PODCAST · education
First Day Podcast
by The Fund Raising School
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!
Episodes
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Planned Gift Fundraising: The Time Is Now
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Christy Coulter, MA, CFRM, CEO of Apex Legacy Consulting and a faculty member at The Fund Raising School, to discuss the growing importance of planned gift fundraising. Once viewed as a...
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The Bridge to Impact: Fundraising for Intermediaries
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Jasmin Johnson, executive director and founding staff member of the Baton Rouge Area Youth Network, to discuss fundraising for intermediary organizations. Unlike nonprofits that provide direct...
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Why Great Fundraising Starts with a Great Story
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Carla Knorowski, Ph.D., a veteran fundraiser and advancement leader whose work has included institutions such as The Henry Ford, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the...
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How Great Fundraisers Ask Donors for Transformational Gifts
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Angela Seaworth, Ph.D., MBA, ACFRE, Instructional Associate Professor at the Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University, to explore how fundraisers can move beyond annual...
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Why Every Nonprofit Needs a Planned Giving Strategy
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Jeff Grandy, Vice President of Client Development at Catapult Fundraising, to discuss why every nonprofit should be thinking seriously about legacy giving, and why the best planned gift…
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Understanding Planned Giving: A Beginner's Guide
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Lisa Chmiola, MS, CFRE, CSPG, Director of Legacy and Gift Planning for Children’s Medical Center Foundation in Dallas, to discuss how fundraisers can make planned giving less intimidating and...
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The Heart of Fundraising: Why Experts Prioritize Donor Relationships
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Adrian Sargeant, Ph.D., co-director of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy and a pioneering researcher in donor relationships, stewardship, and fundraising, to explore what it really…
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AI in Fundraising: Opportunities, Risks, and Reality
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Vicki Pugh, CFRE, CAP, CEO of Advancement Experts and longtime faculty member with The Fund Raising School, to explore how fundraisers can begin using artificial intelligence with confidence,...
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From Burnout to Balance: A Fundraiser's Guide
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Amanda Sattler, PhilD, consultant and researcher with Amanda Sattler Consulting, to examine fundraiser burnout and why solving it requires more than self-care. Drawing on more than 20 years of...
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The Hidden Influence of Nonprofit Boards on Donors
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Ted Grossnickle, CFRE, Senior Consultant and Chairman at JGA Counsel, to explore one of the nonprofit sector’s perennial challenges; meaningful board engagement. Grossnickle argues that board...
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Securing Major Gifts: Timing Is Everything
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., tackles one of the most persistent questions in major gift fundraising: when is the right time to make the ask? Fundraisers may know the classic “six rights” of fundraising: the right person asking the…
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The Untapped Opportunity of Non-Cash Giving
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jeremy Wells, Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, to explore one of fundraising’s largest overlooked opportunities: non-cash giving.…
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Decoding the Annual Survey of Donors by Dunham & Company
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back Rick Dunham, founder and chairman of Dunham & Company, to unpack the firm’s latest annual survey of donors. One of the biggest findings is a disconnect between donors’ personal finances and...
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Giving USA 2026: An Analysis Beyond the Headlines
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., takes an analytical look at the 2026 Giving USA report, which reviews charitable giving in the United States during calendar year 2025. Bill begins with the headline that charitable giving reached $617...
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Cognitive Decline and Aging Donors: A Guide for Fundraisers
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Morgan Jessup, Director of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Association in Indianapolis. Bill opens with a reality many fundraisers know well: some of the nonprofit sector’s most...
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How Special Events Attract, Engage, and Upgrade Donors
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Julianne Read, founder and principal of E and E Fundraising & Events. Bill sets the stage by naming the rumors, myths, and legends that swirl around special events: they are either the ultimate...
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Giving USA 2026: The Headlines Every Fundraiser Should Know
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Christina Daniken, senior member of the research team at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Editor-in-Chief, for Giving USA. The big headline: charitable giving in the...
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Endowments 101: What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Karen Houghton, CEO and Founder of Infinite Giving, for a clear, lively, and highly practical conversation about endowments: what they are, why they matter, and when nonprofits should start…
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Nonprofit Collaboration for Impact and Fundraising
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Soren Kaplan, PhD, nationally regarded educator, consultant, and author, for a practical and energizing conversation about nonprofit collaboration. Drawing from Soren's 2025 article in the Stanford...
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Swimming in Ideas for Effective Fundraising Leadership
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jasmin Graham, founder, president, and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences, for an energetic conversation about leadership, vision, representation, and yes, sharks. Jasmin shares how her lifelong...
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Blended Financing
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Neelam Makhijani, Director of Strategy and Operations for SUVIDHA, for a lively and practical conversation about blended financing; bringing different kinds of funders together to create long-term...
