Podcasts about bloomerang

Most nonprofit leaders play it too safe. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why a little “healthy delusion” might be the missing ingredient in your fundraising and leadership success. You'll learn why being overly realistic can quietly cap your revenue potential, and how the right dose of ambitious, slightly unreasonable belief in your vision can get you into rooms, conversations, and opportunities you didn't think were possible. This isn't about ignoring reality. It's about expanding it.Topics:Defining “healthy delusion”: What it means and why it works for nonprofit leadersBreaking free from playing small: How being “too realistic” keeps you in the same lane year after yearWhy wait for evidence before acting slows your growthReal client wins sparked by leaning into healthy delusionHow to test bigger asks, expand your network, and approach opportunities without self-disqualifyingThis is part two of a two-part mindset series we're re-releasing. For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Most nonprofits start with the tools. The better question is, what's the scalable opportunity technology can solve so your team can stay focused on the human interactions that matter most?With 1 in 2 people impacted by cancer in their lifetime, Mike Osborne and his team at Cancer Council Victoria are applying that thinking to one of their biggest pressure points: freeing up counselors from digging through systems so they can stay present and support more people in less time.Mike also reveals research-backed hot takes on AI-generated search summaries, and why teens are more likely to open up to a chatbot than talk to an adult.Resources & LinksConnect with Mike on LinkedIn and learn more about Cancer Council Victoria on their website. 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!

Something is missing in your recipe for success. Not a tool. Not a strategy. But something deeper: your inner grit. This isn't about hustling harder or pushing yourself until you burn out. It's about the strength you draw on when you're tired, when the campaign feels heavy, when the grant report is due, and when your to-do list is longer than your capacity. In this episode, I'm sharing why grit matters just as much as skill in fundraising, the mindset shifts that make it sustainable, and how to build your own reserve of inner strength so you can lead with clarity, joy, and resilience, even when the work gets hard. If you've ever felt like you're running on fumes or questioning if you've got what it takes, this episode will remind you: you do. You just need to reconnect with it.Topics:Why inner grit is the missing ingredient in many nonprofit leaders' successHow grit differs from hustle culture (and why that matters)Practical ways to build mental and emotional resilienceThe connection between grit and long-term fundraising successSigns you're running low on grit (and what to do about it)Why skill without grit leads to stalled progressHow to rally yourself when you're tired, overwhelmed, or uninspiredThis is part one of a two-part mindset series we're re-releasing. Listen to this, then go straight to Episode 207. For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Way too much of our human capacity is spent on tasks that DON'T require human empathy. That's how Tim Bachta from Children International is thinking about growth as his team works to expand from 220,000 to 275,000 children served.Tim shares how his team is using Microsoft Copilot to eliminate the manual work that's been slowing them down (like letter translation processes that once took months, to systems running in DAYS!) so their staff can focus on building relationships and supporting families.This episode is a powerful look at what happens when you stop asking, “how can we use AI?!” and start asking where your team's time is being wasted and who your champions are to help drive change.Resources & LinksConnect with Tim on LinkedIn and learn more about Children International on their website. 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!

Send us Fan MailMid-level donor strategy for nonprofits is no longer just a fundraising “nice to have.” It is becoming one of the most important business tools for building stronger major donor pipelines, improving donor retention, and making better decisions from the data already sitting inside your CRM.In this episode, Kirsten Wantland, Principal Industry Strategist at Bloomerang, joins Julia Patrick for a lively conversation about the “magic” of mid and major donors—and why that magic depends on structure, ownership, visibility, and disciplined relationship management.Kirsten points to a critical trend: nonprofits may be raising more overall, but more major gift revenue is coming from fewer donors. That means the pipeline is narrowing. As she explains, “It's not that generosity is decreasing… they're just coming from less donors.” For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, CEOs, and board members, that raises a big operational question: are you actively building the next layer of donors, or simply hoping they appear?This discussion moves beyond the old idea that donor portfolios are based only on personal relationships. Kirsten challenges nonprofits to look at donor characteristics, giving patterns, generosity indicators, recurring giving behavior, and relationship touches that actually move someone from mid-level to major giving.She also addresses one of the quiet problems inside many organizations: unclear donor ownership. When relationship knowledge lives in someone's head—or in a side spreadsheet—it creates risk, confusion, and missed opportunities. “The problem comes down to visibility,” Kirsten says. Your CRM should help your team see who owns the relationship, what has happened, what should happen next, and where the donor may be headed.This is a business conversation about fundraising discipline: analyze your data, define your donor levels based on real giving patterns, revisit your plans often, and shift from quantity-based activity to higher-quality donor cultivation!Key Takeaways:Major gift revenue is increasingly concentrated among fewer donors, making mid-level donor pipeline strategy more urgent.Donor portfolio ownership should be based on giving behavior, motivation, and capacity—not only personal relationships.CRM visibility helps prevent relationship confusion, staff transition risk, and hidden donor management gaps.Nonprofits should define mid-level and major donor thresholds using their own data, sector benchmarks, and realistic growth goals.Fundraising plans should be reviewed regularly so teams can adjust campaigns before revenue gaps become emergencies.Higher ROI comes from more intentional donor cultivation, not simply increasing the number of mailers, touches, or asks. 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show 00:01:55 Kirsten Wantland's Role at Bloomerang 00:04:11 Why Fundraiser Experience Matters in Technology 00:05:22 Why Mid and Major Donors Matter Now 00:07:23 The Donor Relationship Ownership Problem 00:09:03 Portfolio Management Beyond Personal Relationships 00:12:34 Taking Ego Out of Donor Ownership 00:14:45 How to Define Mid-Level and Major Donors 00:18:23 Fundraising as Data, Psychology, and Relationship Strategy 00:21:38 Tracking Campaign Milestones Before It Is Too Late 00:23:27 Understanding Donor Catalysts and Moves Management 00:25:48 Quality Versus Quantity in Fundraising Activity 00:28:00 Cultivating Smaller Donor Segments More Intentionally 00:29:31 Final Thoughts with Kirsten Wantland #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #MajorGiftsFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

What does it look like when a 35-year-old organization that has never fundraised decides to go all in on individual donors?In this special episode recorded live at GiveCon, I sit down with Penn Street, returning podcast guest, Development & Outreach Director at Aftersight, and host of The Blind Chick podcast. Penn walks us through Aftersight's transformation from a grant-only model to running successful sprint campaigns, including a $20K in 20 Days campaign that exceeded its goal and changed how the entire organization thinks about fundraising. We also dig into something most nonprofits completely overlook: accessibility as a revenue strategy. Penn makes the case that blind and low vision donors have money and want to give it to you, but your fundraising materials, events, and technology are making it impossible. Plus we talk about turning podcast audiences into email subscribers, using past guests as Social Street Team® members, and why your volunteer list might be the most underused donor pipeline in your organization.Topics:How Aftersight went from zero individual fundraising to exceeding its first $20K in 20 Days campaign goalWhy your podcast guests, volunteers, and past event attendees are untapped donor pipelinesUsing lead magnets to move podcast listeners into your email list, and why that matters for campaignsAccessibility as a revenue strategy: what nonprofit events and emails are missing and what it's costing themThe Social Street Team® method is applied to an organization with a national and international audienceLive Q&A: lapsed donor strategy, CRM migration, and alt text for inclusive email storytellingFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

