Fundraising Leaders with Drew

Stop Treating Donors Like ATMs | Founder & President Chris Gabriel

“Don’t treat me like an ATM.” That’s what one major donor told Chris Gabriel—and it reveals one of the biggest problems in fundraising today. In this episode, Chris explains why transactional thinking damages donor relationships and leads to missed opportunities for deeper impact. He reframes the role of fundraisers—not as sellers, but as guides helping donors fulfill their highest purpose. If you want to build stronger, more meaningful donor relationships, this conversation offers a blueprint you can start using immediately.

From Finance to Fighting Cancer | Executive Director Adam Faitek

What makes someone leave a stable career in finance to step into the emotional world of nonprofit work? In this episode, Adam Faitek shares how he unexpectedly found his calling in fundraising—and why it became so much more than just raising money. From helping families facing childhood cancer to building trust with donors, Adam reveals the human side of philanthropy. This conversation dives deep into purpose, community, and the real impact behind every dollar given. If you’ve ever wondered what drives meaningful work, this episode will stay with you.

What Donors Really Want From Fundraisers | VP of Development Matt Sheffield

Some episodes teach technique. This one teaches posture. In this conversation, Matt Sheffield shares why his fundraising philosophy starts with humility, small ego, and deep respect for the donor. He explains how being part of Mosaic’s mission for decades has taught him to see fundraising not as pressure, but as partnership. Drew and Matt explore how to earn trust, how to steward major gifts well, and how to help donors create the kind of legacy they truly want to leave behind. Along the way, Matt shares moving stories about mentors, families, and the people who modeled generosity for him. It is the kind of episode that will challenge you to think about fundraising as something far more relational and lasting than a campaign goal.

Board Members Don’t “Own” Donors | Aldervan Daly

Aldervan Daly didn’t get into fundraising because of a big emotional calling — he got in through a database. Then theater taught him the rest. In this episode, Alder van shares how data and storytelling work together, why your donor profile isn’t the same as your donor relationship, and how to stay human in a job that can easily turn transactional. You’ll hear his take on planned giving, board dynamics (“my donor” isn’t a thing), and how to tell stories without putting people on display. Honest, practical, and surprisingly funny.

Fundraising Is NOT About Money | Chief Development Officer Jeff Kramer

What if fundraising wasn’t actually about money? In this episode of Fundraising Leaders with Drew, host Drew Clancy sits down with Jeff Kramer—Chief Development Officer at Nova Ukraine and 43-year veteran of the fundraising world—to reframe everything you thought you knew about development. Jeff shares how a moment at a Jewish summer camp set him on a path of service, how mentors “raised him in the profession,” and why he believes the ask should be the easiest part of fundraising.From Mercy Ships to Nova Ukraine, Jeff’s philosophy is simple: fundraising is about identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships that change lives. Money is just the tool. He unpacks why he’ll fly anywhere in the world to meet a donor, how field visits in Ukraine and Africa transformed his approach, and why authenticity, gratitude, and sustainability matter more now than ever