Hey, fundraisers! 🎙️ On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into the world of **donor qualification**. Ever wonder why you’re chasing after donors who don’t seem to be that into you? Let’s talk about the 5% that really matters:

🔍 **Identification**: Who’s your type?

🤔 **Qualification**: Do they want to date you?

💞 **Cultivation**: Let’s get to know each other!

💍 **Solicitation**: Seal the deal!

🌟 **Stewardship**: Keep building that relationship!

I'm sharing why skipping the qualification step can lead to wasted time and effort, and how to ensure you’re focusing on the right prospects. From capacity and affinity to recency and relationships, learn how to identify who’s truly engaged and ready to support your cause.

Plus, get tips on segmenting your list, the importance of consent, and why focusing on the most qualified leads can transform your fundraising strategy. 🤑

💌 **Don’t miss out**! Tune in now for actionable insights that will help you stop chasing after uninterested donors and start engaging with the ones who matter most.

Important Links:

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey 

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program 

Hey, nonprofit leaders! 🎙️ If you’re looking to up your fundraising game, you’re in for a treat. Join me for an incredible workshop that’s set to transform how you approach donor relationships. 

In this workshop, I break down my proven strategies for engaging with donors, making major gifts, and turning those one-time contributions into lasting partnerships. 💡 Expect actionable insights, lots of laughter, and a deep dive into making your fundraising efforts more effective and impactful.

🎯 **What You’ll Learn:**

- How to identify and engage with potential major donors.

- The secrets to successful donor cultivation and solicitation.

- Tips for effective email marketing and leveraging social media.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this workshop is packed with practical advice that you can put into action right away. 🔍💰

Let’s get ready to elevate our fundraising game and make a bigger impact together! 💪✨

Important Links:

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey 

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program 

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 the donors of tomorrow.

Today’s guest, Allison Fine of Every.org has dedicated her career to merging technology with social good. From her early days in the nonprofit sector to writing influential books like The Networked Nonprofit and The Smart Nonprofit, Allison has been a thought leader and advocate for ethical, relational fundraising. 

Tune in to this episode to hear Allison Fine's fresh take on turning fundraising from a transactional nightmare into a relational dream. 

Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!

Important Links:

https://www.every.org/   

Allison Fine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-fine-a07132/

Governance as Leadership: A Conversation with William Ryan (https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/governance-as-leadership-a-conversation-with-willi) 

Join the epic Joan Garry for a chat about how we attract and retain talent in the sector, how to prepare for the next generation of leaders and why talking to your board about Hawaii makes sense.

Joan has a long history of leading, consulting, and advising in the nonprofit world and it's a delight to speak with her. She and I bring our soapboxes so get ready!

Connect with Joan Garry

Quote from Joan:
"A lot of people leave because they don't have good managers, they're not paid fairly and they feel their voice doesn't matter"

To join the Nonprofit Leadership Lab visit: https://nonprofitleadershiplab.com/?kfl_ln=rhea-wong

Retirement is a Race Issue with Chitra Aiyar. What comes up for you when I say retirement? Are old people golfing in Florida? Think again.

Join me and my dear friend Chitra Aiyar as we discuss why retirement is a generational/racial wealth gap issue, and what nonprofit employers can do to support workers.

Working in the nonprofit sector shouldn't have to mean sacrificing your long-term financial well-being.

Who should listen to this podcast:

-Employees at nonprofits, particularly if you are young and do not come from generational wealth.
-Nonprofit employers who are concerned about the long-term for their employees, especially those who employ folx of color.
-Funders and nonprofit associations who are interested in racial justice and equity.

In short, everyone.

To learn more about the report, check here: https://www.justfutures.co/rrfa-report

To connect with Chitra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitra-aiyar-3099507/

QUOTE FROM CHITRA: 

"All of this cultural competency means nothing if people aren't building wealth, right? So if you actually wanna put your money where your mouth is, we should be subsidizing retirement plans for smaller organizations at a sector-wide level, as opposed to asking every organization to figure it out on their own."

If you want the full episode transcript, check here: https://www.rheawong.com/podcast/

When the ED/DoD relationship works it can be a magical thing and set everyone up for success.  When it doesn't...well, it just sucks. What makes the partnership work? 

Join me, DeNora Getachew and Jen Moore as we explore what a professional marriage between a CEO and VP of Development looks like. What was the process DeNora went through? How did she make the org appealing to good candidates? What due diligence did Jen do? What did they do on the front end to make it work? Most importantly, who's the hunter and who's the farmer?

Connect with DeNora and Jen:

DeNora Getachew LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denora-getachew/
Jen Moore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennmoore02/
Website: Fueling Young People to Change the World | DoSomething.org

If you want the full episode transcript, check here: https://www.rheawong.com/podcast/

When I was an ED, leading my team sometimes felt like fumbling around in the dark looking for the path forward.
Enter my friend Dr. Patton McDowell. Patton provides a roadmap and framework for nonprofit leaders. Whether you're a new leader, a leader looking to grow or an experienced leader ready for the next step, this interview will provide insights about the next step. Isn't clarity what we all want?

Links below to connect with Patton and to buy his book.

Connect with Dr. Patton

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattonmcdowell/
Website: https://www.pattonmcdowell.com/
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership Book: https://www.amazon.com/Patton-McDowell/e/B09L5JJXS3%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Quote from Dr. Patton McDowell:

"My definition of leadership is what I've kind of come to at this point, which is the ability to retain, attract, and retain talented people. You need followers to define your leadership

If you want the full episode transcript, check here: https://www.rheawong.com/podcast/

Ever wondered what an interim Executive Director actually does?
Are they supposed to keep the trains running on time or clean house for the new ED?
What is it like to be the Mary Poppins for an organization in transition?

