Fundraising is relationship building, but too many donor conversations feel disconnected, repetitive, and transactional. Enter the “Donor Waltz”. A three-step sequence of conversations designed to move donors from discovery to alignment, to meaningful commitment. Donors experience philanthropy emotionally, not operationally, and organizations that fail to find the emotional journey risk losing momentum, trust, and transformational opportunities. When fundraisers learn to sequence conversations, donor relationships begin to feel less like a checklist and more like a partnership.
Read MoreListen to the weekly podcast “Around with Randall” as he discusses, in just a few minutes, a topic surrounding non-profit philanthropy. Included each week are tactical suggestions listeners can use to immediately make their non-profit, and their job activities, more effective.
Find “Around with Randall” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Email Randall with a show topic: podcast@hallettphilanthropy.com
Email Randall with a thought regarding a specific show: reeks@hallettphilanthropy.com
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Andrew Carnegie did not believe philanthropy was simply about relieving immediate need. He believed it was about creating opportunities that could create generational change. In this special episode, we look at how Carnegie’s philosophy shaped modern giving through libraries, education, research, and long-term investment in human potential. Challenging nonprofits to think beyond short-term charity and ask a harder question. Are we only responding to problems, or are we helping people escape them? A reflection on wealth, responsibility, and the deeper purpose of philanthropy.
Read MoreFundraisers often spend enormous amounts of time pursuing prospects who will never make a gift. Not because they lack capacity, but because nobody properly qualified their intent. In this episode, we look at one of the biggest hidden problems in fundraising: confusing wealth with philanthropic interest. Let’s explore how better qualification questions, smaller portfolios, and clearer disqualification standards can improve donor relationships and fundraising outcomes. Effective fundraising is not about collecting more names, it’s about identifying alignment and moving the right relationships forward.
Read MoreMost nonprofits talk about stewardship, but few can actually show you a structured plan for how it happens. In this episode, we explore the idea of a donor stewardship matrix. A simple but powerful framework that brings clarity, accountability, and consistency to donor relationships. Stewardship is no longer just about thank-you letters; it’s about creating intentional systems that deepen trust, improve retention, and ensure donors feel connected to the impact they make possible. A practical reminder that meaningful philanthropy often depends less on grand gestures and more on disciplined follow-through.
Read MoreFractional employees are quickly becoming a practical solution for nonprofits facing talent shortages and budget constraints, but they’re not a simple fix. This episode explores how fractional roles can unlock high-level expertise without full-time costs, while also exposing the hidden risks to continuity, culture, and donor relationships. The key insight: success isn’t about whether you use fractional talent, but how intentionally you design and manage it.
Read MoreTechnology has transformed how fundraisers research donors, track relationships, and manage data – but the core engine of philanthropy has not changed. Major gifts still emerge from trust, presence, and meaningful human conversations. Drawing on the early principles of fundraising pioneer Henry A. Rosso and insights from The Generosity Crisis by Nathan Chappell, this episode reminds us that real relationships (not automation) drive philanthropy. The tools may evolve, but the fundamentals of initiating contact, listening carefully, and patiently building trust remain the true path to transformational giving.
Read MoreShould a nonprofit create its own foundation? The answer is surprisingly simple and at the same time, relentlessly hard: will it raise more money? Foundations only make sense when organizational complexity, donor access, privacy, or governance limitations are actively holding philanthropy back. Done well, a foundation creates focus, opens doors, and frees leadership to pursue deeper donor relationships. Done poorly (or too early) it adds cost, confusion, and duplication without impact.
Read MoreAnnual giving programs across every sector are struggling—and the old tactics no longer work. To re-engage donors, fundraisers must borrow from behavioral economics: reduce friction, offer clear defaults, and frame choices that inspire action. Subtle “nudges,” simplified giving options, and immediate impact stories can transform inertia into generosity. In a noisy, overloaded world, the organizations that understand how people actually make giving decisions will be the ones that thrive.
Read MoreNonprofits often face a silent crisis: they can’t fund the very infrastructure that keeps their mission alive. While donors love to support visible programs, few realize that unrestricted gifts – the ones that cover salaries, compliance, and basic operations – are what make real impact possible. When organizations underfund their “overhead,” they enter a starvation cycle that weakens long-term sustainability. By reframing unrestricted giving as mission fuel, nonprofits can help donors see that trust, not just passion, drives meaningful change. Restricted gifts show commitment. Unrestricted gifts show belief in leadership.
