{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Elevate Your Event","title":"Events Are Not the Strategy: Building a Donor Pipeline That Actually Works","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2154,"description":"Jeff Porter is joined by Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritas Group, a fundraising consulting firm that helps nonprofits build stronger donor pipelines—from donor acquisition and retention to mid-level growth, major gifts, and planned giving. With nearly four decades of fundraising experience, Jeff shares a practical framework for how events should support (not replace) long-term donor development.Together, they unpack how to turn event attendees into mission-driven donors, why events are often best viewed as a marketing function, and what it really takes to move supporters from a one-time paddle raise to meaningful, lasting generosity. They also dig into the role boards play in fundraising—where they can accelerate growth, where they can unintentionally create pressure, and how nonprofits can better educate and equip them for success.In this episode (highlights)Why events are part of the donor pipeline, not the pipeline itselfThe difference between event donors and mission donorsHow auctions and engagement tools support donor acquisitionMoving donors from $250 paddle raises to transformational giftsThe role of mid-level donors and how to qualify them properlyWhy major gift teams should not be running eventsCommon mistakes nonprofits make when events become departmentsHow boards can help (and hurt) donor development effortsSetting expectations with table captains and event guestsUsing pre-event and post-event strategy to maximize long-term impactWho Should ListenNonprofit leaders and executive directorsDevelopment and advancement teamsBoard members involved in fundraisingEvent planners looking to align events with long-term strategyAnyone trying to move beyond “one-and-done” fundraising eventsLinks & Resources:https://veritusgroup.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/ If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀Connect with Handbid:📍 Website📍 Instagram📍 LinkedInListen, rate, and subscribe!Apple...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/tCB5rzUDpu8CRPF_lPRdW5E3E7cR3VgOmKoGSrR1Gw4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQ0MTY4LzE2OTIy/OTM2MjUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}