Nonprofit Lowdown

We all know storytelling is a powerful way to move people and effect change on the important issues of today. But in the fundraising world, storytelling has gotten a bad rap. Poverty porn, sensationalism, and negative storytelling practices have left a bad taste in our mouths and, at times, exposed the very people we want to help. So how can we use the powerful language of storytelling to unify an...

Social media is a modern-day jungle. If you don’t know who you are and what you want to say; the algorithms will eat you for breakfast. So what choice do non-profit folks have if we want to be heard above all the noise? Please, don’t tell me I have to dance... PLEASE don’t tell me I have to dance…  Not even a little, my non-profit fam!  For your sake and mine, today I’m joined by the marvelous Tan...

Succession planning. We all know it’s a possibility, but none of us wants to think about it. What processes do you have in place to protect your organization from losing funding? How will you manage the optics and let funders know your organization’s values and vision won’t change just because one person steps down? Hint: Don’t make it all about you! Join me today as I talk to Cassie Haynes and Je...

I’ve said it before; if you want to get big contributions, you have to make big asks. But, for so many of us, our scarcity mindset holds us back. We wonder, can we really make big asks in an economic downturn? Does generosity still exist in America in 2023? Do donors of color give monetarily to the causes they care about? The numbers say, yes, to all of the above! Data for the win!  Nerd out on nu...

In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring voices of Alison Overseth, Gisele Castro, and Erica Hamilton at The Women's Leadership Council. Our discussion centers around the dynamic landscape of leadership, highlighting our personal experiences, insights, and the ever-important journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. We’ll dive into topics that are pertinent for a...

Meet my friend and homegirl, the amazing Rachel Bearbower. She is the Founder of Small Shop Strategies, a nonprofit consultancy focused on teaching Executive Directors how to detangle their systems so they can focus their time + energy on building relationships and raising more for their causes. This episode is perfect for those Executive Directors and fundraisers who are neurospicy, who struggle...

In this episode, we’re joined by the mind-bending Dr. Emily Bennet, ND, CEO of Kindling who answers the question, “How can we take better personal responsibility for our own well-being in the midst of being devoted to this purpose-driven work?”  We talk about our personal experiences with workplace burnout and explore the internal and external pressures of wanting to “do more for the cause” at the...

In this episode, we're joined by the fierce Therese Shechter, the brain behind "My So-Called Selfish Life," who's flipping the script on pronatalism and societal norms. From tearing apart the underpinnings of pronatalism to exposing its ties with white supremacy and racism, we're setting the stage for an eye-opening conversation. We deep-dive into how our policies, driven by...

In this insightful episode, I engage in a profound discussion with the esteemed Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director of Global Fund for Women, and author of 'The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact - Driving Movements We Need Now More than Ever'. Fun fact: Latanya was my boss over 20 years ago when I interned at UNICEF and we’re reconnecting! We delve into the heart o...

Get ready for some board management wisdom! In this episode, I sat down with the brilliant Bill Ryan, a nonprofit board governance expert 🌟 We dove into the nitty-gritty of effective board management, covering everything from board culture to fundraising and the three modes of governance. 💼💰 Key Points: 🌟 Board Culture: Boards need to align their culture with the organization's mission. Br...

My friend and repeat guest Darren Isom is down to speak some truth. In this fun episode, we talk about the generational and cultural shifts in the workplace as Boomers retire and millennials are taking up the mantle of leadership. We discuss the challenge of Gen X’ers being the sandwich generation, how we’re not setting BIPOC leaders up for success and why tights are not pants. This episode is per...

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us: Robby Fowler. Together, we'll explore the game-changing potential of ChatGPT in the world of fundraising. ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI, is an AI language model that's creating waves in the fundraising landscape. Nonprofits, listen up! Get ready to unlock the true power of ChatGPT and take your fundraising efforts to new heights. Pic...

Welcome to a captivating conversation with Joey Goone, an expert in creating connective fundraising events for nonprofits. With a unique blend of event planning and neuroscience, Joey reveals the remarkable role our brains play in designing transformative experiences. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the power of emotional connections and the art of crafting unforgettable events. Key Points:...

