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We Are Leaving $52 Billion On The Table with Woodrow Rosenbaum05 Nov 202500:36:39

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷

💰 What if the nonprofit sector could help grow giving by $52 billion every year?

That’s not a pie-in-the-sky projection. It’s the real, data-backed opportunity uncovered by Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer at GivingTuesday, in their latest research from GivingTuesday Data Commons: Growing Giving: How Nonprofits Can Unlock Billions in Generosity.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Woodrow joins me to share insights that every nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and strategist needs to hear. Drawing from the GivingTuesday Data Commons, which spans 2,000+ collaborators and 150+ data providers around the world, he reveals how to activate hidden giving potential, reach donors who are ready to say "yes," and build lasting generosity in your community.

🔍 Together, we explore:

  • Why year-end giving is just the tip of the iceberg
  • How recurring giving could be supercharged with smarter acquisition
  • The powerful potential of simply “asking” the unasked
  • The role of data in building community-centered impact
  • What’s next for the GivingTuesday movement and the Data Commons

💼 About Woodrow Rosenbaum

As Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research and analysis of individual giving behaviors. He leads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, bringing together a coalition of more than 2,000 collaborators coordinated through eight working groups as well as data teams around the world to understand the drivers and impacts of generosity to inspire more giving of all types. Woodrow brings expertise in moving markets and transforming audiences from passive participants to active and vocal ambassadors. Woodrow is also the founder of With Intent Strategies, an international agency specializing in brand reimagination.

🧰 Resources & Links:

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Engage Women Donors With Jaqueline Ackerman31 Oct 202500:33:02

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷

Why do women give — and what truly inspires them to give more? In this powerful episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Jacqueline Ackerman, Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.and a leading voice in gender and philanthropy. With a background shaped by early experiences in Haiti and a career grounded in rigorous research, Jacqueline shares why understanding how women give is just as important as how much they give.

If you’re not segmenting, stewarding, and storytelling with women in mind, you’re not just missing out on donations — you’re missing the opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable culture of philanthropy.

💡 Key Topics:

  • Why women give and why it’s important to understand
  • The biggest myths and blind spots nonprofits have about women donors
  • How to use storytelling to build trust and deepen engagement
  • What it means to create a gender-inclusive fundraising strategy
  • How fundraisers can apply an intersectional lens to their work
  • Real examples of how WPI research has helped nonprofits grow giving

🧰 Resources & Links:

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

AI Prompts That ​H​elp Nonprofits Do More With Less with Faigy Gilder03 Sep 202500:35:14

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Faigy Gilder, a nonprofit digital marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience helping small organizations punch above their weight. With an MPA and a passion for practical, no-fluff strategies, Faigy specializes in teaching AI workflows tailored specifically to the unique challenges nonprofit professionals face.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by limited resources or looking for smarter ways to write, market, and fundraise, Faigy shares actionable techniques using free or low-cost AI tools — all without needing to be tech-savvy.

💡Tune in to learn how to:

  • Audience research and personas using deep research mode, AI transcripts, and custom bots
  • Generating compelling grant narratives using AI to research, outline, and draft
  • Ideating and planning marketing content that resonates using your brand voice and content pillars (both generated with the help of AI)
  • And explore even more ways AI can boost your impact

This is a must-listen for any nonprofit leader ready to save time, streamline content creation, and make AI their newest team member.

💼 Resources & Links

Visit SmallOrgComms.com/Nation to find custom GPTs you can use today and explore Faigy’s strategic and fractional services for your organization.

Connect with Faigy on LinkedIn.

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them? 

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

The Power of Bilingual Content in Nonprofit Fundraising and Social Media Marketing14 Feb 202400:34:22

In the last few years, bilingual social media content has emerged as a tool used to increase diversity and rights for minority groups. On Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and other social platforms, organizations such as Tide Pods by Unilever have released bilingual images that support diverse communities. 

More recently, nonprofits have started to use bilingual social media content as a marketing tool and support communities by creating awareness and encouraging the involvement of people to take positive action. This is important because it gives back to communities that have been left out by mainstream culture for many years.

My guest today is Maria Ochoa, Founder and CEO at Emprender Creative, an agency helping organizations realize their vision by providing bilingual marketing services with content that is culturally targeted, impactful, and relevant to the Latinx community. 

Maria has over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations in California and Illinois — advocating for individuals and groups. Her work in social media and content creation has allowed her to continue to serve and advocate for the most vulnerable members in our communities. 

In this episode, Maria and I discuss: 

  • How bilingual social media content helps promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in nonprofits 
  • How to use bilingual content in fundraising appeals and campaigns
  • How to start creating bilingual content
  • The benefits of sharing bilingual content 
  • Which social media channels nonprofits should use to promote this content

About Maria Ochoa

Maria Ochoa is the founder of Emprender Creative, a bilingual social media agency dedicated to helping organizations bring their visions to life. With a focus on culturally targeted and impactful marketing services.  Her goal is to help nonprofits engage effectively with the Latinx community. Maria holds a B.A. in Sociology from Aquinas College and a Master’s in Leadership Studies from North Central College. With over two decades of experience, Maria has advocated for diverse populations across the United States and Latin America. Through social media and Meet Maria Ochoa, the passionate founder behind Emprender Creative, a bilingual social media agency on a mission to bring organizations' visions to vibrant life. Maria's focus is all about crafting culturally targeted and impactful marketing services, with a special emphasis on helping nonprofits engage effectively with the Latinx community.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn
Follow Maria on Instagram

Other links:

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How Nonprofits Can Take The Leap Into Gaming with Shane Bailey07 Feb 202400:44:53

Livestreams are the new telethons, and they’re raising millions for charities. The rise of video game streaming in the last several years has opened up a new avenue for philanthropy. 

Streamers and charity organizations routinely partner up to solicit donations from the gamer’s thousands of loyal viewers. Instead of calling in like participants did for telethons, viewers funnel donations through a digital pipeline that makes the fundraising process instantaneous. 

Twitch streamers raised $40+ million in 2018, $55 million in 2019, and $83 million in 2020 (Forbes). And if you're looking for younger donors, note that 70% of Twitch's users are between 18 and 34 years old. 

My guest today is Shane Bailey, Head of Gaming & Streaming for Australian charity Cure Cancer spearheading Game On Cancer®, an initiative that partners with gaming brands, developers, publishers, creators and communities to help fund life-saving cancer research. In less than four years, Game On Cancer® has raised more than $1M AUD and isn’t slowing down. 

 In this episode, we discuss:  

  • The rise of gaming and streaming fundraisers and how can they raise donations for your nonprofit
  • How to partner with gamers and livestreamers
  • How nonprofits can determine if they are ready to run a gaming fundraiser
  • Ways to get started in this space, even if you are a small nonprofit

About Shane Bailey

Shane has worked in the Australian games industry, across a variety of different roles and disciplines, for the past 14 years. His work has included brand management, communications, retail, esports, events, trade marketing, community engagement and partnerships.

Today, Shane is the Head of Gaming & Streaming for Australian charity Cure Cancer spearheading Game On Cancer®, an initiative that partners with gaming brands, developers, publishers, creators and communities to help fund life-saving cancer research. In less than four years, Game On Cancer® has raised more than $1M AUD and isn’t slowing down.

Connect with Shane on LinkedIn

Other links:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Get Major Gifts Fundraising Courage with Julie Ordoñez31 Jan 202400:41:42

Your major gifts strategy may be leaving millions on the table. And it’s probably holding you back from the impact you know your organization could make.

You have - or you are developing - relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, but they’re not stepping up to the level you need. 

But in truth, the person who needs to step up is you.

Asking for a lot of money from a rich person face-to-face can be intimidating. Especially when you have worked so hard to build these relationships.

My guest this week is Julie Ordoñez, founder of Courage Lab and Nonprofit Courage Lab Podcast, and a major gifts coach to thousands of nonprofits. 

Julie knows that wealthy donors aren’t mind readers, and they don’t write million-dollar checks on a whim. They’re people like you and me. And they need a leader to show them what it takes to make their mark and leave a legacy.

In this episode, Julie and I discuss: 

  • Keys to a culture of generosity
  • What should fundraisers & development teams be focused on right now when it comes to individual giving
  • Courage in nonprofit leadership 
  • Why character development is crucial to make our missions and visions a reality
  • How to ask more from the donors you have rather than constantly chase brand new donors


About Julie Ordoñez

Julie Ordoñez is a major gifts strategist and coach on a mission to equip leaders with the courage to ask for more and raise multi-billions to solve the world’s most pressing issues.

With 14 years of experience in major gifts, Julie was top 1% performer at United Way of Greater Los Angeles among 90 FTEs, and at LIFT as well as New Story raise $2.5M in her first 12 months in the role in 2022. She has coached and trained over 200 nonprofit executives and major gifts teams since 2018.

