Diana Frazier: What Makes Great Fundraisers Great at Year-End

In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers, Jeff Schreifels welcomes Diana Frazier, Veritus Group’s senior client experience leader with more than 40 years of fundraising experience, for an essential conversation about winning the final stretch of the year. Diana has coached over 300 mid-level and major gift officers during her 12 years at Veritus, and she brings a rare blend of wisdom and practicality to this discussion. Together, Jeff and Diana break down the 15 critical fundraising days of December, explore what separates exceptional fundraisers from those who may be in the wrong role, and outline clear, actionable steps for frontline fundraisers and managers who want to finish strong. They talk through why focus—not more time—is the real differentiator in December, how to approach year-end planning with less stress, and the specific information your donors need to complete stock gifts, donor-advised fund contributions, and wire transfers. Diana also lays out a simple two-hour-per-day gratitude strategy that allows you to meaningfully thank up to 70 donors before the year ends. If you’re preparing for the intensity of December or leading a team that needs direction during the busiest season of the year, this episode will help you navigate the final push with confidence. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about…   Why you don’t need more time—you need more focus, and how to get it The simple two-hour inventory exercise that relieves year-end stress How to manage the 15 critical calendar days before everything winds down Essential information donors need for stock gifts, donor-advised funds, and wire transfers  Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.   Additional Resources:   [Blog] Creative Ways to Stand Out at Year-End [White Paper]  Planning Guide for Fall and Year-End Fundraising [Blog] How to Talk to Your Donors About 2026 Tax Changes