Nonprofit Lowdown

Maria Griffin, Chief Advancement Officer at DREAM and fundraising consultant, shares her insights on effective nonprofit strategies. She reveals how to raise over $20M by building a strong team and focusing on meaningful donor connections. Maria discusses the pitfalls of traditional galas versus intimate events that foster genuine engagement. She highlights the importance of aligning communications with fundraising efforts for better results, and how using weekly pipeline meetings can energize team performance. A must-listen for nonprofit leaders!

Hey friends—I'm turning my recent Leadership Connect session into a podcast episode because the conversation was too real not to share with a wider audience.If you’re a fundraiser, ED, or nonprofit leader navigating today’s uncertainty, this one’s for you. Yes, the economy is wobbly. Yes, federal and state dollars are shrinking. But no, that doesn't mean the money isn’t out there.In this episode, I break down:The 5 hidden leaks in your fundraising pipeline5 power moves you can implement today to keep money flowingWhy people don’t stop giving during recessions—and the data to prove itThe neuroscience behind why we sabotage our own fundraising (spoiler: survival brain)Why your email list is more valuable than your social media followingAnd how to stop seeing yourself as a fundraiser and start showing up as a philanthropic advisorThis is the mindset and math that will keep you afloat—and thriving—even in turbulent times.Important Links:Nonprofit Connect: https://www.nonprofitconnectnj.org/ 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/ 

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Karla Altmayer, co-founder of Healing to Action, on Nonprofit Lowdown this week — and wow, this conversation is a must-listen.We talked about how her team is flipping the script on both gender-based violence and traditional fundraising. Instead of fancy decks or transactional asks, they’re hosting underground dinners that focus on authentic connection, shared values, and deep community building.As Karla said, donors aren’t just checkbooks — they’re part of the movement. 🙌If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind of fundraising or disconnected from your mission, this episode will inspire you to rethink everything.Important Links:Karla’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlaaltmayer/ Healing to Action: https://www.healingtoaction.org/  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/ 

This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I had the absolute pleasure of reconnecting with my friend Yully Cha, SVP of Research & Policy and Senior Advisor at Embrace Boston. We dove into a deep and inspiring conversation about what it really means to lead equity work in today’s climate—and why joy and belonging are central to the fight for justice. 💥We talked about: ✨ The story behind the Embrace MLK monument in Boston ✨ The power of public space in shaping belonging and democracy ✨ Fundraising as storytelling (and yes, I coached her through it back in the day!) ✨ Why we must be LOUD and unafraid in this political moment ✨ How we get young people engaged in democracy againThere’s so much heart in this one. Yully is brilliant, bold, and deeply committed—and I know you’ll walk away feeling fired up.“You can always get another dollar—but never another moment of time.” That hit me hard.🎧 Take a listen and let me know what you think!Important Links:Yully’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yullycha/  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/ 

If you’re struggling with donor retention (let’s be real — who isn’t?), you need to hear this convo I had with my friend Sean Littman, founder of GiveSuite.com.We got into the real talk about why retention in the nonprofit sector is so dismal (below 40% — yikes), and more importantly, what to actually do about it. 💡Here’s a taste of what we covered:  -Why “continuing the conversation” works better than traditional follow-up -How to build trust before you ask someone to coffee -Why your quarterly impact report isn’t moving the needle -How storytelling emails and small, creative offers can transform donor relationships -The power of giving first to create real reciprocitySean dropped so many gems in this one — if you want to raise more money without burning out constantly chasing new donors, give it a listen. 🎧Important Links:Sean’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-littman-catch22nonprofit/ 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/ 

Nonprofit fam, you do not want to miss this one.On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with the brilliant, bold, and beautifully authentic Jacob Adams — founder + CEO of Inner Spark — to talk about what it really means to lead and fundraise with authenticity. 🙌🏽🔥We go deep on: Being unapologetically real in funder relationshipsWhy authenticity isn't just a buzzword — it's a strategy Navigating political + environmental uncertainty while staying rooted in equityFundraising as relationship-building, not performanceJacob drops truth bombs about compliance culture in schools, the myth of professionalism, and why he refuses to "obey in advance." You’ll laugh, you’ll nod, you’ll probably rewind a few times.Important Links:Jacob’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobadams706/ Jacob’s Newsletter: https://www.innersparklab.org/ 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/ 

