Join Rhea Wong in this solo episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as she shares her top 10 insights and lessons learned from her journey as an Executive Director. This episode is inspired by Brittany, a new Executive Director Rhea met during a recent speech in Vegas. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into your role, this episode is packed with wisdom that'll help you navigate the challenges and triumphs of being at the top. Key Takeaways: Perceptions Matter: Everything you do will be inte...
Jul 29, 2024•23 min
In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Holly Rustick to explore the nuances of grant writing and discuss the challenges within the nonprofit sector. Holly shares her journey from stumbling into grant writing while abroad, to becoming a seasoned grant writer and nonprofit consultant. We delve into the strategic differences between in-house and freelance grant writers. Holly advocates for freelance grant writers due to their specialized focus and flexibility, contrasting with the of...
Jul 22, 2024•43 min
Navigating the fundraising world as a BIPOC expert comes with its own set of unique challenges. From overcoming systemic barriers to building impactful relationships in spaces that traditionally haven't embraced diversity. This episode dives into the gritty realities and triumphs of fundraising while black. Christopher Beck is a seasoned Major and Principal Gift Advisor, who shares his journey from accidental fundraiser to powerhouse connector. From early mentors to high-stake donor interactions...
Jul 15, 2024•24 min
Ever felt the sting of microaggressions while doing your nonprofit work? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that most fundraising departments are predominantly white, leaving women of color to navigate tricky, often unwelcoming spaces? I am here to help as I welcome a powerhouse panel of experts who delve into the world of Black women fundraisers, the difficulties they face, and the importance of inclusive support networks. Learn firsthand from Christal Cherry, Aquanetta Betts, Ninjia Miles, and Christal...
Jul 08, 2024•29 min
Ever been at a networking event and felt a sense of dread when asked to "tell me about yourself"? 😃 Or maybe you've done the opposite and talked so much you never gave the other person a chance to reply? In this informative episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Rebecca Okamoto, a branding and communications expert, to discuss the art of making great first impressions. 🔥 Whether you're at a cocktail party or a high-stakes fundraising event, Rebecca's insights will help you navigate thes...
Jul 01, 2024•39 min
Are you stressed from endlessly chasing to-do lists? This week, we dive into why the relentless hustle can leave executive directors of nonprofits running on fumes and what you can do about it. 👀 Kishshana Palmer makes a much-anticipated return to the show, and this conversation is nothing short of a revelation. We explore the intersection of personal wellness and leadership in the nonprofit sector—why neglecting self-care harms not just you, but also the causes you’re so passionate about. Kish...
Jun 24, 2024•36 min
Do your donor relationships feel like transactional nightmares or mutually beneficial partnerships? Post 2020, many nonprofit executive directors find themselves wrestling with dwindling donor bases, transactional relationships, and the struggle to turn one-time gifts into enduring support. The transactional approach is not only soul-sucking for your staff but also ineffective for fostering long-term donor relationships. The same old tactics just won’t cut it if you want to attract and nurture t...
Jun 17, 2024•39 min
🛑 Feeling the pinch in your fundraising efforts lately? In the evolving landscape of giving, traditional donor methods are on the decline. As fundraisers, it's essential to prioritize deep, meaningful relationships over mere transactions. But how can we do that effectively in an era where people are more selective about where their dollars go? 🤔 In today's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, Rhea sits down with the incredibly insightful Nathan Chappell to discuss the future of fundraising. This isn'...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min
🤪 Feeling the intern overwhelm? You’re not alone! Executive Directors of nonprofits often face the daunting task of sorting through intern candidates, training them, and deciding what tasks they can handle—balancing between busywork and overwhelming challenges. These young minds need ownership of their roles, even in a short timeframe, and directors must create guiding processes, mentoring opportunities, and special projects to help them thrive. Sounds exhausting, right? Tune in to this episode...
Jun 03, 2024•38 min
Feeling jittery about making that fundraising call? You’re not alone. Many fear the dreaded hang-up when reaching out to potential donors. But imagine turning calls from cold to gold, sparking genuine connections that open doors to vital funds. This week, I chat with the remarkable Kel Haney about turning dreaded fundraising calls into thrilling opportunities for growth. Kel brings a unique perspective from her vibrant past as a theater director, turning every fundraising call into a compelling ...
