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"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast

"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast

Written by: Dr. Randy Dirks
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About this listen

Funding the Future is where fundraising meets real-world expertise. Hosted by Dr. Randy Dirks, a fundraising practitioner with 25 years of experience and StoryBrand certification, this podcast brings you practical, tactical insights you can use immediately to increase your effectiveness.

Each episode features in-depth conversations with experts from diverse fields—from storytelling and data analytics to leadership and donor psychology. Randy bridges the gap between their specialized knowledge and your fundraising challenges, translating cutting-edge strategies into actionable approaches for donor relations, major gifts, annual campaigns, and nonprofit leadership.

Whether you're cultivating relationships with major donors, crafting compelling campaign narratives, or leading a fundraising team, you'll walk away from every episode with concrete tools and fresh perspectives drawn from proven practitioners. This isn't theory—it's battle-tested wisdom applied directly to the work you do every day.

Funding the Future is your resource for becoming a more effective, confident, and strategic fundraising professional.

2026 Dr. Randy Dirks Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Holly Misener speaks on non-profit success

    Holly Misener speaks on non-profit success
    Feb 4 2026

    The conversation explores the intersection of faith, leadership, and business, focusing on aligning purpose with God's calling, transforming organizational culture, sustainable leadership practices, and fundraising as a kingdom activity.

    Takeaways

    • Purpose Alignment
    • Organizational Culture Transformation
    • Sustainable Leadership Practices
    • Fundraising as Kingdom Activity

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Aligning Purpose with God's Calling
    • 06:11 Sustainable Leadership Practices
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    22 mins
  • Brianna Pyka - Brand Strategy and Fundraising

    Brianna Pyka - Brand Strategy and Fundraising
    Feb 3 2026

    The conversation delves into the intersection of brand and fundraising strategy, the challenges of balancing operational needs with major donors, navigating transformational gifts, strategies for exhausted major donor connections, maintaining mission focus with transformational gifts, and differentiating nonprofit organizations. Additionally, insightful professional and personal advice is shared, providing valuable takeaways for listeners.

    Takeaways

    • Brand and fundraising strategy
    • Balancing operational needs with major donors
    • Navigating transformational gifts
    • Differentiating nonprofit organizations

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Brand and Fundraising Strategy
    • 08:34 Strategies for Exhausted Major Donor Connections
    • 14:00 Maintaining Mission Focus with Transformational Gifts
    • 23:04 Insightful Professional and Personal Advice
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    27 mins
  • Steve Sonderman - a culture of authentic community

    Steve Sonderman - a culture of authentic community
    Jan 30 2026

    The conversation with Steve Sonderman delves into the importance of authentic community, intentional pathways for engagement, and the multiplication mindset for sustainable growth. Steve shares insights on developing an intentional plan for discipleship, creating authentic community, and addressing challenges faced by nonprofits. He also reflects on personal advice and experiences.

    Takeaways

    • Authentic community vs. transactional relationships
    • Multiplication mindset for sustainable growth

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Steve Sonderman
    • 06:13 Building Authentic Community vs. Transactional Relationships
    • 19:16 Multiplication Mindset for Sustainable Growth
    • 32:07 Challenges Faced by Nonprofits
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    39 mins
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