What does the latest recurring giving data actually tell us? In this special State of Recurring Giving episode, three leaders from CharityEngine, GivingTuesday Data Commons, and World Central Kitchen are joining me to unpack the latest recurring giving benchmarks AND one of the most compelling monthly giving case studies of the year.Together, we're exploring the trends shaping recurring giving today, why monthly donors generate nearly 3x the annual value of one-time donors, and how World Central Kitchen turned 2,800 new monthly donors into an estimated $6 million in lifetime value with their Kitchen Core monthly giving program.Resources & LinksA special thank you to CharityEngine for making this quarter's State of Recurring Giving webinar possible. 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's the real difference between a donor who gives once and disappears and one who goes to bat for your organization in rooms you've never been in?In this conversation, I sit down with Jaz' Vick, Managing Director of Development at One Goal Georgia, a pastor, and one of the most genuinely gifted relationship builders I've ever met. We dig into what it actually means to fundraise from a place of connection instead of transaction, why assumptions about donor capacity destroy trust faster than almost anything else, and the simple habits that have made Jaz' one of the most effective development professionals in the sector. We also talk about what scared fundraising costs organizations, what great leadership actually looks like for a development team, and why the next generation of donors gives Jaz' so much hope for the future of philanthropy. This one is equal parts tactical and deeply human, and I think you'll feel it.Topics:Why transactional fundraising destroys donor trust, and what relationship-based fundraising actually looks like in practiceThe simple 10-second habit that has changed Jaz' donor relationships  How to build deep donor relationships at scale without burning outWhy assumptions about donor capacity are one of the fastest ways to breach trustWhat strong ED support looks like for a development team, and what it doesn'tScared money doesn't make money: how fear-based fundraising keeps organizations stuck in the same cycleFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Did you know 92% of donors say giving is part of who they are? And that 94% say they're MORE motivated to give when they know exactly where their money will go?Today I'm doing one of my favorite things – diving into the data and research from Bloomerang's 2026 Giving Signals Report, and sharing the major opportunity gaps every nonprofit should be paying attention to. Generosity isn't disappearing, but it's becoming much more intentional!This episode is packed with several high-impact changes that can help you remove friction, strengthen donor relationships, and increase giving.Resources & LinksCheck out Bloomerang's latest research in their 2026 Giving Signals Report. 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!

Americans gave $592 billion to charity last year. That was a record year, in the same economy, in the same tumultuous climate, with the same donors everyone says are pulling back. So why does it feel so hard?In this special session recorded live, I break down the summer fundraising forecast and make the case for why right now (not September, not year-end) is the most wide-open fundraising opportunity of the year. I cover what's actually keeping organizations stuck (it's not donor fatigue, it's messaging), why 60% of nonprofits are fighting over 0.4% of grant money, and how to run a focused sprint campaign this summer that seeds your strongest year-end ever. Plus real client results, live Q&A, and details on how to work with me inside The SPRINT Method™ and The Purpose & Profit Club®.Topics:Why there is no generosity crisis, only a messaging and strategy crisisThe summer fundraising opportunity most organizations completely missWhy 60% of nonprofits are fighting over 0.4% of grant money, and what to do insteadEmail as the foundational backbone of online fundraising, and why "it doesn't work" usually means the recipe was wrongMonthly giving as the most sustainable revenue stream, and why most organizations don't have enough monthly donorsSprint campaigns vs. endless soft asks, and why short, focused bursts beat marathon fundraising every timeFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Do you have a lilac bush in your garden? If you've ever wondered when or how to prune it, don't miss this week's episode. Joanne shares timely tips for caring for your lilacs and explains why now is the perfect time to prune. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: The importance of pruning lilacs right after they bloom Lilacs bloom on old wood, so timing matters. The best time to deadhead or prune is immediately after flowering, usually in June, before the plant puts energy into seed production or begins setting next year's blooms.  How to rejuvenate older, woody lilacs Two approaches: a drastic cutback of very old, unproductive lilacs, or a slower three-year rejuvenation plan in which the oldest stems are gradually removed. Remember to use sharp pruners, not hedge trimmers, and be intentional about which branches are removed.  Understanding different lilac varieties and their care needs Joanne compares common/French lilacs with newer repeat-blooming varieties like Bloomerang, as well as dwarf types like Miss Kim. Even repeat bloomers benefit from deadheading after the first flush so they can produce more flowers later in the season. Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

With AI adoption exploding, what does that actually mean for how you grow your team, your donors, and your impact?Naria Santa Lucia brought SO much energy and joy to her MC role at the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit, that I had to sit down with her to hear how nonprofit leaders can build practical pathways for using AI in their day-to-day work and cut through the hype.Naria also brings a perspective every nonprofit needs to hear: take the big swing, stay true to your mission, and don't pivot just to chase funding. When you focus on real impact (and communicate it clearly!) you'll draw the right supporters in.Resources & LinksConnect with Naria Santa Lucia on LinkedIn and learn more about Microsoft Elevate here.Not sure where to start in building your program? Start with this $5 audit to know where your gap is. Takes 5-10 minutes max, and you'll know where to start --> Monthly Giving Interactive Audit  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!

