Blog

Sharing insights, strategies and inspiration you can use right now.

This is where I share strategies, action steps, and ideas for scaling major gifts, and answers to questions that matter most right now. 

111. From Overwhelm to Opportunity: AI and the Modern Fundraiser
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

111. From Overwhelm to Opportunity: AI and the Modern Fundraiser

Have you ever wondered if all the noise about artificial intelligence in fundraising is just hype — or if it truly holds the key to the next big leap for your organization? If you’re a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, it’s easy to feel both overwhelmed and skeptical about another “revolution” in how we work. But here’s my promise: this conversation isn’t about buzzwords or tech for tech’s sake. Instead, we share hard-won insights, surprising research, and practical strategies from my experience and my conversation on The Intentional Fundraiser podcast with Nathan Chappell, a nonprofit AI leader. You’ll walk away seeing how curiosity — not fear — can turn today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s advantage for your mission and your donors.

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110. Honoring Voices: Building an Ethical Storytelling Culture in Nonprofits
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

110. Honoring Voices: Building an Ethical Storytelling Culture in Nonprofits

I’ve spent years navigating the world of nonprofit storytelling, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. But what I’ve learned—especially from inspiring voices like Carly Euler—is that there is a path where your fundraising goals and ethical responsibilities not only coexist but powerfully reinforce one another. In this episode, you’ll discover practical, actionable ways to transform your storytelling approach to raise more money and build deeper, more respectful community relationships.

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109. Digital Heartbeats: Engaging Major Donors in a Virtual World
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

109. Digital Heartbeats: Engaging Major Donors in a Virtual World

Donor expectations are shifting fast, and the old playbook just doesn’t cut it anymore. In this post, I’ll share hard-won lessons, practical strategies, and inspiring stories that will help you rise above the digital clutter and create authentic, transformational connections with your donors—no matter the medium. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable insights you can use right now to deepen engagement and inspire generosity.

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108. Embracing the Subscription Model in Nonprofit Giving
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

108. Embracing the Subscription Model in Nonprofit Giving

In this episode, we share how embracing sustainable, recurring giving—rooted in the subscription economy—can transform your fundraising, your organization, and even your own sense of possibility. By the end of this conversation, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and renewed confidence that you can build a thriving recurring giving program, no matter your starting point.

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107. Drawing a Line Between Fundraiser and Donor
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

107. Drawing a Line Between Fundraiser and Donor

After nearly three decades in major gifts, I’ve seen the transformative power of strong donor relationships. But I’ve also seen the pitfalls when those relationships cross from professional stewardship into personal friendship. Let me share why, in my experience, maintaining professional boundaries isn’t just best practice—it’s essential for the health of both your organization and your own well-being.

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106. Bold Fundraising During Tumultuous Times
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

106. Bold Fundraising During Tumultuous Times

Have you ever found yourself staring at a fundraising plan, wondering if now is the right time to ask—or if you should wait for calmer days? If you’re a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, you know that uncertainty is part of our nonprofit DNA. But when economic and political storms hit, those questions become even more urgent. In this post, I’m sharing hard-won lessons and actionable strategies from my latest podcast episode, “Bold Fundraising During Tumultuous Times” Stick with me, and you’ll walk away with the confidence and practical tools to fundraise boldly—even when the ground feels anything but steady.

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105. Ten Toes Down: Building Bold, Inclusive Philanthropy in Uncertain Times
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

105. Ten Toes Down: Building Bold, Inclusive Philanthropy in Uncertain Times

The world is watching how we show up—not just in our fundraising goals, but in our values, our courage, and our willingness to lead through uncertainty. In this conversation, I share what I learned from Maia McGill, a trailblazer in inclusive philanthropy, about how we can embed equity and intentionality into every facet of our work. Take a listen, and you’ll walk away with practical strategies, renewed inspiration, and a powerful reminder that the future of fundraising belongs to those bold enough to build it differently.

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104. The Slow Fundraising Movement: Depth Over Speed
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

104. The Slow Fundraising Movement: Depth Over Speed

In this episode of the Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with David Kravchuk to talk about why philanthropy is so important for everyone. We also chatted about the upcoming Western Canada Fundraising Conference, and I loved hearing David describe what makes it so unique—from its warm, intimate community feel to the practical, hands-on sessions attendees can look forward to.

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103. Transforming Donor Relationships with Data-Driven Moves Management
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

103. Transforming Donor Relationships with Data-Driven Moves Management

In my experience, moves management is the backbone of successful major gift fundraising. It’s the systematic process of tracking and guiding donor interactions—those “moves” that advance a donor through stages of engagement toward a meaningful gift. For leaders like you, understanding and implementing a data-driven moves management process means having clarity on where each donor stands in their giving journey and how best to steward them. It transforms guesswork into informed action, ensuring your team’s efforts are strategic and personalized.

