Start With the Heart: Why Transactional Fundraising Is Failing Leaders, and What Comes Next

In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, John Kundtz sits down with Bill Crouch, CEO of BrightDot Fundraising Advisors and former college president, to discuss why traditional development tactics are failing leaders, and what replaces them: ➡️Trust, ➡️Relevance, ➡️Relationship, and ➡️Mattership (the discipline of making supporters feel seen and valued, so philanthropy becomes relational, not transactional.)Bill shares the origin story behind his “start with the heart” philosophy (including the dinner that failed), why major donors evaluate leadership before the mission, and the practical disciplines nonprofit CEOs can use to build momentum without burning themselves or their teams out.What you will Learn:1️⃣Why transactional fundraising is failing—and how donor expectations have changed2️⃣What “start with the heart” looks like in real donor conversations3️⃣How major donors assess leadership, credibility, and trust before committing4️⃣The difference between targeting donors and earning a relationship5️⃣A simple weekly cadence leaders can use to build a sustainable fundraising engineAbout our Guest:Bill has spent 40 years helping nonprofits and higher education leaders shift fundraising from transactional activity to transformational impact through BrightDot’s “Art of Fundraising” approach—blending strategy with human connection, storytelling, and leadership presence. Connect with Bill on LinkedInContact Bill Crouch: [email protected] his book: Start with the HeartVisit BrightDot's Website Comments or Questions? Send us a textSupport the show***Engage, Share, and Connect!Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful.Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community.Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights.Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Substack, and watch our YouTube channel.Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz.Got a disruptive story to share?  We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!