Dr. Russell James and Dr. Eddie Thompson pair decades of frontline fundraising wisdom with rigorous, research-driven insight unpacking the contradictions that make philanthropy work.
About Fundraising Pair-a-Docs
What if the biggest gifts your organization could receive are waiting on conversations that haven’t happened yet?
Fundraising Pair-a-Docs explores the strategies, stories, and real-world experience behind transformational philanthropy, helping nonprofit leaders move beyond transactional fundraising and into the conversations that change organizations forever. Listen to the trailer to discover what this series is all about.
MEET YOUR SPEAKERS
Two Docs, One Conversation
Decades of frontline experience meets rigorous, research-driven insight.
Russell James III
PH.D., J.D., CFP®
Eddie Thompson
ED.D., FCEP
Dr. Russell James is a professor and researcher renowned for his data-driven work on charitable giving behavior and the psychology of the donor decision-making process.
Episodes
Episode 1: Are Charities Dropping the Ball on Gift Planning?
July 29, 2026
The biggest barrier to transformational gifts usually isn’t finding the right donors. It’s knowing how to talk to them. Eddie and Russell explore why many organizations unintentionally miss opportunities to help donors make transformational gifts, and what fundraisers can do differently.
Episode 2: Seeking Out Your People Groups: The Wealth Holders
August 26, 2026
What if the donors with the greatest potential to transform your organization are already in your database, but getting the least attention? In the latest episode, Dr. Eddie Thompson and Dr. Russell James explore the wealth holders: who they are, why reaching them can challenge our instincts about what successful fundraising feels like, and what the numbers reveal about where our attention matters most.
Episode 3: The Hybrid Fundraiser
September 30, 2026
What separates a good fundraiser from a truly transformational one? In this episode, Dr. Eddie Thompson and Dr. Russell James explore the hybrid major and planned giving role, and why persistence, emotional intelligence, and a donor-centered approach can unlock deeper relationships and bigger conversations.
Episode 4: Beyond the Check: The Power of Wealth Conversations
October 28, 2026
What if the biggest opportunity in fundraising isn’t in a donor’s checkbook, but in their wealth? In this episode of the Fundraising Pair-a-Docs, Dr. Eddie Thompson and Dr. Russell James explore why fundraisers often shy away from conversations about wealth and assets, the surprising impact of non-cash gifts, and practical ways to help donors think beyond their disposable income to create a greater philanthropic impact.
MEET YOUR HOST
Cayce Powell
J.D., MBA, FCEP · President, Thompson & Associates
As President of Thompson & Associates, Cayce Powell brings a rare blend of legal, financial, and philanthropic expertise to every conversation, guiding the mission to help nonprofits build lasting, values-based donor relationships.
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