Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Tammy Zonker
Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker. I've spent nearly three decades specializing in major gifts. I’ve seen how major gifts often form the backbone of an organization’s financial stability, and yet, I know many of us find this area particularly challenging. Time and again, I’ve been approached by fundraisers and nonprofit leaders eager to establish or supercharge their major gift programs. It’s become crystal clear that there’s a growing hunger for training and expertise in this area. I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with nonprofits from all around the world helping organizations collectively raise nearly one billion dollars. During this time, I’ve developed strategies and tools that have consistently helped organizations transition their mid-level donors into major donors through meaningful engagement. It’s a process that, when done consistently, can truly catapult an organization’s major gift fundraising to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned major gift officer looking to refine your approach, a development director aiming to build a powerhouse program, an executive director looking to scale your organization’s capacity for transformational giving, or a board member seeking to understand the transformative potential of major gifts, The Intentional Fundraiser podcast is your source for growth and excellence in major gift fundraising. So, buckle up! We're about to embark on a journey to take your major gift program to the next level – and beyond. Let's get intentional about major gift fundraising! Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago24 min
Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts
My worst December as a fundraiser?I spent it chasing a stock transfer with no name on it.My plan had been "we'll get serious after the gala."The gala ended in mid-November. You can guess how that year went.Here's what I learned the hard way. December isn't where year-end is won. It's where you find out how well you planned in October.And year-end 2026 raises the stakes. New tax rules. Donors who "bunched" their giving into last year. Complex gifts that need more lead time than ever.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, "Stacking the Deck for Year-End Major Gifts," I walk through:What's changed for donors this year, and the one question to ask about itThe Year-End Countdown, five checkpoints planned backward from December 31A one-page dashboard and a 15-minute Monday huddle that keep your whole team focusedGive it a listen this week, then share it with a colleague who's heading into Q4 with a long list and a short runway.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- 1 weeks ago21 min
Impact Reporting That Deepens Commitment
One page changed everything.A donor said it was the first report she'd ever kept.Two years later, she made the largest gift in the organization's history.It wasn't a glossy annual report. No pie charts. No forty pages.Just one number she cared about, one note from a teacher, and one honest line about what the team was learning.The difference? Her development director asked her what success looked like before she made the gift.That's what this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser is all about.I talk about:What donors really want to know (hint: it's not how many workshops you held)How to co-create and right-size impact metrics with your major donorsSimple formats that work in 2026, from brief impact notes to 90-second phone videosWhere AI helps, and where your judgment still matters mostListen to "Impact Reporting That Deepens Commitment" and share it with a colleague who's rethinking donor reporting.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- 2 weeks ago24 min
Today’s Gifts, Tomorrow’s Legacy
One question. A lasting legacy. Andrea almost didn't ask it.She was afraid it would muddy her donor's renewal.Her donor, Walter, had given faithfully for eleven years.He was about to renew his major gift. And he kept asking one thing: "Will this program still be here someday?"Andrea realized Walter was already having the legacy conversation. She just hadn't joined it yet.So she asked: "What would you want this program to look like twenty years from now?"That question led to a renewed and increased gift, and a legacy commitment to sustain the program for years to come.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, "Today's Gifts, Tomorrow's Legacy," I share:Why integrating planned giving and major gifts matters so much right nowFive signals a donor is ready, plus conversation starters that feel hopeful, not morbidHow to partner with planned giving specialists and donors' advisorsHere's what I'm wonderingWhat's holding you back from raising legacy giving with your major donors?Listen to this episode, then share it with a colleague or board member who cares about your mission's future.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- 3 weeks ago20 min
Calming the Waters: Supporting Anxious Donors
He went quiet for two months.She thought she'd blown the ask.She hadn't.The donor had watched his business take a hit, watched the news every night, and frozen. He wasn't saying no to her $250,000 proposal. He was saying he didn't know how to say yes to anything right now.Here's what she finally did.She sent a note that had nothing to do with the gift. She just asked how he was thinking about the year ahead.He called at 8:15 the next morning and talked for forty minutes. About his company. His kids. How unsure everything felt.She didn't re-pitch. She asked one question near the end: what would make a commitment feel manageable for you right now?Five years instead of three, he said. And a conversation each January.He signed for $300,000.The gift got bigger because the risk got smaller.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm walking you through the emotional layer of giving in 2026, the four conversational moves I use with anxious donors, and five gift structures that help people feel safe saying yes to something big.Here's my question for you. When a donor hesitates, is your first instinct to shrink the number or to shrink the risk?Listen to the episode, then share it with someone on your team who has an anxious donor conversation coming up this week.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- Sep 1, 202619 min
Growing the Next Wave of Major Gift Talent
She gave me four minutes. It changed my career.Almost thirty years ago, I had a donor meeting with a man who genuinely intimidated me. My development director stopped by my desk and asked what I planned to ask him.I recited my agenda. She listened, then said, "That's fine. But what do you really want to know about him?"I said I wanted to know why he kept giving to us when he clearly didn't need us.She said, "Ask him that."He talked for twenty minutes about his mother, a scholarship, and a debt he'd been paying back for forty years. He made our largest gift that year.Four minutes at my desk. No budget. No program. No conference.That's the whole thing I want us to understand about developing the next generation of major gift fundraisers. We keep trying to hire our way out of what is really a coaching problem.If someone on your team told a story like that about you ten years from now, what would they say you did?This week on The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I walk through what's different about the fundraisers coming up now, the four competencies they need, five coaching moves that cost nothing, and what it quietly costs your donors when you skip all of it.Give it a listen, then share it with a manager who's carrying a team and wondering why hiring hasn't fixed it.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- Aug 25, 202621 min
