What the Fundraising

Empathy, respect, and ethical responsibility are rooted in the practice of Trauma-Informed Storytelling. It recognizes that individuals who have experienced trauma often face challenges in regaining control, safety, and agency in their lives. This approach emphasizes giving people the power to decide how and when their stories are shared, ensuring that their dignity is upheld throughout the process. It's about striking a balance between crafting captivating narratives that inspire social change and fundraising while also protecting the well-being of storytellers and listeners. This approach encourages organizations to slow down, embrace small victories, and acknowledge that real change takes time.Maria Bryan is a speaker, and podcast host who helps storytellers safely gather and tell painful stories by speaking about trauma-informed storytelling. She assists storytellers in safely gathering and telling painful stories. She offers engaging virtual or in-person training for your upcoming conference, summit, retreat, or team/members. Storytellers will feel empowered with actionable insights and resources rooted in kindness and empathy. She joined us today to talk about the power of trauma-informed storytelling and guide us to tell stories ethically. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the importance of trauma-informed storytelling. Understand what trauma is. Learn about the ethical considerations of storytelling. Learn about the importance of having a harm-repair plan.  Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels.Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team.Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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.

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Christina Martin Kenny, a career fundraiser, consultant, and nonprofit changemaker, who is tackling some of the most persistent challenges in the sector. From unsustainable fundraising models to the high turnover of development staff, Christina is unafraid to speak candidly about the deeply ingrained systemic issues that make fundraising feel so hard—and why she still remains hopeful and optimistic about the future.Mallory and Christina explore burnout, misaligned expectations, and the harmful "martyrdom mindset" that has been baked into nonprofit culture for too long. This conversation isn’t just about identifying the problems—it’s about solutions. They dive into how to create sustainable change, break cycles of fundraiser turnover, and build healthier, more effective organizations that actually support the people doing the work.If you've ever felt like fundraising is an impossible, pressure-cooker of a job, this episode will make you feel seen—and hopefully, leave you with a sense of possibility for a better way forward.In this episode, you will be able to,- Learn the importance of addressing the hard truths within the nonprofit sector.- Discover the impact of isolation on mental health and the importance of addressing it to prevent burnout.- Learn about the systemic issues within the nonprofit sector.- Learn about the need for organizations to adopt more humane and flexible policies.- Discover the importance of building relationships in fundraising.Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Brantley Boyett, co-founder and president of GivingDocs, to unpack the world of planned giving, behavioral science, and the role of AI in fundraising. With a background as a reformed attorney and years of research alongside Duke University, Brantley brings a wealth of insights into how nonprofits can unlock the potential of legacy giving—no matter their size.Mallory and Brantley break down common misconceptions around planned giving, including why it doesn’t have to be intimidating, and how organizations can integrate AI-driven behavioral insights to communicate more effectively with donors. Brantley shares what nonprofits need to have in place before launching a planned giving program, and how technology can help - but not replace - the essential human relationships at the heart of giving.If you’ve ever worried that planned giving isn’t for your organization, or if you’ve been hesitant about how to start, this episode is packed with clarity, actionable strategies, and myth-busting insights to help you confidently step into this critical fundraising strategy.In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the common misconceptions about planned giving and the types of organizations it benefits. Discover the relationship between planned giving and annual giving. Explore the role of technology, particularly AI in planned giving. Discover the importance of the balance between meeting goals and genuinely connecting with donors. Understand why technology shouldn’t be the first step in planned giving.  Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

In this episode of What the Fundraising, we’re diving into a topic that many nonprofit leaders shy away from—finances. Whether it’s bookkeeping, audits, tax compliance, or financial storytelling, these elements are critical to your organization's success. And yet, so many of us feel overwhelmed, lost, or even avoidant when it comes to our financial health. A trusted financial partner is not someone who just helps you navigate the ramifications of accounting, taxes, and reporting but also ensures that financials align with the organization’s vision, telling a cohesive and compelling story to donors, stakeholders, and the board. Eventually, a trusted financial partner provides the stability and clarity that nonprofit leaders need to focus on what truly matters, driving the mission forward. Joining Mallory today is Shane Rowley, co-founder and president of Nimbl, an outsourced accounting firm that specializes in working with small businesses and nonprofits. Shane and his team provide not just financial services, but true partnership—ensuring leaders feel seen, supported, and empowered to make informed financial decisions.In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the challenges in nonprofit finances. Learn how to balance passion and compliance. Learn about the importance of combining operational knowledge with financial insights. Learn a structured approach to understanding and analyzing financials. Discover the affordability and benefits of outsourced accounting. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

