What the Fundraising

Are you aware of the inequalities in conventional donor-centric fundraising strategies? Are you intrigued by the burgeoning interest in community-centric fundraising, but unsure how to effectively participate or get it 'right'? It's time to embrace a shift towards more community-focused fundraising methods. However, many organizations find themselves ensnared in perfectionism, unsure how to integr...

If you're feeling frustrated and disheartened because your donor engagement strategies for capital campaigns aren't yielding the desired results, then you are not alone! Meet Amy Eisenstein, a seasoned fundraising pro with a heart for helping nonprofits thrive. Amy started her career as a development director, working her way up through various organizations for more than ten years. Now, as a cons...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, we get to talk to consultants Christal Cherry and Dr. Renee Rubin Ross who tackle the pervasive racism and white supremacy culture within nonprofit boards. Christal M. Cherry is an accomplished board consultant and the driving force behind The Board Pro. Based in Atlanta, Christal is passionate about assisting nonprofits nationwide in building stronger, mor...

Are you a nonprofit fundraiser struggling with perfectionism? Have you been told to simply release it in order to achieve balance and self-care? But despite your efforts, you still feel exhausted and overwhelmed? In this episode with leadership coach Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, we'll explore the hidden consequences of perfectionism in data management for nonprofit fundraising and provide effective str...

Have you heard the myths that data management in nonprofits is too difficult, too expensive, and too time-consuming? Don't believe everything you hear! Join this conversion with Tim Lockie to learn the truth about developing a sustainable relationship with data in your organization. As Tim reminds us, data becomes information, and information becomes insight. Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, Tim's e...

Through her own experiences of feeling powerless and vulnerable when in the data of powerful organizations, Meena Das found an unexpected passion for exploring the importance of data transparency and ethics. Fueled by her commitment to data equity, Meena has dedicated much of her career to helping others understand the need for more human approaches to data.  Meena is a data consultant and worksho...

Aaron Machbitz discovered the power of vulnerability when tragedy struck and unexpectedly redirected his life. Through open and honest conversation, he has become a beacon of hope for those seeking solace and understanding - inspiring us to ask, what does it take to create meaningful connections and foster emotional validation in times of pain and loss? Aaron Machbitz is a mental health advocate w...

Nonprofits have unique marketing requirements in comparison to other business entities. Unless they have programs that they specifically market for, their focus is primarily on generating awareness, engaging potential donors, and making a substantial impact on their target audience. To achieve this, nonprofits must understand their target audience's needs, wants, and preferences, and tailor their...

Grassroots storytelling emphasizes genuine, human experiences that can deeply connect with the audience. Rather than focusing on a polished narrative, it prioritizes the authenticity and raw emotions of individuals who are not professional storytellers. This form of storytelling can have a profound impact on the listener, as it evokes empathy and understanding by showcasing the unfiltered realitie...

In today's world, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we approach various tasks, from mundane daily tasks to complex business problems. For nonprofits, the use of AI in fundraising and donor engagement is a game-changer that could lead to improved strategies and deeper connections with donors. AI helps these organizations analyze massive amounts of data to identify patterns and trends...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved significantly over the years, transforming from a concept that fascinated us when computers bested chess champions, to a powerful tool with a variety of applications. For nonprofit professionals, AI has the ability to revolutionize content creation in the sector, automating tasks, and providing insights into data patterns and trends. AI creates a new approa...

The importance of measuring a person's connection to an organization cannot be underestimated, as it transforms the way nonprofit fundraisers prioritize and prompt potential donors. By utilizing artificial intelligence, fundraisers can focus on building relationships with individuals based on their genuine interest in the cause rather than simply targeting them because of their wealth. This approa...

As a fundraiser, your ability to handle stress is constantly tested. Fundraising requires lot of hard work, sacrifice, rejection, and honestly, sometimes trauma. If you have a sensitive nervous system, like many fundraisers do, you’re more prone to burnout, anxiety, and chronic stress. So, how can we prevent that? Today’s guest is here to help!  Dr. Linnea Passaler is the Founder and CEO of Heal Y...

