

Missions to Movements
Dana Snyder
This isn't just another nonprofit podcast - it's your weekly invitation to think bigger, take bold risks, and create lasting change in an ever-evolving social impact landscape. Meet Dana Snyder, your guide through the evolving landscape of nonprofit innovation. She's on a mission to help change-makers like you push the boundaries of what's possible in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Each week, Missions to Movements serves as your personal mastermind session, delivering actionable insights and bold strategies that challenge traditional nonprofit thinking. Dive into revolutionary approaches to digital fundraising, discover how to build magnetic monthly giving programs that create lasting donor relationships, and learn to amplify your voice as a thought leader in the social good space. Whether you're reimagining your organization's impact or forging game-changing partnerships, you'll find the ideas, insights, and inspiration to take your mission further than you've ever imagined. Ready to turn your mission into a movement?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 24, 2024 • 30min
How Upstate Caring Partners Attracted 2,000 Applications Using A Digital Campaign with Francesca Orsomarso
Francesca Orsomarso’s arsenal of digital strategies flips the script on traditional recruitment. In today’s case study, we’re breaking down exactly how Upstate Cerebral Palsy attracted 2,000 qualified applicants within a few months of launching a campaign with FMN Creative.Francesca shares their brilliant one page funnel strategy (and how it was a MAGNET for attracting job seekers), plus the targeted ad approach that resonated with potential recruits and generated awareness. Listen closely as we also reveal how integrating CRM systems with Zapier can create a personal touch, leading to staggering open rates. Hiring great talent is something that every nonprofit has a need for. If you’re ready to amplify your current recruitment efforts and connect with your audience on social media, don’t miss this conversation!Resources & LinksLearn more about FMN Creative on their website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!

Apr 17, 2024 • 37min
How To Create Community on Social with a Controversial Topic or Cause with Jayde Powell and Gbemi Maiyegun
If you have a controversial issue or topic that your organization focuses on, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to market and share your mission – especially if you're getting shut down and censored by platforms for sensitive or politicized material. Jayde Powell and Gbemi Maiyegun, co-founders of Weed for Black Women, GET IT. In fact, they've experienced it. Our discussion with Jayde and Gbemi dives into the heart of this evolution, as they recount their mission to reshape the stigmas and narratives around cannabis through education, especially within Black and indigenous communities. Get ready to hear the secrets behind how they maintain the delicate balance of staying true to their brand's values while skirting the ever-shifting landscape of social media guidelines. They also emphasize the incredible power of community and contributor-driven content, revealing how they've built a resonant brand through the voices and experiences of their audience. Take notes as they share so much wisdom in this episode about managing sensitive topics with integrity and authenticity, ensuring their message not only reaches, but also empowers their community.Resources & LinksLearn more about Weed for Black Women on their website, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Don’t forget to check out their merchandise. Connect with Jayde on her website and LinkedIn. Connect with Gbemi on Instagram and TikTok.SPILL is a social media platform for Black, queer, and other culture-driving communities.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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!

Apr 10, 2024 • 29min
Attract Corporate Partners in 30 Days with 2 Cold Emails with Chris Barlow
Expert Chris Barlow shares how a nonprofit attracted corporate partners in 30 days with 2 cold emails. He discusses values alignment, finding the right contacts, and sustaining partnerships. Learn about leveraging email space, Google Ad Grants, and teaching generosity to kids through 'Mama Bucks'.

Apr 3, 2024 • 32min
A Unique PR Opportunity for Nonprofits to Stand Out in 2024
Seasoned PR savant Danielle Finck, founder of Elle Communications, discusses standing out in PR by nurturing authentic relationships, pitching journalists effectively, and embracing solutions journalism. She emphasizes the importance of human-centric stories to engage diverse audiences in the evolving media landscape.

Mar 27, 2024 • 37min
How a Strategic Audience Journey Doubled the California Symphony's Attendees & Quadrupled Donors
Is it time to reimagine your donor pipeline? With a track record of doubling crowds and quadrupling donors for the California Symphony, Aubrey Bergauer has been likened to the Steve Jobs of classical music.In her tenure from 2014-2019 as Executive Director, she walked into the role during a state of financial crisis and alarming churn rates. Why were 80% of first-time donors not renewing and 90% of first-time buyers not coming back to see another show? There had to be a better way.My conversation with Aubrey is a MASTERCLASS in change management. We cover how she created a systematic customer journey for the symphony (without over soliciting), including her secrets to turning first-time attendees into lifelong patrons. Plus, we talk through her tech stack and how data was her most persuasive partner in piloting new fundraising ventures.Aubrey's vision doesn't rest on data alone–it's about creating an all-encompassing experience for every symphony-goer. From UX overhauls to copy changes on their website, she details the subtle, yet powerful shifts in the user experience that helped increase their ticket sales by 20%. Let’s hear how she made it all happen!Resources & LinksConnect with Aubrey on LinkedIn and through her website. You can also check out her new book Run It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money – Without Losing the Art.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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!