May 27, 2024•32 min
🚀 Is your board more like a stubborn mule than a spirited stallion when it comes to fundraising? 🐴 On today's edition of Nonprofit Lowdown, we're diving into a burning question that keeps many of you up at night: "Why won't my board fundraise?"😡 You're not alone in this struggle—research shows only 41% of boards are engaged in fundraising. Shocking, right? In this episode, we get real about the multitude of reasons why boards shy away from fundraising duties—from lack of awareness and underst...
May 20, 2024•23 min
🌟 Are you wrestling with understanding what your donors really want?🌟 If you're an executive director on the hunt for that sweet strategy that separates annual donors from major donors, pull up your comfy chair! Here’s the scoop: treating both types of donors with the same approach just isn’t cutting it. Annual and major donors are as different as chai is from espresso – both amazing but distinct in flavor! On today’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’ll be diving deep into the magic formulas th...
May 13, 2024•17 min
What if I told you the reason 82% of your donors never give again is because of something you’re doing? 😳 It’s true - we churn through first-time givers by failing to build real relationships and showcase impact. We leave donors confused about what their money achieved, then bombard them with more asks. Donors ghost you because you’re giving them buyer’s remorse. 👻 On this week’s straight-talk episode, I’m exploring the psychology behind why donors flee and how we inadvertently trigger their b...
May 06, 2024•19 min
Executive directors, are you tired of chasing after those $20 donations like a squirrel on espresso? Yeah, me too. And let me tell you, focusing all our energy on foundation grants and corporate donations because they seem easier is a bit like preferring instant noodles over a gourmet meal—it sort of does the job, but we're left feeling unsatisfied. 😖 Let's talk about moving away from survival-mode tactics that leave us feeling icky and instead, start nurturing genuine relationships with our do...
Apr 29, 2024•26 min
Feeling overwhelmed by the tsunami wave of AI chatter? Wondering how your nonprofit can ride the AI wave without wiping out? You're not alone. The rapid evolution of AI technology has everyone's heads spinning, trying to figure out how to adopt it responsibly and effectively to amplify their impact. In today's episode, I sit down with the phenomenal Devi Thomas, a beacon of knowledge from Microsoft Philanthropies, who's illuminating the path for nonprofits in the digital age. Her insights reveal...
Apr 22, 2024•43 min
Ever felt a surge of imposter syndrome just as you're about to hit a major fundraising goal? Wonder why, even after securing that dream funding, a creeping sense of dread shadows your success? If your accomplishments in the nonprofit realm leave you more anxious than empowered, it’s time we talk about your "Identity Upgrade." In today’s episode, we dive deep into the idea that our identity sometimes lags behind our achievements, leaving us feeling out of sync with our new realities. 🦞 Just like...
Apr 15, 2024•14 min
Worried AI will take your job? Fear robots more than global warming? Think AI lacks morals? Well, take a chill pill my nonprofit friends. 💊 Today's guest Vilas Dhar provides a refreshing perspective on AI. Rather than some apocalyptic force, he views it as a "human-centric reflection of our society." Our biases and beliefs shape how it develops. So who is this optimistic leader guiding us to an ethical AI future? Vilas heads the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, advancing social good through tech...
Apr 08, 2024•38 min
Are you giving money too much power in your fundraising efforts? Are desperation and scarcity sabotaging your fundraising success? 😣 You’re not alone, my friend. Many leaders try tactic after tactic, only to come up short again and again. Exhausting, right? But what if the real barrier isn’t your savvy strategy, but your mindset? 💭 On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into money mindset to discover how trauma and the stories we tell ourselves about money affect our fu...
Apr 01, 2024•23 min
Is it going to take over the world and make nonprofit work obsolete? Some peeps seem hyped, while others wanna unplug the mainframe, Office Space-style. 💻🚫 Well, never fear! With experience from computer engineering to working for the FBI in the White House (?!?), my guest Afua Bruce knows her bytes from her bits. Afua decrypts how bias gets baked into algorithms and breaks communities. But she also shares how nonprofits can responsibly use AI as a force for good and level up their impact with...
Mar 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 279
With the first blooms of spring comes our annual opportunity for renewal. Time to clear out the old and make way for new growth! In this solo episode, I'll share my best tips for spring cleaning every aspect of your NPO - from refreshing stale programs to pruning unengaged contacts. Get ready to plant the seeds now for a fruitful year ahead! Here's what we'll cover: ✅ Breathing life and inspiration into your impact data with impactful storytelling ✅ Pruning and cleaning your email, communication...
