Missions to Movements

As Hurricane Milton threatened Florida, I found myself grappling with anxiety and worry for my hometown of Sarasota. Traveling to Cincinnati for a keynote on the power of personal stories, I couldn't escape the shared trepidation at the airport, as travelers exchanged tales of loved ones caught in the storm's path. This collective concern spurred me into action, reaching out to Florida-based organizations to see how we could all lend a hand. The responses were heartwarming, offering a glimpse into how community and storytelling can become a beacon of hope during crises.Join me in this special episode of Missions to Movements, where I illuminate the efforts of remarkable organizations like the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and the Treasure Coast Food Bank, both tirelessly distributing meals and supplies. Susan from the SPCA of Brevard shares the challenges faced by animal shelters, while the Community Foundation of Sarasota County unveils key initiatives like the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund and the Season of Sharing campaign, focused on long-term recovery. Discover how you can contribute to these essential efforts and help rebuild communities ravaged by Hurricane Milton.Get Involved & Donate here: Feed Hope NowSPCA of BrevardSuncoast Disaster Recovery FundSeason of Sharing CampaignThis show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Three of the most famous movements in history were built on marketing, storytelling, subcultures, and creating influence. Today, we’re going to explore how leaning into subcultures (rather than mass marketing), can be REALLY powerful and create sustainable impact for your nonprofit. We’ll start by unraveling lessons from the Civil Rights Movement and Women's Suffrage. These movements thrived by uniting deeply connected communities. Your nonprofit can adopt similar strategies, focusing on smaller groups that resonate with your cause to create a lasting impact.Storytelling plays a pivotal role in any movement-building strategy, and we'll explore its profound impact by examining the #MeToo movement. When you're building your monthly giving program, what stories can you share to really connect with your audience?Connecting with a specific subculture of survivors, #MeToo grew exponentially by sharing personal narratives. Hear how your nonprofit can harness this powerful approach for monthly giving programs, especially when you target subcultures that align with your mission.As we approach the giving season, there's no better time than now to nurture those relationships.P.S. Applications are now open for the next round of my Monthly Giving Mastermind. Visit positiveequation.com/mastermind to apply.P.P.S. Are you a nonprofit leader running an established monthly giving program with 10,000 or more recurring donors? DM me @positivequation to learn more about my Monthly Giving Leaders Mastermind (with an in-person retreat!)Resources & LinksMissed the Monthly Giving Summit? Get access to all of the keynotes and breakout sessions here.Check out Episode 68 of Missions to Movements with Marcus Collins: How Culture Influences Marketing.This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Mallory Erickson’s new book “What The Fundraising” is out TODAY, and I can’t wait to share her wisdom around “alignment fundraising” – specifically why prioritizing alignment over your monetary goals is transformative.Mallory has done extensive research into the psychological and physiological responses of fundraisers, and you’re going to walk away with so many actionable steps for a holistic strategy that benefits both you and your supporters.We discuss the crucial role of internal alignment and self-compassion in forming and maintaining successful partnerships, plus the magic and science of serendipity.Discomfort is a big theme in our conversation. And it can stem from so many places - toxic environments, unfamiliar situations – even the tension between short-term relief and long-term alignment. But what if discomfort could serve as a catalyst for your personal and professional growth? This episode will leave you with practical strategies for managing the uncertainty.Be sure to pick up Mallory’s new book, What The Fundraising, and grab a copy for a friend, too!Resources & LinksConnect with Mallory on her website and buy her new book, What The Fundraising. Follow her on LinkedIn or on Instagram at _malloryerickson. Mallory also hosts a podcast, What the Fundraising.Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Why do some fundraising appeals succeed while others fall flat? It all comes down to the power of language.Dr. Emilie Socash, the visionary founder and CEO of the Nonprofit Help Center, is here to share groundbreaking findings from her research, including why donors are MORE generous when messaging emphasizes preventing negative outcomes. We break down the psychological contrasts between promotion-focused and prevention-focused approaches, drawing from an eye-opening experiment involving 225 high-income adults. Prevention-focused individuals are 53% more likely to increase their donations when they receive messages tailored to their motivational orientation! Later, we go through Emilie’s incredibly actionable “Mad Libs” exercise to A/B test, analyze, and refine your appeals.This episode is FILLED with impactful advice. Get ready to furiously take notes and have your pen and paper ready.Resources & LinksConnect with Emilie on LinkedIn and learn more about the Nonprofit Help Center on their website, where they host hundreds of micro-learning courses.Check out the free resource Emilie talked about in today’s episode: How To Say It And Speak Their Language (with promotion and prevention language examples!)Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Wendy Faust, the Executive Director of the Live Like Lou Foundation, is dedicated to supporting families affected by ALS and funding essential research. She shares how the foundation has transformed its donor engagement strategy, boasting a remarkable 64% email open rate. Wendy discusses the viral impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge and strategies like personalized outreach, TikTok videos, and data-driven decisions to maintain donor relationships. The conversation underscores the power of storytelling and community connection in effective fundraising.