There's a marketing concept that applies directly to how nonprofits fundraise: some messages are painkillers, and some are vitamins. Painkillers solve immediate problems: urgent, scarce, make-or-break. Vitamins build something sustainable: aspirational, visionary, long-term. Most nonprofits accidentally built their entire fundraising strategy around one extreme or the other, and both extremes are costing them donors.In this episode, I break down the difference between painkiller and vitamin fundraising, when each one belongs in your strategy, and what happens when you overuse either. I also dig into the dangerous gray zone I call vague vitamin messaging, content that sounds nice, means nothing, and converts nobody. If your campaigns are flatlining, your donors are churning, or your monthly giving program isn't growing, this episode will show you exactly why and what to do instead.Topics:The painkiller vs. vitamin fundraising framework, and why most organizations are stuck in one extremeWhy chronic panic messaging trains donors to churn, distrust, and disappearWhat vague vitamin messaging looks like, and why it's just as dangerous as over-urgencyHow the Chicks for Change campaign hit 115% of its goal in under two weeks using a pure vitamin strategyWhy monthly giving is the ultimate vitamin, and what a small monthly donor program signals about your messagingHow to balance both painkiller and vitamin in a sustainable fundraising calendarFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Send us Fan MailNonprofit donor behavior trends in 2026 are revealing something unexpected: generosity is alive and well! The challenge isn't donor willingness to give—it's whether nonprofits are making it easy, clear, and compelling for supporters to take action.We welcome Mary Crogan, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Bloomerang, to discuss findings from the newly released Giving Signals Report. Based on research conducted with more than 1,000 donors and 405 fundraisers, the report challenges many assumptions about today's fundraising environment.The data shows that donors remain highly motivated to support causes they care about. In fact, 97% give because they care about their communities, 96% want to make a difference, and 92% say giving is part of who they are.As Mary explains, "The fact is, donors are actually ready. They want to give. The question is whether the organizations are positioned to engage and receive that generosity."The conversation explores how nonprofits can bridge the gap between caring and giving through greater clarity, stronger impact communication, and a smoother donor experience.One of the most striking findings? Seventy percent of donors say a tipping prompt could cause them to reconsider giving altogether, while 79% say unexpected fees create hesitation. These are preventable barriers that may be costing organizations revenue every day.The discussion also highlights the growing influence of millennial donors. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their giving this year, while 80% intend to support at least one new nonprofit.Mary offers a simple but powerful challenge for nonprofit leaders:“Can someone who comes to your site answer these questions in less than 30 seconds: What does this organization do? Who do they serve? Where does the money go? And is it working?"If your organization wants to strengthen donor trust, improve fundraising results, and better understand how donor expectations are evolving, this conversation delivers important research and valuable perspective.Key Takeaways• 97% of donors care deeply about their communities and remain motivated to give.• 94% are more likely to donate when organizations clearly explain where funds go.• 70% of donors may reconsider giving when presented with tipping prompts.• 79% say unexpected fees negatively impact their willingness to complete a gift.• 75% of millennials plan to increase their giving this year and 80% will support a new nonprofit.• Transparent reporting, visible impact, and frictionless giving experiences are becoming major competitive advantages. 00:00:00 Introduction to the Giving Signals Report 00:02:00 What 1,000 Donors Revealed About Giving 00:04:00 Generosity Is Shifting, Not Declining 00:06:00 The Clarity Gap Between Caring and Giving 00:08:00 The 30-Second Website Audit Every Nonprofit Needs 00:11:40 How Fees and Tipping Prompts Hurt Donations 00:15:00 Creating a Frictionless Donor Experience 00:16:25 Why Millennial Donors Matter Right Now 00:20:30 Closing the Donor Trust and Clarity Gap 00:24:20 What's Next for Giving Signals Research #TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingStrategy #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Most AI conversations are loaded with productivity hacks, but it's also accelerating scientific discovery in ways most people aren't even thinking about.In this live conversation from the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit, I'm talking to Clare Durrett from Answer ALS and Terri Thompson from OnPoint Scientific about how they're helping cut ALS research timelines by 65%! With a shared platform called Neuromine, researchers now have access to clinical data, genetics, bio samples, and more, all in one place. Even if you're not in the research space, this episode is a super powerful example of what becomes possible when you break down silos and build the right partnerships.Resources & LinksConnect with Clare on LinkedIn and learn more about Answer ALS on their website.Connect with Terri on LinkedIn and learn more about OnPoint Scientific on their website.Learn more about Team Gleason, a nonprofit that improves daily life for people living with ALS.The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy 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 look like to fundraise tens of thousands of dollars before a single wall is built?In this episode, I sit down with Louise Henry, founder of Tim's Club, a nonprofit community space in Panama being built from scratch to support individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Inspired by her younger brother Tim, Louise spent years building an online business first so she could dedicate herself to bringing this vision to life. We dig into how she transferred her entrepreneurial and email marketing skills to nonprofit fundraising, how she uses Pinterest vision boards to hold belief before there's evidence, what a hard hat tour does for donor trust, and how her monthly progress reports keep international supporters connected and coming back. This is a conversation about clarity, courage, and what it really means to fundraise before you have proof, and it's one of my favorites.Topics:Building a nonprofit capital campaign from scratch (land, structures, and programming) in PanamaHow entrepreneurial and email marketing skills transfer directly to nonprofit fundraisingUsing Pinterest vision boards to hold donor belief before there's tangible proofCreative low-lift campaigns: stepping stone sponsorships, bench naming, product bundles, and peer-to-peerWhy hard hat tours are one of the most underused donor engagement toolsMonthly progress reports and live workshops as donor retention and connection toolsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. If you've listened to the show and found it valuable, would you leave a review?It helps more nonprofit leaders find the podcast, and I read every one.Thank you for being here for episode 200 and beyond.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

This is the first time in 18 years that Christoph Hilligen sees a possibility to radically change the way NGOs operate.As the CEO of World Vision Germany, he's already using AI to launch emergency appeals in HOURS and build personalized donor journeys. One of the most fascinating examples? His team uses predictive models to flag which donors may be at risk of canceling, so they can step in earlier and build stronger relationships.AI is definitely no longer optional, and the nonprofits who move faster, personalize better, and use their data to guide decisions will raise more and create more impact without risking falling behind. This is exactly the kind of case study I could have talked about with Christoph forever!Resources & LinksConnect with Christoph on LinkedIn and learn more about World Vision Germany on their website.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!

Live from GiveCon 2026, this special roundtable episode brings together some of the nonprofit sector's most candid voices for a conversation about the advice, lessons, and realities that rarely make it into conference presentations.Some of the most valuable advice in this industry never makes it onto a conference slide. In this live discussion, we get into the conversations leaders usually save for hallways, coffee breaks, and happy hours, the mistakes nonprofits repeat, the tradeoffs leaders know exist but rarely say out loud, and the places where even experienced professionals genuinely disagree.

This is a special episode recorded live at GiveCon 2026, sponsored by Bloomerang.I joined three powerhouse experts, fundraising event strategist Samantha Swaim, digital marketing consultant Julia Campbell, and Bloomerang CMO Ann Fellman, for a candid panel called "The Advice We Don't Put on Slides." No safe takes, no polished talking points, just the real stuff consultants say behind closed doors. We cover what nonprofits consistently get wrong, the trade-offs nobody wants to make, what actually moves the needle, and the advice we give all the time but wish we didn't have to. From a scarcity mindset to the 17 touchpoints it takes to convert a donor, from abandoning friend-raisers to stepping into CEO energy, this conversation is packed with the kind of honest, actionable insight you don't usually get in a conference session.Topics:The most expensive mistakes nonprofits repeat Why the call is coming from inside the house when donor numbers decline, and what to do about itWhy "just do a raffle" and "friend-raiser" events are costing organizations more than they raiseThe 15–17 touch points it takes before revenue comes in, and why that changes everythingFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. register here - splendidcourses.com/emailResources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Right off the heels of GiveCon, the data is IN. Bloomerang just released their 2026 Giving Signals report, and there's one stat that stopped me in my tracks: donors prefer specific impact language over vague appeals by an 88 point margin!Ann Fellman, CMO of Bloomerang, is joining me fresh off the GiveCon stage to break down what the data is telling us about donor behavior and why your $25/month donor might actually be worth $3,200+ in lifetime value.Ann also reveals two major product launches, including a native integration with Dataro's predictive donor intelligence — and shares exactly what she'd focus on this summer to get ahead of end-of-year fundraising.Resources & LinksConnect with Ann on LinkedIn and check out Bloomerang's 2026 Giving Signals Report. 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 if the pressure you're putting on your fundraising campaign is actually the thing slowing it down?In this episode, I'm talking about something I watched play out on a Little League field this weekend: two coaches, same-age kids, same skill level, completely different energy, and completely different outcomes. And I couldn't stop thinking about how much it looked like what I see inside fundraising campaigns every single week. When you hold too tightly to a goal, when every quiet day feels like failure, when the whole campaign starts to feel like a final exam, that pressure changes everything: your messaging tightens, your team feels it, and your donors feel it. And ironically, the pressure creates the very outcome you were trying to avoid. I talk about what pressure actually does to campaign performance, why three of my clients inside The Purpose & Profit Club® thought they were behind when they were actually ahead, the difference between a dirty win and a beautiful loss, and what it really means to lead a campaign well all the way to the end.Topics:How white-knuckling a fundraising campaign changes the outcome, and not in the way you hopeThe payoff of pressure and why we hold onto it even when it hurts usWhat pressure actually does to campaign pacing, messaging, and team energyWhy three clients thought they were behind, and were actually aheadThe difference between a dirty win and a beautiful loss in fundraisingHow to lead a campaign well without making it a final examFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

What happens when 1.3 billion people adopt AI in just 39 months… and most nonprofits are still trying to figure out where to even start?While nearly 90% of nonprofits are already using AI, only 6-7% are seeing meaningful returns, which is why I HAD to sit down with Justin Spelhaug, President of Microsoft Elevate, to talk about why that gap exists, and how nonprofits have a once-in-a-generation chance to shape a more inclusive AI economy.We also talk about generating personalized donor thank you messages at scale, and how to use predictive modeling to better understand giving behavior. This moment requires all of us to lean in and will challenge how you think about AI.Resources & LinksConnect with Justin on LinkedIn and learn more about Microsoft Elevate on their website. Justin also recommends Carol Dweck and her work on growth mindsets. Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. 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!

Your donors don't need a goodie bag, a raffle prize, an auction item, a t-shirt, or a chicken dinner. If your fundraising strategy is built around giving them something in order to get something back, that's the give-get model, and it might be exactly what's slowing your organization down.In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between a real SPRINT™ campaign and an old-school fundraising method wrapped in new language. I talk about why events, raffles, auctions, and 5Ks aren't inherently bad, but why building your entire fundraising strategy around them adds friction, drains people's power, and quietly signals that you don't trust the mission to be enough on its own. If you've ever said, "Why don't we just do a raffle?", this episode is for you.Topics:What a SPRINT™campaign actually is, and what it isn'tWhy wrapping an old-school fundraiser in SPRINT™ language doesn't make it a sprintHow events add friction for donors and where the money gets lost in the processThe give-get mentality and why donors don't need to be bribed to giveQuestions to ask before choosing your next campaign vehicleWhy defaulting to events usually means you don't yet trust the ask, and what to do insteadFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Monthly Giving Awareness Week feels like the perfect time to bring back repeat guest Dave Raley, especially after he just launched The Center for Sustainable Giving, a new initiative helping nonprofits rethink how they approach recurring generosity.The subscription economy is fundamentally changing donor expectations, which is why we're exploring topics like “10x thinking”, generosity as a learned habit, the future of sustainable philanthropy, and why recurring giving programs deserve far more visibility, staffing, and investment than they're currently getting. So many nonprofits are still stuck in a “single gift mindset” and this conversation is a reminder of just how big the opportunity is if you're willing to think differently about donor relationships.Resources & LinksMonthly Giving Awareness Week is THIS week and the deadline to apply for the 2026 Monthlies is May 13, 2026. Enter here.Learn about The Center for Sustainable Giving. Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. 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!

Send us Fan MailAI in nonprofit fundraising strategy is transforming how organizations operate—but using it incorrectly can damage donor relationships and trust. In this conversation, Katie Gaston of Bloomerang opens the box with practical guidance on how to use AI effectively while avoiding the most common pitfalls.Nonprofit professionals are increasingly turning to AI tools for donor research, reporting, and communications. The opportunity is clear: faster workflows, better insights, and increased capacity. But as Katie explains, AI is not a replacement for human judgment—it's a tool to enhance it. “AI should be a supportive arm… but it should never replace your judgment as a fundraiser.”From donor asks to personalized stewardship, the human connection remains at the core of successful fundraising. AI can prepare you for meetings, surface insights, and even recommend strategies—but it cannot replicate the emotional intelligence required in critical moments.This episode also addresses key operational risks. Sending AI-generated content without review, relying too heavily on automated insights, and failing to maintain clean data can all create serious challenges. As Katie reminds us, “The quality of your data is what AI will know—garbage in, garbage out.”You'll also learn how AI can dramatically improve efficiency—reducing hours of reporting work to minutes—while freeing your team to focus on relationship-building and strategic thinking.The takeaway? AI isn't replacing fundraising—it's redefining how effective fundraisers work. 00:00:00 Introduction to AI in Fundraising00:03:10 Meet Penny: AI Fundraising Assistant00:06:00 Why AI Should NOT Make Donor Asks00:09:00 Reviewing AI Output to Avoid Risk00:11:30 AI vs. Human Donor Knowledge00:14:30 Data Quality and CRM Accuracy00:17:30 Protecting Your Nonprofit Voice00:22:00 Personalization vs. Automation in Donor Care00:25:45 Using AI to Save Time and Increase Capacity00:27:00 How Fast Should Nonprofits Adopt AI?00:30:00 Final Thoughts on AI Strategy#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitEfficiency #FundraisingStrategyFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

I recently got an email from a development manager telling me I send too many emails. She's not wrong for feeling that way, but that feeling is rooted in one of the most expensive beliefs in nonprofit fundraising. And that's exactly what I'm unpacking in this episode.Today, I'm breaking down the data behind email frequency, what it actually costs your organization when you hold back, and why the inner monologue of "I don't want to bother people" is quietly limiting your mission. I talk about what the M+R benchmarks report actually shows about how many emails high-revenue nonprofits are sending, why campaign-based intensity is where your revenue is sitting, and what happened when one development manager followed the Easy Emails For Impact™ process and 9x'd their typical campaign results, without a single new donor on the list.P.S. Easy Emails For Impact™ enrollment is now open with 50% off. Go to splendidcourses.com/email for all the details.Topics:Why "you send too many emails" is rooted in one of the most expensive beliefs in fundraisingWhat the M+R benchmarks report actually shows about email frequency and revenue growthThe difference between sending more emails and sending more emails at the right timeWhy holding back during a campaign window is limiting your mission, not protecting your donorsHow one development manager 9x'd campaign results by staying in the conversation longerWhy you're not building your strategy around your donorsWhy email revenue grew 16% last year, and what that means for organizations not tapping into itFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Dion Dawson took the Monthly Giving Summit Main Stage in February and it was mic drop after mic drop. Over the last five years, his work at Dion's Chicago Dream has generated more than $17.8 MILLION dollars in impact feeding families, building systems, and creating jobs. And he didn't get there by being perfect or cracking a universal code. Dion shares how to build visibility through thought leadership, the importance of knowing where to invest your time, and why showing up over and over again is what builds trust and momentum.If you've been sitting on ideas, waiting for the right moment, or questioning how you can build belief at scale, this episode will fire you up. Your mission deserves to be heard!Resources & LinksConnect with Dion on LinkedIn and learn more about Dion's Chicago Dream on their website. Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

AI is everywhere right now, and in the nonprofit sector, it's making some organizations' fundraising sharper and others completely generic. The difference isn't the tool; it's how you're using it.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly where AI helps and where it quietly hurts your fundraising emails. I talk about the most expensive mistake I see nonprofits making - handing the wheel over to AI completely and treating the first draft like the final answer. I share how my clients inside The SPRINT Method™ and The Purpose & Profit Club® are actually using AI as a thought partner, not a ghostwriter, and what the difference looks like in results. If you've been using AI to write your emails faster but wondering why nothing is converting, this episode will show you why, and what to do instead.P.S. Easy Emails For Impact™ enrollment opens May 7 with 50% off the course. Go to splendidcourses.com/email to get first access and learn more.Topics:Why AI is making some nonprofit emails sharper and others completely generic, and what determines the differenceThe GPS analogy: why AI should help you get there faster, not decide where you're goingWhat to use AI for and what to never hand over to it in your fundraisingHow to spot an AI-written email, and why they raise nothing even when they look polishedUsing AI as a thought partner to push your ideas deeper, not replace themA simple three-question filter to run before you hit sendFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Angelique Albert believes that scaling a mission takes bold investments in marketing, the courage to make unconventional leadership decisions, and the willingness to make a case loud enough for the right partners to find you.Imagine getting a $50 MILLION dollar unrestricted gift. It changes what's possible for your organization.Angelique and I get into the practical side of growth, and what it looked like for Native Forward Scholars Fund to go from spending just $20,000/year on marketing to executing a full rebrand, upgrading systems, and intentionally putting themselves in the right rooms.Resources & LinksLearn more about Native Forward Scholars Fund on their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

If sending emails feels like something you dread, rush, or quietly avoid, this episode is for you. I walk through the seven reasons nonprofit emails aren't converting into donations, and I want you to listen not for what sounds good, but for where you recognize yourself, because the second you see it, you can change it.From writing emails that are polished but completely forgettable to stopping too soon just as momentum is about to build, these are the patterns I see across organizations of every size, from solo founders to teams with 100,000 subscribers. None of this is about making yourself feel bad. It's about getting clear on what's actually getting in the way, because most of these are simple fixes that just take a little courage to do differently.Topics:Why "fine" emails that aren't wrong are still completely forgettable, and what a converting email actually doesHow your energy and relationship with email show up in your writing and affect resultsWhy assuming your donors hate email is one of the most expensive beliefs in nonprofit fundraisingThe difference between repetition that annoys and repetition that actually lands your messageHow to find the micro moments inside your everyday work that make the most powerful emailsWhy most campaigns die in the middle, and how to stay in it when it feels quietFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Relational equity is going to reframe the way you think about donors. Did you know loneliness is now considered a public health crisis, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day?!In this bonus keynote from the Monthly Giving Summit, I'm sitting down with Allison Trowbridge, founder of Copper Books, to talk all about relationships and the compounding wealth you build by investing in people over time.You'll hear Allison's personal story of going from a venture-backed startup with millions in funding to losing everything – as well as her favorite practical ways to strengthen donor relationships and community connections.If you want to build a more sustainable movement, you'll want to listen to every minute of this episode.Resources & LinksConnect with Allison at allison@copperbooks.com and learn more about Copper Books here.Take Allison's FREE Relational Archetype Quiz. Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

Somewhere along the way, many nonprofit leaders start carrying a version of their story that is heavier than it needs to be. A missed goal becomes proof they should be further along; a hard year becomes evidence they're behind; and what's tricky is that this story can sound incredibly responsible, measured, even accurate, but it's still a story. And it's costing you funding.In this episode, I introduce the concept of the wound version versus the hero's version, and why the story you're telling about your organization (to your donors, your board, your team, and yourself) changes everything about how people experience your leadership and your asks. I walk through how to identify your wound story, rewrite it as the hero's version, and why this isn't about spin or fake positivity. It's about refusing to lead from a place that weakens you. Same facts → Different meaning → Different results.Topics:Why the story nonprofit leaders tell about their organization directly impacts fundingThe wound version vs. the hero's version, and how to tell the differenceHow a wound story leaks into donor conversations, campaign language, and board updatesWhy "realistic" language often shrinks leadership and repels donorsA step-by-step process for rewriting your wound story into the hero's versionReal examples of how the same facts can be told in two completely different waysFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. register here - splendidcourses.com/emailResources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Did you know monthly donors often have 85%+ retention rates, while many nonprofits are lucky to retain just 40% of one-time donors?In this episode, I'm asking you to take a hard look at your fundraising calendar and answer one simple question: Is monthly giving actually a priority? For most organizations, it's not.We'll talk about the shift from constantly raising money to building predictable, sustainable revenue, what metrics you should be tracking, and why making monthly giving a core part of your strategy is one of the most important moves you can make right now.Resources & Links Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

We've all been there: Ghosted by a donor and wondering why, why, why? My guest on this episode of What the Fundraising is showing us how to redirect our minds, dismantling the reflexive responses that play in our heads and inhabit our bodies.  Britt Frank, a somatic psychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of⁠ "The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward,"⁠ walks us through the many ways in which our reactions (and overreactions) are embedded within our bodies.  Because so many of us are detached from our own sensations, we revert automatically to our brains in search of solutions. And that's all too often pinging around inside our heads? Lots of noisy self-doubts, recrimination, and other negative thoughts that do not serve. As Britt explains, however, we can befriend even the most toxic of emotions and in so doing diffuse them. “When we know how our brains work, we can feel like we're in the driver's seat of our life,” she says, “instead of locked in the trunk of the car, driving 95 miles down the highway.”  You'll love hearing how this multi-modality therapist and thinker came to her work, why ultimatums are less effective than healthy boundaries, and what modest actions you can take to interrupt when your body has taken over the driver's seat. Get all the resources from today's episode ⁠here⁠.  Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠  Connect with Mallory on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Want to raise more from the right funders without hounding them and banish your self-doubt in the meantime? Mallory's⁠ FREE masterclass⁠ offers a great starting point! Support for this show is brought to you by ⁠Bloomerang⁠. Our friends at ⁠Bloomerang⁠ really understand fundraisers, which is how they make donor management software that nonprofits like to use. To learn more about them, head on over to bloomerang.com/mallory.

Online fundraising isn't hard because your donors aren't online. It's hard because most nonprofit leaders were never actually taught how to fundraise in the first place, and that's exactly what I'm fixing in this episode.In this follow-up to last week's episode on campaign frequency, I dig into why so many organizations try online fundraising once, don't hit their goal, and walk away convinced it doesn't work for them. I break down what a real SPRINT™ campaign looks like versus what most nonprofits do (sending one email, posting a donation link, and hoping for the best). I cover the data behind email fundraising, why your donors aren't as offline as you think, and why a donate button is not a strategy. If you've ever told yourself online fundraising just doesn't work for your organization, this episode will change how you see that.Topics:Why 99% of nonprofit leaders were never actually taught how to run a campaignThe difference between fundraising activity and a real campaign strategyWhy your donors aren't as offline as you think, and how to invite them into a new giving habitWhat a real SPRINT™ campaign looks like versus one email and a donation linkThe snowball effect, and why momentum makes giving psychologically contagiousWhy a small email list isn't a barrier when the message is strongFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

On this week's Run the Numbers, CJ sits down with Steve Isom of Bloomerang to break down what a “strategic CFO” really is. They cover the shift from reporting to operating, why customer orgs drive SaaS value, and how AI is reshaping the finance role. —SPONSORS:RightRev is an automated revenue recognition platform built for teams that have outgrown spreadsheets and billing tool workarounds. It handles high-volume subscriptions, usage-based contracts, and mid-cycle upgrades, so you can scale without scrambling at month-end. For RevRec that keeps your books clean, visit https://www.rightrev.com/CJRillet is an AI-native ERP built for modern finance teams that want to close faster without fighting legacy systems. Designed to support complex revenue recognition, multi-entity operations, and real-time reporting, Rillet helps teams achieve a true zero-day close—with some customers closing in hours, not days. If you're scaling on an ERP that wasn't built in the 90s, book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/cjEY works with high-growth tech companies to navigate the messy realities of scaling—from regulatory requirements to IPO readiness. By helping teams get it right early and often, EY lets founders stay focused on building while reducing risk as they grow. Learn more at https://www.ey.com/techstartupsSpendHound is a SaaS spend management platform built for finance and procurement teams that want visibility and leverage in every deal. By tracking all your software, benchmarking pricing across thousands of vendors, and surfacing contracts and renewals, SpendHound helps you stop overpaying and negotiate with confidence. Trusted by teams at ZoomInfo and Hootsuite. Get started at https://www.spendhound.comBrex is an intelligent finance platform that combines corporate cards, built-in expense management, and AI agents to eliminate manual finance work. By automating expense reviews and reconciliations, Brex gives CFOs more time for the high-impact work that drives growth. Join 35,000+ companies like Anthropic, Coinbase, and DoorDash at https://www.brex.com/metricsAleph is a modern FP&A platform built for teams that want more than another planning tool. By connecting your ERP, CRM, and other systems into one trusted data layer with AI workflows, Aleph helps you move faster with real-time insights. Get a personalized demo at https://www.getaleph.com/run—LINKS: Steve on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steveisomjrCompany: https://bloomerang.com/CJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Preview1:25 Intro2:55 Welcome Steve Isom3:13 CFO to COO promotion5:02 Having a pulse on every function6:51 Defining "strategic CFO"7:19 Tying strategy to value creation9:27 Being embedded in the rhythm of the business10:55 Finance leaders as commentators vs. team captains12:25 Sponsors — RightRev | Rillet | EY15:33 Killing projects as a core skill18:14 Activity doesn't equal impact19:16 Project Steve killed20:39 Taking over the customer org at Bloomerang22:18 Why acquisition is a cash-losing exercise23:07 LTV lives post-sale24:39 Most vulnerable area: customer success25:24 Ruthless CSM segmentation26:30 Nonprofits don't think about your software29:21 Sponsors — Spendhound | Brex | Aleph32:43 CFO running ops35:52 Metrics vs. humans37:18 Skip levels and what they reveal39:01 Incentives drive the wrong outcomes40:22 Customer-introduced delays as a key sub-metric40:27 Unit economics become tangible when you're accountable42:17 Going deep on AI45:13 Motivating your team to experiment with AI46:02 AI for personal projects47:05 Resource allocation in a vibe-coding world48:42 Does AI efficiency just mean more work?50:32 What excites Steve about the future of finance leadership52:08 Finance leaders who don't use AI won't get hired52:13 Credits#RunTheNumbersPodcast #CFO #StrategicFinance #SaaSFinance #FinanceLeadership #CFOtoCOO

Can you believe the tools that once required a full development team and a 6-figure budget can now be built in a matter of MONTHS with “vibe AI” for a fraction of the cost?In this solo episode, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look into my business, and how I took my $12K-$18K Monthly Giving Mastermind and turned it into a $499/year AI-powered tool that helps nonprofits build and grow their recurring revenue.I'm walking through what's actually possible for nonprofits right now, from automating intake and donor communications to volunteer matching and grant research, and how to start identifying what your organization could build next.Resources & Links Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

Send us Fan MailNonprofit volunteer management strategy is no longer about filling shifts—it's about building long-term supporters who fuel your mission.  Let's see how nonprofits can turn volunteer engagement into a long-term donor pipeline through smarter systems, timing, and strategy.In this episode, Chloe Boonstra of Bloomerang breaks down how nonprofits can rethink volunteer engagement as a strategic growth engine rather than a transactional activity. Instead of focusing on short-term staffing needs, organizations must design systems that turn initial interest into sustained commitment.As Chloe explains, “We want to get away from the mindset of just filling a shift… and instead set the tone for a long-term partnership.” That shift in thinking unlocks new opportunities—not only for retention, but for deeper engagement across your entire organization.A major barrier? Friction. Complicated onboarding processes, excessive paperwork, and disconnected systems all reduce participation. This episode highlights how tools like volunteer portals can streamline engagement, reduce administrative burden, and improve the experience for both staff and volunteers.But the real opportunity lies in connecting volunteer and donor data. Too often, these systems operate in silos. Chloe challenges that thinking with a powerful insight: “A donor and a volunteer is the same person—they're just speaking a different language of generosity.”You'll learn:How to design a volunteer onboarding process that increases retentionWhy simplicity drives participation and repeat engagementWhen and how to introduce giving opportunities to volunteersHow to identify “peak moments” for deeper engagementWhy integrating CRM and volunteer systems is critical for growthThis conversation reframes volunteerism as a core business strategy—one that drives loyalty, engagement, and long-term sustainability. 00:00:00 Volunteer Strategy vs Filling Shifts 00:05:00 Why Mindset Drives Volunteer Retention 00:07:00 How Portals Improve Volunteer Experience 00:09:00 Eliminating Friction in Onboarding 00:11:30 Turning One-Time Volunteers Into Repeat Supporters 00:14:30 What Data Should You Collect From Volunteers 00:16:00 Volunteer-to-Donor Conversion Strategy 00:18:00 Breaking Down Organizational Silos 00:20:30 Creating a Full Engagement Lifecycle 00:23:00 Using Data to Identify Engagement Timing Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Monthly Giving Retreat: Learn more + apply by 4/10 here! What season is your monthly giving program in right now — planting, growing, or stuck in a plateau? In this episode, Dana Snyder breaks down why knowing your season matters and how the right environment can move your program forward faster than you'd get there alone.Dana shares an inside look at the 2026 Monthly Giving Retreat — an intimate, women-led gathering for nonprofit fundraising leaders held May 6–8 at The Portal in Serenbe, Georgia. From the peer learning that happens when every person in the room is working on the same thing, to the intentional design of the space itself, this episode makes the case for going deep on one thing instead of a little on everything.You'll hear real results from past attendees — including one leader who grew from 30 to 105 monthly donors and another who finally invited 17,000 email subscribers to give monthly — and what it actually looks like to leave a retreat with a plan, not just inspiration.Applications close April 10th. Three spots remain.Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

