Missions to Movements – Details, episodes & analysis

Would you believe me if I told you that emotional intelligence can transform donor relationships and drive sustainable fundraising growth? Bill Crouch is the visionary leader of BrightDot and the author of Start with Heart: The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results. And according to Bill, there is REAL data to prove why resilience and empathy consistently outperform traditional metrics.

Bill walks us through BrightDot’s “Teach, Train, Transform” methodology and how one community college in Florida raised significant gifts by rethinking their team structure, board accountability, and donor strategy.

He explains how handwritten notes, emotionally intelligent hiring practices, and even a 2 hour “Fundraising Focus” window each week can wildly change donor engagement outcomes. You’ll leave this conversation with so many practical takeaways to catalyze your results and bring more meaning into your fundraising culture.

Resources & Links

Connect with Bill at bill@thebrightdot.com and learn more about BrightDot on their website. 

Check out Bill’s book: Start with Heart: The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results.

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

What does it take to triple a nonprofit’s operating budget, raise $3.3 million for a capital campaign, complete a $10 million dollar facility renovation, AND expand to three campuses, all in just six years? Hope Pavich, Executive Director of Care for Friends, joins me to share how she did exactly that. 

In this episode, you’ll hear how Hope’s team identified service gaps to build an innovative grocery delivery program for unhoused youth that now reaches 30 of Chicago’s 50 wards, and why funders jumped to support it. Plus, how an unexpected construction delay funneled into a long-term partnership with the Church of the Atonement, and why focusing on shared values over speed can create sustainable, scalable growth.

Hope is no stranger to strategic growth and mission aligned innovation. She also shares her process for crafting clear, funder-friendly storytelling, along with real-world examples on collaboration and leading through uncertainty.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Care for Friends, their programs, and how to donate.

Check out The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level.

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Did you know that only 11–12% of visitors who click “Donate” actually complete their gift? That conversion gap represents a massive missed opportunity for nonprofits, and Scott Cross, sales leader at iDonate, has the data and tools to help you capture more donor intent – especially on mobile.

Scott breaks down how simple A/B tests, mobile-friendly donation forms, and new pop-up giving tools are helping organizations see up to a 50% lift in completed donations and a 23% boost in recurring gifts. We also dig into how to simplify your donation page without losing storytelling power, AND the small tweaks that make a big difference during year-end campaigns.

For nonprofits of all sizes, this conversation is packed with ideas to make small, strategic changes to your online giving experience so you can yield dramatic results without requiring significant additional resources. 

Resources & Links

Connect with Scott Cross on LinkedIn, at the upcoming NIO Summit in Kansas City, or via email at scross@idonate.com. 

Episode 196: Is Your Donation Page Leaking Donors? Here’s How to Fix It

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Do you think Facebook ads are challenging and confusing? Cassie Turczyn from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is here to guide us through her journey of conquering the complexity of paid ads, resulting in over 21,000 impressions and 200+ new emails for their list!

The last round of my Grow Your List Ads Challenge paved the way for MHIF to expand their reach and attract potential donors, so today, we’re sharing their tactical case study.

Cassie walks us through the entire $375 ad campaign, the audiences they targeted, how they used Canva for ad graphics, and how they harnessed the power of Facebook Ads to capture the attention of 250+ new email leads.

She also shares all the details around their email welcome sequence, and how they target and engage new subscribers.

P.S. Do you want to grow your email list with 100+ new email subscribers…in JUST 7 days?! Click here to join my Grow Your List March Challenge!

Resources & Links

Cassie would love to connect with you on LinkedIn and you can learn more about the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation on their website.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Navigating the intricate dance of brand partnerships and their ability to echo our deepest values is NO small feat. Enter Eric Bigger, a reality TV personality who has pivoted towards a profound mission in healing and personal development.

Eric opens up in today’s episode about his Baltimore roots and spiritual awakenings, and how he harnesses his public persona to champion mental health and suicide prevention. Together, we dissect the profound impact it can have when our actions are aligned with our deepest truths.

How do you create authentic brand partnerships that build greater inclusivity and social resonance? Eric shares how true collaboration extends beyond the transactional - it's a harmonious blend of shared narratives and goals to create ripples of positive change.

We also delve into what “miracle season” is and what you can learn about yourself from life path numbers to strengthen your mind and spirit and earn even more opportunities.

Resources & Links

Eric invites you to connect with him at itsmiracleseason@gmail.com, or DM him on Instagram and X. Check out his Miracle Season merch.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

How does a successful ad funnel thrive on Facebook and Instagram? Let's crack the code together with Jennifer Spivak, the powerhouse behind The Ad Girls Agency and a top Facebook Ads Manager to watch.

Jennifer breaks down the importance of refining your offer and your messaging and why bold copy and creative REALLY matters. She’ll also dissect the strategies that have worked to skyrocket her client Pia’s business - and how she guides potential leads through a high-ticket sales funnel with pinpoint precision.

We’re spilling the secrets on free guides, webinars, and video sales letters that will captivate a niche audience and foster high-quality leads that will book a call with you. If you're battling to improve your ad campaigns, this conversation is your blueprint for success.

Resources & Links

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram and learn more about The Ad Girls Agency.

The Meta Ad Library is a goldmine of examples. Search “Jennifer Spivak” to see what ads Jenn is running.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Today, we're exploring the depth and responsibility of trauma-informed storytelling with Maria Bryan, who will guide us through the intricate process of sharing these sensitive narratives within the nonprofit marketing world, ensuring that the dignity of those who have bravely lived these stories is not compromised.

Maria's expertise in trauma-informed storytelling will light a path for marketers and communicators to follow as she breaks down the differences between story owners, storytellers, and story receivers, and why consent is so important.

You'll hear how Thistle Farms uses consent forms, the comprehensive resources you can find at Ethical Storytelling, and how nonprofits can empower individuals to share their experiences on their own terms with respectful and protective practices.

Resources & Links

Connect with Maria on her website and LinkedIn, and tune in to her podcast, When Bearing Witness, to further explore trauma-informed storytelling.

Visit Ethical Storytelling to access a free media consent form.

Maria recommends looking at Thistle Farms’ Instagram and specifically looking at this post. She also recommends the Love 146 Language & Media Guide.

Applications are closing soon for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program! Ready to build a dedicated community of recurring donors to generate consistent revenue? Let's make it happen together. Learn more and apply here.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Prepare to be wowed by Cody Hays of Marketing Mission as he unravels the story of how he created a year's worth of emails in just 3 weeks. Plus, he was able to generate $61,000 (!) in revenue from ONE email.

This episode zeroes in on Cody's revolutionary approach to time batching 50+ emails and how he harnesses automated email campaigns that are not just lucrative, but are also rooted in cultivating community bonds.

We'll also break down his email funnel and paid ads strategy, and how it fosters a vibrant two-way dialogue that incorporates personalized video feedback.

Join us and unlock the potential to significantly amplify your nonprofit organization's marketing impact and client relationships!

Resources & Links

• Check out Cody’s vault of free resources and templates for nonprofits.
• Want to try out Flodesk? Take 50% OFF your first year! 

Applications are closing soon for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program! Ready to build a dedicated community of recurring donors to generate consistent revenue? Let's make it happen together. Learn more and apply here.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Today we're stepping into a world where technology meets humanity. 

My good friend Tim Lockie is here to break down his revolutionary concept "The Human Stack", that champions the integration of human elements into the nonprofit tech sphere, prioritizing meaningful connections and community building over mere data collection.

In this episode, we'll navigate the differences between a tech stack vs. a human stack, the challenges small teams face when it comes to technology, and how you can galvanize a digital culture that's centered around people.

You’ll also learn the art of choosing the right digital tools, how to reevaluate them when necessary, and why you need a meticulously designed "request funnel."

Whether you're a one-person show doing #allofthethings or a medium to large organization, by the end of this conversation, you'll be on track to confidently maintain your data, manage systems, and drive digital culture in your nonprofit!

Resources & Links

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn and learn more about his work on The Human Stack website. You can also check out his self-guided course for nonprofits, Digital Driver’s Ed.

Applications are closing soon for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program! Ready to build a dedicated community of recurring donors to generate consistent revenue? Let's make it happen together. Learn more and apply here.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Unlock the secret to standout nonprofit design (without breaking the bank!), as we sit down with the inspiring Bex Toms of Designed to Be Kind. She'll share how Canva's groundbreaking platform is reshaping the design narrative, proving to be a boon, not a bane, for industry professionals and novices alike. 

Canva's innovative tools are not only keeping budgets in check, but are also sparking a creative revolution, enabling anyone to craft visually compelling content with ease. Bex's path to spearheading a mission-driven design firm exemplifies the synergy of passion and purpose, and she's here to show us how that powerful combination can be reflected in your organization's visual storytelling.

This episode is brimming with practical wisdom on organizing and collaborating within Canva, making it a treasure trove for teams of any size. You'll get the scoop on Canva's latest features, from QR codes adding a tech-savvy edge to campaigns, to Canva's AI capabilities, including ChatGPT-powered design wizardry. Plus, we'll reveal the Enhancer app's magic touch that's setting a new standard for image quality. 

This conversation is your ticket to mastering Canva's full suite of features and starting the year on a high note of creativity and efficiency!

Resources & Links

Connect with Bex on LinkedIn and on her website, Designed To Be Kind.

Check out Canva and all of their new tools, plus their free Design School to learn how to design like a pro. Canva for Teams will help you scale your content production.

Applications are closing soon for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program! Ready to build a dedicated community of recurring donors to generate consistent revenue? Let's make it happen together. Learn more and apply here.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. 

See how one team surpassed a $1M match and raised $2.25M for their mission with Penny, Bloomerang’s AI-powered fundraising strategist. Learn more at bloomerang.com.

The Monthly Giving Builder: Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!