ALTRUICITY, INC.

Episode 15 - From Transactions to Transformations: Rethinking Major Gifts with Jason Zwang

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of Date Your Donors, host Jonah Halper sits down with Jason Zwang, CFRE, Senior Director of Development at Georgia Institute of Technology and also a key architect of ALTRUICITY's major gift coaching and pipeline service, to reflect on their shared journey—from a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert in 2005 to redefining major gift fundraising across the Jewish philanthropic landscape today. Through personal stories, professional insights, and honest conversation, Jason shares how his unique background in community action, neuroscience, and organizational psychology shaped his passion for authentic donor relationships.

Together, Jonah and Jason explore the power of listening, the shift from transactional giving to transformative partnership, and why the Orthodox Jewish philanthropic world is ready—and eager—for a new era of donor engagement. With warmth, wit, and wisdom, this episode captures a movement in motion, one donor conversation at a time.

Links in the comment section below!

Episode 14 - From Payroll Panic to Financial Stability: Why Schools Need Legacy Donors with Lindsay Kopecky

In this episode of Date Your Donors, host Jonah Halper sits down with Lindsay Kopecky, CFRE, CAP®️, Chief Advancement Officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. The conversation dives into the importance of legacy and endowment giving in philanthropy, particularly in the Jewish education space.

Lindsay explains the key differences between legacy giving and endowment funds, emphasizing how long-term financial planning can transform the sustainability of Jewish institutions. She highlights how legacy gifts allow donors to leave a lasting impact beyond their lifetime, ensuring that their values continue to shape the future. Endowments, on the other hand, provide schools and organizations with reliable, ongoing financial support.

Jonah and Lindsay discuss the practical steps institutions must take to build an infrastructure for legacy and endowment giving, including board buy-in, donor stewardship, and engaging potential donors through meaningful conversations about their philanthropic vision. Lindsay also shares best practices for nurturing donor relationships, stressing the power of asking thoughtful questions and listening actively rather than treating fundraising as a sales pitch.

Additionally, they explore how organizations can identify strong legacy giving prospects—not just major donors, but those with consistent giving histories and a deep commitment to the mission. Lindsay offers insights into tools like the Jewish Future Promise and Life & Legacy program, which help facilitate planned giving conversations and encourage donors to prioritize Jewish causes in their philanthropic planning.

Throughout the episode, Jonah and Lindsay stress the need for long-term thinking in Jewish education fundraising, urging schools to move beyond the urgency of annual campaigns and start planting the seeds for a sustainable future.

Episode links in the comments section!

Episode 8 - Prioritizing Fundraising with Rabbi Yaacov Cohen

In this insightful episode of Date Your Donors LIVE at the EDS Conference, host Jonah Halper sits down with Rabbi Yaacov Cohen, Executive Vice President of Talmudical Academy of Baltimore and an expert in peer-to-peer fundraising. Rabbi Cohen shares his journey from aspiring rabbi to a visionary in donor development, detailing how he transformed traditional fundraising practices into a relationship-driven approach.

Rabbi Cohen introduces the concept of "moves management," a strategic method for cultivating donor relationships that fosters meaningful partnerships rather than transactional giving. He discusses the challenges of balancing campaign-heavy environments with long-term donor development and shares his game-changing epiphany: separating development roles from campaign events and marketing to focus solely on building relationships.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for organizations of any size, highlighting the importance of understanding donor motivations, creating a sustainable fundraising strategy, and redefining success through collaboration. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, Rabbi Cohen’s methods will inspire you to elevate your impact and make lasting connections with your donors.

Tune in to learn how to identify your ideal supporters, streamline processes, and build a fundraising culture rooted in partnership and purpose.

Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/date-your-donors-for-jewish-education/id1780886624?i=1000685145211

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Ti7If8p9M2wLZVEsNR3jR?si=WCTva-MNTGi-d6XjhoqZDA

Youtube:
https://youtu.be/xeuC6Dyd-ao?si=CLVfbNlHV8RlSfQ7

Date Your Donors Podcast LIVE from the EDS Conference - Featuring Rabbi Yaacov Cohen Jonah Halper, host of the Date Your Donors Podcast Interviewed Rabbi Yaacov Cohen, Executive Vice President of Talmudicial Academy of Baltimore at the EDS Co...