🎆 Happy 2023! Before we dive into the new year, let's recap my 5 most popular Nonprofit Lowdown episodes from 2022. These insightful convos cover everything from ditching toxic fundraising tactics to navigating across generations in the workplace and beyond. I've compiled the very best nuggets of wisdom to inspire you to find greater connection and community in the year ahead. We touch on themes like the power of deep listening, building trust through questions vs demands, understanding generat...
Dec 26, 2023•53 min
Burned by social media and its tiny ROI? 📥 Time to make email your BFF for bringing home the bacon in 2023! Digital marketing maven Christina Edwards explains why email crushes social media when it comes to converting supporters into donors. Listen and learn why you should centralize and optimize this workhorse channel ASAP. We cover the ideal email frequency, metrics to track, ingredients for compelling subject lines and content, tips for cleaning your list, and plenty more nuts and bolts. Chr...
Dec 18, 2023•36 min•Ep. 267
Does your nonprofit website attract donors like a 20-year-old Geo Metro? 🚗 Here's how to give it a sleek new upgrade without breaking the bank. Lou Kotsinis of BCS Interactive shares his 20+ years of digital marketing expertise to help nonprofits level up their online presence. A beautiful website matters - it’s often the first impression funders have of your work! We discuss common pitfalls in positioning, storytelling, user experience and functionality. Plus simple fixes that create a seamles...
Dec 11, 2023•34 min•Ep. 266
Are visions of year-end dollar signs turning into lumps of coal? 💸 We’ll help you turn your fundraising frown upside down with an email marketing strategy that converts before 2023 comes to a close! Here’s how to salvage your campaign in the final weeks of 2023. Email marketing whiz Jess Campbell of Out in the Boons returns to share late-game fundraising tactics. The season isn’t over even if Giving Tuesday bombed - there’s still lots of money left to raise before January 1st! We dive into sett...
Dec 07, 2023•36 min
Fundraising can feel transactional, manipulative, and just plain icky. But it doesn’t have to be that way. As donor-turned-expert Lisa Greer explains, with authentic connection and a "ditch the pitch" mindset, fundraising can actually feel human. Lisa gets what it’s like to be on the receiving end of clumsy asks and ill-informed wealth screens. After an awkward start to her own philanthropy journey, she vowed to revolutionize the donor experience. In this candid conversation, we discuss: Why don...
Dec 04, 2023•38 min•Ep. 265
In love with your mission but not getting warm fuzzies from the fundraising? You’ve got to start thinking of your NPO as a business! Wait, what? Robert is the founder of Power Couples by Design and co-author of the book Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs’ Guide For Greater Work-Life Balance. As a former Fortune 500 exec helping nonprofits grow and thrive (and keep romance alive!), Robert brings the real talk about how and why healthy nonprofits make a PROFIT (legally and ethically). 💰We also tal...
Nov 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 264
Ever feel like no matter how hard you shake the money tree, the fruit only falls for certain folks? 💰🌳 On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, Garrett Neiman riffs on how subtle (and not so subtle) biases in philanthropy make it dramatically easier for privileged people to fundraise. Garrett knows this song by heart. As a former nonprofit founder and author of Rich White Men he's on a mission to help level the playing field. He reflects on his journey from a conservative upbringing to reco...
Nov 20, 2023•32 min•Ep. 263
Confused about all the options for nonprofit marketing? 🤔 Don't let analysis paralysis stop your impact! 🛑 Krystal Covington, marketing pro turned nonprofit consultant, shares bite-sized tips to level up your marketing—even with limited time and budget. 💡 Krystal is a Marketing Consultant with GO Lead, LLC and the Community Outreach Coordinator at a Denver-based nonprofit called Hands of the Carpenter. Her main takeaway: start small and stay consistent. Little steps like sending a social medi...
Nov 13, 2023•36 min•Ep. 262
🎤 Why be a hero when you can be a guide? 🧭 On this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re chatting with author/fundraiser Evan Wildstein as he dishes on servant leadership - how embracing empathy, community, and self-growth can transform nonprofit fundraising. 🙌 Servant leadership isn't about being a martyr (hard pass). It's about mindset shifts from "me" to "we." Evan shares out-of-the-box tips like recording yourself to improve listening skills. 🎧 He explores healthy boundaries and psychologi...
Nov 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 261
Diversifying your board - yup, it's time for that awkward convo! But it's so key for representing your community, getting new perspectives, and just making decisions with more empathy and cultural awareness. Am I right?In this episode, I chat with Andy and Mayowa from the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation about how they transitioned their board from pale and male 👴👴 to a diverse dream team! 🙌 Here are some nuggets of wisdom gleaned from our discussion: : To effectively diversi...
