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PODCAST

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

business non-profit

All Episodes

19:14

Crafting Offers for Transformational Giving

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/04/21

"Fuzzy is the enemy of yes."That line came up this week while I was recording the podcast.And I cannot stop thinking about it. Most major gift offers I see in 2026 are not failing because the relationship is weak or the mission is unclear. They are failing because the offer itself is fuzzy. A program description with a price tag at the bottom is not an offer. It is a proposal. And sophisticated donors can feel the difference.In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I walk

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12:59

Trust-Building Conversations with Major Donors

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/04/14

Two donors. Same problem.Completely different outcomes. One development officer waited too long to call. By the time she reached out about a delayed project, the donor had already pulled back. A significant gift quietly disappeared.The other officer called early. She was honest. She said, "Here's what happened, here's what we learned, and here's what we did to fix it." The donor's response?"I really appreciate you telling me that. Most organizations only call when they want something."The difference

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17:32

A Modern Tech Stack for Major Gift Success

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/04/07

Too many tools? Too little clarity?And not enough hours to manage it all?This episode is for you.On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I talk about what a healthy major gifts tech stack actually looks like, and what to do about everything that's built up around it.We cover the four core tech categories that matter for major gifts work, a five-criteria framework for evaluating any tool in your stack, where AI genuinely fits in a major gifts fundraising context, and a simple ninety-day

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18:54

Writing Donor Messages with AI, Not by AI

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/03/31

AI won’t replace your voice, but it can help amplify it.I’ve been talking with so many fundraisers who want to try AI but worry their donor communication will start sounding robotic. I get it. Authenticity matters more than ever in twenty‑twenty‑six.On this week’s Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m sharing how I use AI to draft and refine messages that still sound like me, while saving precious time for deeper donor connections.How are you feeling about using AI in your fundraising

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19:18

Take Back Your Week, Grow Your Major Gifts

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/03/24

My calendar used to tell on me.I’d get to Friday and realize I’d spent the whole week in meetings, email, and “urgent” internal stuff… while my top donors barely heard from me. Sound familiar?In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I started treating my calendar like a major gift strategy tool, not a suggestion box. I walk through the three time blocks that changed everything for me, how to negotiate donor-first time with your boss and peers, and where AI can act like a

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18:30

From Mid-Level to Major: Mapping the Journey

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/03/17

Your next major donor might already be givingI’ve seen so many mid-level donors quietly reading emails, showing up at events, and faithfully giving year after year, without ever being invited into a deeper conversation.When we finally slow down, notice their behavior, and map a simple journey from “thank you” to “tell me what matters most to you,” everything starts to change. Gifts grow, trust deepens, and fundraising feels more relational and less transactional.What if your best future major donor

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21:42

Corporate Giving as a Major Gifts Lever

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/03/10

When one question unlocks three streams of giving In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share the story of a longtime donor whose impact multiplied once we connected his personal philanthropy with his role as a corporate leader. We walk through practical ways to spot those “blended” opportunities, bring corporate options into donor conversations without feeling salesy, and use AI to uncover hidden corporate influence in your portfolio.Are you leaving corporate partnership potential

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22:12

Next-Gen Major Donors and the New Rules of Engagement

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/03/03

The biggest donors aren’t “the future” anymore. They’re already here. In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share what I’m seeing as younger, women, and values‑driven donors rewrite the rules of major giving. From shorter cultivation cycles to co‑designing impact and bringing families and circles into the conversation, I walk you through real stories and practical moves you can start testing right away.If donors want speed, transparency, and a true voice at the table, what needs to

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22:36

Your 2026 Case for Transformational Gifts

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/02/24

Your case might be costing you 7‑figure gifts.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share why so many cases still sound like they were written in 2019, and how I’m helping leaders like you update them for a 2026 donor mindset. I walk through the five elements of a modern case, where AI can truly help, and how to pressure‑test your message with trusted donors so they lean in instead of glazing over.What would change for your organization if your case finally matched the level of

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21:11

Making Your Major Gift Portfolio Shock-Resistant

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/02/18

One donor should never control your budget.In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share a story of a strong organization that felt “safe” until one major donor hit pause and everything started to wobble. We walk through how to map your top 20 donors, spot concentration risk, and start multi‑year commitment conversations that make your portfolio far more shock‑resistant.How exposed are you to one donor’s decision right now?Listen to this episode and share it with your team, your

