Don’t want to be the gambler with that year-end ask? We get it. You have to know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em in your push for year-end major gifts. Make the ask or wait for the right moment to ensure transformative impact. Great fundraising isn’t about the nonprofit’s calendar—it’s about the donor’s timing, passion, and connection. Whether it’s a December 31 gift or a future commitment, “every hand’s a winner” when you prioritize your donors' needs and goals.

In this week’s episode, we look at the importance of leveraging referrals from board members, clinicians, and data to maximize major gift fundraising efforts. Learn how referrals significantly increase the likelihood of donor engagement and gift size, with studies highlighting how connections from trusted sources like board members and physicians improve fundraising success. Finally, we answer the question: What are the strategic approaches can you use today to select the right referral sources?

This week on Around with Randall, we share invaluable advice for younger nonprofit professionals. What is the importance of staying observant and proactive, keeping your heads down and ears open to understand the dynamics of a workplace? We’ll also bring key recommendations, how to strategically take chances, and prioritize skill development over career advancement. Integrity, mentorship, and continuous learning are essential for long-term success in the nonprofit sector.

This week on Around with Randall, we share invaluable advice for younger nonprofit professionals. What is the importance of staying observant and proactive, keeping your heads down and ears open to understand the dynamics of a workplace? We’ll also bring key recommendations, how to strategically take chances, and prioritize skill development over career advancement. Integrity, mentorship, and continuous learning are essential for long-term success in the nonprofit sector.

Joel Fleischman, though not widely known, profoundly shaped modern philanthropy by professionalizing the field and championing transparency and accountability. His work at Duke University and his book, A Great American Secret foresaw the growing influence of fewer major donors and the need for foundations to be held accountable for their impact. Fleischman’s legacy continues to influence how we approach giving and measure the effectiveness of philanthropic efforts today.

Today on Around with Randall, Randall Hallett explores the importance of developing concise, two- to three-page case statements for nonprofits, moving beyond traditional multi-page documents typically used in large campaigns. These shorter statements foster organizational alignment by clarifying needs and facilitating conversations between departments and leadership, ultimately enhancing donor engagement. By focusing on measurable outcomes and balancing emotional stories with data, nonprofits can create impactful mini-campaigns that resonate with potential donors.

In this edition of Around with Randall, we examine the role hope plays in philanthropy and our communities. How does hope motivate action and foster resilience, especially in challenging times? Looking at historic examples, we see that hope is not merely an emotion, but a powerful catalyst for positive change, encouraging us to engage and uplift those around us in our quest to make the world a better place.

In this special edition podcast, we bring a guest synopsis of Vibrant Vulnerability: Mastering Philanthropy for Today and Tomorrow’s Healthcare CEOs generated by AI.

New employees, whether hiring or being one yourself, can be hard. In this episode, we delve into onboarding new employees, particularly within philanthropic organizations. What are the challenges? What does a thoughtful onboarding process (that extends beyond the basics like benefits, bathroom locations and parking information) look like?A well-executed onboarding leads to stronger team integration, reduced confusion, and faster productivity—key factors in retaining top talent.Plus, bonus insights! – How to create a welcoming environment that aligns with an employee’s professional goals, helping them feel valued from day one.

In this episode of Around with Randall, we explore a recent study on the best ways to ask for donations. We’ll chop up how the study reveals that donors respond most to requests framed around specific outcomes, such as the number of people their gift will help. At the end of the day, nonprofits need to rethink their fundraising strategies to maximize donor engagement and support.

In this episode of Around with Randall, Randall explores the importance of embracing innovation in nonprofits and drawing parallels to Ignaz Semmelweis’s groundbreaking but initially rejected handwashing practice. Emphasizing that overcoming barriers to change—such as discomfort, fear, and resource constraints—is essential for organizational growth. Fostering internal talent, reinterpreting rejections as ‘not yet,’ and accepting small failures as part of the innovation process, allows nonprofits to better navigate the evolving landscape and enhance their impact.

