What the Fundraising

SEO. The mention of those three little letters sends many of us in the nonprofit sector scurrying for cover. But spend a little time with my guest on this episode of What the Fundraising and I promise you’ll feel empowered to explore all things Search Engine Optimization! Rafi Norberg, President of Nexus Marketing, walks us through what it means to raise your online profile and shares some great (free!) tools to get even the most tech-phobic among us started.You’ll be interested in hearing how the world of digital marketing has evolved over the eight years since Rafi founded his company and the ways in which he has pivoted. Riding the tides of change and a human-centric approach, Nexus has kept the work fresh, engaging and organically satisfying. How? By emphasizing a collaborative, relationship-based approach to getting the job done. Whether we’re talking community awareness or donor engagement, Ravi believes that partnerships are foundational to growth. “Being open to more conversations generally leads to different opportunities,” he says. “If you're overly exclusive … it actually makes the process of building your digital brand very difficult.” Ready to raise your online profile and boost your outreach? This episode will give you the digital insights and tools you need to get started on that path!Get all the resources and timestamps from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedInHave you stopped by our new What the Fundraising community forum? Check it out and join the conversation at this link.Ready to streamline and modernize your organization’s fundraising strategy? Smash through stumbling blocks with my VIP Day, an intensive one-to-one executive coaching experience. You can also click here to learn how I can work with you to pinpoint problems, develop a clear plan, and create content and design habits to support your nonprofit in achieving its goals.Please note: This episode is a part of a very special series called The People Behind the Products. More than ever, nonprofits care about the company behind their technology and service providers. What’s the underlying mission and vision of the company? What do they stand for? And how are they thinking about the sector and serving nonprofits? This series is an opportunity to get to know some of my favorite nonprofit technology companies so that the next time you’re making a tech decision, you can understand a little bit more about the people behind the product. There is no sponsorship or industry money behind the production of this series and the editorial content was at the sole discretion of the What the Fundraising team.

The truth is, all limiting beliefs aside, we can make giving fun. And Max Friedman and the team at Givebutter are proving this to be true each and every day. They have created a crowdfunding platform that seeks to raise funds that will empower the next generation of changemakers. In this episode of What the Fundraising I get to talk to Max about his entrepreneurial journey, from starting in his college dorm room, to what it’s like to be a 27 year old leader of a rising tech company. There are so many great fundraising tips in this episode, from automation suggestions to effective prompts to innovative engagement strategies, but my favorite topic that we talk about is Max’s imposter syndrome. Max, like all of us, experiences moments of self-doubt and his vulnerability in this episode is a true gift to the sector. He talks to us about how he manages his imposter syndrome and his top tips for nonprofit leaders dealing with similar doubts. You don’t want to miss this episode! [02:48] Understanding Max’s journey to founding Givebutter.[03:57] How Givebutter has evolved over the years.[05:53] Max narrates his experience with non-profits..[08:10] How Max deals with his imposter syndrome.[11:43] The fundraising space needs to go back to the basics. [13:06] Are we over automating in a way that leads to a loss in authenticity and connection? [16:02] Social media and authenticity.[18:07] How you can prompt people to give.[21:32] Hear how Max keeps himself motivated when he is having hard days.Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedInReady to streamline and modernize your organization’s fundraising strategy? Smash through stumbling blocks with my VIP Day, an intensive one-to-one executive coaching experience. You can also click here to learn how I can work with you to pinpoint problems, develop a clear plan, and create content and design habits to support your nonprofit in achieving its goals.This episode is a part of a very special series called The People Behind the Products. More than ever, nonprofits care about the company behind their technology and service providers. What’s the underlying mission and vision of the company? What do they stand for? And how are they thinking about the sector and serving nonprofits? This series is an opportunity to get to know some of my favorite nonprofit technology companies so that the next time you’re making a tech decision, you can understand a little bit more about the people behind the product. This series is unsponsored content and editorial decisions came from the What the Fundraising production team.