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21:04

Discovery That Builds Trust, Not Pressure

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/02/10

Your discovery calls shouldn’t feel like a test.In my latest Intentional Fundraiser episode, I walk through how I help fundraisers turn tense, scripted discovery calls into relaxed, donor-centered conversations that still move major gifts forward.We unpack a simple four part framework, real examples of questions that open people up, and a practical way to use AI so you can listen more and type less.What would change in your portfolio if every discovery call felt like a conversation you were both

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15:35

Turning Leaders into Effective Major Gift Partners

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/02/03

Leaders keep derailing donor visits?I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a beautifully teed‑up donor conversation go sideways the moment a well‑intentioned CEO or board member “pops in” unbriefed. You’ve done the research, built the relationship, framed the invitation…and then the message gets fuzzy, the energy shifts, and the donor walks away more confused than inspired.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I’ve learned to turn those moments from chaotic to

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19:16

Making Stewardship Personal, Scalable, Sustainable

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/01/27

“More touches” are burning teams out 😅I talk with so many fundraisers who are trying to do heartfelt, hyper-personal stewardship for everyone… and ending up exhausted, guilty, and behind by December.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share a simple 3-tier stewardship system I have used for years to keep donor care personal, scalable, and sustainable.We get into:The burnout story of doing “all the things” for everyone 😵‍💫Why donors remember moments, not message volumeHow to

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18:00

AI-Powered Prep: Human-Centered Conversations

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/01/20

AI is already in your donor meetings.I’ve been hearing from so many fundraisers who feel torn.You want to use AI to save time, but you do not want donors to feel like they are talking to a robot instead of a real person.In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share how I use AI as a quiet research assistant, not a replacement for human connection. 🤝I walk through a real world workflow for:Turning public information into a one page prep brief 📝Using AI to practice tough donor

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23:17

Finding Your Real Top 25 Donor Prospects

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/01/13

Drowning in “prospect” names?If your major gift list looks impressive on paper but doesn’t translate into actual conversations or gifts, you’re not alone.I’ve sat with teams staring at hundreds of “top prospects” and quietly thinking, “Where do we even start?”In my latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I share how I helped one nonprofit narrow 600+ “major gift prospects” down to a focused Top 25 using simple donor signals, capacity, affinity, and engagement, not just wealth.We didn’t

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14:49

Your 2026 Major Gifts Plan: Aspirational but Realistic

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Big goals without a real plan?That’s the fastest way to create burnout instead of breakthroughs.I’ve seen it too often: a board sets a bold fundraising target, the team nods, and suddenly everyone’s sprinting toward a number that doesn’t match reality. Sound familiar?In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share exactly how to build a 2026 major gifts plan that’s aspirational but realistic, one that inspires confidence instead of chaos.You’ll hear stories from the field, a simple

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13:33

How ‘Calling All Heroes’ Elevates Fundraising and...

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2025/11/26

What does it really mean to be a hero in fundraising?After nearly 30 years working alongside major gift officers, executive directors, and nonprofit leaders, I've learned this: our sector's greatest challenges—poverty, injustice, inequality—are simply too big for any one person to solve alone.That's why this week feels so special. I'm celebrating the official release of my new book,Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact, with a

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14:48

Creating Immersive Experiences that Move Donors to...

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2025/11/18

Donors don’t remember stats. They remember how you made themfeel!My keynote titled"Casting Your Donors in a Lead Role: The Power of Immersion," which I delivered last week at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, generated so much conversation. Last week, I witnessed 800 nonprofit professionals moved to tears and action by stories that make our missions come alive.It’s clear our field is hungry for ways to move beyond transactions and ignite true empathy.From water walks to blindfolded dinners,

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12:57

The Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar...

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2025/11/04

What if I told you the most powerful major gift fundraising seminar of your life could happen in your favorite chair, no travel required? I just experienced it firsthand, livestreamed for three days, and let me tell you, the connections and insights our faculty delivered in a virtual setting blew me away. I’ll never forget one moment: watching seasoned major gift fundraisers build new relationships and spark those “aha!” revelations during our virtual one-on-one “park bench” sessions. It made me

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17:35

Building a Human-Centered Fundraising Pipeline

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Are you chasing numbers or building relationships?Most fundraisers are stuck on the hamster wheel.Chasing donors. Juggling events. Burning out.But what if the real breakthrough comes from slowing down?Here’s the playbook for human-centered, relationship-first fundraising:Schedule ONE meaningful conversation this week.→ Ask, “What inspired you to support us?”→ Listen—no agenda.Map supporters by engagement TYPE, not just dollar size.→ Who shows up at events?→ Who shares your content?→ Who asks tough

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