Responsive Lab Podcast

MaryEllen Dickey, CFRE, joins the Responsive Fundraising Podcast to share what she's learned by leading donor development teams for the last two decades across social service, education, and healthcare nonprofits. We also discuss the balance between donor retention and acquisition, the importance of channel-donor fit and multi-channel fundraising, and how to lead a donor development team well to prevent burnout. MaryEllen, is Senior Vice President of Advancement for Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries. As such, she oversees a range of giving programs, including grants, major gifts, planned giving, corporate giving, endowments, and special capital projects, to support Diakon’s mission to serve those in need. Before joining Diakon the beginning of 2007, MaryEllen was Vice President for Development at Good Shepherd Hospital and Rehabilitation Network, Allentown. In addition to completing a successful $40 million capital campaign that resulted in $52 million in giving, her department focused on creating its first chair, expanding numerous program endowments, and supporting the development of a health and technology center. She also has held planned giving and executive director positions with Lafayette College, Easton, and Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

Missy Gale and Jill Bruner join the Responsive Fundraising Podcast to discuss the unique challenges nonprofit teams must overcome in 2020, the importance of listening to fuel fundraising activities, and how organizations must pivot plans and shift strategies to increase impact. M. Gale & Associates is a fundraising consulting firm with more than a decade of experience collaborating with mission-driven nonprofit organizations in North Texas and the Southwest. They help them reach their full potential by delivering strategic philanthropic solutions that are insightful, implementable, and successful.

Two experienced development leaders from Catholic Extension join The Responsive Fundraising Podcast to share strategies to deepen donor relationships and unpack the needed partnership required between annual fund and major gift development teams.  Tony Smercina, the AVP of Development, and Travis DeRamcy, the Sr. Director of Development, both have an array of experience managing and growing development programs. During the conversation, we discuss the difference yet synergy between annual fund and major donor development programs, the 12 step program they use to steward donors, and how they've continue to deepen donor connection in spite of the distance COVID-19 has forced. Catholic Extension is a fundraising organization that helps ensure that all American Catholics can practice their faith within vibrant faith communities. Together with their donors, they connect poor and remote Catholic communities with essential financial support, educational partnerships, and infrastructure. https://www.catholicextension.org/ https://www.virtuouscrm.com/modern-nonprofit-fundraiser-podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonysmercina/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisderamcy/

Kelsie Ruff Smith joins The Responsive Fundraising Podcast to share the inside view on the opportunities nonprofits have access to through collaboration with community foundations, corporations, other nonprofits, and local community philanthropists. We discuss what modern philanthropists are looking for in nonprofits they partner with, how to avoid duplication, and how you can build a culture of philanthropy within your donors and the broader community you engage. Kelsie is the Director of Programs at the Community Foundation for Ocala Marion County, which connects the charitable interest of the donor to build a strong community, and the Executive Director of Blissful Life Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 donation-based yoga studio https://www.ocalafoundation.org/ https://www.virtuouscrm.com/

Ryan Brown, stock broker turned nonprofit development professional, joins The Responsive Fundraising Podcast to share how Food for the Hungry cultivates lasting donor relationships. We discuss the power of "full heart" donor development, the need to continually pivot to stay relevant, and why waiting for "normal" will lead you to focus on the wrong tactics. Ryan is the acting CDO at Food for the Hungry (FH) and serves out of its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to joining FH, Ryan spent time as a stockbroker, singer/songwriter, concert promoter, and for a short time, ran a small Christian music record label. Ryan earned two bachelor’s degrees in English and Business from Arizona State University. He currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with his wife Suzan and their three children.

Justin Ellis joins The Responsive Fundraising Podcast and takes us into the trenches and see how a successful VP of Development approaches their work amidst uncertain times. We discuss the importance of development staff being data-driven decision makers, the difference between transactional and transformational, and how to transform asks into investment invitations. Justin, the VP of Development at Thompson, oversees fundraising and relationship development of all the many individuals and organizations that support the mission and vision of Thompson. He leads a team that is engaging in vision building initiatives, and works to enlarge the footprint and deepen the impact from those that stand in the gap with us in our communities. He received a Bachelor of Missions and Ministry from Gordon College. He brings over 10 years of experience in Non-profits and fundraising work.

