15. Keeping Fundraisers Fundraising: Insights on Retention and Leadership with Sally Bryant

02/22/25 • 24 min

In this thought-provoking 15th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we sit down with Sally Bryant, CEO of the Bryant Group, to tackle the critical issue of fundraiser retention in the nonprofit sector. With decades of expertise in recruiting and coaching advancement professionals, Sally offers actionable strategies for building strong organizational cultures, hiring smarter, and investing in leadership development.

Join us as we delve into the causes behind the high turnover rates among fundraisers, the importance of creating a culture of philanthropy, and how exceptional leadership can transform organizations and careers. Nominated by Alexander H. Jones, PhD, MBA, Sally is a true North Star whose wisdom and guidance continue to shape the future of nonprofit fundraising.

Key Takeaways:

The Retention Crisis: Explore why 51% of fundraisers plan to leave their nonprofit within two years and how organizations can address burnout and turnover.
Three Pillars of Retention: Learn Sally’s framework of “Be Better, Hire Better, Invest Better” to create a workplace fundraisers want to stay in.
Leadership Development: Discover why investing in leadership training and mentorship is vital for retaining and promoting high-performing fundraising professionals.
Culture of Philanthropy: Understand the importance of integrating philanthropy into the organization’s core mission and the role of leadership in fostering this culture.
Gender and Diversity in Fundraising: Gain insights into the evolving composition of the fundraising workforce and the need for greater diversity at all levels.
Leadership’s Role in Higher Education: Hear why supporting institutions of higher learning is critical and how effective leadership shapes the future of education.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with actionable advice for nonprofit leaders and professionals committed to creating lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

The Retention Crisis: Explore why 51% of fundraisers plan to leave their nonprofit within two years and how organizations can address burnout and turnover.
Three Pillars of Retention: Learn Sally’s framework of “Be Better, Hire Better, Invest Better” to create a workplace fundraisers want to stay in.
Leadership Development: Discover why investing in leadership training and mentorship is vital for retaining and promoting high-performing fundraising professionals.
Culture of Philanthropy: Understand the importance of integrating philanthropy into the organization’s core mission and the role of leadership in fostering this culture.
Gender and Diversity in Fundraising: Gain insights into the evolving composition of the fundraising workforce and the need for greater diversity at all levels.
Leadership’s Role in Higher Education: Hear why supporting institutions of higher learning is critical and how effective leadership shapes the future of education.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with actionable advice for nonprofit leaders and professionals committed to creating lasting impact.

Previous Episode

14. Local Action, Global Stewardship - A Conversation with Mitzi Perdue

In this heartfelt episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we are joined by Mitzi Perdue, an extraordinary humanitarian and advocate for Ukraine. From her deep involvement in providing mental health support through the "Healing Hidden Wounds" project to her visionary approach to global philanthropy, Mitzi shares the inspiring story of her journey. With her unique perspective as a writer, activist, and fundraiser, Mitzi sheds light on the importance of thinking big and making a meaningful impact, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Key Takeaways:

The Role of Mental Health in Crisis: Learn about Mitzi’s “Healing Hidden Wounds” initiative and how innovative methods are being used to provide emergency psychological aid to victims of war crimes in Ukraine.
Tackling Human Trafficking: Understand the pervasive dangers vulnerable populations face in war zones and Mitzi’s work to bring awareness and solutions to this crisis.
Philanthropy in Action: Discover how Mitzi connects her passion for global issues with sustainable fundraising strategies and what lessons she shares for effective nonprofit leadership.
The Power of Partnerships: Explore how collaboration with organizations like the United Nations could scale impactful projects across the globe.
Leadership Lessons from Life: Gain insights from Mitzi’s reflections on humility, mentorship, and the wisdom of her late husband, Frank Perdue.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about global humanitarian efforts, leadership, and making a lasting impact. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a true North Star.

Next Episode

16. Fundable, Findable, and Fearless: Kevin L. Brown on Reinventing Nonprofit Fundraising

In this inspiring 16th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally, a global force in nonprofit strategy and branding. Speaking from Malaysia, Kevin shares the story behind his new book,

Fundable & Findable The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising, a labor of love born from years of consulting, training, and community-driven research with 340+ nonprofits in 51 countries.

Kevin unpacks his bold Fundable/Findable Framework, explaining how nonprofit leaders can finally escape the starvation cycle and stop the endless donor chase.

Whether you’re leading a grassroots initiative or scaling a global nonprofit, this episode offers real, actionable insights for leaders ready to rethink the way they grow their missions.

Key Takeaways:

The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle is Real: Most nonprofits operate in survival mode, stuck in an endless loop of fundraising just to stay afloat.
Fundraising Alone Can’t Fix Fundraising: Kevin argues that the traditional donor chase model is broken, and a deeper strategy is needed.
The Fundable/Findable Framework:
- Fundable: Showing donors why you exist, what you do, who will do it, where you're going, how to get there, and when it will be done.
- Findable: Occupying a distinct space in the minds of your ideal funders, and routinely communicating your promises to them.
Your Brand Is More Than a Logo: Brand clarity means aligning your theory of change, strategic plan, positioning strategy, and marketing communications in a sequential, thoughtful way.
Democratizing Access to Expertise: Kevin's mission is to make these tools available to nonprofits of all sizes — not just the big ones with budgets for consultants.
If 'Brand' Sounds Too Corporate... Call it identity, clarity, unity, or direction — what matters is that you do the work to define and share your mission in a compelling way.