PODCAST · business
Real Talk for Real Fundraisers
by Veritus Group
Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, the podcast where fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts come together to vent, laugh, and learn. Through candid storytelling and insightful interviews, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. With a fearless, irreverent, and conversational tone, we’re breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating a safe space to tackle the real struggles of the nonprofit world- one honest conversation at a time.
Episodes
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“We’re a Bunch of Old White Guys”: Building a Board That Reflects the Community You Serve Ft. Harold Witherspoon
Non-profits can have a strong mission, a dedicated team, and years of community service behind them, yet still struggle to reach the people who could become their most meaningful supporters. Often, the challenge begins with who has a seat at the table and whether the organization has built the...
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How Rich Families Think (with Bridget Kustin from Ownership Project 2.0)
This week we're sharing an episode from our friends at System Catalysts, a podcast about the philanthropists and changemakers working to improve the systems that shape our world. We think this conversation will change how you see the major donors on your caseload. Anthropologist Bridget Kustin,...
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Strategies for a Successful Year-End Fundraising Season
If you’re looking at your year-end number and then at your to-do list and wondering how you’ll get it all done, you’re far from alone. Late September into October is when that pressure lands on almost every frontline fundraiser, and the roughly 75 days left in the year can feel impossibly short.…
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Donors Can Smell It: Why Authenticity Wins, ft. Dwayne Ashley
Most stewardship programs are built around a formula: give at this level, receive this letter; give more, get invited to this event; give enough, get your name on a wall. But that model is quietly failing because donors can tell when they’re being processed instead of known. In this episode of…
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Why Your Best Fundraisers Leave (and What Makes Them Stay)
Fundraiser turnover is one of the biggest threats to long-term fundraising success, and the cost goes far beyond an empty desk. When a fundraiser leaves, organizations lose donor trust, relationship momentum, institutional knowledge, and often significant future revenue. In this episode of Real...
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The Power of Qualifying Donors
If you’ve ever looked at your caseload and thought, “I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?” — there’s a good chance qualification is the issue. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at...
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What Great Fundraisers Really Understand About Donors
Your donors are trying to tell you something. The question is, are you set up to actually hear it? In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with fundraising consultant Jeff Brooks for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what actually drives fundraising...
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Diana Frazier: Is Your Donor Database Actually Working for You?
Your donor database should make it easier to build strong relationships with donors. But for many fundraisers, the CRM ends up feeling like one more thing to maintain instead of a tool that actively supports their work. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined…
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Holly Rustick: Why Your Non-Profit Needs a Grant Strategist (Not Just a Grant Writer)
Grant writing is one of the most misunderstood roles in the non-profit sector, and that misunderstanding may be costing your organization serious money. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Holly Rustick, a grant strategist with more than 20 years of...
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Diana Frazier: 6 Things Every Fundraiser Should Focus On in 2026
Start your year with clarity and direction. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical, no-fluff conversation about what actually matters for fundraisers heading into 2026.…
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Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity
In this special episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Christopher Beck—Associate Director of Individual and Planned Giving at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and a 20-year fundraising veteran—as a new co-host for an ongoing 2026 series centered on equity,...
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Diana Frazier: What Makes Great Fundraisers Great at Year-End
In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels welcomes Diana Frazier, Veritus Group’s senior client experience leader with more than 40 years of fundraising experience, for an essential conversation about winning the final stretch of the year. Diana has coached over 300...
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Marne Fauser: How Authentic Leaders Inspire and Empower Their Teams
In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff sits down with Marne Fauser, President and CEO of United Way of Central Illinois and a former college basketball coach, to talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity. Marne shares how her coaching background shaped the way she...
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Tom Ahern: Lessons in Fundraising, Love, and the Language of Giving
In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed episode, Jeff Schreifels sits down with the legendary Tom Ahern, one of the most sought-after experts in donor communications and fundraising copywriting. With decades of experience, six books under his belt, and a career that began in commercial marketing, Tom...
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Richard Perry: Building a Smarter Development Team
Aligning development teams with the donor pipeline is one of the most important—and often overlooked—keys to sustainable fundraising success. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with Veritus co-founder Richard Perry to unpack why organizational structure...
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T. Clay Buck: Relationships Are the Strategy
Fundraising in today’s non-profit world is more challenging—and more rewarding—than ever before. Organizations are facing an unprecedented mix of economic, political, and social pressures, and fundraisers are being asked to navigate it all while keeping their mission moving forward. In this…
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Joyce MacDonald: Navigating the Future of Public Media
Public media is evolving, and organizations must strengthen donor relationships to secure a sustainable future. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Joyce MacDonald, Greater Public president and CEO, for an insightful conversation about the future of...