Learn the answer to all these and more with my favorite NPO Mary Poppins Diana Breen who is a career interim Executive Director. She manages transitions with calm, skill and grace.

Do you have what it takes to be an interim ED?

Connect with Diana:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianabreenconsulting/
Website: https://www.dianabreen.com/

Quote from Diana:

"Even if you're not driving a lot of change, there is so much change that comes up as a result of the leadership change."

Join me and expert fundraiser Sherry Quam Taylor as we talk about making big ass asks. 

We discuss board and staff reluctance to engage personally with donors, how we're mismanaging our board's time and efforts, and where we really need to spend our time with our investment-level donors. This was an insightful conversations and Sherry drops value bombs all over the place. Are you ready to scale up?

CONNECT WITH SHERRY
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/sherryquamtaylor
WEBSITE: www.quamtaylor.com

ROCKET FUEL BOOK: www.eosworldwide.com/rocket-fuel-book

QUOTE FROM SHERRY:

"Your major donors need more, your mid-level donors need more need to have one on one conversation that donor experience needs to be exclusive. They need different things. And so I think we fear fundraising because sometimes we're misaligning the fundraising activity to what the donor needs and that's not successful."

Ah, times--they are a-changing. In the last year, the dynamics of leading and being responsive to visibility, equity and social justice have never been higher stakes. We know we want to be equity-centered, anti-racist leaders, but where do we even begin?

Join me and my friend Alfonso and Trina as we discuss what it really takes to lead equity-based practices, how to do culture change (like, for reals) and changing power dynamics within an organization. This was a really thought-provoking conversation that helped to move forward on very big and overwhelming changes.

To connect with Alfonso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfonsowenker/
To connect with Trina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trina-c-olson-9646303/

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Team Dynamics - Team Dynamics
Hiring Revolution - A Guide to Disrupt Racism + Sexism in Hiring - HIRING REVOLUTION
The Harvard Business School + Accenture study: https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/hiddenworkers09032021.pdf

QUOTES

“I was a two-time nonprofit executive director. I spent squarely 20 years in the nonprofit sector. It was a mixture of direct service, public policy, and advocacy… I am white. I am 41. And I'm queer.” - Trina Olson

“When Trina and I first started working together in Team Dynamics, it was sort of a side hustle. It was a dream. When we would get together, we would dream and scheme about how we could just think bigger and be more expansive about all of the different skills and tools that we had.” - Alfonso Wenker

“Sometimes, people say things like our strategic plan says we're committed to ending racism. And that feels out of reach for folks. It feels nearly impossible.” - Alfonso Wenker

“The other thing we're really relentless with is goal setting…” - Alfonso Wenker

“Racism and sexism are huge.”  - Alfonso Wenker

“A couple of the things we talk about is changing organizational culture, changing workplace culture, changing the culture in the US, is forever work.” - Trina Olson

“So we just get in these ruts, and we do things. And we say we want to change while changing nothing about how we behave.” - Alfonso Wenker

“So we have this big, audacious goal around race or gender equity. And we talk a lot about what we'll realize, but we don't get in any new practices.” - Alfonso Wenker

“Organizations and businesses are not being conscious about how people need their workplace to function from a benefits perspective, from a flexibility perspective, from a technology perspective, in order to bring all of their skills and talent.” - Trina Olson

“It's not workers that need to change… its workplaces.” - Alfonso Wenker

“We even have to wrestle with the idea and the notion of what is a workplace and what can it be and what should it be.” - Alfonso Wenker

“Companies need to change our expectations or the relationships that we have with the workers who choose to work with us.” - Alfonso Wenker

“Alfonso and I are really clear about the same kinds of things that need to happen in a hiring process. You need to know who you're looking for, you need to go find them, you need to talk to them, and then you need to decide who you're going to pick.” - Trina Olson

In this episode, we’re going to discuss development 3.0 with my friend, Sarah Danzig Simon, the head of development for Uncommon Schools. Join me and Sarah as she talks about the lessons she has learned in fundraising to inspire those new fundraisers listening out there who want guidance and wisdom from those of us in the nonprofit. You will also learn about what people do, especially those who handle development and program in a nonprofit organization. This is an interesting topic, so tune in!

To connect with Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-danzig-simon-0915063/

You can also follow her on:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sarah.danzigsimon.1

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

The Fundraising Accelerator Program

https://www.rheawong.com/join-accelerator/

Uncommon Schools

https://uncommonschools.org/about-us/

The Boys’ Club of New York

https://bcny.org/

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QUOTES

“It is my strong belief that it is very hard to be a successful fundraiser at a place where you are not willing to make a gift and are not willing to participate in the program.” - Sarah Danzig Simon

“When I do a donor tour, I'm always in classrooms. We're hyper-diligent about making sure that we're not interrupting. And we leave things better than when we started.” - Sarah Danzig Simon

“I think, sometimes, fundraisers can forget that they're actually working on behalf of the program staff and that we work for them.” - Rhea Wong

“If you are going to pursue a career in fundraising, you must be comfortable saying the words, will you make a gift to this organization of X dollars? And you need to really challenge yourself to say, is that specific task something I'm willing to do?” - Sarah Danzig Simon

Happy Black Philanthropy Month! 