Here’s a data point worth highlighting: Dollars invested in female-founded startups offer an average 63% better return on investment than those with male founders. That’s not merely anecdotal, says my guest on this episode of What the Fundraising. Katica Roy, a Gender Economist, and CEO at Pipeline Equity, has all the stats and research to back up her assertions about intersectional inequity and its many costs – both social and economic. Her powerful Pipeline platform operationalizes gender equity, drives improved business performance, and offers success metrics to back it up. Inspired by her parents’ dramatic journeys -- from refugees to capturing the American dream – Katica is devoted to making a systemic change that is backed up by measurable controls, top-down corporate commitment, and supportive, smart policy. Our conversation illuminates a number of disturbing statistics as well as avenues for making meaningful change. That change, however, all has to start with our individual and organizational ability to look candidly at biases clearly being perpetuated, even among nonprofits whose missions are dedicated to fostering justice and fair access for the under-served. The episode wraps up with some fascinating advice from a formidable female entrepreneur who has experienced first-hand the uphill battle women face in trying to secure funding. Among the many things she has learned? “Standing in your own power is important … You will get pushback and that's okay. That just means you're doing something right!” Check out Bloomerang’s fantastic resource: Diversity, Inclusion & Equity policy template to start the process of creating equity in your nonprofit. We’re so grateful for their resources and for their support of this episode. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedIn 🚨Breaking News: We have a new What the Fundraising Community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

We’ve all been there: Ghosted by a donor and wondering why, why, why? My guest on this episode of What the Fundraising is showing us how to redirect our minds, dismantling the reflexive responses that play in our heads and inhabit our bodies. Britt Frank, a somatic psychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of "The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward," walks us through the many ways in which our reactions (and overreactions) are embedded within our bodies. Because so many of us are detached from our own sensations, we revert automatically to our brains in search of solutions. And that's all too often pinging around inside our heads? Lots of noisy self-doubts, recrimination, and other negative thoughts that do not serve. As Britt explains, however, we can befriend even the most toxic of emotions and in so doing diffuse them. “When we know how our brains work, we can feel like we're in the driver's seat of our life,” she says, “instead of locked in the trunk of the car, driving 95 miles down the highway.” You’ll love hearing how this multi-modality therapist and thinker came to her work, why ultimatums are less effective than healthy boundaries, and what modest actions you can take to interrupt when your body has taken over the driver’s seat.Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedInWant to raise more from the right funders without hounding them and banish your self-doubt in the meantime? Mallory’s FREE masterclass offers a great starting point!Support for this show is brought to you by Bloomerang. Our friends at Bloomerang really understand fundraisers, which is how they make donor management software that nonprofits like to use. To learn more about them, head on over to bloomerang.com/mallory.

Are you a changemaker? The call to action on this episode of What the Fundraising is rooted in the notion that we can all be leaders of the change we seek. Alex Budak, a faculty member at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, believes leadership is ripe for redefinition – and has data to prove it! He walks us through how the human tendency to maintain the status quo impacts social change and why the greatest CEOs tend to balance confidence with a lot of humility. We’re also hearing all about Alex’s new book, "Becoming a Changemaker: An Actionable, Inclusive Guide to Leading Positive Change at Any Level," as well as the quantitative work behind his “Changemaker Index.” A teacher, speaker, and consultant, Alex’s primary mission is to help empower people from all walks of life to become changemakers – activists leading the charge in whatever their realm. He has given talks on leadership, entrepreneurship, and changemaking worldwide, from Cambodia to Ukraine – and has also advised at the White House and UN agencies.  You’ll come away from this episode with a new perspective on our culture’s tendency to glorify social entrepreneurs and leaders in general, a clear understanding of Alex’s “Three Pillars of Changemaking” and a fresh resolve to stand tall and lean into fear. We break down what failure really looks like and exercises for getting acclimated – which we all need to do. Why? Because there’s lots of work to be done, whether you’re a fundraiser in the nonprofit sector or a community member who knows things can be better. “There’s so much leadership to go around if we’re willing to seize those leadership moments,” says Alex. “And that’s my call to action: For all of us to see those moments around us and step into them.”See all the show notes at malloryerickson.com/podcast. Follow along on Instagram at @whatthefundraising_Connect with Mallory on LinkedInMany thanks to our sponsor Cosmic, the social impact creativity agency that delivers compelling stories, builds brand awareness, and inspires action. The team at Cosmic knows how to leverage clarity to catalyze real-world change and help you become the changemaker you were meant to be. 

Perfectionism can be sneaky. We think we’re just working hard, doing our best, and tirelessly serving others. And we are. But, as my guest on this episode of What the Fundraising points out, there can also be a lot of ego driving our behaviors and it needs to be explored. Kamilah Martin, Founder & CEO of Katalyst Consulting Group, leverages her decades of nonprofit experience to help align leaders in the sector – especially those whose organizations are experiencing transition. We are untangling the many ways that we can get in the way of our own best intentions – especially when we’ve got unexplored blind spots. That’s where a well-grounded executive coach can make all the difference, holding space for self-inquiry around deeply ingrained (often counter-productive) beliefs. The work is invaluable, says Kamilah, whose experience has been that self-aware leaders tend to be the most successful. Why? Because they bring a humanity-centered set of tools and solutions. Even when we’re doing all the work and showing up for ourselves the best we know how there are going to be emotional triggers. Fundraisers – like all humans – will always be a work in progress. This conversation nudges us to take some grace and loosen that perfectionistic death grip. Openness is like a breath of fresh air, plus it truly helps our organizations thrive.Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedInIf 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!Many thanks to our incredible sponsors at DonorPerfect. DonorPerfect has a lot of free educational resources for fundraisers. Learn more and download some of their guides and tools today at donorperfect.com/mallory.

