The Nonprofit Podcast

Send us a textNever underestimate the value of your donation page!  Giving Season is on the way, so we’re taking a deep dive into the common and costly ‘mistakes’ we see on nonprofit donation pages with Donorbox Account Manager Bobbi-Jo Rockstrom to get you off to the best possible start to the season.  Cara and Bobbi-Jo unpack potential problems and offer quick fixes and simple suggestions for you to implement immediately to reap the benefits of a well-designed giving form.  Bobbi-Jo is passionate about sharing best practices to create the optimal donor experience, ensuring every organization uses all the tools available to them to catalyze funds for their cause.From layout to pay-out these tips will optimize your donation page, so hop on the inside track and take your page from functional to fabulous in a matter of minutes. If you are looking for more detail, we have an excellent resource on our Nonprofit Blog, you can download it here: 27 Donation Page Best Practices For Nonprofits - Tips and ExamplesIf you have any questions, or a story to share reach out to Cara at Podcast@Donorbox.org or find out more at DonorboxSupport the show

Send us a textIf the idea of setting out an organizational strategic plan has you stumped, this episode with Cara and Tim Ardillo will spark your strategy in a matter of minutes.From why you should have a strategic plan to when you should be tackling the details, Tim has tools and tips that will get you where you need to be, fully informed and ready to implement! So take a few minutes to find out how a strategic plan will help your organization raise more funds, free up your staff and board’s time and talent, double down on your mission and build deeper connections with your donors if done right.We have an excellent resource, The Ultimate Guide on Creating a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Nonprofits, on our Donorbox Nonprofit blog.  You can download it here: The Ultimate Guide on Creating a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Nonprofits (donorbox.org)A little more about our guest: As a Senior Consultant at Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates, Tim provides strategic and philanthropic counsel to mission-based organizations.  With a development career that spans more than 20 years, Tim has experience in fundraising efforts ranging from annual fund development, major and planned giving, and campaigns.  Be sure to download Tim’s Strategic Planning Tip Sheet to get maximum value from your planning https://www.jgacounsel.com/wp-content/uploads/Maximizing-Strategic-Planning.pdfOr, you can contact or find out more about Tim here: jgacounsel.comIf you have any questions, or a story to share reach out to Cara at Podcast@Donorbox.org, or find out more at DonorboxSupport the show

Send us a textThe Nonprofit Podcast Season 3 is here and we did not come to play!Tricked out with tools, tips and tactics to take your nonprofit to the next level this is a bite-sized show that will move your mission.  Join Cara, Jena & Jared for a season of inspiration, insight and information to implement immediately.  From strategies for sustainability & growth to fundraising fundamentals, we’ve got you covered going into Giving Season and beyond.This week Cara looks at the many benefits nonprofits gain by investing in email marketing, focusing on the one thing that every fundraiser should be obsessed with: saving money and increasing overall giving. We have a great resource to get today’s tactics working for you on the Donorbox Nonprofit Blog, just click the link: Email Marketing for Nonprofits: An Essential Guide (donorbox.org)If you have any questions, or a story to share reach out to Cara at Podcast@Donorbox.org or find out more at DonorboxSupport the show

Send us a textNew Season Loading!!The Nonprofit Podcast is gearing up for Season 3!  Get ready for Thursday, July 14, when we’re back with quick tools, tips, and tactics to fuel your fundraising.  The new season is packed with great interviews featuring thought leaders, founders, fundraising professionals and tech wizards, making us your once-a-week inside track “must listen” podcast to get your nonprofit up to speed and fit for purpose as Giving Season gets going.Join us on Thursday, July 14, when Cara has a communication strategy basic that you can master in a matter of minutes with the right approach!If you have any suggestions or questions please reach out to us at Podcast@Donorbox.orgSee you on Thursday, July 14!Support the show

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our two-part Summer Inspiration Special with Rachel Sumekh of Swipe Out Hunger, a little something to help you set your strategy wheels spinning over the July 4th weekend, we follow up with an in-depth discussion of Rachel’s decision to step down as Founder.  Honest, emotional and evocative these are two episodes that will remind you why you chose the nonprofit path, and when and why the time comes for Founders to move on.In this Episode, You Will LearnWhy Rachel is leaving her leadership role after a decade of service.Self-care methods for coping with stress, overwhelm, etc. How to find your focus, purpose or mission.Why it’s ok to be vulnerable in the workplace. The importance of storytelling as a leader. How Rachel values herself based on bringing joy and healing into the world instead of basing her value on accruing material wealth.The importance of being present and natural as a leader instead of overly polished.How Rachel is aware of “performing vulnerability ”in a strategic way and that she is on a journey to get back to a state of natural vulnerability and authenticity. “Mission before ego” as a framework for decision making.How tribalism (and identity based community) can be great AND when it needs to be checked. The pressures of coming from an immigrant family.How Los Angeles is a relationship economy and the power of a warm introduction.Rachel has a "no asshole" policy but with the caveat: if we can end hunger faster (Mission before ego) it might be ok to work with or partner with an asshole. “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” — The bonds that you've made by choice are more important than the bonds that you are born into (family, a religious tribe, secret society, etc. ).Links and ResourcesPleasure ActivismEmergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds Ego is the EnemyStillness is the KeyTribalismSwipe Out Hunger Campus Partners / LocationsRachel Sumekh on LinkedInSupport the show

