If you’re anything like us, you’re looking forward to slowing down a bit during the holidays. We all still have important work to do before year end, but a quieter “office” and the lack of large family gatherings this holiday season will likely give us all a little bit of extra free time.
And what do we do with free time? (Besides binge-watching The Queen’s Gambit and making holiday cookies.) We listen to podcasts.
Here’s a quick roundup of the most recent episodes of the RAISE Podcast for your listening pleasure.
“Stewardship is changing because the donor has changed. They’ve grown up with immediate results and we’ve talked so much about that and what that generation wants to see. It has forced us to think differently and I think we’re just scratching the surface.”
Brent and Beth chat about trends in our industry, ways we can all do better, and fun stories from the road. Beth shares insights about her journey into becoming a fundraiser, the transition from healthcare fundraising to higher education fundraising, and what it’s like to close a gift from Michael Jordan.
She and Brent share how they’ve experienced changes in our industry and how UNCC is adapting to meet donors’ needs in 2021 and beyond. You don’t want to miss it!
“Philanthropy is just a wonderful job, right? It’s not even a job, it’s an opportunity. We are the pivot point. We get to visit with donors, hear their stories, hear the impact that this university had on them, see them cry as they make their gift, and then come and see the students put it to use.”
This episode of the podcast features DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, and Bob Knutson, VP of Operations & Engagement at the Alumni Association. DeAnna and Bob both attended the University of North Dakota and are passionate about sharing the results of philanthropy with current students.
They share stories of newly discovered major donors, a leadership perspective on our industry and strategies moving forward, and so much more.
“Higher Ed has been living in particularly interesting times for the past two years. First with this admissions case just rocking everything we knew about selective admissions and then with the pandemic upending so much else.”
On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent is joined by Melissa Korn, reporter for The Wall Street Journal covering business education, workplace issues and the college-to-career pathway.
Melissa covered Operation Varsity Blues for The Wall Street Journal and co-authored “UNACCEPTABLE: Privilege, Deceit and the Making of the College Admissions Scandal.” She and Brent have a candid conversation about ethical issues in the industry, the connection between fundraising and admissions, and so much more. Melissa brings a unique perspective to the conversation, having covered the industry and performed in-depth research for many years.
“What did the donor respond to? And how do we continue to engage them in that particular area or with that type of story moving forward? Because they’ve raised their hand and said ‘that matters to me’. That will be included in every way possible so that we can make meaningful connections.”
In this special episode filmed on Giving Tuesday, Brent catches up with 40 Under 40 winner Ray Earl-Jackson. Ray has an inspiring outlook on our industry as a whole, and has plenty of stories about connecting donors and students, as well as the value advancement provides to each of them.
He also shares his experience first transitioning from a student caller to an advancement professional at his alma mater, then transitioning to working at another university altogether. If you’ve ever been anxious about taking the leap to an institution you’re not familiar with, this is the episode for you.