She’s the founder of CourageLab, a 6-week major gifts training for leaders to get the courage and strategy to ask for more and raise major gifts and the host of the top-rated podcast Nonprofit CourageLab which hit #3 on the US nonprofit charts in Sept 2022.


Connect with Julie on LinkedIn
Follow Julie on Instagram

julieordonez.com

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

The Role of Tech in Your 2024 Fundraising with Melaina Chromy25 Jan 202400:35:58

Social Media for Social Good Academy is open for enrollment - click here for more information!

How is technology shaping your fundraising strategy this year? What challenges are fundraisers facing in 2024 - and where are the opportunities? 

From leveraging data analytics to optimizing online donation processes, this episode explores some of the emerging tech-driven approaches that can elevate fundraising efforts.

Join me for an episode diving into the dynamic intersection of technology and fundraising in 2024. My guest is Melaina Chromy, PR & Communications Manager at Qgiv. Before coming to Qgiv, she worked as a director of annual giving and used her digital marketing savvy to lead several successful giving days.

When she's not coordinating brand awareness campaigns, she can be found binge-watching Parks and Rec and taking photos of everyone else's pets.

We talk about the recent data released on fundraising effectiveness, and shed light on the trends and insights that fundraisers need to navigate the evolving landscape.

Connect with Melaina on LinkedIn

Get your free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt! 

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Leverage Technology to Support Your Mission with Sterrin Bird24 Jan 202400:36:38

My guest today is Sterrin Bird, Senior Director, Nonprofit Industry Advisor, Salesforce. Sterrin is a nationally recognized leader in the nonprofit community, with nearly three decades spent working with some of the most prestigious organizations in the country, including UCSF Medicine, Duke Medicine, American Red Cross, United Way and the March of Dimes. 

She was a Chief Development Officer for 30 years In addition she founded her own consulting practice in 2010. Sterrin partners with organizations to ensure they can access the affordable creative support and counsel necessary to scale their operations — and their impact. 

She’s conducted more than two-dozen capital campaigns throughout the United States with combined fundraising goals in excess of $5.5 billion. In 2020, she joined Salesforce as a Nonprofit Industry Expert.

In this episode, Sterrin and I discuss: 

  • Why AI is not going to replace us (most of us!)
  • Trends in the AI space that nonprofits need to know
  • How nonprofits can use this technology to save time and do better work
  • Pitfalls and challenges in using this new technology for good 
  • The future of tech in the sector and how nonprofits can get ready for the next wave
  • How we can use predictive and generative AI

Does cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.

RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.

Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!

Connect with Sterrin on LinkedIn

Other resources:

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Nonprofit Social Media Trends for the New Year with Hootsuite22 Jan 202400:54:58

Social Media for Social Good Academy is open for enrollment - click here for more information!

What type of content is most likely to inspire long-term support from your followers? How are nonprofit organizations handling the constant rise of social platforms and features? Are they jumping on the AI bandwagon? And which social platforms are they most (and least) confident will deliver a positive ROI?

Join me and the Hootsuite Social Impact Team to discuss the Social Media Trends in Nonprofits report to get answers to all these questions, plus firsthand insights, industry inspo, and all the guidance you need to be a social media innovator for the year ahead.

Get your copy of the report here: https://www.hootsuite.com/research/nonprofit-social-media-trends-report

My guests are Eva Taylor, Director of Social Impact and Laura Zubick, Social Impact Manager at Hootsuite.

Eva Taylor has over 15 years of experience creating and executing strategic programs and campaigns that connect brands and nonprofit organizations with their customers, communities and other key stakeholders. In her role as Director, Social Impact at Hootsuite, a global social media management platform, Eva creates initiatives that empower employees to give back to the communities where they live and work, including creating the award-winning Hootsuite for Good program. Alongside this, Eva leads the HootGiving Program for Nonprofits and oversees strategic partnerships, philanthropy and disaster relief. As the former Director of Global Social Marketing at Hootsuite, Eva works closely with nonprofit organizations of all sizes to harness the power of social media to innovate, adapt and leverage new ways of delivering impact worldwide.

Laura Zubick is a marketing, corporate social responsibility, and DEI professional, who is passionate about bringing stakeholders forward in a purpose-driven way. She has developed and implemented several strategic initiatives, including the award-winning Pay Up for Progress campaign to achieve pay parity. In her current role of Social Impact Manager at Hootsuite, a global social media management platform, Laura leads the organization’s employee purpose program, Hootsuite For Good, and contributes to the growth of the HootGiving Program for Nonprofits.

In this episode, we discuss:  

  • The key insights and trends in the Nonprofit Social Media Trends 2024 report
  • How nonprofits can strategically allocate their time and resources on social media
  • How to leverage entertainment on social media to boost the bottom line
  • Why ROI is taking center stage and how to focus on it for maximum results
  • Generative AI and how to maintain authenticity in content creation

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How to Double Your Revenue Using Bold Thinking with Matt Scott17 Jan 202400:35:24

Nonprofits are often stuck in the status quo of fundraising, inching along towards their revenue goals and slashing programs and budgets along the way. 

What if we changed the question to: “What if we had no choice but to double our revenue over the next three years with half the resources, half the human effort, half the budget? How would we do it? Go.”

This is the question that my guest aims to answer. Matt Scott is CEO of CauseMic and the author of The High Growth Nonprofit: Proven Steps to Quickly Double Your Revenue and Drive Impact. During Matt’s seven years at Team Rubicon, he took the organization from $275,000 in annual revenue to $51 million. 

In this episode, Matt and I discuss: 

  • Why reframing your organization’s growth mindset is the first step in doubling your nonprofit’s revenue in three years or less.
  • How nonprofits can make a better case to donors
  • The power of a one-page strategic plan
  • Ways to convince your board to embrace and implement bold ideas and thinking

Does cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.

RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.

Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!

About Matt Scott

Besides being an early riser, Matt Scott is the CEO and Co-founder of CauseMic, a Portland-based consultancy helping nonprofits leverage the best-in-class for-profit methods to grow their organization. Before CauseMic, he was in your shoes as a fundraising leader on the inside of numerous young and fast nonprofits—one of which he helped take from $275,000 to $51 million in seven years. He’s a builder and a doer with a vision for scaling his company while balancing profitability with employee profit-sharing and respect.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Check out Cause Mic Crew on Youtube

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How to Center Communities in Social Change with Vichi Jagannathan10 Jan 202400:38:08

Have you heard of human-centered design? It is built on the idea that people who experience a challenge are best suited to solve it. More recently, human-centered design has been adapted to solve problems that have nothing to do with technology. For example, school districts often use variations of the approach to redesign schools, engaging students, parents, and teachers as the “expert users” who know what’s needed for an optimal learning environment. Social entrepreneurs use it to design ways to alleviate poverty.

My guest today is Vichi Jagannathan, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Rural Opportunity Institute. Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI), one of eight organizations in New Profit’s first Health Equity Cohort, supports youth, organizations, and communities in rural North Carolina to help them interrupt the cycle of generational trauma and design innovative solutions for healing and resilience. ROI builds new tools and is open-source, freely sharing what works. ROI works to turn wisdom and the newest science into common practice.

In this episode, Vichi shares the path that led her to start the organization and how, when properly resourced, a rural community can become a hotbed of innovative practice.

We discuss: 

  • How to apply Design Thinking and Systems Thinking in rural communities
  • How to center equity and inclusion in organizational leadership
  • How to center communities in social change

Does cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.

RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.

Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!

About Vichi Jagannathan: Entrepreneur, strategist and social change leader who applies innovative ideas in unlikely settings to catalyze impact and community transformation. Vichi began her career as a high school science teacher in Northampton County, NC through Teach For America. She then spent two years on the West Coast leading the expansion of Microsoft’s TEALS computer science education program into California. In 2016, Vichi participated in the Innovation Next accelerator, where she received coaching from IDEO in human-centered design to develop a mobile sex education app called Real Talk, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times in over 100 countries. She also interned with SelfHelp Credit Union in Durham, NC where she created the strategy for Self Help’s branch expansion into Eastern North Carolina. In 2017, Vichi co-founded Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI). ROI builds the capacity of rural communities to support people’s healing from generational trauma to achieve health, safety, connection, and self-determination.

Connect with Vichi on LinkedIn

Resources:

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Why You Need An AI Use Policy (And How To Make One) with Kim Snyder03 Jan 202400:43:29

AI is certainly a hot topic right now, and the focus is primarily on using the tools to save time and increase productivity. However, ethics and privacy concerns apply to any and all uses of AI. In this episode, my guest is Kim Snyder, VP of Data Strategy at RoundTable Technology. She leads us in a discussion of the specifics of ethics and privacy as they relate to generative AI. 

We will cover essential safety practices for nonprofits using or considering generative AI, which includes the crucial step of developing an AI policy. Kim walks us through her AI Acceptable Use Policy template and how even small nonprofits can get started.

Does cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.

RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.

Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!

About Kim Snyder: RoundTable Technology is dedicated to creating a roadmap for companies to succeed through technology. Kim fits right in with over 20 years of experience with data systems, business analysis and change management, not to mention accolades as an Agile Coach, a certified PMP (Project Management Professional) and a ACP (Agile Certified Professional). Kim has recently completed the CIPP/US certification as an Information Privacy Professional.

Kim is definitely a people person. Her true passion lies in empowering nonprofit professionals to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of data and technology in the workplace. With a keen focus on data governance, privacy, compliance, and security, Kim has recently ventured into introducing the nonprofit sector to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.

Connect with Kim Snyder on LinkedIn

Resources:

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Fundraising Trends to Watch for in 2024 with Wendy Mercurio28 Dec 202300:35:15

In this episode, Julia Campbell sits down with Wendy Mercurio, the Content and Education Specialist at Qgiv, to discuss the top fundraising trends to watch for in 2024. They cover five exciting emerging trends, including AI in fundraising, recurring donors and giving flexibility, peer-to-peer fundraising, unconventional donors, and digital wallets for easy payments. Wendy shares insights and practical tips on how nonprofits can leverage these trends to create more impact and improve their fundraising efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  1. AI in fundraising can make the lives of fundraisers easier by automating tasks like thank-you emails and donor notifications.
  2. Recurring donors and giving flexibility are essential for meeting donors where they are financially and increasing donor retention.
  3. Peer-to-peer fundraising is an effective acquisition tool that can attract new donors and increase brand awareness.
  4. Unconventional donors, such as local celebrities and Gen Z, can have a significant impact on fundraising efforts and should not be overlooked.
  5. Digital wallets offer convenience and ease of use for donors, and nonprofits should accept digital wallet payments to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates.

Awesome Quotes:

  • "AI in fundraising is super exciting. We can implement simple tools to make the lives of fundraisers a little bit easier." - Wendy Mercurio
  • "Recurring giving is an amazing way to meet donors where they are financially and increase donor retention." - Wendy Mercurio
  • "Peer-to-peer fundraising can expand our organization's outreach and attract new donors." - Wendy Mercurio
  • "Unconventional donors, like local celebrities and Gen Z, can increase brand awareness and have a significant impact on fundraising efforts." - Wendy Mercurio
  • "Digital wallets for nonprofits are quickly becoming a necessity to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates." - Wendy Mercurio

Are you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.

Learn more from QGiv:
 https://go.qgiv.com/research-study-subscription  

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How to Stop Nonprofit Burnout with Megan Whitney27 Aug 202500:36:04

What if nonprofit burnout isn’t inevitable—but preventable?

This week on Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Megan Whitney—nonprofit leader, coach, and mindfulness guide—who’s on a mission to help changemakers stop sacrificing their well-being for the work.

After an 18-year career in the sector—and burning out a decade ago—Megan realized that passion alone isn’t enough. Now, through 1:1 coaching, team workshops, and guided meditations on Insight Timer, she equips nonprofit professionals with tools to release stress, regulate emotions, and build a culture of collective care.

In this episode, Megan shares how she turned her own burnout into a blueprint for resilience. We explore how to embed mindfulness into daily routines, why self-compassion is a leadership skill, and what it takes to create nonprofit cultures where rest is not just allowed—but encouraged.

Whether you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or trying to support a team that is—this conversation offers both practical tools and permission to pause.

💡 Topics We Cover:

  • Why burnout is not a personal failure—but a structural issue
  • The “Minute to Arrive” practice and how to use it anywhere
  • How to shift from grind culture to a culture of care
  • Embedding mindfulness without overhauling your calendar
  • Reframing from being “busy” to being “full”
  • Tools from Megan’s free Burnout Prevention Kit
  • What leaders can do to model emotional intelligence
  • Creating ripple effects with mindful micro‑practices

🧰 Resources & Links:

 🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them? 

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Video Storytelling for Nonprofits with Rachel Jellinek20 Dec 202300:32:44

Video is a critical tool in a nonprofit fundraising and marketing plan. Video storytelling can bring a nonprofit mission to life, fostering emotional connections. Visual narratives engage audiences, making complex issues relatable, driving empathy, and compelling action. Video's shareability amplifies impact, reaching wider audiences and enhancing donor engagement.

My guest this week is Rachel Jellinek, the President of Reflection Films, Inc., a WBENC-certified woman-owned video production company.  Rachel gives tips on how to start the video process, how to ensure participant understanding and agency during unscripted film shoots, and valuable advice for anyone looking to embark on their video storytelling journey.

She also shares her innovative three P's framework—pride, possibility, and purpose—that guides organizations to depict their narratives with authenticity and impact.

About Rachel Jellinek

Rachel Jellinek (she/her) is the President of Reflection Films, Inc., a WBENC-certified woman-owned video production company.  Reflection Films does video storytelling and content creation for a variety of mission-driven organizations.  They do filming and animation, typically for a fundraising, marketing, training or tribute purpose.  Reflection Films is based in Boston and films in other places as well.

Prior to Reflection Films, Rachel worked at several nonprofits focused on public health and education. She has served as a health educator for youth and adults and as a director of a literacy program. Rachel holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MA from Harvard University.  In her free time, she enjoys bird watching and playing the banjo.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

Resources:

Are you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.

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How to Work with Online Influencers to Create Social Change with Ashwath Narayanan13 Dec 202300:35:28

Today, we're diving deep into the intersection of nonprofits and the digital influence world. Joining us is the innovative Ashwath Narayanan, CEO of Social Currant, who is championing a groundbreaking approach to amplifying social causes. Ashwath recognized a crucial gap in the way nonprofits connect with digital-savvy youth and decided to bridge it with an incredible platform that teams up nonprofit missions with the dynamic power of content creators and influencers.

About Ashwath Narayanan

Ashwath is the founder and CEO of Social Currant, an emerging platform that aims to help passionate creators pair with nonprofits to help spread awareness and impact. They specialize in connecting nonprofit groups to influencers on TikTok, Instagram (focusing on its TikTok-like Reels video feature) and other social media platforms.

About Social Currant

Matching nonprofits, impact organizations (b-corps, startups) & CSR initiatives with the right creators to run influencer marketing campaigns. Their platform analyzes creators and ensures organizations work with the right fit.

Read article: On Tiktok, Knitting, Rapping, and Promoting the Child Tax Credit

Are you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit
www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

The Real Reason Nonprofits Can’t Keep Great Staff with Jonathan Meagher-Zayas06 Dec 202300:31:12

Are you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.
 
It seems to be a common struggle in nonprofit organizations - the complaints about recruiting qualified staff, keeping great talent, and increasing diversity in a sector where more than 80 percent of nonprofit board members are white (BoardSource).

However, this may be that these leaders are focusing efforts and energies on external strategies without first assessing internal efforts. They tend to blame specific employees or larger issues because it is easier than holding themselves accountable.

My guest today is Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE, CDP. Jonathan is a Queer Latinx Millennial nonprofit strategist dedicated to addressing equity issues, building capacity, engaging the community, motivating new impact leaders, and getting stuff done. 

In a recent article for Community-Centric Fundraising, Jonathan discusses his experiences with racism and discrimination as a fundraiser, and presents the argument that “the real reason nonprofits continue to fail at staff retention and equity initiatives is that they refuse to address their oppression.”

In this episode, Jonathan and I discuss: 

  • Jonathan’s history as a fundraiser in the sector that led him to leave three full-time jobs due to traumatic experiences. 
  • Ways that nonprofits can actually make progress in these areas
  • How to acknowledge the ways in which oppression shows up in nonprofit organizations
  • How leaders can focus on strategies leading to equitable outcomes. 

Connect with Johnathan on LinkedIn

Resources:

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How to Think Strategically In A Short-Term World with Karen E. Osborne29 Nov 202300:36:18

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!

Click here to get Karen's list of strategic questions, as mentioned in the episode.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, host Julia Campbell engages in a conversation with Karen E. Osborne, a seasoned professional in the nonprofit sector and a suspense/mystery writer. The discussion delves into strategic thinking, creativity, philanthropy, and the future of fundraising.

Karen shares her journey into the nonprofit world, emphasizing the commonality of people stumbling into the profession and the importance of building a network and seeking guidance. The conversation then shifts to strategic thinking, where Karen defines it as the ability to anticipate, look ahead, find opportunities, and consider external factors. She highlights the detrimental impact of silos on strategic thinking within organizations and emphasizes the value of curiosity and information gathering.

The conversation touches on Karen's dual role as a writer, sharing her creative process and the inspiration behind her novels. For small nonprofits, Karen recommends building a strong, active board, focusing on impactful stewardship, investing in good software, and continuous learning.

The episode concludes with a reminder to stay curious, continuously learn, and avoid complacency. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into strategic thinking, creativity, and effective practices for nonprofits, offering a wealth of knowledge for both seasoned professionals and those new to the sector.

Connect with Karen Osborne on Instagram

Featured article: What are you reading? What are you writing?

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How One Nonprofit Built A Culture of Philanthropy with Maria Shanley22 Nov 202300:36:52

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!

Building a culture of philanthropy is crucial for the success and sustainability of a nonprofit organization.

With an impressive 14 years in campaign development, brand awareness, and data analysis, Maria Shanley shares invaluable insights about building a culture of philanthropy, teamwork, marketing and fundraising, and donor communications in the pursuit of campaign success.

Maria reflects on her journey from starting as a social media manager to leading two teams at Second Harvest Food Bank. She shares her experiences dealing with unexpected disasters and their impact on fundraising, debunking the myth of donor fatigue, and success stories from the "This is Food" campaign.

Connect with Maria Shanley on LinkedIn

Featured article: Maria Shanley of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida On The Book That Changed Her Life

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How LinkedIn Will Help You Reach New Audiences with Tania Bhattacharyya14 Nov 202300:36:28

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!

You have a hunch that your donors are on LinkedIn … but you feel like a best-kept secret on the platform. Tania Bhattacharyya knows how frustrating that can be. But growing your brand as a thought leader on LinkedIn will position you as a go-to, trusted voice. 

The problem is, “LinkedIn” often falls to the end of our to-do lists after taking care of all of the other tasks on our to-do list. That means the people who need the transformation we provide can’t find us.

But what if you could spend an hour on LinkedIn each week to attract the people you want to work with?

In this episode, Tania shares her secrets to being “Lazy on LinkedIn” – or spending one intentional hour per week to create a sustainable stream of leads and visibility opportunities.

Tania is a LinkedIn Thought Leadership Strategist and fellow storytelling enthusiast. In her own words: your work doesn't speak for itself. We'll discuss how to use the power of your story to move your mission and use your personal LinkedIn to facilitate thought leadership.

Connect with Tania on LinkedIn

Other resources:

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How to Reach Your Year-End Fundraising Goals and Thrive with Floyd Jones08 Nov 202300:43:50

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!  

In today's episode, I'm joined by the incredible Floyd Jones, a fundraising expert and advocate for easy and seamless giving experiences. Together, we dive deep into the world of nonprofit fundraising and explore strategies for building strong relationships with donors, cultivating a community, and making a meaningful impact.

Along the way, we discuss the power of social media for GivingTuesday, share valuable insights on effective fundraising techniques, and highlight the importance of taking action and embracing change. Plus, stay tuned until the end for a special giveaway announcement and some useful tips on increasing recurring donors. So grab your headphones and get ready for an episode packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and strategies for elevating your nonprofit organization.

Key takeaways:

  • Importance of Making Giving Easy and Seamless
  • Examples of Donor Cultivation
  • Importance of Data and Strategy in Fundraising
  • Creating Habits and Space for Nonprofit Marketers
  • GiveButter Gives Back Campaign

Floyd Jones food for thought from this episode:

"You are a bridge. If you are a nonprofit leader, you are a bridge. You're a bridge between where your donor or your participant is and the impact they want to see in the world. You're a bridge between where your donor isn't the change that they want to see in the world. You're a bridge between where your donor isn't the progress that they want to see in the world." 

"I think that every single way that you interact with your donors is the way that you're operating and building that community for the long haul."

"The studies actually show that Giving Tuesday and interventions like Giving Tuesday are amazing and extraordinary opportunities to get new donors for your organization,"

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A Nonprofit Experiment With TikTok, Reels, and Shorts with Kate Meyers Emery01 Nov 202300:36:47

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!  

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Nonprofit Nation! In today's episode, I sat down with a very special guest. Please give a warm welcome to Kate Meyers Emery, as we delve into the world of nonprofit content creation.

In this episode, Kate shares her insights and experiences on the importance of consistency in posting content. She discusses how her team decided to take a bold approach and post daily, leading to significant follower growth and engagement. Kate emphasizes the need for a clear strategy and goals in order to see success in this fast-paced digital landscape.

Additionally, Kate walks us through her journey of convincing others to include her proposal in Candid's Innovation Fund. She provides valuable data on the impact of video content, especially in reaching younger audiences, and how it can be a powerful tool for nonprofits. Through her experiment on video engagement, Kate uncovers fascinating findings that shed light on audience preferences and the key factors for successful videos.

But the road to effective content creation is not without its challenges. Kate addresses the limitations and concerns of certain platforms, such as Meta, and highlights the importance of priorities and data privacy. She also shares valuable tips for nonprofits looking to navigate the world of social media, including the benefits of embracing new platforms and the importance of demonstrating value to skeptics within the organization.

Key takeaways:

  • Importance of Consistency in Posting Content
  • Discussion on the Meta Platform and Data Privacy Concerns
  • Challenges in Convincing Others to Explore New Marketing Channels
  • Importance of Testing, Measuring, and Analyzing Results


Awesome quotes from this episode:

"Luckily for me, Candid actually has an innovation fund, and this gives staff funding and time to focus on a project for three months. And so I used that opportunity to try doing short form video, and we were able to really see is video something that works for Candid." - Kate Emery Meyers

"What we decided to do with a lot of this content was just look broadly at what people liked to already see from Candid. So we were looking at what are evergreen content pieces, what is our top blog post, what's our top help resource, what is our top YouTube video? And we took a lot of inspiration from that. So we were repurposing a lot of content that we already knew was successful in other formats." - Kate Emery Meyers

"You cannot just look at something like TikTok or Instagram reels and say, it's not for me, or, oh, this is going to be great, until you do it."

"Think about what might draw people to you. So which accounts did you already have sort of in the social media space? And which ones did you create for this experiment? 
- Julia Campbell

"I just talked to a client yesterday and she is struggling with getting her executive director on board with getting on TikTok. Because the executive director is not on TikTok, they don't understand the value of it. And it's really hard to show it without just doing it. You just got to get on

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🎉 The Nonprofit Social Media Summit is here! 31 Oct 202300:03:31

Join us at the 2023 Nonprofit Social Media Summit! All virtual, totally free to join live!

What is the Summit?

A two-day virtual conference for nonprofit professionals looking to exchange ideas, experiences, and knowledge with a hyper focus on social media.

Nonprofits of all sizes use social media every day to grab attention, inspire curiosity, and ultimately raise money for their causes. However, many nonprofit social media campaigns fall flat, launch to crickets, and fail to get results. It’s not because we don’t do great work – we know that we do!

Many of us don’t get results on social media because we don’t know how to leverage the power and potential of the platforms to engage people in our cause, and most importantly – to get them to take action. We are left spinning our wheels, posting once in a while and hoping it works. (Hint: It won’t.)

This limited-enrollment virtual training summit will help you to build an actionable nonprofit social media plan that effectively integrates these tools into your multichannel marketing and fundraising campaigns.

Register here: https://neonone.com/nonprofit-social-media-summit-2023/

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Prepare for Giving Tuesday with Kat Murphy25 Oct 202300:40:14

The Nonprofit Social Media Summit sponsored by Neon One is back and bigger than ever! Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com to get your free ticket, and you’ll get access to the complete session line-up, with speakers on social media advertising, LinkedIn for nonprofits, AI and ChatGPT, influencer marketing, YouTube strategy, and more. You can upgrade your ticket to get the recordings, slides, and a special bonus live training with me to plan for next year. I know you are a smart cookie. If you want to know what’s working right now in social media, and how to best plan for the future, you’ll want to join me and Neon One in November. Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com right now to get your free ticket. See you there!

In this episode, I sit down with Kat Murphy, the Director of Digital Strategy for GivingTuesday, to discuss the state of philanthropy and generosity in today's world.

We debunk the myth that financial giving is down and highlight the importance of radical generosity and community care.

Kat shares her personal experience with Todo Para Todos, a mutual aid collective in Chicago, and emphasizes the need for nonprofits to create more on-ramps for people to actively participate in their missions. 

Kat gives us her best tips on getting the most out of GivingTuesday, the importance of setting clear goals, developing a multichannel campaign, and engaging supporters in meaningful ways.

Key Takeaways:

  • Radical generosity and community care are essential for building a more resilient and equitable society.
  • People want to be actively involved in causes and have agency in creating change, rather than just giving money.
  • Nonprofits should focus on creating on-ramps for people to participate in their missions and provide opportunities for active involvement.
  • Collaboration and community organizing are key to successful GivingTuesday campaigns.
  • Nonprofits should think beyond financial donations and offer different ways for people to contribute and participate.

Awesome Quotes From This Episode:

"We need to radically change the way we behave as a society to center community care and actively participate in making a difference." - Kat Murphy

"Young people do not want to donate to your cause. They want to have an active role in creating change." - Kat Murphy

"Giving Tuesday is an enormous moment of joy. People want to participate in a global movement that celebrates something different." - Kat Murphy

Connect with Kat:

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.
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Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How Philanthropy Can Step Up In This Moment with Sherece West-Scantlebury20 Aug 202500:36:26

What does it take to lead with purpose in philanthropy today? How can foundations lead in moments of political uncertainty or during periods of reduced federal support for nonprofits?

As nonprofits across the country face political and financial pressures—from policy rollbacks to funding cuts—the role of foundations has never been more critical. In this episode, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President & CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, joins us to reflect on how philanthropy can lead in uncertain times. With decades of experience in public policy, community development, and systems change, Dr. West-Scantlebury shares how WRF is leaning into its 50-year legacy to support nonprofits through advocacy, trust-based funding, and bold, equity-focused strategies.

For nonprofit leaders navigating a shifting landscape, this conversation offers insight into how to build power, communicate with clarity, and partner with funders who are ready to act.

🔍 About Sherece West-Scantlebury

Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury is president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, a private, independent foundation whose mission is to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic and racial equity for all Arkansans.

Involved in philanthropy for 25 years, Dr. West-Scantlebury served as CEO at the Foundation for Louisiana and as a program associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Her professional career includes nearly 30 years of experience in community development, public policy and advocacy, and public service.

In addition to running the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. West is active in a number of nonprofits and philanthropy organizations, and she is a mentor to several nonprofit leaders and young foundation executives.

🔗 Resources and Links:

Hit play now, then subscribe to Nonprofit Nation for more expert insights.

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?

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How Fundraisers Can Use Artificial Intelligence with Josh Hirsch18 Oct 202300:38:12
The Nonprofit Social Media Summit sponsored by Neon One is back and bigger than ever! Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com to get your free ticket, and you’ll get access to the complete session line-up, with speakers on social media advertising, LinkedIn for nonprofits, AI and ChatGPT, influencer marketing, YouTube strategy, and more. You can upgrade your ticket to get the recordings, slides, and a special bonus live training with me to plan for next year. I know you are a smart cookie. If you want to know what’s working right now in social media, and how to best plan for the future, you’ll want to join me and Neon One in November. Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com right now to get your free ticket. See you there!

In today’s rapidly evolving fundraising landscape, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to maximize their fundraising efforts. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the world of fundraising and empowering nonprofits to achieve remarkable results.

My guest today is Josh Hirsch, Senior Strategist for Soukup Strategic Solutions and on faculty for The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He is a sought-after international speaker on the ways in which nonprofits can unlock the potential of AI and learn how to leverage its power to supercharge their fundraising campaigns.

In this episode, Josh and I discuss: 

  • Why AI is not going to replace us (entirely)
  • Trends in the AI space that nonprofits need to know
  • How nonprofits can use this technology to save time and do better work
  • Pitfalls and challenges in using this new technology for good 
  • The future of tech in the sector and how nonprofits can get ready for the next wave
Connect with Josh:

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Check out Julia's:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How To Drive Donations With Online Marketing with Adora Drake11 Oct 202300:37:27

The Nonprofit Social Media Summit sponsored by Neon One is back and bigger than ever! Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com to get your free ticket, and you’ll get access to the complete session line-up, with speakers on social media advertising, LinkedIn for nonprofits, AI and ChatGPT, influencer marketing, YouTube strategy, and more. You can upgrade your ticket to get the recordings, slides, and a special bonus live training with me to plan for next year. I know you are a smart cookie. If you want to know what’s working right now in social media, and how to best plan for the future, you’ll want to join me and Neon One in November. Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com right now to get your free ticket. See you there!

In this episode, nonprofit marketing and branding expert Adora Drake shows us how to craft a perfect message that speaks to the ideal target audience, keeps them engaged, and how to use this strategy to get those social media followers to become active donors.

We will also discuss how to keep prospects engaged off of social media by establishing a nurture system that leads into your organization.

Topics we discussed: 

  • How to attract ideal online audiences that will actively become donors/volunteers
  • How to create an effective message that converts online audiences off the platform and into your organization
  • Marketing strategies that spark engagement online and offline
  • How and when to ask for the donation

About Adora Drake:

Adora Drake is the Principal of HighSpirits Essentials, with over 12 years of experience in the field. She has a proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing strategies for clients across various industries. Adora is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends. She has expertise in branding, digital marketing, social media, content marketing, and more.

Adora is passionate about helping organizations of all sizes achieve their goals and has worked with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. She is committed to building long-term relationships with her clients and collaborating closely with them to deliver results that exceed their expectations.

Connect with Adora Drake:

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Check out Julia's:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🎉 The Fundraising.AI Summit is here! 10 Oct 202300:21:33

Join me at the Fundraising.Ai Virtual Summit - totally free - on October 23-24, 2023!

There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence has reshaped and continues to reshape industries and society. It holds incredible promises, but navigating the Responsible AI landscape is full of challenges.

The Fundraising.AI Collaborative is focused on providing tools for organizations and AI practitioners to build, buy, and support responsible and trusted AI systems for fundraising purposes.

In this special bonus episode, I talk with Mallory Erickson, Creator of the Power Partners Formula™ and Host of What the Fundraising and Facilitator of the upcoming Fundraising.AI Virtual Global Summit. 

We discuss: 

  • The vision of the upcoming Fundraising.AI Summit
  • The biggest AI opportunities for fundraisers
  • Who should attend the Summit
  • The kinds of sessions we can expect

Register for free at www.fundraising.ai/summit

Connect with Mallory: 

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Check out Julia's:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Beyond #GivingTuesday‒Building Trust With Newly Acquired Donors with Tim Sarrantonio04 Oct 202300:32:36

The Nonprofit Social Media Summit sponsored by Neon One is back and bigger than ever! Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com to get your free ticket, and you’ll get access to the complete session line-up, with speakers on social media advertising, LinkedIn for nonprofits, AI and ChatGPT, influencer marketing, YouTube strategy, and more. You can upgrade your ticket to get the recordings, slides, and a special bonus live training with me to plan for next year. I know you are a smart cookie. If you want to know what’s working right now in social media, and how to best plan for the future, you’ll want to join me and Neon One in November. Go to nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com right now to get your free ticket. See you there! 

The data shows that a whopping 80% of new donors won’t make a second gift. But, while that sounds scary, moments like GivingTuesday signal that there are a lot of reasons fundraisers can feel happy and hopeful—especially if you spend some time creating experiences that build trust between your organization and the people who support you.

My guest this week is Tim Sarrantonio. Tim is an internationally renowned speaker on generosity, technology, and the trends in the social good sector. After helping various causes raise over $3 million, he then moved into providing support for thousands of nonprofits through his work at Neon One. He has spoken at AFPICON, NTC, TEDx, and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna with his lovely wife, three lovely daughters, and two perfectly fine cats.

In this episode, Tim and I discuss: 

  • Why it may be time to rethink the definition of “donors”
  • The importance of building a welcoming experience for new donors
  • Research-backed insights into how to use technology to accelerate people-centric connection

If you’re looking for practical steps to take to connect with your community (or want some good news about peoples’ generosity), this is the episode for you.

Connect with Tim

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Check out Julia's:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How One Transformative Nonprofit Mobilizes Members with GirlTREK27 Sep 202300:32:36

This episode is sponsored by Bonterra. Bonterra is a social goods software company focused on powering those who power social impact with best in class fundraising engagement, program management, and CSR solutions. By bringing together intuitive technology and social impact expertise, Bonterra enables unmatched connectivity between organizations and their communities of supporters and constituents, ultimately creating more ways for social good organizations to maximize their impact. To learn more about selecting the right nonprofit tech, go to www.jcsocialmarketing.com/bonterra

With a membership that just hit 1m women, and an ambitious mission to increase life expectancy by 10 years in 10 years' time, GirlTREK has become a driving force in improving the lives and well-being of Black women across the U.S.

With such an engaged and motivated membership, I wanted to know how the nonprofit uses technology to manage all of the moving pieces - and how they transform regular walkers into health activists and organizers.

Chyna Johnson serves as Director of Impact and Innovation at GirlTREK. She is responsible for the overall data and impact management of GirlTREK, and administrative program support that supports an effective and high-functioning national staff. 

Marcie L. Thomas is the Director of Digital Engagement at GirlTREK, where she manages our social media spaces and supports the Storytelling Team. Before joining our team, she worked in the automotive, food packaging, and insurance industries. She continues to serve as the founder and leader of Brown Girl Collective, a digital space for Black women.

Case Study: GirlTrek races ahead with EveryAction and Mobilize
Website: https://www.girltrek.org/join/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/girltrek/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyBlackWomenandGirls/
Black History Bootcamp podcast
Vogue: When a Daily Walk Becomes an Act of Radical Self-Care—And an Honoring of Black History

About Julia Campbell, the host of Nonprofit Nation :

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Check out Julia's:

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Elevating Community Engagement with Amanda Lea Kaiser20 Sep 202300:32:40

This episode is sponsored by Bonterra. Bonterra is a social goods software company focused on powering those who power social impact with best in class fundraising engagement, program management, and CSR solutions. By bringing together intuitive technology and social impact expertise, Bonterra enables unmatched connectivity between organizations and their communities of supporters and constituents, ultimately creating more ways for social good organizations to maximize their impact. To learn more about selecting the right tech for your nonprofit, go to www.jcsocialmarketing.com/bonterra

We know that organizations with healthy member engagement thrive, so how do we increase this engagement when environmental factors work against us?  If it feels like member engagement is in shorter supply than ever before, you are not alone!

Members’ needs are changing—they require more than value to engage with your organization; they also want memorable, positive experiences. It is time for every leader to take on the role of CEO - Chief Experience Officer!

My guest this week is Amanda Lea Kaiser, MBA, a keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community. Through her research, Amanda is at the forefront of exploring how member and attendee engagement is rapidly changing within professional communities.

In this episode, Amanda walks you through how engagement builds from our member’s points of view. No matter the size or type of your association, and no matter your current role, see how you, too, can distinguish and propel your organization. Using uncommon strategies from her book Elevating Engagement, learn how to create an energized and highly motivated membership.

Connect with Amanda

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Getting More Creative In Your Fundraising with John Lepp13 Sep 202300:39:28

This episode is sponsored by Bonterra. Bonterra is a social goods software company focused on powering those who power social impact with best in class fundraising engagement, program management, and CSR solutions. By bringing together intuitive technology and social impact expertise, Bonterra enables unmatched connectivity between organizations and their communities of supporters and constituents, ultimately creating more ways for social good organizations to maximize their impact. To learn more about selecting the right tech for your nonprofit, go to www.jcsocialmarketing.com/bonterra

“What kind of fundraiser do you want to be?”

Donor communications can be challenging when you have an over-packed schedule and very full plate of tasks. But infusing creativity and #donorlove into your interactions with donors will help you raise more money and deepen relationships for the long term. 

In this episode, Creative Deviations author and Agents of Good founder John Lepp joins me to discuss creativity, donor appreciation, and how to maintain passion for the work after two decades of fundraising. 

We cover:

  • Why so many fundraisers ignore donor communications
  • How to tell more creative and engaging stories 
  • Examples from the book Creative Deviations 
  • How to keep flexing the creative muscle - where to get inspiration 
  • What’s next for fundraising in an unstable, noisy world

About John

John Lepp, author of Creative Deviations, is a direct response, marketing and graphic design expert with almost 25 years of experience working with charities around the world to help them tell better stories and to inspire donors to give, both online and offline.  He is a respected and coveted international speaker who has traveled the world helping fundraisers be more “human” and “vulnerable” to these other amazing humans we call donors.

Connect with John
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlepp/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/johnlepp
Web: https://agentsofgood.org/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@john_lepp 

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

What The Best Boards Do Differently with Sabrina Walker Hernandez06 Sep 202300:34:46

This episode is sponsored by Bonterra. Bonterra is a social goods software company focused on powering those who power social impact with best in class fundraising engagement, program management, and CSR solutions. By bringing together intuitive technology and social impact expertise, Bonterra enables unmatched connectivity between organizations and their communities of supporters and constituents, ultimately creating more ways for social good organizations to maximize their impact. To learn more about selecting the right tech for your nonprofit, go to www.jcsocialmarketing.com/bonterra 

Few things are more critical to your nonprofit’s health, success, and sustainability than an effective board of directors. But building and keeping an engaged board is a challenge that many nonprofits face, large and small.

My guest this week is Sabrina Walker Hernandez, fundraiser extraordinaire and total pro when it comes to “doing fundraising differently” and thinking outside of the box. She is still my #2 most downloaded podcast episode - What The Best Fundraisers Do Differently

Sabrina is a certified consultant, coach, & facilitator that helps small nonprofit Staff & Board build relationships that convert into more donations. She has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. Among Sabrina’s successes is that she increased operation revenue from $750,000 to $2.5M and completed a $12M comprehensive capital campaign in the 3rd poorest county in the United States. She has facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals. Sabrina is certified in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She is an active community leader and volunteer in Edinburg, Texas where she is based.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • How to support your board in resource development, tap into their fundraising strengths, and transform them into a fundraising powerhouse;
  • Understanding the role of the board in the resource development & fundraising; 
  • Ways to engage the board in each of these roles; 
  • Ways that staff can support the Board in resource development & fundraising.

Connect with Sabrina

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movemen

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Don’t Be A Big Box Nonprofit with Allison Fine30 Aug 202300:37:28

The data on donor retention is not good. On average, over three quarters of new donors do not make a second gift. Also, the number of individual donors has dropped nearly 20 percent since the beginning of this century.

It is not difficult to believe that this large drop is connected to donors feeling unappreciated  and even commoditized.

This purely transactional approach to donors is a particular turnoff to younger generations who are used to having lots of choices in everything they do, and need to be acknowledged and invited to become repeat donors.

In this episode, we talk about Allison's 3 steps to better donor relationships, and how to increase donor retention using available technology and tools. 

About Allison

Allison Fine is a pioneer in the use of technology for good. She is the author of four books on the topic, most recently, The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human Centered in an Automated World with Beth Kanter. She is currently the President of Every.org, a nonprofit platform helping nonprofits raise more money while strengthening the relationship between causes and donors to create lasting change. 

Connect with Allison

Resource

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Build a Healthy and Diverse Board with Christal Cherry23 Aug 202300:37:46

Strong organizations need passionate, competent, well-trained leaders. In this episode, we talk to The Board Pro, Christal Cherry, about her essential Steps to Build a More Engaged Board, plus other helpful tools like Board Maps and onboarding.

About Christal Cherry:

Christal M. Cherry is a nationally recognized  nonprofit executive and professionally trained fundraiser.  With over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she has supported higher education institutions, human services organizations and faith based missions.  Her career portfolio, as a full time professional and consultant includes American University, the United Negro College Fund, Spelman College, Nicholas House, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Florida A & M University,  Action Ministries and the GA Center for Nonprofits.

The Board Pro coaches, guides, trains, and transforms their leaders to optimize their board experience by taking action and embracing their power to change their communities and the world.

Connect with Christal Cherry

Resources:

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Stop Raising Awareness with Kathleen Tonini13 Aug 202500:34:12

Simply “raising awareness” isn’t enough anymore for nonprofits. In this episode, communications specialist Kathleen Tonini joins Nonprofit Nation to challenge one of the sector’s most common traps—mistaking noise for strategy. With her G.A.M.E. framework (Goal, Audience, Message, Engage), Kathleen helps values-driven organizations get clear and confident about how they communicate, so they can inspire real action—not just fill inboxes.

Together, we dig into the difference between performative messaging and strategic storytelling, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive comms to communications that build trust, clarity, and genuine support.

🔍 What We Discuss

  • The problem with “raising awareness” and what to do instead
  • Kathleen’s G.A.M.E. framework for strategic messaging
  • How to audit your messaging without scrapping everything
  • Why clarity beats cleverness in nonprofit communications
  • Messaging mistakes that cost organizations trust and traction

✒️ About Kathleen Tonini

Kathleen is a messaging strategist who helps mission-driven organizations get clear, strategic, and confident with their communications. With years of experience working across issue areas and organizational sizes, she brings a grounded, action-focused approach to communications that converts.

🧰 Resources & Links:

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

The Problem With "Doing More With Less" - Building Sustainable Fundraising Programs with Wendy Mercurio16 Aug 202300:36:16

This episode is sponsored by Qgiv, a comprehensive fundraising platform trusted by over 20,000 fundraisers. The Qgiv team understands that fundraising isn’t always an easy job. To help, they recently surveyed fundraising professionals and donors to create a soon to be released report, The Sustainable Giving Report. This report explores how the economy, staffing issues, declining donor numbers, and more have impacted nonprofit teams. To learn how you can build more sustainable fundraising revenue and advocate for data-backed change, click here to be notified when the report is released and receive your copy!

You might have heard the phrase, “Do more with less,” once or twice before, and if you work in the nonprofit sector, you’ve likely heard that phrase dozens of times. It’s a fundraising professional’s mantra! 

When you’re in “survival mode” it can be hard to make time to fine-tune your fundraising campaigns and raise more money—not just for your mission, but for the administrative costs associated with your organization.  

This pressure (that often feels like a rice cooker ready to burst) can impact your job satisfaction and lead to high turnover rates within your organization, affecting your overall wellbeing as a change maker and your nonprofit’s bottom line.  

In this episode, we discuss the hard topics:

  • Are donors still willing to financially support their favorite causes despite inflation?
  • What can be done to address the increased pressures fundraising professionals are facing? 
  • Are fundraisers  being given the tools they need to meet their goals?
  • How can nonprofits retain their fundraising staff and build more scalable programs?

About Wendy

Wendy Mercurio is the Content and Education Specialist at Qgiv. As a former Development Officer and Development Director, Wendy draws upon her nonprofit experience to create informative and inspiring content for the Qgiv audience and beyond. Wendy’s professional efforts have focused on fundraising events, corporate relations, donor acquisition, and donor relations. In her spare time, Wendy can be found spending time with her pup, Alfie, cooking up a new recipe and spending time on the lake she lives by.

Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn
Get the new report: https://go.qgiv.com/research-study-subscription

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Get More Email Engagement (Based On Data) with Abby Jarvis09 Aug 202300:36:54

Having an effective email program is an important part of building an engaged community.  48% of donors prefer to receive updates and appeals via email.

But accurate data about nonprofit email performance has historically been hard to come by—especially for small to midsize nonprofits—and that makes it hard to gauge your own campaigns’ performance.

That all changes with a new sector report, The Nonprofit Email Report: Data-Backed Insights for Better Engagement.

My guest on this episode is Abby Jarvis, Senior Content Marketing Manager for Neon One. To get the extensive data for this report, they evaluated 37,472 email campaigns sent by their clients and identified key email benchmarks broken down by organization size. They include data for small and large nonprofits as well as the average of all emails sent. In the report, you will find data on average list sizes, open rates, and click-through rates for all three of our size cohorts, along with data-backed insights your team can actually use.

In this episode, Abby and I discuss: 

  • Tips for improving your email campaigns’ performance
  • Words and phrases that boost engagement
  • An analysis of the most engaging email of 2022
  • Practical strategies for creating compelling emails
  • Expert advice from industry thought leaders
  • Nonprofit-specific email performance benchmarks

Download the full report today to learn powerful insights that you can use to optimize your email strategy.

About Abby

Abby Jarvis is a writer and speaker at Neon One. Her 10 years in the nonprofit technology industry have been dedicated to understanding how and why donors support their favorite causes, studying donor trends and behavior, and sharing practical tactics nonprofits can use to build successful fundraising programs.

Connect with Abby

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Reaching Your Audience Online Is About To Get Even Harder with Elyse Wallnutt02 Aug 202300:32:58

Marketing has never been more challenging than it is now: As technology has matured, so have the layers between you and your audience become murkier. Your outreach is likely dependent on third parties in ways you may not realize.

Economic forecasts and audience demand for privacy seem daunting. And though innovation is desperately needed, it never feels like the right time to ask for more investment dollars.

Data privacy has become such a concern for consumers that they’re demanding more control. Because of this, tech giants and regulatory bodies are making huge shifts in audience targeting capabilities – you’re likely already seeing the impact.

In this episode, data privacy expert Elyse Wallnutt will share how your consumer demand for privacy is impacting nonprofit acquisition and how to pivot your digital strategy to focus on data autonomy and audience trust.

About Elysse

Elyse Wallnutt is a senior marketing and tech leader with 16+ years of experience driving results at the intersection of revenue, advocacy, brand, and policy objectives.

She delivered $39M+ in net new revenue for organizations over the past five years. She built the digital activation campaign for the clean future plan that powered the majority of President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. And she has grown acquisition programs to more than 9x their former size.

She launched Agility Lab Consulting in 2022 to support business leaders in reaching their audiences through smart strategies that stay ahead of shifts in technology, algorithms, consumer interest, and rising demand for privacy.

Connect with Elyse:

Resources

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Work with Influencers with Ash Collins of Best Friends Animal Society26 Jul 202300:39:06

This episode is sponsored by Qgiv, a comprehensive fundraising platform trusted by over 20,000 fundraisers. The Qgiv team understands that fundraising isn’t always an easy job. To help, they recently surveyed fundraising professionals and donors to create a soon to be released report, Building a Sustainable Future: A Guide to Healthy Fundraising. This report explores how the economy, staffing issues, declining donor numbers, and more have impacted nonprofit teams. To learn how you can build more sustainable fundraising revenue and advocate for data-backed change, click here  to be notified when the report is released and receive your copy!

Influencer marketing has a wide variety of benefits for nonprofits, but it’s a relatively new space for many of us. We may not know who exactly to approach as an "influencer" - or what to say and how to work with them.

In this episode, Ash Collins, Influencer Relations Specialist at Best Friends Animal Society, will be  sharing the benefits of creating an Influencer Program and the collaborations that she has been part of during her role.  

In this episode, we discuss:

  • How to work with influencers
  • How to find influencers
  • How to track success
  • The future of influencer marketing 
  • How to get younger generations into fundraising

Ash Collins (she/her/hers) is the Influencer Relations Specialist at Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization. She manages relationships and marketing collaborations with social media influencers to help end the killing of cats and dogs in America's shelters. She has been in animal welfare for over 7 years and is skilled in influencer relations, social media, digital marketing, relationship development, and crypto/NFT relationships. When she is not working hard to Save Them All, she can be found reading with her cats, hiking with her husband and their dog, or sewing in her craft room.

Connect with Ash:

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Attract Sponsorships for Your Nonprofit with Mariah Monique19 Jul 202300:37:28

This episode is sponsored by Qgiv, a comprehensive fundraising platform trusted by over 20,000 fundraisers. The Qgiv team understands that fundraising isn’t always an easy job. To help, they recently surveyed fundraising professionals and donors to create a soon to be released report, Building a Sustainable Future: A Guide to Healthy Fundraising. This report explores how the economy, staffing issues, declining donor numbers, and more have impacted nonprofit teams. To learn how you can build more sustainable fundraising revenue and advocate for data-backed change, click here  to be notified when the report is released and receive your copy!

Do you struggle with figuring out what is attractive to potential sponsors and how to position your organization for sponsorships?

My guest this week is Mariah Monique, the Founder of The Sponsorship Catalyst, LLC. Mariah has evaluated hundreds of sponsorship proposals and decks, contributed to the decision-making process for fund allocation, negotiated requests, and built a brand reputation and awareness through sponsorships and relationship management.

In this episode, we discuss: 

  • The importance of clarity when pitching to event sponsors
  • How nonprofits can leverage their network to find their next sponsor
  • What sponsors want and why they need you

Connect with Mariah:

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Much Ado About Threads Part 2 - Building a Community on Threads17 Jul 202300:09:25

Before we get into this special bonus episode, I want to tell you about my new live training, How to Create a Content Marketing Strategy + Calendar for Your Nonprofit. In this one-hour deep dive, I’ll show you how to create and execute an effective content marketing strategy for your nonprofit, complete with marketing calendar. To join me, go to nonprofitcontentcalendar.com and sign up. All registrants get the recording, slides, and bonus materials.

How can nonprofits get started on Threads?

Since I recorded Part 1, new data indicates the app has already achieved one-fifth of the weekly active user base of Twitter worldwide and 86 times the weekly active user base of the largest Twitter rival in the U.S, Truth Social, which had a weekly active user base of 1 million as of last week.

The app has now achieved over 150 million downloads according to app intelligence firm data.ai.

What this means for nonprofits is hard to say, but it’s definitely worth exploring the new app as part of your overall content strategy - something I am teaching in my new live training on July 31st.

So how do you get started? That's what I cover in this special bonus episode.

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Why You Need A Video-Driven Website with Aron Murch14 Jul 202300:36:38

Aron Murch is the Co-Owner and CIO of 2H Media. Aron helps non-profits improve their visibility by building video-driven websites that reduce confusion and encourage engagement.

Leveraging close to 20 years of marketing experience, Aron oversees and implements crucial strategic projects for non-profits.

Aron ran his first fundraiser when he was 12 years old and has never lost his passion for making an impact.

Connect with Aron

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Be Well, Do Good with Lauren Brownstein12 Jul 202300:42:56

This episode is sponsored by Qgiv, a comprehensive fundraising platform trusted by over 20,000 fundraisers. The Qgiv team understands that fundraising isn’t always an easy job. To help, they recently surveyed fundraising professionals and donors to create a soon to be released report, Building a Sustainable Future: A Guide to Healthy Fundraising. This report explores how the economy, staffing issues, declining donor numbers, and more have impacted nonprofit teams. To learn how you can build more sustainable fundraising revenue and advocate for data-backed change, click here  to be notified when the report is released and receive your copy!

Nonprofit organizations need their professionals to perform at peak levels, inspire others, maintain relationships with community members, and achieve "reach goals."

Grueling hours, unrealistic expectations, and lack of operational supports lead to high burnout and churn among those working in the nonprofit world.

The good news is that there is a lot that nonprofit leaders can do to better support their employees. And, there's plenty that nonprofit professionals, themselves, can do to maintain their own well-being, resilience, and happiness on the job.

Lauren Brownstein helps nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, and grant makers achieve their goals through PITCH, LLC, her fundraising and philanthropy consulting practice. She is the author of Be Well, Do Good: Self-Care and Renewal for Nonprofit Professionals and Other Do-Gooders, a Barnes & Noble Bestseller. Lauren has raised millions of dollars for workforce development programs, museums, student support organizations, women’s causes, community centers, international groups, associations, and more. She was a certified foster parent before adopting a child from the foster care system.

Lauren's book: Be Well, Do Good: Self-Care and Renewal for Nonprofit Professionals and Other Do-Gooders

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Much Ado About Threads Part 1 - What The Heck Is Threads? 10 Jul 202300:10:57

Before we get into this special bonus episode, I want to tell you about my new live training, How to Create a Content Marketing Strategy + Calendar for Your Nonprofit. In this one-hour deep dive, I’ll show you how to create and execute an effective content marketing strategy for your nonprofit, complete with marketing calendar. To join me, go to nonprofitcontentcalendar.com and sign up. All registrants get the recording, slides, and bonus materials. 

Should Nonprofits Be On Threads - Meta’s Twitter Alternative?

The internet is buzzing about Meta’s newest platform, Threads by Instagram. If you’ve never heard of this new app, or if you are simply wondering “What's the point?”, then you are in the right place.

In Part 1 of my new three-part series all about the newest social network Threads, I’ll be giving a brief explanation of the emergence of the new social media platform, an overview of its key features and functionality, and some of the benefits - and drawbacks - for nonprofits and for individuals alike.

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Create Human-Centered Digital Content in a ChatGPT World with Bailey Lewis05 Jul 202300:37:00

This episode is sponsored by Qgiv, a comprehensive fundraising platform trusted by over 20,000 fundraisers. The Qgiv team understands that fundraising isn’t always an easy job. To help, they recently surveyed fundraising professionals and donors to create a soon to be released report, Building a Sustainable Future: A Guide to Healthy Fundraising. This report explores how the economy, staffing issues, declining donor numbers, and more have impacted nonprofit teams. To learn how you can build more sustainable fundraising revenue and advocate for data-backed change, click here  to be notified when the report is released and receive your copy!

People who care about digital content that resonates on a human level are needed now more than ever. It's time to rethink how we approach digital content so that we can make the communications and interactions we all encounter every day less robotic, chaotic, and caustic—both to receive and to create.

My guest this week is on a mission to create more human-centered digital content. Bailey Lewis is a content strategist who runs the Words First Course & Community. She created Words First to transform the way that professionals and their organizations communicate with other humans online (only the least human and most prevalent medium of all!).  

We discuss:

  • What makes so many digital experiences chaotic and unusable—for both the audiences trying to engage with them and the teams building them
  • How to flip the content creation process to “words first” 
  • How to identify and shift where processes are keeping that from happening
  • How to apply user experience content strategy principles for digital communications that resonate on a human level.

Connect with Bailey:


About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How AI Is Reshaping Donor Engagement with Juliet MacDowell06 Aug 202500:31:08

Can artificial intelligence actually help you raise more money, as well as build better donor relationships? We’re diving into the future of fundraising with Juliet MacDowell, a veteran development strategist who’s raised over $1 billion for global NGOs and is now the founder of Mission AI.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just curious about how AI is impacting our sector, this episode is full of practical insights, big-picture thinking, and a hopeful look at what’s next for nonprofit development.

🔍 What We Discuss:

  • How Juliet helped raise over $1B for mission-driven organizations—and what she learned along the way
  • What Mission AI is and how it’s helping nonprofits fundraise more effectively
    Real-world examples of how AI tools can support donor segmentation, storytelling, and strategy
  • The biggest myths about AI in fundraising—and what the tech can’t do
  • Why AI doesn’t replace fundraisers—it empowers them
  • What nonprofits can do today to prepare for a smarter, more data-driven future

Hit play now, then subscribe to Nonprofit Nation for more expert insights!

✒️ About Juliet MacDowell

Juliet MacDowell is the founder of Mission AI, where she helps nonprofits and social enterprises achieve greater impact by combining the power of AI with 25+ years of strategic fundraising expertise. Over her career, she has helped organizations grow funding by over 50%, secure transformational partnerships, and unlock major gifts across the globe. Her work today focuses on using innovation to accelerate results—without sacrificing connection or mission.

🧰 Resources & Links:

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

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How to Keep More of Your Donors with nik castle28 Jun 202300:34:44

This episode is sponsored by my friends at Instil, a holistic donor relationship management platform on a mission to revolutionize nonprofit technology. We are hosting a free webinar to show you how to manage donor communications in the digital age, using technology and social media. Our goal is to build long-term donor loyalty in a short-term world. Learn more by clicking here.

Every interaction with donors should be meaningful and intentional, but without proactive planning it's easy for things to slip through the cracks.

In this episode, I’m joined by nik castle, Demand Generation Manager at Instil, a modern, purpose-built platform that helps nonprofits cultivate deeper, more holistic relationships with their community.

We review Instil’s framework for donor cultivation-Connect, Interact, Nurture. The idea is simple: with an intentional and proactive approach, every single interaction with a supporter can set you up for the next one.

nik details concrete steps for implementing marketing and fundraising best practices for creating long-term donor loyalty and “one to many empathy”.

With professional roots in data analytics, nik castle leverages seven years of experience as the technical arm of the marketing teams they have worked on to support a revolution in data management for nonprofit development teams. In her current role at Instil, nik is dedicated to helping scale authentic relationship building with supporters through one-to-many empathy that’s facilitated—not limited—by data and technology. Outside of work, nik is deeply invested in studying and practicing both individual and organizational psychology, as well as serving their art collective as a community organizer and tending to her garden and three pets, Angelina, Jinx, and Tessie.

Connect with nik

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

BONUS: Are You Ready For The New Google Analytics? with George Weiner 23 Jun 202300:43:28

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is Google's next-generation measurement solution, and it's replacing Universal Analytics. On July 1, 2023, standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing data.

GA4 is much more than just a new “version” of Google Analytics. It’s a completely new platform – built from the ground up to collect, process, and report on data differently than before. Migrating to GA4 is a complex and integral process that requires strategic planning and expert implementation.

George Weiner is here to help!

George is the Founder and CEO of Whole Whale, a digital agency that leverages data and tech to increase the impact of nonprofits and for-benefit companies. In nearly a decade of operations, Whole Whale has worked with over 100 nonprofit and social-impact organizations, spent over $6 million in Google Ad Grants dollars, and supported an additional 150,000+ organizations through free online content and trainings.

He is also the co-founder of Power Poetry, the largest teen poetry platform in the U.S, a safe, creative, free home to over 500k poets.

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

How to Build A Strong Brand with Taylor Shanklin21 Jun 202300:37:24

Are you looking to engage your donors more effectively and create deeper relationships with them? You’re in luck. This episode is sponsored by my friends at Instil, a holistic donor relationship management platform on a mission to revolutionize nonprofit technology. We are hosting a free webinar to show you how to manage donor communications in the digital age, using technology and social media. Our goal is to build long-term donor loyalty in a short-term world. Learn more at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/instil

Taylor Shanklin is a TEDx speaker, podcast host + producer, and marketing innovator in the social impact sector. She speaks regularly at global conferences such as AFP ICON and The Nonprofit Technology Conference, and she has helped hundreds of organizations tell their brand story in digital channels. Taylor is the founder and CEO of Barlele, a brand and growth strategy firm that helps businesses and organizations grow through clear storytelling and strategic growth coaching. She hosts the Talking Shizzle podcast.

Will Novelli is a creative, talented and highly motivated individual with extensive experience in Graphic Design, Project Management, Brand Strategy and Digital Project Coordination. Currently Will assists with the Talking Shizzle podcast, and he is dedicated to helping others out in the marketing and branding space. Areas of strength; leadership, communication, organization, and interpersonal skills in providing and delivering the best customer services and project coordination possible. Will was also recently promoted to Sr. Client Happiness Manager at Barlele and enjoys spreading happiness to the world.

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:

Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.

She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

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