Most nonprofit leaders assume that million-dollar organizations are doing something they can't: bigger teams, bigger events, bigger budgets. But when you actually look at how high-growth nonprofits raise unrestricted money at scale, the secret isn't size; it's speed.Today, I break down why million-dollar-plus organizations run five to ten times as many fundraising campaigns per year as smaller nonprofits, and why that rhythm (not the gala or the grant cycle) is what actually drives sustainable funding growth. I make the case for short, focused, online SPRINT™ campaigns as the modern fundraising engine your organization can start using now, regardless of team size, budget, or donor list size. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment, the bigger team, or the windfall grant to grow your funding, this episode is your wake-up call.Topics:Why high-growth nonprofits run 5–10x more campaigns per year (not bigger ones)How over-reliance on galas, grants, and signature events keeps organizations stuck waiting for fundingWhy speed is the real fundraising advantage, and how SPRINT™ campaigns collapse timelinesThe difference between posting a donation link and running an actual campaignReal client results: from Live Music Project to Sharing Hope AfricaWhy a small donor list isn't a reason to fundraise less; it's a reason to sprint smarterFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

If you've ever been the only fundraiser in the room running the gala and fielding board questions about why an auction underperformed, today's guest has been exactly where you are. Andrew Edwards spent years on the front lines of nonprofit fundraising, from coaching small shops, to scaling 60+ events nationally at the Epilepsy Foundation.In this episode, we're getting into what helps small teams focus, larger teams scale, and fundraisers at every level work smarter, how to make the case for attending a conference (even with limited budgets), why investing in your team pays off, and how to approach networking and planning so you don't waste the opportunity!Resources & LinksCheck out one of my favorite books, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. Bloomerang is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. Bloomerang is the trusted, all-in-one giving platform that connects your data, streamlines your systems, and helps your mission go further. Learn more at bloomerang.com.If you're building a movement, join Bloomerang's GiveCon in St. Louis May 15-17 to learn what's working right now in donor retention, AI, major gifts, recurring revenue, and community-driven campaigns. Register now and use code M2M to save $200!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 ...

What does it look like when a solo nonprofit founder stops playing small and finally breaks through her fundraising ceiling? In this episode, I'm joined by Mary Muroski, founder and Executive Director of the Children's Legacy Partnership Foundation. After 20 years of teaching middle school and nearly a decade building her Uganda-based foundation (largely alone), Mary hit a wall. She was doing everything, raising from the same small circle of friends and family, and couldn't figure out what came next. Then she discovered The SPRINT Method™. Mary shares how she went from a $3,000 year-end campaign to hitting a $12,000 goal, achieving her first five-figure revenue month, and building the systems, confidence, and board accountability that will carry the organization forward. This is a must-listen for any small nonprofit founder who feels like they've taken their organization as far as they can go alone.Topics:Building a nonprofit solo while working full-time, and knowing when to go all inHow weekly emails became the foundation for consistent donor engagement and campaign conversionsRunning a focused SPRINT Method™ campaign that raised $12K to fully fund a girls' vocational center in UgandaWhy monthly donors are your biggest evangelists (not a group to protect from your asks)The difference between therapy and coaching, and how accountability drives fundraising resultsBoard building done right: applications, term limits, and having the hard conversationsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. LIVE APRIL 15th - REGISTER HERE FOR FREEResources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Sometimes the most powerful shifts in fundraising start with a simple decision: we're not doing it the old way anymore.That's exactly what happened for Sophia Caputo and Jami Porzl, co-founders of Sharing Hope Africa. Balancing full-time careers, they were preparing for a large gala when they decided to pause and rethink their approach. What followed was a completely different fundraising path, one built on clarity, community, and focused campaigns using The SPRINT Method™.In this conversation, we discuss what shifted when they stopped guessing and started fundraising with intention: activating their board, building donor momentum, growing their confidence in making asks, and planning for long-term sustainability, including a community chicken coop designed to eventually fund the preschool permanently.This episode is a powerful look at what happens when strategy replaces burnout, and when small nonprofits step into bold leadership.Topics:Building a nonprofit while working full-time jobsPivoting from a high-cost gala to a lower-lift fundraising eventUsing a focused SPRINT™ strategy to raise $20K in monthsMoving from friends-and-family donors to a real donor pipelineActivating board members as fundraisersThe impact of funding on a preschool in MozambiqueLong-term sustainability through community-led solutionsThe moment they hit their fundraising goal in the first 10 minutes of an eventFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. LIVE APRIL 15th - REGISTER HERE FOR FREEResources:Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign SystemPurpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

If your nonprofit feels stuck at the same funding level year after year, the problem might not actually be your donors. It might be your calendar.In this episode, I'm introducing a leadership habit I call CEO Time. It's the protected time where nonprofit leaders step out of the constant reaction cycle and focus on the work that actually generates revenue.Too often, nonprofit leaders spend their weeks managing operations, responding to emails, preparing board materials, and solving daily problems. All of that work matters, but none of it directly builds the funding pipeline that allows an organization to grow. CEO Time is different. It's where leaders focus on donor conversations, relationship-building, partnerships, campaign strategy, and the work that drives real fundraising momentum.I'm sharing why so many nonprofits plateau financially, even when their missions are powerful, how leadership time gets misallocated, and what happens when leaders begin to protect even a few hours each week for revenue-generating work. If you've ever ended the day exhausted but unsure whether you actually moved your organization forward, this episode will help you rethink how leadership time shapes your nonprofit's future funding.Topics:Why many nonprofits plateau financially despite strong missionsThe concept of CEO Time and why it matters for nonprofit growthHow operational overload prevents leaders from focusing on revenueThe difference between busy work and revenue-generating leadership workThe burnout cycle caused by constant reaction and operational pressureStrategic activities that actually build funding pipelinesDonor conversations and relationship-building as revenue driversWhy courage and boundaries are essential leadership skillsHow protecting strategic time can rebuild fundraising momentumHow the SPRINT Method™ supports focused fundraising campaignsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

