Go Beyond Fundraising: The Podcast for Nonprofits

When it comes to year-end campaigns, sometimes it’s hard to know how to integrate digital fundraising alongside direct mail. How often should you post about a year-end campaign on each of your social media platforms? Is it okay to send donors, potential donors, and lapsed donors an email and a direct mail ask in November and December? How does your organization’s website play a part in digital conversations? In this week’s installment of “Year-End in July,” we’ll answer these questions and explore how you can leverage digital fundraising with guests Ashleigh Lambert, Kacey Crawford, and Kim Richardson. After all, integration can seamlessly happen between all the different elements, and our team at Pursuant and Allegiance Groups are happy to guide you through the process.

In this episode of our series, we explore the importance of donor relationships and stewardship in ensuring a successful year-end fundraising season. We share strategies for donor retention, expressing gratitude, and building long-term engagement. Discover how to create meaningful connections with your supporters and cultivate a loyal donor base that continues to support your mission beyond the year-end campaign.

In December, every nonprofit organization, including your own, sends out multiple communications each week, all in an effort to make year-end fundraising goals. It’s easy for organizations to get lost in a sea of sameness, especially at this time of year. That’s why this week’s episode of “Year-End Fundraising in July” is focused on helping you stand out when it matters most. Listen, as we dive into creative storytelling practices to help nonprofit organizations successfully navigate year-end giving campaigns. For our team here at Pursuant and Allegiance Group, we often remind clients that year-end campaigns can incorporate different facets of fundraising appeals, including photos, videos, and written copy. Going beyond merely telling donors about what you do and how you do it, and instead, graciously inviting them to become part of your organization’s impact is critical. When your nonprofit can create a compelling story, include concrete proof points, and identify a clear goal, year-end efforts will be successful.

In this episode, we kick off our series by highlighting the importance of data-driven planning for a successful year-end fundraising campaign. We explore how leveraging data can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions. Join us as we discuss the key metrics to analyze, such as donor demographics, giving patterns, and previous campaign performance.

The 2023 Giving USA Annual Report on Philanthropy is out! Taken at face value, the findings are a bit disheartening. But don’t get discouraged by the state of giving just yet. There are also myriad opportunities for you to set your nonprofit on the right course. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Matthew Mielcarek, Pursuant’s Senior Vice President of Analytics & Insights Strategy. He’s hitting the highlights in this exciting report that looks at calendar year 2021–2022. We strongly encourage you to go through the report at your organization and rationalize it against your local economic situation. Remember, this national report is a smoothed-out average. So, as you consider these findings, tap into your local associations and networks to bring additional power to your data.

Is artificial intelligence (AI) coming for your job? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind as tools like Chat GPT emerge and become more mainstream. But behind this fear lies the question you should actually be asking: How can this tool help me do my job better? In this Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, we talk with two GivingDNA tech experts: Dawn Galasso, Vice President of Technology, and David Stanton, Vice President of Product. There’s a lot to unpack about AI, and we expect to have more conversations around this topic. But for now, we’re addressing some of the leading concerns fundraisers have about how AI could impact nonprofits.

If you can only boost one program, make it monthly giving! The 2023 M+R Benchmarks report found that monthly giving increased by 11% in 2022, accounting for 28% of all online revenue. Don’t discount your sustaining donors — they’re the ones helping you meet your goals. In the latest Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, we’re sharing the latest tips and trends just in time for your Q3-Q4 planning. Need to increase online giving? What about your Giving Tuesday plans?

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s Annual Report findings were a bit of a surprise to most nonprofits. For the first time in years, the FEP found a decline in not only the number of donors, but also a decline in total dollars given in 2022. In this episode of GoBeyondFundraising, we chat with Pursuant SVP of analytics, Matthew Mielcarek to glean his insights about what the new FEP report findings mean for nonprofits as well as dig into donor data.

What does a post-COVID-19 nonprofit look like? Smaller organizations are seeing their woes deepen as emergency aid from the government ends. Plus, staff shortages are increasing, thanks in part to widespread burnout. Don’t worry—it’s not all doom and gloom. Listen to the latest episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast to learn how fundraisers can navigate these trying times.

Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other tech tools are emerging to (supposedly) make our lives easier. But at what cost? So many of our interactions occur over a digital channel that it can be easy to forget there is an actual person on the other end. Being human in our communications is what makes the difference to our donors. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re talking about why humanity trumps everything else in fundraising. Our special guests are Tim Kachuriak, Founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer at NextAfter, and Whitney Norman, Vice President of Client Solutions at Pursuant.