

The Nonprofit Podcast
Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger
The Nonprofit Podcast is your weekly dose of real-talk fundraising, designed for the doers, dreamers, and difference-makers powering today’s nonprofit world.Hosted by Jena Lynch, Donorbox’s Education & Community Engagement Manager, and fundraising strategist Britt Stockert, CFRE, each episode delivers clear, practical insights you can act on right away, no fluff, no filler.You’ll also hear from Cara Augspurger, Ed.M., CFRE, ED of Grace Care Center Foundation, sharing field updates and frontline perspectives.Whether you’re building something new or leveling up your impact, we bring you bold ideas, honest conversations, and tools to help you fundraise smarter and lead with confidence.Information. Inspiration. Implementation. Impact.That’s the energy we bring…every week.Let’s get to work.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 28, 2023 • 18min
Ep 69: 5 Strategies to Boost Donations
Send us a text🕵️Looking for ways to make the most of every donation opportunity?📈Join us for 5 strategies to optimize your online giving that deliver a great giving experience for your donors, and boost your bottom line. Today we cover 5 key donation-driving best practices, from setting up an engaging donation page to leveraging the power of recurring donations. Plus tips on how best to showcase the impact of donations, and maximize the potential of social proof to create a sense of trust and validation to deliver feel good giving experience. We also look at the latest data on overall and online giving and how to adapt to the changing landscape.We’ve just released a collection of useful, free guides in the Donorbox Resource Library to assist you on your fundraising journey, including a new comprehensive e-book with more details on the strategies we discuss in this episode:📔 11 Strategies to Get Donations for Your Nonprofithttps://library.donorbox.org/11-strategies-to-get-donations-for-your-nonprofit/Plus our awesome Nonprofit Blog has a number of guides to assist you, here are two, but be sure to check out our extensive guides for specific seasonal and sector best practices and professional advice :🎥 How to Add Social Proof to Your Nonprofit’s Website:https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/social-proof-to-your-nonprofits-website 🎫 Donorbox Live™ Kiosk Elevating Live & In-Person Fundraising with Cashless Donationshttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/donorbox-live-kiosk Learn more about maximizing your organization’s fundraising and reaching your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops -- email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ Support the show

Jun 21, 2023 • 20min
EP 68: Beat the Donor Downturn: 3 Top Tactics
Send us a text🔭Looking for strategies to reverse the decline in online giving? Here are three tactics to set you on an upward trajectory!☝️Nonprofit fundraising is rewarding, but challenging, especially today. Online revenue for the average nonprofit decreased by 4% in 2022, and the trend continues in 2023. What’s behind this drop-off, and how can you turn it around? In this episode, we dive into the latest M+R Benchmarks report, which analyzes data from hundreds of nonprofits across various channels. We share three common and pressing challenges for online fundraising and offer best-practice solutions that you can implement right away. Join us and learn how to boost your online giving in these uncertain times.We have a comprehensive free resource to help you master digital donor outreach and engagement. You can download it here from the Donorbox Library: 📔The Ultimate Guide to Digital Fundraising for Nonprofits:https://library.donorbox.org/ultimate-guide-to-digital-fundraising/ Plus our awesome Nonprofit Blog has a number of guides to assist you, here are two, but be sure to check out our extensive guides for specific seasonal and sector best practices and professional advice :🔁Online Fundraising: The Ultimate Guide for Modern Nonprofits (Ideas Included):https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/online-fundraising 🔖12 Donation Form Best Practices to Inspire Your Online Fundraisinghttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/11-donation-form-best-practices Learn more about maximizing your organization’s fundraising and reaching your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops -- email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ Support the show

Jun 14, 2023 • 20min
Ep 67:Donor Acquisition vs. Retention - The Surprising Truth
Send us a text⚠️Acquiring new donors is important, but nurturing recurring donors can provide stability and growth for your nonprofit. So where do you focus your resources, and why? 🔭Today Cara and Jena set out a strategic approach you can put into play as we head into the summer slump. From discussing how to analyze donor-giving trends, and prioritize donor retention, to implementing tips to build and sustain retention, this episode is all about effective stewardship to secure loyalty from your existing donors.Donors are essential partners for successful nonprofit fundraising, and we have tactics to delight your donors during the seasonal slowdown with something unexpected. Plus a free, downloadable resource to guide you in building strong stewardship, and how to add authentic and meaningful touches to your existing donor engagement for long-term retention and success.Don't miss this opportunity to make donor retention a powerful tool for your nonprofit! In addition to the inside track we also have 2 free, downloadable resources to keep you on course: 🧮Our Donor Retention Rate Calculator:https://donorbox.org/donor-retention-rate 📨Our comprehensive Donor Stewardship Checklist (with Donation Receipt template)https://bit.ly/donor-stewardship-checklist Plus our awesome free downloadable to keep your fundraising cycle front and center:🔁The 5 A’s of Awesome Fundraising:https://poweredby.donorbox.org/podcast-five-as-of-awesome-fundraising/Learn more about maximizing your organization’s fundraising and reaching your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops -- email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show

