Mastering Fundraising: A Conversation with Bill Littlejohn - Episode 2

What if the future of your fundraising program does not hinge on one major gift, but on mastering three fundamentals?

In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, host Chris Looney sits down with one of the most respected leaders in healthcare philanthropy, Bill Littlejohn, to explore the essential building blocks that sustain organizations for decades: acquisition, retention, and growth of individual donors.

With more than 40 years of experience spanning the American Cancer Society, national consulting, and over two decades at Sharp HealthCare, Bill shares hard-earned insights on how strong philanthropic cultures are built. This conversation moves beyond theory and into practical strategy, metrics, leadership mindset, and institutional alignment.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why fundraising is not complicated, but it is complex

• The difference between philanthropy and fundraising and why that distinction matters

• Why acquisition must be continuous to avoid long-term donor decline

• Why the second gift is the most important gift

• How retention fuels your future major gift pipeline

• Why growth must include both moving donors up and deepening relationships

• How to build dashboards and track meaningful metrics beyond dollars raised

• Why activity metrics matter just as much as revenue totals

• How institutional culture determines fundraising success

Bill also shares how Sharp HealthCare embraced philanthropy as an institutional value, not just a functional necessity, and how that cultural commitment shaped long-term growth and impact.

If you are concerned about donor attrition, the so-called donor crisis, or the increasing competition in a crowded nonprofit landscape, this episode offers clarity and direction.

Fundraising success is not about chasing quick fixes. It is about disciplined strategy, data-driven decisions, and a relentless focus on acquiring, retaining, and growing donor relationships.

If you want to earn your advanced degree in fundraising, this is the conversation for you.

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