Responsive Lab Podcast

Most nonprofit organizations understand that a website is a key communication tool that helps them state their mission, share their successes, and keep their donors up to date. A nonprofit website is also a central tool for growing the donor base. That’s why it’s not enough to just check the box: “Yeah, we have a website.” To be the most successful in the digital age, nonprofits need to strive to develop a great website. In this episode of our podcast, we connected with Adam Walker. He’s co-owner at Sideways8, a web design company that helps nonprofits develop websites to reach the right people, increase donations and membership, and ultimately make a bigger impact on the world. When it comes to designing websites for nonprofit organizations, Adam is the one to talk to. So we did. You can follow Adam on Twitter at @AJWalker and read his personal blog at AdamJWalker.com. Want to see something really cool? Check out 48 in 48, in which Adam and his team host events to build 48 nonprofit websites in 48 hours—for free. ----- 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/.

Storytelling is a major part of how brands connect with their audiences, but nonprofit storytelling is unique. It can be a major challenge to do it well so that you do more than just grow your donor base. We spoke with Beth Guckenberger who has been using storytelling to build relationships with her donors in order to connect them to the work of her nonprofit. Beth is co-executive director at Back2Back Ministries. Along with her husband, Todd, they have been focused on international orphan care since 1997. They have been able to grow their reach by mastering how to use storytelling for fundraising. The Guckenbergers have found that it often feels like the nonprofit is the medium between the donor, who funds the cause, and the cause itself. Despite the organization’s best intentions, it can actually widen the space between the donor and the work they wish to fund. At Back2Back, they want to shorten the distance between what’s happening in the field and the donor. Great storytelling shortens that distance, makes the donor feel caught up in the story and part of it. Their  goal is to build relationships between the donors, the nonprofit, and the cause. That’s why the most important thing is to use stories to build those relationships. ----- 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/.

We talk to Brady Josephson of Next After about his experience helping nonprofits grow and improve donor relationships.    ----- 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/.

Our guest is John Lyon, the President and CEO of World Hope International (WHI). World hope is a Christian relief and development organization that works with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering and worldwide injustices. John has worked with the organization for more than 18 years and is considered an expert in global development. He has more than 12 years of experience in international law and shared some of his best insights on planning for the unexpected, leveraging technology to connect with your donors and how to find balance in the midst of all the chaos. ----- 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/.

In this episode, Gabe Cooper talks to Heather Hiscox - Co-founder and Co-director at Moves the Needle - about innovation and challenging how nonprofits think about growth, risk and continuous improvement. ----- 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/.

Kendra Jeffreys is the Sr. Director of US Operations at Mission to the World. This week, Kendra joined the podcast to discuss innovation, change management, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement at nonprofits. I always say this to my team: ‘Start at the end first. I want know your desired future state. Where do you want to be?’ And then we’re going to figure out how to get there. ----- 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/.

Dave Raley talks to us about how donor data, donor signals and an innovative philosophy help nonprofits grow exponentially through connection with the modern donor.    ----- 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/.

Carly Berna talks to us about the ways her team was able to grow Jewish Voice through dedicated relationships with donors.    ----- 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/.

Brad Davies talks to us about the strategies and tactics he used to get closer to the modern donor and grow giving.    ----- 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/.

Trent Dunham gives practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to grow giving and bring their donors closer to the cause.    ----- 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/.