The Nonprofit Podcast

Send us Fan Mail 4 Power Moves to Navigate Funding Cuts & Build Nonprofit Resilience Feeling the squeeze of budget cuts and extra funding scrutiny? We've got you!  In today's episode, Jena Lynch and Britton Stockert unlock four underused power moves to help you: Reframe your story for maximum impact Unlock fresh revenue streams Advocate strategically with a nonpartisan focus Cement c...

Send us Fan Mail AI isn’t coming - it’s already deciding who gets funded. This episode is your wake-up call. Donors are turning to ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools to find and evaluate nonprofits they can trust with their support. If your organization isn’t showing up, or showing up accurately, you may already be missing out. In our Season 6 premiere, Jena sits down with Raj Hegde , SVP of Grow...

Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit grant applications can be time-consuming, complex, and discouraging, but they don’t have to be.  That’s exactly what inspired Gauri Manglik to co-found Instrumentl , an all-in-one platform that simplifies grant discovery, tracking, and strategy. In this Season 2 encore episode of The Nonprofit Podcast , Cara sits down with Gauri to talk grant application techniques that...

Send us Fan Mail In this summer throwback, we’re revisiting one of your favorites: Stabilizing Your Fundraising . Ready to reset and recharge your fundraising strategy for the rest of 2025? Take just 15 minutes to gain fresh clarity and confidence, press play, and let’s hit the ground running! 2025 has already thrown nonprofits a curveball. So what now? This week, we’re taking a moment to breathe...

Send us Fan Mail The Nonprofit Podcast is taking a breather before Season 6 kicks off on June 26, but we’re not leaving you hanging! We’re rewinding to one of our most-loved episodes with Maria Bryan, packed with powerful insights for challenging times. Building donor trust is essential for nonprofit engagement, especially in times of crisis.  Join Jena and a favorite guest, Maria Bryan , an ethic...

Send us Fan Mail Strategic fundraising that anchors us Fundraising looks different in 2025, but smart strategy remains essential. This insightful (and practical) replay from June 2024 delivers evergreen tips and tools to help your nonprofit stay focused and thrive in a shifting landscape. Unlock the power of strategic fundraising to transform your nonprofit’s mission! Say goodbye to guesswork and...

Send us Fan Mail We’re on summer hiatus, but we're bringing back one of our most popular episodes, 'Nonprofit Resilience: A Conversation.'   Originally released after the federal funding cuts were first announced in February, this episode digs into the challenges nonprofits are facing and offers strategies to navigate them. Listen in to explore the potential impacts, possible respon...

Send us Fan Mail Make summer your donor loyalty season, and set the stage for a better-funded fall. The summer slowdown doesn’t have to mean lost momentum. It’ s the perfect time to deepen donor relationships and build long-term support. Join Jena as she lays out a practical, month-by-month plan to strengthen donor retention through the summer stretch. With donor attention divided and inboxes quie...

Send us Fan Mail Is starting ‘the funding uncertainty’ conversation early, “crying wolf,” or leading with honesty and foresight? Nonprofit leaders are walking a tightrope between transparency and alarm . In this episode, Jena unpacks how smart donor communications and strong donor relationships can build donor trust, even in the face of uncertain nonprofit funding . Join us for a deep dive into th...

Send us Fan Mail Are your nonprofit emails and social posts falling flat? It’s time to pick up the phone! Jena chats with Bart Lillie from Synergy Direct Marketing Solutions about how texting and strategic phone outreach can overcome donor fatigue . Learn why personalized text messaging can significantly enhance your nonprofit’s engagement, acquisition, retention, and drive fundraising results. Qu...

Send us Fan Mail Activate Your Nonprofit Board for Fundraising Success If you've ever wanted your nonprofit board to take a more active role in fundraising, this episode is for you. Britt speaks with Sabrina Walker Hernandez , CEO of Building Better Boards , about how to unlock your board’s full fundraising potential. From dispelling common board fundraising myths to introducing Sabrina’s fie...

Send us Fan Mail Is your email strategy helping you raise funds, or just filling inboxes? Jena sits down wit h Chris Barlow of Beeline Marketing to unpack how email automation can transform how nonprofits engage supporters. We’re talking:  ✔ How to set up effective welcome sequences ✔ Using segmentation to send the right message at the right time ✔ Cleaning your list without losing future donors ✔...

