

What the Fundraising
Mallory Erickson
What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way. Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser.There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all.So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you.If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Dec 12, 2023 • 25min
161: The People Behind the Products: Amplify Your Nonprofit's Reach by Harnessing the Power of Influencer Marketing Success with Nick Lynch
Collidescope CEO Nick Lynch guides nonprofits on harnessing influencer collaborations. Learn about integrating influencers, valuable partnerships, and cost-effective approaches for advocacy.

Dec 7, 2023 • 23min
160: The People Behind the Products: Maximize Donor Engagement: Secrets to Modern Fundraising with Owen O'Doherty
Owen O'Doherty, an expert in modern fundraising and donor engagement, shares secrets to maximizing donor engagement in this podcast. Topics include exhibiting fundraising impact, engaging donors through storytelling and media, overcoming donor fatigue, and building relationships with donors.

Dec 6, 2023 • 25min
159: The People Behind the Products: Unveiling the Art and Science of AI-Assisted Creativity with Philip Deng
Philip Deng, Co-founder and CEO of Grantable, discusses the future of creative expression in the era of artificial intelligence. They explore how technology and AI can support the nonprofit sector and relieve the burden of repetitive storytelling. The conversation also delves into the effects of AI on perfectionism and content creation in small nonprofits, highlighting the importance of human creativity. The speaker touches on timing and call-to-action for listeners, providing additional resources about the guest and Grantable.

Dec 5, 2023 • 24min
158: The People Behind the Products: Utilizing Technology to Enhance Donor Connection and Annual Reports with Josh Kligman
Josh Kligman, CEO of Yearly, discusses the transformative power of storytelling in nonprofit annual reports. Topics include challenges in report creation, transition to digital platforms, strategic use of storytelling, overcoming resistance to technology adoption, responsible use of AI in fundraising, advancements in technology, and bridging the technology gap in nonprofit sector.

Nov 28, 2023 • 9min
157: Boost Your GivingTuesday With a Four-year-old's Words of Affirmation With Emmie Erickson
Four-year-old Emmie Erickson, daughter of Mallory Erickson, offers wisdom and positivity to fundraisers on GivingTuesday. They discuss challenges and give advice from the book 'It's Okay to Make Mistakes.' Topics include bravery, love, joy, embracing mistakes, seeking help, and affirmations.

Nov 21, 2023 • 28min
156: A Deep Dive into Parenthood, Fundraising, and Professional Growth in the Nonprofit Landscape with Lacey Kempinski
Lacey Kempinski, a dynamic force in the non-profit sector, discusses the challenges of balancing parenting and fundraising. She shares the importance of intentional onboarding processes, the need for parental leave coverage, and the significance of workplace support. Lacey also emphasizes building a strong support system, maintaining clear communication with employers, and embracing a growth mindset for personal and professional development.

11 snips
Nov 14, 2023 • 32min
155: Estate Planning for Equity with Cecilia Amo
Join us for an insightful discussion with Cecilia Amo, an attorney who focuses on estate planning. Discover how estate planning goes beyond financial wealth to protect loved ones, preserve values, and create lasting impacts in the community. Explore the flaws in typical estate planning experiences, the importance of building partnerships, and creating generational wealth. Gain insights on approaching difficult conversations about estate planning, addressing equity and bias, and the importance of education. Plus, find valuable resources and a free webinar on prioritization in fundraising.

Nov 7, 2023 • 30min
154: From Curiosity to Purpose: Revolutionizing Higher Education with David Hurwitt
Join us for a thought-provoking and inspiring podcast episode as we delve deep into the mind of David Hurwitt, a visionary entrepreneur with a unique perspective on business and its role in society. David takes us through his experiences, sharing insights that have shaped his mission-driven approach to entrepreneurship.David Hurwitt is the visionary Founder and CEO of Troove, a groundbreaking software company aimed at transforming the landscape of higher education admissions. Troove leverages the power of data science and machine learning to harness the predictive insights derived from the experiences of past college attendees. By matching this invaluable experience data with the values, abilities, priorities, and ambitions of prospective students, Troove revolutionizes the college selection process.With a brief 15-minute questionnaire, Troove provides applicants with Learning Culture and Social Culture fit scores, clearly understanding how well they align with those who have previously succeeded at their chosen institutions. This data-driven approach eliminates the guesswork and empowers students to discover their ideal academic and social environment, making college admissions and attainment more innovative and accessibleIn this episode, you will be able to:
Explore David's entrepreneurial journey with his startup "Troove" and the evolution of his motivation from a personal quest to revolutionize college admissions.
Witness the transformative power of questioning conventional wisdom.
Understand the role of empathy in driving innovation within higher education.
Learn about the building blocks of a mission-driven business.
Discover the significance of the 'why' in a business and how it should be at the core of every venture.
Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefundraising_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraisingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/Website: malloryerickson.com/podcastLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