Beth Fisher joins us to discuss lessons nonprofits can glean from how for-profit businesses approach growth, the importance and primary characteristics of good leaders, and how vulnerability at work can help unlock your team's full potential. Beth is currently the VP of Advancement & Communications at Meltrotter Ministries and is a sought-after speaker and life coach who knows how to get through life’s decisions & challenges, as she herself has persisted and persevered amidst a sea of uncertainty and life changing seasonal transitions. She has spent the past two decades coaching, teaching, and motivating thousands of people working within some of the largest Fortune 500 companies to help them “re-engineer” their business processes. All along the way, what she was truly helping them do was make decisions – showing them how to take action in the now to get to the big picture later – in an effort to be better, both personally and professionally. https://bethfisher.com/meet-beth/ https://www.meltrotter.org/ ----- Learn more about the tools Virtuous provides leading nonprofits to grow giving at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/.  Get an in-depth guide to responsive fundraising to help your organization grow generosity from the modern donor at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/responsive/.

Matt Mundt joins The Responsive Fundraising Podcast to share how CURE bridges the giver and good gap by integrating story into every donor touchpoint. We discuss the balance of empathy and explanation during the current crisis moment, how donor experience is the key differentiator in today's connected economy, and how CURE uses multiple medias to connect people with their purpose. Matt serves as the Senior Director of Marketing for CURE International. In this role, he is collaborating daily with his team to come up with the most creative and authentic ways to let more people know about CURE’s transforming work. For the past 20 years, Matt has led the digital marketing efforts and strategy for organizations like K-LOVE & Air1 Radio networks, SPIRIT 105.3 in Seattle, Tooth & Nail Records, and the Provident Label Group. He loves when technology, media, and storytelling converge to help spread the good news of Jesus. If you ever meet Matt in person, it will more than likely be over a great cup of coffee that he home-roasted, and he will try and convince you why the city of Seattle and the Seahawks are the best! (or the Washington Huskies, whoever is winning more at the time). Also, you have to check out his video winning a new car on The Price Is Right. Matt and his wife Rebecca have two amazing, active children. They enjoy going on many weekend adventures and try not to overshare on social media!   ----- Learn more about the tools Virtuous provides leading nonprofits to grow giving at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/.  Get an in-depth guide to responsive fundraising to help your organization grow generosity from the modern donor at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/responsive/.

Rubin Singh, the CEO & Founder of OneTenth Consulting, joins us to discuss the obstacles nonprofit leaders need to navigate as they adopt new technology, common mistakes that drive many CRM implementations to fall flat, and the needs related to people and process that must be central to your platform adoption plan. Rubin is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of experience in the CRM (constituent relationship management) space, and over ten years in the nonprofit sector.  Throughout his career, Rubin has pursued his passion for social impact through empowering and enabling nonprofits through a variety of roles in technology, strategy and organizational management.   As a Senior Solution Manager at Merkle, Rubin managed the database needs for large direct mail programs with Susan G. Komen and the AARP Foundation. https://onetenth.consulting/about ----- Learn more about the tools Virtuous provides leading nonprofits to grow giving at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/.  Get an in-depth guide to responsive fundraising to help your organization grow generosity from the modern donor at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/responsive/.

Andrew Olsen joins us to talk about the decreasing trust that Americans have in NGOs to "do what is right", what nonprofits should do to proactive build donor trust, and his suggestions on how a nonprofit's posture toward donors directly impacts their ability to deliver on the mission. Andrew is a #1 Best Selling author, speaker, and nonprofit marketer. He’s helped raise more than $250 million for nonprofits. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, he currently advises nonprofit leaders, boards, and development teams through strategic consultation, coaching, and classroom instruction. Andrew is a Senior Vice President at Newport ONE and a frequent speaker at nonprofit industry events. https://andrewolsen.net/ https://andrewolsen.net/no-thank-you/ https://www.newportone.com/ https://andrewolsen.net/rainmaker-podcast/ ----- Learn more about the tools Virtuous provides leading nonprofits to grow giving at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/.  Get an in-depth guide to responsive fundraising to help your organization grow generosity from the modern donor at: https://www.virtuouscrm.com/responsive/.