First Day Podcast

In this energizing and highly practical episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Lisa Hacker, Director of Philanthropic Planning for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, for a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation about fundraising with millennials and Gen Z. The episode begins by challenging one of the sector’s most outdated assumptions: millennials are no longer merely “the next generation” of donors, they are already here, already giving, and increasingly shaping the future of philanthropy. Lisa explains that her organization began preparing for this shift nearly two decades ago, recognizing both a transfer of wealth and the importance of building donor relationships long before individuals reach their peak earning years. Bill reinforces that point with research showing that while boomers still give the most per household, millennials have already surpassed their parents in average annual household giving, a striking reminder that fundraisers mu

In this timely and highly practical episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jon Bergdoll, MA, interim director of data and research partnerships at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, for a clear-eyed conversation about what the 2025 federal tax policy changes could mean for charitable giving. The episode opens with an important reminder that taxes are not the only force shaping generosity, but they do matter, and they matter enough to influence billions of dollars in giving behavior. Drawing on new research from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Jon explains that the overall effect of the policy is expected to be a modest drag on giving, roughly $5.5 to $6 billion annually, even as one major provision, the return of the universal charitable deduction, could bring more than 8 million donors into or back into the donor pool. That tension gives the episode its central insight: tax policy can expand participation while still

In this thoughtful and instructive episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Michal Werner, CAP, CFRE, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, for a rich conversation about major gift fundraising and the patience it requires. Framed around the idea that there is “joy in the journey,” the episode explores what happens when a donor who seems like a certain yes instead says no, and how that moment can become the beginning of something far more meaningful. Drawing on a real donor story from early in her tenure, Michal offers a grounded and compelling example of what it looks like to stay in the relationship, listen more carefully, and let the donor’s interests shape the path forward rather than forcing a gift onto the organization’s preferred timeline. What makes the episode especially valuable is the way it reveals the difference between fundraising driven by institutional assumptions and fundraising rooted in

In this practical and timely episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Ruth Hansen, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, for a smart conversation about checkout charity and what it reveals about contemporary donor behavior. With her characteristic blend of research rigor and practitioner awareness, Ruth explores a form of giving that many people recognize instantly but few have studied closely: the small, spontaneous donation made at the register or during an online purchase. What emerges is a compelling portrait of “impulse giving” as a meaningful and often overlooked part of the philanthropic landscape. For fundraisers, the episode offers both data and perspective, showing that seemingly modest asks at the point of purchase can unlock real generosity when the conditions are right. One of the episode’s greatest strengths is the way it moves beyond anecdote and into useful insight. Ruth explains that more than half of Ame

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Alison Jane Martingano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, for a fascinating conversation about empathy, burnout, and what fundraisers can learn from research rooted in healthcare. With clarity, warmth, and just the right amount of scientific precision, Alison Jane unpacks a deceptively simple idea: empathy is not just a feel-good virtue, it can actually help protect professionals from burnout. For fundraisers, whose work is built on connection, compassion, and constant attention to others, that insight lands with particular force. This episode makes a compelling case that understanding how we empathize may be just as important as the fact that we do. A key strength of the conversation is its careful distinction between different types of empathy. Alison Jane explains that empathy is not one single emotional blob, but a multidimensional concept

In this lively international edition of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Lynda Harwood-Compton, Director of Latch Fundraising, for a smart and spirited conversation about what it really takes to engage millennial and Gen Z donors around the world. Lynda brings both global perspective and practical wisdom, tracing her own journey from teaching blind children to leading an international fundraising consultancy focused on philanthropy, partnerships, stewardship, and next-generation giving. Her central message lands with the force of a well-aimed Scottish truth bomb: Gen Z and millennials are not just “emerging” donors, they are the future of philanthropy, and fundraisers need to stop waiting for them to arrive and start building relationships now. Lynda makes a compelling case that these generations are already deeply philanthropic, even if that generosity does not always show up as a big check in the mail. Gen Z, in particular, is giving through volunteering,

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Jeff Spitko, CFRE, Senior Director of Integrated Fundraising at the San Diego Foundation and a leading voice on digital fundraising strategy. Right out of the gate, the conversation challenges one of the most persistent myths in nonprofit fundraising: that digital fundraising is simply a matter of posting an online ask and waiting for donations to roll in. Jeff makes the case that digital fundraising is not instant fundraising, but relationship fundraising at scale. Just as major gift work depends on cultivating trust over time, effective digital fundraising requires a thoughtful journey built through personalization, customization, and a slow, intentional process of helping donors understand the mission before ever being asked to give. Jeff then walks listeners through the crucial role of lead generation, describing it as the space where marketing and fundraising intersect. Rather than rushing to solicit

