“There’s no such thing as a successful fundraiser who is not a giver.” – Doug Lawson

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with fundraising icon Doug Lawson. Doug has nearly 50 years of nonprofit and fundraising consulting experience as the founder of Lawson Associates. He also is the best-selling author of Give to Live: How Giving Can Change Your Life. In his conversation with Jeff, Doug shares:

• What has changed in the nonprofit and fundraising arena over the decades?
• What makes a great fundraiser?
• What impact does giving have on donors and what does this mean for fundraising professionals?
  

About our guest

An ordained United Methodist minister, Dr. Douglas M. Lawson began his fundraising career in 1966 as vice president for development at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA. In 1969, he founded Lawson Associates Inc., a fundraising and management consulting firm which, to date, has served over 1,000 clients throughout the world, helping them to raise more than $2 billion.

Doug has had considerable experience speaking before hundreds of civic, educational, social and religious groups and has conducted fundraising workshops throughout the world. These workshops have been sponsored by professional organizations, such as the American College Public Relations Association, the National Catholic Development Conference, Moton Institute (with the Ford Foundation), the Association of Fundraising Professionals, CASE, the National Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, and the Joint Strategy and Action Committee of the National Council of Churches. 

He has served on the advisory boards of The Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT, and Drew University in Madison, NJ. He is currently serving on the campaign committee for Duke University’s $3.4 billion campaign. He has served on the board of directors of Fleetwood Enterprises, located in Riverside, CA., and has been a member of The Charitable Giving Task Force of the Million Dollar Round Table in Chicago and a board member of the Joffrey Ballet in New York. 

Doug is author of the award-winning best seller Give to Live: How Giving Can Change Your Life; Give to Live: A Stewardship and Development Program for Your Church; Volunteering, 101 Ways You Can Improve the World And Your Life; More Give to Live: How Giving Can Change Your Life; and Faith in the Future. He has written numerous articles for national publications such as Fundraising Management, US Air, Southern Bride and Servant Leadership. He also has been the publisher of the monthly newsletter Philanthropic Trends Digest and eight editions of The Foundation 500. Doug has produced numerous audio and video tapes including “The Artful Asker,” “Give to Live” and a “Basic Fundraising Course.” 

Douglawson.com