Nonprofit Leaders, it's time to wake up and take action! In the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with two experts, Michelle Flores Vryn and Evan Wildstein, to dive deep into a critical issue facing our sector: nonprofit staffing struggles.They discuss trends from their groundbreaking Social Impact Staff Retention Report, revealing that 7 out of 10 nonprofit staff are actively looking for new jobs in 2025 — a number that's still alarmingly high, and indicative of widespread burnout, insufficient support, and unrealistic workload expectations. In this eye-opening conversation, they explore:The true reasons behind nonprofit staff turnover (hint: it's not just about pay 💸)How to better support your team by letting go of outdated practices and fostering growth 🔄AI in the nonprofit sector: Can it help reduce burnout by taking over repetitive tasks? 🤖One of the most important takeaways? Leaders need to model healthy work-life balance to retain staff and create sustainable success. 🌟Important Links:Evan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-a-wildstein/ Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvryn/ The Nonprofiteers: https://www.thenonprofiteers.com/ SISR:https://www.thenonprofiteers.com/sisr 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 

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m joined by my friend and former student, Kriste Peoples, the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness in Colorado. We talk about the power of community, what it’s like being a BIPOC leader in the outdoor space, and how we’re challenging the idea that the outdoors is only for certain people. 🌿✨Kriste shares the incredible work Women’s Wilderness is doing to create outdoor experiences for women and non-binary folks, especially those from underrepresented communities. From rock climbing to birdwatching, they're making nature more accessible for everyone.We also dive into the impact of community dinners—simple gatherings where people come together, share stories, and advocate for the outdoors. It’s all about lowering barriers and making sure everyone knows that nature belongs to them, too. 🍽️💬This conversation is full of insights on leadership, inclusivity, and how to find connection in times of uncertainty. It’s a reminder that the outdoors is for everyone, no matter your background or where you come from.Important Links:Kriste's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristepeoples 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/ 

I’m so excited to share the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown where I sit down with my good friend and former student, Faith Galati, Executive Director of Breakthrough Sacramento. She’s here to talk about her incredible journey of turning her nonprofit’s fundraising around, and how she more than doubled her budget!💡 What we dive into:Shifting your mindset: Faith shares how she went from a place of fundraising fear to an abundance mindset, unlocking new opportunities.Building a high-performing board: She breaks down how to recruit, train, and hold your board members accountable (without doing everything yourself).The $50,000 rum cake 🥮: Trust me, it’s not what you think, but it helped Faith land some serious funds.The power of asking: Faith learned the importance of confidently making the ask and how it changed everything for her nonprofit.Faith’s story is truly inspiring, and you’ll want to hear how she landed a $900,000 grant and turned a fear-based approach into a fundraising machine! 🌟Important Links:Free Training for Community Dinners: https://courses.rheawong.com/offers/4686d410-8de8-4605-8cb5-1cbf8bd39c24Link to connect with Faith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-galati-2400b3239/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/ 

Hey, nonprofit fam! It's Rhea Wong here, bringing you an exciting new episode featuring insights from my recent webinar with the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference's Tactical Tuesdays. This one is all about major gift fundraising and why you should be leaning into your major donors NOW.Plus, I’m starting something new on my podcast—answering YOUR burning questions!  Have a question about nonprofit fundraising or anything else? Email it to me at question@rheawong.com and I may feature it in an upcoming episode! 🙌In this episode, I dive deep into: ✨ The power of major gifts and how they fuel transformative change ✨ The importance of building relationships with your donors, not just their wallets ✨ How to qualify prospects the right way for your nonprofit's success (Hint: It’s not just about wealth screenings)If you’ve been thinking about how to take your fundraising strategy to the next level, this one’s for you! Let’s co-create something amazing. Catch the full episode now, and don't forget to send in your questions! 🎧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/