The Nonprofit Podcast

Send us Fan Mail January is framed as a reset in many fields. Nonprofits know it isn’t.  Budgets are set, programs are already moving, and fundraising goals don’t wait for the calendar. Strategy doesn’t usually break in the planning – it frays later, in the small decisions that stretch capacity and make sustainability harder. In this energy-sustaining focused episode, fundraiser coach Britt Stocke...

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year!  We’re kicking off 2026 with a conversation many nonprofit leaders are already having behind the scenes: What’s actually changing in fundraising…and what’s just noise? Every year, nonprofits get told to prepare for the next big trend. But the shifts shaping 2026 aren’t about shiny tools or louder campaigns. They’re quieter…and far more structural. Leaders are rethi...

Send us Fan Mail Final Episode of 2025!  Jena sits down with Jessica LaMesa , Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save , for a powerful, action-oriented conversation on how strategic, evidence-based giving translates into life-saving impact. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Power of Rapid Response: How The Life You Can Save mobilized over $13 million in just six months, funding critical healthcare and...

Send us Fan Mail Giving Tuesday felt quieter than you hoped? Take a breath. Your December is still wide open. In this episode, Jena and Britt break down what a slow Giving Tuesday really means, and what to do next without panic, pressure, or a full campaign rewrite. You’ll learn how to: Read the data signals behind a “quiet” Giving Tuesday Reconnect donors without selling harder Make small, smart...

Send us Fan Mail December is where your year-end campaign is won or lost - and today, we’re making sure you stay steady, strategic, and connected all the way through December 31. Jena and Cara Augspurger walk through the two actions that shape your final numbers: follow-through and follow-up. Get ready for pro-tips covering: Stay consistent with your December communication rhythm Why tight messagi...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Nonprofit Podcast. 🦃 Today’s episode is simply a pause - a moment to acknowledge the people who keep showing up, even in a year that’s felt heavier than most. If you’re writing the extra email, answering the late call, carrying more need than resources, or holding hope for someone else when your own feels thin… this is for you. Your work i...

Send us Fan Mail Giving Tuesday Is Days Away - Here’s Your Game Plan Giving Tuesday is almost here…and yes , you still have time to show up with clarity, confidence, and zero panic. In this episode, Cara Augspurger walks you through the final steps that make the biggest difference – the practical moves, the strategic choices, and the calm mindset that help your nonprofit show up and shine in one o...

Send us Fan Mail Writer’s block for Christmas? You’re not alone.  Try these Giving Season AI writing prompts that actually work In this short, informative easy listen, Britt Stockert shares how AI can be the creative writing partner you didn’t know you needed this Giving Season. She walks through how to use AI prompts to beat the blank page, keep your tone real, and save time on those endless dono...

Send us Fan Mail November is Giving Season Go Time It’s here - now is the time to transition your year-end campaigns from planning to performance . Your message is live, donors are active, and every touchpoint counts. In this episode, Jena and Cara break down how to confidently lead your campaign, stay engaged, and keep supporters connected through every moment of Giving Season. What you’ll learn...

Send us Fan Mail Recent events reminded nonprofits everywhere: if you don’t shape your online presence, someone else might. In this episode, Jena Lynch digs into how transparency, nonprofit visibility, and AI discoverability shape donor trust and organizational credibility. She walks through practical steps to review your digital footprint, ensure accurate results across search and AI tools, to ke...

Send us Fan Mail Freezing Before Donor Meetings? Let’s Fix That. Why do donor meetings feel so stressful - especially at year-end?  Brittan breaks down the real reason so many fundraisers dread sitting down with donors, and why it's not about your fundraising skills . You’ll learn how cultural money stories shape your confidence, how to reframe the fear, and how to lead donor meetings that ar...

Send us Fan Mail Some tools evolve. Others endure. Direct mail does both. Cara Augspurger sits down with Joe Leach, CEO of AppealMaker , to unpack how technology is reshaping one of fundraising’s most trusted tools - direct mail. They dig deep into how automation, follow-up strategies, and smart timing can turn traditional mail into a high-performing element of your year-end fundraising strategy. ...

