# Pruning Your Portfolio to Grow Your Results Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results.md Podcast: [The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105) Published: 2026-04-28T11:15:00+00:00 Episode link: https://the-intentional-fundraiser.captivate.fm/episode/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/26dfcc31-61a5-41c2-84d5-ccecde38ac0b.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/episodes/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results Duration seconds: 1195 ## Resource Pruning isn't loss. It's care. For years, fundraisers have been told that a bigger portfolio means a healthier pipeline. In my experience, the opposite is usually true. A focused list closes more gifts, and a focused fundraiser feels more human at the end of the week. In this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I walk through the four lenses I use to decide who stays on an active portfolio, who graduates to stewardship, and who pauses for now. I also share the language to use with leadership when you propose a leaner, sharper list. What if the bravest move you make this quarter is to take 10 names off your portfolio on purpose? Give this episode a listen and pass it along to a fundraiser or development leader who needs permission to focus. The donors who stay on your list deserve your best, and so do you. More from Tammy Zonker Author of Calling All Heroes Founder of Fundraising Transformed President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar Subscribe to Tammy Zonker's Scaling Major Gifts newsletter Connect with Tammy Zonker on LinkedIn Guest: Name, Title, Company Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode . Review my show: Please review my show . After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/episodes/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/pruning-your-portfolio-to-grow-your-results.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.