In this forward-looking episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with AI practitioner and marketing maestro Chris Strom of Sunrise Association to tackle a question that’s buzzing louder than a caffeinated chatbot: what can artificial intelligence actually do for fundraising? Chris doesn’t sugarcoat it. Yes, AI can be wrong. Yes, hallucinations happen. But as he explains, the magic isn’t in blind trust, it’s in smart partnership. Think of AI not as your replacement, but as your overachieving intern who works at lightning speed and still needs supervision. Used wisely, it augments your intelligence, multiplies your output, and frees you to do what fundraisers do best: build real relationships with real people. One of the biggest “aha” moments Chris shares is the power of prompting, because typing a lazy one-liner into ChatGPT and hoping for brilliance is like whispering “abracadabra” and expecting Broadway. His practical CRAFT framework is the game-chang

In this data-packed episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back philanthropic powerhouses Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D., and Dan Heist, Ph.D., to unpack the brand-new Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative report. And folks, the headline is clear: DAFs are not just “a thing,” they are a major thing. With $90 billion flowing into donor advised funds in 2024 and a record-setting $65 billion flowing back out in grants. Contributions rebounded sharply after a 2023 dip, mirroring stock market recovery, and now represent roughly 15% of all charitable giving in the U.S. That’s not pocket change, that’s a seismic shift in how philanthropy moves. One of the biggest evolutions? The rise of “donation processors.” Think workplace giving platforms and online tools quietly powering charitable accounts behind the scenes. These platforms have helped push the total number of DAF accounts to 3.6 million, doubling in just five years. Some of these accounts are smaller and

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes fundraising veteran Rick Shadyac, JD, former longtime leader of ALSAC, the fundraising powerhouse behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Major donors love bold vision. But how do leaders decide which big ideas are brilliant… and which are just bonkers? Rick’s advice is refreshingly practical: start with the problem you’re trying to solve and the audience you’re trying to reach. High-wealth strategy? Mass marketing? Different tools for different tribes. Big ideas aren’t about flash, they’re about fit, feasibility, and fearless execution. Rick shares the jaw-dropping case study of partnering with billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman on a space mission tied to a $100 million (eventually $125 million) challenge gift. The catch? ALSAC had to match it. The risk? Enormous. The reward? Potentially transformational. Instead of auctioning off a seat, they democratized giving, raffle tickets for a dollar, o

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. welcomes Mladenka Majerić, CEO of the Yellow Dot Foundation in Croatia and a respected voice in philanthropy across Central and Eastern Europe. Right out of the gate, the duo tackles a deceptively simple but often neglected truth: fundraising doesn’t start with an appeal, a gala, or a clever email subject line, it starts with a strategic plan. Or, as this episode gently but firmly argues, with the process of building one. Mladenka makes the case that while organizations can raise money without a strategic plan, doing so is like driving cross-country with passion but no map. Strategic planning aligns mission, vision, goals, and activities, giving teams structure, clarity, and confidence. More than that, she frames it as a leadership and team-building tool. When boards, staff, and leadership are meaningfully involved, through workshops, surveys, and candid conversations, the process becomes a kind of organizational g

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Carly Berna, Vice President of Marketing (and the impressively titled “Fundraiser in Residence”) at Virtuous. Carly shares findings from the latest Virtuous Benchmark Report, a treasure trove of data gleaned from over 570 nonprofits using the platform for at least three years. The result? A layered look at donor trends across sectors and revenue sizes, from faith-based orgs to human services, all the way from scrappy sub-million-dollar shops to the $10M+ fundraising heavyweights. “Flat doesn't mean bad,” Carly notes, sometimes staying steady means you’ve weathered the storm. Bill and Carly dig into the meaty data highlights, starting with online giving. The average online gift increased by $5 in the last year and is up a whopping $22 since 2020, showing just how powerful digital channels are becoming, no surprise given Boomers are now a driving force online (61% of them give that way!). Meanwhile, C

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes back the ever-insightful Michele Dole, MS, CFP, Senior Vice President at Key Private Bank and cherished faculty member. Michele brings her unique perspective as both a former fundraiser and a current financial advisor, helping to demystify the world of wealth and financial advising for those in the nonprofit sector. From her origins in hospital foundations to earning her Certified Financial Planner certification, Michele shares how her deep understanding of financial strategy intersects beautifully with charitable giving. “It’s not just about tax efficiency,” she emphasizes, “but about helping clients make meaningful, effective gifts.” The conversation shines a light on how fundraisers and financial advisors can, and should, collaborate. Advisors, Michele explains, aren’t gatekeepers; they’re partners. With full visibility into a client’s financial picture, they can help determine not just if a gift shoul

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., digs into the booming world of artificial intelligence and what its rapid rise might mean for your fundraising future. Bill highlights the many ways AI is already helping fundraisers: writing donor letters, prepping for meetings, and identifying potential major donors; all with greater efficiency and effectiveness. He shares real-life examples from colleagues like Travis Tester and Andy Price, who are saving hours of prep time each week, allowing them to meet with significantly more donors and deepen relationships. But while the AI-powered present looks promising, Bill turns our gaze toward a looming challenge: the potential financial instability behind AI’s rapid expansion. Drawing on historical parallels like the railroad boom, the 1929 crash, the dot-com bubble, and the housing crisis, Bill warns that the current pattern of over-investment in AI, particularly in data centers and tech infrastructure, could lead