This week Randall explores the shift from transactional to transformational gifts in philanthropy and the importance of building deeper, long-term donor relationships. He examines focusing on a donor's lifetime value, involving volunteer boards for engagement efforts, and learning from unsuccessful asks. And a reminder to appreciate the journey of giving, celebrating small victories and the meaningful impact philanthropy has on individuals and communities.

In this week’s episode of Around with Randall, our host reflects on an experience at a Giving Institute conference, and a discussion about corporate philanthropy. Randall leans in on the importance of understanding the history and evolution of corporate giving. Especially noting the shift from individual-driven philanthropy to employee engagement and community impact. We are also reminded that philanthropy is not just about money, but about making a meaningful difference.

Evaluations can be challenging. They’re judgmental in nature and often ineffective. This week Randall emphasizes the importance of understanding organizational culture and using evaluations as a professional development tool rather than a mere judgment. We also talk about why leaders should avoid surprises and ensure evaluations are consistent with ongoing feedback, while employees should see evaluations as an opportunity for growth. The goal is to make the evaluation process less stressful and more constructive for everyone involved.

Stories create connections by sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities, helping others see their own paths through self-discovery. They are more memorable and engaging than mere lessons, as they evoke emotions and foster empathy. Effective storytelling should include personal failures, be relevant, concise, and provide a clear summary to ensure impact. Ultimately, storytelling builds trust and rapport, which are crucial for meaningful relationships in both personal and professional settings.

Today we dig into a controversial topic - special events in nonprofit fundraising. The inefficiency and resource drain these events cause, taking away focus from building individual relationships. Perhaps partnering internally and externally to reduce staff involvement in events and using data to advocate for more effective fundraising strategies is the key. Where is the appropriate balance between strategic, relationship-based fundraising and event-centric efforts?

In this edition of Around with Randall, we focus on collaboration. From the moon landing to scientific discoveries, all rely on a collective effort rather than individual achievement. We will also address the benefits and challenges of collaboration, stressing the importance of clear roles, effective communication, and trust to overcome obstacles and achieve shared goals.

This week, we put nonprofit CEOs on a slide, power up the philanthropic microscope and examine the alarming trends of burnout and high turnover rates among our nonprofit leaders. We also talk about the importance of effective board engagement, community interaction, and strategic planning in bolstering CEO tenure and organizational stability.

In this episode of "Around with Randall," we discuss the challenges nonprofits face in maintaining donor relationships during the summer when donors are often away. We look at the importance of staying engaged through virtual events, personalized communications, and leveraging data to justify travel expenses for face-to-face interactions, with the ultimate goal of maintaining and deepening donor connections.

Congratulations! You made it to July. Now, let’s look at how to maximize our efforts in the next six months, whether you follow a calendar or fiscal year. The key? Plan and focus on building strong relationships with your top prospects. Prioritize your efforts, set detailed plans, and establish good daily habits. Additionally, maintaining a balanced personal life is crucial for professional success. Let's prepare to make the next six months productive and impactful.

At long last, Giving USA released its philanthropic giving data for 2023. Today, we eagerly dive into the numbers and more importantly, what they mean for non-profits and those who work in support of their missions. Philanthropic giving in the United States reached approximately $557 billion- an increase in pure dollars, but how does that stack up when adjusted for inflation? Uncover what the numbers really mean in this special episode of Around with Randall.

In the latest episode of Around with Randall, we delve into the issue of when it's necessary for nonprofits to part ways with certain donors. The delicate balance between financial necessity and maintaining organizational integrity. Hallett provides actionable insights on identifying problematic donor relationships and implementing strategies to uphold the nonprofit's mission and values, ensuring that leadership prioritizes ethical stewardship and staff well-being.

Episode 200! Today, we reflect on the significance of celebrating small wins, emphasizing their role in fostering motivation, confidence, momentum, positivity, learning, and team spirit. We look at various ways to celebrate achievements, from sharing with others to setting new goals. Finally, we will examine the value of recognizing and cherishing each step in the journey toward success.