We are looking at leadership strengths through a feminine lens on this episode of What the Fundraising with my guest, Natalie Rekstad. As Founder and CEO at Black Fox Philanthropy, Natalie is mobilizing resources in all kinds of innovative ways and – as importantly – makes them open source and welcoming to even the smallest organizations to tap a wealth of wisdom. In the process of helping domestic nonprofits and international NGOs build capacities and strengthen their leadership frameworks, Natalie has also gathered tremendous data points on what kinds of qualities define the most highly functional organizations. One of the consistent throughlines, says Natalie, is leaders with a passionate commitment that is not all about themselves. While in the past there has been a lot of deference to charismatic, overtly strong male energy in leadership, we are seeing today a shift in appreciation towards the power of other, more nuanced qualities. Natalie shares a long list of the questions she asks when assessing who is at the helm of an organization and how their most pronounced qualities impact the culture. We also take a deep dive into the power dynamics that can trip up fundraisers, including feeling beholden or disempowered when presenting to funders. It’s about an equal exchange, says Natalie, and understanding that nonprofit teams have something as important as financial resources to bring to the equation. If you’d like to learn more about how Black Fox’s trusted advisors deliver fundraising expertise to organizations of all sizes and budgets, you can read their blog, with fascinating articles like this one, “Choreography that Translates into Deeper Relationships and Increased Funding.”Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Follow along on Instagram Connect with Mallory on LinkedInWant to raise more from the right funders without hounding them? Mallory’s FREE masterclass offers a great starting point!Many thanks to our sponsor, Neon One, the all-in-one donor management system that keeps small and midsized nonprofits on track with fundraising, communications, events, volunteers, and more. You can learn about Neon One's entire suite of products and services here and join me at this year’s Generosity Exchange by grabbing your ticket here.

What does it look like to come from a place of wholeness – fully embodied and aligned with our core values? And why is it so hard in this day and age to feel whole? In this episode of What the Fundraising, we start that conversation with an understanding of our nervous systems. Today’s guest, Gabriel Kram, is a convener of The Restorative Practices Alliance, Co-Founder of the Academy of Applied Social Medicine, and Founder and CEO of Hearth Science, Inc. In this conversation, Gabriel explains the powerful benefits of cultivating a state of balance rooted in our thoughts, reactions, and connection with others.Gabriel walks us through polyvagal theory and breaks down the difference between sympathetic, ventral, and dorsal responses in our bodies. He also uses water in its various states as a powerful visual to help us identify the states (often reactive) in which our bodies are living at any given time. Once we understand this framework, it’s easier to find the right practices to move us towards harmony. There is a process to achieving this balance, and Gabriel has some wonderful tools to help us get started. You won’t be advised simply to be more mindful (which can mean so many things) or told you’ve got to keep your body from being fidgety (nervous systems do that). True self-care, explains Gabriel, is about so much more than any particular posture or activity. It’s about a deeper dive into our ancestrally-inspired human responses, deeply embedded traumas that extend well beyond our personal lived experiences, and the role of social connection in creating safe spaces where we can rest, reset and heal. We wrap up the episode with some actionable tips for coming back to our bodies and staying there. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:(03:30) About Gabriel’s work.(04:55) What exactly does it mean to live in our wholeness? (06:40) The two ways humans tend to separate themselves from wholeness.(07:33) About the neurological implications of feeling connected.(08:53) The dorsal state is one of physiological paralysis.(10:04) Polyvagal theory and our autonomic nervous system.(11:40) An explanation of our three primary states of being.(13:25) Gabriel breaks down the attributes of paralysis.(16:05) The connection between these states and fundraising.(17:51) How to navigate anxiety and aroused states when fundraising.(18:16) Ventral and sympathetic states.(20:37) Neural exercises help to keep our nervous systems balanced.(22;10) Our resistance to practices that bring us back into our bodies.(26:16) Self-care vs. community care. (29:37) Principles and practices to help manage your body when it’s in a “steam” state.(33:16) Further thoughts on the dorsal state and how to come out of it.(38:36) Learn more about Gabriel and Restorative Practices Alliance. Many thanks to our sponsor, Neon One, the all-in-one donor management system that keeps small and midsized nonprofits on track with fundraising, communications, events, volunteers, and more. You can learn about Neon One's entire suite of products and services here and join me at this year’s Generosity Exchange by grabbing your ticket here. 