Mar 20, 2024 • 28min
The Story Behind the Audible Indigenous Writers' Circle
Impact communications is so much more than a “buzzword.” What does it actually look like in practice?Tessa Danelesko is an expert in harnessing communication for social impact. She's not only an account director at Yulu, but also the Co-Executive Director of the Impact Communications Institute, and she brings a wealth of knowledge on creating narratives that resonate and foster societal change. In today’s case study, we’re uncovering the origin and evolution of the Audible Indigenous Writers' Circle, a mentorship program that amplifies the voices of indigenous storytellers. The impact of the program has already resulted in 100 media stories, 16.8 million impressions, and 77,000 touchpoints!You’ll hear how Tessa initially pitched the program, how they built trust on Facebook and worked closely with indigenous influencers to spread the word, culminating in an experience that honors the narratives that emerge from experiences of trauma and systemic racism. The Audible Indigenous Writers' Circle stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, and encourages a ripple of positive impact through media coverage and community engagement.Resources & LinksConnect with Tessa through her work at Yulu PR and the Impact Communications Institute, where you can also take their pledge. Tessa can be reached at tessa@yulupr.com. Check out the application for this year’s Indigenous Writers' Circle, which is open through April 1st. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, email audible@yulupr.com. 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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!

Mar 13, 2024 • 40min
Does Fundraising Still Work on Facebook?
Learn how Good United founders are revolutionizing nonprofit fundraising on Facebook. They discuss diversity and inclusivity, Facebook fundraising campaigns, powerful messaging tools, and successful case studies. Discover the huge opportunities for engaging donors and mobilizing supporters through personal messaging.

Mar 12, 2024 • 6min
Celebrating Two Years + The Magic of Birthday Recognition to Increase Retention
Reflecting on two years of the podcast, the host dives into the magic of birthday recognition for increased engagement. Strategies for personalization, donor retention, and utilizing tools like video asks and segmented emails are shared.

Mar 6, 2024 • 27min
$3,705 Raised on Facebook with $0 Ad Spend with Chelsea Edwards
If you think Facebook doesn't work to acquire donors anymore, this case study with Chelsea Edwards from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance will prove you otherwise.For the past three years as the Senior Director of Peer-to-Peer Giving, Chelsea has been instrumental in amplifying their fundraising campaigns, like "Lead From Behind", which harnessed celebrity influencers like Ryan Reynolds. Partnering with GoodUnited on their messaging and Facebook fundraising efforts last year resulted in 440 people launching a campaign around “Blue Day'' and $3,705 raised, with $0 in ad spend! Chelsea breaks down the details of their strategy, including the messaging and segmenting they used to engage donors and the analytics they paid attention to. Interestingly, Facebook Messenger drove higher click-through rates as compared to email. We also explore the art of listening to your donors, using their stories to refine your strategies, ensuring that every click contributes to a narrative of hope and support.March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Learn more about how to support the cause.Resources & LinksLearn more about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, including the upcoming ScopeItOut event in Washington DC. You can connect with Chelsea at cedwards@ccalliance.org or on LinkedIn. 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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!

Feb 28, 2024 • 43min
Debriefing Roots Ethiopia's Lead Gen Strategy - 800+ New Email Subscribers in 2 Weeks
Meghan Walsh from Roots Ethiopia is back to bring a fresh perspective on how my Grow Your List Ads Challenge (and a killer lead magnet) helped them bring in over 800 email subscribers at $1.93 per lead!Together, we explore the creativity and collaboration behind Roots Ethiopia’s e-cookbook, which weaves together the allure of Ethiopian cuisine with the organization's heartfelt mission. We discuss the power of email marketing and how strategic timing, such as aligning campaign launches with end-of-year fundraising, can keep supporters engaged and invested. Meghan walks us through her email sequences that are garnering a 52% average open rate and how she plans to add even more value to her subscribers this spring.This episode is a testament to how a well-executed lead magnet can do more than just grow an email list - it can build a community!If you’re interested in learning more from Meghan about building monthly giving programs, check out Episode 38.Resources & LinksLearn more about the incredible mission of Roots Ethiopia and check out their newsletter. You can also connect with Meghan on LinkedIn. Check out Meghan’s first episode on Missions to Movements: 3 Months, 1 Monthly Giving Program Launch: How Roots Ethiopia’s Meghan Walsh Made It Happen.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 brought to you by iDonate. Your donation page is leaking donors, and iDonate's new pop-up donation form is here to fix that. See it in action. Launch the interactive demo here and experience how a well-timed form captures donors in the moment they care most. 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!