Go Beyond Fundraising: The Podcast for Nonprofits

Nonprofits may be using AI, but how can they go beyond the surface level of basic prompts to leverage the tools necessary to make an impact on their missions and achieve their goals? In this episode of the “Go Beyond Fundraising” podcast, CEO Trent Ricker and Raney John, VP of AI Strategy and Success, dig into what it means to move beyond AI experimentation and begin using it as a practical, missi...

In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing challenges facing nonprofit leaders today: how to navigate growing polarization while staying true to mission, donors, and community. Trent Ricker, CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at AGP, and Tim Arnold, leadership development expert and best-selling author, examine why traditional either/or thinking falls short – and what it looks like to lead w...

In this episode of the “Go Beyond Fundraising” podcast, we talk with Alyssa Boger, Executive Vice President of Client Experience, and Jennifer Lomax, Senior Executive Director of Direct Response at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., to break down how annual giving can create scale, connect patient experiences with philanthrop...

In this episode of the “Go Beyond Fundraising” podcast, we talk with Debbie Merlino, AGP’s Executive Vice President of Client Relationships, to unpack the unprecedented funding challenges facing public media. With federal and state cuts reshaping station budgets, leaders are asking: what’s next? Debbie shares how stations are navigating the immediate influx of donor support, the risks of relying o...

Your organization’s mid-level donors are already fueling your mission by giving as much as 10x more than entry-level supporters. These donors are loyal, passionate, and just one intentional moment away from becoming major givers.  However, these donors often fall through the cracks. With donor acquisition getting harder and more expensive – and retention rates around 43 percent – it’s time to reth...

Think about an exceptional experience you’ve had with a commercial brand. Did it seem to know precisely what you needed and when you needed it? Did its team go above and beyond to discover what you like for a more customized experience? Most for-profits do an excellent job of providing a personalized, engaging experience to their customers, who reward them with lifelong loyalty. It’s time for nonp...

The challenges have come quickly in 2025, leaving many nonprofits at risk of losing funding. Donors could be impacted, too, amid job loss, tariffs, and inflation. The next step forward may not be obvious, but one thing is clear: this is no time to stand still. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Allegiance Group + Pursuant CEO Trent Ricker about how nonprofits can na...

Many nonprofits focus only on digital or direct mail, but you don’t have to choose — nor should you. Donors crave cohesive, consistent experiences across multiple touchpoints, and getting your digital and direct mail efforts in sync can help you deliver. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re talking with David Sacchetti, AVP of Client Strategy, about how a direct mail strateg...

The recent sweeping cuts to USAID and other federal programs have rattled fundraisers across the country and in all sectors. Uncertainty is widespread as nonprofit leaders wait to see just what the fallout will be. Whether your organization was impacted or is anticipating a budget shortfall, scaling back on riskier strategies like acquisition can be tempting. In fact, media spending, testing, and...

Video can bring your nonprofit’s message to life, making it more engaging for donors and other audiences. Finding the right people to communicate your mission doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Creating high-quality, compelling video content may be more straightforward than you expect. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we sit down with Pat Taggart, Founder and Chief Creative at S...

Nonprofits operate in a fast-paced world. To navigate the rapid changes in technology, social behaviors, and how we exchange information, it’s time to think like an entrepreneur. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, our CEO, Trent Ricker, talks with Tom Ulbrich, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York. Tom has extensive entrepreneurial experience, having owned and grown...

Does your organization struggle to engage donors behind gifts from donor-advised funds (DAFs)? Have you received a generous DAF gift but wondered how to thank the anonymous donor and build a lasting connection? Engaging DAF donors can be challenging, especially when anonymity creates a barrier. However, with thoughtful strategies, your nonprofit can foster gratitude, retention, and deeper donor re...

Did you know Gen Z is 10 times more likely to share their donations on social media compared to Baby Boomers? Passionate, tech savvy and socially connected, Gen Z is an audience nonprofits can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Michelle Boggs, Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Fundraising and Development at Classy by GoFundMe, about the surprising new...

About a decade ago, we partnered with Drs. Adrian Sargeant and Jin Chang to sponsor their research on relationship fundraising. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, revisits that research to see what lessons still hold — and where there’s room to grow. With donor acquisition and retention becoming more challenging...

Don’t sleep on incorporating SMS, or text messaging, into your future fundraising campaigns. While many nonprofits use this powerful tool it’s growing in popularity and effectiveness, especially with the decline in traditional telemarketing. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Stephanie Drahan, Vice President of Account Management, and David Sachetti, Associate Vice...

End-of-year giving is officially wrapped! You may have planned a matching gift campaign to finish the year strong, but promoting matching gifts throughout the year can boost both giving frequency and amount. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Amelia Baumann, Partnership Success Specialist at Double the Donation, about the crucial importance of ensuring donors know i...

Your website is the hub of your digital presence. Depending on the size of your organization, your site could have anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pages — that’s a significant amount of content to manage. A content management system (CMS) simplifies this process so you can unlock new opportunities to connect with your audience. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk w...

If you’re struggling to create new content for your website, consider this your permission to stop. More blog posts won’t help you stand out in search engine results; high-quality, evergreen articles updated regularly will. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with TJ Peeler, Director of User Experience, and Meredith Berents, a Digital and SEO Analyst, about how updating c...

It’s more important than ever to be transparent about how you use donations in your organization. Next-generation donors especially want an immediate return on their dollars. But there’s more to it than sending a thank-you email; getting creative with technology can make a significant difference. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker talks with C...

The digital landscape constantly evolves. Changing algorithms, shifting audience preferences, and privacy concerns can be challenging to sort through.   Paid media can help you solve this puzzle. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, talks with VP of Advertising Laura Hinrichsen about how nonprofits can use paid me...

How is your nonprofit's brand significant in the lives of your loyal users? That's the question branding expert Cynthia Round asks every organization that works with her. The reason? Studies have shown that building and maintaining an emotional connection with your users is what inspires their loyalty. In this episode, learn how Cynthia has worked with some of the nonprofit industry's most disting...

As you grow your channels to meet donors where they are, you must also measure your performance in each medium. But with an omnichannel approach, that’s way easier said than done. Did the email prompt a gift, or was it a social media post? Your direct mail piece or the text message? Measuring an omnichannel campaign gives a holistic view of your engagement and performance. In this episode of the G...

Omni-channel fundraising strategies are the foundation of every nonprofit we work with. But to ensure you’re reaching the right donors with the right messaging, you need to step back and evaluate every constituent relationship and communication. A touchpoint audit is part of a larger journey-mapping exercise that lays out the many ways donors and leads interact with your organization. In this epis...

As fundraisers, we’re trained to focus on the response to each campaign or effort. Every channel collects and analyzes data so you can optimize your messaging. But can you accurately say that a donor who doesn’t scan your postcard’s QR code doesn’t want direct mail? What about the person who received a text and then donated via email — is email really their preferred channel? An omni-channel appro...

Are you overwhelmed by omnichannel fundraising? As tricky as this approach can be, it’s crucial to build deeper loyalty with your constituents. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Laura Hinrichsen, VP of Advertising, and Kacey Crawford, VP of Digital Strategy, about how nonprofits can master omnichannel fundraising and marketing. We break down crucial concepts, share...