Under the Elm by The Philanthropic Advisory™

The Executive Director Who Has Made Themselves the Bottleneck in Development

In our latest episode of the Under the Elm podcast, we examine how bottlenecks arise at the level of the chief executive when managing major donor relationships and explore interventions to ensure major gift programs scale rather than stall.

What High-Agency Fundraising Looks Like Part 4 of 4 in the Series: Agency Thinking & Self-Efficacy in Nonprofit Work

In this episode of Under the Elm, we wrap up the Four=Part Series on Agency Thinking and Self-Efficacy in Nonprofit Work by focusing specifically on what High-Agency Fundraising looks like. 
The Philanthropic Advisory™ equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance.

The Four Levers of Self-Efficacy Part 3 of 4 in the Series: Agency Thinking & Self-Efficacy in Nonprofit Work

In this episode of Under the Elm, we explore the Four Levers of Self-Efficacy and discuss practical steps for improved fundraiser performance.
The Philanthropic Advisory™ equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance. Visit us at thephilanthropicadvisory.com.

Why Nonprofits Are Built to Erode Agency - Part 2 of 4 Agency Thinking & Self-Efficacy in Nonprofit Work

In this episode of Under the Elm, part two of a four-part series on agency thinking and self-efficacy in nonprofit work. We look at where agency erosion comes from — specifically, the three structural features of nonprofit environments making it particularly fast, particularly deep, and particularly hard to detect.

The Problem Nobody Names - Agency Thinking & Self-Efficacy in Nonprofit Work — Episode 1 of 4

In this episode of Under the Elm, we start a 4-part series on Agency Thinking & Self Efficacy in Nonprofit Work. We begin with The Problem Nobody Names.
The Philanthropic Advisory™ equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance. Visit us at thephilanthropicadvisory.com

The Difference Between a Transactional Donor & a Transformational One

In this episode of Under the Elm, we discuss the strategic vision that makes the entire development program coherent: understanding what kind of donor relationships an organization is building and why the distinction matters for long-term sustainabilityThe Philanthropic Advisory's Under the Elm Podcast equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance.

When a Major Donor Says No, and What it Means

In this episode of Under the Elm, we explore what it means when a major donor says NO to an ask and decode the specific type of Nos fundraisers may receive, understanding why the instinctive response to a No is almost always the wrong one. 
The Philanthropic Advisory's Under the Elm Podcast equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance.
 

Why Most Campaigns Fail Before They Ever Launch

This episode of Under the Elm is perhaps the most counterintuitive, as it argues that campaign failure is almost never caused by what happens during the campaign. It's a must-listen for those preparing to launch a Capital Campaign.
The Philanthropic Advisory's Under the Elm Podcast equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance.

How to Cultivate a Major Donor Without Feeling Like a Salesperson

This episode of Under the Elm addresses one of the most common identity conflicts in nonprofit development: the discomfort of feeling like you are pursuing a relationship for transactional reasons. It's a topic that keeps gifted, mission-driven people from becoming effective fundraisers. And it's worth talking about.

How to Have the Giving Conversation Without Damaging the Relationship

In this episode of Under the Elm: It's one of the most emotionally loaded topics in nonprofit leadership — asking a board member to give is a conversation almost every chief executive has dreaded at least once. This episode provides a clear philosophy about why the giving conversation is an act of respect, not an imposition, and five practical principles leaders can apply immediately to have it with confidence and without damaging the relationships they've worked hard to build.The Philanthropic Advisory's Under the Elm Podcast equips nonprofits with strategic fundraising guidance, leadership coaching, and organizational diagnostics that drive stronger performance.