What actually makes fundraising work?
Is it hiring one strong fundraiser?
Is it a better gala?
Is it sending more emails?
In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Sam Laprade, a fundraising leader with 30 years of experience helping charities strengthen fundraising, build better systems, and hire the right talent.
This conversation is full of practical insight, but one message comes through loud and clear: fundraising is not a one-person job.
Sam explains that a fundraiser cannot succeed without the right setup behind them. Passion alone is not enough. Successful fundraising requires strong systems, leadership support, board involvement, and a clear plan that the entire organization understands.
Throughout the conversation, Sam shares where nonprofits often struggle. Many organizations hire a fundraiser but do not give them the foundation they need to succeed. Fundraising works best when the entire organization supports it — from leadership setting the tone, to board members opening doors, to strong internal systems like donor management tools and timely receipting.
Another theme that comes up is how organizations focus their energy. Too many nonprofits pour resources into events while overlooking longer-term fundraising strategies like major gifts, monthly giving, and legacy giving. Those strategies take time to build, but they are often what create stability over the long run.
Sam also brings a strong analytical perspective to fundraising. Her team analyzes donor data to help organizations better understand their supporters and identify patterns that influence future fundraising success. In many cases, that insight can be generated quickly, sometimes within 72 to 96 hours, by examining donor behavior and trends.
Her work in recruitment also reveals how much demand there is for the right fundraising leadership. Since 2020, Sam has helped place 48 fundraising professionals, helping nonprofits find people who are the right fit for their culture, leadership team, and fundraising goals.
One of the most practical moments in the conversation is when Sam explains the five pieces nonprofits need working together for fundraising to truly succeed: a strong strategic plan, a clear case for support, a fundraising plan, a stewardship plan, and a communications plan. When those five pieces align, organizations create a system where fundraising can actually grow.
One of the strongest takeaways from the conversation is the tension many nonprofits face every day. Leaders are trying to deliver programs now while also building the revenue needed for the future.
How do you keep delivering today while still investing in tomorrow?
And what happens when no one is thinking beyond the next campaign?
This episode is a thoughtful listen for nonprofit leaders who want to move fundraising from reactive to strategic, and build something more sustainable over the long term.