Political fundraising versus nonprofit fundraising. They might be very different animals, but there are still common lessons to be learned. My guest on this episode of What the Fundraising is offering fascinating insights into what does – and doesn’t – work when it comes to attracting and retaining a loyal donor base. A certified NationBuilder expert, Ian Patrick Hines knows how to leverage game-changing tools and why it’s important to differentiate between high-pressure, quick conversion campaigns and the kinds of high-quality, sustained communications that cement nonprofit partnerships.Ian offers great strategies for shifting your fundraising model from one of scarcity to deep abundance, fills us in on the current status of various modes of pitching, and reframes donor communication as an ongoing conversation rather than endless series of “donate now” emails. You’ll learn about the inverse relationship between pseudo-urgency and long-term donor engagement as well as how to develop a communications style that will establish your organization as a trusted advisor – rather than another source of noise simply to be tuned out.Updates featuring personal narratives and compelling voices, in the long run, says Ian, are far likelier to generate the donor relationships that fundraisers seek. His best advice? If he was running a nonprofit, he would email a lot. But he would rarely ask for money.Episode Highlights:(02:57) Ian’s fundraising journey (03:40) The changes we’ve seen in political fundraising and campaigns generally(05:12) Scarcity versus Abundance(08:37) Quality Matters(10:16) The pitfalls of taking an overly aggressive or deceptive startup approach (13:23) Time-box moments. How to do them right and wrong.(17:05) The challenge to keep fundraising authentic in a click-bait world.(22:20) Conversion rates and real on-the-ground responses(25:27) Ian’s advice for nonprofits on their communication’s strategy. (26:50) Establishing trust through your communications. (30:36) The numbers Ian uses to know if he’s ‘on track’ with his fundraising(31:30) All about fundraising via text.(37:42) More about Ian and where to find him. Many thanks to NationBuilder, the innovative software platform that builds movements, for sponsoring this episode of What the Fundraising. With everything in one integrated system, NationBuilder tools empower nonprofits and drive dynamic campaigns.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 that helps you identify the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point!You might also be interested in taking my Fundraising Superpower Quiz.

Feel like getting outside your box? Then spend some time with Mariam Nusrat, my guest on this episode of What the Fundraising! A lightbulb realization during her 12-year frontlines career working on educational policy and behavioral change in developing countries for the World Bank has transformed her into a video games visionary. As Founder and CEO of GRID (Gaming Revolution for International Development), she has unleashed a not-for-profit platform that is democratizing mobile games, advocating for a better world, and offering players of all ages, cultures, and geographies a ton of fun along the way! And fun = retention!But there’s more … Mariam has more recently launched Breshna.io, a startup that empowers global users to create, share and monetize their own purposeful Web3 video games, with no code and at lightning speed. She is sharing thoughts on how nonprofits can incorporate interactivity and other tech tools to enliven fundraising and deepen connections with funders, volunteers, and donor recipients alike.As Mary Poppins famously said: “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Video gaming is Mariam Nusrat’s engaging and playful strategy for driving a new, more equitable frontier built on interactive community, collaboration, and education, and there is so much that nonprofits can learn from her.Episode Highlights:(02:20) Mariam's experience at the World Bank brings her to today(03:36) The founding of Breshna.io and raising $2.4 million of seed capital (06:09) The three I’s that make gaming such a compelling educational tool(06:41) How do mobile games get the best retention (09:14) Gamification: What it is and how it works. (14:14) The similarities between nonprofit proposals and mobile games(15:33) How to create the gamification of nonprofit functions (20:09) The “crystal ball” effect(22:44) Taking bite-sized steps forward(25:03) Collaborative versus Competitive environments(27:35) About the psychology of “showing up” (29:48) The trade-off between too easy and too difficult(33:03) Retention is about more than luck.(34:51) NFTs and how to make donors feel lucky and exclusive in an equitable way. (40:41) What it means to have a “building in public” philosophy What’s more powerful than a stellar fundraising strategy? Integrated software that helps you manage with ease. Visit NationBuilder, our sponsor for this episode of What the Fundraising, to learn about their ready-to-go donation pages, express payment options, and other tools to support you on every step of your nonprofit’s journey! If you’re looking to lift your nonprofit to that next level, my Power Partners Formula offers a step-by-step plan to get you there, including how to identify the right partners and design the right campaign. This free masterclass offers a great starting point!