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102. Transforming Major Gifts: How ModernICG Is Shaping the Future of Fundraising
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

102. Transforming Major Gifts: How ModernICG Is Shaping the Future of Fundraising

As much as we honor the past, we know the world of major gift fundraising is changing. Donor expectations are evolving, technology is racing ahead, and the challenges we face are more complex than ever. That’s why we’ve launched the "Modern" Institute for Charitable Giving (ModernICG). It’s a dream come true for me. And I believe, a turning point for our sector. This isn’t just a name change or a rebrand — it’s a bold leap forward for our sector, and I believe it’s exactly what we need right now.

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101. Beyond the Thank-You: Transforming Major Donors into Lifelong Partners
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

101. Beyond the Thank-You: Transforming Major Donors into Lifelong Partners

In this episode on The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, we’re diving deep into why major donor stewardship isn’t just a best practice-it’s the lifeblood of sustainable fundraising. I’ll share real stories, actionable strategies, and the latest trends so you can keep your most significant supporters engaged, inspired, and giving more generously, year after year.

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100. Overcoming the Top 7 Major Gift Fundraising Hurdles
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

100. Overcoming the Top 7 Major Gift Fundraising Hurdles

In this episode on The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I want to share the most persistent challenges major gift officers face when implementing a major donor strategy—and, more importantly, the practical solutions I’ve found to move past them. Whether you’re building your program from scratch or looking to take your results to the next level, these insights are for you.

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99. Intentional Storytelling: Empowering Patients, Inspiring Donors 
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

99. Intentional Storytelling: Empowering Patients, Inspiring Donors 

How do we do it in a way that feels safe, authentic, and truly mission-driven? How do we walk that fine line between inspiration and sensitivity? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking today. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get intentional about storytelling in healthcare fundraising.

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98. Be Courageous: Insights from AFP Global Chair Roger Ali
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

98. Be Courageous: Insights from AFP Global Chair Roger Ali

In this episode, I’ll share insights from my conversation with Roger Ali, Board Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global. We’ll explore his inspiring journey, his strategies for fostering connection and innovation in the nonprofit sector, and his advice for navigating the complexities of our profession. By the end, you’ll walk away with renewed inspiration and practical takeaways to elevate your work as a nonprofit leader.

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97. The Power of a Team-First Culture in Major Gift Success
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

97. The Power of a Team-First Culture in Major Gift Success

Have you ever felt the frustration of competing with your own colleagues for donor attention? Or watched as uncoordinated outreach left donors confused and disengaged? By fostering a team-first culture, you can transform your fundraising outcomes, deepen donor relationships, and create a workplace that inspires collaboration and trust. In this episode, I’ll share lessons from my own nonprofit journey, practical strategies to break down silos, and a real-world success story that proves the power of teamwork.

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96. From Burnout to Balance: Lessons from Kishshana Palmer
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

96. From Burnout to Balance: Lessons from Kishshana Palmer

In this episode, I’ll unpack Kishshana Palmer’s wisdom on overcoming “martyritis,” embracing intentionality, and creating high-performing teams without burnout. By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to reclaim your time and purpose while fostering wellness for yourself and your team. Let’s dive in!

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94. What Separates Great Nonprofits from Those that Struggle
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

94. What Separates Great Nonprofits from Those that Struggle

In a recent conversation with Alan on the Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, he shared transformative insights into what separates great fundraising organizations from the rest. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to take your nonprofit to the next level, this discussion is for you. By the end of this post, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of purpose to revolutionize your fundraising efforts.

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93. Leveraging Digital Strategies for Major Gift Cultivation
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

93. Leveraging Digital Strategies for Major Gift Cultivation

In this blog post, I'm going to share insights from my latest podcast episode, where we dive deep into integrating digital strategies into your annual plan for major gift cultivation. Whether you're a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, I promise you'll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance your donor relationships in this digital age. Get ready to transform your fundraising efforts and, in turn, transform the world!

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92. Supercharge Your Capital Campaign with Challenge Gifts
Trent Thompson Trent Thompson

92. Supercharge Your Capital Campaign with Challenge Gifts

In this episode, I'm going to share with you the strategies I've developed over years of working with nonprofits of all sizes. Whether you're a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, you'll walk away with actionable insights to supercharge your next campaign. Get ready to unlock the full potential of challenge gifts and take your fundraising to new heights!

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