What the Fundraising

In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory dives deep into a conversation with the trailblazing Birgit Smith Burton. With nearly four decades of experience in fundraising, Birgit has broken barriers, created spaces for belonging, and pushed for systemic change in the nonprofit sector. She shares her journey—from being the first frontline fundraiser of color at Georgia Tech to founding the Af...

Empathy, respect, and ethical responsibility are rooted in the practice of Trauma-Informed Storytelling. It recognizes that individuals who have experienced trauma often face challenges in regaining control, safety, and agency in their lives. This approach emphasizes giving people the power to decide how and when their stories are shared, ensuring that their dignity is upheld throughout the proces...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Christina Martin Kenny, a career fundraiser, consultant, and nonprofit changemaker, who is tackling some of the most persistent challenges in the sector. From unsustainable fundraising models to the high turnover of development staff, Christina is unafraid to speak candidly about the deeply ingrained systemic issues that make fundraisin...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Brantley Boyett, co-founder and president of GivingDocs, to unpack the world of planned giving, behavioral science, and the role of AI in fundraising. With a background as a reformed attorney and years of research alongside Duke University, Brantley brings a wealth of insights into how nonprofits can unlock the potential of legacy givin...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, we’re diving into a topic that many nonprofit leaders shy away from—finances. Whether it’s bookkeeping, audits, tax compliance, or financial storytelling, these elements are critical to your organization's success. And yet, so many of us feel overwhelmed, lost, or even avoidant when it comes to our financial health. A trusted financial partner is not someon...

In this powerful episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Esther Saehyun Lee, a community-centric fundraiser, principal, and founder of Elevate Philanthropy Consulting. Esther brings a critical and necessary perspective to the conversation around fundraising culture, power dynamics in the nonprofit sector, and how we can challenge the harmful aspects of the nonprofit industrial comple...

Align your purpose with your actions to inspire growth and nurture well-being! This week on What the Fundraising, Mallroy is joined by Rebecca Fitzsimmons, the founder of Tactical Harmony, a platform dedicated to holistic leadership and mindset development. With nearly 20 years of global experience, from serving as an NCIS Special Agent to leading in tech, Rebecca empowers professionals to align p...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Arum Lee Lansel, an HR consultant specializing in small nonprofits. Arum’s diverse career spans fashion, philanthropy, venture capital, and organizational effectiveness. She now uses this unique lens to help nonprofits build sustainable, thriving work environments through strategic HR practices. Human Resources (HR) plays a critical rol...

Digitizing nonprofit operations is an important step toward increasing efficiency, scalability, and transparency. As organizations adopt new technologies, the transition from conventional manual processes to digital platforms provides a substantial opportunity to streamline operations, improve data management, and increase fundraising results. However, by carefully embracing technology with an eye...

In the nonprofit sector, phone calls can be a powerful tool for building authentic relationships with donors and community members. Unlike online communication, which is one-sided, phone calls provide an opportunity for actual connection and dialogue. When tackled with vulnerability and clarity, fundraisers can break down isolation walls and engage supporters in genuine, non-transactional conversa...

Ethical volunteer engagement is a cornerstone of nonprofit success, ensuring volunteers are valued as essential contributors. In small organizations, where resources may be limited, volunteers often provide critical support, but their roles must be thoughtfully designed to align with the mission and organizational capacity. Engaging volunteers ethically means recognizing their inherent value, prov...

Ethical storytelling in the nonprofit sector entails more than just sharing fascinating narratives; it also includes protecting the dignity and privacy of the individuals whose stories are being told. In an age where personal information is becoming more available and searchable, nonprofit organizations must examine the long-term implications of sharing individual stories. At its root, ethical sto...

Many fundraisers are motivated by a desire to help organizations make a difference, as well as a goal for personal development and financial stability. However, the path to attaining both can appear difficult, particularly when working in an environment that does not necessarily correspond with those objectives. This is where fractional executives step in. As experienced experts, fractional fundra...