Send us Fan Mail 2025 has already thrown nonprofits a curveball. So what now? That’s why this week, we’re taking a moment to breathe and break down the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts that are actually helping nonprofits right now. Think recurring giving strategies that stick , smoother donor journeys, and collaboration that cuts costs and builds resilience. Whether you’re adjusting to shifting...

Send us Fan Mail Ever finish your day feeling exhausted but unproductive? You're not alone!  Join Jena and Kelly McLaughlin , founder of From Scratch Fundraising , as they get real about nonprofit productivity tactics that make a meaningful difference in combating overwhelm.  Learn how to prioritize effectively, manage your energy instead of your time, and harness powerful tools like CRMs and...

Send us Fan Mail What if the future of nonprofit success isn’t about doing more alone, but about doing better together? Britt sits down with Michelle F. Vryn, CFRE , to explore how nonprofits can move beyond traditional collaboration and toward something deeper: interdependence. Listen now as we unpack Michelle’s powerful “network of mutuality” framework, originally shared in her standout LinkedIn...

Send us Fan Mail Stewardship Isn’t a One-and-Done—It’s a Relationship It takes care, consistency, and a team. Here’s how to make it doable! Join fundraising expert Mike Esposito CFRE and Britt to break down simple, practical ways to make stewardship feel manageable, increase donor retention, and create a culture of real, heartfelt connection across your whole team. What you’ll learn (and actually...

Send us Fan Mail Lapsed donors aren’t lost forever—you just need the right approach to bring them back.  This episode covers why donors disengage, how to prioritize outreach, and offers 10 simple, low-pressure ways to rebuild trust.  Discover how small, intentional steps can make a big impact. In This Episode:  The real reasons donors stop giving  How to identify and prioritize lapsed donors  The...

Send us Fan Mail Building donor trust is essential for nonprofit engagement, especially in times of crisis.  Join Jena and a favorite guest,   Maria Bryan , an ethical and trauma-informed storytelling expert, to explore how nonprofits can effectively share crisis stories without causing donor fatigue or eroding hard-won trust. Learn key storytelling strategies, including: Balancing urgency with ho...

Send us Fan Mail Stronger Together: Unlocking the Power of Collective Fundraising 🤝 Partnerships aren’t just a buzzword—they’re a game-changer. Jena and Britt break down how nonprofits can team up for bigger wins, with real strategies for finding the right partners, structuring joint campaigns, and maximizing shared resources. No fluff—only actionable insights to fuel your mission: Deep-Dive on P...

Send us Fan Mail 5 Game-Changing Nonprofit Tools to Boost Fundraising & Donor Support Fundraising fuels your mission—but the right tech can supercharge it. Jena and Britt unpack five powerful nonprofit tools that make giving effortless, boost donor engagement, and secure long-term support. From AI-powered outreach to seamless donation flows, fast checkouts, recurring giving, and event ticketin...

Send us Fan Mail Inspiration is great—but implementation is what moves your mission forward. At the inaugural Donorbox Fundraising Forward Summit, nonprofit leaders gathered to share the real, no-fluff strategies that drive results.  I n this episode, Jena breaks down the key lessons you need to know—practical, proven tactics you can put to work right now to cut through the noise, connect with don...

Send us Fan Mail     Happy Valentine’s Week! 🩷 Love isn’t just for relationships—it’s what keeps nonprofit communities strong.  Listen as Britt translates love languages into practical nonprofit strategies, showing how simple shifts in appreciation—whether it’s words, actions, or time—can strengthen relationships with donors, volunteers, and supporters. Learn how to: 💌 Use words of affirmation t...

Send us Fan Mail   How do you build nonprofit resilience in times of uncertainty? The recent federal funding freeze confusion has left many nonprofits facing tough questions about their future. In this episode, Jena and Britt explore how organizations can build resilience in a rapidly changing landscape. They touch on collaboration and data-driven advocacy as key areas to stay adaptive and mission...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to fundraising success in 2025 isn’t just about raising more money—but fundraising smarter ?  Fundraising is evolving, and nonprofits that stay ahead of the trends will be best positioned for long-term growth. That’s why we’re breaking down five must-know fundraising trends for 2025, giving you the i nsights and strategies to strengthen donor relationships, amplify...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Kwane Stewart’s mission is as impactful as it is inspiring. As co-founder of Project Street Vet, he provides free veterinary care to pets of unhoused individuals. In this powerful conversation, discover how storytelling and social media have turned his purpose into a movement. ✨ What You’ll Learn  ✔️ Why “no judgment, just help” is a mantra that builds trust and empathy. ✔️ H...