The Fundraising Everywhere Podcast

Meet Zosia - The AI Fundraiser

What happens when you hand your fundraising campaign over to an AI?

In this episode, Host Simon Scriver speaks with Ben Cohen, AI Lead at Good Innovation, about a bold experiment he ran during his London Marathon fundraising campaign. Rather than host another bingo night or curry evening, Ben built Zosia; an AI agent - and gave her one job: raise £500 in a month.

Ben shares how he set Zosia up with her own email address, a website, a newsletter, and even a Telegram connection, then gave her as much autonomy as possible. The results were remarkable (she raised nearly £2,000), but not without a few surprises along the way - including the moment she tried to break into his WhatsApp.

They explore what it really means to build an AI agent, why personifying your AI can actually make it work better, and what this experiment reveals about the future of fundraising.

Ben's donation page For Dogs for Good
Meet Zosia
Want to dive deeper into supporter experience? Join us at our Supporter Experience Conference on Thursday 21st May 2026

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And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Richer supporter communications whatever your budget

Are you looking to make your emails stand out in ever busier inboxes? It’s time to step away from the humdrum and get creative. In this session the mobilisation agency Claire Donner of More Onion will take you through the key elements of the creative process including practical exercises and ideas you can take away and use with your team right away. They’ll share how you create richer experiences whatever your budget and team size.
Patrick Beswick of the homelessness charity St Mungo’s will then share examples of how they’ve used creativity to step up their supporter engagement and strengthen their fundraising work.

Join us to learn how to add elements of interactivity, creativity and humour to make your emails and webpages stand out and keep supporters engaged.

Key learning from this session:
How to be creative at any budget level and create richer supporter communications.

Want to dive deeper into supporter experience? Join us at our Supporter Experience Conference on Thursday 21st May 2026

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Careers in Corporate Fundraising

This episode with Harbi Jama, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Impetus is designed for people considering a career in corporate partnerships or corporate fundraising, as well as those already in the field who are looking to take the next step in their career. Drawing on real-world experience, the discussion will explore what it takes to build successful corporate partnerships, develop commercially minded fundraising skills, and progress into senior leadership roles.

Participants will gain practical advice on career pathways, skill development, and strategic decision-making, including how to position themselves for growth, navigate career transitions, and build strong relationships with corporate partners. The session will also offer honest insights into the realities of the sector, helping attendees make informed choices about what to do next and how to accelerate their impact.

Key learnings from this session
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand the different career pathways into corporate partnerships and corporate fundraising
- Gain clarity on the skills, experiences, and mindsets needed to progress at different career stages
- Learn how to build and manage strong corporate relationships, from first conversation to long-term partnership
- Receive practical advice on what to do next to accelerate their career, whether entering the sector or aiming for leadership roles
- Hear honest insights into the realities, challenges, and opportunities of corporate fundraising
- Leave with greater confidence in how to position themselves, grow their network, and maximise impact

Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

What Makes a Great Telephone Fundraiser?

In this session, Bethan Francis, Managing Director at Stratcom UK will explore the real drivers behind great fundraising calls — and it all starts with the fundraiser. We’ll unpack the qualities and instincts that make some fundraisers exceptional, and what can (and can’t) be taught. From natural empathy and conversational confidence to resilience and active listening, we’ll dive into the key traits that matter most on the phone.

We’ll also share practical insights into how to recruit, train, and retain brilliant callers — including how to keep teams motivated, engaged, and continuously growing in their role. Whether you run a calling team or partner with an agency, this session will give you a fresh perspective on what makes a good call truly great.

Key learnings from this session:
- A great call doesn’t start with a script — it starts with a great fundraiser
- What should you look out for when recruiting a new fundraiser
- What skills and behaviours should you nurture and develop

Want to continue your learning? Join us at our  Face-to-Face and Telephone Fundraising Conference coming up on Thursday 23rd April

f you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

How Face-to-Face Fundraising Shaped Richard Dalgety’s career.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you. 

To celebrate our upcoming Face-to-Face and Telephone Fundraising Conference coming up on Thursday 23rd April, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'.

Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers.

"If you caught our previous conversation with Danny McDonnell, you’ll know we love speaking to the dynamic figures who helped shape this sector. Richard is certainly one of them — a one-man dynamo, hugely respected, and someone who’s been at the forefront of face-to-face fundraising since the early days of Gift Fundraising.

I first had the pleasure of working with Richard when he joined Shelter, where he took charge of their fundraising team. He’s obsessive about his craft — deeply passionate about the organisations he works for, and hugely motivational to everyone around him.

Over the years, he’s worked around the world, bringing his unique energy and expertise to countless projects. Now based in Dublin, he runs his own organisation, Emerald Fundraising, which — no surprise — is thriving.

I know you’ll find this conversation as inspiring and energising as I did."

