Your organization’s mid-level donors are already fueling your mission by giving as much as 10x more than entry-level supporters. These donors are loyal, passionate, and just one intentional moment away from becoming major givers. However, these donors often fall through the cracks. With donor acquisition getting harder and more expensive – and retention rates around 43 percent – it’s time to rethink your strategy. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, CEO Trent Ricker and VP of C...
Jun 24, 2025•54 min
Think about an exceptional experience you’ve had with a commercial brand. Did it seem to know precisely what you needed and when you needed it? Did its team go above and beyond to discover what you like for a more customized experience? Most for-profits do an excellent job of providing a personalized, engaging experience to their customers, who reward them with lifelong loyalty. It’s time for nonprofits to do the same, building heartfelt connections that lead to long-lasting support. In this epi...
Jun 10, 2025•47 min
The challenges have come quickly in 2025, leaving many nonprofits at risk of losing funding. Donors could be impacted, too, amid job loss, tariffs, and inflation. The next step forward may not be obvious, but one thing is clear: this is no time to stand still. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Allegiance Group + Pursuant CEO Trent Ricker about how nonprofits can navigate the economic and social uncertainty this year has brought. He explains why leaning into this ...
May 27, 2025•37 min
Many nonprofits focus only on digital or direct mail, but you don’t have to choose — nor should you. Donors crave cohesive, consistent experiences across multiple touchpoints, and getting your digital and direct mail efforts in sync can help you deliver. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re talking with David Sacchetti, AVP of Client Strategy, about how a direct mail strategy backed by a complementary digital campaign can help solve the myriad challenges today’s fundraiser...
May 20, 2025•48 min
The recent sweeping cuts to USAID and other federal programs have rattled fundraisers across the country and in all sectors. Uncertainty is widespread as nonprofit leaders wait to see just what the fallout will be. Whether your organization was impacted or is anticipating a budget shortfall, scaling back on riskier strategies like acquisition can be tempting. In fact, media spending, testing, and other efforts that help you reach potential donors are often the first things to go. But if you’re n...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min
Video can bring your nonprofit’s message to life, making it more engaging for donors and other audiences. Finding the right people to communicate your mission doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Creating high-quality, compelling video content may be more straightforward than you expect. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we sit down with Pat Taggart, Founder and Chief Creative at SkyBlue Creative and a twenty-year veteran of impact video. Along with practical tips, Pat shares how...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min
Nonprofits operate in a fast-paced world. To navigate the rapid changes in technology, social behaviors, and how we exchange information, it’s time to think like an entrepreneur. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, our CEO, Trent Ricker, talks with Tom Ulbrich, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York. Tom has extensive entrepreneurial experience, having owned and grown multiple businesses. He also ran the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Buff...
Feb 10, 2025•41 min
Does your organization struggle to engage donors behind gifts from donor-advised funds (DAFs)? Have you received a generous DAF gift but wondered how to thank the anonymous donor and build a lasting connection? Engaging DAF donors can be challenging, especially when anonymity creates a barrier. However, with thoughtful strategies, your nonprofit can foster gratitude, retention, and deeper donor relationships, even with DAF contributors. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Ryan ...
Feb 05, 2025•17 min
Did you know Gen Z is 10 times more likely to share their donations on social media compared to Baby Boomers? Passionate, tech savvy and socially connected, Gen Z is an audience nonprofits can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Michelle Boggs, Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Fundraising and Development at Classy by GoFundMe, about the surprising new research in the latest Social State of Giving report, highlighting Gen Z's significant engagement w...
Feb 04, 2025•32 min
About a decade ago, we partnered with Drs. Adrian Sargeant and Jin Chang to sponsor their research on relationship fundraising. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, revisits that research to see what lessons still hold — and where there’s room to grow. With donor acquisition and retention becoming more challenging, nonprofits must move beyond transactional fundraising and forge deeper connections with their supp...
