Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast

Phil reflects on his personal fundraising journey, from nervous first asks to developing a relational and conversational style with donors. He shares a powerful story of bringing diverse faith communities together through Habitat for Humanity and explains how those experiences continue to shape his leadership today. The discussion moves into how faith informs his work, what makes a strong CEO and board partnership, and what is ahead for the Furniture Bank as it expands with new facilities and thrift stores. The episode closes with Phil's vision for the future and an invitation for listeners to be part of the story.

What happens when a nonprofit CEO brings Lean Six Sigma principles into the social sector? Phil explains how process improvement, a clear mission, and a culture of ownership can transform the way an organization serves families in crisis. He shares stories from the Furniture Bank, from eliminating wasted effort to creating dignified client experiences, and offers practical insights into building an organizational culture where every team member takes responsibility for excellence. This is a conversation for leaders who want to strengthen their mission while staying grounded in their values.

In this episode, Tom sits down with longtime friend and BGSU classmate Phil Washburn, President and CEO of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio. Phil shares his journey from biology student and missionary in Mexico to nonprofit executive leading a multimillion dollar social enterprise. Along the way he talks about balancing leadership with family life, stepping unexpectedly into the CEO seat, and what it means to grow into the kind of leader others see in you before you see it yourself. The conversation also explores how CEOs and major gift officers think differently about donor relationships and how the best leaders bring those perspectives together.

Too many fundraising leaders fall into the trap of focusing on what's missing—trying to "fund the gap" instead of casting a bold vision for what's possible. In this solo episode, Thomas Dauber challenges nonprofit professionals to shift their mindset from scarcity to abundance. He explains why donors are more inspired by dreams than deficits, and how articulating a compelling future vision—not just this year's shortfall—can unlock greater generosity. Thomas unpacks what it means to dream responsibly: planning strategically, understanding true costs, involving your CFO and board, and building a roadmap donors can believe in. Whether you're a CEO, major gift officer, or faith-based ministry leader raising your own support, this episode will equip you to ask bigger, inspire more deeply, and lead with clarity. Takeaways Include: * Why funding a dream is more motivating than filling a budget gap * How to answer "How much do you need?" in a visionary, donor-centric way * What steps you must take to make your dream fundable * How to involve your board and financial team in building a scalable growth plan * A challenge to rethink individualized fundraising strategies in favor of collective vision If you're ready to grow beyond your current limits and raise more with confidence, this one's for you. Subscribe, share, and send this to a fellow leader who's dreaming big.

In part two of our conversation, Brianna Quinn flips the script: she talks about what hiring managers get wrong, how organizations unintentionally repel great candidates, and what both sides can do to create a better process. From pay transparency to interview equity, this is a practical guide for anyone building a team—or considering their next move.

In this candid conversation, Brianna Quinn, VP of Development at Let's Get Ready, shares what it was like to conduct a public job search after leaving a role that wasn't the right fit. She talks about how to spot red flags in job descriptions, how she thought about values alignment, and the challenges of vetting organizational culture from the outside. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, Brianna's insights are refreshingly honest and deeply practical.

In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, Tom Dauber breaks down the hidden costs of underinvesting in fundraising staff—and why small, understaffed teams often struggle to unlock their full revenue potential. He explores how specialization (rather than forcing generalists to do everything) leads to healthier donor relationships, less staff burnout, and greater returns. From team structure to portfolio math, this episode offers compelling data, real-life stories, and practical scripting to help you persuade your board or CEO to scale your fundraising team the right way—before it's too late.

Many nonprofit leaders hesitate to invest in additional fundraising staff—often out of a scarcity mindset. But what if that hesitation is actually costing your organization the opportunity to grow? In this episode of the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast, Tom Dauber breaks down how to make the case for hiring fundraisers, development officers, and donor-facing staff. Whether you're a CEO, CDO, or senior development leader, you'll learn: * Why fundraisers are revenue generators, not cost centers * How under-investment leads to missed major gift opportunities * What board members and CFOs often misunderstand about fundraising ROI * Why staff burnout and turnover erode donor trust * How to scale impact by scaling support If you're trying to grow your mission, you can't afford to under-resource your fundraising team. Let's talk about how to change the conversation.