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Jason Lewis: Rethinking Big Philanthropy
When we talk about philanthropy, we're not just talking about giving—we're talking about power, ethics, and responsibility. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with author and fundraising strategist Jason Lewis for a provocative conversation about the…
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Michael D'Antonio: Building a Brand That Resonates
Marketing isn’t just about visibility. It’s about clarity, connection, and alignment. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Bongo Consulting founder and partner Michael D’Antonio for an insightful conversation about what makes non-profit marketing truly...
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Laura Lang & Lauren Centrella: Finding Resiliency During Challenging Times
Resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity for fundraisers navigating today’s uncertainty. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Veritus Group Client Experience Leaders Laura Lang and Lauren Centrella for a timely conversation about what it means…
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David Rhode: Navigating Non-Profit Leadership
At a time of uncertainty and stress, the need for practical guidance in non-profit leadership is crucial. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by David Rhode, a non-profit consultant and author of Passion Isn't Enough, for a thoughtful discussion about the...
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Adrian Owen Jones: How to Lean into Your Strengths to Become a Better Leader
Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the kind of space where others feel safe enough to ask the hard questions. In this debut episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Adrian Owen Jones, a partner at Success Lab and the CEO and...
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Welcome to the NEW Veritus Group Podcast, Real Talk for Real Fundraisers!
BIG NEWS! Our podcast is evolving. Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers. Non-profit work is not easy. It takes heart. It takes courage. And most days, it takes everything you’ve got. Today, more than ever before, it’s important to have a community where you can tell the truth about what this...
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Building Authentic Relationships
We all have a desire to connect with others, but we’re often afraid to bring our whole, real, and complete self to our work, which often becomes a liability over time. A lack of authenticity in fundraisers has real, revenue-related consequences for the non-profit. But how do you foster authentic...
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Your January Checklist
How was the end of 2024? Did you make it through OK? A lot of fundraisers we work with enter January exhausted from the busy year-end season, which is often filled with last-minute donor meetings, calls, and holiday events. It can be a stressful time. While we highly recommend taking time to rest...
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Three High Impact Strategies to Do Before 12/31
With about a week remaining in the year, most fundraisers feel like they've exhausted their to-do list. They’ve worked their plan, made their last calls, and written their thank-you cards. What happens to their donors now is mostly out of their hands. While that may be true, there are still a few...
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The State of Relational Fundraising: What We’re Seeing Across the Sector!
Relational fundraising isn’t just a buzzword, it’s part of the Veritus mission. Whether you’re in mid-level, major gifts, or planned giving, being relationship-focused means that you are prioritizing the long-term relationship with the donor over just getting the money. Ideally, everyone at your...
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Don't Cut That Budget!
At Veritus, we’re all about relational fundraising, but too often, we hear about non-profit leaders making random budget cuts that negatively impact this tried-and-true approach. We know that leaders are under a lot financial pressure at their organizations. Tough decisions have to be made when...
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Are You Made for Management?
In the non-profit sector, if you aren’t willing to advance into management, there is very little opportunity to grow as a fundraiser, take on new responsibilities, and increase your salary. This is a frustrating reality, because not everyone is right for management. Leadership requires a…
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Burnout and Self-Compassion in Fundraising
More and more, fundraisers are being overworked and underpaid. They’re frequently pulled in different directions and asked to accomplish tasks that don’t fall under their domain – all without a solid support structure. It’s caused many to leave the sector entirely. There is so much important work...
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The Art of the Handoff
It’s not easy to let go of certain donors, but there comes a time in every fundraising cycle when you’ll need to transition a donor relationship to someone else. Whether the donor is moving from mid-level to a major gifts portfolio, or from a higher level of giving back into mid-level or direct...
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Let People Do Their Jobs
How many times has your organization pulled you into something that doesn’t directly relate to your job? This kind of scenario is all too common in the non-profit sector, and the results of it are usually negative: fundraisers lose their focus, have less impact, and solicit less giving. What if...
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Preparing for a High-Impact Fall and Year-End Fundraising Season
With summer vacations wrapping up and back-to-school season in full swing, it’s time to start taking a close look at your fundraising plans for the fall and year-end. Are you feeling prepared for the busy months ahead? We know how valuable this time of year is in your fundraising cycle, which is...
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Re-Release: Using Permission-Based Asking with Your Donors and Securing Meetings
It’s the most intimidating part of fundraising: asking someone for a gift. But that’s not the only thing that fundraisers need to ask for. You’re also requesting meetings, inviting donors to attend events, and asking them to share the personal drivers behind their giving. So, whatever you’re…
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Applying The Veritus Way Internationally!
Did you know that Veritus Group is an international consulting agency, with offices in the UK & Europe (in addition to our US & Canada team)? We often get questions about how The Veritus Way works in different cultural settings, so we wanted to spend some time sharing about our work with...
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Special Episode: Live from the AADO Conference
Veritus Group was incredibly honored to be the Presenting Sponsor for the AADO Conference in 2024. AADO (African American Development Officers Network) is a network of more than 3,500 fundraising professionals of color. Their annual conference is the premier event for fundraising, development…
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Do You Know the Hidden Potential in Your Donor File?
