Nonprofit Lowdown

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/ 

It’s Rhea Wong back with another episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic I’m passionate about—MARKETING! If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I don’t have enough prospects in my pipeline,” or “Why are my donors not responding?” then this episode is for YOU. I’m breaking down two key issues that nonprofits face:1️⃣ Why your donor pipeline is running dry. 2️⃣ Why the donors you DO have are ghosting you.Let’s face it—donors aren't ignoring you because they’re too busy; they’re ignoring you because you haven’t given them a compelling reason to engage! In this episode, I share actionable strategies on: ✨ How to fill your pipeline with new prospects. ✨ How to make your donors feel like they matter—so they’ll actually engage with YOU. ✨ Why marketing is your fundraising secret weapon. Want to hear more? Tune in and start building stronger connections with your donors TODAY!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/ 

Hey Nonprofit Lowdown listeners! Rhea Wong here with an episode that’s all about shifting your mindset from fear to possibility. 💡I’m sharing a powerful story about a farmer and his horse, illustrating how we often jump to conclusions, but we don’t truly know if something is “good” or “bad” until we look at the bigger picture. It’s time to ask: What could go right? In a world filled with crisis, it’s easy to catastrophize, but what if we embraced challenges as opportunities for growth? Let’s focus on what’s working, stay proactive, and stay grounded in times of uncertainty. 🎧 In this episode, I talk about: The nature of luck & how to increase your chances of success. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. Action steps to stay proactive, including creative financing and leadership investment.Are you ready to take action and flip the script? If you’re ready to take your nonprofit to the next level, join me for a FREE Board Fundraising Training on March 4th. We're in this together! 💪Important Links:Upcoming Events and Webinars: 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/ 

Are you feeling the stress of federal funding uncertainty? You're not alone. In this  episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I dive into how you can take control of your nonprofit’s financial future—even with all the unknowns in the air.I walk you through diversifying your revenue and engaging your board in major gift fundraising. Plus, I share a step-by-step playbook on how to build resilience and secure financial stability, no matter what happens in Washington.PLUS – Don't miss out on my free training on March 4th to help your board members become active fundraising allies.Tune in for practical strategies that will prepare your nonprofit to thrive, no matter what the future holds.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/ 

Are you tired of feeling like you're stuck in the endless loop of chasing donors, getting ghosted, and facing constant objections? If so, this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is a must-listen! In today's episode, I dive into the Top 3 Mistakes Fundraisers Make and give you a game plan on how to fix them NOW.  Here’s what we’re talking about: 1️⃣ Stop Chasing Donors Who Aren’t Interested – Learn how to qualify prospects and focus on the right people! 2️⃣ Don’t Rush the Ask – Slow down, build a relationship, and set the stage for long-term giving. 3️⃣ Avoid the Friend Zone – It’s great to build relationships, but don’t mistake friendship for commitment. 💡 Ready to stop wasting your time and start raising money like a pro? Tune in and let’s make this year YOUR best year for fundraising!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/ 

The podcast dives into the chaotic world of nonprofit marketing as we approach 2025. It highlights the importance of building authentic connections with donors amidst funding cuts and social media pressures. The discussion emphasizes understanding Gen Z’s influence and harnessing AI and automation to work smarter. Listeners are provided with actionable strategies for audience growth and effective fundraising, all while navigating the shifting landscape of nonprofit engagement. This is a must-listen for those craving innovative marketing ideas!

Get ready to shake things up in the nonprofit world in 2025! In this spicy episode, I bring together powerhouse voices from the nonprofit sector—Brooke Ritchie Babbage, Tania Bhattacharyya, Rachel Bearbower , Cindy Wagman, and Jess Campbell. Together, we are diving deep into what’s no longer working and what should be left behind for the year ahead. ✨The Darlings You Need to Kill This isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about doing away with the outdated, overused, and inefficient practices holding your organization back. In this episode, we share which nonprofit darlings we believe need to go. 💥 What’s the take-home? 2025 is going to be a year for nonprofit leaders to pivot and adapt to the changing landscape. Whether it’s in your fundraising strategy, digital presence, donor retention, or your team’s capacity, this episode will give you the clarity to say goodbye to what’s no longer serving you and embrace the future with courage. What darlings are you killing this year? Let us know on social or hit up Rhea directly at hello@rheawong.com. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode! Important Links: 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/ 

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I break down what sets the most successful leaders apart. It’s not just about grit and determination—it’s about having something to prove, embracing discomfort, and using accountability as fuel. Whether it’s frustration with the system, the hunger to make a difference, or the desire to silence critics, it’s that extra fire that drives leaders to go above and beyond. If you're ready to take bold action, embrace the discomfort, and prove to yourself and the world what you’re capable of, check out my Big Ask Gifts program and apply today! Important Links: 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’ve ever been frustrated by email newsletters that fall flat (or even worse, end up in the dreaded unsubscribe pile, this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is for YOU! 💡 In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the 10 most common email newsletter mistakes I see nonprofits making—and how to FIX them! ✨ 🔑 Highlights include: Too long? Simplify and cut the clutter! Is it relevant to me? Answer the “What’s in it for me?” question! Not frequent enough? Don’t be afraid to email regularly—value > frequency. Bad subject lines? Your subject line is your first impression. Make it count! Too organizational-centric? Think about your audience’s needs, not just your own. Not checking your stats? Track click-throughs, replies & real engagement—not just open rates. Dirty email list? Time for a clean-up to ensure you're reaching the right people! Too many CTAs? Focus on ONE clear action per email. Too fancy? Keep it simple—clean and readable > over-designed. Boring content? Inject personality and a strong point of view! Be remarkable, not beige! This episode is packed with practical tips that will transform how you communicate with your audience and boost your nonprofit’s engagement. Ready to send emails that get opened and read? Tune in now and let’s make your newsletters work harder for you! 💪 Want my two email clean-up sequence?  Send an email to hello@rheawong.com.  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/  Major Gifts Blueprint Webinar on January 30th https://go.rheawong.com/majorgiftsblueprint