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Good2Give Podcast

Nonprofit Fundraising Made Stronger with Mark Wilkison

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Nonprofit Fundraising Made Stronger with Mark Wilkison (Good2Give Podcast, Episode 18)

In this episode of The Good2Give Podcast, hosted by DePriest Waddy and underwritten by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, fundraising veteran Mark Wilkison, Principal and Partner at Columns Fundraising, shares timeless lessons on nonprofit fundraising, governance, board engagement, and major gift strategy.

With over three decades advising nonprofits across the Southeast, Mark explains why the right board can make or break an organization and how clear expectations, donor relationships, and legacy planning sustain long-term success. From practical end-of-year fundraising advice to insights on planned giving, this episode offers invaluable guidance for nonprofit leaders aiming to strengthen both their boards and their bottom line.

The Good2Give Podcast is presented by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX® produce the show. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Why governance and board recruitment come before fundraising—and how to find the “three Ws”: work, wisdom, and wealth.
How smaller nonprofits can attract high-caliber board members through clear expectations and written commitments.
Why organizations should never rely on Giving Tuesday alone.
Practical year-end fundraising strategies every nonprofit should be implementing before Thanksgiving.
How legacy gifts, IRA distributions, and planned giving can sustain mission impact for generations.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the Good To Give Podcast
00:22 Meet Mark Wilkinson: Fundraising Expert
00:58 The Changing Landscape of Fundraising
01:16 Board Governance and Membership
04:26 Strategies for Small Nonprofits
12:46 Year-End Fundraising Tips
18:33 Planning for 2026: Key Considerations
26:47 The Importance of Planned Giving
33:03 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Mark Wilkison, Principal & Partner, Columns Fundraising

Mark has extensive expertise in major gifts, planned giving, feasibility studies, execution of capital campaigns, strategic planning and visioning for organizations, and executive search.

A graduate of the University of Vermont, Mark has more than 35 years of consulting and fundraising experience, including serving as Vice President – Development for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Chief Development Officer at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Chief Development Officer for the International Life Sciences Institute, and Executive Vice President of the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation. Mark’s additional Phi Gam work included serving as a field secretary for the fraternity and as Director of Graduate Services.

Mark has served as President of the Atlanta Peachtree Rotary Club and has also been involved with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC), the Georgia Association of Development Professionals (GADP), and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP).

Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Shari, and his two grown children, and playing an occasional round of golf.

Columns Fundraising

Columns Fundraising is a strategic business and organizational development firm composed of senior executives with extensive experience in both nonprofit and private-sector leadership. The firm helps clients identify challenges, uncover opportunities, and execute customized strategies that deliver measurable results. Columns specializes in creating and implementing strategic plans for areas like healthcare, education, and community organizations, focusing on things like fundraising campaigns and studies to assess project viability.

Its integrated services encompass executive search, interim advancement staffing, nonprofit mergers, brand positioning, marketing and communications, public-private partnerships, and grant writing. Columns also provides leadership coaching and training for boards, executives, and development teams. What sets the firm apart is its commitment to senior-level involvement in every engagement. Columns’ leaders have “walked in their clients’ shoes,” bringing the insight and experience needed to accelerate growth and strengthen mission-driven organizations.

Website | LinkedIn

The Good2Give Podcast celebrates the work of donors, nonprofits, and the causes they care about. DePriest Waddy is the show’s host, and the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia is the presenting sponsor.

The Good2Give Podcast is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. You can also find the show on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many others.

At the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, everything they do centers around one purpose: improving the world through the power of philanthropy.

On a fundamental level, they do that through managing funds held in trust, donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses. Most funds are donor-advised funds, similar to savings accounts. These funds are pooled for investment purposes, and their income is used to make grants for a wide variety of charitable purposes.

But the Foundation’s goals extend far beyond managing funds. They desire to strengthen the communities they serve in Gwinnett, Northeast Georgia, and beyond by providing leadership, addressing community needs, and assisting individuals and organizations with their charitable giving.