Oct 31, 2023 • 30min
153: The Art of Fundraising Beyond the Ask: Finding Joy, Building Relationships, and Making a Difference with Kristal Frazier
Welcome to an inspiring episode that takes you on a deep dive into the world of fundraising, where authentic connections, passion, and joy are at the heart of success. From overcoming the fear of asking for donations to navigating the complex relationship dynamics, today's conversation provides fundraisers and nonprofit professionals with the tools and strategies they need to excel in their roles. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting in the field, this episode will empower you to build authentic connections and unleash your full potential in fundraising!In this episode, meet Kristal Frazier, an extraordinary international speaker, results-driven trainer, and soon-to-be bestselling author. With a captivating presence and a passion for empowering individuals and organizations, Kristal is affectionately known as the "Queen of Conversation."Over the past decade, Kristal has graced stages across North America, Europe, and Africa, where she has shared her wealth of knowledge and expertise with thousands of students, small business owners, nonprofit executives, and a diverse range of professionals. Her impact is undeniable, having collectively guided her audience to secure an astounding $200 million in funding from funders and individual donors. Having walked the challenging path of fundraising herself, Kristal understands the intricacies and difficulties that come with the territory. Yet, she firmly believes that speaking confidently and in authority is the key to fearless fundraising. With her guidance, you can learn the skills necessary to ask for and secure the funding and donations essential to your organization's or program's success.In this episode, you will be able to:
Learn how to overcome fundraising fear and speak with confidence.
Discover the art of fundraising beyond the ask.
Explore how to infuse empathy into conversations, create genuine connections with donors, and cultivate lasting relationships.
Get an insight into balancing the complex world of fundraising and human connection.
Learn how to find joy and synergy in fundraising.
Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Many thanks to our sponsor, iWave for making this episode possible. Our friends at iWave help nonprofits identify, qualify, and retain donors to raise more major gifts. Using their comprehensive software, iWave gives you access to the industry’s highest quality wealth and philanthropic information so you can determine who to ask, how much to ask for, and when to ask. To get a demo and learn more, check out iWave.Connect with me: Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatthefundraising_Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatthefundraisingYouTube: www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/Website: malloryerickson.com/podcastLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

Oct 24, 2023 • 31min
152: The Key to Responsible, Effective, and Impactful Adoption of AI with Shereese Floyd
In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast,Join us on an enlightening conversation to demystify AI's role in the nonprofit world and discover the keys to responsible, effective, and impactful AI adoption. Whether you're a nonprofit professional or simply curious about AI's potential, this podcast offers valuable insights that can benefit organizations of all sizes!My guest today, Shereese Floyd, is a seasoned women's leadership consultant and founder of AI consultants for nonprofits. As the founder of AI Consultants for Nonprofits, Shereese is at the forefront of utilizing technology to transform the nonprofit sector. Her consultancy empowers nonprofits to leverage artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively, opening new avenues for growth and impact. Also, Shereese is a remarkable individual who is passionate about empowering women and driving positive change in the nonprofit sector. As a dynamic thought leader and advocate for women's empowerment, she is dedicated to helping women step into their power and expertise.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover how AI transforms the nonprofit landscape, empowering organizations to use technology more responsibly and effectively.Learn about the phenomenon of "AI hallucination" and why verifying the accuracy of AI-generated information is crucial before relying on it for critical decision-making.Explore how AI can be trained to effectively align with an organization's mission and engage with its target audience.Gain valuable advice on approaching AI integration with a clear plan and purpose, ensuring that it complements your team's efforts rather than overwhelming them.Uncover the hidden potential of Canva and how it can simplify tasks and streamline operations for nonprofits.Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Many thanks to our sponsor, iWave for making this episode possible. Our friends at iWave help nonprofits identify, qualify, and retain donors to raise more major gifts. Using their comprehensive software, iWave gives you access to the industry’s highest quality wealth and philanthropic information so you can determine who to ask, how much to ask for, and when to ask. To get a demo and learn more, check out iWave.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefundraising_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraisingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/Website: malloryerickson.com/podcastLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point