What if the key to turning your mission into a movement lies in the power of video? Shannon Fitzgerald from The Hooligans Agency is here to reveal how creative video content can revolutionize advocacy and nonprofit work. And you DON’T need a massive budget to make a significant impact.You’ll hear the incredible story behind two “fake” horror movie trailers designed with a scrappy budget in less than a week (!) for Gas Leaks Action, that educated audiences about the dangers of natural gas.These ads received a TON of earned media attention, even landing in movie theaters during Halloween season.Shannon has one heck of a resume, going from Hollywood to spearheading 80+ campaigns for democratic and climate initiatives. You’re no doubt going to learn so many practical tips for aligning your creative projects with your core values, and why the “MAYA Principle” is so special (it will help your content resonate more deeply!)This episode is for you if you’re ready to elevate your social impact mission with video.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at the Kendra Scott store in Sarasota, FL on September 18th! RSVP here.Resources & LinksLearn more about Shannon’s work on her agency website and connect with her at shannon@thehooligansagency.com, or on LinkedIn.Check out the video examples discussed in this episode: Silent But Deadly for Gas Leaks Action and Assume That I Can for CoreDown.Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

The Monthly Giving Summit is here! In less than 24 hours, over 1,500 nonprofits from all over the world are coming to the first online virtual event completely dedicated to monthly giving.So what can you expect? Day 1 is focused on keynotes and panels, sharing stories about growth, retention, and fostering values-aligned partnerships. You’ll hear from the Head of LinkedIn for Nonprofits, Ariana Younai, and Marcus Collins, who wrote one of my favorite books.Day 2 will feel like a mastermind. It’s time to come together and network, share your learnings and experiences, AND we’ll have two breakout sessions where you can get hot seat style coaching. Come prepared with your most burning questions!Whether you are in the pre-launch phase of your monthly giving strategy, or you have over 100,000 monthly donors, this event is for you.Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET to learn how to build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.P.S. I am hitting the road this week! Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL! RSVP for Atlanta on September 7thRSVP for Sarasota on September 18thP.P.S. Would an in-person monthly giving event in 2025 pique your interest? Send me a DM at @positivequation on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.Resources & LinksSpecial thanks to the Monthly Giving Summit’s growth partners: Neon One, iDonate, Givebutter, and DonorPerfect. Register for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

In this discussion, Katelyn Baughan, a seasoned email expert known for her work with National Geographic and the Trevor Project, shares her insights on crafting engaging email welcome series for nonprofits. She highlights the importance of a personalized approach and demonstrates a strategic sequence of four emails over 12 days. The conversation covers the critical role of storytelling, effective KPIs, and the risks of relying solely on social media. Katelyn even offers a bonus coaching call and a customizable email template for listeners eager to improve their engagement tactics!

What can we learn from the merger of two impactful nonprofits, and how can it reshape our approach to mission-driven work? Join me as we welcome back Blythe Hill, the visionary founder of Dressember, who shares the inspiring journey of her organization’s partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM). With limited resources and a challenging post-COVID fundraising environment, this strategic move opened up new opportunities AND expanded the reach of Dressember's mission to combat human trafficking.You’ll hear about the emotional and practical challenges Blythe faced, how they announced the acquisition to their 200,000 contacts, AND the nitty gritty of the legal side.This episode offers a transparent look at how to execute a successful strategic transition that ensures continued impact and support for nonprofit teams.P.S. My Monthly Giving Summit is coming up FAST! Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET for the only free virtual event that is dedicated to helping you build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.P.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL! RSVP for Atlanta on September 7thRSVP for Sarasota on September 18thResources & LinksRegister for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!Learn more about Dressember on their website and follow them on Instagram. Connect with Blythe at blythe@dressember.org or on Instagram.Tune in to Episode 3 for my first conversation with Blythe, The Power of Video.This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

This week, there's another podcast I want to share with you: What the Fundraising. Mallory Erickson is talking to Caitlin Wion, a data manager at Alzheimer's San Diego. And Caitlin is revealing ALL of her automation secrets to enhance donor engagement and make recurring giving work – with limited capacity and time.Hear how a simple donation tracker in an email campaign led to an unexpected surge in donor sign-ups, the power of customization and segmentation, and the origins and evolution of Alzheimer's San Diego's recurring giving program. Caitlin doesn’t hold ANYTHING back in sharing their best creative strategies for fostering a donor community (like heartfelt acknowledgment letters and special thank-you notes!), while their Visionary program celebrates major contributors annually.This juicy episode underscores the broader impact of monthly giving on fundraising strategies, and should get your wheels turning while you plan this year’s Giving Tuesday and year-end campaigns. P.S. I thought this was a perfect episode to share with you as my Monthly Giving Summit is coming up FAST! Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET for the only free virtual event that is dedicated to helping you build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.P.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL! RSVP for Atlanta on September 7thRSVP for Sarasota on September 18thResources & LinksRegister for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!Learn more about Alzheimer’s San Diego on their website and connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn.This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here. Through April 30th, LinkedIn is giving away 6 months FREE of Sales Navigator Core to the first 2,000 eligible nonprofit professionals! Click here to apply.My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!