

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 26, 2025 • 17min
Grow Your Grant Potential with Gauri Manglik (Summer Repeat)
Gauri Manglik, co-founder of Instrumentl, dives into the world of nonprofit grants. She shares how to maximize grant potential by aligning with the right funders and emphasizing the importance of meaningful relationships with grantors. The conversation highlights strategies to prioritize grant writing and the significance of crafting strong proposals. Gauri also offers insights on developing a grant calendar to manage year-end fundraising effectively, ensuring nonprofits can navigate the complexities of grants with confidence.

Jun 19, 2025 • 14min
Stable nonprofit funding: The smart approach in 2025 (Summer Repeat)
Send us a textIn this summer throwback, we’re revisiting one of your favorites: Stabilizing Your Fundraising. Ready to reset and recharge your fundraising strategy for the rest of 2025? Take just 15 minutes to gain fresh clarity and confidence, press play, and let’s hit the ground running!2025 has already thrown nonprofits a curveball. So what now?This week, we’re taking a moment to breathe and break down the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts that are actually helping nonprofits right now.Think recurring giving strategies that stick, smoother donor journeys, and collaboration that cuts costs and builds resilience. Whether you’re adjusting to shifting priorities or bracing for what’s next, this episode gives you a game plan to steady your fundraising efforts and re-energize your team. Discover:✔ Why recurring giving is your most reliable revenue stream✔ How to simplify the donor experience to reduce drop-off✔ Tools and tactics to support long-term donor relationships✔ Real-world examples of collaboration and resource sharing✔ Ways to pivot when funding contracts get rockyFrom recurring donation upsells to collective fundraising campaigns, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you stabilize, grow, and thrive through whatever 2025 throws your way.You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.Chapters:00:00Navigating the Nonprofit Landscape in 202501:29The Power of Recurring Giving04:29Building Resilience Through Collaboration08:27Enhancing Donor Experience and Engagement12:30Shifting Mindsets: From One-Time to Recurring DonorsWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

Jun 12, 2025 • 21min
Storytelling in tough times - The trust factor with Maria Bryan (Summer Repeat)
Send us a textThe Nonprofit Podcast is taking a breather before Season 6 kicks off on June 26, but we’re not leaving you hanging! We’re rewinding to one of our most-loved episodes with Maria Bryan, packed with powerful insights for challenging times.Building donor trust is essential for nonprofit engagement, especially in times of crisis. Join Jena and a favorite guest, Maria Bryan, an ethical and trauma-informed storytelling expert, to explore how nonprofits can effectively share crisis stories without causing donor fatigue or eroding hard-won trust.Learn key storytelling strategies, including:Balancing urgency with hope to maintain engagementAvoiding exploitative narratives while still driving actionUsing multiple platforms to strengthen community connectionsCreating transparency to foster lasting donor relationships🎧 Listen now for actionable tips to refine your nonprofit's storytelling approach!For a deeper dive into mastering ethical storytelling, check out Maria's FREE Trauma-Informed Storytelling Toolkit HERE. 🔗 More resources from Maria Bryan: Storytelling WorkshopWhen Bearing Witness ProgramStorytelling CircleChapters:00:00 Navigating Crisis in Nonprofit Storytelling06:05 Balancing Urgency and Hope in Communications12:03 Platforms for Effective Storytelling17:58 Building Trust Through Authentic StorytellingWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download to never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

Jun 5, 2025 • 23min
Beyond Donations: Why strategic fundraising plans matter (Summer Repeat)
John DeLange and Evan Cox, co-founders of The Strategic Fundraising Plan, bring their expertise to the forefront, emphasizing that fundraising is an act of transformation. They discuss the importance of clear messaging and leveraging data to refine fundraising strategies. The duo shares practical tips for avoiding donor fatigue while maintaining meaningful relationships. By prioritizing strategic planning, they illustrate how nonprofits can enhance engagement and ultimately raise more funds, allowing organizations to focus on their core missions.

May 29, 2025 • 17min
Nonprofit Resilience: A Conversation (Summer Repeat)
Send us a textWe’re on summer hiatus, but we're bringing back one of our most popular episodes, 'Nonprofit Resilience: A Conversation.' Originally released after the federal funding cuts were first announced in February, this episode digs into the challenges nonprofits are facing and offers strategies to navigate them.Listen in to explore the potential impacts, possible responses, and actions you can take to ensure your mission stays resilient and adaptable as we head into the second half of 2025. We’ll be back on June 26, 2025, with a new season. Until then, enjoy a selection of your favorite episodes from Season 5. We’ll see you soon with more tips, tools, and strategies to keep your mission moving!How do you build nonprofit resilience in times of uncertainty?The federal funding freeze confusion has left many nonprofits facing tough questions about their future. In this episode, Jena and Britt explore how organizations can build resilience in a rapidly changing landscape. They emphasize collaboration and data-driven advocacy as key areas to remain adaptive and mission-focused.More from us to get you on the road to resilience:Ep 140 | Recurring Donations: How to Boost Donor Retention and RevenueEp 128 | 5 Effective Nudges for Monthly GivingEp 104 | Fundamentals of Nonprofit Digital MarketingRemember, you don’t have to navigate uncertainty alone. Together, our community can build strength and stability.Chapters00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Nonprofits05:07 Building Collaborative Networks10:26 The Role of Data in Advocacy15:49 Self-Care and Resilience for Nonprofit Leaders✅ Subscribe for more nonprofit insights! Stay ahead of the trends and take your fundraising to the next level. The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Take a tour right now and start fundraising in just 15 minutes: → https://donorbox.org/The Nonprofit Podcast, and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel, subscribe today and never miss an episode:🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday, be sure to follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: Support the show

