argues that nonprofits are often very good at talking about their mission and making asks, but far less effective at listening, reporting back, and showing donors that their voices matter. Surveys, response data, and behavioral patterns all offer valuable insight into what supporters care about, and organizations should use that information not only to learn, but to act. He emphasizes the importance of segmentation, noting that donors respond best when content reflects their actual interests and motivations. In an increasingly saturated digital landscape, the organizations that stand out are not simply the loudest, but the ones that make donors feel seen, understood, and valued. Finally, Bill and Jeff connect digital fundraising to the broader donor journey, underscoring that the gift itself comes well after a series of earlier steps: consuming content, following on social media, taking non-financial actions, and sharing contact information. In that sense, digital fundraising mirrors the larger principles of fundraising taught at The Fund Raising School, where relationship-building, preparation, and stewardship all come before and after the ask. Jeff reminds listeners that digital donor acquisition is a long-term investment, one that may not generate immediate net revenue but can create sustainable lifetime value when done well. The episode leaves fundraisers with a steadying and important reminder: digital success does not come from speed, but from patience, strategy, and the disciplined work of building trust over time.

In this forward-looking episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with AI practitioner and marketing maestro Chris Strom of Sunrise Association to tackle a question that’s buzzing louder than a caffeinated chatbot: what can artificial intelligence actually do for fundraising? Chris doesn’t sugarcoat it. Yes, AI can be wrong. Yes, hallucinations happen. But as he explains, the magic isn’t in blind trust, it’s in smart partnership. Think of AI not as your replacement, but as your overachieving intern who works at lightning speed and still needs supervision. Used wisely, it augments your intelligence, multiplies your output, and frees you to do what fundraisers do best: build real relationships with real people. One of the biggest “aha” moments Chris shares is the power of prompting, because typing a lazy one-liner into ChatGPT and hoping for brilliance is like whispering “abracadabra” and expecting Broadway. His practical CRAFT framework is the game-changer: Context (who you are and what’s happening), Role (the perspective the AI should take), Action (what you want it to do), Format (email, report, etc.), and Tone (make it sound like you). With the right ingredients, AI transforms from a novelty into heavy machinery for your marketing and development shop. The difference between “meh” output and mission-moving copy? Specificity and strategy. Chris also shares how AI becomes a nonprofit’s “second brain.” By using transcription tools like MacWhisper alongside platforms such as ChatGPT, he captures meetings, webinars, and brainstorming sessions; then instantly generates summaries, next steps, and polished notes. The result? Hours saved. Brainpower preserved. Follow-up executed. He’s even built custom GPTs loaded with brand guidelines, mission language, and campaign data so his entire team can generate on-brand, accurate messaging without second-guessing tone or statistics. It’s like having a marketing assistant who never sleeps and always remembers the style guide. The episode closes with a practical, and slightly prophetic, note: invest wisely. While free tools can be powerful, paid subscriptions offer critical privacy protections and better performance. For roughly $20 a month, Chris argues, the return on investment is enormous when measured in reclaimed hours and enhanced productivity. His advice? Start small. Pick one task you’re doing today, invite AI into the process, and experiment. We’re still in the “early innings,” he says, and the fundraisers who learn to swing now will be miles ahead as the technology matures. The future isn’t coming, it’s here. And for nonprofits willing to engage thoughtfully, AI may just be the most practical superpower in the fundraising toolkit.