Jan 28, 2025•48 min
Don’t sleep on incorporating SMS, or text messaging, into your future fundraising campaigns. While many nonprofits use this powerful tool it’s growing in popularity and effectiveness, especially with the decline in traditional telemarketing. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Stephanie Drahan, Vice President of Account Management, and David Sachetti, Associate Vice President for Client Strategy, about SMS, why it’s an important tactic, and how it can be leveraged ...
Jan 13, 2025•35 min
End-of-year giving is officially wrapped! You may have planned a matching gift campaign to finish the year strong, but promoting matching gifts throughout the year can boost both giving frequency and amount. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Amelia Baumann, Partnership Success Specialist at Double the Donation, about the crucial importance of ensuring donors know if their employers offer a matching gift program. Need proof? About 84% of donors are more likely to ...
Jan 06, 2025•19 min
Your website is the hub of your digital presence. Depending on the size of your organization, your site could have anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pages — that’s a significant amount of content to manage. A content management system (CMS) simplifies this process so you can unlock new opportunities to connect with your audience. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with three of Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s web experts, Russ Chettiar, Ren John, and Mark Leta, abou...
Dec 10, 2024•29 min
If you’re struggling to create new content for your website, consider this your permission to stop. More blog posts won’t help you stand out in search engine results; high-quality, evergreen articles updated regularly will. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with TJ Peeler, Director of User Experience, and Meredith Berents, a Digital and SEO Analyst, about how updating current content can help you build a stronger SEO strategy and bring more organic traffic to your sit...
Nov 17, 2024•31 min
It’s more important than ever to be transparent about how you use donations in your organization. Next-generation donors especially want an immediate return on their dollars. But there’s more to it than sending a thank-you email; getting creative with technology can make a significant difference. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker talks with Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at charity: water, about how the nonprofit’s 100% model...
Nov 10, 2024•47 min
The digital landscape constantly evolves. Changing algorithms, shifting audience preferences, and privacy concerns can be challenging to sort through. Paid media can help you solve this puzzle. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, talks with VP of Advertising Laura Hinrichsen about how nonprofits can use paid media tactics to build a strong digital presence. They discuss: -The core components of digital fundrais...
Oct 29, 2024•53 min
How is your nonprofit's brand significant in the lives of your loyal users? That's the question branding expert Cynthia Round asks every organization that works with her. The reason? Studies have shown that building and maintaining an emotional connection with your users is what inspires their loyalty. In this episode, learn how Cynthia has worked with some of the nonprofit industry's most distinguished institutions to ensure they remain relevant in the lives of their most valuable supporters. A...
Oct 14, 2024•28 min
As you grow your channels to meet donors where they are, you must also measure your performance in each medium. But with an omnichannel approach, that’s way easier said than done. Did the email prompt a gift, or was it a social media post? Your direct mail piece or the text message? Measuring an omnichannel campaign gives a holistic view of your engagement and performance. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we break down the attribution methods that can best help you wrangle a...
Oct 08, 2024•30 min
Omni-channel fundraising strategies are the foundation of every nonprofit we work with. But to ensure you’re reaching the right donors with the right messaging, you need to step back and evaluate every constituent relationship and communication. A touchpoint audit is part of a larger journey-mapping exercise that lays out the many ways donors and leads interact with your organization. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Matthew Mielcarek, SVP of Analytics & Insights Strateg...
Oct 02, 2024•27 min
As fundraisers, we’re trained to focus on the response to each campaign or effort. Every channel collects and analyzes data so you can optimize your messaging. But can you accurately say that a donor who doesn’t scan your postcard’s QR code doesn’t want direct mail? What about the person who received a text and then donated via email — is email really their preferred channel? An omni-channel approach might muddy the attribution waters, but it’s crucial for a comprehensive view of the series of t...
Sep 24, 2024•28 min
Are you overwhelmed by omnichannel fundraising? As tricky as this approach can be, it’s crucial to build deeper loyalty with your constituents. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Laura Hinrichsen, VP of Advertising, and Kacey Crawford, VP of Digital Strategy, about how nonprofits can master omnichannel fundraising and marketing. We break down crucial concepts, share practical tips, and discuss real-world success stories to help your nonprofit thrive in a competiti...
Sep 17, 2024•34 min
In this episode, Pursuant's CEO Trent Ricker sat down with Kevin Hagan, President and CEO of PAN Foundation, to talk about the effect of global crises on fundraising. With the current Ukraine crisis, we've seen nontraditional or so-called 'unorganized' giving, as people adopted unique ways to support and donate. In this dialogue, these nonprofit leaders discuss lessons that nonprofits can learn from grassroots efforts like these when it comes to funding specific missions.
Sep 11, 2024•29 min
The lines between responsibilities and budgets of the marketing and fundraising departments can often blur at nonprofits. Although each department brings important and unique assets to an organization, when they align and work together, they can create a more impactful experience for constituents. In this episode, Pursuant CEO, Trent Ricker spoke with Sue Citro, Chief Experience Officer at Best Friends Animal Society about ways leaders can encourage collaboration between the fundraising and mark...
Sep 03, 2024•36 min
Many nonprofits tend to focus their ad dollars at the crucial end of the year when people are naturally more inclined to give. However, spreading your advertising budget across the year can set your year-end campaign up for optimal success. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Laura Hinrichsen, VP of Advertising, and Megan Morris, Director of Advertising, discuss the challenges of focusing solely on year-end advertising — and why a year-round ad strategy may be more effective. B...
Aug 21, 2024•21 min
When we look at generational giving, it’s easy to focus on baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Z. But tucked in between these groups is Gen X, which is projected to inherit $30 trillion in the Great Wealth Transfer through 2040. Could Gen X be the hidden key to the future of philanthropy? In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we welcome Alyssa Boger, EVP of Client Strategy, as she unpacks this question and more. The oldest Gen Xers are nearing retirement age, while the youngest ar...
Jul 30, 2024•30 min
Digital advertising is full of mystery — it certainly doesn’t help that the rules seem to change every day. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we aim to make digital advertising a little easier. Our guest, Allegiance Group + Pursuant VP of Advertising Laura Hinrichsen, joins us to dispel five myths about digital advertising. From Google Ad Grants and Facebook advertising to last-click attribution and video content, this conversation highlights what you need to know for an effe...
Jul 23, 2024•32 min
What if the key to transforming your fundraising efforts lies in a technology many fear? In this Go Beyond Fundraising Podcast episode, we explore the bold new frontier of artificial intelligence (AI). Allegiance Group + Pursuant's Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, considers the nuanced role of artificial intelligence in enhancing human connections. Rather than replacing personal interactions, AI can be a powerful tool to augment our ability to build and maintain deeper, more sincere relatio...
Jul 02, 2024•30 min
Recent statistics show continued declines across all types of donors from 2022 to 2023 — except those who had given seven or more gifts, which increased. This growth highlights the significance of donor loyalty. In this Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, Allegiance Group + Pursuant Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker discusses the value of fostering deep, meaningful relationships with donors. He emphasizes quality over quantity and says loyalty to an organization can lead to deep-rooted supp...
Jun 25, 2024•35 min
Determining the health of your organization can be tricky. The success of one campaign or a decrease in one certain metric isn’t enough to know whether your fundraising efforts are working. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Teena Wright, Annual Giving Director at Idaho Public Television, and Debbie Merlino, an Executive Vice President at Allegiance Group + Pursuant. Together, they outline the seven key database metrics you should track to get a better sense of...
May 21, 2024•43 min
The Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s latest Quarterly Fundraising Report™ is out, and we’re digging in! In this episode of Fundraising Today, VP of Client Strategy Kristin Priest breaks down the key findings that compare overall philanthropic giving trends in 2022 and 2023. The report tracks macro trends in donors, dollars, and retention, then looks deeper at each category. The leading takeaway is that all three show a continued decline, but there is a glimmer of good news. For instance, in 2...
May 14, 2024•30 min
