Diana Frazier: The Power of Qualifying Donors

April 17, 2026

If you’ve ever looked at your caseload and thought, “I’m working hard… so why does this still feel so difficult?” — there’s a good chance qualification is the issue.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation about what it actually means to qualify donors—and why it changes everything for a major gift officer.

Jeff Brooks: What Great Fundraisers Really Understand About Donors

March 27, 2026

Your donors are trying to tell you something. The question is, are you set up to actually hear it?

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with fundraising consultant Jeff Brooks for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what actually drives fundraising success today. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things but not seeing the results, this one will hit home.

Diana Frazier: Is Your Donor Database Actually Working for You?

March 11, 2026

Your donor database should make it easier to build strong relationships with donors. But for many fundraisers, the CRM ends up feeling like one more thing to maintain instead of a tool that actively supports their work.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical conversation about how fundraisers can use their CRM to strengthen donor relationships instead of just storing data.

Holly Rustick: Why Your Non-Profit Needs a Grant Strategist (Not Just a Grant Writer)

February 24, 2026

Grant writing is one of the most misunderstood roles in the non-profit sector, and that misunderstanding may be costing your organization serious money. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Holly Rustick, a grant strategist with more than 20 years of experience, author of four books, and the founder of a movement that has helped organizations raise over $266 million in grant funding.

Whether you’re a fundraising leader trying to diversify revenue, a major gift officer curious about how grants can support your donor strategy, or someone considering a career in grants, this conversation challenges nearly everything you think you know about “grant writing.”

Diana Frazier: 6 Things Every Fundraiser Should Focus On in 2026

January 30, 2026

Start your year with clarity and direction. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Diana Frazier, Senior Client Experience Leader at Veritus Group, for a practical, no-fluff conversation about what actually matters for fundraisers heading into 2026.

Whether you’re a frontline major gift officer managing a caseload, a development director overseeing a team, or an executive director trying to remove organizational roadblocks, this episode lays out six priorities that separate reactive fundraising from disciplined, relationship-based growth.

Christopher Beck: Five Questions Every Non-Profit Leader Needs to Answer About Equity

January 21, 2026

In this special episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Christopher Beck—Associate Director of Individual and Planned Giving at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and a 20-year fundraising veteran—as a new co-host for an ongoing 2026 series centered on equity, inclusion, and the real-world challenges facing fundraisers of color.

Diana Frazier: What Makes Great Fundraisers Great at Year-End

November 26, 2025

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels welcomes Diana Frazier, Veritus Group’s senior client experience leader with more than 40 years of fundraising experience, for an essential conversation about winning the final stretch of the year.

Diana has coached over 300 mid-level and major gift officers during her 12 years at Veritus, and she brings a rare blend of wisdom and practicality to this discussion. Together, Jeff and Diana break down the 15 critical fundraising days of December, explore what separates exceptional fundraisers from those who may be in the wrong role, and outline clear, actionable steps for frontline fundraisers and managers who want to finish strong.

Marne Fauser: How Authentic Leaders Inspire and Empower Their Teams

September 24, 2025

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff sits down with Marne Fauser, President and CEO of United Way of Central Illinois and a former college basketball coach, to talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity.

Marne shares how her coaching background shaped the way she builds and leads teams, why she believes failure is essential for growth, and how trust, communication, and mission alignment are the foundation of great fundraising. From her early days on the court to the C-suite, she has learned how to lead with heart, take risks without fear, and develop people into confident, capable leaders.

Tom Ahern: Lessons in Fundraising, Love, and the Language of Giving

September 10, 2025

In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed episode, Jeff Schreifels sits down with the legendary Tom Ahern, one of the most sought-after experts in donor communications and fundraising copywriting. With decades of experience, six books under his belt, and a career that began in commercial marketing, Tom shares his fascinating journey into the non-profit world and how marketing principles, psychology, and genuine human connection have shaped his approach to fundraising.

Richard Perry: Building a Smarter Development Team

August 27, 2025

Aligning development teams with the donor pipeline is one of the most important—and often overlooked—keys to sustainable fundraising success.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with Veritus founder Richard Perry to unpack why organizational structure matters so much for fundraising success. They dive into the philosophy behind Richard's new venture, Giving Pathways, and explore the hidden dysfunctions that can derail even the most passionate teams.

T. Clay Buck: Relationships Are the Strategy

August 13, 2025

Fundraising in today’s non-profit world is more challenging—and more rewarding—than ever before. Organizations are facing an unprecedented mix of economic, political, and social pressures, and fundraisers are being asked to navigate it all while keeping their mission moving forward.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with fundraising veteran T. Clay Buck for a candid (and often hilarious) conversation about what it really takes to succeed right now. Clay kicks things off with a humbling major gift story involving a shattered acrylic chair, then dives into his perspective on why leaning on proven principles, doubling down on relationships, and resisting panic mode are more important than ever.

Joyce MacDonald: Navigating the Future of Public Media

July 30, 2025

Public media is evolving, and organizations must strengthen donor relationships to secure a sustainable future.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Joyce MacDonald, Greater Public president and CEO, for an insightful conversation about the future of public media and how stations can adapt to current challenges by rethinking their approach to fundraising.

Jason Lewis: Rethinking Big Philanthropy

July 16, 2025

When we talk about philanthropy, we're not just talking about giving—we're talking about power, ethics, and responsibility.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels sits down with author and fundraising strategist Jason Lewis for a provocative conversation about the future of philanthropy and the moral questions surrounding big giving.

Michael D'Antonio: Building a Brand That Resonates

July 9, 2025

Marketing isn’t just about visibility. It’s about clarity, connection, and alignment.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Bongo Consulting founder and partner Michael D’Antonio for an insightful conversation about what makes non-profit marketing truly effective.

Laura Lang & Lauren Centrella: Finding Resiliency During Challenging Times

July 2, 2025

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity for fundraisers navigating today’s uncertainty.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Veritus Group Client Experience Leaders Laura Lang and Lauren Centrella for a timely conversation about what it means to lead with empathy, courage, and steadiness in the face of ongoing challenges.

David Rhode: Navigating Non - Profit Leadership

June 23, 2025

At a time of uncertainty and stress, the need for practical guidance in non-profit leadership is crucial.

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by David Rhode, a non-profit consultant and author of Passion Isn't Enough, for a thoughtful discussion about the essential elements needed to be an effective non-profit leader and manager.

Adrian Owen Jones: How to Lean into Your Strengths to Become a Better Leader

May 29, 2025

In this debut episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels is joined by Adrian Owen Jones, a partner at Success Lab and the CEO and Founder of Lady Jones Consulting, for a vulnerable and energizing conversation about what it truly means to lead well in the non-profit space.