In this special solo episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory Erickson takes us on a heartfelt and vulnerable journey through the introduction of her new book, "What the Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose." This is not your typical episode with a guest interview — instead, it's an intimate invitation into Mallory’s personal story, the journey that led to this book, a...

Meet Maarten Bout, Vice President for Major and Transformational Giving at United Way of Central Indiana, overseeing a team of 10 fundraisers. With over 12 years of experience, including major gift roles at Indiana University, he brings extensive expertise in donor engagement, team leadership, and advancing impactful philanthropic strategies.  In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the s...

In this powerful episode of What the Fundraising, we dive into the intricacies of systems change with Dr. Kevin Sansberry founder of KEVRA Consulting LLC, who empowers organizations worldwide through evidence-based strategies rooted in behavioral science. Specializing in fostering inclusive workplace cultures, Kevin coaches leaders across industries, from sports to nonprofits, driving sustainable...

In this adorable and uplifting conversation, Mallory teams up with her five-year-old daughter, Emmie, to celebrate Giving Tuesday and the amazing work fundraisers do. Emmie, who has been participating in Giving Tuesday episodes since she was three, calls it "the best week of the year" and shares her unique perspective on the importance of helping others. This heartwarming episode is a delightful r...

In this episode, get a look into the recent webinar hosted by Fundraising AI, titled “AI-Powered Storytelling: Elevating Nonprofit Narratives with Visual Media” with Mallory Erickson, Dmitry Koltunov, Danny Wu and Toren Reaves! Listen in for a captivating conversation on leveraging AI's capabilities while safeguarding ethical standards and emotional engagement. Our guests share actionable insights...

This episode of What the Fundraising Mallory is joined by Tesha McCord Poe, founder of Joy Raising, in a compelling conversation about incorporating joy, hope, and dignity into fundraising and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) efforts! Tesha brings her deep-rooted passion for educational equity and her lived experiences as a Black woman, parent, and fundraising professional to a h...

In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Aayaan Singh Jamwal, Founder and Lead Coach at Unearth Freedom. Aayaan is a seasoned social justice advocate and liberatory facilitator with a unique blend of experience in leadership coaching, philanthropy consulting, and holistic approaches to empowerment. He integrates ancestral wisdom, research, and curiosity to drive personal heali...

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory dives deep with Brian Ford to explore the psychological barriers that keep us from translating good intentions into meaningful action. Brian sheds light on self-sabotage, the complex belief systems that shape our behavior, and how small, consistent actions can ultimately shift our mindset and redefine our identity. Together, they discuss practical s...

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, Mallory is joined by Michelle Flores Vryn, Head of Development at iNaturalist, about systemic challenges within the nonprofit sector. Michelle brings insights from her 15+ years in marketing, communications, and fundraising, emphasizing the critical need for a shift in nonprofit approaches to problem-solving, retention, and scaling. She is currently...

Piyush Tantia, Chief Innovation Officer at ideas42, and Sarah Welch, Associate Managing Director at ideas42, join today's conversation to discuss how behavioral science principles can enhance fundraising efforts. Together, they explore strategies fundraisers can use to stay motivated, manage tasks effectively, and overcome stressors like fear and uncertainty. In this episode, you will be able to:...

In this bonus episode of What the Fundraising, please enjoy an episode of the System Catalyst podcast with Jeff Walker and English Sall. They interview Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, a global leader in impact investing.  Jacqueline shares her journey over the past 30 years, exploring how Acumen uses innovative patient capital to create real systems change. By investing in compani...

This week’s episode shares a sensational live conversation Mallory had with Seth Godin and Floyd Jones, focusing on exploring the impact of AI on productivity and community building. Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher. He is the founder of the Carbon Almanac, a guide to understanding climate change. Seth has inspired and motivated many people all around the world by focusing on eve...