Nonprofit Lowdown

As we head into the final stretch of the year, fundraising is on everyone’s mind. In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown , I’m breaking down the crucial differences between annual gifts and major gifts – two very different types of donors that require distinct strategies.  🔑 What You'll Learn: The key mindset and motivation behind annual vs. major donors (Hint: it's not just about money!) Ho...

In this solo episode of Nonprofit Lowdown , I dive deep into one of the most pressing issues in the nonprofit world—burnout. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, like you’re running in place just to keep your nonprofit afloat, this episode is for you. I share a game-changing framework to help nonprofit leaders prioritize their time, focus on high-impact activities, and avoid the dreaded burnout spiral...

Nonprofit Lowdown is back with another insightful conversation, this time with fundraising expert Elizabeth Goldberg! If you're looking to build a major gifts program from scratch, this episode is a must-listen. 💡 In this episode, Elizabeth shares her incredible journey from the textile industry to the world of nonprofit fundraising. She talks about the importance of relationship-building, focusi...

On this week's Nonprofit Lowdown episode, I sat down with my special guest Dana Snyder, founder of Positive Equation and author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind . 💡 In this episode, we dive deep into the power of monthly giving and how you can harness the subscription economy to build sustainable revenue for your nonprofit. 🌱 Dana shares her journey from solopreneur to a thriving business, givin...

If you're in the nonprofit world and marketing feels like a mystery or a necessary evil , you're not alone! In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown , I chat with Billy Broas , a messaging strategist and founder of Five Lightbulbs , about how to make marketing simple and effective — without being sleazy or salesy. 🙌 Billy’s insights are game-changing for nonprofit leaders who want to raise mor...

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Emily Rasmussen, the founder and CEO of Grapevine, to dive into the power of Giving Circles and the future of philanthropy. 💸✨ 👥 What exactly is a giving circle? Emily explains how this simple yet powerful concept is bringing everyday philanthropists together to pool their resources, build community, and make a bigger impact. It's all...

🎙️ Join me, Rhea Wong, on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with Margaret Huang, the incredible president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and SPLC Action Fund. Together, we dive into how we can make geographically specific causes nationally relevant—especially in today's political climate. Margaret shares her unique journey in becoming a leader of one of the most impact...

🎧 Join me on this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with the amazing John Lepp, partner at Agents of Good, author of Creative Deviations, and the "Ted Lasso of fundraising"! 🏆✨ Together, we dive deep into the art of empathetic marketing and its crucial role in nonprofit fundraising. 💖 John shares his journey from journalism to direct marketing, emphasizing the power of direct mail...

Join me, Rhea Wong, on this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with the fabulous Julia Campbell, social media maven! 🙌 We're diving deep into the current state of social media—and let’s just say, it’s not great. 😅 Is social media feeling more like a burden than a blessing? You’re not alone! Julia and I explore why it’s often overwhelming and how nonprofits can shift their approach from b...

Hey, podcast listeners! Join me as we dive into the buzz surrounding Giving Tuesday —the fundraising Super Bowl of the year! 💰✨ In today's episode, I am joined by: Woodrow Rosenbaum , Chief Data Officer of Giving Tuesday Stephanie Russell , Executive VP of RKD Group We discuss the latest GivingPulse Report and share crucial insights on how to effectively engage donors this Giving Tuesday. 🤝 🔍...

Hey, podcast listeners! 🎙️ Join me on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with my friend Maria Rio, founder and CEO of Further Together and host of The Small Nonprofit podcast! 🌟 We dive deep into community-centric fundraising and how it shifts our focus from individual organizations to the well-being of the entire community.  From Maria's journey as a street fundraiser to her insights on equ...

🤔 Are you struggling with board dynamics? Wondering how to engage board members effectively without micromanaging? In this episode, Melissa Madzel, founder of Do Good Connections, shares insights from her years in executive search, exploring: The lifecycle of boards and the importance of strategic recruitment How to foster strong leadership within your board Tips for decoupling board membership f...

🎙️ This week, I’m chatting with my business bestie, Brooke Richie-Babbage. We’re diving deep into the challenges many of us have faced in 2024—yes, it’s been a tough year! ✨ From feeling stuck to grappling with budget concerns, we’re exploring why so many nonprofits are struggling, despite doing everything “right.” We talk about the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how to break thro...

