The Mary Valloni Show

It is common to assume that our potential donors know exactly how they can give and serve our causes. But could you imagine if you walked into a restaurant, sat down at a table, and the waiter or waitress never gave you a menu? I'm sure you'd be annoyed and frustrated and probably wouldn't come back, which is exactly what your donors are doing.   Our prospective donors need us to tell them how the...

Most nonprofit and ministry leaders are determined to fund their mission and often wonder if they are doing everything they possibly can to raise funds, which leads to the question…"Is cold-calling a good idea?"   In today's episode we talk through the most efficient way to cold-call and how to add warm-calls to your marketing efforts.   We also dig into interruption marketing and Seth Godin's per...

In today's episode we jump in and look at how we're uniquely equipped to raise funds using our specific strengths.     We talk through the four stages of competence by Martin M. Broadwell (known as the four levels of teaching) including: 1. Unconscious incompetence 2. Conscious incompetence 3. Conscious competence 4. Unconscious competence   and     Gay Hendricks four main operating zones from the...

In this episode, I can't help but go after the lies that our charities are believing.     The three lies that need to die include:   1. There is only so much money to go around. 2. No one wants to give. 3. People only want to give to projects.   All three of these tap into the lack and scarcity mindset. Listen in to get the action item to kill these lies today!     For more information about Mary...

In this episode we dig deep into "The Donor's Journey." This is the path that every donor, volunteer and staff goes through when they decide whether to link arms with your cause and align themselves with the work you do.     The 7 Steps include: 1. Know 2. Like 3. Trust 4. Try 5. Give 6. Repeat 7. Refer     Find out why some people get you and others don't and lets create sustainability for our ca...

In this episode we not only talk through the three reasons why it's hard to motivate your board members (or advisory group), but we also dig in and talk through what you can do to turn things around.     Here are the resources we talked about on today's show:   Free webinar training for board members is this Tuesday, March 12th at 1pm CST on the "7 Fundraising Secrets Every Nonprofit Board Member...

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." -Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company   At 15 years old, Ford left home to become an apprentice and if it's good enough for Ford it should be good enough for us. Growing and learning from others is an absolute must. On today's show, I share why it's so important to surround yourself with the right people...

Today's interview is with Dr. Michael Hudson - a speaker, coach, and "idea-junkie" - who wants to help leaders do work that truly matters.   During our time together Michael shares his 3 R's and gives insight into how we can improve our storytelling so our message not only gets heard, but also get's repeated.   For more information about Michael Hudson, visit michaelhudson.com .   For more informa...

There are a lot of things that we may be afraid to say, but these are the four we shouldn't shy away from:   1. "I Don't Know" 2. "I Made a Mistake" 3. "I Need Help" 4. "I'm Sorry"   In this episode we dive into each one and talk through why they are important to address especially for you and your charity.   For more information about Mary Valloni, visit maryvalloni.com . To join our fundraising...

What do you really want? Today's episode will challenge you to 1.) give your vision language, 2.) use your imagination to mentally create your vision, and 3.) build the plan that will physically create your vision. Every vision needs a mission statement. Here's the template I share to get that mission on paper… I/We are ________ who (serves/does) ________ so that (results) ________. For more infor...

We've all been there where we feel so exhausted and overwhelmed that something has to change. Burnout is often caused by overwork or stress so to recharge our batteries we need to make time to unplug and relax.     Typical signs and symptoms of burnout include: 1. Failure to take responsibility 2. Abuse of food, drugs or alcohol 3. Irritability and lashing out 4. Absenteeism 5. Procrastination 6....

Bridgett Myers is the Chief Development Officer at FosterAdopt Connect (and Mary's former boss). Bridgett assumed the new role in January 2018 after serving in executive leadership with the American Cancer Society for 23 years.   Bridget digs in and shares incredible fundraising tips and hiring advice every non-profit executive leader should know. You don't want to miss out on how she made a few c...

Today's episode features CFRE and AFP Master Trainer, Jason Lewis. Known for his willingness to question deeply engrained beliefs and assumptions of how effective fundraising really works, Jason shares his knowledge and expertise in this episode. If you're interested in hearing how fundraising should really work, then you need to listen in.   Here are some of the questions I asked Jason: • What is...