Connect with CFNEG:
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Phoenix Business Radio

Successful Nonprofit Leadership featuring Michael Barry with ONE and Pamela Keefe with National Bank of Arizona and David Henderson with STARS

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Successful Nonprofit Leadership featuring Michael Barry with ONE and Pamela Keefe with National Bank of Arizona and David Henderson with STARS

Successful nonprofit leadership requires a unique set of traits. Humility to receive help; finesse to balance creativity and productivity; and, the passion and ability to speak to (and manage) the mission through projects, initiatives and stakeholder relationships. Today we connect with a few executive leaders with the Organization for Nonprofit Executives (ONE) as they share how this organization provides professional development, education, information and networking opportunities to the Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors for Arizona nonprofits.

ONE, or the Organization for Nonprofit Executives, is a Phoenix-based nonprofit dedicated to providing professional development, education and information, and networking opportunities to the Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors of Phoenix-area nonprofits.

Founded in 1998, ONE is the only organization dedicated to servicing the needs of the nonprofit chief executive population. Its regular speaker series spotlights industry experts in a variety of relevant topics, including governance, changes in the tax laws, and marketing and branding. Its annual Leader Day event celebrates the chief executives of nonprofits by recognizing their achievements in innovation and outstanding community partnership.

ONE has recently embarked on an ambitious agenda which is designed to substantially expand its member offerings, enhance the overall member experience, and reach a greater number of nonprofits in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.

Michael Barry was appointed as Executive Director of ONE in March of 2018 and is the first individual to hold this position. Previously, he worked as Director of Business Development for Experience Matters, where he directed a team responsible for placing individuals with a lifetime of experience in nonprofits who could directly benefit from that experience. Prior to that he was both an Encore Fellow and a consultant to the American Lung Association in Arizona.

Michael spent the majority of his career in the financial services sector, retiring from American Express in 2012 as Vice President of Business Development Strategy for the Corporate Services division.

Follow ONE on Facebook and Twitter.

Specializing in forming one-on-one relationships and providing superb customer service, National Bank of Arizona offers a broad suite of products and services for individuals and businesses – from private banking clients to foundations, nonprofits, corporate and commercial clients. Taking a big-picture view of each client’s needs, National Bank of Arizona provides tailored financial solutions. Clients are supported with access to executive management and local decision- making, all while NB|AZ bankers contribute valuable financial knowledge and play a strategic role in helping clients pursue their dreams. Since its founding in Tucson in 1984, NB|AZ has expanded to play a significant role in numerous communities across the state. Backed by the strength of Zions Bancorporation, customers get the resources they need with the responsiveness and personalized service they expect from a local bank.

As Vice President and Nonprofit Relationship Manager for National Bank of Arizona®, Pamela Keefe is responsible for serving the needs of nonprofit organizations in Arizona. A veteran banker with more than 30 years’ experience, Pamela facilitates the many products and services available from NB|AZ. From treasury management services, lending and credit assistance and everything in between, Pam will connect your organization with the right specialists. Pamela’s hands-on approach to service and action-oriented vision are the driving forces behind many of her clients’ success stories. She joined NB|AZ in 2001 with a broad set of experiences in the financial services industry. As your Relationship Manager, Pamela will manage the financial needs, while taking time to understand the unique goals of your organization.

Follow National Bank of Arizona on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

STARS is a Scottsdale-based nonprofit founded in 1973 to improve the lives of adults with developmental disabilities. Each week, more than 200 individuals participate in programs designed to promote independence through life and social skill-building. Vocational training in a group environment is available, as well as opportunities for on-the-job training in community-integrated settings.

David Henderson joined STARS as President and CEO in 2015, following a 30- year career with Ticketmaster, a start-up he joined after graduating from Arizona State University. He has served on several Valley nonprofit boards, including Audrey’s Angels and UMOM New Day Centers, where he gained appreciation for the value of community leaders coming together in service to those in need. David received the Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the ASU Lodestar Center.