As we wrap up 2025 and look forward to 2026, it seems right to look back at what we accomplished and learned both with the podcast, my business, and community volunteer.

My guests covered a lot of ground and shared with us incredible insights into what to consider within the industry this year and the people moving the industry forward in North Texas.

Eliza Solender on real estate for nonprofits. Steve Latham on gifts from assets rather than cash, Ty Wilson on the global impact of giving circles, Greg Warner, and founder of MarketSmart, on technology and fundraising.

We also had guests who brought a different perspective to table, like Michelle Monse and her work with donors and nonprofits in rural West Texas; and Alicia Peoples and Diana Hoyt who both shared their creative passions outside of fundraising.

About Fundraising: The Podcast continues to evolve and in 2026 you will hear more solo episodes about challenges we all deal with as fundraisers.

If you have a suggestion for 2026 or would like to work with my team, please visit https://dmgroupconsulting.com/

CHAPTERS:

• 01:29 – Steve Latham, founder of DonateStock. Donations from assets are 30% greater than cash gifts.

• 02:12 – Invited by Wendolyn Abel, VP of Grants Ministry, to be a guest speaker at The Gathering, presented by Texas Methodist Foundation.

• 04:50 – Greg Warner, founder of MarketSmart, technology and the nonprofit sector

• 06:31 – End-of-Year fundraising 3-part solo episodes

• 07:07 – Share your favorite episode

• 08:25 – Inspiration to colleagues and successful work for clients

• 09:20 – Sneak peek at 2026

Ty Wilson with Philanthropy Together shares the latest trend in fundraising and philanthropy: Giving Circles. Learn how your nonprofit can benefit from the collective generosity women, youth, and men who pool their money for greater impact. Ty believes that everyone is a philanthropist, you just have to show up and do good.

3-part series on End of Year Fundraising Success

Episode 3: There’s more than one way to thank donors

Donations should be acknowledged within 72 hours, or 3 days, of receipt. Thanking donors is another opportunity to engage board members, other volunteers and staff. Thank you emails are standard but phone calls and handwritten notes are the exception. Authentic gratitude keeps donors giving.

3-part series on End of Year Fundraising Success

Episode 2: Making the Ask is a team effort

Board members, other volunteers, and staff can all be involved in the End-of-Year appeal. Peer-to-peer fundraising is very effective. Remind donors to take advantage of their employer’s charitable matching gift program and compose letters and emails that appeal to each segment of donors.

3-part series on End of Year Fundraising Success

Episode 1: Prep work for End-of-Year Appeal

Start with a compelling message for each segment of your donors, set a realistic goal, and give your donors options to support your mission. Carefully use client stories in your appeal, use donations history to set your goal, and offer the options of monthly giving or donating stock to support your organization.

Two-thirds of the state of Texas has fewer elected representatives than any major city in the state. Find out what that imbalance means to your community. And, the second half of my conversation with Michelle Monse, former CEO of the King Foundation, gives us an inside look at family foundations.

Karen White Hughes, CEO of the Texas Women’s Foundation, and I will talk about the power of women in philanthropy, the recent study on the wage gap in the U.S. and how the next generation of young women are giving back.

Greg Warner developed the DAF widget and other tools to help nonprofit organizations "remove the friction" for their donors. He is also the author of "Engagement Fundraising" and creator of the Fundraising Report Card. Join us for an interesting conversation about wealth, philanthropy, and donor engagement.