What if the future of fundraising depends less on competition and more on collaboration?

In this episode of the Mastering Fundraising Podcast, Chris Looney sits down with Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership (Fulcrum) member Mary Hatton for a thoughtful conversation about collaboration, foundation relationships, technology, and the enduring power of human connection in philanthropy.

Drawing from her leadership journey and her experience convening the Catholic Advancement Roundtable, Mary shares why fundraisers serving different organizations should be willing to learn from one another, share information, and work together, even when they may be pursuing support from many of the same donors and foundations.

The conversation explores what fundraisers need to understand about today’s increasingly competitive foundation landscape, including the importance of researching prospective funders, following application guidelines carefully, understanding funding priorities, telling compelling stories, and having the patience to build authentic relationships over time.

Mary also offers a powerful reminder as AI and technology become increasingly integrated into fundraising: nothing can replace genuine, person-to-person relationships.

Her advice to fundraisers is refreshingly simple: Pick up the phone.

Call the donor. Start the conversation. Listen. Build the relationship. Follow up with a personal note. And don’t get discouraged.

As Mary explains, fundraising is more than raising money. It is an invitation for people to become part of a vision and a mission.

In this episode:

• Why collaboration can be more powerful than competition in fundraising

• What foundations want nonprofit organizations to understand

• How to build relationships with foundations, including invitation-only funders

• Why research and preparation matter before submitting a grant application

• The role AI can play in fundraising and where the human connection remains irreplaceable

• Why storytelling continues to be essential to philanthropy

• The opportunities Mary sees for the next generation of donors and fundraisers

• Why every fundraiser should remember to pick up the phone

This conversation is a timely reminder that philanthropy is a collective effort built on trust, relationships, shared purpose, and a commitment to advancing mission.

Listen to this episode of the Mastering Fundraising Podcast with Mary Hatton and discover why the future of fundraising may depend on our willingness to collaborate, connect, and keep the human relationship at the center of everything we do.

Check out the full episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/ERarFKyvzxM