Oct 30, 2023•38 min•Ep. 260
Ask and you shall receive! Making big fundraising asks doesn't have to feel scary or daunting. My brilliant guest Laura Fredricks shares her golden rules for powering through the fear of asking and inspiring donors to take action. Laura is a best-selling author and fundraising guru who helps organizations bring in the big bucks. As CEO and founder of The Ask, she's worked with over 100 nonprofits and raised over $100 million. Her new book Hard Asks Made Easy offers a practical guide to conquerin...
Oct 23, 2023•40 min•Ep. 259
Could Facebook be an untapped goldmine for your NPO? Sean Kosofsky, a veteran nonprofit leader turned consultant, makes a compelling case for maximizing Facebook fundraisers. He shares hard-won insights on how to run effective peer-to-peer campaigns that leverage individuals' networks for fundraising wins. Sean emphasizes that with the right strategy, timing, and volunteers, these free tools can deliver big returns. Worried about chasing low dollar gifts? I feel that! (You know I’m all about nur...
Oct 16, 2023•39 min•Ep. 258
Join me as I chat with Brooke Richie-Babbage, Cindy Wagman, and Jess Campbell about “How to stop chasing donors and 10x your thinking.” This episode feels a little different than past episodes not just because we’re coming to you from behind the steering wheel, but because these are some of my favorite non-profit ladies who really know their stuff when it comes to fundraising with the right mindset, the right strategies, and the right people in place. And they have the track record to prove that...
Oct 09, 2023•34 min•Ep. 257
While the tides are changing for people of color in the corporate world, there’s this awkward space where pillars of the old system still stand ominous while the framework of a new system begins to take shape. So where does that leave women of color in 2023? Do we gear up for an all-out war on the old system or don an every-woman-for-herself demeanor as we toss our fear aside and climb the corporate ladders to achieve our personal goals? Perhaps we do a little of both? Today’s guest is LaTresse ...
Oct 02, 2023•39 min•Ep. 256
How do we untangle the web of systemic racism and inherent bias that are deeply etched into our society's fabric? How do white individuals fit into this dialogue, and more importantly, confront their roles in perpetuating or combating racism? All of these big questions might sound daunting, but we’ve got answers that will put the wind back in your sail. Join me and my guest, Jen Mayer, founder of Becoming Better Together, as we dig deep to answer these pressing questions. Jen unpacks her journey...
Sep 25, 2023•29 min•Ep. 255
Hey friends and fellow nonprofit nerds! Get ready for a super fun and informative chat with my buddy Raj Thakkar. You may know Raj as the founding genius behind FOREsight Financial Services for Good. But did you also know he's the author of a brand-new book called Fiscally Secure ?! Raj knows his stuff when it comes to helping nonprofits get their financial ducks in a row. And let me tell you, it is WAY more interesting than it sounds. Who knew analytics could be so uplifting? In this episode, w...
Sep 18, 2023•37 min•Ep. 254
We all know storytelling is a powerful way to move people and effect change on the important issues of today. But in the fundraising world, storytelling has gotten a bad rap. Poverty porn, sensationalism, and negative storytelling practices have left a bad taste in our mouths and, at times, exposed the very people we want to help. So how can we use the powerful language of storytelling to unify and empower communities rather than divide and conquer? Join me today as I talk to Tara Dorabji, Vice ...
Sep 11, 2023•37 min•Ep. 253
Social media is a modern-day jungle. If you don’t know who you are and what you want to say; the algorithms will eat you for breakfast. So what choice do non-profit folks have if we want to be heard above all the noise? Please, don’t tell me I have to dance... PLEASE don’t tell me I have to dance… Not even a little, my non-profit fam! For your sake and mine, today I’m joined by the marvelous Tania Bhattacharyya, founder of Lumos Marketing Co and host of Campfire Circle Podcast. She’ll tell us al...
Sep 04, 2023•42 min•Ep. 252
Succession planning. We all know it’s a possibility, but none of us wants to think about it. What processes do you have in place to protect your organization from losing funding? How will you manage the optics and let funders know your organization’s values and vision won’t change just because one person steps down? Hint: Don’t make it all about you! Join me today as I talk to Cassie Haynes and Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, the powerhouse co-founders of Resolve Philly, to get the lowdown on how they e...
Aug 28, 2023•35 min•Ep. 251
I’ve said it before; if you want to get big contributions, you have to make big asks. But, for so many of us, our scarcity mindset holds us back. We wonder, can we really make big asks in an economic downturn? Does generosity still exist in America in 2023? Do donors of color give monetarily to the causes they care about? The numbers say, yes, to all of the above! Data for the win! Nerd out on numbers with me on today’s podcast as I get Dr. Una Osili’s thoughts on global philanthropy and giving ...
