Welcome to "Let's Talk Fundraising" with Keith Greer, CFRE! This podcast is your go-to resource for mastering the essentials of fundraising while discovering how innovative tools and technology can supercharge your efforts. Whether you're a new fundraiser looking to level up your skills or a seasoned professional seeking timely reminders and fresh insights, each episode is packed with practical advice, creative ideas, and inspiring stories. Join Keith as he explores the core principles that ...
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Keith Greer CFRE Podcasts

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Turn Prompts into AI Assistants: CustomGPTs for Fundraisers
12:36
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12:36Ever wish you could clone yourself on Monday morning? In this mini-episode, I’ll show you how to turn your favorite prompts into something far more powerful: CustomGPTs—personalized AI assistants trained on your best fundraising language and strategy. You’ll learn how to build three fundraisers’ essentials: • An Email Writer that drafts thank-you n…
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Instant Donor Insights: One ChatGPT Prompt Replaces 17 Research Tabs
25:31
25:31
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25:31Your browser groans under the weight of countless tabs while your prospect's name stares at you from the CRM dashboard. The research rabbit hole keeps getting deeper, consuming hours of your day with diminishing returns. Sound familiar? Prospect research doesn't have to be this way. The real power in donor profiles isn't found in data volume but in…
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Don’t Drown Your Board in Data—Do This Instead
21:11
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21:11Every nonprofit leader knows the struggle: that moment when your calendar reminder pops up – "Board packet due tonight." You export columns of numbers from your CRM, spend hours wrestling with spreadsheets, triple-checking figures, and aligning columns. All this effort, only to watch board members' eyes glaze over two pages into your meticulously c…
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Drowning in donor emails while struggling to craft thoughtful, personalized responses? You're not alone. Fundraisers everywhere face this daily challenge—balancing the need for authentic communication with the reality of limited time and mounting inbox pressure. The secret most successful fundraisers discover is that timely responsiveness isn't jus…
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Why Accuracy Is the Hidden Superpower of Stewardship
20:43
20:43
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20:43Every fundraiser faces the same dilemma: we need efficiency, but we can't sacrifice accuracy. When that major donor asks for one critical data point before finalizing their six-figure gift, the pressure to respond quickly meets our professional obligation to be absolutely correct. ChatGPT makes this balancing act even trickier. Its confident, polis…
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Why Momentum Beats Perfection in Fundraising Writing
25:30
25:30
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25:30Ever found yourself paralyzed by a blinking cursor, struggling to craft the perfect donor message? You're not alone. Fundraising writing can be deeply intimidating—it needs to reflect understanding, empathy, clarity, and warmth all at once while connecting emotionally with donors. The secret to breaking through this paralysis lies in a simple minds…
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How to Use ChatGPT Without Compromising Donor Privacy
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25:17Every fundraiser knows that donor trust is the foundation of successful philanthropic relationships. But in our rush to embrace powerful AI tools like ChatGPT, we risk compromising that trust through accidental exposure of sensitive information. What begins as an innocent copy-paste into an AI prompt can instantly transform into a serious data brea…
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More Donor Time, Less Desk Time: The Case for AI in Your Fundraising Week
32:01
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32:01Trapped in an endless cycle of drafting donor emails while meaningful connections take a backseat? The silent crisis of administrative drag is depleting fundraisers' energy and passion nationwide. What if reclaiming hours every week could be as simple as embracing the right technological tools? This transformative exploration reveals how AI tools l…
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You’re Not for Everyone—And That’s a Good Thing
11:47
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11:47Have you ever left a donor meeting wondering, “Why did I say it like that?” Or felt that quiet pressure to be more agreeable, more polished, more… perfect? In this episode, Keith shares a story fresh from the road—an alumni reception that turned into a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be everyone’s favorite to be an exceptional fundraiser. If y…
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Whose Voice Is In Your Head? Releasing Inherited Limiting Beliefs
14:43
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14:43Ever poured hours into a project only to watch it get worse, not better? That frustrating cycle of diminishing returns might be fueled by a deeply-held belief that's actually holding you back. Growing up, I absorbed my father's working-class ethos that hard work—defined by time spent, effort exerted, and suffering endured—was the only path to succe…
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Stop Wrestling with Technology and Start Connecting with Donors
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10:17Have you ever left a donor meeting, recorded quick thoughts on your phone, then spent hours translating those scattered notes into a proper contact report? There's a better way. At AFP Icon in Seattle last month, I watched a room full of fundraisers experience a collective "aha" moment. It wasn't sparked by fancy tech demos or pie-in-the-sky AI pro…
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Behind the Ask: Navigating Your First Major Gifts Role
36:31
36:31
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36:31The journey from behind-the-scenes prospect researcher to frontline major gift officer can feel like jumping into the deep end without a life vest. In this illuminating conversation, Matt Stokes, Leadership Giving Officer at Yale University, shares his experience making this challenging career transition and the lessons he's learned along the way. …
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Quiet Power: The Introvert's Guide to Fundraising Success
45:04
45:04