Send us Fan Mail Year-end appeals are your nonprofit’s biggest fundraising moment - and you only get one shot. Fundraising coach Britt Stockert shares 4 smart ways to help your appeal break through the noise and connect where it counts. Discover: A better way to segment your donors The story shift that grabs attention fast What donors actually want to hear How to make your ask land with confidence...

Send us Fan Mail Skip the scramble. These 3 October fundraising don’ts turn stress into strategy. October is where the pressure builds, and where many nonprofits either set themselves up for success or stumble into a December scramble. In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast , host Jena Lynch and co-host Cara Augspurger walk through practical planning tips to stop you from tripping over the 3 Don...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to go from year-end gifts to year-round growth? Year-end giving may steal the spotlight, but what happens after December is what determines lasting success. The nonprofits that thrive aren’t just chasing one-time gifts - they’re building relationships that carry impact well into the new year. Today, Jena revisits a standout 2024 conversation with Chris Barlow of Beeline Mark...

Send us Fan Mail What if your nonprofit event did more than raise money for a night? What if it sparked long-term donor loyalty? This week, Jena Lynch sits down with master fundraising strategist Chad Barger to rethink how we measure event success. Forget vanity metrics. We're talking about the event ROI that actually counts, and how your fall events should be the start of something bigger th...

Send us Fan Mail Tiny Touches, Big Impact: Micro-Moments That Drive Donor Loyalty This week, Donorbox Fundraising Coach Britt Stockert shares why “be the most human voice in the inbox” should be your year-end fundraising motto. Britt unpacks the power of micro-touches - short, emotionally resonant messages that build donor trust and keep your cause top-of-mind. Learn how to craft audio check-ins,...

Send us Fan Mail September Reset: How to Re-Engage Donors Before Year-End Your donors don’t remember every word from last year, but they do remember how you made them feel.  Today , Jena and Cara break down three simple but powerful moves you can make this September to reconnect with donors, refresh your strategy, and set yourself up for year-end success. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to...

Send us Fan Mail Turn your donation form into a silent fundraising powerhouse this Giving Season. This Giving Season, lighten your load and let your donation form work harder for you. Britt Stockert, Fundraising Coach at Donorbox, shares insights from her monthly coaching recap on how small changes can significantly impact donor relationships and year-end fundraising success . Discover: The bigges...

Send us Fan Mail Plan Your Giving Season: Four Months of Donor Engagement Strategies. In this episode, Jena walks us through a month-by-month roadmap for year-end fundraising, from September prep to December follow-through. Learn how to maximize donor engagement, plan strategically, and hit your fundraising goals with confidence. Discover strategies to: Strategically re-engage lapsed or quiet dono...

Send us Fan Mail 🚨 New tax rules are reshaping charitable giving - here’s what your nonprofit needs to know. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is now law, changing the tax implications for donors giving to your cause. In this episode, Britt Stockert and Lindsey Bower break down the key changes and what nonprofits need to know. We cover the new standard and itemized deductions, corporate giving floors,...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when the numbers don't look good? In this episode,   Cara Augspurger shares her experience leading through fundraising slowdowns. She opens up about how to handle those tough moments when donations dip and the pressure rises. Cara offers strategies to recognize the early signs of a slowdown, stay calm, and focus on what really matters.  Discover how to: Recogni...

Send us Fan Mail Leading a nonprofit alone can feel impossible, but with the right mindset, systems, and support, you can move the needle on your mission. In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, Jena Lynch talks with returning host Cara Augspurger about what it really takes to thrive as a solo Executive Director while wearing all the hats. Cara shares candid lessons on protecting your time, lead...

Send us Fan Mail Busy doesn't always mean progress - here's how to tell the difference. In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, we explore the tension between busy work and true progress.  Jena Lynch walks you through 3 key questions to help your nonprofit break free from busywork and align more powerfully with your mission.  You’ll discover: What might be silently draining your nonpro...

Send us Fan Mail     Unlock ‘no-ask’ fall fundraising ideas that get your donors excited long before the leaves change.  In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, fundraising coach Britt Stockert shows you why July is your secret window for building “quiet momentum” and shares three no-ask tactics to deepen relationships, spark engagement, and position your organization for a powerhouse fall seaso...