Mar 10, 2026
In an environment where many donors are overwhelmed by urgent appeals and global crises, it's easy for even the most generous supporters to disengage. However, successful organizations realize they don't need to "scream louder" to get attention; they simply need to be clearer, more human, and more intentional about their asks. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf sits down with Jack Padovano, Board Chair of PC Project, to discuss how prioritizing relationship-first fundraising helped this small nonprofit achieve their most successful campaign ever. You'll learn how to leverage peer-to-peer outreach to turn supporters into brave advocates, why a "strategy-first" mindset simplifies fundraising, and how to enroll donors as true partners in your mission.
Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com.
Additional Resources
[NPFX] Peer-to-Peer Fundraising:
Getting Started the Smart Way
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/peer-to-peer-fundraising-getting-started-the-smart-way
[NPFX] Improve Donor Retention and
Engagement with P2P Fundraising
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/improve-donor-retention-and-engagement-with-p2p-fundraising
Guest
Jack Padovano,
board chair for PC Project, is an advancement and
marketing strategist with over four decades of experience helping
nonprofit organizations and mission-driven institutions strengthen
fundraising programs and deepen donor engagement. He specializes in
translating complex missions into compelling, results-driven
campaigns that build lasting relationships with supporters and
advance organizational priorities. Earlier in his career, Jack held
senior marketing leadership roles in the direct-to-consumer sector,
including positions with Sara Lee and Wolferman's, where he
developed expertise in multichannel marketing, membership growth,
and strategic communications. Jack also serves as a trusted advisor
in nonprofit governance and strategic planning, guiding
organizations on messaging, mission expansion, and long-term
sustainability. Known for combining data-informed strategies with
persuasive storytelling, he helps advancement teams create programs
that engage donors, inspire action, and generate measurable
impact.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-padovano-48bb4862/
https://www.pachyonychia.org/
Host
Russ Phaneuf, a
co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a
background in higher education development, with positions at the
University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and
Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director
& chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist,
award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in
applied system dynamics.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/
Connect with NPFX
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