web01.fireside.fm Fri, 22 May 2026 15:47:53 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Capital Campaigns” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/capital%20campaigns Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. en-us episodic Actionable economic development strategies and stories Dane Carlson Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. no econ dev, economic development, ed Dane Carlson show@econdevshow.com Why Economic Development Fundraising Matters More Than Ever with Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith https://podcast.econdevshow.com/217a dd46f0fd-2432-4ed4-ae31-fde753d46f7c Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dane Carlson full Dane Carlson Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith explain how the merger of Convergent and Resource Development Group strengthens economic development fundraising, expands RDG’s national reach, and helps chambers and EDOs build stronger cases for investor support. 26:50 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations. </p> <p>They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers</h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Make the value case clearer.</strong> Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.</li> <li> <strong>Do not rely only on past success.</strong> A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.</li> <li> <strong>Use data to strengthen your story.</strong> Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.</li> <li> <strong>Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue.</strong> A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.</li> <li> <strong>Run a feasibility study before a major campaign.</strong> Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.</li> <li> <strong>Connect economic development to broader community needs.</strong> Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.</li> <li> <strong>Keep trusted relationships front and center.</strong> Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.</li> <li> <strong>Show investors where their money goes.</strong> Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.</li> <li> <strong>Position your organization as a convener.</strong> EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.</li> <li> <strong>Prepare for more sophisticated funders.</strong> Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution. Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, economic development fundraising, RDG, Convergent, Resource Development Group, capital campaigns, chambers of commerce, public-private partnerships, feasibility studies, investor relations, workforce development In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations.

They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Make the value case clearer. Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.
  2. Do not rely only on past success. A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.
  3. Use data to strengthen your story. Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.
  4. Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue. A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.
  5. Run a feasibility study before a major campaign. Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.
  6. Connect economic development to broader community needs. Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.
  7. Keep trusted relationships front and center. Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.
  8. Show investors where their money goes. Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.
  9. Position your organization as a convener. EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.
  10. Prepare for more sophisticated funders. Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution.

Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Podcast, Dane Carlson talks with Brian Abernathy of Convergent and Clint Nessmith of Resource Development Group, now RDG, a Convergent Company, about the merger of two major economic development fundraising firms and what it means for chambers, EDOs, and community organizations.

They discuss why economic development fundraising is becoming more critical, how campaigns are evolving beyond traditional jobs and investment metrics, and why organizations must make a clearer case for their value. Brian and Clint also explain how data, disciplined campaign execution, feasibility studies, and strong public-private partnerships can help communities fund the work required to compete.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Make the value case clearer. Investors need to understand what your organization does, why it matters, and what outcomes their funding supports.
  2. Do not rely only on past success. A good track record helps, but each new campaign needs a fresh, specific, forward-looking reason to invest.
  3. Use data to strengthen your story. Fundraising works better when your case combines vision with evidence, benchmarks, campaign history, and measurable outcomes.
  4. Treat fundraising as strategy, not just revenue. A campaign should clarify priorities, align leadership, and sharpen the organization's role in the community.
  5. Run a feasibility study before a major campaign. Confidential investor feedback can reveal whether your campaign is ready, credible, and properly sized.
  6. Connect economic development to broader community needs. Workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and nonprofit capacity all affect competitiveness.
  7. Keep trusted relationships front and center. Funders support people and organizations they trust, especially when the work requires multi-year commitments.
  8. Show investors where their money goes. Be specific about programs, staff capacity, outcomes, timelines, and the practical work their support makes possible.
  9. Position your organization as a convener. EDOs and chambers often create value by bringing public, private, nonprofit, and education partners together around shared priorities.
  10. Prepare for more sophisticated funders. Investors are asking better questions. Be ready with a stronger narrative, better data, and a disciplined plan for execution.

Special Guests: Brian Abernathy and Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> 156: The Art of Economic Development Fundraising with Clint Nessmith https://podcast.econdevshow.com/156 ffbdb604-c528-4869-b5da-bc4595fa9ad1 Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0600 Dane Carlson 156 The Art of Economic Development Fundraising with Clint Nessmith full Dane Carlson CEO Clint Nessmith discusses the specialized role of economic development fundraising consulting and how his firm, Resource Development Group, helps organizations raise money for community advancement initiatives. 32:33 no <p>In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, reveals the niche world of economic development fundraising consulting. He explains how his firm exclusively works with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce across the country, particularly focusing on larger regional chambers in major markets. Nessmith shares insights about the fundraising process, the importance of market validation, and how proper fundraising can unite communities behind a shared vision.</p> <p><a href="https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Like this show? Please leave us a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! </p> <h2>Actionable Takeaways</h2> <ol> <li>Consider hiring specialized fundraising consultants for major economic development campaigns</li> <li>Validate your fundraising goals through market research before launching campaigns</li> <li>Use fundraising processes to unite community stakeholders behind a shared vision</li> <li>Focus on creating comprehensive plans that address market-identified needs</li> <li>Don't hesitate to delay fundraising if market validation suggests you're not ready</li> <li>Leverage external expertise to add credibility to your fundraising efforts</li> <li>Stay informed about economic development funding trends through industry resources</li> <li>Build fundraising models that match your organization's size and scope</li> <li>Use fundraising campaigns as opportunities to strengthen community relationships</li> <li>Incorporate market feedback into your organizational messaging and planning Special Guest: Clint Nessmith.</li> </ol> econdev, economic development, eco devo, fundraising, economic development, chambers of commerce, regional development, market validation, community advancement, consulting, strategic planning, capital campaigns, organizational growth In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, reveals the niche world of economic development fundraising consulting. He explains how his firm exclusively works with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce across the country, particularly focusing on larger regional chambers in major markets. Nessmith shares insights about the fundraising process, the importance of market validation, and how proper fundraising can unite communities behind a shared vision.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways

  1. Consider hiring specialized fundraising consultants for major economic development campaigns
  2. Validate your fundraising goals through market research before launching campaigns
  3. Use fundraising processes to unite community stakeholders behind a shared vision
  4. Focus on creating comprehensive plans that address market-identified needs
  5. Don't hesitate to delay fundraising if market validation suggests you're not ready
  6. Leverage external expertise to add credibility to your fundraising efforts
  7. Stay informed about economic development funding trends through industry resources
  8. Build fundraising models that match your organization's size and scope
  9. Use fundraising campaigns as opportunities to strengthen community relationships
  10. Incorporate market feedback into your organizational messaging and planning

Special Guest: Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, reveals the niche world of economic development fundraising consulting. He explains how his firm exclusively works with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce across the country, particularly focusing on larger regional chambers in major markets. Nessmith shares insights about the fundraising process, the importance of market validation, and how proper fundraising can unite communities behind a shared vision.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways

  1. Consider hiring specialized fundraising consultants for major economic development campaigns
  2. Validate your fundraising goals through market research before launching campaigns
  3. Use fundraising processes to unite community stakeholders behind a shared vision
  4. Focus on creating comprehensive plans that address market-identified needs
  5. Don't hesitate to delay fundraising if market validation suggests you're not ready
  6. Leverage external expertise to add credibility to your fundraising efforts
  7. Stay informed about economic development funding trends through industry resources
  8. Build fundraising models that match your organization's size and scope
  9. Use fundraising campaigns as opportunities to strengthen community relationships
  10. Incorporate market feedback into your organizational messaging and planning

Special Guest: Clint Nessmith.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]>