Martin Leifeld is an author, consultant, coach, public speaker and fundraising expert.
During his 24 years of professional fundraising, Martin and his teams raised a staggering $500 million dollars. In 2018 Martin was named Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professional St. Louis Regional Chapter.
With a passion to serve, Martin established MartinLeifeld.com as a resource for those looking to learn more about fundraising and leadership. It’s Martin’s hope that those looking to enrich their lives and organizations will continue to visit this page for updates, learn professional experiences and proven tips in Five Minutes for Fundraising, and connect with like-minded professionals.
Martin served as vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Missouri–St. Louis for ten years. While there, he led a dramatic increase in fundraising, averaging $26.4 million per year.
Prior to joining UMSL, Leifeld was associate vice president for university development at Saint Louis University. There he directed 55 University development staff, $4 million dollar fundraising budget and all campaigns, planned giving, major gifts, corporations and foundations, data maintenance and gift processing, prospect research and stewardship. Leading a major reorganization resulting in a 500% increase in donor/prospect engagement, Leifeld and his team raised $158 million in 3 years.
In addition to his years in academia, Martin worked tirelessly for the Catholic Diocese of Belleville in Belleville, Ill. directing efforts that raised $80 million by creating and instituting a development program that included an annual appeal with major gifts component, and the first diocesan major campaign. Always called to serve, he spent twelve years with Franciscan University - Steubenville, Ohio as the Director of Christian Outreach and also served as a consultant and executive in Ohio and Wisconsin. Recently, he was selected as the 2020 Millard S. Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from St. Louis Public Radio. Martin serves as a Fellow of the Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising and as a member of the Thought Leadership Team for The Change Leader, Inc. He is a founding member of World Game Changers, C.I.C., and serves as chairperson for its board of directors. Martin is a member of the board of directors of Ten10, LLC.
Leifeld's civic activities have included serving on the boards of directors for FOCUS St. Louis and the Nonprofit Services Consortium, and the President's Council for Food Outreach. He is a former president and board member of the Southern Illinois Charitable Giving Council. Leifeld holds a bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) in theology and a master's degree in business administration, both from Franciscan University. Martin is married to Ellen Howe and they reside in University City, MO. He enjoys four adult children, seven grandchildren as well as a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.
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See Recorded Content On-Demand, Below

Three C’s of Successful Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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The Triple Play, by Martin Leifeld
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The Solicitation Environment, by Martin Leifeld
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The Preemptive Strike, by Martin Leifeld
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The Power Of Reciprocity, by Martin Leifeld
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The Long View, by Martin Leifeld
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Staying Put, by Martin Leifeld
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Some Gifts Take Time, by Martin Leifeld
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Series Introduction, by Martin Leifeld
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Saving The Best For Last, by Martin Leifeld
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Listening, by Martin Leifeld
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Leadership From The Front, by Martin Leifeld
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It’s Not About Me And It’s Not About You, by Martin Leifeld
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Generous Fundraisers, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising From 30,000 Feet, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising For Strategic Objectives, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising Environments, by Martin Leifeld
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Feelings And Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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Facilitators of Philanthropy, by Martin Leifeld
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Considerations About Time In Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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Establishing Floors in Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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When Donors Say “No”, by Martin Leifeld
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Closing Time, by Martin Leifeld
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Some Facets of Leadership in Major Gift Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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How Much Should We Ask For? by Martin Leifeld
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WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE NOT SO GENEROUS? by Martin Leifeld
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SEVEN TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DIFFICULT DONORS, by Martin Leifeld
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PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PLANNER, by Martin Leifeld
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CONVERSATIONS OF COURAGE, by Martin Leifeld
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CLOSING TIME, by Martin Leifeld
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CALL PREPARATION WORKSHEET, by Martin Leifeld
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ARE ALL SEASONS GOOD FOR FUNDRAISING? by Martin Leifeld
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The Relentless Pursuit of Major Gifts Part 5, by Martin Leifeld
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The Relentless Pursuit of Major Gifts Part 4, by Martin Leifeld
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The Relentless Pursuit of Major Gifts Part 3, by Martin Leifeld