Mar 18, 2024•17 min
This week on the podcast, I had an illuminating discussion with spiritual healer John Jacob Mubarak - a spiritual advisor with a heart for integrating soulful practices into everyday life. Our deep dive was enlightening, revealing how to pour into the causes we're passionate about without draining our own spirit. Key Takeaways: Embracing nature and holistic practices like plant medicine isn't just about healing—it's about unlocking a deeper understanding of who we are. It's a call to nurture our...
Mar 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 277
When we're scraping by each month, it's natural to get transactional with donors. But people give to people, not causes. The good news? By shifting your mindset and strategies, you can move from survival mode to stability and even abundance. 🙌 In this episode, I’ll outline the top mistakes nonprofit pros make that lead to fundraising fatigue and give you my signature science-backed solutions for… 🚨 Why you can't find the right donors 🚨 How to engage supporters who aren't ready 🚨 Building tru...
Mar 04, 2024•47 min•Ep. 276
I think we can all agree Gen Z has lofty ideals and a spring in their step for social change that makes some of us old fogeys a little uncomfortable. But could they be the generation that deconstructs the nonprofit industrial complex while the rest of us stand by and watch the show? Today, I’m joined by Sarah Medina Camiscoli, Assistant Professor of Law at Rutgers and the founding co-director of the Peer Defense Project. Sarah shows us how these visionary zoomers are experimenting with entirely ...
Feb 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 275
Itching to make your passion project a legendary nonprofit? It might not be as straightforward as you think. I sat down with my gal pal Tiffany Allen, founder and president of Boss on a Budget, to spill some piping hot tea about the real deal when it comes to starting up your own nonprofit. And let me tell ya…it ain't as easy as just slapping a 501c3 on your passion project and watchin' the donations roll in! We debunk some major myths around funding and control that trip up many founder executi...
Feb 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 274
Does your nonprofit have a “part-time” fundraising problem? As an ED, I learned the hard way that hiring well-meaning but inexperienced junior development folks often wastes precious resources. 💸 Their lack of strategic chops yields scattershot efforts and little ROI…leaving us with a half-baked revenue recipe. 🍳 But Cindy suggests a secret ingredient to bake up some major gifts – fractional fundraisers! 💡 These seasoned specialists bring targeted plans and efficient implementation to quickly...
Feb 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 273
Sick of shame sabotaging your fundraising? 😣 Turns out our money baggage builds invisible barriers between us and the resources we need. But together with my soul sister Shulamit Ber Levtov, we're busting through old stories to unlock flow! 💸 In this week's episode, Shula and I get real about how oppressive systems and early traumas wire our minds for lack - and why fixing feelings is the fast track to funding. We explore simple but powerful practices like self-compassion, boundary setting, an...
Feb 05, 2024•46 min•Ep. 272
Does chasing big donor bucks leave you feeling shook? Here’s a little secret to flip the switch on our inner dialogue so you can start bringing in major gifts: When you fix your mindset, you fix your money probs. But don’t take my word for it! I’m all about a case study too. Once upon a nonprofit, Emerald felt like an imposter around donors. But together we unpacked limiting money stories and reframed fundraising as an adventure, not a burden. Soon after, she received her first record $2.5 milli...
Jan 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 271
Fundraising leaving you frazzled? 😫 I've been there too. Turns out the problem isn't stingy donors - it's our own money mindset. 😳 I used to get bent out of shape whenever a gift fell through or the budget got tight. Then I learned around 80% of fundraising flows from how we feel about finances deep down. Repeat after me: “Scarcity thinking repels resources. Inner abundance attracts support.” Join me and nonprofit Jedi Hugh Ballou as we confront the roots of money trauma and offer refreshing p...
Jan 22, 2024•22 min•Ep. 270
Sick of "spraying and praying" when it comes to finding new donors? I'm dishing my best tips on targeting your ideal supporters in this solo episode. I'm tackling the common mistakes I see nonprofits make, from failing to define their audience to not optimizing existing channels. Expect straight talk on the pros and cons of various donor acquisition strategies out there - no hype, just what really works! The key is getting specific. I'll share how to create detailed donor avatars, survey existin...
Jan 15, 2024•18 min•Ep. 269
Are you trudging through the fundraising world, feeling the weight of 'never enough'? It's time to drop the scarcity storyline and embrace the abundance that surrounds us. We've all carried baggage into our donor meetings, narratives laced with trauma and social hurdles. But what if I told you, it doesn't have to be that way? Let’s talk about the biggest game-changer in fundraising – your mindset. In today's episode, we're exploring how the tales we tell ourselves can make or break our fundraisi...
Jan 08, 2024•17 min•Ep. 268
