Let’s bust imposter syndrome and dive into bold leadership this new year!

Encore Episode

ENCORE Episode

In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim take listeners behind the scenes at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in San Diego, California. Recording live from the red carpet studio, Kristin and Sam talk to industry leaders, gathering their insights on what fundraisers should focus on right now and where they are finding inspiration in the sector.

In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim take listeners behind the scenes at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in San Diego, California. Recording live from the red carpet studio, Kristin and Sam talk to two sector experts about their new books. Behavioral science expert Cherian Koshy’s book Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making is a groundbreaking exploration of how neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology reveal the true drivers of charitable giving. This book is not about persuasion or pressure. It’s about understanding the generosity that already lives inside every donor—and removing the friction that gets in its way. Veteran fundraiser Tammy Zonker’s book Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact, delivers a compelling discussion about the crossroads at which the nonprofit sector finds itself. Here, traditional fundraising approaches are no longer sufficient to tackle the complex challenges of nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. This book helps fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates find common ground by uniting around shared values and focusing on human-centered practices that empower communities and build genuine connections.

Alice Ferris, founder of GoalBusters and a veteran fundraiser with over 30 years in the sector. Alice shares her insights on helping small nonprofit teams navigate Federal funding cuts, organizational upheaval, and unprecedented change.

In this episode Rhodes Perry, Founder and CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, joins us for a powerful conversation about building psychological safety and trust. Rhodes introduces somatics—a body-based practice that helps leaders move from reactive responses to intentional choices—and breaks down the ingredients of true belonging. He reveals the actual financial cost of exclusion and contrasts the old model of belonging (where individuals had to change to fit in) with co-creation, where everyone contributes to building culture together.

Chris Miano, Founder and CEO of MemoryFox, reveals how his military service unlocked the transformative power of stories—and why the nonprofit sector urgently needs to shift how we collect and share them.

The episode also features a compelling case study of how Brandon transformed a $500,000 event into a million-dollar fundraiser using an innovative anchor gift strategy. By securing a $100,000 anchor gift and strategically matching it multiple times he created collective momentum that inspired broader participation. Brandon emphasizes that fundraising isn’t a water pump but rather a flywheel that gains momentum through consistent relationship building. As year-end approaches, he advises organizations to focus on authentic storytelling and treating donors as team members, recognizing that donors are consolidating their giving to fewer organizations that matter most to them. Breakdown of the Million Dollar Strategy: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/how-to-turn-your-fundraising-event

In this episode we talk with Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, about what it really takes to launch a successful capital campaign. With over 25 years of experience in major gift fundraising, Amy shares practical advice for organizations ready to dream big—and fund those dreams sustainably.

In this powerful episode, hosts Kristin and Sam make an urgent case for why now is exactly the wrong time to cancel your fundraising events. They explore the neuroscience behind why gatherings work: shared experiences literally sync our heartbeats, create neural alignment that enhances trust and cooperation, and generate collective effervescence—that bubbly, transcendent energy that individuals simply cannot achieve alone. When we watch stories unfold together, oxytocin flows, bonds form, and donors can look around a room and see tangible proof that they’re part of a movement.

In this power-packed episode, former NFL player turned professional benefit auctioneer Reggie Rivers tackles topics head-on: ditch the tall centerpieces that create barriers between auctioneers and donors, stop at $100 minimum gifts to train donors upward rather than nickel-and-diming them, and skip the fundraising thermometer unless you can set it with surgical precision. Most importantly he breaks down why the paddle raise is the only moment at your event when you're purely selling your mission not engaging in retail transactions.  Rivers explains why dinner galas outperform breakfast events and golf tournaments. He emphasizes that pre-committed gifts aren't just revenue, they're leadership and role modeling that teach audiences trust and create momentum. The paddle raise transforms events from transactional experiences into collective action moments where 500 people celebrate together, "We did this!" Reggie shows us why the best idea is to hire a professional benefit auctioneer who understands the neuroscience of giving and can read a room in real-time to maximize that mission-critical moment. Don’t miss this episode full of actionable advice from a professional who has seen a lot on and off the field! Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Reggie Rivers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggierivers/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/

In this special episode of The Fundraising Elevator, host Samantha Swaim takes listeners behind the scenes at the Raise Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Recording live from the Raise Nation Radio studio, Sam talks to six industry leaders, gathering their insights on what fundraisers should focus on right now and busting common fundraising myths. Featured Guests: Barbara O'Reilly - Founder and Principal, Windmill Hill Consulting Nathan Chappell - Author and Chief AI Officer at Virtuous Susan Kramer - Founder/CEO of Susan Kramer Consulting Christina Jones - Founder of Command Joy Matt Bitzegaio - CEO of DonorDock Bradley Martin - VP of Growth Marketing at Feathr This special episode offers you actionable insights and inspiration from leading voices in the fundraising sector all recorded in the energetic atmosphere of a live conference setting. Special thanks to GSF Media, OneCause, and Raise Nation Radio. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Barbara O’Reilly: https://whillconsulting.com/ Connect with Nathan Chapell: https://virtuous.org/ Connect with Susan Kramer: https://susankramerconsulting.com/ Connect with Christina Jones: https://www.commandjoyco.com/ Connect with Matt Bitzegaio: https://www.donordock.com/ Connect with Bradley Martin: https://www.feathr.co/ Thank you to GSF Media: https://gsfmedia.com/ Thank you to OneCause: https://www.onecause.com/ Thank you to Raise Nation Radio: https://www.onecause.com/raise-nation-podcast/

