by Adriana Sánchez | Aug 11, 2025 | Podcast
When it comes to fundraising, especially major gifts, there’s a fundamental truth that often gets overlooked: doing the basics well is non-negotiable. You can’t skip the essentials and expect to wow your donors with grand gestures. It doesn’t work that way. Think...
by Monica Vandeventer | Aug 11, 2025 | Podcast
Summary:Are you walking, resting, or sprinting right now? In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares a powerful metaphor drawn from his time trail running in Tahoe to help you evaluate the pace of your fundraising work. He explores what it means to find a rhythm you...
by Adriana Sánchez | Aug 4, 2025 | Podcast
Many fundraisers spend years refining how they present their organization’s story. But even the most compelling narrative can fall flat if it’s delivered in the wrong way — not because the message is weak, but because it doesn’t align with how the donor prefers to...
by Monica Vandeventer | Aug 4, 2025 | Podcast
Summary:In this episode, Clark Vandeventer reflects on his annual “Tahoe Time” and uses the example of his Airbnb hosting experience to deliver a timely message for fundraisers: do the basics well—and then, surprise and delight. Clark draws on a quote from the Disney...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jul 29, 2025 | Podcast
If you’ve spent any time cultivating donors, you’ve probably been there: you finally get your donor to commit to a visit, maybe it took months of scheduling, and then they show up with someone you didn’t expect. A spouse, kids, or even a friend. At first, you might...
by Monica Vandeventer | Jul 28, 2025 | Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser Podcast, Monica and Clark delve into the significance of understanding oneself and others in the context of fundraising. They discuss various personality profiles, the importance of listening, and how to adapt...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jul 22, 2025 | Podcast
Why Who You Are Matters More Than What You Do Culture eats strategy for breakfast. We’ve all heard that line, but have we really stopped to think about what it means? Peter Drucker gave us that phrase, and I believe he was right. But I also think Emerson was on the...
by Monica Vandeventer | Jul 21, 2025 | Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of personal connections in donor engagement, navigating donor visits that include family and friends, and the value of shared experiences in fundraising. Additionally, he...
by Monica Vandeventer | Jul 14, 2025 | Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the critical role of culture in fundraising, emphasizing that who you are as a fundraiser matters more than what you do. He explores the importance of genuine gratitude, building authentic...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jul 14, 2025 | Podcast
Beta Conversations: Real Questions, Real Coaching What if you could ask your toughest donor questions and get real coaching—instantly? We built Clarkbot so you can do just that. We trained it on everything we’ve ever published—podcasts, trainings, coaching calls,...
