Go Beyond Fundraising: The Podcast for Nonprofits

More than 50 years ago, Robert Greenleaf broke ground with his concept of servant leadership. And while this idea is still relevant today, we believe it’s more than putting others first. In fact, author and self-proclaimed nonprofiteer Evan Wildstein says that by hyphenating the term, you become both — a servant and a leader. And that’s where the magic happens. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fun...

Steve Jobs famously wanted the iPhone design to be so simple that a child could use it just by picking it up. As a result, Apple set the standard for inclusive and accessible design. And in an age where our interactions grow more digital by the day, accessibility can’t be overlooked. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re talking with Stan Shinn, Mark Leta, Kacey Crawford, and...

Membership organizations are an interesting segment of the nonprofit world — “Join our club, and you’ll get XYZ benefits.” We see this in the arts and culture realm, especially. Think museums, zoos, theaters, and other places that rely on philanthropy to operate and offer what’s called a “visitation membership.” These organizations often see support come from three areas: members, donors, and memb...

Has this ever happened to you? Your nonprofit has a robust contact list, but general emails don’t seem to go anywhere. You wonder if there’s a better way to reach supporters, especially during critical giving seasons like the year-end campaign. You could benefit from creating targeted communications for different types of donors! By using the tools already at your disposal, narrowing down segmenta...

When it comes to year-end campaigns, sometimes it’s hard to know how to integrate digital fundraising alongside direct mail. How often should you post about a year-end campaign on each of your social media platforms? Is it okay to send donors, potential donors, and lapsed donors an email and a direct mail ask in November and December? How does your organization’s website play a part in digital con...

In this episode of our series, we explore the importance of donor relationships and stewardship in ensuring a successful year-end fundraising season. We share strategies for donor retention, expressing gratitude, and building long-term engagement. Discover how to create meaningful connections with your supporters and cultivate a loyal donor base that continues to support your mission beyond the ye...

In December, every nonprofit organization, including your own, sends out multiple communications each week, all in an effort to make year-end fundraising goals. It’s easy for organizations to get lost in a sea of sameness, especially at this time of year. That’s why this week’s episode of “Year-End Fundraising in July” is focused on helping you stand out when it matters most. Listen, as we dive in...

In this episode, we kick off our series by highlighting the importance of data-driven planning for a successful year-end fundraising campaign. We explore how leveraging data can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions. Join us as we discuss the key metrics to analyze, such as donor demographics, giving patterns, and previous campaign performance.

The 2023 Giving USA Annual Report on Philanthropy is out! Taken at face value, the findings are a bit disheartening. But don’t get discouraged by the state of giving just yet. There are also myriad opportunities for you to set your nonprofit on the right course. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Matthew Mielcarek, Pursuant’s Senior Vice President of Analytics &...

Is artificial intelligence (AI) coming for your job? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind as tools like Chat GPT emerge and become more mainstream. But behind this fear lies the question you should actually be asking: How can this tool help me do my job better? In this Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, we talk with two GivingDNA tech experts: Dawn Galasso, Vice President of Technology,...

If you can only boost one program, make it monthly giving! The 2023 M+R Benchmarks report found that monthly giving increased by 11% in 2022, accounting for 28% of all online revenue. Don’t discount your sustaining donors — they’re the ones helping you meet your goals. In the latest Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, we’re sharing the latest tips and trends just in time for your Q3-Q4 planning...

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s Annual Report findings were a bit of a surprise to most nonprofits. For the first time in years, the FEP found a decline in not only the number of donors, but also a decline in total dollars given in 2022. In this episode of GoBeyondFundraising, we chat with Pursuant SVP of analytics, Matthew Mielcarek to glean his insights about what the new FEP report find...

What does a post-COVID-19 nonprofit look like? Smaller organizations are seeing their woes deepen as emergency aid from the government ends. Plus, staff shortages are increasing, thanks in part to widespread burnout. Don’t worry—it’s not all doom and gloom. Listen to the latest episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast to learn how fundraisers can navigate these trying times.

Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other tech tools are emerging to (supposedly) make our lives easier. But at what cost? So many of our interactions occur over a digital channel that it can be easy to forget there is an actual person on the other end. Being human in our communications is what makes the difference to our donors. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’r...

Why all the fuss about Gen Z? This generation is primed to reshape the future of philanthropy through its values-led giving and social activism. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re previewing the new report, “The Nonprofit’s Guide to Engaging Gen Z.” Learn what motivates Gen Z to give so you can acquire and steward this key demographic.

In this episode, we catch up on what’s happening across the fundraising and marketing landscape as we talk through trends we're seeing. From taking a look at who 2022’s top donors were, to a new study that sheds light on donor behavior as we spring forward, and new limitations TikTok is implementing for minors, we dig into all these consumer trends: Donor Behavior Economic Insights Digital Trends

A January National Review article declared “Middle-Class Philanthropy Is Collapsing,” but is that really the case? The number of donors might be declining, but gift amounts are increasing. So, is it a decline in donors or of small-dollar donations? In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising Podcast, we’re taking a deeper look at this claim through the trends that are driving donor giving. Our ex...

According to the National Philanthropic Trust, total donor-advised fund (DAF) contributions grew 48.4% between 2020–2021, from $9.7 billion to a whopping $14.56 billion. Are DAFs part of your fundraising strategy? In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising Podcast, we talk with Vicky Kelberer of Vanguard Charitable about why DAFs are the fastest-growing giving vehicle in the U.S. — especially fo...

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of 2023’s first quarter! These first three months have been full of headlines nonprofit professionals should pay attention to. In this episode, we’ve invited Pursuant Insights Consultant Nicholas Hedenkamp to discuss the latest trends and biggest news in the fundraising world. Four topics have been on his radar: generational giving, the loss of Am...

Are you aware that only 7% of a person's wealth is held in cash? That means the vast majority of their assets, like stocks, real estate, and artwork, are being overlooked by most nonprofits when it comes to fundraising. In this episode of our podcast, we're diving into the world of non-cash donations with fundraising expert Dawn Galasso from Pursuant. She'll reveal how your nonprofit can tap into...

LinkedIn is no longer a platform solely for housing digital resumes and sharing job postings. In recent years, it has turned into a space to engage with more than 800 million users from over 200 countries, making it the ultimate networking tool any nonprofit should have in its brand awareness toolbox. In this episode, we chat with Taylor Shanklin, one of the original founders of the “Go Beyond Fun...

Concierge service is no longer just an amenity hotels offer to elevate experiences for guests, now, it is something nonprofits can utilize to heighten the giving experience for their donors too. Kacey Crawford, vice president of digital strategy, and Kristin Priest, vice president of client strategy at Pursuant discuss how concierge giving can empower you and your organization to offer donors a hi...

The lines between responsibilities and budgets of the marketing and fundraising departments can often blur at nonprofits. Although each department brings important and unique assets to an organization, when they align and work together, they can create a more impactful experience for constituents. In this episode, Pursuant CEO, Trent Ricker spoke with Sue Citro, Chief Experience Officer at Best Fr...

In this episode, we sat down for our monthly check-in with Pursuant Insights Consultant, Nicholas Hedenkamp, to get his insight into what’s happening in the fundraising and marketing landscape. With it being February, we set out to explore the top trends nonprofits may experience in 2023. Of the trends he sees coming, all have one thing in common–digitalization. Nicholas’s 2023 Fundraising Trends:...

AI-created content has been a reality on the Internet for a while now, but when OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched in November 2022, it turned heads like no AI before. For the first time, content written by an AI actually surpassed the writing abilities of many humans, even if its accuracy sometimes missed the mark. ChatGPT goes beyond predictive texts to write long-form content such as letters, blog posts...