Around with Randall

Episode 276: Shooters Keep Shooting: How to Overcome that Fundraising Drought

Every fundraiser eventually hits a drought. Calls go unanswered, meetings stall, and momentum disappears. In those moments, the instinct is to hesitate, to overthink, or to pull back entirely. But the most successful fundraisers operate like great shooters: they keep showing up, trusting that consistent effort, not short-term results, drives long-term success. This episode explores the psychology behind those slumps and offers practical ways to stay confident, consistent, and moving forward when nothing seems to be working.

Episode 275: Emotional Quotient-Intelligence in Philanthropy – the Office, Donors, and Teamwork

Emotional intelligence isn’t a “soft skill” in nonprofit work. It’s the foundation of everything that works. In a field built entirely on relationships, the ability to read the room, manage your own reactions, and understand others often determines success more than strategy or data. The challenge is that most organizations talk about it, but few build it intentionally. This episode breaks down how developing emotional intelligence (personally and organizationally) can quietly transform performance, culture, and long-term impact.

Episode 274: The Importance of Culture: How to Ensure the Right One to Drive Results

Talent alone doesn’t determine success – culture does. The same individual can struggle in one environment and thrive in another, not because their ability changed, but because the system around them did. Over time, what’s tolerated becomes the norm, and those patterns quietly shape performance, trust, and retention. The real question isn’t whether culture matters, it’s whether you’re shaping it intentionally or letting it shape you.

Episode 273: Has Fundraising Work Really Changed much in 50 Years: A Question to be Answered

Episode 272: The Fundraisers Bill of Rights - What we Should be Looking for to Achieve Success

Most fundraisers know the Donor Bill of Rights – but what about the Fundraiser’s Bill of Rights? It’s about the organization behind them. Leadership engagement, board functionality, strategic clarity, data systems, realistic expectations, and culture all shape whether philanthropy can thrive. The real question isn’t simply “Can this fundraiser raise money?” but “Is this organization built to support fundraising success?” When those pieces align, philanthropy becomes a shared responsibility — and the mission moves forward.