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jackie Copeland who is the founder of Black Philanthropy Month and April Walker, fundraising consultant.  April and Dr. Jackie speak from their lived experiences as Black women in philanthropy.  In this important talk, we discuss how the Black community can fund Black causes, the importance of giving to Black-led grassroot causes and how racial justice cannot exist without economic justice.

For more about Black Philanthropy Month: www.blackphilanthropymonth.com

To connect with Dr. Jackie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiecopelandcarsonbio/

To connect with April: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilcwalker/

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

Philanthropy for the People - https://philanthropyforthepeople.com/

The Wise Fund - https://thewisefund.org/about-us/

Black Philanthropy Month - https://www.blackphilanthropymonth.com/about

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QUOTES

“The Black Philanthropy Month comes out of a personal commitment, professional dedication, and actual spiritual orientation.” - Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland

“I was very perturbed, that I would always hear that black people don't give and don't have philanthropy…”  - Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland

“The same principle applies to black people. We are consumers of philanthropy and should be respected as such. That means you need 10 years to repair the harm done in our communities, exclusion… so be it. That's just the work of development.”  - Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland

“I've always dreamt of creating a mutually supportive, global black economy of giving and funding of our nonprofits and businesses.” - Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland

“People are now asking, where are the black people? It's a fair question. So it's evolving. But that doesn't mean that they're ready to take action because they have to do some unlearning…” - April Walker

“There's nothing wrong, of course, with inviting people from different backgrounds to invest. We all have connections to the mission and different stories to tell.” - April Walker

This episode is FIRE.  Join me and my friend Dr. Eugene K Choi to discuss how to manage your mind to avoid burnout, anxiety and panic.  Did you know that your brain is only ever in one of two modes: survival or executive?  Learn about the characteristics of both and how to regulate yourself to stop freaking out, calming down and being effective.

Want to know more? https://dreugenekchoi.medium.com/

To connect with Dr. Eugene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekchoi/

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

Destiny Hacks - https://destinyhacks.co/

Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/

Dr. Eugene’s Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neurohacking-podcast/id1545882602

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QUOTES FROM Dr. Eugene Choi

“The survival state is the state when your brain thinks your life is in danger. It's a mode where you are reacting without thinking.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“Research shows that emotional pain can be just as painful as physical pain. That's how our brain processes it.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“Money is an easy trigger for us to go into a survival state…” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“If you want to be a great leader, the number one you need to do is to understand the concept of true ownership.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“It's the loneliness that's causing the burnout. How lonely you feel directly correlates with how burnt out you get.”  - Dr. Eugene Choi

“We have to develop the eyes to see what fight-flight-freeze looks like. That actually helps you connect the dots on why we're in this for 70% of our adult life.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“So how do we fight from an emotional survival standpoint? It could be perfectionism, which is to fight to be perfect.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

“The fight itself will lead to burnout. I have seen it time and time again, fighting always leads to burnout, it always leads to lack of fulfillment.” - Dr. Eugene Choi

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Talking About the Different States of Your Brain

03:20 - 04:40

TOPIC: Talking About the Significant Source of Burnout

12:14 - 13:20

🛑 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't just about adapting to change; it's about pioneering a new era of generosity. 

💡 With fewer people donating through traditional channels, our approach to fundraising needs a radical rethink. Nathan and Rhea dive deep into how we can create genuine connections with donors and reimagine the philanthropic landscape.

Nathan Chappell is not just a fundraising expert; he's a driving force in the sector. As the co-author of The Generosity Crisis, Senior Vice President at DonorSearch, co-founder of Fundraising AI, and co-host of the podcast Fundraising AI, Nathan brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. 

His life's mission? To bridge the gap between generosity and innovation, making giving more impactful and relevant in today's world.

Ready to revolutionize your approach to fundraising and foster deeper donor relationships?

Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Rhea and Nathan to uncover practical strategies and inspiring insights.

Get ready for a discussion that will leave you inspired and equipped to tackle the future of fundraising head-on! 🌟

Important Links: 

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Second Annual Fundraising AI Global Summit with Nathan Chappell and Mallory Erickson on October 1, 2024: https://fundraising.ai/summit/ 

Most people think that when you merge nonprofits, or you’re making any significant changes in a nonprofit, it means that there’s terribly wrong that has happened. Right? But in this episode, my guest, Jess Cavagnero, a partner of SeaChange Capital Partners, dispels some of these misconceptions. Jess and I will talk about the hows, whys and whats of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.  This is a must-listen for leaders who are looking to lead with “strategery”

To connect with Jess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-cavagnero-9b826613b/

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

SeaChange Website - https://seachangecap.org/

SeaChange LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/seachangecap/

Sustained Collaboration Network - https://www.sustainedcollab.org/

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUOTES

“Over the last 10 years, the trend has really shifted, where nonprofits are pursuing mergers… There's a whole spectrum of partnerships that we should be talking about.” - Jess Cavagnero

“So there are best practices from the investment banking side that can be a disservice to nonprofit mergers or collaborations… because they're played out in the wrong moment in time.” - Jess Cavagnero

“So there's something called the Sustained Collaboration Network, which if you're a fundraiser listening to this, you should write down because it's a network of all of the funders who actually make grants to support this work.”  - Jess Cavagnero

“Nonprofits who came out of this period in the pandemic have so much extra cash because they were able to really shrink down to their essential costs and had so much emergency funding come in… This is a good opportunity to grow.” - Jess Cavagnero