May 22, 2025 • 14min
Ep 164| From summer slump to donor retention win!
Send us a textMake summer your donor loyalty season, and set the stage for a better-funded fall.The summer slowdown doesn’t have to mean lost momentum. It’s the perfect time to deepen donor relationships and build long-term support.Join Jena as she lays out a practical, month-by-month plan to strengthen donor retention through the summer stretch. With donor attention divided and inboxes quiet, small, intentional touches now can lead to a more resilient, generous fall.You'll discover: ✅ Segmentation strategies (with or without a CRM) ✅ A clear June to August retention roadmap ✅ Tactical ideas for acknowledgments, gratitude, and monthly asks ✅ Messaging tips to re-engage first-time, lapsed, and recurring donorsWhether you’re just getting started or refining your stewardship strategy, this episode is your playbook for making summer count.📅 The Nonprofit Podcast is taking a short summer break; we’ll return with all-new content on June 26th. Until then, we'll share some of our most popular episodes, getting you ready to meet the balance of 2025 strategy strong.Chapters:00:00 Navigating the Nonprofit Landscape in 202503:13 The Importance of Donor Retention06:05 Summer Strategies for Nonprofits08:46 Building Relationships with Donors11:49 Preparing for the Future of FundraisingWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 100,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

May 15, 2025 • 7min
Ep 163| The timing tightrope: Donor messaging in uncertain times
Send us a textIs starting ‘the funding uncertainty’ conversation early, “crying wolf,” or leading with honesty and foresight?Nonprofit leaders are walking a tightrope between transparency and alarm. In this episode, Jena unpacks how smart donor communications and strong donor relationships can build donor trust, even in the face of uncertain nonprofit funding. Join us for a deep dive into the dilemma of when to talk to donors about funding shifts and possible impacts. Jena shares a middle path for messaging that balances preparedness with calm, and offers four tactical mindsets and tools to keep your community engaged, well before challenges intensify.Discover why:The timing of donor messaging is a strategic decision, not a gamble.Early, scenario-based updates build trust more effectively than last-minute alerts.Share what you do know, name your values, and make small, meaningful asks.Fundraising is about community; don’t let crises be your only cue to connect.Chapters00:00. Navigating Fragility in Nonprofits03:14. Communicating with Donors: Timing and Transparency06:10. Building Trust Before CrisisWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 100,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

May 8, 2025 • 24min
Ep 162| Unlocking the power of nonprofit phone engagement - Bart Lillie
Send us a textAre your nonprofit emails and social posts falling flat? It’s time to pick up the phone!Jena chats with Bart Lillie from Synergy Direct Marketing Solutions about how texting and strategic phone outreach can overcome donor fatigue. Learn why personalized text messaging can significantly enhance your nonprofit’s engagement, acquisition, retention, and drive fundraising results.Quick Wins You'll Gain:Why digital-only tactics lead to donor burnout.Proven strategies for impactful text message outreach.Simple ways to integrate texts and calls into your existing strategy.Use case examples of nonprofits doubling responses through strategic texting.Boost donor connections today…send that text! 💬👉 Click to connect with Bart and Synergy Direct Marketing Solutions: Chapters00:00The State of Nonprofit Fundraising03:01Reviving Phone Engagement06:12Understanding Donor Fatigue09:02Effective Communication Strategies11:56Integrating Phone and Text Outreach15:09Success Stories and Practical TipsWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 100,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

May 1, 2025 • 29min
Ep 161| Activate your board for fundraising success
Send us a textActivate Your Nonprofit Board for Fundraising SuccessIf you've ever wanted your nonprofit board to take a more active role in fundraising, this episode is for you. Britt speaks with Sabrina Walker Hernandez, CEO of Building Better Boards, about how to unlock your board’s full fundraising potential. From dispelling common board fundraising myths to introducing Sabrina’s field-tested formula, join the conversation for practical strategies to get your board members involved, motivated, and driving tangible results.Key Takeaways:Understanding your board's role in fundraising is key to making them active participants.Sabrina’s fear-free fundraising formula breaks down the board’s role into manageable tasks aligned with abilities that anyone can get behind.How to gamify the fundraising process to keep your board motivated and engaged.Resources:Grab Sabrina’s resources to help you get started with your board!Building Better Boards Chapters00:00 Introduction to Fundraising and Board Engagement03:00 Understanding Fundraising Misconceptions05:52 The Role of Board Members in Fundraising11:47 Cultivating Relationships for Successful Fundraising18:01 Gamification and Making Fundraising Fun23:17 Personal Journey and Hope in Nonprofit WorkWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 100,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show

Apr 24, 2025 • 24min
Ep 160| How Email Automation Drives Giving - Chris Barlow
Send us a textIs your email strategy helping you raise funds, or just filling inboxes?Jena sits down with Chris Barlow of Beeline Marketing to unpack how email automation can transform how nonprofits engage supporters.We’re talking: ✔ How to set up effective welcome sequences✔ Using segmentation to send the right message at the right time✔ Cleaning your list without losing future donors✔ Why automation doesn’t mean losing the personal touch✔ And yes... why you might want to rethink that monthly newsletterWhether you're managing a small list or thousands of contacts, this episode gives you practical steps to turn passive subscribers into active donors, without overwhelming your team or your audience.Plus, hear how weekly emails (done right) boosted donor retention by 47% for one nonprofit!Connect with Chris Barlow: yourbeeline.com and try the Beeline GPT for a free custom marketing resource built just for you!Chapters00:00 Transforming Email Engagement for Nonprofits02:56 The Power of Email Automation06:10 Rethinking Newsletters: A New Approach08:59 Segmentation and Personalization Strategies12:11 Common Pitfalls in Email Automation14:59 Getting Started with Email Automation17:50 Building a Meaningful Connection with DonorsWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTubeThe Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast Support the show