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Fundraising from Athletes: What You Need to Know
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Connie Falcone, JD, founder and CEO of Firefly Athlete, for a conversation about what fundraisers need to know when sports and philanthropy collide. Connie brings serious insider credentials: seven...
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Defeat Burnout: Stronger Systems for Stronger Fundraising
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Janie Judd, founder and principal of Elevé, a national consulting firm that helps nonprofits “work better without losing what makes them human.” Their conversation tackles a challenge many...
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Fundraisers You Are Leaders
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...
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Mission Driven Merger
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…
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From Data to Donors: Stewardship That Drives Results
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…
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Next Gen Fundraising: The Future is Now
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…
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Understanding the Impact of New Tax Policy
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...
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Joy in the Major Gift Journey
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...
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Checkout Giving: The New Face of Everyday Philanthropy
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...
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How Empathy Can Prevent Fundraiser Burnout
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...
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International Perspective on Next Gen Giving
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…
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Digital Fundraising: Engaging Life Long Donors
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...
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The Future Is Now: Practical AI for Fundraising Success
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...
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New Data on DAFS: Significant Growth
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...
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Fundraising Leadership: From Ideas to Donations
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes fundraising veteran Rick Shadyac, JD, former longtime leader of ALSAC, the fundraising powerhouse behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Major donors love bold vision. But how do leaders...
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Strategic Plans to Inspire Donors
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Mladenka Majerić, CEO of the Yellow Dot Foundation in Croatia and a respected voice in philanthropy across Central and Eastern Europe. Right out of the gate, the duo tackles a deceptively…
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Benchmarking Donor Data
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Carly Berna, Vice President of Marketing (and the impressively titled “Fundraiser in Residence”) at Virtuous. Carly shares findings from the latest Virtuous Benchmark Report, a treasure...
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Financial Advisors and the Fundraising Process
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back the ever-insightful Michele Dole, MS, CFP, Senior Vice President at Key Private Bank and cherished faculty member. Michele brings her unique perspective as both a former fundraiser and a...
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Will AI Financing Affect Your Fundraising?
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., digs into the booming world of artificial intelligence and what its rapid rise might mean for your fundraising future. Bill highlights the many ways AI is already helping fundraisers: writing donor...
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Next Gen Fundraising: Bridging the Gap
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with sits down with A.J. Steinberg, CFRE, CEO of Queen Bee Fundraising and certified nonprofit rockstar, to talk about the not-so-small challenge of engaging Millennials and Gen Z as donors,...
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Federal Taxes & Business Sector Giving
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., rings in the new year with a bang, and a tax code, diving headfirst into the new federal tax policies that officially took effect on January 1, 2026. While the legislation passed in mid-2025, the real...
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Standout Stories for Distracted Donors
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Nicholas Kristock, Executive Director of Fleece & Thank You, to talk about how storytelling isn’t just an art, it’s a survival skill for nonprofits in the age of distraction. Nicholas...
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Board Chair + CEO = Better Fundraising Results
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Martin Georgi, Board Chair of the German Fundraising Association, to explore the powerful partnership between board chairs and CEOs, and how that dynamic drives better fundraising results....
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Is This a Bad Time for a Fundraising Campaign
In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by the philanthropic powerhouse himself, Gene Tempel, Ed.D., Dean Emeritus and founding father of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Together, they dive headfirst into…
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Using AI to Strengthen Your Cause
In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Cheryl Contee, MBA, co-authors of AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause, to demystify what artificial intelligence means for...
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Hybrid Work and Fundraising: What’s the Connection?
In this retention-minded, myth-busting episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Erica Dollhopf, PhD, Associate Director of Research at the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, to explore what hybrid work really means for fundraising...
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Latest Data on High Net Worth Donors
In this donor-focused, data-packed episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jon Bergdoll, Interim Director of Data and Research Partnerships at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to break down the latest findings…
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Global Philanthropy Environment Index
In this data-rich, globally-minded episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by researchers Dana Doan, PhD and Afshan Paarlberg, JD to explore the newly released Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI). With contributions from over 170...
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Building a Reserve Fund
In this research-powered, globe-spanning episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Craig Furneaux, PhD to unpack the how, why, and how-much of building a reserve fund for nonprofit organizations. With his classic Aussie warmth and academic...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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!
HOSTED BY
The Fund Raising School
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does First Day Podcast have?
First Day Podcast currently has 444 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is First Day Podcast about?
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...
How often does First Day Podcast release new episodes?
First Day Podcast publishes regularly with 444 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to First Day Podcast?
You can listen to First Day Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts First Day Podcast?
First Day Podcast is created and hosted by The Fund Raising School.
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