Read MoreOnce seen as an invasion of privacy, texting is now one of the most effective tools for donor engagement. With open rates as high as 98%, texts dramatically outperform email and can strengthen relationships when used thoughtfully for outreach, stewardship, and even giving. The key is to keep messages short, timely, and personal—never spammy. When done well, texting becomes another arrow in the quiver of fundraising, deepening impact and building authentic connections in a digital-first world.
Read MoreGetting in front of new prospects is harder than ever—but sitting back and waiting isn’t an option. This episode introduces a creative solution: gamifying the dreaded phone call. By turning outreach and even rejection into a points-based game, fundraisers can build camaraderie, reduce fear, and spark real momentum. From scoring voicemails to celebrating “rejection of the week,” this approach reframes calling from a chore into a challenge and makes progress fun again.
Read MoreDonor conversations aren’t always smooth - especially when political or social issues enter the mix. In this podcast, Randall Hallett unpacks how fundraisers can navigate divisive topics with civility, professionalism, and focus on shared values. He stresses the importance of staying agnostic, listening first, and reframing discussions around mission and impact rather than ideology. With practical communication strategies and a reminder that philanthropy is about hope and connection, Randall shows how to keep relationships strong, even when opinions differ.
Read MoreBuilding a strong donor portfolio isn’t magic. It’s math, persistence, and mindset. In this piece, we break down the real metrics behind qualification calls, revealing how many dials it takes to land conversations and turn those into meaningful meetings. It’s not just about picking up the phone, but about embracing follow-ups, leveraging multiple channels, and tracking every step. Success comes from resilience, consistency, and understanding that small wins compound into lasting donor relationships.
Read MoreToo often, nonprofits treat donors as if they are obligated to give—out of duty, guilt, or long-standing expectation. This mindset not only diminishes donor joy but also undermines the potential for transformational gifts. True philanthropy is rooted in passion, where giving aligns with a donor’s values, identity, and sense of purpose. By shifting from obligation to passion, nonprofits can foster deeper loyalty, larger gifts, and lasting impact. At its core, philanthropy should be about self-determination and joy, not obligation and pressure.
Read MoreWhen a nonprofit’s founder or small group wields too much influence, mission drift can quietly erode trust, credibility, and board strength. The result? Confusion among donors, disengaged board members, staff turnover, and even reputational risk. The cure lies in proactive governance: clear roles, term limits, strong bylaws, intentional recruitment, and the courage (both from inside the board and, when needed, from outside voices) to keep the mission front and center.
Read MoreFear is natural—but in fundraising, it's often the silent barrier to real relationship-building. Whether it's a new gift officer hesitating to make a thank-you call or a seasoned professional dreading the ask, fear can shrink our actions and paralyze our potential. But reframing these moments as invitations, not transactions, changes everything. This episode explores how small shifts in language and mindset can turn fear into forward motion—both professionally and personally.
Read MoreWhen crisis hits—whether it's a struggling department or the entire organization—your response defines your future. This episode explores how to talk about financial distress without sounding desperate, and how to frame fundraising efforts as strategic, not survivalist. The difference? Donors don’t want to save a sinking ship—they want to fuel a mission with momentum. If you can communicate change, trust, and a path forward, you’ll do more than survive—you’ll transform.
Read MoreRight now, too many nonprofits are frozen in place—boards and CEOs so paralyzed by funding cuts and political chaos that they’ve stopped thinking strategically altogether. When organizations stall, donors lose confidence, talented development staff grow frustrated, and transformational gifts slip through the cracks. In this episode, we unpack four practical ways fundraising professionals can respectfully ‘manage up’—from reframing strategy as a leadership duty to enlisting donor voices and phasing in focused roadmaps. You’ll hear real-world examples of how anonymous donor feedback and targeted feasibility studies have reignited momentum and unlocked six- and seven-figure gifts. Tune in to discover how to break the paralysis and turn chaos into catalytic, strategic philanthropy.
Read MoreWhat is the concept of "choice architecture" in nonprofit fundraising? How can organizations better present options to donor and strike a balance between too much and too little information? Learn how to avoid common mistakes like the "Menu of Doom," false equivalency, and overselling, and discover practical strategies for curating meaningful giving opportunities that connect with donors' passions and the mission of your nonprofit. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on refining donor relationships and maximizing philanthropic impact.
Read MoreAre you staring at stalled proposals and wondering what to do next? This episode dives into the root causes of donor dormancy—like misaligned timing, a disconnect in perceived value, or inconsistent follow-up—and offers a framework to triage and reengage major gift prospects. Learn how to categorize your dormant proposals, prioritize them by impact, and take practical next steps based on the kind of interaction you last had. It’s time to stop waiting and start prompting. If your portfolio includes “zombie” proposals, this conversation offers the tactics to revive them.
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