In this powerful episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Esther Saehyun Lee, a community-centric fundraiser, principal, and founder of Elevate Philanthropy Consulting. Esther brings a critical and necessary perspective to the conversation around fundraising culture, power dynamics in the nonprofit sector, and how we can challenge the harmful aspects of the nonprofit industrial complex.Mallory and Esther invite listeners to sit in the discomfort of recognizing that we are all complicit in upholding harmful nonprofit structures—and that awareness is a necessary first step toward meaningful change. They explore how fundraisers influence organizational culture, the intersection of individual agency and systemic responsibility, and why fundraisers must lean into values-aligned fundraising rather than perpetuating scarcity-driven mindsets.If you’ve ever struggled with the tension between the change you want to create and the systems you feel stuck in, this episode will give you insight, inspiration, and practical steps forward.Tips & Takeaways for Fundraisers: Recognize Your Influence: Fundraisers shape organizational culture—don’t underestimate your power. Interrogate ‘What Works’: If a fundraising strategy brings in money but upholds harmful power dynamics, does it truly work? Challenge Scarcity Mindset: Scarcity is both a real material condition and a limiting belief. Shift from extraction to abundance-based thinking. Define New Success Metrics: Instead of just tracking dollars raised, measure relationship-building, board engagement, and donor stewardship. Find Your Community: Change doesn’t happen alone—connect with like-minded fundraisers and community-centric fundraising spaces. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

Align your purpose with your actions to inspire growth and nurture well-being!This week on What the Fundraising, Mallroy is joined by Rebecca Fitzsimmons, the founder of Tactical Harmony, a platform dedicated to holistic leadership and mindset development. With nearly 20 years of global experience, from serving as an NCIS Special Agent to leading in tech, Rebecca empowers professionals to align purpose with ambition, achieve breakthroughs, and lead authentically with impact and fulfillment.Rebecca explains the concept of holistic leadership, which connects the mind, body, and spirit, and highlights its importance in effective leadership. She talks about the challenges of burnout, especially in the nonprofit sector, and the need for self-care and a positive mindset to prevent it. She offers advice for female leaders on prioritizing self-care without guilt, using practices like breath work and meditation.Rebecca then shares strategies for prioritization, focusing on the 20% of activities that lead to 80% of results, and emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in leadership, highlighting the importance of self-regulation, stress management, and grounding techniques while encouraging listeners to align their actions with their personal values. Key takeaways from the episode:  Burnout in the nonprofit sector is preventable with proactive mindset shifts and holistic leadership strategies. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical skill for nonprofit leaders to navigate power dynamics and communicate effectively. Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it enhances leadership effectiveness and overall impact. Fundraisers should focus on the 80/20 rule to maximize results while reducing overwhelm and inefficiency. Flexibility and adaptability are key leadership traits, allowing for iteration and growth even in high-pressure environments. Regulating the nervous system through movement, breathwork, and intentional rituals can help fundraisers show up with confidence and clarity. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Arum Lee Lansel, an HR consultant specializing in small nonprofits. Arum’s diverse career spans fashion, philanthropy, venture capital, and organizational effectiveness. She now uses this unique lens to help nonprofits build sustainable, thriving work environments through strategic HR practices.Human Resources (HR) plays a critical role in shaping a thriving work environment, especially in nonprofit organizations where the demands on staff can be overwhelming. It is more than just compliance or administrative responsibilities; it is about building a long-lasting supportive environment in which people feel respected, encouraged, and enabled to perform to their full potential. HR becomes a crucial partner in achieving a nonprofit's objective and guaranteeing that its staff can flourish by tackling the underlying reasons for burnout, placing a high priority on employee well-being, and making sure leaders are prepared to assist their teams.Key takeaways from the episode:  HR should be seen as a strategic driver for nonprofit impact, not just a compliance function. The Thrive Model provides a structured approach to building a sustainable nonprofit workplace. Leadership commitment is essential for meaningful HR and cultural improvements. Burnout is an organizational issue that requires systemic changes, not just individual coping strategies. Nonprofits must navigate funder dynamics and advocate for internal investments to sustain impact. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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

