Hey Nonprofits!

Trevor Nelson and Sandy Hilsenrath answer fundraising and nonprofit-related questions from the audience and the HGA team. Submit your questions for our next AMA episode: https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-question Questions answered: 00:00 What separates nonprofits from consistently grow year over year, from those that stay flat? 02:07 What is the single most important fundraising tool you have?...

What if the secret to being a better fundraiser is taking better care of yourself first? Fear and stress for fundraisers is REAL. In this conversation, fundraising expert and CEO of Practivated, Mallory Erickson, shares how prioritizing your well-being isn't just good for you—it's essential for creating authentic, lasting relationships with donors. If you're exhausted from transactiona...

Why does everyone at your fundraiser need a paddle? We've teamed up with our friend and world class fundraiser, Chris Hensley, to give you a step by step guide (and real time case study that raised $26,000) on how to add the paddle drop to your next event. In this episode, Trevor Nelson sits down with Chris Hensley, professional auctioneer and former fundraiser, to break down exactly how paddl...

Are fundraising events no longer the #1 way to raise money? Trevor Nelson and Marty Murad dig into that question and uncover what’s really happening in the new generosity landscape. *In this episode, they break down:* - Why communities still crave in-person events - The real psychology behind why donors give (and why they stop) - How family-business thinking can strengthen a nonprofit - Why younge...

Trevor Nelson sits down with fundraising expert Johnny Bravo Holloway, whose decades of experience in radio, event hosting, auctioneering, and nonprofit fundraising have helped countless organizations transform their donor engagement strategies. Reserve the most profitable auction items in fundraising - Trips and Experiences! https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Want to raise more mon...

In this episode, Trevor Nelson sits down with Jennifer Knopf, founder of the REED Charitable Foundation, to unpack how her team raised over $1,000,000 in just two days—and why a clear mission, bold storytelling, and the courage to ask made it possible. Jennifer shares the origin story of REED, its mission to support children with dyslexia, and how she built their 6th Annual Dyslexia Experience and...

Fundraising is changing — fast. In this episode, Brad Ton and Trevor Nelson unpack the new rules of fundraising, social selling, and human connection. If you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or someone who works in donor engagement, this conversation will change how you show up. Brad and Trevor explore what it means to move from transactional fundraising to transformational fundraising — and...

Is your nonprofit focusing on the wrong thing? The key to successful fundraising events is proper planning, long before the bidding begins. There’s a foundational shift nonprofits must make if they want to fill the room with the right people, inspire generosity, and create an event that actually raises money. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits! podcast, host Trevor Nelson sits down with fundrai...

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are reshaping the future of philanthropy, and changing the way donors give. Is your nonprofit missing out? This episode will teach you how to adapt to this growing trend. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson sits down with Mitch Stein, as they cover the evolution of DAFs, their powerful tax benefits, and the psychology that makes them such an...

Your fundraising events are pushing away the donors you need most. It's time to stop hosting experiences that alienate the next generation and instead build a loyal community of young supporters who are excited to give. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson is joined by event fundraising expert AJ Steinberg to discuss how to solve the generational giving gap. AJ exp...

What's the one thing Michael Jordan and every successful nonprofit have in common? It’s the single most important investment for your nonprofit's growth, yet most leaders overlook it. On this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson sits down with former NFL player and fundraising expert Reggie Rivers to reveal why coaching is the key to continuous growth. They discuss how...

One simple question can add an extra $110,000 to your nonprofit's next fundraising event. It’s the "Superhero Ask," a powerful fundraising strategy that gets major donors to raise their own paddle before the auction even begins. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson talks with professional charity auctioneer Chris Hensley about this simple yet effective method. Chris ex...

Are your fundraising efforts failing to bring in the big donations you need? Your fear of asking for money might be the very thing holding your nonprofit back from massive growth. Many leaders make this critical mistake, but it's not too late to fix it. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson is joined by Kipos Group founder James Misner to discuss what truly great fu...

Making one tiny change to your event might seem like a small adjustment, but it could be the #1 reason your sponsors are pulling their funding. Learn the critical do's and don'ts of event planning that can make or break your budget. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson shares quick actionable items that lead to a successful fundraising event and more. Discover...

Is your charity golf tournament secretly losing you money? Learn the simple blueprint for a 6-figure fundraising event that turns golfers into major donors. In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson welcomes golf event expert Blake Weaver to reveal the complete anatomy of a highly profitable golf fundraiser. Blake shares his best advice on how to secure valuable corporate s...

What if your nonprofit could land major corporate sponsors on LinkedIn without creating any content? This episode reveals how to find unlimited corporate partners with simple, direct messages. On the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson is joined by LinkedIn expert Randy Molland to share a powerful fundraising strategy that requires no content creation. Randy explains why your current social...

What if you could raise $10,000 for your nonprofit before your fundraising event even begins? This simple golden ticket strategy sold out in just 72 hours, and this guide shows you exactly how to do it. Raise More Money with the Golden Ticket Raffle now! https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ On this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson talks with Brittany Pilcher from Ques...

What if the secret to fully funding your nonprofit was hiding in your donor list? A shocking 50% of Boomers and Gen X donors are already making monthly donations, but most charities are missing out. Sign up for free to join our next webinar! https://hgafundraising.com/webinar-signup In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, we revisit a live webinar where hosts Trevor Nelson and Jason Ledlow...

Are you tired of a nonprofit board that does nothing to help with fundraising? Discover the proven method to get your board members to finally start raising money and contributing to your cause. This strategy is so simple, you'll wonder why you didn't try it sooner. In this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson sits down with Ryan Scarola, a nonprofit founder who turned his inactiv...

A fundraising story that raises millions can also put a life in danger. The biggest storytelling mistake nonprofits make isn't about the money you could lose; it's about the irreversible harm you don't even see you're causing. In this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson sits down with ethical storytelling expert Diana Farias to uncover this critical issue. Diana shares the powerful and p...

Forget everything you think you know about fundraising events. There's a simple and creative way to get your donors excited to give, and it has nothing to do with a traditional gala. On this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson sits down with expert event planner Mary Davidson to discuss the most brilliant fundraising idea we've ever heard. Mary explains why simplifying your event with sh...

Your fundraising strategy is about to become ancient history. This AI breakthrough isn't just a small update; it's a complete revolution that changes everything you know about donor relationships and growing your nonprofit. In this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson is joined by fundraising expert and AI pioneer Nathan Chappell to discuss the most profound technology shift in hu...

Is your nonprofit run more like a passion project than a business? A former Silicon Valley CTO reveals why that mindset is costing you donations and limiting your impact. This isn't about choosing mission over money. It's about using smart business strategy to fuel that mission. On this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson sits down with Christa Stelzmuller, the Chief Technology Officer o...

Nonprofits that refuse to adapt are falling behind, and fast. In today’s rapidly changing world, sticking to outdated strategies could be costing your organization donations and impact. But how can your nonprofit thrive when resources are tight, and traditional methods no longer work? In this episode of the Hey Nonprofits podcast, host Trevor Nelson and guest Leya Simmons dive deep into why adapta...

Keep striking out on LinkedIn? Discover ways nonprofits are growing donations and finding new partners using LinkedIn! On this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson is joined by Mario Hernandez and Randy Molland to reveal how building real relationships, not just quick transactions, helps organizations stand out and win. Learn strategic LinkedIn networking tips, how to reach the right corp...