In this episode of The Fundraising Elevator, we continue our fascinating conversation with neuroscientist and author Dr. Paul J. Zak, diving deeper into the brain science behind fundraising storytelling, donor engagement, and happiness. If you missed part one, be sure to start there, this continuation builds on insights into why stories inspire generosity and action in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Zak explains his groundbreaking concept of neurologic immersion which is a blend of attention and emotional resonance in the brain that predicts which stories move people to act. He introduces the SIRTA framework (Staging, Immersion, Relevance, Targeting, Action), a practical tool that nonprofits can use to design donor experiences that increase connection, engagement, and giving. We explore real-world research on how immersive storytelling in fundraising videos drives donations, why staging matters for successful fundraising events, and how to lower barriers for donors by building camaraderie and relevance.  The conversation also shifts into the science of happiness, exploring Dr. Zak’s newest book, The Little Book of Happiness. He shares how high-value social experiences not only strengthen donor relationships but also enhance well-being, increase generosity, and even extend our lives. With wisdom rooted in both neuroscience and the practices of Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Zak offers a roadmap for living more connected, fulfilled, and generous lives. If you’re a nonprofit professional looking to improve donor retention, boost fundraising results, and create more impactful donor experiences, this episode is packed with actionable insights at the intersection of neuroscience, storytelling, and nonprofit fundraising strategies. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Dr. Paul J. Zak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Paul Zak: https://pauljzak.com/ Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/ The Little Book of Happiness: https://pauljzak.com/books/ Paul Zak TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU

Welcome to Season Three of The Fundraising Elevator! In this special two-part opener, hosts Sam and Kristin sit down with world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak, a pioneer in neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing. Best known for discovering oxytocin’s role in trust and human connection, Dr. Zak brings cutting-edge insights on donor psychology, empathy, and storytelling in fundraising.

In this episode Christine Campbell, the Marketing Manager at The AV Department, dives into strategies for effectively capturing and utilizing content from live events. Hear insights on simple tools and techniques to ensure you maximize the value of your event content. Learn the fundamentals of capturing high-quality content during live events and why it’s crucial for your marketing efforts. Find out how to repurpose event content across various platforms to extend its reach and lifespan. Hear Christine’s advice on overcoming common challenges in event content capture and distribution. This episode offers actionable tips to enhance your content strategy and boost audience engagement.

In this episode we talk to Jason Allen Champion, Vice President of National Partnerships for Winspire, to discuss how consignment auctions can be a strategic tool for nonprofit fundraising. Consignment auctions offer nonprofits a low-risk way to enhance fundraising efforts while creating memorable donor experiences that reinforce organizational missions. Jason shares his expertise on maximizing revenue through consignment auction packages and provides insights on creating mission-aligned experiences that resonate with donors. We explore online auction strategies, creating packages, creative fundraising ideas, and the critical work of donor stewardship that can be a part of the experience of the packages they win at your auction.

In this episode, we chat with Chef Kiara Hardy of Kitchen Killa Culinary Solutions about the powerful role food plays in creating unforgettable event experiences. Learn how to collaborate with your event caterer to design an immersive atmosphere that aligns with your vision and budget. Chef Kiara shares her expert insights on the seasonality of food, different types of service, venue kitchen logistics, and how to tailor your menu to match your crowd’s dynamics. Don’t miss this chance to discover how thoughtful food choices can elevate your next fundraising event and create lasting impressions.

In this episode our very own storytelling expert Kristin Steele explores the art and impact of storytelling in nonprofit fundraising. Discover how strategic storytelling can connect with donors on an emotional level, making your mission unforgettable and inspiring action at your next fundraising event. Kristin shares essential strategies for crafting relatable, emotionally driven narratives that can transform complex issues into powerful stories, helping donors connect deeply with your cause.

In this episode, we welcome Kimberly A.C. Wilson, Executive Director of Hedgebrook, to explore how hybrid events and radical hospitality are transforming fundraising. Hedgebrook, a writing residency for women-identified authors, has evolved its annual event, EQUIVOX, into a powerful hybrid experience that unites a global community of writers, readers, and supporters. Kimberly shares insights into the impact of virtual accessibility, the power of storytelling in fundraising, and the deep connections fostered between writers and readers. We discuss how Hedgebrook leveraged hybrid events to raise over half a million dollars, expanded donor engagement beyond geographical limits, and created a model for other organizations to follow.