When Clicks Meet Conversations: Digital and Major Gifts
The lobby test.Your website is the lobby of your building.It never closes the gift. But it absolutely sets the tone for everything that happens around it.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell the story of a six-figure donor who tried to give on her phone in December, gave up three screens in, and mailed a check instead.The gift still came. The dashboard still looked healthy.And a loyal donor quietly filed away one piece of information about the organization she loves: this is harder than it should be.We talk about why digital shapes what your largest donors believe about you, even the ones you have lunch with.The four elements that matter most to a donor giving at the top of your file.And the digital behavior signals sitting in your data right now that point toward your next major gift conversation.Then I give you a twenty-minute audit you can run before your next staff meeting.Here's my question for you: if a financial advisor researched your organization tomorrow, what one sentence would they report back to your donor?Give it a listen, and share it with the person on your team who owns your website. This one is better as a conversation than a solo listen.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- Aug 18, 202625 min
Campaign Planning When the Future Is Fuzzy
"What's our plan if we only raise nine?"A campaign chair asked that in a planning meeting for a $14 million campaign, and the room went completely quiet.She wasn't being negative. She'd run a manufacturing business for thirty years, and she said, "I've never run a three-year plan that came in exactly where the model said it would."So we built an answer. Three of them, honestly. Conservative, moderate, and optimistic, all built around one internal working goal.Eighteen months later, the $4 million lead gift came in at $1.8 million.In most campaigns, that's an emergency board meeting. In this one, it was a Tuesday, because everyone already knew what to do.They finished at $11.4 million, and the board called it a success.In this episode, I walk through what a working goal really is, the three scenarios you build around it, how to write triggers you can see coming, and the five sentences that keep a board steady when the number moves.Give it a listen, then share it with someone on your team who's been waiting for a better moment to launch.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
- Aug 13, 202620 min
Recognition That Feels Right Today
A donor wall almost cost them their best donor.At the opening of a gorgeous new wall, one of their most generous donors leaned in and said, "I didn't give so my name could be up there. I gave for the kids. I wish the wall told me about them."That one sentence is the whole episode.On this week's Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, Recognition That Feels Right Today, I dig into what donors are signaling about recognition now, fresh mission-centered practices you can borrow, and how to handle sensitive naming questions without walking into a landmine.Recognition, done right, isn't a plaque. It's a window into the change a donor made possible.Is your recognition making donors feel important, or connected?Give it a listen, then share it with someone wrestling with their own donor wall.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater ImpactFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingBook Tammy to Keynote Your Next EventReserve your spot at the upcoming Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to the Scaling Major Gifts newsletterConnect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedInResources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode.Review my show: Please review my show. After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies
Get The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
What the Fundraising
Nonprofit leaders explore fundraising, leadership, and mindset with experts from inside and outside the sector.
The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants
Nonprofit consultants learn business strategies for pricing, client work, and leadership while balancing purpose and profitability.
FundraisingAI
Examines the ethical and practical use of AI in fundraising, including trends, data privacy, and social impact.
The PM Podcast
Personal conversations with changemakers driving social impact, exploring their journeys of struggle, resilience, and purpose.
Nonprofit Hub Radio
Interviews with nonprofit leaders and experts offering practical insights to help organizations improve and grow.
Nonprofit Everything
A bi-weekly Q&A podcast covering topics related to nonprofits.
Impact Podcast, Mentorship with Eddie Wilson
A seasoned entrepreneur shares insights on purpose-driven living, entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating meaningful impact.
EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward
Real people share strategies and stories for overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful personal and professional goals.
Building Champions for Life
Examines how elite performers in sports, business, and education develop character and mindset for lasting success.
The Balanced, Beautiful and Abundant Show - Rebecca Whitman
A coach helps high-achieving women overcome burnout using a framework centered on spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial well-being.
The Uncommon Career: Job Search & Career Coaching for Mid-career Women
Helps mid-career women improve their job search by refining personal branding, communication, and negotiation strategies.
Rise & Roar with the Badass Lioness
A podcast for women leaders and entrepreneurs learning to harness their story, build confidence, and create a powerful personal brand.
About The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker. I've spent nearly three decades specializing in major gifts. I’ve seen how major gifts often form the backbone of an organization’s financial stability, and yet, I know many of us find this area particularly challenging. Time and again, I’ve been approached by fundraisers and nonprofit leaders eager to establish or supercharge their major gift programs. It’s become crystal clear that there’s a growing hunger for training and expertise in this area. I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with nonprofits from all around the world helping organizations collectively raise nearly one billion dollars. During this time, I’ve developed strategies and tools that have consistently helped organizations transition their mid-level donors into major donors through meaningful engagement. It’s a process that, when done consistently, can truly catapult an organization’s major gift fundraising to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned major gift officer looking to refine your approach, a development director aiming to build a powerhouse program, an executive director looking to scale your organization’s capacity for transformational giving, or a board member seeking to understand the transformative potential of major gifts, The Intentional Fundraiser podcast is your source for growth and excellence in major gift fundraising. So, buckle up! We're about to embark on a journey to take your major gift program to the next level – and beyond. Let's get intentional about major gift fundraising! Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Tammy Zonker.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast release new episodes?
The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast cover?
The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast covers topics including Education, Business, Courses, How To, Non-Profit. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.