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with sits down with A.J. Steinberg, CFRE, CEO of Queen Bee Fundraising and certified nonprofit rockstar, to talk about the not-so-small challenge of engaging Millennials and Gen Z as donors, volunteers, and board members. AJ opens with a truth bomb: nonprofits have talked about multi-generational giving for decades, but fear of change has kept many stuck in their ways. Older generations may be clinging to legacy and routine, but younger folks want impact and involvement. A.J. brings the empathy and the strategy. Her secret weapon? Creating cross-generational task forces with influential voices from each age group to spark collaboration and build relationships. It's not about token seats at the gala table, it’s about co-creating something new. And speaking of galas, Steinberg makes it crystal clear: Gen Z doesn’t want to dress up for rubber chicken. Let them lead their own events and watch engagement soar

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., rings in the new year with a bang, and a tax code, diving headfirst into the new federal tax policies that officially took effect on January 1, 2026. While the legislation passed in mid-2025, the real fireworks are just starting for fundraisers. Bill breaks it all down, starting with the triumphant return of the Universal Charitable Deduction (UCD), now juiced up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for joint filers. That’s right: even if your donors don’t itemize, they can still get tax credit for their generosity. The new policy also brings in the “ceiling and floor.” High-income donors can now only itemize at the 35% rate, and folks outside that bracket can't deduct the first 0.5% of their adjusted gross income. Sound confusing? Maybe. But Bill reassures fundraisers: unless your donor database is loaded with ultra-wealthy supporters, this might not move the needle much. Still, if you're courting those high-cap

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., sits down with Nicholas Kristock, Executive Director of Fleece & Thank You, to talk about how storytelling isn’t just an art, it’s a survival skill for nonprofits in the age of distraction. Nicholas shares how his blanket-making nonprofit went from a heartfelt request by his twin sister into a statewide movement that delivers 30,000 personalized blankets each year to pediatric patients in Michigan. But these aren’t your grandma’s quilts; each one includes a video message from the blanket maker to the child, creating a full-circle moment of warmth, gratitude, and healing. Nicholas dives deep into the neuroscience of donor engagement and explains why breaking the script is essential if you want your message to actually make it past someone’s mental gatekeeper. Forget “Your donation helped buy 2,847 books,” we’re talking vivid, goosebump-inducing stories like a child giggling through Charlotte’s Web for the very firs

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Martin Georgi, Board Chair of the German Fundraising Association, to explore the powerful partnership between board chairs and CEOs, and how that dynamic drives better fundraising results. Martin, with a resume that spans continents and causes, shares how rebuilding trust, clarifying mission, and hiring the right CEO transformed a once-floundering organization into a thriving hub for philanthropic progress. As he puts it, “It’s not just about fundraising. It’s about changing society.” Turns out, being a great fundraiser doesn’t automatically make someone a great board member, or CEO. Martin walks us through the German Fundraising Association’s early struggles with infighting and low-impact leadership, and how a shared purpose among new board members sparked a cultural shift. At the heart of it all was alignment with the CEO. It wasn’t about agreeing on everything, but about agreeing on what matters: p

In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by the philanthropic powerhouse himself, Gene Tempel, Ed.D., Dean Emeritus and founding father of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Together, they dive headfirst into a question that keeps many nonprofit leaders up at night: “Is this a bad time to launch a capital campaign?” The answer? Well, let’s just say it’s complicated, but not impossible. Gene reminds us that before we start counting pledges, we’ve got to answer the most basic question: What’s the compelling case for support? It’s not about shinier buildings or more vans, it's about fulfilling the mission and addressing urgent needs in society. Now, if you’re waiting for a perfect economy, spoiler alert: you’ll be waiting a long time. From the energy crisis to the Great Recession to COVID, Gene’s seen it all, and fundraisers kept fundraising. Instead of running from uncertainty, nonprofits should focus on preparation. That

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Cheryl Contee, MBA, co-authors of AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause, to demystify what artificial intelligence means for the social sector. Spoiler alert: it’s not a robot apocalypse, it’s an efficiency revolution. From donor research to budgeting, from strategic planning to personalized thank-you letters, AI isn’t just the future, it’s already on your desktop. As Darian puts it, AI is “the new electricity,” and when responsibly leveraged, it can energize every part of your mission. But hold on to your server, there’s some fear in the air. Cheryl addresses common anxieties head-on, including worries about job loss, high costs, or that AI will take over the planet (or at least the inbox). Her response? “Sweetie, honey, baby… AI is already here.” And you’re probably already using it: think email filters, scheduling tools, and CRMs. The