Today we discuss the issue of non-compete agreements in the nonprofit sector, their impact on employees. What is behind the rise in non-compete agreements? What are the positives and negatives of non-competes and why is important to understand the implications of non-competes and making informed decisions to safeguard your career.

Today’s episode looks at the relationship between prospect management teams and gift officers. Why are their head winds and how to effectively compare and challenge the status quo. How to remove the implied hierarchy between the two positions to bring success to the entire team and more, the organization’s mission.

The fifth and final section in the relationship development series will dive into stewardship. How do you track your stewardship efforts, what levels of engagement are appropriate and what are the tactics you can start using today?

The fourth in a five-part special series in relationship development, we look at soliciting and closing gifts. Be it annual giving or a major gift, plan gift, principal gift, any type of communication, individual relationships. These are the questions you need to be prepared to answer as you move through the process.

In the third edition of a special five-part series we look at questions surrounding the elements cultivation. Building the relationship. Study the six must-ask questions during the cultivation process. The value of your work is rooted in your relationships - asking the right questions gets you stronger relationships which leads to greater levels of philanthropy and greater impact in your community.

In today’s second edition of our special five-part series we look at questions about the qualification process. Specifically, to people, corporations and foundations. A clear understanding of your own qualification process is the cornerstone to finding the next donor and potential gift which ultimately puts you one step closer to achieving your mission – both personally and organizationally.

The first in a five-part series to examine relationship development in fundraising. To begin, we dive into pipeline development and examine how identifying prospects starts with asking questions both of oneself and of the prospective donor.

This week, we examine several challenges and solutions to getting marketing and fundraising teams on the same page – how can you work together to drive proper messaging, relationships and gifts for your organization?

Keeping your foundation legal - A simple yet critical reminder of the basic principles, policies, and procedures you should be reviewing on a regular basis to maintain and build trust with the community, leaders and donors.

What are the makings of a true leader? This week, we look to the Oracle himself for some hometown insight and wisdom.

Everyone, from time to time in one form or another, experiences self-doubt and questions their success and purpose in both personal and occupational roles. Where does self-confidence come from and how is it related to our jobs in philanthropy?

Before the copy writing, before selecting pictures, before the layout edits, the most important work starts.

Today, we have instant access to nearly everything. News, information, products, services – the list goes on. Conditioned to instant gratification, have we lost sight of recognizing the payoff of patience? What is the return on investment of time?

Are you missing opportunities by relying on passive emails and appeal letters? What meaningful steps can you take to individualize and personalize your appeals? Learn why gift officers with these practices receive larger gifts, more often from more donors.

If you could have a conversation with anyone you want, who would it be? See who Randall would invite first. His choice might surprise you.

Perhaps you're due for a raise, but your performance review isn't for quite some time. Or maybe your review is right around the corner and you want to make the case for a raise. Whatever the circumstance, this podcast will ensure you're prepared to have a conversation with your boss. Listen now.

If you're anything like Randall, you're always looking for ways to improve. How can critical thinking ensure you're challenging the status quo with every move? Listen to this podcast for Randall's tips on challenging the status quo.

What is the connection between Valentine's Day and philanthropy? Listen to this podcast to learn about this important connection.

Does it feel like you're stuck in a state of perpetual cultivation with your donors? This podcast addresses how to move donors into the solicitation stage so you can achieve your fundraising objectives. Listen now.

What does your org chart look like? Philanthropies must rethink their organizational structures to meet the needs of today's donors. Listen to this podcast to learn what your organization should do.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter created an amazing legacy of philanthropy after fame. Listen to this podcast to learn about their journey from the White House to building homes for families in need.

How can you help donors to elevate their gifts? There is an art and a science to the ask. In this episode, Randall offers strategies to take donors to the next level. Listen now.

How should you handle inflation and its impact on your organization? This podcast examines the current state of inflation and provides tips you can use now to help your nonprofit thrive in these uncertain times. Listen now.

What's in store for nonprofits in 2024? In this episode, Randall shares his 2024 predictions for the nonprofit industry. Listen now to hear Randall's thoughts. We'll revisit these predictions at the end of 2024 to see how Randall fared.