Episode 31

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Published on:

13th Jan 2023

The Science of Happiness & Gratitude

In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I want to talk with you about gratitude and happiness today. There have been a lot of articles and a couple of great new books published on the topic recently.

Just this week Time magazine published two articles, “The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts” and “How to Make Gratitude Feel Less Like a Chore.”

At the start of the new year just about a week ago, The New York Times issued a 7-day Happiness Challenge to kick off the New Year. Subscribers to their Wellness e-newsletter were invited to sign up for the challenge. They sent one exercise a day to your inbox to cultivate happiness. You’ll find links to these articles and the books I’ll be referencing in the show notes.

And just a few days ago SIMON & SCHUSTER published a book called, “The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of Happiness” by authors Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schulz, Ph.D. It was an 85-year study of the same people. They followed more than 2,000 people, across 2- generations, asking the question what makes people happy? I mean really happy.

We all want to be happy, right? Take a listen.


Resources mentioned in this episode 

New York Times 7-Day Happiness Challenge

Time Magazine “How to Make Gratitude Feel Less Like a Chore”

The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Largest Scientific Study of Happiness

Happier Podcast with Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project with Gretchen Rubin


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

Thank you to our friends at Bloomerang for being a sponsor of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast.

Bloomerang gathers the best tools, resources, and people in a single place and, through its donor management platform, empowers nonprofit organizations like yours to carry out their missions.

Learn how First Tee of Greater Akron doubled its unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds in the first year with Bloomerang.


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CONNECT WITH TAMMY ZONKER ON SOCIAL

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About the Podcast

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
Welcome to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I'm your host, Tammy Zonker, and I'm thrilled you're here.

I've spent nearly three decades specializing in major gifts. I’ve seen how major gifts often form the backbone of an organization’s financial stability, and yet, I know many of us find this area particularly challenging. Time and again, I’ve been approached by fundraisers and nonprofit leaders eager to establish or supercharge their major gift programs. It’s become crystal clear that there’s a growing hunger for training and expertise in this area.

I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with nonprofits from all around the world helping organizations collectively raise nearly one billion dollars. During this time, I’ve developed strategies and tools that have consistently helped organizations transition their mid-level donors into major donors through meaningful engagement. It’s a process that, when done consistently, can truly catapult an organization’s major gift fundraising to the next level.

Whether you’re a seasoned major gift officer looking to refine your approach, a development director aiming to build a powerhouse program, an executive director looking to scale your organization’s capacity for transformational giving, or a board member seeking to understand the transformative potential of major gifts, The Intentional Fundraiser podcast is your source for growth and excellence in major gift fundraising.

So, buckle up! We're about to embark on a journey to take your major gift program to the next level – and beyond. Let's get intentional about major gift fundraising!

Keep transforming,
Tammy Zonker
Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Fundraising Transformed

#ScaleRaiseDo

About your host

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Tammy Zonker

Hey, There! I’m Tammy Zonker.

I'm the Founder and President of Fundraising Transformed and host of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast.

I’ve been a major gifts strategist and fundraising expert for more than 25 years. I’m also a certified AFP Master Trainer and international speaker.

I’ve Led and trained thousands of nonprofit social service organizations, private schools, colleges and universities, and healthcare organizations to collectively raise more than a half-billion dollars — and counting — including a single gift of $27.1M.

I have served as adjunct faculty at Indiana University and technical editor for Wiley Publishing’s “Fundraising for Dummies” third edition.

I currently serve as Dean at the Institute for Charitable Giving, a member of the AFP International Conference Education Committee, a member of the Nonprofit Quarterly’s Editorial Advisory Board, a contributing writer to NonProfit PRO, and an advisor at Capital Campaign Pro.

I would love to learn more about the amazing work you do and explore how we can work together to take your fundraising to the next, next level.