“If you're looking to become part of something, what's your offer? What's the value of your program team? Who's on your board?” - Jess Cavagnero

“So what's the challenge or the opportunity or the thing that you're trying to solve for? And it's important to know it upfront because you will fill the space that you have.”  - Jess Cavagnero

“The analogy that is most often used when people talk about nonprofit mergers is dating and weddings. I think it holds here. You can't go out looking for a long-term partner if you aren't totally solid in who you are…”  - Jess Cavagnero

“When two organizations are working together, even if they do the same thing in the same place, and they have overlapping staff, they might put their yogurt in a different place, in the fridge. That is going to create friction that needs to be addressed early and continually.” - Jess Cavagnero

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Talking About the Concept of Mergers and Acquisitions

02:31 - 03:48

How many times have I seen the idea of junior board rise and then fall like a rock?  Join me and Peter Goldwasser, the Founder of the PNG Group, as we talk about his experience of finding the Young Eagles, which is the junior board of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Join me and Peter as we discuss some of the pitfalls, time allocation, infrastructure, and the staff support junior boards need to thrive and grow.

To connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergoldwasser/

Resources and Websites Mentioned in the Podcast:

PNG Group - https://www.pnggroup.us/

Brooklyn Public Library -

Website: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brooklyn-public-library/

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TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Talking About Peter’s Life and His Career in the Nonprofit and Government Fields

00:58 - 03:02

TOPIC: Talking About the Origin Story of the Young Eagles

03:05 - 05:16

Hey Gen X Leader: confounded by your millennial and Gen Z staffers? At a loss for how to make an organizational change and DEI happen in my conversation with Leslie Short, the President and the Founder of the CAVU group.

We discuss managing the generational divide in organizations, acceleration of DEI, the difference, and the snapshot of today's generation who are entering the workforce.

For more about Leslie: https://www.leslieshort.com/

To connect with Leslie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-short-1020052/

You can also follow her on:

Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/leslieskimmedia?_rdc=1&_rdr

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/k.i.m.mediallc/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimmediallc

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kimmedia/

Resources and Websites Mentioned in the Podcast:

The Cavu Group - https://thecavugroup.com/

Marshall Goldsmith - https://marshallgoldsmith.com/

K.I.M. Media LLC - https://kim-media.com/

(Leslie’s Book) Expand Beyond Your Current Culture - https://www.amazon.com/Expand-Beyond-Your-Current-Culture/dp/1947540130

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QUOTES

“If you can communicate the big picture of the focus, mission, values, and how this is going to be executed, then you wouldn't be stuck with every generation that asked him for all these other details…” - Leslie Short

“There's much more communication that's expected. To give a quarter and say, go and do this without the context of the bigger picture, that doesn't work for this generation.” - Leslie Short

“For the younger generation, you have to understand that you have talent, but you also have a huge talent that hasn't been released yet that maybe needs to be cultivated…” - Leslie Short

“Culture… You have to cultivate. That's the expectation of how you expect people to work, how you expect people to show up, how they should be trusted when they show up, how you handle meetings, what your branding, your mission, your values, and your vision is, and how you make that come alive every day.” - Leslie Short

“That's why visibility and not transparency are important… That you all are up-to-date on things that are happening.” - Leslie Short

“Don't assume that everyone understands the mission. Even though it's printed somewhere, make sure you're clear on the mission, make sure you're clear on the values. Values are very big to this generation.” - Leslie Short

“Understand that everyone doesn't work the same way.” - Leslie Short

“Be aware of who you're working with, in their strengths and their weaknesses from leadership all the way through…” - Leslie Short

“Understanding your strengths and your weaknesses, you have to know what that is in order to be a leader.” - Leslie Short

“In order to manage someone else, you have to know what you're good at, and what you're not so good at. And you have to listen, and you have to build trust.” - Leslie Short

“You have to build trust, and trust is action. It’s not just always a conversation.” - Leslie Short

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: What Led Leslie Short to Found the CAVU Group

00:36 - 02:10

TOPIC: Talking About the Ways in Which DEI Has Changed in the Last Three Years

02:32 - 04:37

TOPIC: how do we balance the sort of complexity of the organizational change with the demands of this young workforce

09:29 - 11:24 

Join me and George Suttles as we talk about the opportunity that Diana Noriega and he have seen together in making a coalition to look for ways in collecting data to build some kind of marketplace where nonprofits were able to procure services from BIPOC vendors, contractors, or consultants and do business with them. This is an interesting topic as you will learn how to begin to organize other nonprofit leaders and not just think about how you spend your money, but really attach it to values that make a big difference in the community.

To connect with George: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesuttles/

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

The Laundromat Project - https://laundromatproject.org/meet-george-suttles/

Good Shepherd Services - https://goodshepherds.org/

Common Fund - https://www.commonfund.org/

MWBE - ttps://www.mwbe-enterprises.com/

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TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Why Are Trying to Gather Data About How Nonprofits Purchase

02:21 - 03:49

TOPIC: Talking to People in this Space to Learn More About the Best Practices

07:01 - 08:29

QUOTES

“It really came into clear focus for me, both at the height of the pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020. We had all of these nonprofit organizations that were doing deep DEI work, and they were looking at their organizational, programmatic, leadership practices, and things of that nature. So a lot of us in the sector that the next sort of natural step would be, we'll look at where nonprofits are spending their money.” - George Suttles

“It's important to understand how nonprofits are thinking about procurement.. the opportunity to procure from BIPOC vendors, consultants, and contractors.”  - George Suttles