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The Relentless Pursuit of Major Gifts Part 2, by Martin Leifeld
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The Relentless Pursuit of Major Gifts Part 1, by Martin Leifeld
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All of Us Are Leaders, by Martin Leifeld
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Write Down Your Vision, by Martin Leifeld
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Working with the Leaders above Us, by Martin Leifeld
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Leading Those Above Us, by Martin Leifeld
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Establish Morning Rituals, by Martin Leifeld
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Look Backwards, by Martin Leifeld
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Long View Important, by Martin Leifeld
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It’s All About the Donors, by Martin Leifeld
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How Do You Feel About Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising Stresses and Strains, by Martin Leifeld
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Fear, Faith, & Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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Every Donor, Every Contribution Matters, by Martin Leifeld
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Developing Donors, by Martin Leifeld
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The Fundraisers Story, by Martin Leifeld
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Gifts Begets Gifts, by Martin Leifeld
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Why Call Reports Are Essential, by Martin Leifeld
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Who Do You Ask?, by Martin Leifeld
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When Donors Say No, by Martin Leifeld
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What Does Time Have To Do With Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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The How’s and Why’s of Closing Gifts, by Martin Leifeld
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Some GiftsTake Time, by Martin Leifeld
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Soliciting Leaders, by Martin Leifeld
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Planned Gifts Can Launch Donor Relationships, by Martin Leifeld
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Listening is Invaluable, by Martin Leifeld
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Importance of Call Preparation, by Martin Leifeld
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Get Comfortable With Discomfort, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraisers Steward Relationships, by Martin Leifeld
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Establishing a Rapport, by Martin Leifeld
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Generosity Begins with Us, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising is Limitless, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising is Honorable Work, by Martin Leifeld
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Are You a Relentless and Resilient Fundraiser, by Martin Leifeld
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3M’s for Fundraising Success, by Martin Leifeld
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Most Successful Fundraisers are Ambiverts, by Martin Leifeld
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Develop Your Career In Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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The 3 C’s of Fundraisers Growing in Confidence, by Martin Leifeld
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The 3 C’s of Fundraisers Developing Competence, by Martin Leifeld
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The 3 C’s of Fundraisers Demonstrating Character, by Martin Leifeld
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Repairing Relationships, by Martin Leifeld
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Fundraising Stresses and Strains, by Martin Leifeld
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Facilitators of Philanthropy, by Martin Leifeld
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Dealing with Difficult Donors, by Martin Leifeld
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Who Should You Solicit First? by Martin Leifeld
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What About Those Who Are Not So Generous?, by Martin Leifeld
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Stewards of Relationships, by Martin Leifeld
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Sometimes We Ask Too Early, by Martin Leifeld
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Preparing Our Solicitation Calls, by Martin Leifeld
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Gifts of Greater Significance, by Martin Leifeld
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Conversations of Courage, by Martin Leifeld
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Conversations of Consequence, by Martin Leifeld
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All Seasons Are Good Seasons For Fundraising, by Martin Leifeld
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In Pursuit Of Mastery, by Martin Leifeld
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Providing Recognition for Major Donors Part Two, by Martin Leifeld
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Providing Recognition for Major Donors Part One, by Martin Leifeld
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Science and Rest, by Martin Leifeld
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Rest Success, by Martin Leifeld
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Prioritize Rest, by Martin Leifeld
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Intensity of Life, by Martin Leifeld
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Demands of Work, by Martin Leifeld
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Contemporary Existential Threats, by Martin Leifeld
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Catalyst or Obstacle, by Martin Leifeld
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Ancient Threats, by Martin Leifeld
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Who Am I, by Martin Leifeld
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