When it comes to non-profit work, your ability to fundraise is not possible if you do not prioritize your mental health and wellness. The clarity, energy, and ability you’re looking for does not reside in how much you push yourself, but how you take care of yourself. Here to unpack that is further is Rosa Julia Rivera, a clinical therapist and Co-Owner of Chicago Growth Mindset, a Latina-led priva...

Executing a successful fundraising event can be daunting, but there are simple strategies you can use to plan a highly engaging, creative, and enjoyable fundraiser with less stress and more ease. Meet A.J. Steinberg, CFRE, a non-profit event producer and engagement strategist who’s raised millions of dollars for organizations through her LA-based company, Queen Bee Fundraising. A.J. is an expert o...

What does it mean to be a magnetic fundraiser? It means you attract abundance and connection instead of chasing it. Magnetic fundraisers are authentic, good listeners who prioritize meaningful connection with donors over outcomes. So, it’s possible to be fully authentic when asking people for money? Of course it is!  Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, is working to diversify and democrati...

What inspires donors to be deeply connected to causes and organizations? How can fundraisers shift from transactional donor relationships to more connected donor relationships? These are key questions whose answers shine light on our beliefs about generosity, problem solving, and non-profit success. Want to know more? Tune in to this episode with Paul Nazareth! Paul Nazareth is a Charity Sector Co...

Feeling overwhelmed, lost, or perfectionistic when it comes to managing your social media? Not sure if your Instagram or Facebook posts are giving you a good ROI? This episode is for you! Today’s guest will certainly ease your mind with her tips and strategies for creating an amazing social media management strategy. Julia Campbell, Founder of J Campbell Social Marketing, has helped hundreds of no...

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Social Impact practitioners have a special role in not only their organization’s well-being, but their community’s well-being. How? They are catalysts who can use their organization’s resources to create meaningful change.  That’s exactly what Kavell Brown has been doing for years. Kavell is the Social Impact Partnerships Manager at LinkedIn, where he mana...

Leah Neaderthal, the founder of Smart Gets Paid and a sales coach for women consultants, joins us on this episode of What the Fundraising to share her expertise on getting more of the right consulting clients and increasing revenue for consulting contracts. But don't let the focus on consultants fool you; Leah's insights and advice are applicable to fundraisers too who are trying to shift their mi...

Looking to increase donor trust and recruit more aligned donors to your non-profit? The key lies in your marketing. That might sound obvious, but non-profit marketing goes deep. So, let’s dive in.  Priscilla McKinney, CEO of Little Bird Marketing, is a sought-after keynote speaker, prolific blogger, podcast host, industry innovator, and diversity champion. She personifies creativity, entrepreneurs...

As fundraisers and change-makers, we get immense purpose and value from our work. But how do we optimize that? How do we optimize our donor relationships so we can keep creating value for our organization? The key is creating the right habits! If you can create strong habits and get good at the skills that strengthen and grow your donor relationships, you’ll soon be seeing wins left and right. Hab...

In this podcast episode, Clay Buck, founder of TCB Fundraising, challenges the fundraising community to prioritize and recognize all donors at all levels to create a culture of philanthropy, highlighting that fundraisers often miss this opportunity in trying to meet monetary goals. "Generosity is alive and well. People are giving at all levels and doing all kinds of things. I believe, and have for...

We are taking a closer look at donor relationships on this episode of What the Fundraising with my guest Carole Robin, whose class on interpersonal dynamics has been perennially among the most popular ever at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Why? Because, whether in the nonprofit or for-profit realm, we so often get relationships wrong, or just skip over them altogether at the ex...

With a goal of ending the War on Drugs and reducing trauma all over the world, Rick Doblin is on a mission to liberate psychedelics and make them accessible to all. Rick is the Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Research (MAPS). MAPS has raised $140 million in donations and grants over 36.5 years, with plans to increase that exponentially in the com...