The Focused Fundraiser
The Focused Fundraiser
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into fundraising strategy, high-touch stewardship, personal productivity, and best practices within the nonprofit sector. Episodes explore themes such as effective relationship building, avoiding burnout, and embracing technology, with examples like discussions on the importance of mentorship and actionable advice on setting goals to enhance fundraising impact.
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.
What should fundraisers focus on at the beginning of a new year? And what should they stop doing altogether?
In this episode of The Focused Fundraiser, Rob Burke and Chris Stibbs, Director of Development at Growing Futures, talk about what actually moves the needle in modern nonprofit fundraising. From donor retention and stewardship to avoiding burnout, segmentation, KPIs, and realistic goal-setting, this conversation is packed with practical insights for fundraisers at every level.
Key Topics Covered:
• Healthy fundraising habits for the new year
• Donor stewardship vs. transactional fundraising
• Donor journeys and segmentation strategies
• KPIs that actually matter
• Grant strategy and approval tracking
• Mid-level donor growth
• Avoiding burnout on fundraising teams
• One simple action every fundraiser should take today
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to The Focused Fundraiser
00:47 – Chris Stibbs’ fundraising journey
02:47 – What a healthy start to the year looks like
04:27 – Moving from transactions to stewardship
06:07 – Fundraising trends that aren’t working anymore
07:15 – Donor journeys & segmentation
09:03 – Why every donor matters
10:29 – The overlooked power of mid-level donors
11:21 – Setting realistic fundraising goals
13:27 – KPIs fundraisers should actually track
15:53 – Grant strategy & approval rates
17:27 – Hard conversations fundraisers avoid
19:51 – Tactical takeaway: one thing to do today
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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