Nonprofit Lowdown

Are you trudging through the fundraising world, feeling the weight of 'never enough'? It's time to drop the scarcity storyline and embrace the abundance that surrounds us. We've all carried baggage into our donor meetings, narratives laced with trauma and social hurdles. But what if I told you, it doesn't have to be that way? Let’s talk about the biggest game-changer in fundraising – your mindset. In today's episode, we're exploring how the tales we tell ourselves can make or break our fundraising effectiveness. I dive into the deep end of money narratives, discuss how our brain operates under stress, and reveal how shifting your state of mind from survival to executive mode can transform your fundraising efforts. You don't want to miss this journey beyond the numbers, into self-awareness where you'll find the key to long-term fundraising success isn't just in the ask—it's in the attitude. It's time to cultivate an abundance mindset, and I'm here to guide you. Your next big ask might just need the SPACE you'll discover within. Important Links: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

🎆 Happy 2023! Before we dive into the new year, let's recap my 5 most popular Nonprofit Lowdown episodes from 2022. These insightful convos cover everything from ditching toxic fundraising tactics to navigating across generations in the workplace and beyond. I've compiled the very best nuggets of wisdom to inspire you to find greater connection and community in the year ahead. We touch on themes like the power of deep listening, building trust through questions vs demands, understanding generational differences with empathy, and more. Each guest brings a unique lens but underscores the same core truth: Fundraising works best when we lead with shared humanity, not organizational needs. I'm committed to helping this industry unlearn bad habits in 2023 so we can build authentic, equitable partnerships between nonprofits and philanthropists. And have a lot more fun while we're at it! 😊 If these greatest hits resonate, make sure to subscribe and stick around as we continue the conversation this year. Thank you for joining me on this mission to create better fundraiser-donor relationships rooted in care. Listen to the full episode here and get inspired for the year to come! 🎧Important Links:  #219 - Listening + Speaking with Intent with Jason Frazell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/219-listening-speaking-with-intent-with-jason-frazell/id1436858854?i=1000593176725 #223 - Negotiating like a Hostage Negotiator with Troy Smith - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/223-negotiating-like-a-hostage-negotiator-with-troy-smith/id1436858854?i=1000598249006 #224 - Why Major Donor Processes Suck and What to Do Instead with Greg Warner - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/224-why-major-donor-processes-suck-and-what-to-do/id1436858854?i=1000599328901 #243 - Gen Z staff, Gen X leaders with Darren Isom - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/243-gen-z-staff-gen-x-leaders-with-darren-isom/id1436858854?i=1000619122514 #257 - How to Stop Chasing Donors and 10x Your Thinking with Brooke Richie-Babbage, Cindy Wagman and Jess Campbell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/257-how-to-stop-chasing-donors-and-10x-your-thinking/id1436858854?i=1000630681751

Burned by social media and its tiny ROI? 📥 Time to make email your BFF for bringing home the bacon in 2023! Digital marketing maven Christina Edwards explains why email crushes social media when it comes to converting supporters into donors. Listen and learn why you should centralize and optimize this workhorse channel ASAP. We cover the ideal email frequency, metrics to track, ingredients for compelling subject lines and content, tips for cleaning your list, and plenty more nuts and bolts. Christina also shares tactical ideas for year-end campaigns. Her bottom line says it all: “The more emails you send, the more money you make. The two go hand in hand." So get over your fear of flooding inboxes and start maximizing this money magnet! Ready to have a breakthrough in connecting with supporters? Christina is bringing the email excellence - take notes! Important Linkshttps://www.splendidcourses.com/email

