The Human Side
Restoring Dignity, Authenticity, and Trust
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 12:00pm ET/9:00am PT
Fundraising is supposed to be about people.
Yet somewhere along the way, the profession became increasingly focused on activity metrics, portfolio management, revenue targets, and moving donors through a process.
And there’s a cost.
Fundraisers feel pressured to produce results rather than build relationships. Donors can feel like prospects to be managed instead of people with their own aspirations, motivations, and hopes for making a difference.
What if the path to better fundraising isn’t doing more, but reconnecting with what makes the work meaningful in the first place?
Join T.J. McGovern of McGovern Consulting Group and Christopher Naughton, CEO of Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E., for a candid conversation about restoring dignity, authenticity, and trust to fundraising, moderated by Jeff Giannotto of MarketSmart.
Together, they’ll explore how organizations can move beyond transactional fundraising, better support their development teams, and create the conditions for more meaningful donor relationships.
You’ll also hear a nonprofit leader’s firsthand perspective on using MarketSmart’s Engagement Fundraising Operating System to support donor engagement and relationship-building.
You’ll hear:
- Why fundraising has become so transactional — and how an overemphasis on activity metrics and organizational goals can undermine authentic donor relationships.
- Why the fundraiser experience matters to the donor experience — and how dignity, trust, and organizational support influence the way fundraisers engage with donors.
- How to move from pitching to listening — using curiosity, thoughtful questions, and an understanding of donor aspirations to build stronger relationships.
- What donor-centered fundraising looks like in practice — including firsthand insights from Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. on incorporating technology into a more relationship-focused approach.
If you’re a fundraising leader, major gift officer, or advancement professional who believes fundraising should be about more than transactions, this conversation will offer a fresh perspective and practical ideas you can put to work.
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About the Presenters
T.J. McGovern
Founder & President
McGovern Consulting Group
T.J. McGovern is the Founding President of McGovern Consulting Group and a philanthropic strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping nonprofits strengthen donor relationships and achieve transformational growth. His approach, which he calls vision-driven philanthropy, focuses on aligning donor passions with organizational impact through strategic clarity, compelling storytelling, and authentic engagement. His work has helped generate more than $100 million in philanthropic funding and equipped over 300 nonprofit leaders with strategies for sustainable growth. As a consultant, executive coach, and speaker, T.J. helps organizations unlock their philanthropic potential and create lasting change.
Christopher Naughton
CEO
Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E.
Christopher Naughton is the current CEO of Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research & Enlightenment (A.R.E.). He has an extensive professional background in law, broadcasting, and holistic spirituality. A former New Jersey prosecutor and civil litigation attorney, he is the six-time Emmy® award-winning host and producer of the American Public Television (APT) program The American Law Journal. His New World Radio program, examining world spiritualities and parapsychology, aired on NPR affiliates, as well as AM and FM commercial stations for over twenty years. He is a current guest host of the former PBS program, New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove, and is the author of America’s Next Great Awakening: How the Convergence of Mysticism, Atheism, Religion and Science Will Impact the Nation. And You. For more, go to christophernaughton.com.
Jeff Giannotto
Director of Sales
MarketSmart
Jeff Giannotto began his career at MarketSmart in 2013 and has since partnered with hundreds of nonprofit organizations and consultants, helping them leverage marketing and technology to modernize donor engagement and drive stronger fundraising performance. As Director of Sales, Jeff brings more than a decade of hands-on experience at the intersection of fundraising, data, and innovation. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Emma.