Get ready to dive deep into the world of donor stewardship and recognition in our latest episode! 🎉 We’re unpacking the secrets to keeping your donors engaged and ensuring they don’t slip through the cracks. 🔍 Here’s what you’ll learn: - The 53% Rule: Why the majority of your time should be spent on stewardship. - The Leaky Bucket Problem: How to address the staggering 45% donor retention rate a...

Are you ready to dive into the art of solicitation for nonprofits? 💸 Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our latest episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss! In this episode, we tackle the final stage of the fundraising process—solicitation. From crafting the perfect ask to understanding the value exchange, we're breaking down the essentials to help you...

🎙 Hey podcast listeners! Rhea Wong here with **Nonprofit Lowdown**, bringing you the latest insights on fundraising. This Labor Day, we're diving into the art of **cultivation** – think of it as the dating phase in donor relationships! 💌 Tune in to explore: - **Cultivation Strategies**: How to move donors from awareness to active engagement. - **Generational Preferences**: What each generatio...

Hey, fundraisers! 🎙️ On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into the world of **donor qualification**. Ever wonder why you’re chasing after donors who don’t seem to be that into you? Let’s talk about the 5% that really matters: 🔍 **Identification**: Who’s your type? 🤔 **Qualification**: Do they want to date you? 💞 **Cultivation**: Let’s get to know each other! 💍 **Solic...

Hey, nonprofit leaders! 🎙️ If you’re looking to up your fundraising game, you’re in for a treat. Join me for an incredible workshop that’s set to transform how you approach donor relationships.  In this workshop, I break down my proven strategies for engaging with donors, making major gifts, and turning those one-time contributions into lasting partnerships. 💡 Expect actionable insights, lots of...

This week, I had an enlightening conversation with Jay Frost about how the old rules of fundraising are DEAD. 🛑 2024 has been a wild ride, especially in the fundraising world, and I’m here to share how you can not only survive but THRIVE in this new landscape. 🌟 Here are some key takeaways: - **Moves Management is Dead**: I explain why the traditional moves management calendar might not be effec...

Ever wondered why nonprofits sometimes seem to fumble when a big donation comes in? 🤔 Join Rhea Wong as she welcomes back Lisa Greer for another insightful conversation on the latest episode of **Nonprofit Lowdown**! In this episode, we dive deep into: 📚 Lisa's new book, **"The Essential Fundraisers Handbook"**—a must-read for anyone in the nonprofit sector. 🚀 Why traditional move...

Join Rhea Wong in this solo episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as she shares her top 10 insights and lessons learned from her journey as an Executive Director. This episode is inspired by Brittany, a new Executive Director Rhea met during a recent speech in Vegas. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into your role, this episode is packed with wisdom that'll help you navigate the ch...

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Holly Rustick to explore the nuances of grant writing and discuss the challenges within the nonprofit sector. Holly shares her journey from stumbling into grant writing while abroad, to becoming a seasoned grant writer and nonprofit consultant. We delve into the strategic differences between in-house and freelance grant writers. Holly advocates...

Navigating the fundraising world as a BIPOC expert comes with its own set of unique challenges.  From overcoming systemic barriers to building impactful relationships in spaces that traditionally haven't embraced diversity. This episode dives into the gritty realities and triumphs of fundraising while black. Christopher Beck is a seasoned Major and Principal Gift Advisor, who shares his journe...

Ever felt the sting of microaggressions while doing your nonprofit work?  Or perhaps you’ve noticed that most fundraising departments are predominantly white, leaving women of color to navigate tricky, often unwelcoming spaces?  I am here to help as I welcome a powerhouse panel of experts who delve into the world of Black women fundraisers, the difficulties they face, and the importance of inclusi...

Ever been at a networking event and felt a sense of dread when asked to "tell me about yourself"? 😃 Or maybe you've done the opposite and talked so much you never gave the other person a chance to reply?  In this informative episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Rebecca Okamoto, a branding and communications expert, to discuss the art of making great first impressions.  🔥 W...