Go Beyond Fundraising: The Podcast for Nonprofits

Your organization’s mid-level donors are already fueling your mission by giving as much as 10x more than entry-level supporters. These donors are loyal, passionate, and just one intentional moment away from becoming major givers.  However, these donors often fall through the cracks. With donor acquisition getting harder and more expensive – and retention rates around 43 percent – it’s time to rethink your strategy. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, CEO Trent Ricker and VP of Client Success Ryan Carpenter explore how you can unlock the full potential of mid-level donors through smart segmentation, behavioral insights, and tailored engagement. They share how organizations can tap into this powerful donor pool and scale growth with AGP’s Mid-Level Accelerator Program.

Ryan Carpenter, VP of Client Success at Allegiance Group + Pursuant, dives into the essentials of humanizing donor engagement. He emphasizes that nonprofits can learn from for-profit brands to create memorable first interactions. Carpenter shares strategies to personalize communications based on donor preferences, fostering deeper connections. The discussion highlights the critical first 90 days after a donation, where strong, tailored engagement can transform new supporters into lifelong advocates. A must-listen for nonprofits seeking to enhance loyalty!

Nonprofits face significant challenges in 2025, navigating turbulent economic waters and shifting donor behaviors. Emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and bold fundraising, the discussion highlights how transparency and storytelling can build trust with supporters. There's a strong focus on diversifying revenue streams and innovating branding to engage younger generations. Embracing resilience and adaptability is crucial, as organizations can leverage these hardships to emerge stronger through strategic partnerships and creativity.

Join David Sacchetti, AVP of Client Strategy, as he explores the harmonious blend of direct mail and digital campaigns for nonprofits. He emphasizes the need for cohesive donor journeys that leverage storytelling across channels. David shares actionable strategies to solve fundraising challenges and highlights the importance of collaboration between marketing and fundraising teams. Discover how to enhance donor engagement and retention by integrating innovative digital tools with proven direct mail methods. It's all about creating memorable donor experiences!

The recent sweeping cuts to USAID and other federal programs have rattled fundraisers across the country and in all sectors. Uncertainty is widespread as nonprofit leaders wait to see just what the fallout will be. Whether your organization was impacted or is anticipating a budget shortfall, scaling back on riskier strategies like acquisition can be tempting. In fact, media spending, testing, and other efforts that help you reach potential donors are often the first things to go. But if you’re not seeking new donors, how will you replace those you lose through natural attrition? What about the ones who have to give less due to their own financial hardships? In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re making the case for prioritizing acquisition — especially when you’ve been hit with unexpected budget cuts. Two Allegiance Group + Pursuant AVPs, Erin Robertson and J.C. Bouvier, share how you can use this difficult time to attract new prospects. And if the budget crunch hasn’t hit yet, they have tips to help you prepare. By staying true to your mission and leading into your opportunities, you can weather this storm

Pat Taggart, Founder and Chief Creative at SkyBlue Creative, shares insights from his 20 years in impact video production. He emphasizes the power of authentic storytelling and encourages nonprofits to ditch scripts, allowing for genuine narratives that resonate. Pat discusses how smartphones have democratized video creation, making quality content accessible. He highlights the importance of making people comfortable on camera to share their experiences, transforming perceptions and driving support for nonprofit missions through compelling, heartfelt stories.

Nonprofits operate in a fast-paced world. To navigate the rapid changes in technology, social behaviors, and how we exchange information, it’s time to think like an entrepreneur. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, our CEO, Trent Ricker, talks with Tom Ulbrich, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York. Tom has extensive entrepreneurial experience, having owned and grown multiple businesses. He also ran the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Buffalo and was an Assistant Dean at the Schools of Management and Social Work, where he worked on social innovation. Throughout this conversation, Tom and Trent share characteristics of entrepreneurs that nonprofit leaders can adopt to help them grow revenue and build sustainable programs. They also explore business best practices that enable organizations to better communicate their impact as they seek funding and recruit talent.

Does your organization struggle to engage donors behind gifts from donor-advised funds (DAFs)? Have you received a generous DAF gift but wondered how to thank the anonymous donor and build a lasting connection? Engaging DAF donors can be challenging, especially when anonymity creates a barrier. However, with thoughtful strategies, your nonprofit can foster gratitude, retention, and deeper donor relationships, even with DAF contributors. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Ryan Carpenter, VP of Client Success at GivingDNA, tackles the challenges nonprofits face with DAF giving. Ryan shares practical strategies to build stronger relationships with DAF donors, despite anonymity, and highlights ways to simplify the process of accepting and stewarding DAF gifts. With the average DAF contribution exceeding $1,100—five to twenty times higher than traditional gifts—it’s essential to position your organization to make the most of this powerful giving vehicle. Ryan explores common misconceptions about DAFs, offers actionable insights to streamline DAF gift acceptance, and demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between your organization and anonymous donors. Join us as we discuss: How to proactively communicate that you accept DAF contributions. Effective strategies for engaging DAF donors and their sponsoring organizations. The role of technology in donor profiling and identifying untapped opportunities Whether you’re new to DAFs or looking for ways to optimize your approach, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you deepen connections with DAF donors and amplify your impact.

In this engaging conversation, Michelle Boggs, Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Fundraising at Classy by GoFundMe, dives into the social giving trends among Gen Z. With research revealing that Gen Z is ten times more likely to share donations online, she discusses how nonprofits can tap into this passionate and tech-savvy generation. The episode highlights the vital role of impact creators and AI in enhancing fundraising efforts. Plus, learn about new tools like Meta integration that can further amplify donor engagement and social sharing.

Discover the transformative power of relationship fundraising in boosting donor loyalty and retention. The discussion dives into how genuine connections can enhance engagement, especially among younger donors. Strategies for converting one-time contributions into lasting partnerships take center stage, alongside the challenges faced by arts organizations. The importance of intentional interactions and adapting fundraising approaches is emphasized, revealing how nonprofits can thrive in a competitive landscape by focusing on long-term relationships over immediate transactions.