by Monica Vandeventer | Jul 1, 2025 | Podcast
Summary In this episode, Clark Vandeventer introduces the innovative ClarkBot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist fundraisers in their efforts. The conversation explores how the ClarkBot can help users navigate donor relationships, set the stage for asks, and...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jul 1, 2025 | Podcast
Introducing Clarkbot: Your Fundraising Coach On-Demand Have you ever wished you could have Clark in your pocket, coaching you through a tricky donor meeting or helping you figure out how much to ask for? That wish just became reality. Key Takeaways: Clarkbot is built...
by Monica Vandeventer | Jun 25, 2025 | Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark Vandeventer discusses the importance of morning routines, personal fulfillment through the three-hour rule, and the balance between maintenance and intensity in life. He emphasizes the need for...
by Monica Vandeventer | Jun 19, 2025 | Podcast
Clark pulls back the curtain on the internal culture of fundraising teams. Why do so many talented people leave after 18–24 months? What does it take to create an environment where fundraisers feel empowered, supported, and fulfilled? From the joy of meaningful work...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jun 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Let me tell you a story. It was 2012. I was standing in the hallway of a donor’s office, heart pounding. I had just wrapped up a meeting that, in theory, should’ve been one of the biggest asks of my career. I had my pitch ready. I had my numbers, my stories, my budget...
by Adriana Sánchez | Jun 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
I want to share something that might sound obvious but is often overlooked. It’s a simple idea, but if you apply it, it will change how you show up in your role as a fundraiser: have a goal—and make it a SMART one. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had...
by Adriana Sánchez | May 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
Greetings from Lake Tahoe. After a week of camping off the grid, swimming in alpine lakes, and soaking in the stillness of the mountains, I’ve found it surprisingly hard to get back into work mode. Tahoe has been our home base for over a decade, and it’s the kind of...
by Adriana Sánchez | May 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
Let’s talk about your pitch. Fundraisers spend a lot of time obsessing over it—tweaking every word, rehearsing until it’s “just right,” polishing their delivery like it’s a TED Talk. But here’s the truth:Your pitch isn’t about you. It’s about the donor. And your goal?...
by Monica Vandeventer | Apr 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
One of the biggest sources of anxiety for fundraisers is determining how much to ask for.Ask too little, and you leave impact on the table.Ask too much, and you risk alienating a donor.In between these extremes is an art—and a discipline—that can transform your...
by Adriana Sánchez | Apr 17, 2025 | Stuff Development Officers deal with, The Basics, Uncategorized
There’s a lot of advice out there about how to thank donors. Handwritten notes. Phone calls. Creative gestures. And while tactics matter, they are only as effective as the heart behind them. Because donor stewardship isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset. We believe the...
