The Nonprofit Podcast

Send us Fan MailHow far can one campaign travel this Giving Season? Further than your email list, if you set it up right.Today, Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, shares how a crowdfunding campaign gives supporters a clear, specific goal to rally around, and how peer-to-peer fundraising turns that campaign into something supporters carry into their own networks…reaching people a nonprofit hasn't earned trust with yet.In this episode, Jena digs into:What makes a crowdfunding campaign worth sharing, not just donating toWhat a campaign page needs so a stranger understands it in secondsWhy a supporter's personal ask lands differently than a simple shareHow to choose the first few supporters to invite as fundraisersWhat to do with the year-end plan next weekStart your Giving Season campaignDonorbox Crowdfunding gives supporters a page worth sharing, a goal meter, a live donor wall, and one-click sharing built in. Turn on Donorbox Peer-to-Peer and empower supporters to build their own pages, with every dollar automatically feeding the main goal. Launch in as little as 15 minutes: donorbox.org Get your downloadable guides now, packed with tips and strategy support, from the Donorbox library:Donation Page Design Guide - image sizes, logo dimensions, and copy tipsPeer-to-Peer Fundraising 101 - campaign types, a launch plan, and event ideas Chapters 00:00 Welcome 00:23 Why one campaign should outgrow the email list02:57 What makes a crowdfunding campaign worth sharing05:11 Building the crowdfunding page as home base07:25 From sharing to peer-to-peer fundraising08:23 Borrowed trust: Leveraging personal networks for outreach10:05 Choosing the first supporters to invite11:49 Setting up supporter pages on Donorbox12:30 Next week's to-do for Giving Season campaigns13:15 Resources and closeHostJena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox and anchor host of The Nonprofit Podcast. About DonorboxDonorbox is a global fundraising platform trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits, with $4B+ raised worldwide.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Consult a professional advisor.Support the show

Send us Fan MailMost nonprofit events open exactly one path to giving: the ticket. Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert map the fundraising moments most events miss, before doors open, during the event, after everyone goes home, and unpack how nonprofits can open more paths to giving - without extra work for their team.What You'll LearnWhy the ticket purchase is one of the best, and most frequently ignored, fundraising opportunities of the event life-cycleWhat good ticket data actually looks like (knowing who to expect before your guests even walk in)Where the most donation opportunities quietly slip away once the event is underwayWhy one unified donor record beats three spreadsheets and a manual mail mergeThe one friction point Britt says to fix first, before your very next eventIf you're deep into your year-end event planning, this one is for you!Engage attendees. Simplify giving. Grow your impact.Find out more about maximizing your events with the double-down power of Donorbox Dynamic Duo  - from ticketing to post-event stewardship.You can:Streamline ticket sales and collect donations from ticket buyersManage your event in one easy-to-track placeCheck guests in with easeCollect in-person, cashless donations with just a tap, dip, or swipeChapters00:00 The Mindset Shift in Event Fundraising00:56 Welcome to The Nonprofit Podcast02:28 Capturing Generosity at Ticket Checkout04:08 Streamlining Table Registration & Payments06:00 Common In-Event Pitfalls to Avoid07:16 Eliminating Friction for Event Attendees08:52 Using Donorbox Live Kiosk & Offline Auto-Sync11:00 Post-Event Data Integration & Donor Segmentation12:55 Timely Stewardship and Follow-Up Emails13:44 Practical Action Step for Your Next Event14:51 Closing Remarks & ResourcesHost BiosJena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, anchors The Nonprofit Podcast.Brittan Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, co-hosts The Nonprofit Podcast.Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, raising over $4 billion for nonprofit causes. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and shouldn't be considered legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