After 100 episodes, I'm more committed than ever to your success. In this episode I share my three big takeaways from the past 100 episodes including:   1. I started this podcast with the intention of teaching others how to raise funds, but I ended up learning so much more. 2. Habits are hard to start, but easy to keep. 3. I've connected with the listeners of the show in ways I never imagined.   M...

Today's episode is the last episode of 2018 and the last episode before a new name change for 2019! Catch the #1 thing holding you back and we'll talk through the 20 things successful people do to achieve their goals so you're all set for 2019. The 20 things include…   1. They make time for what they want. 2. If they don't know how to do something they figure it out - If it's been done before you...

Instead of focusing on what doesn't work, let's talk about what is working! On today's episode, we talk through 5 things that charities are doing really well this holiday season. We reflect back on episodes 72-77 where we talk about the 6 Principles of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. I share real examples of how you can implement these ideas into your communication as you engage with your donors an...

On today's podcast we take a trip down memory lane and we look at all the things we've wanted. What have you always wanted? Do you want to start a new fundraiser? Build that new building? Pay off debt?     We address these 3 questions you should ask yourself… 1. What do I want? 2. Why do I want it? 3. How can I get it?   So what do you want and let's go after it in 2019!   Here are just a few reso...

Today's guest is wealth advisor, Laura Waller, with P3 Life Builders where she focuses on helping for profit and nonprofit leaders to live a life of Purpose, Power, and Prosperity.   Listen in as Laura shares the 3 S's to fund and fuel your growth in 2019 including: 1. State of Mind 2. Story 3. Strategy   To hear more about Laura and to enter in to the Giving Tuesday Giveaway, visit http://www.p3l...

A common mistake made on Giving Tuesday is to tell people "It's Giving Tuesday!" and then ask for their money. Instead of going that route this year, let's consider giving and not taking by doing one or more of the following…   1. Share helpful resources. 2. Answer donor questions. 3. Showcase your donors with a picture and quote about why they give. 4. Repost or share your donors' fundraising cam...

"Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life." — Oprah Winfrey    "When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears." — Tony Robbins    It's too easy to accept other people's generosity without reciprocating the kindness. As we gear up for the largest giving season of the year, we talk through the 25 ways to th...

On this week's show we continue the conversation on the Enneagram where we break down each number by money strengths, weaknesses and advice given by people of the same number.   The Enneagram is broken down into 9 types including:   1. The Reformer - The Rational & Idealistic Type 2. The Helper - The Caring & Interpersonal Type 3. The Achiever - The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type 4. The Individu...

The personality test that everyone is talking about is the Enneagram, which is Greek for the number nine.     The Enneagram is broken down into 9 types including:   1. The Reformer - The Rational & Idealistic Type 2. The Helper - The Caring & Interpersonal Type 3. The Achiever - The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type 4. The Individualist - The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type 5. The Investigator - The Inte...

After the death of her daughter, Laura's life turned upside down. Through the grief, she realized that she wasn't alone and it later became the start to her charity, Grieving Parents Sharing Hope.   On this episode, Mary and Laura walk through the first steps of the Fundraising Freedom process to ensure your fundraisers are innovative and well received.     For more information about Laura and Gri...

On today's episode we talk through the 6 Basic Emotions and how you can use emotion to reach your 90-Day Challenge Goal and bring in more donations to your cause.     The 6 Basic Emotions include: 1. Happiness (joy, trust, anticipation) 2. Fear 3. Surprise 4. Sadness 5. Disgust 6. Anger   Definition of Emotion: Any conscious experience characterized by intense mental activity and a certain degree...

As you work on your 90-Day Challenge goals, this one office supply could be the difference between reaching or not reaching your goals.   Take action and complete this week's exercise by writing down your 5 goals and completing your list of who you need to be, what you need to do to have what you want to have.     Share your Be-Do-Have lists in the Fundraising Freedom Tribe at http://www.facebook....