We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Meet Christina Martin Kenny 🤝, founder of Guava Tree Strategies. In this episode, Christina shines a light on sustainable fundraising and why keeping passionate staff is so important in nonprofits. She shares her inspiring journey into social impact, blending personal stories with her professional experience.Christina busts common fundraising myths like the pressure to bring in money instantly and instead champions building genuine, lasting relationships with donors. She also opens up about fundraiser burnout and the weight of unrealistic expectations, reminding us to honor the people behind the work ✨Tune in for a heartfelt reminder that philanthropy is about people and the love we pour into our causes. Episode Highlights: Christina's Journey into Social Impact (02:29)Understanding Sustainable Fundraising (09:14)Tactical Steps for Fundraising Success (18:46)The Importance of Retention in Fundraising (18:46)Supporting Fundraisers for Long-Term Success (28:14)Avoiding Burnout During Year-End Fundraising (38:16)Misconceptions About Fundraising Goals (40:20)Christina’s One Good Thing (42:22)Episode Shownotes: www.wearforgood.com/episode/651Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Have you ever wondered how pausing life for a moment can truly transform your well-being? 💫Welcoming you back to the series, we begin with Lindsey sharing her heartfelt journey through a recent micro-sabbatical and how intentional breaks can be a powerful tool for recovery and wellness. She introduces the transformative “three Rs” of recovery: Rest, Restoration, and Right-Sizing the Mental Load 🌿Lindsey reminds us that caring for our whole selves—mind and body—is essential. By opening up about her own struggles with burnout and the breakthroughs she’s experienced, she offers practical tips anyone can use to create better balance between work and life. This episode warmly invites you to pause, prioritize self-care, and start your own path toward lasting harmony and joy.Tune in to learn how you can take those first steps to a healthier, more balanced you 💛Key Takeaways: Micro-sabbaticals can be as effective as longer breaksIntentionality in breaks leads to better recovery outcomesBurnout may not be solved by a sabbatical aloneRest, restoration, and right-sizing the mental load are crucial for recoveryMental health days are not always sufficient for true recoveryPlanning and organization can alleviate mental load stressSupport from others can enhance personal recovery effortsCreating a balanced work-life integration is key to wellnessEpisode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/3recovery//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

In this special episode, join Sonya Perez-Lauterbach as she warmly guides us through a truly transformative meditation designed to nurture your mental, emotional, and physical well-being 🌿 This gentle session invites you to pause, take a deep breath, and reconnect with your inner resilience—creating a peaceful oasis amid daily chaos 🌬️ Embrace this beautiful opportunity to release your burdens and open yourself to clarity, focus, and joy right here, right now. Let’s take this moment together to restore balance and renew your spirit 🙏Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/sonyameditation//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Meet Tammy 🤝, the President + Founder of Fundraising Transformed and the Author of ‘Calling All Heroes’. With over 30 years of experience in fundraising, Tammy Zonker shares personal insights that have shaped her human-centered approach. She emphasizes empathy and trust as the foundation for genuine donor relationships, creating real, lasting connections. Tammy offers practical strategies to inspire donors to become lifelong advocates and build authentic, impactful partnerships that truly resonate.This episode is for anyone who believes in the power of thoughtful, compassionate giving to change lives ✨Episode Highlights: Tammy Zonker's Journey and Empathy in Fundraising (02:20)Reclaiming the Concept of Heroes in Fundraising (05:19)The Five Pillars of Human-Centered Fundraising (08:12)Building Trust and Authentic Partnerships (11:18)Navigating Power Dynamics in Fundraising (14:19)Transparency and True Partnership with Donors (17:18)The Courage to Release Donors (19:42)Understanding Mid-Level Donors (22:03)Listening as a Strategy for Small Shops (27:21)The Power of Open-Ended Questions (31:34)A Story of Generosity and Community (35:07)Tammy’s One Good Thing (40:00)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/650Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Retention is about relationships. But most donor communications either feel too rushed or too robotic. This session is about doing things differently with the power of AI, done responsibly.We’re sitting down with three organizations that are using AI to help them show up better for their donors: writing magnetic messaging, personalizing with care + actually deepen connection. We’ll talk about how they’re saving time, scaling touchpoints, and staying true to their voice along the way.You’ll hear the tools they’re using, the prompts that are working, and where they’ve drawn the line on what not to automate. It’s real talk on using AI to build trust… not just create more output.Episode HighlightsRetention as a Love Language (05:14)Building Lasting Relationships with Donors (10:38)Using AI to Build Trust (15:54)Ethics in Storytelling and Communication (21:23)Practical Tools and Workflows for Retention (33:36)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/649Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Our dear friend Christal Cherry and Founder + CEO of The Board Pro and F3 Fabulous Female Fundraisers is back for a third time—yes, a true 3-peat in podcast appearances—bringing her wealth of experience in transforming nonprofit boards into vibrant, engaged communities. 💙 In this episode, we go beyond the usual board meeting routine to explore how to create meaningful involvement throughout the year. Christal highlights why understanding the unique strengths and passions of each board member matters and shares practical tips for using those qualities to drive effective fundraising and leadership. If you’re working through complex board dynamics or looking for ways to deepen your nonprofit’s impact, this episode is packed with strategies and inspiration to help you succeed.Tune in for a warm and insightful conversation that will shift how you think about your board and unlock new ways to foster a supportive and innovative board environment.Episode Highlights: Engaging Boards for Fundraising (02:22)How to Overcome Board Disengagement (05:18)Strategies for Board Engagement (08:13)The Importance of building and maintaining Board Relationships (11:32)Recruitment and Succession Planning for Boards (17:18)How to Activate Boards for Impact (20:06)The Role of Boards in Challenging Times (23:08)Finding Community as a Leader (29:15)Christal Cherry’s One Good Thing (34:20)Resources: Little Bit of Good (The Board Shakeup Podcast): Listen Here on SpotifyThe Board Pro WebsiteEpisode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/648Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Feeling overwhelmed as the year comes to a close? Discover practical strategies to craft impactful year-end fundraising campaigns without losing your sanity. Learn how to harness storytelling to create emotional connections, and gather insights from experts who reveal what truly motivates donors. Explore marketing ideas that are budget-friendly and the importance of self-care amid the hustle. Plus, dive into tactics for building a supportive community, ensuring your campaign is a springboard for long-term engagement.

