The Canada Post strike began on November 15th, and Shellie Power, the Executive Director of Hope Centre Ministries , is here to shine a light on the fascinating creative strategies she’s crafted to maintain crucial donor communications. (Hint: it’s pretty heartwarming!) We talk about the strike's ripple effect that has been felt across sectors and how it’s challenging nonprofits to find innovative ways to keep fundraising efforts afloat. Shellie turned these postal delays into a chance for perso...
Dec 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 162
In honor of the 12 Days of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to share 12 of my FAVORITE tools, services, personal treasures, and subscriptions that make my life easier, more productive, and more enjoyable. Shop Dana’s Favorite Things The Monthly Giving Mastermind Book (For a limited time, get the first two chapters for FREE!) Flodesk Nonprofit Automation Agency Monthly Giving Summit Replays (Binge the replays for 50% off through 12/31/24!) Buzzsprout Podcasting for Creatives Butter Nuuly Lett...
Dec 18, 2024•20 min•Ep. 161
As a board member of the Impact Communications Institute (ICI), I am excited to share a thought-provoking conversation during one of our Impact Councils that we hosted in partnership with 3BL Media . In this episode, we explore how open hiring and criminal justice reform can be woven into brand storytelling without objectifying those with lived experiences. You’ll learn how purpose-driven companies like Greyston Bakery and Ben & Jerry's are turning their values into action and creating inclu...
Dec 11, 2024•54 min•Ep. 160
Leadership isn't just a title. It's about influence and building trust. And today's guest is someone who FUNDAMENTALLY shaped my career and even became a catalyst in my leap to entrepreneurship. Kristin Boehm was a pioneer in digital media at People Magazine and with an always sharp pulse on culture, is now a branding consultant. Known for her killer headlines and strategic mind, her superpower is also in building high-performing teams and nurturing talent. We discuss Kristin’s transition to the...
Dec 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 159
Caught in the beautiful whirlwind of Giving Tuesday, I found myself reflecting on a vital lesson learned from last year’s campaign. Imagine the scenario: you pour your passion and effort into creating a memorable GivingTuesday, only to find that the connection with your donors dwindles as soon as the thank-you emails are sent. This episode draws from my experience with a local animal organization and sheds light on the significance of maintaining donor engagement post-GivingTuesday. Each donatio...
Dec 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 158
Dave Nugent has known me for over a decade. A tech executive and serial entrepreneur, Dave jam-packs this episode with so many gems on leadership, from leadership styles and the dynamics of team building, to fostering a motivated workplace through honesty, transparency, and genuine care for team members. When it comes to hiring, we discuss the boldness and initiative that distinguishes standout candidates, as well as Dave's perspective on cultural alignment in hiring, and the importance of craft...
Nov 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 157
Lisa Bechtold, Executive Director of Take Stock in Children , was my first boss, and today, she’s here to share her transformative 24+ year journey in the nonprofit sector. I’ll walk you through the serendipitous story of how I met Lisa, and why she took a chance on me at age 22, which completely jumpstarted my career. We also discuss how Take Stock in Children increased its reach from supporting 100 to over 500 college students, plus Lisa’s practical strategies for fostering a supportive organi...
Nov 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 156
Get ready to discover how to be a strong nonprofit leader with Dr. Kevin Sansberry, an esteemed organizational consultant and behavior scientist. We’re hanging out in a park in Cincinnati recording this episode – and talking all about why you can’t actually move the needle with your messaging, strategy, and personal branding without effective leadership at the helm. Hear about psychological safety (and empowering individuals at every level to demonstrate leadership), and how to set a foundation ...
Nov 13, 2024•26 min•Ep. 155
How does culture play into the spirit of giving? And how should we think about calling in our believers and finding our super fans? This is a special episode of a previously recorded keynote session from this year's Monthly Giving Summit. None other than Dr. Marcus Collins is sharing his incredible expertise on the transformative role of cultural identity in marketing, revealing how small groups like Beatniks, Hippies, and Hipsters grew into influential subcultures. Discover how aligning your no...
Nov 06, 2024•28 min•Ep. 154
What if the strategies that win elections could also supercharge nonprofit fundraising? DJ Koessler is a trailblazer in political marketing who has shaped campaigns for Barack Obama and Kamala Harris. Together, we’re unlocking the secrets of political messaging and exploring how these techniques can be adapted to energize nonprofit supporters, especially during Giving Tuesday. How can we call in people who believe in us and want to support the causes we do? How do we create campaigns for people ...
Oct 30, 2024•32 min•Ep. 153
AI is already revolutionizing the way nonprofits operate and engage with donors. And Diana Atero is at the forefront, having spent over nine years as a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Bloomerang, a hub of nonprofit tech innovation! Together, we explore how AI is transforming wealth screening and donor segmentation to delivering personalized interactions that strengthen supporter connections. With cultural shifts in donor expectations, nonprofits are leveraging sophisticated measurement tools...
Oct 23, 2024•23 min•Ep. 152
Do you know about Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)? This 3-letter word has been on a LOT of people’s minds, which is why I’m joined by Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot , to learn how these tax-advantaged accounts are reshaping charitable giving. Mitch introduces us to the revolutionary DAF Pay, an innovation that simplifies the donation process to feel just like using a credit card, making it easier for nonprofits to connect with donors. We also talk about the democratization of DAFs, driven b...
Oct 16, 2024•33 min•Ep. 151
As Hurricane Milton threatened Florida, I found myself grappling with anxiety and worry for my hometown of Sarasota. Traveling to Cincinnati for a keynote on the power of personal stories, I couldn't escape the shared trepidation at the airport, as travelers exchanged tales of loved ones caught in the storm's path. This collective concern spurred me into action, reaching out to Florida-based organizations to see how we could all lend a hand. The responses were heartwarming, offering a glimpse in...
Oct 14, 2024•7 min•Ep. 150
Three of the most famous movements in history were built on marketing, storytelling, subcultures, and creating influence. Today, we’re going to explore how leaning into subcultures (rather than mass marketing), can be REALLY powerful and create sustainable impact for your nonprofit. We’ll start by unraveling lessons from the Civil Rights Movement and Women's Suffrage. These movements thrived by uniting deeply connected communities. Your nonprofit can adopt similar strategies, focusing on smaller...
Oct 09, 2024•18 min•Ep. 149
Mallory Erickson’s new book “What The Fundraising” is out TODAY, and I can’t wait to share her wisdom around “alignment fundraising” – specifically why prioritizing alignment over your monetary goals is transformative. Mallory has done extensive research into the psychological and physiological responses of fundraisers, and you’re going to walk away with so many actionable steps for a holistic strategy that benefits both you and your supporters. We discuss the crucial role of internal alignment ...
Oct 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 148
Why do some fundraising appeals succeed while others fall flat? It all comes down to the power of language. Dr. Emilie Socash, the visionary founder and CEO of the Nonprofit Help Center , is here to share groundbreaking findings from her research, including why donors are MORE generous when messaging emphasizes preventing negative outcomes. We break down the psychological contrasts between promotion-focused and prevention-focused approaches, drawing from an eye-opening experiment involving 225 h...
Sep 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 147
What if you could transform your entire donor engagement strategy from the ground up, 2x your fundraising goals, AND achieve a 64% open rate? I’m excited to feature a conversation previously on The Purpose & Profit Club podcast featuring Wendy Faust, the trailblazing Executive Director of the Live Like Lou Foundation , and host Christina Edwards from Splendid Consulting . Wendy takes us on an inspiring journey through her transformative work supporting ALS-affected families, funding innovati...
Sep 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 146
What if the key to turning your mission into a movement lies in the power of video? Shannon Fitzgerald from The Hooligans Agency is here to reveal how creative video content can revolutionize advocacy and nonprofit work. And you DON’T need a massive budget to make a significant impact. You’ll hear the incredible story behind two “fake” horror movie trailers designed with a scrappy budget in less than a week (!) for Gas Leaks Action, that educated audiences about the dangers of natural gas. These...
Sep 11, 2024•24 min•Ep. 145
The Monthly Giving Summit is here! In less than 24 hours, over 1,500 nonprofits from all over the world are coming to the first online virtual event completely dedicated to monthly giving. So what can you expect? Day 1 is focused on keynotes and panels, sharing stories about growth, retention, and fostering values-aligned partnerships. You’ll hear from the Head of LinkedIn for Nonprofits, Ariana Younai, and Marcus Collins, who wrote one of my favorite books. Day 2 will feel like a mastermind. It...
Sep 04, 2024•9 min•Ep. 144
Get ready to unlock the secrets of nonprofit email marketing with Katelyn Baughan, a seasoned email expert who has worked with National Geographic and the Trevor Project. Katelyn and I are diving into the nuances of nurturing new email leads with a well-crafted welcome series, (which is underutilized and CRUCIAL during the early stages of supporter engagement!) We break down an optimal sequence of sending 4 emails over 12 days, including thank you notes, mission connections, storytelling, and a ...