Jun 6, 2023 • 12min
Ep 66: 5 Tips to Maximize Your Summer Slow Down
Send us a text☀️Summertime and the giving ain’t easy! Join us today for 5 quick tips to sharpen your strategy and tackle the year-end Giving Season with cool-headed confidence.😎From personalized donor communications to tackling team and leadership upskilling, creating fresh donation-driving content, plus whipping your website into shape, we’ve got you! Packed with Pro-Tips and tactics to set you on the path to a successful, well-resourced, and soundly capacitated second half of 2023. This is Summer School in 12 minutes!!Get off to a great start and book your place for our upcoming webinar:Donor Retention: Using the Giving Season Slowdown to Boost Year-End Results Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 @ 9:00 PM SAST:BOOK YOUR SEAT HERE: https://my.demio.com/ref/8wGPg7V1Bn4b0wmw?utm_source=Nonprofit+Podcast&utm_medium=Show+Notes&utm_campaign=Webinar+CTAPlus you can test your donation form fitness with our recorded webinar:Transform Your Donation Form to Raise Up to 4x More Funds | Donorbox Webinar 📢📢 https://youtu.be/dsdeeazJ1ks We all learn by experience, but some of us have to go to summer school, so here are 2 comprehensive guides to keep you on course: Nonprofit Leadership – The Ultimate Guide for a Real Difference https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofit-leadership Top Employee Retention Strategies for Nonprofitshttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofit-employee-retention Plus our awesome free downloadable to keep your fundraising cycle front and center:The 5 A’s of Awesome Fundraising: https://poweredby.donorbox.org/podcast-five-as-of-awesome-fundraising/Learn more about maximizing your organization’s fundraising and reaching your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops -- email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! Support the show

May 31, 2023 • 18min
Ep 65: From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Nonprofit Annual Reporting
Send us a textAre you ready to shake up your annual report to showcase your impact and win over donors? 📈Today we declutter the path to effective annual reporting! Sharing tips and tricks on how to craft a compelling annual report that will boost your organization’s donor retention, transparency, and credibility. Cara and Jena discuss techniques to confidently navigate the complexity of nonprofit annual reporting. You'll discover why annual reports are a vital part of your communication strategy, how to tell stories that inspire your supporters, and what to include in your financial statements. Don't miss this opportunity to make your annual report a powerful tool for your nonprofit! In addition to the inside track we also have 2 comprehensive guides to keep you on course: Step-By-Step Guide To Writing An Effective Nonprofit Annual Report. https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/step-by-step-annual-report Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Annual Report | Tips & Best Practices https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofit-annual-report-tips Plus our awesome free downloadable to keep your fundraising cycle front and center:The 5 A’s of Awesome Fundraising: https://poweredby.donorbox.org/podcast-five-as-of-awesome-fundraising/Find out more about how to maximize your organization’s fundraising and reach your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with our Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops here:email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show

May 24, 2023 • 10min
Ep 64: The Untapped Fundraising Potential of Development Audits with Lee Ernst
Send us a textNot achieving your full fundraising potential? It’s time for a development audit!📃No need to call in the accountants though, this is all about maxing out the undeveloped capabilities and capacities within your organization! A development audit looks at your data, systems, structures, and staffing and provides a clear view of your organization’s fundraising potential. Today Cara chats to Lee Ernst, a Senior Consultant at JGA, a philanthropic and strategic consulting firm helping nonprofits with fundraising, planning, and leadership. Lee knows how to connect with major higher education and social services donors. With her extensive experience and innovative mindset, Lee helps JGA clients achieve their fundraising goals and create positive change in the world, and today she shares her expertise with us.A thorough development audit will give you clarity on your organization’s strengths and areas for improvement. Allowing you to work with your board and staff to develop a realistic and effective action plan. To assist you Lee has provided an excellent tip sheet to get you started, you can find it here: Development Audit: Unlock Your Potential with an External Review Find out more about how to maximize your organization’s fundraising and reach your mission goals with the right tools with Donorbox. Get connected with Donorbox Academy monthly Premium workshops -- email academy@donorbox.org The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X #JGACounsel #Nonprofit #Donorbox #DevelopmentAuditSupport the show