Over the past two decades, our team at Veritus has analyzed hundreds of different non-profits’ data files, and we see the same trends over and over again. While overall revenue may go up year-over-year, many donors give less over time (or go away altogether). But organizations are often unaware...
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Practical Tips for Facilitating a Donor Meeting
As a fundraiser, you play two roles in any donor meeting. First, you’re there to be a partner to your donor, which means you’re seeking to learn more about their passions so you can help to match those with your organization’s programs. And your second role is to act as a facilitator so that...
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How Mid-Level and Direct Response Can Partner Together
Building a partnership between mid-level and direct response is crucial to your organization’s success. Yet many organizations are missing out on opportunities to align these groups in a way that will strengthen the donor pipeline. For this episode, we invited special guests Becca Burgess, VP of...
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Measuring Metrics That Matter
Many non-profit leaders rely on metrics because it’s easier than sitting down with their frontline fundraisers each week and helping them stay focused and accountable to their strategic plan. But when your fundraising performance metrics are not aligned with building meaningful relationships with...
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What to Do When You Inherit a Caseload
Many fundraisers aren’t starting their caseloads from scratch – they’re inheriting a donor caseload that was previously managed by someone else. Whether you’re a new hire, or you’re moving into a new role within the same organization and taking on a new caseload, this transition can be…
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Mapping the Donor Journey: A Pipeline Health Checklist
Is your organization set up to support the donor journey? What structures do you have in place to develop your donor relationships from initial acquisition to cultivation, mid-level, major gifts, and planned giving? These are some of the questions you need to consider as you work to build a…
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How to Get a Donor Meeting Back on Track
We’ve all been in meetings where the conversation gets sidetracked. Maybe someone present is very chatty and wants to spend the first half hour catching up. Maybe one individual has another topic they want to discuss, outside of what was outlined in the agenda. Or maybe no one is clear on why...
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Celebrating Women in Fundraising, Featuring Yolanda F. Johnson
In celebration of Women’s History Month, today’s episode is all about how women are shaping and changing the field of fundraising. Our special guest joining us for this conversation is Yolanda F. Johnson, President and Founder of YFJ Consulting and Women of Color in Fundraising and Leadership...
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Yes, You Do Need to Ask All Year Long!
Asking your donors for gifts isn’t something you should save for the year-end giving season. When you’re tuned in to your donor’s giving preferences and interests, you can bring them additional giving opportunities even outside their regular giving season. For this episode, we invited two guest...
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Working From Your Energy: Bringing Your Best Self to Your Work With Donors
When you work at a non-profit organization, just as in any job, there will be times that you feel stuck, discouraged, or uninspired. This work is hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience feelings of burnout or frustration. If you’re in a space like that, how do you shift your energy so you can...
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Finding the Right Job: Tips from a Non-Profit Recruiting Expert
When you’re looking for your next fundraising position, how do you evaluate which opportunities are most aligned with your professional goals? What questions should you ask in your conversations with hiring managers to learn more about their culture and evaluate whether the role is a good fit? In...
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How to Get Yourself Transitioned into the New Year
Welcome to January! In these first weeks of the year, you’re likely still finishing out the year-end season, thanking donors for gifts received, and assessing your performance compared to your goals. At the same time, you’re working on communication plans and strategies for the year ahead. In…
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How to Be an Effective Non-Profit Leader and Manager
When we talk to passionate fundraisers who are deeply committed to their donors, their most common complaint about their work is that they don’t feel supported by their managers. People leave organizations because of it, yet management skills are often undervalued in the non-profit space. In...
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An Interview with the American Brain Foundation
When an anonymous check for $100,000 arrived at the American Brain Foundation, their fundraising team was blown away. The organization certainly wasn’t so large that this level of giving was typical. Who was this anonymous person, and what made them decide to give so generously? In this episode,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, the podcast where fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts come together to vent, laugh, and learn. Through candid storytelling and insightful interviews, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. With a fearless, irreverent, and conversational tone, we’re breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating a safe space to tackle the real struggles of the nonprofit world- one honest conversation at a time.
HOSTED BY
Veritus Group
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Real Talk for Real Fundraisers have?
Real Talk for Real Fundraisers currently has 163 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Real Talk for Real Fundraisers about?
Welcome to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, the podcast where fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts come together to vent, laugh, and learn. Through candid storytelling and insightful interviews, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. With a fearless, irreverent, and...
How often does Real Talk for Real Fundraisers release new episodes?
Real Talk for Real Fundraisers publishes regularly with 163 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers?
You can listen to Real Talk for Real Fundraisers 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 Real Talk for Real Fundraisers?
Real Talk for Real Fundraisers is created and hosted by Veritus Group.
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