Nonprofit Lowdown

In this episode, Pooya Pourak, a design strategist, shares how human-centered design principles can be used to create meaningful connections with donors during the interview process. By focusing on curiosity and connection, nonprofits can build trust and rapport with donors, uncover their motivations, and create customized engagement plans that align with their values. Pooya also shares tips for making the donor interview process more engaging and enjoyable. Overall, this episode emphasizes the importance of using human-centered design to build deeper relationships with donors and create more effective fundraising strategies. To connect with Pooya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pooyapourak/ "It's not research, it's engagement" - Pooya Pourak

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Ellen Wong, a naturopathic doctor and happiness expert.   During our conversation, Dr. Wong emphasized the importance of understanding that happiness is not a destination, but rather something you create.  We also discussed the importance of self-care and self-compassion in achieving happiness. Dr. Wong stressed that taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, is crucial for your overall well-being. She also emphasized the importance of being kind to yourself and treating yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer to a close friend.   Finally, Dr. Wong offered some practical tips for cultivating happiness in your everyday life. These included:  ✅ Making time for hobbies and activities that bring you joy. ✅ Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. ✅ Practicing mindfulness and meditation to help you stay present at the moment. ✅ Setting realistic goals and celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.   To learn more about Dr. Wong and her upcoming Happiness Summit, visit her website at Dr. Ellen Wong, ND - Chief Happiness & Well-Being Officer. https://drellenwong.com/  "Productivity is not about doing more things" - Dr. Ellen Wong   📣 If you wanted to get inspiration for Fund Raising Notices, Upcoming events, and a cute dog 🐶 picture, subscribe to my weekly newsletter now: rheawong.com

Welcome to the podcast where we talk to successful consultants in various industries. Today we are joined by Tom Pyun, a former nonprofit leader who transitioned to consulting. Tom is here to share his experience on why he decided to become a consultant, how he got his clients, and how he dealt with imposter syndrome. He shares his strategies for getting clients, including networking, leveraging social media, and creating a personal brand. He shares his thoughts on who is best suited to consulting, highlighting the importance of diverse skills, adaptability, communication, and a strong work ethic. To learn more about Tom and his consulting services, you can visit his website at www.tompyunconsulting.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/tompyun/. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review. "Work to live, not live to work" - Tom Pyun

Calling all New York based nonprofits! In this episode, we speak with Suzi Epstein, Senior Program Officer at the Robin Hood Foundation, and Kim DiPalo, Director of Development and Communications at Drive Change, about the GRIT program. Applications due March 15! Listen and learn about: What is the GRIT program? How does the GRIT program work? What impact has the GRIT program had? How can you, the listeners apply to the GRIT program! GRIT Program: https://www.robinhood.org/program/grit/ Robin Hood Foundation: https://www.robinhood.org/ Drive Change: https://www.drivechangenyc.org/ Quote: "Everything old is new again"

In this episode, we talk to Miranda Ling, Director of Advancement for 826 Valencia, about how they use Afrofuturism to help raise funds. Miranda explains what Afrofuturism is and how it can be used as a tool to challenge mainstream narratives and inspire new ways of thinking about the future. They share their experiences incorporating Afrofuturism into their fundraising strategies and how it has helped them engage with donors in a meaningful way. If you're interested in innovative fundraising techniques and the power of Afrofuturism, this episode is a must-listen! To connect with Miranda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandashepherd/ To watch Miranda's afrofuturist film-noir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dry8z6UhZtU&feature=youtu.be (The Lavender Files | Ep. 1 From Dusk) Some of Miranda's author recommendations: Octavia Butler NK Jemisin Tomi Adeyemi Quote from Miranda "It's not what we're fighting against, it's what we're fighting for"

Join me and one of my favorite repeat guests Greg Warner, CEO of Marketsmart. In this episode, we unpack so much of what is wrong with so-called "best practices" in fundraising and why administrators make fundraisers' lives so difficult. We talk about ways to talk with donors when they are ready and have indicated their willingness to talk to us and how to structure investment-level conversations. Get your pens out to take some serious notes. To connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmarketsmart/ To download Greg's invitation samples, visit: https://go.rheawong.com/invitation QUOTE from Greg "When thinking about a cause, the area of the brain that lights up is the same one when we think about family or love."

Today, we're talking about a really cool topic - using hostage negotiation tactics in fundraising. Our guest today is none other than Troy Smith, a seasoned hostage negotiator who's going to share his expertise with us. We'll dive into what hostage negotiation is, how the principles of it can be applied to fundraising, and the key takeaways that fundraisers need to keep in mind when using these techniques. Troy even gives us some practical tips to get started, so you won't want to miss this one! Trust us, this episode 🎙 is packed with actionable advice and insider knowledge from someone who knows how to get what they want in high-pressure situations. So, grab a pen and paper and get ready to take some notes. To learn more about the Black Swan Group: https://www.blackswanltd.com/ To connect with Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-smith-6375298/ QUOTE from Troy "Be curious, not judgemental"

In this interview, I talk about Donor-Advised Funds or DAFs and crypto donations with Alexis Miller, who is the donor engagement and strategic partnerships lead at Endaoment.   Listen to this entire podcast episode if you want to know more about NFTs, DAOs, and a lot more interesting topics of cryptocurrencies in the nonprofit space. Alexis will help everyone understand these concepts related to crypto, how they work, and how you can help those who are interested in crypto to get involved in supporting what you do in the nonprofit community. On top of that, Alexis also shares her thoughts about the controversy of DAFs and payouts. A lot more of this in this episode, so tune in! To connect with Alexis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-miller-880b2160/   To learn more about EnDAOment: https://endaoment.org/   QUOTES from Alexis "Crypto donors aren't reading newsletters"

In this episode, Adam Michael Royston and Marvin Vilma are back and they're diving into the hot topic of East Coast vs. West Coast fundraising. These two fundraising experts have a wealth of experience between them, and they're bringing their unique perspectives to the table to give listeners a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities between fundraising on opposite coasts.  From the fast-paced hustle of New York City to the tech-heavy vibe of San Francisco, Adam Michael and Marvin will take listeners on a journey through the fundraising landscape of the East and West Coasts. They'll share their own personal experiences, as well as insights and actionable tips for listeners looking to raise money in either region. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of fundraising and all its vagaries. To connect with Adam Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-michael-royston-cfre-/ To connect with Marvin Vilma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvilma/ QUOTE "I know nonprofit fundraisers who put Burning Man in their budget"

In this delightful podcast episode, Yamilee Toussaint Beach shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in scaling up her nonprofit STEM from Dance. She explains how having a clear mission and vision, strong leadership, and a dedicated team are essential for any nonprofit looking to grow. One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of investment in skills building for leaders. Yamilee's personal experience of scaling up STEM from Dance will help you to think about how to invest your resources, how to manage your time and what not to sacrifice as you grow. To learn more about STEM from Dance, visit: https://stemfromdance.org/ To connect with Yamilee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yamilee-toussaint-beach/ QUOTE FROM Yamilee "I don't want to sacrifice the culture for the growth."