Send us Fan MailHeart does that panicked double-thump. Stomach drops. Ohh - there goes gravity! Sound familiar? That's what happens right before most fundraisers call a donor to ask for money…and Britt Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, says that feeling is telling you the opposite of what you think.In this quick, coffee-break episode, Britt shares the four words she scribbled on a sticky note for a burned-out nonprofit leader who needed something simpler than a script. It changed how that leader's whole team makes the ask.This is perfect for fundraisers who want a low-pressure way to build donor trust, especially heading into year-end. Discover:Why the discomfort of asking for a gift is a sign of a healthy donor relationship, not a warning signA four-word framework simple enough to fit on a sticky noteHow to open a donor call without mentioning money at allWhat to say when a donor pushes back on overhead or transparencyWhy silence after an ask is doing more work than most fundraisers realizeHow to measure success in donor outreach beyond whether a gift landed that dayIf you’re ready to refine your ‘Ask’ approach and get on track for Giving Season, schedule time with Britt here.That nervous feeling before asking for a gift isn't proof something's wrong. It's proof the moment matters. Britt's fix isn't more confidence - it's structure: four words on a sticky note that turn a high-pressure ask into a real conversation between two people who both care about the same thing.Chapters:00:00 - Why Asking for Support Feels Uncomfortable02:10 - The Trust Gap & the Power of Personal Connection03:40 - A 4-Beat Framework for Donor Conversations06:55 - Timing the Ask & Permission-Based Giving08:15 - Redefining Success Through Small Wins09:15 - Overcoming Rejection & Closing ThoughtsDonorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by 100,000-plus organizations worldwide, helping them raise over $4 billion collectively. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

Send us Fan MailChatGPT. Claude. Gemini. Or Google...Search visibility has changed.AI search is changing how donors and volunteers find nonprofits, and most teams are still figuring out what to do about it. This week, host Jena Lynch talks with Jessica King, Director at Getting Attention, about what's actually working in search right now...from why ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are showing up as real traffic sources, to why relying on one platform is risky, plus how to make full use of the $120,000-a-year Google Ad Grant. Jessica's take: you don't need a new playbook for AI, just a stronger version of the marketing fundamentals you already know. What You'll LearnWhy ChatGPT and Claude are already shortlisting nonprofits before donors ever reach your site, and what that means for your funnel.Why AI search doesn't call for a new strategy, just sharper execution of the SEO fundamentals you already have in place.How to build a channel mix that holds up when a single algorithm or platform shifts.How to extend the reach of your $120,000-a-year Google Ad Grant as search behavior changes.Why page-level content depth outweighs metadata for both AI and traditional search, and what that means for your content priorities.If your team has just a few hours a month for online visibility this Giving Season, this episode tells you where to spend them.About Our GuestJessica King is Director at Getting Attention, where she helps nonprofits get more from Google Ad Grants, paid Google Ads, and search-focused content strategy. Before Getting Attention, Jessica worked in communications and digital marketing across higher education and the nonprofit sector, with a focus on SEO for mission-driven organizations. She holds a Master's degree in Communication from Virginia Tech.Links MentionedGetting Attention: gettingattention.org - free guides, templates, and Google Ad Grant auditsGetting Attention on YouTube: weekly tutorials and marketing adviceBook recommendation: Steal Like an Artist by Austin KleonDonorbox: donorbox.org  - fundraising tools for nonprofitsHostJena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox. Each week on The Nonprofit Podcast, she brings nonprofit leaders practical strategies and clear insight to help them raise more and reach further.Chapters:0:00 Intro & Welcome1:43 Meet Jessica King from Getting Attention2:24 AI as a Traffic Source and the Shifting Search Landscape6:38 Donor Trust, AEO/AIO Buzz, and Not Losing Sight of the Fundamentals8:34 Why Foundational SEO Is the Basis for AEO10:50 Building a Marketing Mix With No Single Point of Failure13:26 Making the Most of the Google Ad Grant19:05 Why Traditional Website SEO Isn't Dead21:24 How AI Levels the Playing Field for Smaller Nonprofits24:11 Non-Negotiables for Giving Season27:53 Connect With Jessica and Getting Attention28:35 Wrap-UpDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA simple donor survey is the closest thing you will get to reading your supporters' minds, yet the answers you get are rarely what you expectDonors are sitting on insights most nonprofits never think to look for. Cara Augspurger, our field correspondent and CEO of Grace Care Center Foundation, joins Jena Lynch to share what happened when her team surveyed hundreds of donors ahead of Giving Season, and what the answers revealed about messaging, trust, and the surprising link between volunteering and giving.And brace yourself - your best donors may not understand your organization as well as you think.What You'll LearnHow to build and segment a short, anonymous donor surveyWhy loyal donors can still misunderstand your programsHow the volunteer experience shapes donor trustFour steps to launch a donor survey before year-endResources and LinksConsolidate today’s framework with a helpful in-depth Donorbox blog: Surveying Your Donors, How to Do It Right - you can find it hereAbout the HostsCara Augspurger has been a nonprofit leader and fundraiser since 1996. As President and CEO of Grace Care Center Foundation and a founding board member, she brings decades of hands-on experience to conversations spanning annual fundraising, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and relationship building. A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and University of Illinois graduate, Cara previously served as a fundraising coach at Donorbox, where she helped nonprofits connect the dots between strategy and results.Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, specialises in donor stewardship, retention, and peer-to-peer fundraising. She works closely with nonprofit teams to strengthen donor relationships and build practical systems that support long-term growth. As the anchor of The Nonprofit Podcast, she keeps strategy clear, steady, and actionable.Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Why Donor Surveys Matter01:15 – Timing Your Survey Before the Fall Push03:08 – Survey Mechanics: Length, Platforms, and Subject Lines06:27 – Key Questions to Include in Your Survey08:23 – How Well Do Donors Know Your Programs?12:27 – Where Volunteering Meets Giving16:35 – The Power of One Open Question19:59 – 4 Action Steps to Launch Your Donor Survey22:42 – Wrap-Up & Final ThoughtsAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