Do fundraisers bring their own money trauma to donor conversations? Absolutely—and Courtney offers powerful advice for confronting your own beliefs about money before asking someone else for theirs. From missionaries with $100 to major gift officers asking for $25,000, this episode explores how our past shapes our comfort with fundraising. Learn how fundraisers can shift from imposter syndrome to service, and what high-net-worth individuals really want in a meaningful donor relationship. Key Themes: * How childhood and early career experiences shape fundraisers' scripts * What wealthy donors hate about vague or premature asks * Serving vs. soliciting: the mindset shift that builds trust * How to ask better questions and challenge with care

In this episode, Courtney shares eye-opening stories of how unresolved trauma and attachment to wealth can block generosity—even for those who deeply want to give. Tom and Courtney unpack how fundraisers can show up with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge donors based on their stated values. Plus, Courtney explains how giving can be an act of spiritual freedom and how fundraisers can help donors live more fully into their purpose. Key Themes: * Why wealth can make people feel isolated and judged * The importance of holding space, not pushing an ask * Fundraisers as values-based coaches, not salespeople * One millionaire's transformation from fear to generosity

Courtney Markley, founder of the Center for Financial Discipleship, shares her journey from bridal fashion designer to financial counselor. She and Tom discuss how wealth doesn't solve money-related anxiety and how our past—especially childhood trauma—can deeply influence generosity. This episode explores the surprising truth that even high-net-worth individuals often struggle to talk about money, revealing how fundraisers can become safe, nonjudgmental conversation partners. Key Themes: * Courtney's personal financial transformation * Why math isn't enough: money behaviors vs. financial literacy * The deep emotional and spiritual pitfalls of wealth * How major gift officers unintentionally become confidants

In this episode Tom discusses how organizations dependent on federal funding can prepare themselves to find private support.

In this episode David talks about his experiences soliciting and stewarding donors and how showing potential impact beats "making an ask" and how showing actual impact beats thank you notes.  He also shares his most awkward moments with donors and how you can avoid them! Looking for Fundraising Coaching and Counsel? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]

In this episode David shares some of the do-overs he wishes he could have in his career, as well as some inspiring stories about donors he's uncovered and built relationships with. Looking for Fundraising Coaching or Counsel? Check out www.abundantvision.net

In this episode David shares about how his University is leveraging Remote opportunities to recruit and retain high quality staff and raise more money as a result.  He also touches on some of the key advice he wished he had in his early career! Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]

In this episode David shares about his professional journey from college to a position of leadership in fundraising at a Tier 1 research institution.

In this episode, Tom discusses common assumptions fundraisers make about donors, why they prevent good fundraising and how to do better by embracing transparent curiosity. Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]

In this episode, Tom continues his discussion on how to have a presolicitation conversation with a potential donor and shares some thoughts the state of the podcast for the new year. Do you have a question you'd like Tom to address on the podcast or have a suggestion for a show topic? Let us know by emailing Tom at thomasdauber@abundantvision.net Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]

In this episode, Tom discusses how you can dramatically increase your success as a major gift fundraiser, by learning to ask for permission to have a gift discussion. Looking for Fundraising Coaching? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]

In this episode Bernice Martin Lee, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, discusses how she salvaged a relationship with a donor, after they changed their mind regarding a verbal commitment.  Lee also discusses the importance of building partnerships with corporations that lead to philanthropy and how a lapsed donor list played an important role in her strategic planning. For more information on epilepsy, visit https://www.epilepsy.com/ Looking for fundraising coaching or help planning your next campaign? Check out www.abundantvision.net [http://www.abundantvision.net/]