Nonprofit Lowdown

I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend and former student, Katy Troyer, the Executive Director of the KGSA Foundation — the U.S.-based fundraising arm for the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. We talked about what it’s really like to raise money for a cause that’s thousands of miles away, how the international development sector is shifting due to major funding cuts, and wh...

This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with the phenomenal Dr. Nastassia Harris (@perinatalhealthequity) to talk about her journey from professor and nurse to full-time founder and CEO of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative. We talk about: ✅ Making the leap into nonprofit leadership ✅ Facing fears around fundraising & salary ✅ “Burning the ships” and doing it scared ✅ Why YOU are th...

I’m beyond excited to share my latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown featuring one of my former students and now nonprofit powerhouse, Jehron Petty , founder and CEO of ColorStack . Y’all—Jehron started ColorStack during the height of the pandemic, fresh out of Cornell, and five years later? He’s leading a national org serving over 15,000 Black and Latino CS students with a $2.4M budget and a full-t...

I got to chat with my friend and former student Amber Buck Hamilton, founder of Fig Leaf Development and a total rockstar in the fundraising world. We talked about: ✅ Why she left her high-level nonprofit job to start her own consulting biz ✅ How burnout, family, and values drove her decision ✅ What it really feels like to take the leap (spoiler: terrifying AND amazing) ✅ That pesky imposter s...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend and fundraising rockstar Maria Griffin on the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown — and trust me, you need to hear this one. Maria is the Chief Advancement Officer at DREAM (yes, the same DREAM from the episode with Rich Berlin!) and she's about to launch her own consultancy to help nonprofits raise big money with big strategy. 💸 In t...

Hey friends—I'm turning my recent Leadership Connect session into a podcast episode because the conversation was too real not to share with a wider audience. If you’re a fundraiser, ED, or nonprofit leader navigating today’s uncertainty, this one’s for you. Yes, the economy is wobbly. Yes, federal and state dollars are shrinking. But no, that doesn't mean the money isn’t out there. In this...

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Karla Altmayer, co-founder of Healing to Action, on Nonprofit Lowdown this week — and wow, this conversation is a must-listen. We talked about how her team is flipping the script on both gender-based violence and traditional fundraising. Instead of fancy decks or transactional asks, they’re hosting underground dinners that focus on authentic connection,...

This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I had the absolute pleasure of reconnecting with my friend Yully Cha, SVP of Research & Policy and Senior Advisor at Embrace Boston. We dove into a deep and inspiring conversation about what it really means to lead equity work in today’s climate—and why joy and belonging are central to the fight for justice. 💥 We talked about: ✨ The story behind the Embrace ML...

If you’re struggling with donor retention (let’s be real — who isn’t?), you need to hear this convo I had with my friend Sean Littman, founder of GiveSuite.com. We got into the real talk about why retention in the nonprofit sector is so dismal (below 40% — yikes), and more importantly, what to actually do about it. 💡 Here’s a taste of what we covered:   -Why “continuing the conversation” works be...

Nonprofit fam, you do not want to miss this one. On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with the brilliant, bold, and beautifully authentic Jacob Adams — founder + CEO of Inner Spark — to talk about what it really means to lead and fundraise with authenticity. 🙌🏽🔥 We go deep on:  Being unapologetically real in funder relationships Why authenticity isn't just a buzzword — it&...

Nonprofit Leaders, it's time to wake up and take action!  In the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with two experts, Michelle Flores Vryn and Evan Wildstein, to dive deep into a critical issue facing our sector: nonprofit staffing struggles. They discuss trends from their groundbreaking Social Impact Staff Retention Report, revealing that 7 out of 10 nonprofit staff are actively...

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m joined by my friend and former student, Kriste Peoples, the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness in Colorado. We talk about the power of community, what it’s like being a BIPOC leader in the outdoor space, and how we’re challenging the idea that the outdoors is only for certain people. 🌿✨ Kriste shares the incredible work Women’s Wilderness is do...

I’m so excited to share the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown where I sit down with my good friend and former student, Faith Galati, Executive Director of Breakthrough Sacramento. She’s here to talk about her incredible journey of turning her nonprofit’s fundraising around, and how she more than doubled her budget! 💡 What we dive into: Shifting your mindset: Faith shares how she went from a pla...

Hey, nonprofit fam! It's Rhea Wong here, bringing you an exciting new episode featuring insights from my recent webinar with the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference's Tactical Tuesdays. This one is all about major gift fundraising and why you should be leaning into your major donors NOW. Plus, I’m starting something new on my podcast—answering YOUR burning questions!  Have a question about n...

It’s Rhea Wong back with another episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic I’m passionate about—MARKETING!  If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I don’t have enough prospects in my pipeline,” or “Why are my donors not responding?” then this episode is for YOU. I’m breaking down two key issues that nonprofits face: 1️⃣ Why your donor pipeline is running dry. 2️⃣ Why...

Hey Nonprofit Lowdown listeners! Rhea Wong here with an episode that’s all about shifting your mindset from fear to possibility. 💡 I’m sharing a powerful story about a farmer and his horse, illustrating how we often jump to conclusions, but we don’t truly know if something is “good” or “bad” until we look at the bigger picture. It’s time to ask: What could go right? In a world filled with crisis,...

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...