Send us a textOur Nonprofit Podcast field reporter, Jared Polivka, sits down with Rachel Sumekh CEO and founder of Swipe Out Hunger.  As the catalyst behind this US-based national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger, Rachel is the epitome of driving the change you want to see. The organization works with colleges and universities to design and implement a range of anti-hunger programs, including “The Swipe Drive” which enables students to donate meals to their peers facing food insecurity on campus.This is Part 1 of a two-part Summer Inspiration Special, a little something to help you set your strategy wheels spinning over the July 4th weekend, that will be followed on 1 July with an in-depth discussion on Rachel’s decision to step down as Founder.  Honest, emotional and evocative these are two episodes that will remind you why you chose the nonprofit path, and when and why the time comes for Founders to move on.In this Episode, You Will LearnAbout food insecurity at college campusesAsset based framing and the importance of language / how we talk about things.How putting the word “the” before a population objectifies themHow 1 out of 3 college students are hungry, according to Rachel SumekhHow to normalize talking about food insecurityHow to market programs to in-need students so they can receive helpHow Swipe Out Hunger approaches solving college student hunger - meal swipe donations, advocacy, partnershipsHow Swipe Out Hunger measures successWho Swipe Out Hunger partners withHow ramen distracted us from hungry college students for a long timeIf you’d like to help an in need student, go to https://www.swipehunger.org/Links and ResourcesSwipe Out Hunger Campus Partners / LocationsBring Swipe Out Hunger to Your CampusSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)“Charity is about the redemption of the giver, not the liberation of the receiver.” - Robert Eggers“You make love over food; you make peace over food. Food is the most important connection in the community.” - Jamil KadouraThe legendary Mediterranean Deli, a must-visit if you travel to North Carolina.“Wasting food is a tragedy, but the real tragedy is that we’re wasting people.” - Robert EggersSwipe Out HungerSwipe Out Hunger - Student-Led Solutions to College Food InsecurityOne in three college students experience food insecurity. We work with colleges and universities to address hunger on campus.Est. reading time: 2 minutes   https://www.swipehunger.org/Campus Partners - Swipe Out HungerOne in three college students faces food insecurity. We partner with colleges on student-led anti-hunger programs.Est. reading time: 1 minuteGet Started - Swipe Out HungerOne in three college students faces food insecurity. We partner with colleges on student-led anti-hunger programs.Est. reading time: Support the show

Send us a textBig programs can cause big problems with capacity and resourcing, no matter the size of your organization.   Cara chats with Shawn Collinsworth, CFRE,  President of Damar Services Foundation about overcoming the challenges of being a leading American provider of services to people with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities, in a time of growing need and shrinking funding.Like many organizations, Damar was at a crossroads when it came to the ability to offer life-changing support and services to a diverse group of people ranging from toddlers to senior citizens from initial diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The choice was stark, decrease the level of care and innovation, or increase support from philanthropic sources.  The 50-year-old organization buckled-up, bit the bullet and rode the fundraising bronco, and today Shawn shares how they tackled the challenge.  From new fundraising events to diversifying revenue streams, Cara and Shawn look at fundraising that really supports your mission in a post-Covid world.  You can find out more about the remarkable work Damar is doing here: Homepage - Damar Services, IncIf you have any questions, or a story to share reach out to Cara at Spotlights@Donorbox.org, or find out more at DonorboxSupport the show

Send us a textWhy am I losing donors?  If you are asking yourself this question more often than you like, today Cara has some answers that could turn the trend around for you.  If you are a fundraiser, founder or volunteer, donor relationship management is a vital component of keeping your mission moving toward your goal, and strong communication sits at the heart of all good relationships.  Find out how Cara’s top three easily actioned donor communication best practices can help your organization retain and engage hard-won supporters, and win over some new ones.Click here to download a Free Valuable Resource: Donorbox - Donor Communication Tips.pdfSupport the show

Send us a textBranding can be a major pain point for nonprofits, but a strong nonprofit brand can help you raise more money, increase social awareness and build a solid reputation, which is why Cara and Jena are tackling the basics of brand building today. Joined by Ronald Pillay, Donorbox Director of Brand Communication, they unpack the basics of getting your brand on point and working for you, no matter how big or small your organization, or budget is.  Ronald’s background in creative direction and social sciences adds a visual storytelling layer that takes a brand from bland to beckoning beacon, building out from your mission basics to create a clear, credible and authentic identity without breaking your budget. You can find more about this on our Donorbox Nonprofit Blog, with resources to help you create a useful strategy for building or boosting your organization’s brand here: https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/building-a-strong-nonprofit-brand or reach out for additional support at Spotlights@donorbox.orgSupport the show

Send us a textIn this episode, Cara is joined by Donorbox Brand Ambassador, Jena Lynch, unpacking the hard work that goes into developing- and sustaining - productive and effective donor relationships.  Jena’s heart for helping others drives the incisive, and profoundly practical, insights she shares.  From her time on the frontlines of fundraising to her daily engagement with nonprofits of all sizes across the globe as a brand ambassador, Jena has a wealth of proven tips for making the most of your donor relationships.  Together with Cara’s passion for fundraising practices and fundamentals, this is an actionable episode from start to end.If you would like to hear (and see) more of Jena, she can be found, along with all of The Nonprofit Podcast and a selection of webinars on some of the topics covered on this episode, here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DonorboxOr Spotlights@Donorbox.org  to reach out,  or share your opinions and experiences with Cara and Jena. Support the show