{"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.\n\nTogether, 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.\n\nIn this episode (highlights)\nWhy events are part of the donor pipeline, not the pipeline itself\nThe difference between event donors and mission donors\nHow auctions and engagement tools support donor acquisition\nMoving donors from $250 paddle raises to transformational gifts\nThe role of mid-level donors and how to qualify them properly\nWhy major gift teams should not be running events\nCommon mistakes nonprofits make when events become departments\nHow boards can help (and hurt) donor development efforts\nSetting expectations with table captains and event guests\nUsing pre-event and post-event strategy to maximize long-term impact\n\nWho Should Listen\nNonprofit leaders and executive directors\nDevelopment and advancement teams\nBoard members involved in fundraising\nEvent planners looking to align events with long-term strategy\nAnyone trying to move beyond “one-and-done” fundraising events\nLinks & Resources:\nhttps://veritusgroup.com/\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/ \n\nIf you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀\n\nConnect with Handbid:\n\n📍 Website\n📍 Instagram\n📍 LinkedIn\n\n...","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}