Meet Zahraa 🤝, the inspiring founder of Arab Women United. Zahraa’s vision is simple but powerful: to create spaces where Arab, immigrant, and first-generation women feel seen, supported, and empowered. What started as a small college club has grown into a thriving nonprofit offering culturally grounded programs that nurture mental wellness, economic freedom, and leadership from within.In this conversation, Zahraa shares her journey and the deep care that fuels her work—a mission rooted in community, resilience, and the belief that when women support each other, entire communities rise. Her story reminds us that pausing to listen, heal, and connect is how we build lasting change.Join us for a heartfelt conversation that challenges stereotypes, celebrates diversity, and uplifts the unstoppable spirit of women rising together.Episode HighlightsFounding Arab Women United (01:47)Owning the Narrative & Breaking Misconceptions (06:48)Empowerment Through Community-Centered Programs (11:48)Building Partnerships & Community Growth (15:33)Responsive Program Design & Feedback (18:22)Scaling Leadership & Volunteer Engagement (20:37)Personal Inspiration & The Power of Representation (22:13)Zahraa’s One Good Thing (24:12)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/646Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Meet Tesha McCord Poe 🤝, the CEO + Founder of Joy-Raising. The fundraising trailblazer and the visionary behind Joy Raising. Tesha generously shares her authentic journey into fundraising—full of lessons learned and real-world wisdom. She offers practical, proven strategies to keep your donors connected and engaged, even when the going gets tough.You’ll discover how to cultivate deep trust with your supporters, launch a capital campaign that truly resonates, and get innovative with grassroots fundraising efforts. Tesha also invites us into the heartfelt side of giving and receiving generosity, reminding us that kindness is at the core of it all.Tune in if you’re ready to be inspired and walk away with actionable tools to elevate your fundraising, this conversation is made for you 🎧. Episode Highlights:Tesha’s fundraising journey and early influences (01:49) Tesha’s core principles: earning the right to ask + only asking for true needs (04:22) How fundraisers can boost donor retention during uncertain times (06:32)Building trust through authenticity and mission alignment (10:59) Advice for hesitant leaders: board support + relationship focus (11:54) Laying the groundwork for a successful capital campaign (15:24) Inspiring belief in intangible or future projects (22:06) Grassroots fundraising tips for small nonprofits (24:46) Tesha’s One Good Thing: “That there's always a choice around being kind.” (35:52)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/645Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Meet Trish + Mitch 🤝 — Trish Davis, VP of Major Gifts + Planned Giving at Susan G. Komen, and Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot. Together, they’re reshaping the future of charitable giving.Trish shares her inspiring path from military service to leading transformational fundraising initiatives at Susan G. Komen, while Mitch is on a mission to simplify donor-advised fund (DAF) giving and make it more accessible for nonprofits everywhere. And when their expertise comes together? You get powerful results—like the $267,000 Susan G. Komen raised in a single day through the strategic use of DAFs.In this episode, you’ll hear the story behind that success, plus practical strategies and tools to help nonprofits leverage DAFs to spark deeper donor engagement and long-term retention. Trish + Mitch make it easy to understand the benefits for both donors and organizations, with insights you can put to work right away.✨ Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or brand-new to DAFs, this conversation will leave you inspired, equipped, and excited about the future of philanthropy.Episode Highlights: Inside the story of Susan G. Komen’s $267K fundraising day (03:15)Mitch breaks down the benefits + mechanics of DAFs (07:30)Trish shares her journey from military service to nonprofit leadership (12:45)Practical strategies for nonprofits to leverage DAFs + boost engagement (18:20)How Chariot is simplifying DAF donations + improving donor experience (24:10)Why cross-team collaboration matters for fundraising success (30:00)Mitch’s One Good Thing (31:00)Trish’s One Good Thing (33:00)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/644Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, Whiteboard, and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter