
Marc A. Pitman, CSP®, is an internationally recognized fundraising coach and nonprofit leadership trainer. For more than twenty years, he has been equipping nonprofit boards and staff with the confidence and skills to ask for major gifts without fear. He is the founder of FundraisingCoach.com, one of the longest-running blogs in the nonprofit sector, hailed by The Atlantic as “1 of 5 philanthropic blogs fundraisers need to read.”
Marc has trained and inspired over 27,000 nonprofit leaders across North America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand. He has personally coached hundreds of executive directors, development staff, and board chairs, guiding them through economic downturns, leadership transitions, board crises, and global disruptions, including the 2008 recession and other challenging times. Through his programs and certifications, his influence has reached tens of thousands more. His practical, energizing style has made him a go-to resource for boards who want fundraising to feel less like begging and more like building meaningful partnerships.
In this episode…
Many people view fundraising as a technical skill. Marc Pitman sees it as something far deeper.
In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Marc Pitman to explore the approach, communication, and spiritual principles behind effective fundraising. Marc reflects on his journey from studying Jewish relations and leadership to becoming a respected fundraising coach working with Shluchim today.
The discussion revisits a defining moment from one of Marc’s early fundraising boot camps for Shluchim, where a question about donor rejection transformed into a powerful conversation about HaShem as the true provider. That moment became a turning point for many attendees, helping them move from feelings of embarrassment and limitation toward confidence, dignity, and purpose in fundraising.
Marc also shares how learning from the Rebbe’s teachings, Tanya, Hayom Yom, and years of interaction with Shluchim have shaped his own worldview and spiritual growth. He explains why fundraising can become a powerful catalyst for personal growth when leaders fully believe in their mission and recognize the value they bring to the world.
The conversation also explores a practical challenge many Shluchim face: communicating impact to donors. Marc explains why donors respond more deeply to emotional clarity and meaningful stories than to raw numbers and reports alone.
This episode is a thoughtful exploration of fundraising, identity, leadership, and the privilege of supporting Shlichus with confidence and joy.
Learn more about Marc Pitman: https://fundraisingcoach.com/
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn…
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[02:12]: Discover how a child who talked to nursery wallpaper grew into a legendary thought leader wired for high-speed impact.
[12:33]: The exact moment 110 Shluchim were challenged with one daring question that shifted their entire perspective on fundraising.
[15:07]: Learn how to trade the "beggar" mindset for a spine of steel and walk with the true dignity of your mission.
[27:12]: Master the art of reporting by understanding why donors need a child's smile while the Rebbe looks for the stats.
[32:53]: Find out why a world-class coach believes Shluchim are the most inspiring clients because they are "in it for life".
Quotable Moments
- "I asked him, I said, 'Who is your provider?' And he said, 'The donor.' And I said, 'No, who is your provider?' 'The donor.' And the third time he got the answer right. He said, 'Hashem.' And so I remember... just saying, 'How big is your God?'"
- "The very fact that you and your family are in your community is enough reason for people to be investing in you and to be supporting you. You don't have to prove it beyond that."
- "The Rebbe has the context and will get it, but not the donor that you're trying to communicate with... [they need] the smile on one kid's face."
- "Shluchim are in it for life. And so I think that probably colors the water and makes it a lot better, much more fun to work with."
Sponsor for this episode
This episode is brought to you by Rothman Coaching.
At Rothman Coaching, we help shluchim improve their fundraising, communication, and overall effectiveness through structured coaching and proven systems.
Whether you are looking to grow your donor base, increase contributions, or gain clarity in your approach, Rothman Coaching provides the guidance and support needed to move forward with confidence.
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