Does your nonprofit website attract donors like a 20-year-old Geo Metro? 🚗 Here's how to give it a sleek new upgrade without breaking the bank. Lou Kotsinis of BCS Interactive shares his 20+ years of digital marketing expertise to help nonprofits level up their online presence. A beautiful website matters - it’s often the first impression funders have of your work! We discuss common pitfalls in positioning, storytelling, user experience and functionality. Plus simple fixes that create a seamless, conversion-focused donor journey. Lou also gives tips on choosing intuitive donation platforms, website content that converts, calls to action that compel without annoying, and more. The bottom line? Nonprofit websites should make donors feel loved, not bamboozled! Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their passion points and perspective. Then craft an experience that makes them eager to engage with your cause. “Love your audience. If you love your audience [and] understand what their needs are, that can't help but be reflected in your website.” - Lou Kotsinis Ready for website wisdom that’s equal parts strategic and practical? Have a listen! Important Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukotsinis/ https://www.usertesting.com/

Are visions of year-end dollar signs turning into lumps of coal? 💸 We’ll help you turn your fundraising frown upside down with an email marketing strategy that converts before 2023 comes to a close! Here’s how to salvage your campaign in the final weeks of 2023. Email marketing whiz Jess Campbell of Out in the Boons returns to share late-game fundraising tactics. The season isn’t over even if Giving Tuesday bombed - there’s still lots of money left to raise before January 1st! We dive into setting achievable goals, writing compelling subject lines, using emoji and personalization to boost engagement, following up with lapsed donors, and more. Jess also explains why you should add text messaging to your outreach mix. The bottom line? Keep emailing consistently through December. Using a strategic cadence of valuable content leading to clear calls-to-action is key to converting supporters into philanthropists. And never miss a chance to steward and recognize donor generosity! If you’re feeling frantic about finishing your campaign strong, don’t miss Jess’s affordable new monthly fundraising email template membership. It’s packed with plug-and-play solutions to save you time while growing donations. Ready for an email makeover to raise year-end revenue? Take notes - Jess is bringing the expertise! Important Links: The Fundraising Template Shop - https://www.thefundraisingtemplateshop.com/membership LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-campbell-outintheboons/“The Nonprofit Email Report”- https://www2.neonone.com/l/679793/2023-08-08/277h7w/679793/1691513830BLlHeTzH/Influencer___GT_EOY_Email_Report.pdf

Fundraising can feel transactional, manipulative, and just plain icky. But it doesn’t have to be that way. As donor-turned-expert Lisa Greer explains, with authentic connection and a "ditch the pitch" mindset, fundraising can actually feel human. Lisa gets what it’s like to be on the receiving end of clumsy asks and ill-informed wealth screens. After an awkward start to her own philanthropy journey, she vowed to revolutionize the donor experience. In this candid conversation, we discuss: Why donors aren’t some strange "other" species The power of self-aware storytelling Ditching disingenuous pitches How to navigate the money Lisa argues we need a philanthropy revolution to fix this - one centered around trust, transparency, and treating donors as partners instead of ATM machines.“I'm helping organizations change the way they do things based on how a donor hears things and how a donor interprets things.” - Lisa Greer The bottom line? We have to get over our own discomfort with wealth and get curious about donors as individuals - what matters to them and why they give as they do. To hear more of Lisa’s straight-talk around transforming nonprofit fundraising, have a listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs a refresh!  Important Links Book: Philanthropy Revolution: How to Inspire Donors, Build Relationships, and Make a Difference by Lisa Greer: https://www.lisagreer.com/book Preorder: The Fundraiser’s Handbook: A Guide to Maximizing Donations, Retaining Donors, and Saving the Giving Sector for Good by Lisa Greer: https://www.amazon.com/Fundraisers-Handbook-Maximizing-Donations-Retaining/dp/1939096154 Blog:  https://philanthropy451.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazgreer/ X: https://x.com/lisazgreer