Aug 21, 2023•41 min•Ep. 250
In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring voices of Alison Overseth, Gisele Castro, and Erica Hamilton at The Women's Leadership Council. Our discussion centers around the dynamic landscape of leadership, highlighting our personal experiences, insights, and the ever-important journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. We’ll dive into topics that are pertinent for any woman pursuing a career in leadership, specifically current and future CEOs and EDs. Join us as we get an...
Aug 14, 2023•47 min•Ep. 249
Meet my friend and homegirl, the amazing Rachel Bearbower. She is the Founder of Small Shop Strategies, a nonprofit consultancy focused on teaching Executive Directors how to detangle their systems so they can focus their time + energy on building relationships and raising more for their causes. This episode is perfect for those Executive Directors and fundraisers who are neurospicy, who struggle with consistent, boring action, and who need help prioritizing tasks that drive results. Are you awk...
Aug 07, 2023•33 min•Ep. 248
In this episode, we’re joined by the mind-bending Dr. Emily Bennet, ND, CEO of Kindling who answers the question, “How can we take better personal responsibility for our own well-being in the midst of being devoted to this purpose-driven work?” We talk about our personal experiences with workplace burnout and explore the internal and external pressures of wanting to “do more for the cause” at the expense of our mental and physical health. We dive into potential factors influencing our decisions ...
Jul 31, 2023•33 min•Ep. 247
In this episode, we're joined by the fierce Therese Shechter, the brain behind "My So-Called Selfish Life," who's flipping the script on pronatalism and societal norms. From tearing apart the underpinnings of pronatalism to exposing its ties with white supremacy and racism, we're setting the stage for an eye-opening conversation. We deep-dive into how our policies, driven by hidden pronatalist forces, shape our society and what it means to be a woman. Next, we explore powerful real-world scenari...
Jul 24, 2023•39 min
In this insightful episode, I engage in a profound discussion with the esteemed Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director of Global Fund for Women, and author of 'The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact - Driving Movements We Need Now More than Ever'. Fun fact: Latanya was my boss over 20 years ago when I interned at UNICEF and we’re reconnecting! We delve into the heart of influential feminist social movements, examining the leaders, art, and narratives that have propelled them...
Jul 17, 2023•39 min
Get ready for some board management wisdom! In this episode, I sat down with the brilliant Bill Ryan, a nonprofit board governance expert 🌟 We dove into the nitty-gritty of effective board management, covering everything from board culture to fundraising and the three modes of governance. 💼💰 Key Points: 🌟 Board Culture: Boards need to align their culture with the organization's mission. Bridging generational and ideological gaps through open dialogue and getting to know each other is key. 👥...
Jul 10, 2023•54 min
My friend and repeat guest Darren Isom is down to speak some truth. In this fun episode, we talk about the generational and cultural shifts in the workplace as Boomers retire and millennials are taking up the mantle of leadership. We discuss the challenge of Gen X’ers being the sandwich generation, how we’re not setting BIPOC leaders up for success and why tights are not pants. This episode is perfect for anyone who has felt confounded and whipsawed by the rapidly changing norms and shifting exp...
Jul 03, 2023•41 min
In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us: Robby Fowler. Together, we'll explore the game-changing potential of ChatGPT in the world of fundraising. ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI, is an AI language model that's creating waves in the fundraising landscape. Nonprofits, listen up! Get ready to unlock the true power of ChatGPT and take your fundraising efforts to new heights. Picture this: 🖼️ Donors engage with your organization like never before. ChatGPT enables personalized interactions...
Jun 26, 2023•51 min
Welcome to a captivating conversation with Joey Goone, an expert in creating connective fundraising events for nonprofits. With a unique blend of event planning and neuroscience, Joey reveals the remarkable role our brains play in designing transformative experiences. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the power of emotional connections and the art of crafting unforgettable events. Key Points: Power of Connective Fundraising Events: Unleash the potential of fundraising events that go beyond ...
Jun 19, 2023•43 min
Join me and Brooke Richie-Babbage on an electrifying podcast episode as we spill the beans on how to discover new donors, create ideal donor avatars , unleash the power of your board in fundraising , and craft a compelling donor message! We share insider tips and tricks for unlocking the secret to finding passionate supporters who align with your mission and are ready to fuel your organization's success . From donor profiling to engaging your board, we got you covered! But wait, there's more! Ta...
Jun 16, 2023•43 min
