Responsive Lab Podcast

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus are joined by Aarika Riddle, Executive Director of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, for a conversation about leading through uncertainty, stewarding well in challenging moments, and grounding your work in mission when fatigue sets in.   Aarika shares lessons from navigating multiple economic downturns in her fundraising career, including the 2008 recession and recent years of uncertainty. She gets tactical about the basics that still work (thank-you notes, stewardship, donor storytelling), how to personalize at scale using simple tools, and why leadership energy makes or breaks team morale.   Links from the episode: Connect with Aarika Learn more about Always Dream Follow Always Dream on Instagram   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with capital campaign expert Amy Eisenstein of Capital Campaign Pro to demystify one of the most ambitious and often misunderstood fundraising tools in a nonprofit’s playbook: the capital campaign.   Amy shares her journey from development director to co-founder of a firm that has guided hundreds of organizations through campaigns ranging from $3M to $150M. You’ll learn the key elements of a successful campaign, including when to launch, who should consider one, how to engage donors, and why feasibility studies aren’t about saying “no,” they’re about choosing the right path forward.   This episode includes practical advice, like: Why your internal team shouldn’t carry a campaign alone How feasibility studies help you plan, not pause What stewardship looks like during a multi-year fundraising effort How technology can reduce burnout and elevate donor engagement Why donor joy and fundraisers’ happiness habits matter in long campaigns   Links from the episode: Listen to the All About Capital Campaigns podcast Learn more about Capital Campaign Pro   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

Viktoria Harrison, co-founder of charity: water, shares her vision for the Experience Lab in Franklin, Tennessee, a unique space blending immersive storytelling and technology to deepen donor connections. She discusses the power of innovative, in-person experiences to inspire generosity in a post-COVID world. Viktoria highlights the significance of leading with a compelling hook and how small towns can rival major cities for community-building, all while sharing insights from the lab's early fundraising success of $2 million.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with fundraising powerhouse Tammy Zonker to talk about her new book, Calling All Heroes. Tammy brings 25+ years of experience and over $1B raised to the conversation. She shares why our sector needs a third way: human-centered fundraising.   From the hidden pitfalls of both donor and community-centered approaches to the practical steps organizations can take to adopt a more holistic model, this episode is filled with a whole lot of wisdom and inspiration. Plus, Tammy drops strategies for mid-level giving, donor acquisition, and how AI can actually free fundraisers up for the relational work that matters.   Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn Learn more about Fundraising Transformed Pre-order Calling All Heros   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this special episode of The Responsive Lab, Brady Josephson (Charity:Water), Chris Barlow (Beeline Marketing), and Matt Scott (CauseMic) tackle the three most common mistakes nonprofits make in marketing and engagement and how to avoid them.   From trying to do everything at once, to neglecting brand investment, to overcomplicating donor segmentation, this discussion is packed with tactical insights you can apply right away.   You’ll hear: Why identifying your organization’s true “engine of growth” is critical How to balance brand-building with direct response The role of donor motivations in shaping meaningful segmentation Practical ways to future-proof your nonprofit’s marketing   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this special episode of The Responsive Lab, John and Becky, co-founders of We Are For Good, talk movement-building from the stage at the Responsive Nonprofit Summit 2025.   John and Becky share their deeply practical framework for moving from donor acquisition to donor multiplication by centering believers, fueling joy, and letting go of control. Through stories from Komen, charity:water, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and their own early experiences in healthcare philanthropy, they make the case that responsive fundraising isn’t just a strategy, it’s a belief system.   You’ll walk away with: The 8 steps to multiply your mission through community A shift from passive donors to active builders Practical ways to foster shared ownership and belonging A reminder that joy is a powerful multiplier   🔗 Learn more at https://www.weareforgood.com/   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Russell James, a leading voice in planned giving strategy, psychology, and research. Russell brings his unique background as a lawyer, fundraiser, college president, and now professor at Texas Tech, to unpack the practical steps any nonprofit can take to start (or strengthen) a planned giving program.   From the “magic age” for engagement to the psychology behind why donors give at end-of-life, this episode is packed with insights, phrases, and donor stories you can start using today.   You’ll also learn: Why the biggest mistake fundraisers make is going radio silent on aging donors How to use donor stories to create a powerful social norm Which phrases work (and which don’t) when talking about estate gifts How to motivate legacy giving without triggering death-avoidance The secret to turning one legacy gift into two—starting now   Get your copy of The Socratic Fundraiser: https://www.encouragegenerosity.com/TheSocraticFundraiser.pdf Get Russell’s other free resources here: https://encouragegenerosity.com/ Follow Encourage Generosity on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/encouragegenerosity/   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

Join fundraising experts Missy Gale, a major gift strategist, and Gail Perry, a consultant renowned for her insights on transformational fundraising, as they dive into effective donor management. They discuss the importance of balancing long-term relationships with fiscal deadlines and adapting to changing donor behaviors. Discover actionable strategies for portfolio segmentation, leveraging donor signals, and nurturing mid-level donors. Learn how to move beyond generic outreach to build real connections and drive impactful results in your fundraising efforts.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Javan Van Gronigen, founder and creative director of Fifty & Fifty and Donately, to unpack the insights behind the 2025 Nonprofit Peer Report.   Javan shares surveying over 160 nonprofit leaders identified the top challenges nonprofit teams are facing today: misalignment, siloed data, brand confusion, and the inability to confidently execute digital strategies.   From the power of donor-centric messaging to the rise of personalized, AI-powered donor journeys, this conversation dives deep into the core disconnects that hinder generosity, and how organizations can close the gap.   👉 Download the full 2025 Nonprofit Peer Report here. 📥 Connect with Javan: Donately | Fifty & Fifty | LinkedIn 🎧 Explore Javan’s podcast: Good with Pixels 👉 Check out the blog “Do Nonprofits Need an AI Policy?”   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, we go deeper into the real, raw questions nonprofit leaders are asking about artificial intelligence. Things like strategy and governance to privacy, personalization, and predictive modeling.   Join Virtuous’ Chief AI Officer, Nathan Chappell, alongside co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus as they unpack: What AI really means for nonprofit teams How predictive and generative AI work together to drive giving Why most AI initiatives fail and how to beat the odds Ethical and environmental concerns (and how to respond to them) How Virtuous is building the future of fundraising through AI   Nathan brings years of experience in machine learning, innovation, and responsible AI use in philanthropy. This session is a roadmap for nonprofit teams looking to move from AI curiosity to AI clarity.   Watch the webinar that prompted this conversation here: 5 Essentials for AI Success: What Today’s Fundraising Teams Need to Know (and Do) to Thrive   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist