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First Day Podcast

First Day Podcast

Auteur(s): The Fund Raising School
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 The Fund Raising School is excited to launch the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School! Highlighting current news and research, this podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School!All rights reserved
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  • Digital Fundraising: Engaging Life Long Donors

    Digital Fundraising: Engaging Life Long Donors
    Mar 8 2026
    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.
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    22 min
  • The Future Is Now: Practical AI for Fundraising Success

    The Future Is Now: Practical AI for Fundraising Success
    Mar 1 2026
    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.
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    22 min
  • New Data on DAFS: Significant Growth

    New Data on DAFS: Significant Growth
    Feb 22 2026
    In this data-packed episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back philanthropic powerhouses Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D., and Dan Heist, Ph.D., to unpack the brand-new Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative report. And folks, the headline is clear: DAFs are not just “a thing,” they are a major thing. With $90 billion flowing into donor advised funds in 2024 and a record-setting $65 billion flowing back out in grants. Contributions rebounded sharply after a 2023 dip, mirroring stock market recovery, and now represent roughly 15% of all charitable giving in the U.S. That’s not pocket change, that’s a seismic shift in how philanthropy moves. One of the biggest evolutions? The rise of “donation processors.” Think workplace giving platforms and online tools quietly powering charitable accounts behind the scenes. These platforms have helped push the total number of DAF accounts to 3.6 million, doubling in just five years. Some of these accounts are smaller and transactional, but together they’re transforming access to philanthropy. The barrier to entry has dropped so low that opening a DAF can require little to no initial investment. Translation: this isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy anymore. The “millionaire next door” may now be the “DAF holder next door.” The episode also tackles the payout debate, and yes, there’s math, but the good kind. The reported payout rate of 25% (compared to private foundations’ typical 5–6%) reflects grants made relative to assets held at the start of the year. Meanwhile, the “flow rate,” dollars out compared to dollars in, shows even more velocity. While most DAFs are actively granting, about 8–10% remain relatively inactive over time, sparking ongoing policy discussions. But the data tell a powerful story: when contributions rise, grantmaking rises too. DAF donors aren’t just storing wealth, they’re moving it. For fundraisers, the takeaway is crystal clear: get in the game. Ask donors if they have a DAF. Add it to your event forms. Include it in major gift conversations. Use the publicly available data to identify sponsors in your region and benchmark your results. DAFs are increasingly central to philanthropic strategy across income levels, and fundraisers who understand payout rates, flow dynamics, and donor motivations will be better equipped to engage today’s strategic givers. Bottom line? The money is moving, and the fundraisers who are informed, curious, and proactive will be right there to help direct it toward mission.
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    23 min
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