Digitizing nonprofit operations is an important step toward increasing efficiency, scalability, and transparency. As organizations adopt new technologies, the transition from conventional manual processes to digital platforms provides a substantial opportunity to streamline operations, improve data management, and increase fundraising results. However, by carefully embracing technology with an eye toward both immediate results and future expansion, organizations can accomplish impactful outcomes while creating confidence and transparency with donors and stakeholders, allowing them to overcome the set of obstacles associated with this transformation.In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Enzo Duit, a tech enthusiast with a background in consulting and software startups. He has a strong background in digital technology and entrepreneurship, and is particularly passionate about using his skills to impact positive change. His career began in the non-profit fundraising field and continued in a big four corporation in technology consulting, focused on business intelligence, data analytics, and automation projects. He joined us today to talk about the benefits and challenges of digitizing nonprofit operations.In this episode, you will be able to: Learn about the challenge of adopting digital tools in non-profit. Explore the different mindsets and approaches toward adopting technology in various regions. Discover the importance of building and maintaining trust and reputation. Learn about why data hygiene is crucial for nonprofits.  Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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.

In the nonprofit sector, phone calls can be a powerful tool for building authentic relationships with donors and community members. Unlike online communication, which is one-sided, phone calls provide an opportunity for actual connection and dialogue. When tackled with vulnerability and clarity, fundraisers can break down isolation walls and engage supporters in genuine, non-transactional conversations.Meet Kel Haney, an accidental fundraiser with a background in theater. Mallory and Kel talk about the importance of phone calls and community engagement in the non-profit sector. Kel shares her “Five-Minute Phone Call Framework,” and speaks on the importance of genuine curiosity and intention in the questions asked during a call, the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in fundraising, handling objections and building relationships,, and more.In this episode, you will be able to:  Learn about the “Five-Minute Phone Call Framework.” Explore the importance of curiosity and self-awareness in professional interactions. Discover about the power of multi-channel communication. Learn about embracing vulnerability and authenticity. Learn about the importance of outlining a conversation.  Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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.

Ethical volunteer engagement is a cornerstone of nonprofit success, ensuring volunteers are valued as essential contributors. In small organizations, where resources may be limited, volunteers often provide critical support, but their roles must be thoughtfully designed to align with the mission and organizational capacity. Engaging volunteers ethically means recognizing their inherent value, providing clear role descriptions, and establishing policies that respect their contributions while preventing exploitation or misuse. By fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration between staff and volunteers, nonprofits can create a sustainable volunteer program that supports long-term community impact without compromising the integrity of their mission.In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Pang-Parks, a non-profit consultant for community and volunteer engagement. She helps organizations build trust, create impact, and inspire belonging. Throughout the conversation, she discusses the importance of ethical volunteer engagement in nonprofits, emphasizing that volunteers should be valued beyond just wage replacement and advocating for viewing volunteer engagement as a strategic initiative aligned with the organization's mission rather than a mere cost-saving measure. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn about volunteer engagement as a strategic approach. Explore about wage replacement rate. Learn about intentional planning, resources, and collaboration. Discover how to approach volunteer engagement thoughtfully Learn how to ensure corporate contributions align with your nonprofit's goals. Get all the resources from today’s episode here. Support for this show is brought to you by GiveButter. GiveButter is the easiest-to-use fundraising platform. Your favorite fundraising tools, supercharged! Never miss a fundraising opportunity again. Givebutter Plus takes this award-winning platform to the next level with advanced automation, deeper donor insights, and eye-popping supporter engagement tools to help your nonprofit get ahead—and stay there.Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/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.