What does the Winter Olympics have to do with monthly giving? More than you think. Watching Alysa Liu's gold medal performance, I couldn't stop thinking about magnetism, how some athletes make you want to cheer for them, root for them, watch them again and again. That's the energy monthly giving requires.In this episode, I explain why simply adding a “give monthly” checkbox to your donation form isn't a strategy. Recurring revenue isn't built through automation; it's built through retention, campaign energy, and relational depth. Monthly giving is the result of belonging, not billing. If your recurring program has stalled or never quite taken off, this episode will help you see what needs to happen first, and how to build a system that compounds instead of resets. Monthly giving isn't the engine; it's what happens when the engine is working.Topics:Why monthly giving is the result, not the strategyThe difference between a payment feature and a real programRetention before recurring revenueWhy trust-building must happen before asking for commitmentThe role of campaign energy in monthly giving growthBelonging vs. billing: creating identity for donorsHow to know if your nonprofit is ready to launchWhy donors are absolutely “monthly people”Subscription economy and donor behaviorHow to integrate monthly giving into your full fundraising ecosystemFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HEREResources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Most nonprofits think influencer partnerships mean celebrity shoutouts, paid posts, or “social media strategy.” That's not what this is.In this episode, I break down why influencer partnerships are actually about borrowed trust, not follower count. I explain why 99% of nonprofits are missing this opportunity, how to build true ambassador relationships instead of transactional posts, and why this works even if you don't have a big budget. I talk about the Social Street Team® Method, why influence is a free visibility superhighway, and how to use it to warm donors before you ever ask. If your organization feels like the best-kept secret in town, this episode is your blueprint to change that.Topics:Why influencer partnerships are not social media tacticsThe difference between creators and influencersBorrowed trust vs. follower countWhy transactional posts don't workThe Social Street Team® Method explainedHow influence builds donor momentum and retentionCommon mistakes nonprofits make with influencer campaignsWhy campaigns must convert before influencers amplifyReal-world example: Jones Road Beauty's growth strategyHow to build long-term ambassador relationshipsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HEREResources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

What if your fundraising challenges aren't about effort, but about design?In this episode, I break down six indicators that your fundraising strategy may be quietly underperforming. If your team feels tired, campaigns feel heavier every time, or growth has plateaued despite working harder, this conversation will give you clarity. I unpack the hidden signs I see in nonprofit teams: overreliance on a few people, waiting instead of inviting, campaign cold starts, stalled monthly giving, and measuring success by campaign rather than by donor. This episode is about momentum, alignment, and designing a fundraising engine that compounds instead of resets. If you've ever said “we've tried everything,” this one is for you.Topics:Why “we've tried everything” is often a strategy design issueThe difference between momentum problems and donor problemsWorking harder vs. working with leverageThe danger of relying on the same few peopleWhy waiting instead of inviting stalls growthCold-start campaigns and donor churnWhy monthly giving fails without primingMeasuring success per donor vs. per campaignStrategy hopping vs. shared operating systemsDesigning fundraising systems that compound over timeFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HEREResources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

If you want bigger gifts, stronger partnerships, and more sustainable revenue, you can't grow in isolation.In this episode, I'm breaking down what strategic networking actually looks like for nonprofit leaders, and why staying hidden in your inbox is one of the fastest ways to stall growth. This isn't about awkward mixers, cheesy pitches, or forcing yourself to be someone you're not. It's about intentionally placing yourself in rooms where influence, generosity, and decision-making already exist, and learning how to show up with confidence, clarity, and alignment. I talk about why familiar routines keep organizations stuck at the same revenue ceilings, how one conversation can collapse years of cultivation, and the exact types of rooms nonprofit leaders should prioritize if they want to raise more without burning out. If you're ready to stop doing great work quietly and start building real momentum, this episode will shift how you think about networking forever.Topics:Why nonprofit growth requires proximity, not more hustleThe difference between old-school networking and strategic networkingHow one conversation can bypass years of donor cultivationWhy staying “in your lane” keeps revenue cappedThe four types of rooms nonprofit leaders must prioritizeHow to network without feeling salesy or awkwardWhy asking great questions makes you more memorableHow visibility leads to funding opportunitiesBuilding a consistent networking habit without burnoutTurning conversations into warm introductions and partnershipsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

I see this pattern constantly with nonprofit leaders: staying busy, staying loyal to systems and strategies that feel familiar, and wondering why results have plateaued. Today, I break down what I call the familiarity trap,  the tendency to cling to fundraising tactics, tools, and routines not because they're effective, but because they're comfortable. I talk about how burnout often shows up as indecision, avoidance, and endless tinkering instead of forward momentum. I unpack why familiarity feels safe to the brain, how it keeps leaders stuck in low-impact work, and why decisiveness (not perfection) is the fastest way out. If you're circling the same decisions, rewriting the same content, avoiding donor outreach, or telling yourself you'll “deal with it later,” this episode will help you recognize what's actually happening and show you how to interrupt the cycle with clarity and courage.Topics:What the familiarity trap is and why it's so common in nonprofitsHow burnout shows up as indecision and avoidanceWhy “thinking about thinking” keeps leaders stuckThe neuroscience behind comfort, fear, and decision-makingWhy decisiveness beats perfection every timeHow familiar tasks drain energy without moving revenueThe cost of delaying donor outreach and key decisionsHow to choose one path and commit long enough to see resultsThe difference between being careful and being stalledFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HEREResources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

If you've found yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or wondering how you're supposed to do another year of fundraising like this, this episode is for you.In this episode, I'm breaking down what fundraising burnout actually is and why it keeps showing up for capable, committed nonprofit leaders. This isn't about working harder, pushing through, or needing more discipline. Most burnout isn't solved by rest alone. It comes from carrying too many open decisions, too many mental tabs, and too much responsibility without enough structure or support. I talk about how stress cycles stay open in fundraising, how avoidance and indecision quietly drain your energy, and why clarity and decisiveness often bring more relief than another day off. I also share practical ways to close loops, reduce overwhelm, and rebuild momentum without burning yourself out again. If fundraising has started to feel heavy or unsustainable, this episode will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface and give you a clearer, more supportive path forward.Topics:What is fundraising burnout, and what it isn'tWhy burnout is often a stress cycle, not just exhaustionDecision fatigue and its impact on fundraising momentumHow avoidance and “tinkering” worsen burnoutWhy rest alone doesn't close open mental loopsThe power of decisiveness as a leadership toolHow to break big, overwhelming tasks into bite-sized actionsUsing movement to complete the stress cycleIdentifying what's urgent vs. what just feels urgentBuilding systems that reduce burnout long-termFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links