Dynamic Nonprofits – Details, episodes & analysis

Since 1979, C-SPAN has been providing unfiltered access into the inner workings of American democracy. Until recently though, the network was funded entirely by the cable industry and had never attempted to fundraise from private donors.

However, the disruption produced by cord cutting necessitated innovation and late last year C-SPAN launched a development program to generate support from the channel's loyal audience which values their unfiltered, unbiased approach politics.

C-SPAN's first ever Development Director, Molly Connors, joins Dan to share her story and go behind the scenes to discuss what it's been like to launch a fundraising program for legacy brand.

Topics covered in this fascinating chat include:

- Molly's origin story in fundraising, how her new position at C-SPAN brought her career full circle, and how helping to launch a digital program for PBS prepared her for the position

- C-SPAN's three critical donor cohorts and how Molly and her team identified them

- What is the value proposition that drives those cohorts to give and the importance of unique value propositions for different groups of donors

- TONS OF TACTICAL INSIGHTS, including C-SPAN's channel and engagement strategy and clever hacks for increasing DAF and digital giving (Hint: You'll want to add your postal address to all of your donation pages after listening to this interview)

- The value of donor stories and helpful tips on how to solicit them

- C-SPAN's surprising success on TikTok and reaching younger donors

Plus, so much more...

This interview is a great listen for fundraisers and non-profit leaders who enjoy founding stories as well any fundraising professional who is interested in tactical hacks for audience development, donor engagement, content strategy, and so much more.

Fundraisers who have been able to successfully start a program from the ground up have a rare and invaluable perspective which is why we are so grateful to Molly for sharing her time and wisdom.

We really enjoyed this conversation and, got a ton of value out of it, and believe you will too.

Thanks as always for listening to the Dynamic Non-Profits Podcast and enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

Molly Connors

Development Manager

C-SPAN

[email protected]

LEARN MORE ABOUT C-SPAN OR SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO PROVIDE UNFILTED ACCESS TO OUR DEMOCRACY

https://www.c-span.org/

CONNECT WITH MOLLY ON LINKED IN!

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

Fundraising thought leader Dave Raley drops by the show for a casual chat about innovation...more specifically what's holding innovation back in the nonprofit sector.

Much deeper than a philosophical discussion, Dave and Dan dig into innovation tactics and shifts which can benefit nonprofits of all sizes (some of which require little to no overhead to implement).

Dave also touches on the role of leadership and why understanding your "working genius" type holds the key to driving a culture of innovation.

Dan also asks Dave how his background in direct mail influences his approach to innovation and they have a brief side car discussion about strategies and techniques which overlap between direct mail, email, and other channels.

This is a fun and valuable listen for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders who are passionate about driving innovation or who are interested in taking stock about the state of innovation inside their own organization.

Please rate and review Dynamic Nonprofits if you get value out of Dan's interview with Dave Raley. It's the very best way to support the DNP mission to advocate for an unsiloed approach to fundraising.

Thanks as always for listening, and enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

CONNECT WITH DAVE ON LINKED IN!

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVE RALEY AND IMAGO CONSULTING

https://www.imago.consulting/

FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF WORKING GENIUS YOU ARE

https://www.imago.consulting/workinggenius

WEEKLY INNOVATION IN YOUR INBOX: SUBSCRIBE TO DAVE'S "WAVE REPORT" NEWSLETTER

https://www.imago.consulting/wavereport

LISTEN TO THE PURPOSE AND PROFIT PODCAST, COVERING THE INTERSECTION OF PHILANTHROPY AND BUSINESS

https://www.purposeandprofitpodcast.com/

Dan discusses the current state of fundraising and explores whether the sector is in the midst of an upswing.

"If you constantly have a mindset about helping to improve the lives of others, your life will be improved in the process" 

Kevin Gentry has been a staple in the fundraising community for nearly four decades and his Fundraising Tips newsletter is a weekly must read for many in the sector. Kevin joined the show to discuss getting back to basics and how classic direct marketing techniques hold the keys to helping non-profits thrive during a time of great uncertainty. 

However, our off-the-cuff conversation covered much more ground than that...

The Conversion Covers:

- Kevin's origin story as a fundraiser and how we can help more talented individuals discover the non-profit sector as a career choice

- The value of mentorship programs, both for the mentor AND the mentee 

- Why attending in-person events is so critical for professional development at all career levels

- The origin story of Kevin's "Fundraising Tips" newsletter which has been running strong for 15 years and how he's improved it by actively listening to readers' feedback 

- The advantages of publishing original content and advice for fundraisers who aspire to be thought leaders

- The mutual benefits of providing value to others

Tactical Advice Includes:

- Why your non-profit should strive to "Go Big" in 2023 and how basic direct marketing techniques can help make that happen

- Applying the "Human Action Model" and the three steps necessary to get someone to take a desired action

- Richard Viguerie's "Four Horsemen of Marketing" (positioning, differentiation, benefits, brand,) 

- The risk in deferring to tightening up mail plans and writing off donors who haven't given recently

- Why direct mail continues to be effective in a digital era 

- The value of getting feedback from donors and understanding how they perceive your brand

This is a classic conversation about the fundraising industry that is also packed full of tactical advice for fundraisers and non-profit leaders. Regardless of what causes you work with or where you are in your career, you're sure to benefit from this discussion with Kevin Gentry. 

If you get value out of the interview, please take a few minutes to rate and review the Dynamic Non-Profits Podcast. It's the best way to support the show and help connect us with more legendary fundraisers just like Kevin.

Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Show Notes:

Email Kevin to connect, if you'd like to subscribe to his "Fundraising Tips" newsletter, or in order to receive a free copy of Richard Viguerie's "Four Horsemen of Marketing" booklet

Kevin can be reached at: his "Fundraising Tips" newsletter, or receive a free copy of Richard Viguerie's "Four Horsemen of Marketing.

Send an email to Kevin if you'd like to connect, subscribe to his "Fundraising Tips" newsletter, or receive a free copy of Richard Viguerie's "Four Horsemen of Marketing. He can be reached at: [email protected]

Learn more about the work of Stand Together at: https://standtogether.org/

Dan shares and breaks down (from a Fundraiser's Perspective) his 5 favorite ads from Super Bowl 57. Show Notes: 5. T-Mobile / John Travolta  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSO-Whn2sCQ 4. Amazon / Saving Sauer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bueUljGJ2M 3. Bud Light / Hold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCNwGnxq0s 2. Dunkin / Ben Affleck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBIX9FG6kZ0&feature=youtu.be 1. Pepsi / Great Acting or Great Taste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok38Xuc5UTE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adtWc_MvyzI

Why do Americans give?  It's the question which drives our fundraising strategies and holds the keys to improving our relationships with donors.  Classy's Michelle Boggs joins the show to answer that foundational question and much more as Michelle and Dan deep dive into Classy's annual "Why America Gives" report. You'll want to have a notepad ready (and perhaps listen through a second time) as they comb through the report's findings and discuss actional tips your organization can take from them to optimize your program.  Topics discussed include: - The history of "Why America Gives" and what makes it unique among a sea of industry reports and data - The different ways Americans are looking to give back to nonprofits (hint: It's about more than donating money) - Passive donors versus loyal donors. What's the difference and why each are critical to maximizing your program's impact - Donors' resilience in the face of economic headwinds and how donors budget giving into their annual spending plans  - Reasons why some donors increased giving in 2022  - How to build loyalty through multi-channel engagement  - Generational differences in giving and the important role younger donors (and even non-donors) play in building a successful program  Plus, so much more in this conversation which will give you unique insight into giving and inspire many test ideas for the year ahead.  Thanks to Michelle for taking the time to join Dynamic Non-Profits for this important discussion. If our chat inspires you, please subscribe to the Dynamic Non-Profits Podcast and rate and review the program. It's the very best way to help support our mission to provide value to the non-profit sector and advocate for an unsiloed approach to fundraising.  Enjoy the show! Show Notes:  DOWNLOAD "WHY AMERICA GIVES" AND WATCH-A-LONG WITH MICHELLE AND DAN  https://www.classy.org/why-america-gives/ LEARN MORE ABOUT CLASSY AND VIEW MORE OF THEIR ORIGINAL RESEARCH https://www.classy.org/ CONNECT WITH MICHELLE ON LINKEDIN  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleboggssfl/

Over his 25 years in the non-profit sector, Andrew Olsen has helped raise over half a billion dollars while helping to build multiple successful agencies in the process. He has also established himself as a thought leader for the industry as the host of The Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast and with two best selling titles to his name (Rainmaker: The Fundraiser's Guide to Landing Big Gifts & 101 Biggest Mistakes Non-Profits Make).

Today, in his new role with DickersonBakker, he's on a mission to create a better way to fundraise and fundamentally transform the giving experience for donors of all levels. 

Andrew joins the show to discuss why are better way is needed and how we get there. 

It's an eye opening discussion for fundraisers of all experience levels which may make you rethink the experience you're giving donors. 

Show Notes: 

Get In Touch With Andrew on LinkedIn! 

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

Subscribe to Andrew's Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rainmaker-fundraising-podcast/id1441960250

Check out Dan's appearance on the Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing-landscape-of-nonprofit-agency-services/id1441960250?i=1000533567684

Learn More About DickersonBakker

https://dickersonbakker.com/

Dan discusses Damar Hamlin, why his incident resonated with so many people, and what the collective response says about generosity and why we give.

Give To Damar Hamlin's "Chasing M Foundation":

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mxksc-the-chasing-ms-foundation-community-toy-drive

How much is the right amount to ask donors for? 

Michael Gorriarán, President @ Arjuna Solutions, joins the show to answer this fundamental question. Dan and Michael discuss how Arjuna applies behavioral economics to determine the optimal ask amount for creating long-term relationships with donors which maximizes their lifetime value potential. 

Topics Discussed Also Include: 

- How behavioral economics also help non-profits determine when and often to mail individual donors (important in an era of inflation and declining response rates)

- Why behavioral economic modeling takes a clearer picture of donors than transactional data or wealth screening alone  

- The importance of optimizing ask amounts across channels (Did you know that asking donors for different amounts on and offline can hurt LTV?)

- How to break down barriers and silos which prevent cross-channel collaboration from happening (a favorite topic of discussion on Dynamic Non-Profits!)

- Budgeting solutions that can make non-profits more nimble 

- Plus, so much more! 

Michael also shares his family history in philanthropy and the lessons he learned working at Microsoft that can increase the impact of the non-profit sector. 

This is a fun conversation for fundraisers and data geeks alike which is chalk full of practical solutions, but also addresses some critical bigger picture issues for the fundraising industry. 

If you get value out of our conversation with Michael, please subscribe to Dynamic Non-Profits Podcast and rate and review the show. It only takes a few seconds and it makes a big impact in the search rankings...It also helps us find more great guests just like Michael. 

Thanks as always for listening and for supporting our mission to advocate for #UnsiloedFundraising and innovation in the non-profit sector, enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

Michael Gorriarán

President

Arjuna Solutions

[email protected]

https://www.arjunasolutions.com/

Dan breaks down Mastercard's new regulations for recurring giving and discusses why the new rules could be an opportunity to innovate how nonprofits communicate with their monthly donors.

Show Notes:  

Read along with the Non-Profit Pro article Dan discusses on the show

https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/mastercard-extends-deadline-how-to-comply-to-new-recurring-giving-regulations/

Listen back to Dan's interview with Monthly Giving Maven Erica Waasdorp

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamic-nonprofits-w-dan/id1458121528?i=1000513339388

Get in touch with Dan or send your feedback to Dynamic Non-Profits!

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

[email protected]