 Join me and Brooke Richie-Babbage on an electrifying podcast episode as we spill the beans on how to discover  new donors, create ideal donor avatars , unleash the power of your board in fundraising , and craft a compelling donor message!  We share insider tips and tricks for unlocking the secret to finding passionate supporters who align with your mission  and are ready to fuel your organization...

In this episode, I interviewed David Meltzer, co-founder of Sports One Marketing and bestselling author. We talked about shifting from scarcity to abundance. David emphasized the importance of embracing abundance, conquering fears, and appreciating what we have. He shared practical strategies like focusing on what we want, surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals, and adding value first...

Join me and Brooke Richie Babbage as we reveal the 🔑 to nonprofit growth. Get ready for an enlightening discussion on strategic vision 🌟, strong teams 💪, efficient systems 📊, and optimized fundraising workflows 📈. 🔍 Discover the power of a crystal-clear mission and vision statement. Set the course for success! 💪 Build a robust team and embrace strong governance. It's not just about hiri...

Join me and my biz bestie Brooke Richie-Babbage 🤝 in a transformative episode as we reveal the secret connection between leader 🌟 and money 💸 mindsets. ⏳ This is the first of a special three part series on scaling Ready to propel your nonprofit's growth to new heights? 🚀 Discover game-changing strategies and mindset shifts to break free from limitations! Take our exclusive online quiz 📝...

How many times have you asked where to find new donors? Maybe that’s the wrong question. Today, Andrew Olsen joins us to discuss acquiring donors through inbound strategies. Did you know your potential donor's attention span is only 8 seconds? Let's make those seconds count! 🎯 Inbound Strategies: Create valuable content, optimize your website, and engage on social media to attract donors...

Friends, join me and my brother from another mother Ron Rapatalo to talk all about the Asian things. In this riveting podcast episode, the incredible Ron Rapatalo chats about being a leading advocate for AAPI representation, allyship, and girl dadhood. Ron, a visionary author of "Leverage People: What I Know About People to Personally and Professionally Win," shared his enlightening view...

In honor of AAPI Heritage month, I’m replaying some of my favorite episodes from AAPI leaders. This episode with North Star Fund’s Jennifer Ching is a personal fave. Enjoy! Join me and Northstar Fund's Executive Director Jennifer Ching to discuss decolonizing philanthropy.  In this hugely important conversation, Jen shares how the work of the Northstar Fund is actively working towards dismantl...

In honor of AAPI heritage month, we’re featuring AAPI guests. This week’s guest is…me! I’m trying out a new monthly feature called Ask Me Anything (AMA) to answer your fundraising queries. Let me know what you think (hello@rheawong.com) . ‌ In this week’s episode, I discuss how to know when to hire a Development Director, ways to get started with an individual fundraising program and how to do fir...

Friends, I am OBSESSED with this episode with Yulin Ling. As a long-time nonprofit executive and social change warrior, we talk about the importance of money mindset in raising money for the cause. Yulin discusses her own background as a daughter of immigrants and how we tune into what is possible and how to flood ourselves with the messages that we want. In a world that feels like it’s full of de...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Stephen Powers, co-founder of Open Impact Real Estate, and Amy Lawrence, managing director, as they share their expertise on the intersection of real estate and social impact.  In today’s turbulent real estate market, it can be hard to know what to do, especially with big-ticket real estate decisions.  Join me, Stephen Powers and Amy Lawrence to learn ho...

In this episode, Aron from 2H Media shared some fascinating insights into how nonprofit organizations can use video to boost their donations. With his trademark enthusiasm, Aron explained how video can help to create a powerful emotional connection between nonprofits and their audiences, resulting in increased support. Aron also stressed the importance of producing high-quality videos that showcas...

In our chat with Dana Snyder, she shared four paid ads that nonprofits should run. Here they are: Reach, Video Views, Lead Generation, and Conversions. Reach is all about getting more eyes on your cause. Video Views means creating great video content to engage supporters. Lead Generation is for collecting contact information from potential donors, and Conversions is all about getting people to tak...