In love with your mission but not getting warm fuzzies from the fundraising? You’ve got to start thinking of your NPO as a business! Wait, what?  Robert is the founder of Power Couples by Design and co-author of the book Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs’ Guide For Greater Work-Life Balance. As a former Fortune 500 exec helping nonprofits grow and thrive (and keep romance alive!), Robert brings the real talk about how and why healthy nonprofits make a PROFIT (legally and ethically). 💰We also talk about:  💥Why you should focus on being productive vs. busy 💥Time and money - managing your most precious resources 💥Growing your organization the right way 💥Who should be fundraising (hint - it’s you!) 💥Surrounding yourself with the right board Robert Fukui helps purpose-driven leaders build thriving organizations while finding balance. Whether you lead a fledgling startup or established nonprofit, his business principles are gold!  “The money's not the goal, but it's the essential part of building the organization. And if you're not intentional about developing relationships with your donors, with new ones and also existing ones, you're just going to struggle.” - Robert Fukui There’s so much more BIZ strategy packed into this episode. Let Robert school ya on sustainable nonprofit success. 🎓  Important Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertfukui/ https://marriedentrepreneur.co/ https://www.thetandembook.com/

Ever feel like no matter how hard you shake the money tree, the fruit only falls for certain folks? 💰🌳 On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, Garrett Neiman riffs on how subtle (and not so subtle) biases in philanthropy make it dramatically easier for privileged people to fundraise. Garrett knows this song by heart. As a former nonprofit founder and author of Rich White Men he's on a mission to help level the playing field. He reflects on his journey from a conservative upbringing to recognizing the systemic barriers and biases faced by marginalized communities. Garrett realized the need for a power analysis in social change work - one that calls on white men to stand up for equity and justice. The conversation touches on topics like the War on Wokeness, fundraising disparities, and the importance of understanding privilege. Garrett's prescription? Get more people with power - especially rich white dudes - talking openly about equity. 🗣️ He encourages privileged folks to determine their unique position, commit to lifelong learning, and take daily action to promote justice. Ready for frank convo on race, class and cash? Garrett brings nuance and heart. Get your headphones and an open mind. Important Links: Book: Rich White Men: What It Takes to Uproot the Old Boys' Club and Transform America  - https://a.co/d/f8OQdcoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettneiman/

Confused about all the options for nonprofit marketing? 🤔 Don't let analysis paralysis stop your impact! 🛑 Krystal Covington, marketing pro turned nonprofit consultant, shares bite-sized tips to level up your marketing—even with limited time and budget. 💡 Krystal is a Marketing Consultant with GO Lead, LLC and the Community Outreach Coordinator at a Denver-based nonprofit called Hands of the Carpenter. Her main takeaway: start small and stay consistent. Little steps like sending a social media post or pitching local media add up over time to stronger community, trust, and visibility. She advises getting your core team aligned on one clear mission statement first, then facilitating collaboration across marketing and development efforts. And keep growing that email list! It helps sustain precious relationships with supporters.  “I'm passionate about helping anything and anyone with a cause and with a purpose that matters. They need to have … really great marketing and really great marketers that support the things that matter in the world.” - Krystal Covington Tune into the full episode for more on how to prioritize marketing, even on a shoestring budget. Krystal's pragmatic advice will help you overcome analysis paralysis. Important Links: DIY PR Podcast Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/167-diy-pr-with-rebekah-epstein/id1436858854?i=1000547416777 Email: krystal@goleadconsulting.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalncovington/

🎤 Why be a hero when you can be a guide? 🧭 On this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re chatting with author/fundraiser Evan Wildstein as he dishes on servant leadership - how embracing empathy, community, and self-growth can transform nonprofit fundraising. 🙌 Servant leadership isn't about being a martyr (hard pass). It's about mindset shifts from "me" to "we." Evan shares out-of-the-box tips like recording yourself to improve listening skills. 🎧 He explores healthy boundaries and psychological safety so teams can have real talks on topics like equitable hiring. Tune in to find out why mindset and training matter when it comes to connecting your mission and money. Discover feel-good fundraising that's about people, not just dollars. 💸  “Thorough servant leadership translates to dollars.” - Evan Wildstein Important Links:  The Nonprofiteers Fundraising Field Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofiteers-Fundraising-Field-Guide-Servant-Leadership/dp/1666767514 LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-a-wildstein