FUNDRAISING KEYNOTES AND WORKSHOPS THAT HELP FUNDRAISERS RAISE MORE AND BURN OUT LESS
Real-world insights, humor, and humanity that bring people back to the heart of why they do this work.
THE INVITATION TO RETHINK FUNDRAISING
What if fundraising didn’t feel so heavy? What if it could be courageous, connective, and deeply human again?
I invite audiences to rediscover the meaning behind their work and the joy that comes with it. Every session is a mix of honesty, humor, and real stories from the field that remind us not just how to raise more money, but why we started doing this in the first place.
“Fundraising isn’t about transactions. It’s about the moment we meet each other in significance.”

— T. Clay Buck, CFRE
IN THESE KEYNOTES, WE:

• Reconnect purpose with practice

• Turn stress into clarity and confidence

• Reignite belief in generosity as both mission and mindset
.png)
WHEN FUNDRAISING MAKES SENSE AGIAN
After 35 years in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, Clay knows the pressure and exhaustion that come with the job. His sessions don’t add theory — they create clarity.
Audiences leave with practical tools, renewed energy, and the courage to lead generosity with confidence and purpose.
Clay’s speaking style blends deep expertise with humor and candor. He connects the heart of fundraising with its systems and strategy — proving that meaningful fundraising isn’t just possible, it’s learnable.”
KEYNOTES AND SIGNATURE SESSIONS
THE COURAGE TO FUNDRAISE: WHAT IT IS, WHY WE DO IT, AND WHY IT MATTERS SO MUCH
A call to rediscover the heart of fundraising. In a profession where burnout is common and donor trust is fragile, this session reframes fundraising as an act of courage rooted in purpose, not pressure. You’ll leave grounded, reconnected, and reminded that courage and generosity grow together.
VALUES OVER VALUABLES: CREATING A DONOR RETENTION PLAN THAT TURNS TRANSACTIONS INTO TRANSFORMATIONS
Retention isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about values. This session helps teams rethink donor relationships through the lens of meaning and belonging, showing how to turn first time gifts into lifelong commitment.
FROM AUCTION TO ADVOCATE: TURNING ONE TIME BUYERS INTO LIFELONG DONORS
How do you turn event attendees into real supporters? Using behavioral science, philanthropic psychology, and a bit of humor, I show what turns momentary generosity into lasting connection.
ETHICAL GENEROSITY DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING TRUST IN THE AGE OF DATA
In a world filled with data and automation, ethics matter more than ever. This session challenges fundraisers to see their work not as surveillance, but as stewardship of trust.
SPEAKING FORMATS
These programs are ideal for
• Conference keynotes and plenary sessions

• Professional association events

• Leadership retreats and fundraising summits

• Virtual sessions and webinars
Every talk is customized to fit the audience, blending research, humor, and real world strategy to make generosity come alive again.
For deeper learning, I also offer customized team trainings and workshops featured on the Training page.
WHY CLAY
I’ve done this work from every angle: inside organizations, across communities, and under real pressure. I know what it’s like to carry ambitious goals, limited resources, messy data, and the quiet responsibility of asking people to care. I don’t speak about fundraising from the outside; I speak from having lived it.
What makes my work different is how it all comes together. I connect fundraising theory and practice, data, leadership, behavioral science, and systems thinking into a clear, practical way of working that actually holds up in the real world. This isn’t abstract or academic. It’s tested, informed, and built for people who have to get results.
And here’s what audiences remember: my sessions don’t feel like training, they feel like relief. They’re smart, fast-moving, substantive, and genuinely entertaining. No dry lectures. No standing behind a lectern. Just insight, humor, and the kind of clarity that makes people want to roll up their sleeves and get back to work.
“Clay doesn’t just teach fundraising. He helps you fall back in love with it.”
 - Conference Participant, AFP ICON 2025, Seattle
​
“Clay didn’t just train our board on how to fundraise; he got them to actually want to fundraise. That’s something I’ve never seen before.” - Nonprofit Executive Director, Jacksonville, FL
​
"I took so many notes and couldn't wait to get back to the office and put them to work. He made our storytelling so much stronger and easier! Best session of the entire conference." - Nonprofit Storytelling Conference attendee, 2025