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Bigger Lists, Better Consent: Navigating Email Soft Opt-In for Charities

The biggest data change for UK charities since GDPR is here — and it's an opportunity you can't afford to miss.
In this episode, host Josh Leigh, Co-Founder of Hynt, the digital fundraising agency, is joined by a panel of expert; fundraising compliance specialist Cam St-Omer Donaldson, people and processes consultant Kirsty Mooney, and digital marketing expert Sarah Crowhurst to break down everything charities need to know about the new Email Soft Opt-In rules.

In this episode, we cover:
- What Email Soft Opt-In actually means and what's changed under the new Data Use and Access Act 2025
- Why we're still waiting on ICO guidance — and what you can do right now while you wait
- Which teams, systems, and processes across your organisation need to be involved
- Why this change is NOT retrospective — and what that means for your existing data
- How to document your decision-making to protect your charity
- The massive opportunity to grow your email and SMS audiences — and how to make the most of it
- What a strong supporter communication programme looks like once you've implemented the change

Want support implementing Email Soft Opt-In at your charity? Email hello@hynt.studio with code PODCAST20 for 20% off.

Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Supporter Panels: Listening to Your Donors

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver is joined by Paul Seabrook, Founder of Beautiful Insights, and Adam Moore, Innovation & Special Projects Manager at the RSPCA to explore the power of supporter panels. They discuss what supporter panels are, why they're gaining traction in the charity sector, and how organisations can use them to make better, evidence-based decisions.

 From rapid-response research during a PR crisis to long-term tracking studies and new product development, Paul and Adam share real-world lessons from the RSPCA's "Your Say" panel — including tips on getting buy-in, keeping members engaged, and feeding results back to supporters. Whether you're considering launching a panel or looking to improve an existing one, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

The Year Before the Ask: Capital Campaign Prep with Mark Quigley

In this episode, host Simon Scriver sits down with capital campaign expert Mark Quigley, a Sydney-based fundraising and philanthropy consultant with 30 years of experience. Mark shares the story behind his new book, One Year Before Your Capital Campaign: A 12-Month Guide to Pre-Campaign Success — the only book focused exclusively on the critical year before a feasibility study even begins.

Mark unpacks the most common mistakes organisations make when approaching capital campaigns, from failing to plan to underestimating the time required. He introduces the concept of "Plan A" — finding the single opportunity that could transform your campaign and shares compelling real-world stories, including a $90 million prospect meeting 45 stories above Sydney Harbour and a $20 million campaign achieved in just three gifts.

The conversation also covers practical tools like the "Rich Streets Exercise" for uncovering hidden major donor potential in your database, strategies for getting board and CEO buy-in, managing the tension between annual fundraising and campaign planning, and the realities of fundraiser burnout across organisations of all sizes.

Whether you're planning your first capital campaign or your tenth, this episode is packed with actionable advice for the year that matters most — the one before it all begins.

Check out Mark Quigley's book

If you're looking to be part of a vibrant, supportive community that champions innovation and inclusivity in fundraising, we'd love to have you with us. 
Register your interest here, and we'll find the perfect membership option for you and your team

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

 

How to Create a Lead Generating Partnership Newsletter

A well-crafted partnership newsletter is more than just an update—it’s a strategic tool for engaging, nurturing, and converting prospective corporate partners. In this episode, Joe Waters, Founder of Selfish Giving will show you how to build newsletters that stand out in inboxes and drive results. Drawing on insights from proven strategies and case studies, you’ll learn how to design newsletters that inform and inspire action. From headline to call-to-action, every element of your newsletter will work toward your ultimate goal: building a robust pipeline of corporate leads.

By the end of this episode, you will have a framework for crafting newsletters that capture attention, convey value, and motivate companies to partner with your nonprofit.

Key Learnings from this episode:
- Newsletter Structure and Content Strategy: Discover the key sections every effective partnership newsletter needs, from eye-catching headlines to actionable calls-to-action.
- Audience-Centric Messaging: Learn how to tailor your newsletter content to resonate with potential corporate partners by addressing their unique needs and aligning with their goals.
- Lead-Generation Tactics: Using case studies and real-world examples, this section explores actionable techniques for turning newsletter subscribers into qualified partnership leads.

Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Corporate Fundraising in 2026: The Reality Behind the Partnerships

What does corporate fundraising really look like as we head into 2026?

In this LinkedIn Live, Simon Scriver, Co-founder of Fundraising Everywhere, is joined by Rachel Holborow to unpack the findings from her latest research into corporate partnerships - and to get honest about what’s working, what’s not, and what fundraisers are actually facing on the ground.

Together, they’ll explore:

- The realities behind modern corporate partnerships (beyond the glossy case studies)

- What charities and fundraisers need to be prepared for over the next 12–24 months

- How expectations, capacity, and power dynamics are shaping partnerships
What this research means for fundraisers trying to secure, grow, or sustain corporate income

Read Rachel’s full research report

Go deeper at our Corporate Partnerships Conference

Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again!

And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.