“Here's an opportunity to elevate the conversation, not just thinking about how we spend our money but really attaching it to values that were connected to racial and economic justice… opportunities to not just impact communities that we cared about through our programmatic and organizational activities, but our economic activity as well.” - George Suttles

“The fact of the matter is we just want to try and create tools that will be easy to use and highly impactful. Whether that looks like a digital marketplace, where buyers and sellers in the nonprofit ecosystem can connect, then we'll try our best to sort of manifest that.” - George Suttles

“These ideas aren't new. Really smart folks like you and others have been thinking about this and trying to build marketplaces in trying to build connectivity around procurement and supply chain for many years.” - George Suttles

“I think there's this new appetite to try and do this work, understanding that racial and economic justice is incredibly important. And it's going to help us sort of rebuilding New York City…” - George Suttles

Let’s dispel the myth that you can either have donor diversity or donor wealth, but you can’t have both.  In this episode, my dear friend  Hali Lee, the founder of Radiant Strategies and the Asian Women Giving Circle, and the co-founder of the Donors of Color Network, talks about the results of her study of high-net-worth donors of color, entitled “Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color.”

Join me and Hali as we discuss the implication of this study.  You will also learn some opportunities that nonprofits should be thinking about as they engage these high-net-worth donors of color. 

To connect with Hali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hali-lee-awgcnyc/

You can also follow her on:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HaliLeeNYC

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

Radiant - https://www.radiantstrategies.co/

Asian Women Giving Circle - http://asianwomengivingcircle.org/

Donors of Color Network - https://www.donorsofcolor.org/

Asian Boss Ladies - https://www.asianbossladies.com/

TargetSmart - https://targetsmart.com/

The US Trust Study

Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/606b68da6637e30aba86834a/t/62265df5becc740d42b90e5e/1646681594776/PORTRAIT_Executive_Summary_FINAL.pdf

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TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Talking About the Report of the Study: Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color

06:03 - 07:37

TOPIC: The opportunities that the nonprofits should be thinking about as they engage in these high-net-worth donors of color

22:53 - 24:25

QUOTES

“Trust is really important in doing this kind of work. And peer to peer is the only way this works like we found people who connected us…” - Hali Lee

“The country is changing. The communities of color in America are just growing in influence and affluence. And the philanthropy sector is a little bit lagging behind the other sectors…” - Hali Lee

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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nonprofitlowdown/support

Capital campaign.  Sounds scary, right?  Doesn’t have to be!  Join me and Sabrina Walker Hernandez as she walks through how she raised $12M for a capital campaign in the third poorest county in the US.  We get into all the details and spill all the tea on how she did it, even as a newbie “accidental” fundraiser.

To know more about Sabrina’s Supporting World Hope: https://supportingworldhope.com/

To connect with Sabrina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawalkerhernandez/

Resources and Websites Mentioned in the Podcast:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV - https://edinburgkids.com/

Supporting World Hope - https://supportingworldhope.com/

QUOTES

“I was able to increase my operating budget from $750,000 to $2.5 million and complete a $12-million capital campaign in the third poorest county in the United States.” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“I've always acknowledged that I am very strategic in building relationships. So I surrounded myself with people who helped me along my journey…” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“One of my things is building relationships. I would not have been and still to this day would not be successful without people, like building those relationships are critical.” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“I had to change my mindset because what I valued thinking what I know about fundraising, I valued the ask. I wanted people to go out and ask. That's what I thought.” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“Going to conferences and professional development and learning more about fundraising, I finally figured out the secret sauce is relationships.” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“We lost some people. You have to be willing to lose some people and it's okay… Because, then, they're just not the right fit.” - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“It's not necessarily using people because they are not asking for money. You have to educate them and explain what fundraising means to us.”  - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

“And it's the cultivation, it’s the stewardship and all of that… What role will you be willing to participate in this process, removing that fear of asking for money?”  - Sabrina Walker Hernandez

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: The Story Behind Hitting the Million Dollars and Embarking on a Capital Campaign

08:45 - 11:30

To know more about Sabrina’s Supporting World Hope: https://supportingworldhope.com/

To connect with Sabrina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawalkerhernandez/

Resources and Websites Mentioned in the Podcast:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV - https://edinburgkids.com/

Supporting World Hope - https://supportingworldhope.com/

Conflict is inevitable in the workplace or in any organization when people with different backgrounds and work styles are brought together for a common business purpose. Conflict is part of dealing with humans. So join me and Jonno White to discuss healthy versus toxic conflict and how to manage it when it (inevitably) comes. We cover basic rules of engagement so that conflict does not have to mean destruction. On top of that, you will also learn the importance of setting up proper expectations and communication among people in the company or organization. Also, Jonno has a delightful Aussie accent!

To get to know more about Jonno White, you can follow him on:

LinkedIn (Jonno’s Account)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonno-white-983486136/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonno-white-983486136/

LinkedIn (Clarity) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/clarity-for-large-enterprises/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Clarity-108805891004575

Twitter - https://www.instagram.com/consultclarity/

You can visit Jonno on his website:

https://www.consultclarity.org/

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

Blue Ocean Strategy Book

https://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/books/blue-ocean-strategy-book/

Step Up or Step Out - How to Deal With Difficult People Even If You Hate Conflict

https://www.amazon.com/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict-ebook/dp/B0925MB4SR

Clarity

https://store.consultclarity.org/step-up-or-step-out-sales-page-cn17hlpfdisc10

Jonno White

TOPIC: Talking About The Perfect Recipe For Conflict

04:53 - 08:50

Rhea Wong

TOPIC: Setting Up Proper Expectations and the Importance of Communication

08:56 - 10:20

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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nonprofitlowdown/support

In this episode, I will be interviewing three alums of the fundraising accelerator program. We have Noelle Andreano, the Director of Development at The New School of Northern Virginia, which is a small Independent School in Fairfax, Virginia. Drine Paul is the Executive Director for Breakthrough Providence in Providence, Rhode Island. And Rosemary Ellis works in New York City. She’s the Interim Executive Director of the Doula Program to Accompany and Comfort.