May 17, 2023 • 12min
EP 63: Growing through Gratitude: How to Host a Thank-a-Thon
Send us a text🙏Are you ready to turn ‘Thank You’ into revenue? 📈Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things human beings can do for each other, and one of the most effective ways to gain, retain, or reconnect with donors! Setting aside time to let your donors, current, new, or lapsed, know just how much their support means to your organization just makes sense! No one likes to feel like a bank, but that is how many donors feel when the only time they hear from you is when you are soliciting donations. Saying thank you in a sincere and personal way will show your donors that you don't just see them as a source of income, but rather as partners in achieving your nonprofit's mission. And when donors feel truly valued and appreciated, they are more likely to continue supporting your organization (even when you don’t make the ask 😉).Join Cara and Jena for a step-by-step guide to hosting a Thank-a-Thon, and discover what instilling an authentic attitude of gratitude into your donor relationships can do for your cause, stewardship, and bottom line. In addition to the in-show expertise we also have four excellent blogs to guide you through, you can find them here on our Donorbox Nonprofit blog: 📑How to Host a Thank-a-Thon:https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/thank-a-thon 📑Thank You Quotes for Donations to Convey your Gratitude:https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/thank-you-for-donation-quotes 📑Ten Ways to Thank Your Nonprofit Donorshttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/10-ways-to-thank-your-nonprofit-donors And of course, how to thank your volunteers (with a free downloadable template):📑 How to Write a Volunteer Thank You Letter:https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/volunteer-thank-you-letters The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more about Donorbox at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show

May 10, 2023 • 14min
EP 62: Top Tips for Streamlining Your Nonprofit Systems!
Send us a textIs it time to revamp your nonprofit’s efficiency?It’s a task we all put off, but now is the perfect time to tidy up your nonprofit’s systems with these pro tips, zeroing in on saving time, and money, plus enhancing efficiency at every level of your organization.From why nonprofit audits don’t have to be an anxiety-inducing nightmare, to maximizing your Board’s leadership potential and optimizing your donor data to inform your strategic planning, we have you covered.Click here to join our monthly Donorbox product deep-dive every first Friday of the month:🏛️ https://my.demio.com/ref/rysMFbfIsYkH4rlf Each 30-minute session focuses on a different theme or product feature, and our product experts will walk you through the latest Donorbox features, best practices, and tips and tricks to help you take your fundraising to the next level.In addition to the in-show expertise we also have four excellent blogs to guide you through, you can find them here: 📑The Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Auditing (Free Checklist + FAQs)https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofit-auditing 📑10 Key Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Membershttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofit-board-responsibilities 📑 Boost Donations with Data-Driven Fundraising [2023]https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/data-driven-fundraising 📑8 Donor Metrics to Improve Donor Stewardship & Fundraisinghttps://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/donor-metrics Plus, we have a great free downloadable Donorbox resource to assist with your audit planning:✅ How To Conduct a Nonprofit Audit & Check Listhttps://library.donorbox.org/nonprofit-audit-checklist/ The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3J1t18n 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://bit.ly/3pctCg3 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show

May 3, 2023 • 15min
EP 61: New Fundraising Frontiers - Reflections on AFP Icon 2023
Send us a textFresh trends, tips, and tactics from the fundraising frontlines!Never underestimate the strategic opportunities of conferences for fundraisers! To fully understand the demands and changing realities of successful nonprofit fundraising, we headed to AFP Icon 2023 to explore what’s on offer. And we can say without a doubt, this year, a lot is changing!After spending time networking and learning from experts in the sector, to educational sessions and a partner expo spotlighting all the new tools available, we have some exciting new trends, directions, and a few unsettling realities, to share. From an eye-opening panel session with the Fundraising Effectiveness Project we share a glimpse of a challenging financial future, and unpack some strategies to minimize potential impacts. The FEP releases quarterly findings on giving trends, via downloadable reports here afpfep.org, or in a free online dashboard. We also unpack Payment Options and Partnerships, two big topics of conversation, but it’s Omnichannel Communications that really got us excited! So, don’t miss a trend, trick, or tactic, and tune in to keep up with everything the nonprofit fundraising professional needs on their radar!The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3J1t18n 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast | Podcast on Spotify🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://bit.ly/3pctCg3 🎙️ Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3oppTeO Find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show

Apr 19, 2023 • 16min
EP 60: AI’s Powerful Prospecting Potential with Shawn Olds, boodle.AI
Send us a textHow can AI get you in front of the right prospective donors?Shawn Olds, the Chief Executive Officer of boodle.AI, is back with us for the second of two discussions thoroughly interrogating how AI helps organizations achieve significant lifts in conversion, engagement, and retention rates. Today Shawn takes Cara through a deeper dive into the opportunities that open up when you optimize your donor segmentation and communication using AI. From segmentation to personalization and stewardship there are AI tactics and tools to enhance donor prospecting and research, opening doors to donors you may not otherwise identify.You can find out more about Shawn and the remarkable results boodle.AI is delivering for its clients here: https://boodle.ai/ or on their socials @boodleAI. As always we have excellent resources to add to today’s discussion on our Nonprofit Blog, you can find them here:ChatGPT for Nonprofits: Maximizing Impact with the Power of AI: https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/chatgpt-for-nonprofits 8 Ways Chatbots Help Nonprofits Expand Outreach and Increase Donor Engagement: https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/chatbots-help-nonprofits Or find out more at: https://donorbox.org/ DO YOU have a question? The Nonprofit Podcast is here to answer your questions! Our weekly Ask-Me-Anything feature is one click away, simply open the form, add your name, and ask us! ANYTHING!! ➡️ https://donor-box.typeform.com/to/wXlnEX3X Support the show


