Episode 364: What Will Your Donor Remember? (Norman Gildin)

Episode Summary

Fundraiser burnout is real — and with average tenure in the profession hovering between two and four years, the sector is losing talent it can’t afford to lose. In Episode 364, Norman Gildin, a fundraising consultant and author with more than four decades in the field and over $100 million raised, cuts through the noise with the kind of plain-talk wisdom that only comes from doing this work at every level. Drawing on his framework of common sense, moral compass, and his RDC doctrine — respect, dignity, and consideration — Norman walks listeners through what’s really driving burnout, why fundraisers overwhelm donors instead of connecting with them, and how the fundamentals of annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments still come down to patience, persistence, and knowing what your donor actually wants. This is a master class from someone who has lived it, written about it, and is still in the room.

About Norman

Norman Gildin is a fundraising consultant, author, and sector veteran with more than four decades of experience in nonprofit development. Over the course of his career - which began with a master’s in healthcare administration from George Washington University and an administrative residency at Fairfax Hospital Association - Norm has served in senior leadership roles including executive vice president, directing fundraising strategy across annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments. He has raised more than $100 million under his direction and spearheaded multiple successful campaigns, case statements, and strategic plans for nonprofit organizations. Norman is the author of two books - Learn From My Experiences: A Collection of Essays in Fundraising for Professionals, Lay Leaders, Volunteers and the Public, and Fundraising Insights for Nonprofits (2025) - with a third book currently in development.

Resources

Connect with Norman on LinkedIn
Norman’s website, essays, and blog — normangildin.com
Fundraising Insights for Nonprofits by Norman Gildin (2025)
Learn From My Experiences: A Collection of Essays in Fundraising for Professionals, Lay Leaders, Volunteers and the Public by Norman Gildin
Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work by Mason Curry
Patton’s Mastermind Leadership Development Program — Learn more
Follow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!
Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire — ArmstrongMcGuire.com