Ready. Set. Give!

Do you want to crush your fundraising goals in 2025? Tune in as we talk about donation page best practices! Windy Keene, Customer Success Manager of Qgiv fundraising platform, joins Ashley Prior, BDI Digital Marketing Manager, to share how you can optimize your donation pages and forms for fundraising success.  In this episode, you'll learn:How to identify if your forms are working (and what to do ASAP if they're not!)Best practices for images, CTAs and forms on mobileHow to optimize donation pages and boost monthly givingWhether it's been a while since you last optimized your donation pages, or if this is new to you, taking the time to fine-tune your donation pages is key to your fundraising success in 2025!

Are you looking for new fundraising strategies that can increase revenue and response? See how digital marketing testing can help!BDI Director of Digital Strategy Nicole Ige-Hutto is sharing some impactful testing ideas to elevate your digital marketing. In this episode, you'll hear:Why regular digital marketing testing is crucial for your nonprofit's successStep-by-step guidance on how to conduct digital marketing tests effectivelyReal-world examples of successful marketing tests and what they teach usTesting can be the difference between a “good enough” fundraising campaign and a great one… So listen now to learn how you can launch your own digital tests today!

AI is showing no signs of slowing down! And at BDI, we're committed to exploring this new frontier, responsibly, to put these innovations to work. Our goal is to help you maximize your impact as you incorporate AI in your nonprofit's daily operations.BDI's Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read,  are joined by some of the brightest minds on our Creative Team to continue their timely conversation about this developing technology.In this second-part episode of our Adventures in AI series, you'll explore…AI applications BDI uses for our client partnersEthical questions surrounding the use of AIHow to start leveraging AI for your organizationListen now to dive into the questions, answers and ethical best practices that will help you start incorporating AI in your nonprofit's life-changing work!

In the last 12 months, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and you've likely felt the effects at your organization! From the rapid rise of ChatGPT and other AI tools, it can be hard to keep up – and hard to know when and how to dive in. BDI's Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read, are eager to help. In this episode, you'll learn…A helpful history of AI and how it worksPossible applications of AI in fundraisingHow AI can make your work more efficient and effectiveListen now to be encouraged and inspired to harness the power of AI at your nonprofit organization!Episode Highlights:Meet Mike and James and hear their experiences in the nonprofit industryA brief history of artificial intelligenceHow does AI technology show up in our lives every day?Why is AI at the forefront of our conversations today?Major milestones of OpenAI and ChatGPTTypes of AI: Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning or Generative AIHow BDI has adopted AI tools into our workflowPLUS… a game: “Is it real or is it AI?”Connect with us!Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with Mike Rogers: LinkedInConnect with James Read: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: How AI is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Fundraising & MarketingArticle: 5 Steps to Integrate AI Into Your OrganizationArticle: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to AI-Powered Productivity

What do you do when there's tension between what you think your brand should sound like and fundraising best practices? Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, discusses the balance between staying true to your nonprofit's brand while still getting results – and why it's a healthy dynamic to have. In this episode, you'll learn…How to handle tension between brand style and best practice When and when not to prioritize brand guidelinesWhy an outside perspective can be helpfulBoth brand style and best practice are critical to connecting with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to balance the two for a strategy that stays true to your brand – while amplifying your message for more impact!Episode Highlights:Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voiceNitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standardsHow to handle tension between creative mandatories and best practices When it might be okay to compromise on your standardsWhat best practices should you implement to boost resultsHow and when to use people-first language (and why it's important)Do grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…Connect with us!Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with Anna Koons: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your FundraisingArticle: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising CopyArticle: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit StoryArticle: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success

How much does your fundraising copy impact your results? Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, is sharing how effective fundraising starts with consistent, clear communications – and how you can make this happen at your organization, starting today!In this episode, you'll learn how to…Develop a style guide of copy mandatories for stronger fundraisingIdentify your organization's unique brand voiceLet go of details that don't really matter when it comes to resultsIt's critical to understand how well your brand voice and messaging strategy connect with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to take your fundraising copy to the next level and amplify your message for more impact today!Episode Highlights:Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voiceNitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standardsHow and when to use people-first language (and why it's important)Deciding on your tone – religious, urgent or donor-centric?Messaging matters: How tone of voice impacts resultsDo grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…How to start building your nonprofit's brand voicePLUS… The most controversial grammar rules in the world!Connect with us!Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with Anna Koons: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your FundraisingArticle: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising CopyArticle: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit StoryArticle: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success

Unwrap the top fundraising trends of 2023… and look forward to what's coming next! Katrina Williams and Maddie Lara from BDI's Marketing team take us on a walk down memory lane. Tune in now for this rewind on the top trends and insights from the last year. In this episode, you'll dive deeper into 2023's…Shifts in giving + surprising results in philanthropyDevelopments in AI + applications for fundraisersTrends in marketing + what we predict will be BIG in the new yearWe're also revealing the top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles of the year from BDI! Was your favorite in our best of the best? Listen now to find out… Episode Highlights:What were the top trends in 2023?The year's biggest headlines & fundraising newsResults report: Declines and increases in givingNew forms of fundraising: Text-to-give & TikTok2023 trends in marketingNew developments in AI and what it means for fundraisingBDI Rewind: Top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles A special Christmas activityA GIFT for you… Write a review for a gift card!Connect with us!Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with Maddie Lara: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: Your 5 Top Nonprofit Articles of the YearArticle: Boost Your Results in 2023: Today's Top Marketing TrendsArticle: Fundraising Trends and Challenges in 2023Article: 5 Takeaways from Giving USA 2023 Annual Report on Philanthropy

Want to boost your nonprofit team's engagement? Looking to share the workload more evenly when it comes to development? Seeking ways to strengthen your fundraising? If you answered yes, tune in! This week's episode of “Ready Set Give!” dives into development strategies for all! Learn to empower EVERYONE on your team to do the all-important work of development (while protecting them – and yourself – from burnout).Drawing on 15 years in nonprofit fundraising, BDI Strategist and Sr. Account Director David Stolberg is sharing his recommendations for development strategies to keep in-house. You'll learn…  How to engage your internal team in the important work of development Which programs run well in-house (monthly giving, major donor outreach, etc.)Ideas to get your internal team on board with your development strategiesListen now to learn how you can share the joys (and challenges) of development with others at your organization, and set your team up for success!Note – Katrina/Digital, if possible, let's add in the time stamps to these highlights once the episode has been produced. Check out this example: https://www.weareforgood.com/episode/432Episode Highlights:David shares about his unique career path to nonprofit fundraisingWhy it's important for nonprofits to handle some strategic work in-houseThe programs David recommends to keep in-houseProgram #1: Monthly GivingProgram #2: Major DonorsReal-life examples of successful monthly giving & major donor programsWhy should development be the responsibility of everyone on a nonprofit team?First steps to empowering your team to share in developmentDavid's final words of advice for nonprofit teamsConnect with us!Connect with David Stolberg: LinkedInConnect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article Series: Conquering the Development Mountain as a NonprofitArticle: Creating a Culture of Employee AppreciationArticle: Your Organization Needs Monthly Giving Programs. Here's why…

Are you looking to inspire more generosity through your fundraising appeals? Start with storytelling!Jhovany Quiroz and Courtney Hamilton from BDI's Storytellers team share how powerful stories, photos and videos from your organization can unlock giving… and encourage your community's investment in your cause long-term.You'll learn…How to tell inspiring, real-life stories of transformation that inspire giving.Tools and tips for effective and efficient storytelling interviews.Ideas to amplify your stories through compelling photography and video. And get ready to check your biases at the door! ✅

Are you making these 7 email marketing mistakes?BDI's Digital Implementation Manager, Ashley Prior, has built a lot of great fundraising emails in her day… but she's also seen a lot of nonprofit organizations struggle to apply email marketing best practices. They give in to common fears, and the temptation of sending “good enough” emails, when a few small tweaks could greatly increase their engagement!You'll learn…How to avoid common pitfalls that lead to email marketing purgatory

Do you ever feel like your organization is your community's best kept secret? Discover how an awareness campaign can help you get the word out!BDI's Chief Client Officer, Lolly Colombo, and BDI's SVP Creative, James Read, share how nonprofit organizations of any size can launch a successful awareness campaign that cultivates long-term community trust and strengthens fundraising results.You'll learn…What awareness campaigns are and why they are important for fundraising.The best time to launch an awareness campaign and steps you can take to get started.Why integrated messaging is important, and how to measure success. Plus… be inspired by two real-life examples of nonprofit organizations whose awareness campaigns exceeded expectations. Listen now to learn key takeaways YOU can apply to your fundraising today!Episode Highlights:Lolly and James share about their work with nonprofitsAwareness Campaigns 101: What are they and why are they important?The components of an awareness campaign that build trustWhen is the best time to launch an awareness campaign?Getting Started: The value of researchBranding, direct response marketing and PR in awareness campaignsThe power of integrated messagingHow do you measure the success of your awareness campaign?2 Inspiring Case Studies: Wheeler Mission and Helping Up MissionConnect with us!Connect with Lolly Colombo: LinkedInConnect with James Read: LinkedInConnect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: The Long-Lasting Impact of an Awareness CampaignFREE Case Study: A Campaign to Raise Awareness about Baltimore's Opioid CrisisArticle: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story

Welcome to “Ready Set Give!” – BDI's new podcast that is dedicated to helping YOU prepare, plan and launch bold fundraising strategies that change lives. Tune in for inspiration and insightful conversations with leaders in the nonprofit world… and get ready to GO further with your fundraising. In our first episode, BDI's Senior Creative Director, Sarah Wallin, shares all about one essential ingredient of the creative process: Collaboration!You'll learn…How to turn a siloed team into an interconnected idea machine!Tips to engage even your most reserved team members through brainstorming.Ways to collaborate and build community outside the (virtual) office walls.Be inspired to take your creative collaboration to the next level.Episode Highlights:Sarah's story and love for all things creativeHow Sarah helped build a culture of collaboration at BDIWays you can get everyone involved in sharing their ideasOne important thing to remember while brainstormingWhat to do if you don't have time to collaborateThe latest stats: What employees say about collaborationThe importance of making time for “social” collaboration and gatheringsHow leaders can trust their teams and let go of controlA rapid-fire “name that song” game with Sarah!Connect with us!Connect with Sarah Wallin: LinkedInConnect with Katrina Williams: LinkedInConnect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramResources:Article: 3 Tips for Successful Creative CollaborationArticle: Nonprofit Collaborations Can Make You Stronger. Here's Why.Article: 3 Steps to Giving Great Feedback on Fundraising