The three of them have pretty different roles and pretty different nonprofits. Drine Paul found out about the accelerator program and was really eager to grow her skills. At first, she thought that it wasn't something that she was good at before taking the role. She just spent a lot of time in the program to take advantage of the opportunity, resulting in her being inspired as one single woman of color who leads it.

On the other hand, when Rosemary Ellis faced various challenges in her role, she reached the point when she needed to figure out which donors she should talk to and find donors where they didn't exist and do an end-of-year campaign and even understand how to frame the organization's story in a way that would resonate with people.

To learn more about the fundraising accelerator program and the inspiring stories of Noelle, Drine, and Rosemary, please head on to the podcast. Together, let’s discover how their journey started, the reason why they joined the program, and how they've reached this far in their career.

Ever wondered if the Fundraising Accelerator is right for you?  Join me and three alums to discuss my Fundraising Accelerator program, who it's right for and what they've gotten out of it.  

To get to know more about our guests, you can follow and connect with them on:

LinkedIn (Noelle Andreano) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelle-andreano-75b6a821/

LinkedIn (Drine Paul) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinepaul/

Resources and Websites Mentioned in the Podcast:

Free masterclass enrollment and more details - https://www.rheawong.com/

The New School of Northern Virginia - https://www.newschoolva.org/

Doula Program to Accompany and Comfort - http://www.doulaprogram.org/

Breakthrough Providence - https://breakthroughprovidence.org/

Episode Highlights

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: Guests Introduction and How Did the Three Find the Fundraising Accelerator Program

01:11 - 05:36

TIME STAMPS

TOPIC: The Reason Why They Joined the Fundraising Accelerator Program

03:02 - 08:37


Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nonprofitlowdown/support

Yolanda’s journey in philanthropy had very interesting inception. It all started when she was in college. She was part of one of the first programs at school that dived deeper into fundraising and philanthropy.

In her whole life, she has been seeing generosity and creation, and whole communities come together to raise young people and send them on their way. Yolanda, certainly, was the beneficiary of that sort of community.

So seeing that, she has always been philanthropic, looking back over it standing on the shoulders of giants. Yolanda was still hearing the voices of women of color in the sector who wanted to meet space for the unique experience of being them. So she decided to create that and never looked back.

Moreover, Yolanda said that when you're building your team, make sure that you have an environment that is attractive to a woman of color. Don't make assumptions about it. When she's looking at the opportunity, is it something that's really going to be attractive, where she's going to flourish, where she's going to thrive.

Anything more about it, please join me in today’s episode as we talk about women of color in fundraising with our guest Yolanda F. Johnson. She is the founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy, along with being the first African-American president of the Women in Development.

Let’s hear it from her as she shares how she gets started on her own journey and dives deeper into fundraising and philanthropy. Let’s find out how she makes use of being a person of color to achieve her goals and be successful in life.

To get to know more about Yolanda, you can follow her on:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-f-johnson-5778097/

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

Committee on Civil and Human Rights

https://council.nyc.gov/committees/civil-and-human-rights/

Radiant Leadership Institute

https://www.woc-fp.com/radiant-comittee

In this week's episode, we speak to the amazing Trish Adobea Tchume about her thoughtful piece in the Nonprofit Wakanda Quarterly about what it means to live liberation.  We define terms and discuss four useful frameworks to help us understand how to liberate ourselves, liberate others around us and to liberate our organizations.  I loved this discussion for its practicality and tactical bend to help all of us live free and to help others do so as well.

To read Trish's piece: https://www.nonprofitwakanda.com/blog/four-frameworks-for-living-liberation

To connect with Trish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishtchume/

🤪 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 because help is here! 👏

Join Rhea Wong as she sits down with Marti Fischer, the principal of Marti Fischer Group, a seasoned coach, and an author who specializes in helping young professionals transition from school to career. 

📖Marti’s book, “Make Your Internship Count,” serves as a vital resource both for interns looking to maximize their learning and for employers striving to make the most out of internship programs. Dive deep into practical strategies, insightful anecdotes, and the must-do’s to shape an internship program that benefits everyone.

▶️Ready to turn your internship program from chaotic to cohesive? Press play and gain invaluable insights from Marti Fischer and Rhea Wong. Your next great intern experience starts here!

Important Links:

Get in touch with Marti: https://www.martifischergroup.com/ 

Buy her Book: https://www.martifischergroup.com/books/

[Updated--was a snafu with original upload]

Join  me and expert fundraiser Adam-Michael Royston as he unlocks the vault  on some of his secrets.  He's raised serious money for capital campaigns  and annual campaigns and he shares some of his stories from the  trenches.  We dive deep on details on how he prepares for the ask, where  he does it and what happens when things don't go his way.  The big  takeaway here is that Adam-Michael knows that his job is to prepare and  to swing at the ball, not to get too in-his-head about the outcome.