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45:04When you picture a successful fundraiser, do you imagine someone who commands the room, speaks eloquently without hesitation, and thrives in crowds of donors? That stereotype has dominated our field for decades—but what if the most powerful fundraising superpower isn't being heard, but truly hearing others? Carissa Konesky, CFRE and advancement off…
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Ditch Fear, Choose Joy: The Fundraising Shift You Need to Make
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13:09
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13:09Fundraising shouldn’t feel like manipulation. It shouldn’t leave donors feeling drained, guilty, or pressured into giving. Yet, so much of our industry—especially certain political campaigns—leans into fear as a motivator. And while fear might work once, it doesn’t build relationships. It doesn’t make donors want to come back. You know what does? J…
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Using AI to Amplify the Personal Side of Fundraising
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12:07Can AI really enhance human connection in fundraising, or is it just a high-tech distraction? Let's tackle this question head-on, revealing how AI can be a transformative force in the nonprofit sector. This episode isn't about replacing the personal touch — it's about using AI to deepen it. As I prepare for my upcoming session at the AFP Icon confe…
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Are You Fundraising or Just Panhandling? The Right Way to Inspire Giving
10:48
10:48
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10:48Have you ever felt like fundraising was just begging for money? Like you were throwing out asks and hoping someone would say yes? If so, you’re not alone—but there’s a reason it feels that way. And it’s not just you. In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, I break down the difference between real fundraising and what I call panhandling. It all s…
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Building Trust and Belonging: Transforming Nonprofit Fundraising Teams with Bri Gerzevske
47:34
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47:34Join us for an enlightening conversation with Bri Gerzevske, an expert in nonprofit fundraising leadership, as she shares her transformative approach to creating high-functioning teams. Ever wondered how to step into a new leadership role and immediately start building trust and a positive team culture? Bri’s strategy centers around joy and belongi…
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Transforming Holiday Generosity: Sustaining Impact Beyond the Season with Leanne Baumel
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54:30What if holiday generosity could transform lives beyond the festive season? Leanne Baumel, Chief Development Officer at Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, joins us to share her insights from the frontline of holiday fundraising. We'll unravel the complexities and joys of orchestrating campaigns like "Triple the Hope," which has successfully raised ove…
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Beyond Quick Fixes: Real Solutions for Fundraiser Burnout with Raiya Sankari-Diaz
33:45
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33:45Ever wonder why so many fundraisers are burnt out and how to truly support their well-being? Join us as we engage with Raiya Sankari-Diaz, a global HR expert, to uncover the hidden causes of burnout in the fundraising sector. Forget superficial solutions like mindfulness apps; Raiya shares why authentic well-being programs, backed by genuine leader…
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Redefining Board Success: From Recruitment to Engagement with Phelosha Collaros
47:10
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47:10Unlocking the secrets to managing effective nonprofit boards, our episode promises to transform your approach to board recruitment and engagement. With our insightful guest, Phelosha Collaros, we uncover how to transcend the traditional focus on financial capacity and instead recruit board members driven by passion and alignment with your mission. …
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Unlock the secret to unlocking donors' hearts and wallets with gratitude! Discover how practicing genuine appreciation can transform your fundraising efforts and create lasting partnerships. Dive into the "rule of seven" and learn how consistent, heartfelt gestures can make your supporters feel truly valued and connected to your cause. Learn from H…
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From Skepticism to Collaboration: AI in Nonprofits
29:13
29:13
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29:13Unlock the transformative potential of AI in fundraising, as we explore how technology is reshaping the nonprofit landscape. From the initial skepticism and concerns of job security that accompanied the launch of ChatGPT, to the innovative strides made in aligning AI outputs with organizational values, this episode promises a journey through the ev…
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Transforming Workplaces: The Power of Authentic Leadership with Lasha Murray
49:05
49:05
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49:05Unlock the secrets of authentic leadership with Lasha Murray, the visionary founder of The Unapologetic Leadership Coach. Lasha introduces her groundbreaking BANG framework—Belonging, Authenticity, Networking, and Growth—designed to create meaningful professional connections. Together, we tackle the challenges young professionals face in maintainin…
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Harnessing AI for Nonprofit Success: Unlocking ChatGPT's Potential
19:36
19:36
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19:36Unlock the future of nonprofit success with ChatGPT as your intelligent ally. Ever wondered how artificial intelligence can do more than just draft emails? Dive into a world where ChatGPT revolutionizes nonprofit operations, from automating data tasks to crafting strategic plans and designing dynamic dashboards. We'll reveal practical insights on m…
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Maintaining Integrity in Donor Relationships
12:48
12:48
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12:48What happens when a job interview turns into an ethical quagmire? Join us as we unravel the story of a fellow fundraiser who faced an unsettling request during a job interview: to bring specific donors along to a new organization. This episode digs deep into the ethical complexities and challenges fundraisers face, especially when moving between jo…
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What does it take to muster the courage to sing in front of an audience when fear grips you by the throat? Join us as we share a personal story that transforms a paralyzing fear into a triumphant moment, revealing profound parallels to the world of fundraising. We unpack the emotional journey fundraisers undertake, from the sting of rejection to th…