Send us Fan MailYou can't repair the runway while the plane is taking off. 🛫That's Darrin Cook's blunt take on why Giving Season prep has to start in August, not November. Darrin joins Jena Lynch to break down how early infrastructure work, not last-minute campaign scrambling, drives real Giving Season results. He shares a framework for auditing donor data and donation flows now, building stronger donor segments, and knowing where automation earns its keep without losing the human side of donor stewardship. Plus, why protecting your fundraising team from burnout is part of the strategy, not separate from it.Head straight to the Donorbox Blog to dive deeper into Giving Season prep with a 3-phase roadmap to keep you on track from now until January, here.Chapters 00:00 Why Giving Season Prep Starts in August 01:47   Meet Darren Cook (MyMogul Media) 02:45  Don't Repair the Runway Mid-Flight: Giving Season Timeline 05:07  Systems Audit: Tech, Websites, and Mobile Optimization08:31  Nurturing Donors: Relationship Messages Before the Big Ask 11:14    Simple Donor Segmentation: 6 Key Groups to Target 14:55  Humanizing Automation: What to Automate vs. What to Keep Personal 18:10  Preventing Team Burnout During the Year-End Rush 19:51  The January Debrief: Turning Campaign Data into Next Year's Strategy 22:58  Where to Find Giving Season ResourcesAbout Our Guest Darrin Cook is the founder of My Mogul Media. Since 2009, he's helped nonprofits across the US build cleaner, more connected digital systems, so teams can stop grinding and start growing.About Our Host Jena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox and host of The Nonprofit Podcast, bringing practical strategies every week for nonprofits that want to raise more and do more.Resources and Links:My Mogul MediaDarrin Cook on LinkedInDonorbox Blog: Giving Season Fundraising, Your 3-Phase RoadmapDonorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, helping raise more than $4 billion for causes globally. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

Dr. Renee Rubin Ross, founder of The Ross Collective and author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits, outlines a participatory, implementation-focused approach to planning. She explains the Five‑Step Spiral framework, how to assess if an organization is ready to plan, why three‑year plans balance vision and action, and why frontline participation and RACI-style workplans make plans stick.

A dive into why nonprofits are leaning on AI right now and how donor trust is falling behind. Discussion of the tech divide that leaves smaller organizations behind. A clear look at hidden costs like labor, bias, and environmental impact. Four practical steps to create an AI policy, require human review, disclose AI use, and protect donor data.

Send us Fan MailMost nonprofit strategic planning mistakes don't show up until year-end, right when your fundraising push exposes exactly what's missing.Being busy isn't the same as having direction. In this Summer Rewind, Cara Augspurger, CFRE, breaks down the five steps that took her organization from constant firefighting to a plan that actually holds up, in six months.What you'll learnHow to tell real growth from just being busy, before it costs you at year-endThe one question your strategic plan has to answer firstHow to run a funding reality check that shows exactly where the gaps areHow to set numbers-based targets for a "good year", no gut feel requiredAbout Cara Augspurger, CFRECara is the Executive Director of Grace Care Center Foundation and host of The Nonprofit Podcast.About DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, helping raise over $4 billion for causes that matter. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This episode is for educational purposes only and isn't legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

Chris Wong, licensed therapist and founder of Leadership Potential who builds leadership programs for nonprofits. He discusses accidental leadership and why top performers often struggle when promoted. He explains how therapeutic listening aids new leaders, how nonprofit culture shapes boundary-setting, and practical fixes to prevent burnout and turnover.