"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast cover art

"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast

"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast

Written by: Dr. Randy Dirks
Listen for free

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
  • Paul Fisher - The Mission Has to Matter More Than the Organization's Survival

    Paul Fisher - The Mission Has to Matter More Than the Organization's Survival
    May 22 2026

    The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining mission commitment, communicating the value of aspirational investments, and leading people who believe in the mission more than the paycheck. It also explores the role of the headmaster in fundraising and provides insights and reflections on leadership and development in the nonprofit sector.

    Takeaways

    • Mission Drift vs. Mission Commitment
    • Building Relationships in Fundraising
    • Leadership and Mission Alignment

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Fast Five: Insights and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Matt Lucas - Free Isn't the Problem. Telling the Story Is

    Matt Lucas - Free Isn't the Problem. Telling the Story Is
    May 21 2026

    The conversation covers the unique challenges of funding a nonprofit with a non-monetized content model, the transition of Our Daily Bread Ministry, the differences between fundraising in higher education and ministry, and the complexities of measuring spiritual transformation and return on investment. It also delves into personal insights and reflections on leadership and development.

    Takeaways

    • Non-monetized content funding challenges
    • Multi-channel communication for engagement

    Chapters

    • 00:00 The Nonprofit Funding Model
    • 08:18 Donor Case for Funding Non-Monetized Content
    • 13:25 Digital Engagement and Multi-Channel Communication
    • 22:05 Measuring Spiritual Transformation and Return on Investment
    • 28:26 Personal Insights and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • David LeVan - What Merging Two Organizations Taught This CEO About Donor Trust

    David LeVan - What Merging Two Organizations Taught This CEO About Donor Trust
    May 18 2026

    The conversation covers the topics of building and sustaining donor confidence, merging nonprofit organizations, and leadership development and advice. The first chapter explores the challenges of building and sustaining donor confidence in nonprofit work, especially in remote and under-resourced areas. The second chapter delves into the process of merging nonprofit organizations and the underestimated aspects of bringing two cultures together. The final chapter discusses leadership development, advice, and the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector.

    Takeaways

    • Donor Confidence
    • Merging Organizations

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Building and Sustaining Donor Confidence
    • 09:27 Merging Nonprofit Organizations
    • 20:00 Leadership Development and Advice
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet