The Focused Fundraiser

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The Focused Fundraiser

Donor Dock

18 episodes

1 week ago

What if doing less made you a better fundraiser? Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser — the podcast for nonprofit leaders who are tired of the chaos and ready to prioritize what actually drives impact. Hosted by Rob Burke, each episode features honest conversations with fundraisers in the trenches who are cutting through the noise, saying no to the never-ending to-do list, and focusing on what matters most. We cover: ✔️ Fundraising strategy that doesn’t burn you out ✔️ High-touch stewardship that builds real relationships ✔️ Personal productivity and leadership in nonprofit life ✔️ Systems that help you work smarter, not harder If you’re ready to drop the “do more” mindset and lead with clarity, focus, and purpose — you’re in the right place. Live every Tuesday at 11am CT.

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Health & Fitness,

All content for The Focused Fundraiser is the property of Donor Dock and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

What if doing less made you a better fundraiser? Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser — the podcast for nonprofit leaders who are tired of the chaos and ready to prioritize what actually drives impact. Hosted by Rob Burke, each episode features honest conversations with fundraisers in the trenches who are cutting through the noise, saying no to the never-ending to-do list, and focusing on what matters most. We cover: ✔️ Fundraising strategy that doesn’t burn you out ✔️ High-touch stewardship that builds real relationships ✔️ Personal productivity and leadership in nonprofit life ✔️ Systems that help you work smarter, not harder If you’re ready to drop the “do more” mindset and lead with clarity, focus, and purpose — you’re in the right place. Live every Tuesday at 11am CT.

Show more...

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (18/18)

The Focused Fundraiser

Beating Imposter Syndrome and Raising Millions: A Fundraiser’s Guide

Elizabeth Scott discusses practical fundraising strategies including grant writing techniques, the importance of accurate data and approachable language, and building relationships with funders.

1 week ago

22 minutes 56 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Identify • Engage • Ask • Steward: Fundraising That Works (Amy Pokela)

Amy and Rob discuss the challenges faced by fundraisers, regardless of the size of their organizations, and highlight the significance of building strong donor relationships.

2 weeks ago

20 minutes 22 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Run Your Nonprofit Like a Business (Without Losing the Mission)

why authenticity beats charisma, lessons from capital campaigns, building business-grade systems, and how to prioritize donor outreach with time blocking, your CRM, and LinkedIn/Sales Navigator.

3 weeks ago

15 minutes 22 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

20,000 Calls, $16M Raised: Kel Haney’s Phone Strategy for Nonprofits

realistic, phone-first strategy for mid-level donors, Giving Tuesday, and year-end fundraising. We dig into segmentation, CRM hygiene, burnout prevention, voicemail tactics, and Kel’s 5-minute ask framework (no scripts, just a simple tent-pole structure).

4 weeks ago

26 minutes 58 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Faith, Fundraising, and Finding Purpose at 60 | Debbie Oxford’s Story

What it really means to live your calling — and fund it. From selling everything to move to Kenya at 60 to rescuing children and building wells, Debbie’s story reminds us that purpose and generosity are deeply connected.

1 month ago

21 minutes 9 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Donor Expectations Have Shifted—Here’s How to Keep Up

How Chris uses data-driven fundraising and clear impact metrics to win support, why cross-sector partnerships (with universities, industry, and nonprofits) are now central to donor expectations, and practical ways to balance storytelling with data when you’re still early and light on numbers.

1 month ago

19 minutes 2 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Nonprofit Storytelling & Events That Inspire Giving | Ada O’Quain Interview

Ada shares her journey into nonprofit fundraising, the lessons she’s learned navigating burnout, hurricanes, and community challenges in Southwest Louisiana, and how she keeps her focus on what matters most.

1 month ago

26 minutes 35 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Stop Feast or Famine Fundraising

Nonprofit fundraising is changing, but donors are still giving. In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, former Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO and current Scouting America development leader Erin Davison breaks down how to win with donor intentionality, raw storytelling, and simple focus you can sustain.

1 month ago

32 minutes 36 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Burnout, Balance, & Capital Campaigns | Frances Roen on The Focused Fundraiser

From her early days at the Bakken Museum to launching her own consultancy, Frances shares powerful insights on burnout, prioritization, capital campaigns, and the importance of wellness for nonprofit teams.

2 months ago

21 minutes 56 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

From Teacher to Fundraiser: Donor Expectations & Storytelling

Maya shares her journey from teaching to development, the lessons she’s learned about donor relationships, and how her team integrates marketing and fundraising to maximize impact.

2 months ago

24 minutes 56 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Major Gifts Fundraising in 2025: How to Win with Joy and Authenticity

In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke sits down with fundraising consultant Jake Kubik, founder of Valuable Visits, to talk about the real practices that move the needle in fundraising.

2 months ago

25 minutes 47 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Executive Director Secrets: Activating Boards & Raising Funds

In this episode, Carrie Grover, the executive director of TCCC, shares her journey from a stay-at-home mom to a nonprofit leader. She emphasizes that successful fundraising is about building relationships and creativity rather than just asking for money. Carrie highlights the importance of board support and training, as well as the need for difficult conversations regarding performance. TCCC has seen significant growth by focusing on effective programs and adapting to changes in funding sources. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to prioritize community connections and work-life balance.

2 months ago

15 minutes 37 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

How to Make Donors Feel the Mission (and Give More)

In a heartfelt discussion, a seasoned fundraiser shares her journey from falling into the nonprofit sector to becoming an executive director. She emphasizes the importance of meaningful work and the direct impact fundraising has on organizations, particularly in addressing issues like food insecurity. The conversation highlights the need for honesty in fundraising and the value of inviting donors into the organization's story. Additionally, she discusses the challenges of burnout in leadership roles and the necessity of self-care practices, such as taking unstructured time to recharge. Ultimately, the dialogue encourages a focus on what truly matters in the mission of fundraising.

3 months ago

23 minutes 19 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Fundraise your way: Why Following Your Mission Beats Following the Crowd

In this episode, Rob Burke sits down with Kelly Krenzel, founder and executive director of Hope Blooms, to explore her journey from part-time passion project to thriving nonprofit leader. Kelly shares candid insights on growing a mission-driven organization, fundraising without a playbook, avoiding burnout, and building authentic relationships with donors and volunteers. If you’re a nonprofit founder or fundraiser feeling stretched thin, this conversation will inspire you to focus on what truly matters—your mission and your community.

3 months ago

23 minutes 26 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Why Authenticity Wins in Fundraising

Ian shares his experiences transitioning from the for-profit sector to nonprofit fundraising, highlighting the shift towards collaboration among organizations in Maine.

3 months ago

20 minutes 10 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

How to Focus in a World of Lemonade Stands

Handwritten notes, cutting out newspaper articles, celebrating donor milestones—these high-touch, low-scale actions are where human connection thrives. Kevin reminds us: the impact is in the personal.

4 months ago

21 minutes 44 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

Less Events, More Relationships: A Fundraising Evolution

Effective fundraising strategies and the importance of relationship building over traditional event-based fundraising. Trevor shares his journey from a sports performance background to becoming the Director of Development at the Kinder Smile Foundation, highlighting the changes in the fundraising landscape, the significance of utilizing CRM systems, and the necessity of setting clear goals to avoid burnout. The discussion provides valuable insights for fundraisers looking to enhance their impact and focus on what truly matters in their work.

4 months ago

13 minutes 39 seconds

The Focused Fundraiser

From Global to Local: A Fundraiser's Journey

Rob Burke and Courtney Harrness discuss the essence of effective fundraising, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what truly matters.

4 months ago

17 minutes 59 seconds