Empathy in Fundraising with Maarten Bout [Video]

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast,
Explore the interplay between empathy and success in nonprofit fundraising!

Meet Maarten Bout, Vice President for Major and Transformational Giving at United Way of Central Indiana, overseeing a team of 10 fundraisers. With over 12 years of experience, including major gift roles at Indiana University, he brings extensive expertise in donor engagement, team leadership, and advancing impactful philanthropic strategies.

Throughout today’s conversation, Maarten shares insights into how empathetic behaviors influence donor relationships and giving outcomes. The discussion touches on the challenges of measuring empathy, the psychological and physiological benefits for fundraisers, and systemic issues in traditional nonprofit metrics. It emphasizes redefining success, fostering meaningful donor relationships, and the potential to transform fundraising practices through science and empathy-driven approaches.
The conversation also highlights the critical need for fundraisers to focus on meaningful donor engagement rather than short-term transactional gains. It underscores how high turnover, lack of meaningful relationships, and an over-reliance on major gifts hinder sustainable donor development.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
00:59 Meet Maarten
02:39 The Power of Empathy
14:06 Connection Between Empathy and Donor Relationships
19:47 The Hidden Costs of Fundraising Pressure
25:23 Rethinking Fundraising Practices to Build Long-Term Donor Relationships and Combat Turnover
31:28 Learn about Maarten’s Work

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✨ ABOUT MALLORY✨

Recognized in read-write, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Inc. for her energizing and innovative fundraising strategy and training, Mallory Erickson will revolutionize the way you show up as a nonprofit leader and fundraiser. She is a certified executive coach and fundraising consultant that specializes in helping social impact fundraisers apply life-changing scientific research and personal development frameworks to their fundraising work. Mallory Erickson’s brave, bold, and innovative framework (the Power Partners Formula™️) teaches nonprofit fundraisers to raise more from the right funders so they can stop hounding people for money. Fundraising doesn’t have to be uncomfortable when it is built around a mutually beneficial framework and authentic partnership.

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