E103: Transforming Personal Adversity into Powerful Fundraising with Ron Katz Artwork

Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising

Welcome to the Lead with Heart Podcast, where the heartbeat of philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising resonates in every episode. I'm Haley, your host—a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC trainer, and, most importantly, a recovering nonprofit burnout survivor.

In this empowering space, we invite nonprofit professionals to amplify their voices and unveil the heart behind their missions.

Our mission is clear: to empower, elevate, and engage nonprofit leaders, fostering the growth of healthy, thriving organizations.

Join me and a lineup of inspiring guests as we delve into real stories of Philanthropy, Leadership, Courage, and Empathy. Together, we explore the strategies and practices employed by these remarkable leaders to heal from burnout, propel their missions forward, raise crucial funds, and ultimately, make a lasting impact in the nonprofit world.

Discover the unwavering commitment to making a difference, the resilience required to navigate the challenges of philanthropy, and the innovative approaches to leadership that drive positive change.

Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your journey, the Lead with Heart Podcast is your go-to resource for insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership, elevate your organization, and amplify your impact on the world of philanthropy. Tune in and let the heartbeat of leadership guide your nonprofit journey.

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Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising

E103: Transforming Personal Adversity into Powerful Fundraising with Ron Katz

July 29, 2025 • Haley Cooper | Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC Trainer • Episode 103

In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m honored to welcome Ron Katz - a seasoned fundraising leader with over three decades of impact in healthcare, education, and social services. Ron has raised over $100 million for mission-driven organizations, and today, he shares how his personal journey with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has deepened his approach to donor relationships and philanthropy.

We explore how personal experiences can shape and enhance fundraising effectiveness, how to build lasting donor trust, and why authentic storytelling matters - especially in healthcare philanthropy. Whether you're a major gifts officer, executive director, or emerging nonprofit leader, Ron’s insight into patient-centered funding and nonprofit resilience will leave you inspired and empowered.

In this episode:

[03:00] Ron’s path from politics to nonprofit fundraising
[04:03] Leveraging a political background for nonprofit advocacy
[05:00] How philanthropy drives medical advancement and enhances patient care
[08:34] Building lasting donor relationships in today’s fundraising landscape
[11:47] The power of patient-centered funding initiatives
[13:44] Ron’s journey with CLL and its impact on his work
[16:03] How to build strong donor relationships
[18:07] The role of donor funding in research and treatment innovation
[20:36] Ethical storytelling in healthcare fundraising
[24:02] Key takeaways for emerging nonprofit professionals
[26:06] Universal principles that apply across nonprofit sectors

RESOURCES

E62: Turning Personal Loss Into Community Impact with Susan Combs from Pancakes for Roger

CONNECT WITH RON

LinkedIn: Ron Katz

Website: https://cllsociety.org/

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.

Trusted by 80,000+ organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox offers easy fundraising tools to help you raise more. From fast donation forms to crowdfunding, events, and Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, grow your impact with donorbox.org

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms