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, and I'm thrilled you're here. 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! Keep transforming, Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker Fundraising Transformed #ScaleRaiseDo
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday18 min
Culture as Your Ultimate Major Gifts Strategy
If you vanished tomorrow, would anyone else in your buildingknow how to talk about a donor with warmth? I've watched two organizations, same size, same budget, same tactics. One had a major gift officer carrying every donor relationship alone. The other had a program director who told donor stories unprompted, because she'd been invited to sit in on a visit once and it stuck.Same resources. Completely different trajectory.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I dig into what a real culture of philanthropy looks like, why it might be your most important major gifts strategy, and one small internal campaign you can try this month.What would change at your organization if donor relationships weren't yours alone to carry? Listen to this episode and share it with someone on your leadership team.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 ago18 min
Healthy Boundaries with Major Donors
He asked to sit in on hiring. She almost said yes to that too.Here's what changed her mind.On this week's episode, I tell the story of a major gift officer whose biggest donor had slowly taken over her evenings, her weekends, and nearly her hiring decisions.We walk through the power dynamics that show up in almost every major gift relationship, the red flags worth naming early, and the reset language that protected both her dignity and the gift.What's one boundary you've had to set with a generous donor?Listen to this episode and share it with anyone on your team navigating a tricky donor dynamic right now. 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 ago18 min
It Takes a Village: Internal Partners in Major Gifts
A gift once took eleven months to close. Not because the donor said no.Because one person was carrying five jobs. On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell the story of a major gift that stalled for nearly a year, and what finally unstuck it. Spoiler: it wasn't a better pitch. It was the right people in the room.We talk about:Why cross-functional collaboration is non-negotiable in 2026Who belongs at your major gifts tableHow to run a focused 30-minute coalition meeting that gets real resultsWho on your team, outside of development, deserves more credit for your last big gift?Listen to this episode and send it to a colleague who's ready to stop carrying major gifts alone.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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 ago19 min
Events that Actually Move Major Gifts
Her gala cost $40K. Her dinner cost $200.Guess which one got a bigger gift.On this week's episode, I tell the story of two events that happened the same spring, one an eleven-month gala, one a Wednesday dinner for eight people.Only one of them led to real major gift conversations. It wasn't the expensive one.We walk through the 3P framework I now use with clients: purpose, people, program, plus the follow-up system that turns a good event into an actual gift instead of a nice memory.What's one event on your calendar right now that could use a smaller, more focused redesign?Listen to this episode and share it with anyone on your team planning a donor event this year. More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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
- 4 weeks ago18 min
Working Smarter: Automation for Major Gift Officers
6:30 a.m. Calendar chaos already.By 10 a.m., she hadn't talked to a single donor yet.Six months later, same alarm, same portfolio. Totally different morning.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through what changed for a major gift officer named Renee, and exactly which categories of work she handed off to AI and automation, and which she never will.In this episode, Working Smarter: Automation for Major Gift Officers, I cover:→ The real numbers behind a 45-hour week, and where they were really going→ Three categories of tasks that are safe to delegate to AI and automation→ Two workflows you can set up this week, no technical background requiredWhat's one task on your calendar right now that drains you and barely touches a donor?Listen to the episode and share it with a teammate who's ready to get their week back.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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
- Jun 23, 202621 min
Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice
A gala put them on stage. Then ghosted them for good.Three community leaders invited up front, never contacted again. Zero gifts. One hurt feeling that traveled fast.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell that story next to a very different one. A major gift officer who spent four months building trust with a community before she ever made an ask.No agenda. No pitch. Just curiosity, and a lot of listening.The result? A yes within a week, and two more families who joined in the following year. In this episode, Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice, I walk through:→ Why inclusive fundraising is now core major gifts strategy, not a side initiative→ The tokenism traps that quietly cost you trust and gifts→ The internal work, representation, language, policy, and power, that makes your outreach believableWhat's one practice you'd like to start, or stop, in how your organization engages diverse donors?Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who's ready for this conversation. More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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
- Jun 16, 202615 min
Building Predictable Major Gifts Revenue
What if your major donors wanted to commit longer?Most of them already do. They just haven't been asked.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I'm talking about one of the most underused strategies in major gifts: recurring and multi-year commitments.Not because donors resist them.Because most fundraisers don't have the language to invite them in.Here's what we cover:Why predictable revenue lets your organization plan in mission mode, not survival modeThe exact invitation language I've seen open multi-year conversations naturallyA stewardship framework called Renewal Cues and Milestone MomentsHow automation and AI can help you make sure no touchpoint gets missedAnd your challenge: draft one multi-year invitation this week. Email, letter, or phone script. Just get it on paper.Here's a question to sit with: What would change in your organization if you knew, right now, what your major gift revenue would look like for the next three years?That's what these conversations can make possible.Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who handles major donor relationships.More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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
- Jun 9, 202620 min
Beyond Cash: Unlocking Asset-Based Major Gifts
$5k a year. For 12 years. Then she sold her business.The fundraiser said, "congratulations," and changed the subject.Sixty days later, with one different question, that same donor transferred $400,000 in appreciated stock before the sale closed.Same donor. Same relationship. Different question.This week on The Intentional Fundraiser, I'm pulling back the curtain on what most major gift teams are quietly missing in 2026: asset-based gifts.Stock. DAFs. Closely held business interests. Real estate.These are not "planned giving department" conversations anymore. They are the next frontier of major gifts for nonprofits of every size. In this episode, Beyond Cash: Unlocking Asset-Based Major Gifts, I walk through:→ The donor signals that say "I'm ready for this conversation"→ Two conversation openers that stay donor-centered and advisor-friendly→ The four asset types every major gift officer should be fluent in→ Stewardship moves that turn one complex gift into long-term partnership→ The internal readiness check you can do with your CFO this weekIf cash giving in your shop feels flat, this is the door I want to open for you.Listen to this week's episode and share it with your CEO and finance lead. The fundraisers who get comfortable with complex gifts now will quietly outpace everyone else over the next three years.What's the one part of asset-based giving that still feels intimidating in your work?More from Tammy ZonkerAuthor of Calling All HeroesFounder of Fundraising TransformedPresident of Modern Institute for Charitable GivingLearn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising SeminarSubscribe to Tammy Zonker's 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
About The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker, and I'm thrilled you're here. 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! Keep transforming, Tammy Zonker Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker Fundraising Transformed #ScaleRaiseDo
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