The Fundraising Elevator Podcast: Elevating Your Impact
Welcome to The Fundraising Elevator—the podcast that lifts nonprofit professionals to new heights in fundraising, strategy, and donor engagement. Hosted by Sam Swaim and Kristin Steele, this podcast brings real conversations, expert insights, and actionable advice to help you create meaningful donor connections and successful fundraising events. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical strategies, or just a little inspiration, The Fundraising Elevator is here to take your impact to the next level. Tune in and join the conversation! Browse our episodes wherever you listen or watch your podcasts.
Check out the latest episode
Episode #65: Giving Crisis with Nathan Chappell
In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of philanthropy with Nathan Chappell, author of The Generosity Crisis. As a leading expert at the intersection of artificial intelligence and fundraising, Nathan unpacks the challenges nonprofits face amid declining donor participation and the rise of transactional giving.
He offers powerful insights into why donor retention rates are plummeting, how AI is reshaping the future of philanthropy, and why building authentic, long-term relationships—not just securing donations—is essential for sustainability. Nathan also emphasizes the need for nonprofits to rethink organizational incentives, shift from short-term revenue goals to long-term engagement, and foster a culture of generosity that transcends traditional fundraising models.
Resources from this episode
The Fundraising Elevator podcast offers a wealth of resources tailored to enhance nonprofit fundraising efforts. Here’s a glimpse into some of this week’s episode and the valuable insights and tools presented here.
- Book Consulting with Sam or Kristin
- Elevate Conference for Your Fundraising Event
- Planning a Successful Major Donor Event
- Connect with Swaim Strategies
- Connect with The AV Department
- The Generosity Crisis: https://www.chappell-crimmins.com/
- Donor Search: https://www.donorsearch.net/
- fundraise.ai: https://fundraising.ai/
- Furniture Bank of Toronto: https://www.furniturebank.org/
- Nonprofit AI (forthcoming): https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comp…
Browse Previous Episode
Episode #64: Designing Immersive Experiences
Air Date: February 12, 2025
In this episode with Sammy Bliss we dive into the magic of live events, storytelling, and experiential marketing. We explore the transformative power of gathering people in a space to experience something unforgettable—whether it’s a theatrical performance, a high-energy DJ set, or a nonprofit fundraising event. For nonprofits, experiential marketing offers a powerful way to cultivate donor relationships. From innovative photo ops to leveraging influencers and social media, we unpack creative strategies to turn attendees into engaged advocates.
Resources from this episode
The Fundraising Elevator podcast offers a wealth of resources tailored to enhance nonprofit fundraising efforts. Here’s a glimpse into some of this week’s episode and the valuable insights and tools presented here.