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Bridging Political Divides to Foster Better Fundraising with Dawn Strauss
44:36
44:36
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44:36Can you imagine fostering genuine understanding between political opponents in today's polarized climate? In this episode, we promise you'll gain the tools to do just that by learning from Dawn Strauss, Director of Development at Braver Angels. Dawn shares her remarkable journey of bringing Trump and Clinton supporters together through Braver Angel…
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Cultivate What Grows: Letting go of Non-responsive Donors
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5:00Kevin L. Brown's LinkedIn Post that caught my eye. Ever felt like you're chasing donors who just aren’t that into you? It's time to rethink your strategy. This episode of Let's Talk Fundraising takes a deep dive into why some donors remain elusive and how to stop wasting your time. Inspired by Kevin L Brown's thought-provoking LinkedIn post and ins…
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There's More Money Than Big Ideas: Why Bold Campaigns Win Big with Paul Johnson
49:15
49:15
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49:15Unlock the secrets to successful major gifts and capital campaigns with Paul Johnson, the visionary founder of Creative Fundraising Advisors. With over 30 years of experience, Paul shares his invaluable strategies and real-world examples, perfect for both small nonprofits and large institutions. We discuss the critical readiness factors that can ma…
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My Three Essentials for a Fulfilling Fundraising Career
14:37
14:37
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14:37Ever wondered how a college internship could lead to a fulfilling career in fundraising? Discover the transformative story of how an internship at Walt Disney World shaped skills in guest relations, trust-building, and creating magical moments, which seamlessly transitioned into a rewarding trajectory in fundraising. This episode uncovers why under…
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Can expressing genuine gratitude transform your fundraising efforts? In this episode, we promise to reveal how the simple act of saying thank you can enhance donor relationships, reduce stress, and reinvigorate your passion for your mission. Explore practical strategies for making your gratitude heartfelt and impactful, plus get inspired by resourc…
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Why Your Giving Day Campaign Hasn’t Worked (And How to Fix It)
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30:10Ready to transform your Giving Day fundraising efforts? Join me as I share my personal journey from early setbacks to a triumphant campaign that raised over $74,000 in the first attempt at launching a giving day campaign. We'll uncover the five essential steps to ensure your campaign's success, including setting ambitious yet achievable goals, devi…
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Building a Stronger Donor Base from Scratch
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40:01Ever wondered how to turn your personal network into a powerhouse donor base for your nonprofit? Discover how to engage co-workers, family, and friends who already trust you, and transform them into dedicated supporters. We'll walk you through the art of hosting intimate parlor meetings where you can connect deeply with potential donors, share your…
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Speak to Their Hearts: The Power of Donor Personas
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18:04Hey there, hi, and welcome back to Let’s Talk Fundraising! Have you ever felt like you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall with your newsletters and appeals, hoping something sticks? In this episode, we dive into a game-changing concept that can transform the way you connect with your donors: donor personas. Join us as we break down what donor p…
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Reimagining Fundraising Events: From Galas to Genuine Connections
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30:53Hey there, hi, and welcome back to Let’s Talk Fundraising! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of fundraising events. Before the pandemic, traditional events like galas often felt like a chore—expensive, repetitive, and sometimes even a punchline. But as the landscape has shifted, so have our opportunities to create meaningful, engaging ev…
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From Data to Dollars: The 10 Metrics Every Fundraiser Needs
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42:53In this episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, we’re diving deep into the world of fundraising metrics. Join me, Keith Greer, CFRE, as we explore the top 10 metrics that can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy from good to great. We'll start with a captivating story from a small Sicilian village that learned the power of understanding their…
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Transform Your Nonprofit: Building a Culture of Philanthropy
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40:01Hey there, hi, and welcome, Ambitious Fundraisers! 🎙️ In this episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, we're diving deep into creating a culture of philanthropy within your organization. We'll explore why a unified vision is crucial and share strategies to engage everyone from board members to donors. Join me as I share personal stories from my own exper…
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Welcome back, Ambitious Fundraisers! In this exciting episode of "Let's Talk Fundraising," we dive deep into the transformative power of Lapsed Donor Surveys. Discover how these invaluable tools can help you understand why donors stop giving and, more importantly, how you can win them back. Join your host, Keith Greer, as he shares a personal story…
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Hey there, Ambitious Fundraisers! Welcome to the first official episode of "Let's Talk Fundraising!" I'm your host, Keith Greer, and I'm thrilled to kick off this journey with you. In this episode, we’re diving into "The Power of Donor Surveys" – a game-changer for understanding and engaging your donor base. Join me as we explore why donor surveys …
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Welcome to "Let's Talk Fundraising" with Keith Greer, CFRE
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1:44Welcome to "Let's Talk Fundraising" with your host, Keith Greer, CFRE! In this trailer, Keith introduces you to the heart and soul of our new podcast, dedicated to exploring the core principles of fundraising and how innovative tools, techniques, and technology can elevate your efforts. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned pro, this podcas…
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