For more about Adam Michael, check out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-michael-royston-cfre-/

Join me and expert fundraiser Adam-Michael Royston as he unlocks the vault on some of his secrets.  He's raised serious money for capital campaigns and annual campaigns and he shares some of his stories from the trenches.  We dive deep on details on how he prepares for the ask, where he does it and what happens when things don't go his way.  The big takeaway here is that Adam-Michael knows that his job is to prepare and to swing at the ball, not to get too in-his-head about the outcome.

For more about Adam Michael, check out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-michael-royston-cfre-/

Y'all!  This episode is fire.  My friend and new BFF Mallory breaks down how we embody energy that either attracts or repels money.  We talk about the different types of energy, how to harness the energy and, most importantly, tips that you can employ to help you get out of the funk.  This is one of my favorite conversations with Mallory (who has amazing energy btw:)  Check it out!

For more about Mallory: https://malloryerickson.com/

In order for someone to remark on something, it must be remarkable.  Michelle, Executive Director of the Human Services Council, and I talk about their last video campaigns.  In it, they had the courage to claim an edge and to use humor to make their point.  Facts: we don't need another boring, canned nonprofit video.  In this interview, Michelle talks about the creative process, how the videos have been received and how they have made a point using humor.  The takeaway: the work is serious, but you don't have to be.  Listen to this as inspiration and courage to plan your next campaign.

To see the videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gELZnORV4U

To connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-jackson-03a1a648/

Andrea is a Managing Partner at BDO which releases an annual State of Nonprofits report.  Join us as we discuss trends from 2020-2021 and opportunities and risks for 2022.  Will individual and foundation giving trends persist?  What risks should leaders be aware of and how can we mitigate them? What is the role of technology in the future of nonprofits.  

For more about Andrea, connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-espinola-wilson-74a1507/

To read the report: https://www.bdo.com/insights/industries/nonprofit/nonprofitstandards

Join me and my friends as we tackle the big questions: what does "disrupting" fundraising really mean in theoretical and practical terms?  How do we develop our own theories of change and operation beyond the frameworks of "donor-centric" versus "community-centric" fundraising?  This trio is a masterclass in asking important questions, practicing fundraising as justice and daring to dream of a just future for all.  I am blown away by my guests and their thoughtful approaches to fundraising for a more equitable world.  

For more about my guests:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-billings-4087b860/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-moreno/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesuttles/

Join me and my long-time friend Gabe Scheck to talk about how to successfully open, cultivate and solicit gifts from foundations.  Gabe has raised money for Teach for America and New Leaders among others and shares his top tips for raising major money.  He shares some early lessons learned, his guidance for how to network in order to get a warm intro and how to get the lead funder in.  Gabe is a fount of knowledge and a whole lot of fun.

To connect with Gabe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-scheck-5260925/

Join me and my friend Darren Isom as we discuss the case for endowing Black-led nonprofits.  Darren published a thought-provoking piece in the Stanford Social Innovation Review on this topic and we do a deep dive on how we can shift the conversations from the myths and unhelpful narratives that keep Black-led nonprofits from growing endowments.  In this conversation, Darren offers up helpful tips on how we think about funding partners, shifting the conversation and elevating the conversations to trustees.  Instead of surviving, endowments help organizations to thrive.

For more about Darren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/disom/

To read Darren's whitepaper: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/endow_black_led_nonprofits

Join me and adventurer, writer, environmentalist and former Patagonia executive Rick Ridgeway as talk about his many adventures and his experience in building Patagonia's famous corporate culture.  We talk about the hows and whys of his decades at Patagonia and how his adventures have informed his leadership.  This is a really fun conversation and I hope it inspires you to go outside and have fun in nature.

For more about Rick, visit: https://rickridgeway.com/

Did you know that 5% of your supporters and responsible for 100% of your word-of-mouth referrals?  Do you know how to engage and activate your best supporters?  What is the role of a CRM system in engaging your supporters?  Join me and Hilary Doe of Nationbuilder to talk about how to start, nurture and leverage networks on behalf of your nonprofit.  We discuss common misconceptions about worrying too much about your brand and the fine balance between structure and freedom to take your network to the next level.

For more about Hilary, visit: https://nationbuilder.com/hilary

For more about Susan Fiske: https://www.fiskelab.org/

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 story with a happy ending. With over $6 million raised through engaging conversations, Kel’s approach debunks our deepest fears about the dreaded "ask."

Want to learn how you can harness the power of storytelling and genuine connection to make fundraising calls less about asking for money and more about forging meaningful relationships?

Tune into this insightful episode to unleash the power of the 5-minute ask in your own campaigns.

Important links: 

https://www.kelhaney.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney-15a24a10

#realtalk: I never pursued government funding for my nonprofit because I was always so deterred by the administration.  It all seemed so complicated and bureaucratic that I never invested the time and energy to pursue it.  Enter Patrice Davis.  Patrice is a government grants expert who demystifies the process and has valuable information about new money through the America Rescue Plan Act that presents an UNPRECEDENTED amount of money to qualified nonprofits.  You literally cannot afford NOT to listen to this one.

