

Nonprofit Lowdown
Rhea Wong
This is Nonprofit Lowdown where I review and recommend the best ideas, resources, tools, tricks and tips to run your nonprofit like a pro!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2025 • 38min
#348- How to Navigate in This Moment with Rhonda Allen
I’m so excited to share this powerful convo with my friend and guest, Rhonda Allen, CEO of Dev Color. We went in on what it means to lead an org that centers Black technologists — especially in a moment when DEI is under fire and folks are playing it safe.In this episode, we talk about: ➡️ Navigating leadership as a Black woman in tech ➡️ What it really takes to fundraise when DEI isn’t “trendy” anymore ➡️ Why small, authentic human connections > big flashy events ➡️ How AI is reshaping our world — and why we need Black leaders at the table ➡️ The personal cost (and power) of showing up as the face of the work🖤 Rhonda drops so many gems, and I walked away feeling grounded, energized, and more committed than ever to staying 10 toes down for the mission.💥 “Let the robots robot. Let the humans human.” — yeah, I said that, and I stand by it.Important Links:Connect with Rhonda : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhallen/ Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honeyMy Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Jul 21, 2025 • 40min
#347- Advice from a BIPOC Fundraiser with Anysa Holder
I had the real pleasure of sitting down with my brilliant friend Anysa Holder, Chief Advancement Officer at Easterseals NJ, on the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown. 🙌🏽We covered so much ground, including:💥 What it’s like to stay in the nonprofit sector for 15+ years💥 The emotional labor of fundraising (especially as women of color)💥 Unpacking money trauma and mindset💥 Why board training needs a major upgrade—and how Anysa’s leading that charge💥 How to avoid burnout while staying mission-drivenOne of my favorite things Anysa said?👉🏽 “The whole job is unpacking stuff… because it’s relational.”We laughed, got deep, and got real about what it takes to do this work and still stay grounded.If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or just trying to do meaningful work without losing yourself—this one is for you.Important Links:Connect with Anysa : https://www.linkedin.com/in/anysaholder/ The Donor Reckoning: https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoningUpcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Jul 20, 2025 • 3min
SPECIAL: The #1 Mistake in Donor Emails
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start converting—join me live on July 23.🎯 The Donor Reckoning™ is where real pipeline repair starts. There’s No fluff. No replay. Just results.https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoning

Jul 19, 2025 • 3min
SPECIAL: Why You’re Not Getting a Second Gift
Don’t lose your biggest future gifts to silence. Join me live on July 23 for The Donor Reckoning™.I’ll give you the tools to rebuild your trust sequence, so you can see massive results for the rest of the year! https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoning

Jul 18, 2025 • 3min
SPECIAL: The Fix for Panic Fundraising (in 90 Days or Less)
🎯 Join me for The Donor Reckoning™ live on July 23.You’ll walk away with the full playbook + the tools to implement it: my 24-Touch Revenue Rhythm & the Donor Decoder GPTThere is No replay... Just results.https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoning

Jul 17, 2025 • 3min
SPECIAL: Signal vs. Noise: How Fundraisers Waste Their Best Leads
Join me live on July 23 for The Donor Reckoning™.We’re unpacking the Signal-Driven System—and building your exit ramp from the panic loop.🎟 Reserve your seat now. Only 300 spots, no replay.https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoning

Jul 16, 2025 • 3min
SPECIAL: Why 92% of Your Donors Have Disappeared
Join The Donor Reckoning™ on July 23🎟 No replay. No fluff. Just truth + tactics.→ Save your seat now (only 300 spots): https://go.rheawong.com/thedonorreckoning

Jul 14, 2025 • 33min
#346- How an Indie Newsroom Fights Big‑Money Media with Yukari Kane
I'm so excited to share this week’s conversation with my guest and friend Yukari Kane, CEO and co-founder of the Prison Journalism Project (@prisonjournalism).Yukari is a former @WSJ tech reporter who made the leap into nonprofit leadership — and let me tell you, her story is incredible. We talk about what it’s like to run a growing org that operates at the intersection of journalism, education, and criminal justice reform.Here’s what we dig into:✍️ How Yukari went from covering Apple to teaching journalism inside San Quentin📉 The broken media landscape and why storytelling from the inside matters more than ever💡 What it takes to raise $1.7M from scratch — without a fundraising background📊 Why building a loyal audience = building your donor pipeline🧠 Real talk on sustainability, strategy, and how to say no as a leaderOne of my favorite quotes from her:🗣️ “I’m not asking for money. I’m building relationships.”This is a must-listen for anyone running a small (but mighty!) nonprofit, building community through storytelling, or wondering how to lead through tough times with clarity and purpose.Important Links:Connect with Yukari : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yukarikane/ Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Jul 7, 2025 • 35min
#345- Cinderella Nonprofit: How a Brooklyn Debate Coach Went Viral and Raised $1.3 Million in 48 Hours with DiCo
This week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is straight-up magic. 🪄I sat down with my friend DiCo, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Debate League, and their story is nothing short of jaw-dropping.One minute, they're a public school teacher running debate club on Fridays. The next? A viral Humans of New York post, a GoFundMe that raises $1.3 million in two days, and suddenly they're leading a movement to bring speech and debate to all kids—especially those from historically excluded communities.In this episode, we talk about: 💥 The power of speech & debate to literally change lives 💡 What it’s like to scale a nonprofit overnight 🤝 Why asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s strategy 🔥 And how DiCo built a powerhouse network just by being kind (seriously)I left this convo so inspired, fired up about the future of youth leadership, and ready to help scale this thing to the moon.Important Links:Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Jun 30, 2025 • 42min
#344- Beyond Burnout with Dr. Dee Frayne
On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Dr. Dee Frayne (aka Dr. D), a life + business coach and former nonprofit exec who gets it. We went deep on what it means to burn out in a sector that’s often under-resourced, under-supported, and powered by people who care way too much to quit… until we’re forced to.We talked about:✨ Why the nonprofit world can feel like a parking lot for potential change-makers✨ How martyrdom and hustle culture are literally making us sick✨ What it really looks like to lead with integrity (hint: it includes rest)✨ Why selflessness is a trap — and how to create space for joy, boundaries, and sustainability “There’s no medal for suffering.” If you’ve ever skipped meals, ignored your own needs, or run yourself ragged in the name of “the mission” — please give this episode a listen.This one is for us. The helpers. The givers. The change-makers who want to do it differently — and better.Important Links:Connect with Dr. Dee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deefrayne Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/