Aug 28, 2024•28 min•Ep. 143
What can we learn from the merger of two impactful nonprofits, and how can it reshape our approach to mission-driven work? Join me as we welcome back Blythe Hill, the visionary founder of Dressember , who shares the inspiring journey of her organization’s partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM). With limited resources and a challenging post-COVID fundraising environment, this strategic move opened up new opportunities AND expanded the reach of Dressember's mission to combat huma...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 142
This week, there's another podcast I want to share with you: What the Fundraising . Mallory Erickson is talking to Caitlin Wion, a data manager at Alzheimer's San Diego . And Caitlin is revealing ALL of her automation secrets to enhance donor engagement and make recurring giving work – with limited capacity and time. Hear how a simple donation tracker in an email campaign led to an unexpected surge in donor sign-ups, the power of customization and segmentation, and the origins and evolution of A...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 141
Could leveraging Facebook Messenger transform your nonprofit's fundraising strategy? In this episode, we sit down with Becca Lockhart and Ty Hyacinth from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to uncover the digital strategies that have catapulted their annual giving. Discover how their innovative use of Facebook Messenger campaigns, combined with integrated donor engagement tactics, has revolutionized their approach to funding Parkinson's research, leading to remarkable growth in revenue and donor inte...
Aug 07, 2024•36 min
Books can spark a movement. And while I am in the midst of writing my first book (coming out in September!), I immediately knew we had to do a podcast episode about this entire process. Allison Trowbridge is the founder and CEO of Copper Books , who are revolutionizing the hybrid publishing model while focusing on mission-driven authors. Get ready to be guided through the complexities of the publishing industry, from the financial risks traditional publishers take, to the entrepreneurial spirit ...
Jul 31, 2024•39 min•Ep. 138
Is your nonprofit making the most out of email marketing in 2024? Open rates are no longer the gold standard for measuring engagement! Today we’re uncovering the secrets to successful email strategies with Scott Cohen, VP of Strategy and Marketing for InboxArmy . Scott shares his expert insights on the shift towards first-party data and his favorite tactics for re-engaging and retaining subscribers. You’ll discover how to assess engagement with click-through and conversion metrics, and learn fro...
Jul 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 138
Today’s case study explores how an International Women’s Day fundraising campaign empowered local communities and drove meaningful impact across 140 stores. I’m thrilled to have Amanda Young, the Marketing and Philanthropic Manager at Kendra Scott, here to spill her secrets behind successful nonprofit partnerships. We cover everything from setting up pop-up shops, creating custom gifts, and leveraging local contacts. You’ll also hear about Kendra’s incredible origin story revolutionizing the jew...
Jul 17, 2024•29 min•Ep. 137
Leveraging influential content creators, celebrities, and internet personalities, AND your board members can SIGNIFICANTLY boost awareness and fundraising for your organization. So how did the American Lung Association do it back in 2021? You’re about to find out. Nick Lynch, co-founder and CEO of Collidescope, and Maxine Tatlonghari, Development Director for the American Lung Association, are here to reveal the secrets behind their Champions Unite event , which evolved from a traditional gala i...
Jul 10, 2024•34 min•Ep. 136
What if you could turn every event you host into an unforgettable experience that leaves attendees feeling inspired and connected? I’m hanging out with Joey Goon today, President of Utopia Experience , and we’re uncovering ALL the secrets to creating impact and genuine connections at events. Joey takes us behind the scenes of a high-profile mastermind event in San Diego with celebrities and influencers, and how an event structure and schedule led to a successful impromptu $100,000 fundraising ef...
Jul 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 135
Monthly giving is not just about a donation. It is about giving people a way to channel their purpose consistently. And in today's episode, we’re unveiling the secrets behind making compelling asks – and the most powerful strategies for recurring donation requests, so you can leverage initial contributions for maximum impact. For example, 29% of first time donors who became recurring donors, did so within the first 90 days of their initial gifts (!) From speaking opportunities at events, to the ...
Jun 26, 2024•20 min•Ep. 134
How do you magnetically attract your monthly donors? In this episode, I am diving into step three of my Monthly Giving Framework, which is all about calling in your believers. If you missed steps 1 and 2, go back and listen to Episode 131 . We'll discuss the essence of crafting a giving program with inclusive and accessible copy, how to find aligned partners that will spread the word, and the importance of a lead generation strategy that’s “always on.” Get ready to scribble down some serious str...
Jun 19, 2024•13 min•Ep. 133