For more about Patrice, visit: https://grantsworks.com/about/

For more about ARPA: https://www.whitehouse.gov/american-rescue-plan/

I've turned the keys over to my designated driver Patrick Kirby.  Patrick and I talk about my new book Get That Money, Honey.  We talk about my origin story, why I wrote the book and what to expect when you read it.  Patrick is a ton of fun and we have a blast shooting the sh*t about book-writing, fundraising and being in this sector.   To buy the book, visit: Get That Money, Honey! To learn more about Patrick: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/

Do you freak out when people unsubscribe to your newsletters?  Are you overwhelmed with marketing on different platforms: Facebook, email, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, oh my?  If so, this episode is for you.  Christina, email marketing maven, walks us through some actionable tips on how to clean up your lists, increase your opens and conquer email for conversions to donations.

Get Christina's free email clean-up tips: https://www.splendidcourses.com/emailguide?r_done=1

To connect with Christina: https://www.splendidatl.com/

I've met my Canadian sister from another mister!  Expert fundraiser Cindy Wagman and I talk about brain science and how it trips us up in fundraising.  By unpacking the ways in which the brain works, we can unlock the power for good.  We talk about heuristics, how your fear keeps you from living your best life and why we're so messed up about money.  This is a good one for the reluctant fundraiser.

To connect with Cindy: https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/

Some of the resources we mention:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Raise it! by Cindy Wagman

Soul of Money by Lynne Twist

Generosity Network by Jennifer McCrea

My new BFF Oly and I have a blast answering all of your questions about boards. Listen to our take on hot topics like board fundraising, changing your board culture and loving board members right out the door. This is a fun, high-energy interview about a not-always-fun topic.

To learn more about Oly, visit: www.theolympiacollective.com/

To download my training about sourcing board members and donors via LinkedIn, visit:

https://mailchi.mp/rheawong/6-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-fundraising

Friends--this episode is a veritable smorgasbord of insights.  Greg, a master marketer, and Dr. Russell James, an academic, break down the data and practices of major gift fundraising.  If you're looking to make bigger, transformational asks, this episode is for you.  We break down the framework and power of story, the ways to add value before an ask and how to overcome the chasm of distrust.  This is a must-listen.

To get FREE copies of Dr. James's books, visit: https://imarketsmart.com/donorstory/

To connect with Dr. James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/encouragegenerosity/

To connect with Greg Warner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmarketsmart/

In this episode, Derrick Coleman and I discuss some of the top myths about  Black board members.  Some of the top myths: they're not out there, we  can't have diversity AND financial capacity, we don't know how to find  them...etc.  Derrick and I talk about concrete ways to find, attract and  retain Black board members for your nonprofit.  This is a highly  actionable and straightforward conversation that anyone looking to  diversify their board should listen to ASAP.

For more about AABLI: https://www.aabli.org/

To connect with Derrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colemand/

What are some of the biggest mistakes that people make on their homepages?  Are you guilty of it?

Join me and my friend Boris as we discuss fundamentals of good marketing, how to use storytelling as a tool and how to take your homepage from snoozefest to sizzle.  Boris, a former coder turned actor turned nonprofit marketing strategist, shares helpful insights into how to make your marketing efforts more effective.  He also offers a number of free resources on his site.  

To check them out, visit: https://dotorgstrategy.com/

Otis Rolley, Senior Vice President at the Rockefeller Foundation, discusses his career in government and philanthropy.  We talk about how the Rockefeller Foundation has implemented DEI through its practices, how Otis has been at the forefront of equity at the foundation and his views on the trends in philanthropy.  This is a thoughtful and insightful conversation from a philanthropy insider.

To connect with Otis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/otis-rolley-he-him-4832587/

Sometimes, we're overwhelmed with the enormity of solving problems in the world that we forget small actions can make a difference.  Join me and Masami Sato who is the founder of the global Buy One Give One business model that helps businesses big and small make impacts on nonprofits.  It's a reminder that we can all do something.

To learn more about Buy One Give One, visit: https://b1g1.com/

For nonprofits, visit: https://www.b1g1.org/

🚀 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 understanding of their roles to deeper issues like money baggage. We discuss strategies to energize your board: assessing willingness and skill, empowering through training, and setting clear and achievable expectations.

💡 Discover:

How to diagnose and address the specific reasons behind your board's fundraising hesitance.

Effective methods to transform your board from passive participants to active champions of your cause.

Tired of doing the heavy lifting alone? Tune into this episode for practical tips that will help you craft a board that not only understands their fundraising role but excels at it!

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/episodes/244---Innovations-in-Board-Management-with-Bill-Ryan-e26onag

When we're in the role of fundraisers, there is so much that is unsaid and lurking just below the surface.  Join me and my dear friend Christine Lai to talk about how to approach philanthropic partners from a place of strength ("Who deserves to fund you?").  This is a wide-ranging and energizing conversation about creating culture, the value of white space and how to Christine designs her life.  She's a sage among us.

For more about Christine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinelai21/

Let's face it: PR and marketing are the first to get cut in a budget.  And yet, you're still the best kept secret in your city?  What gives?  Rebekah walks us through actionable strategies and tips for small nonprofits on a tight budget and even tighter labor market.  You can't afford NOT to let the media know about your work, and Rebekah shows us how to do it ourselves.

For more about Rebekah, visit: www.fifteen-media.com/

Happy 2022 y'all.  This pod is here to help you start off the new year right by getting money through the door.  Join me and my dear friend Chitra Ayar as we talk about how to get money back from the IRS for all those payroll taxes you paid during the pandemic.  If you're like me and the word taxes creates a twinge of anxiety, listen up to this podcast where Chitra explains all.  You could be eligible for up to $26K per employee thanks to these tax credits.

For more info and to get in touch with Chitra, visit: nonprofitcovidrelief.net/