Nonprofit Lowdown

Are you feeling the stress of federal funding uncertainty? You're not alone. In this  episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I dive into how you can take control of your nonprofit’s financial future—even with all the unknowns in the air. I walk you through diversifying your revenue and engaging your board in major gift fundraising. Plus, I share a step-by-step playbook on how to build resilience and se...

Are you tired of feeling like you're stuck in the endless loop of chasing donors, getting ghosted, and facing constant objections? If so, this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is a must-listen!  In today's episode, I dive into the Top 3 Mistakes Fundraisers Make and give you a game plan on how to fix them NOW.   Here’s what we’re talking about:  1️⃣ Stop Chasing Donors Who Aren’t In...

Feeling the pressure in the nonprofit world? Between funding cuts, executive orders, and the chaos of social media, it’s been a lot lately. But guess what? I’ve got your back. In the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown , I’m diving into the shifting landscape of nonprofit marketing in 2025 — and how to navigate it without burning out. 🔥 From understanding Gen Z’s influence to leveraging AI and au...

Get ready to shake things up in the nonprofit world in 2025! In this spicy episode, I bring together powerhouse voices from the nonprofit sector—Brooke Ritchie Babbage, Tania Bhattacharyya, Rachel Bearbower , Cindy Wagman, and Jess Campbell. Together, we are diving deep into what’s no longer working and what should be left behind for the year ahead. ✨ The Darlings You Need to Kill This isn’t abou...

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown , I break down what sets the most successful leaders apart. It’s not just about grit and determination—it’s about having something to prove , embracing discomfort , and using accountability as fuel. Whether it’s frustration with the system, the hunger to make a difference, or the desire to silence critics, it’s that extra fire that drives leaders to go above an...

If you’ve ever been frustrated by email newsletters that fall flat (or even worse, end up in the dreaded unsubscribe pile, this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is for YOU! 💡 In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the 10 most common email newsletter mistakes I see nonprofits making—and how to FIX them! ✨ 🔑 Highlights include: Too long? Simplify and cut the clutter! Is it relevant to me? Answer the “...

In today’s episode, we dive into the transformative power of seeing the world through someone else's eyes. When we understand the world from their perspective, we gain a deeper understanding of people and connect in more meaningful ways. It’s a humbling reminder that the greatest honor we can have is to be a conduit for somebody else’s story. We also discuss the fundraising landscape in 2025, and...

In the first episode of Nonprofit Lowdown for 2025, I introduce and explore the ‘Let Them’ theory inspired by self-help guru Mel Robbins. I discuss how relinquishing control over others’ actions can lead to greater mental and emotional peace, especially in the realm of fundraising and board management. I also highlight the importance of clearly defining expectations, the power of self-reflection,...

Hey, Nonprofit Lowdown listeners! Rhea here, bringing you the final episode of 2024. It’s been a year full of incredible insights, heartwarming stories, and actionable tips for nonprofit leaders like you. I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this journey — we’re officially in our 6th year of the podcast! Can you believe it?! 🙌 For this last episode, I’ve pulled together some of...

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...