Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Erica Waasdorp, President of A Direct Solution and an expert in monthly giving, shares her 40 years of experience in donor retention. She explores the evolution of monthly giving strategies and how technology can enhance donor engagement. The importance of small, recurring donations is highlighted, debunking the myth that they lack impact. Erica offers practical advice on effective communication and highlights modern payment solutions that can appeal to today’s donors. This conversation is a treasure trove for nonprofits eager to boost their monthly giving programs!

Executive directors, are you tired of chasing after those $20 donations like a squirrel on espresso? Focusing all your energy on foundation grants and corporate donations because they seem easier is a bit like preferring instant noodles over a gourmet meal—it sort of does the job, but often, you are left feeling unsatisfied. Rhea Wong to the rescue! Rhea has over 20 years experience in the nonprofit space as an Executive Director and front line fundraiser. A fundraising thought-leader, an author of "Get That Money, Honey", and a sought-after speaker, she has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations raise millions of dollars for their causes.In this episode, Rhea talks about how we can move away from survival-mode tactics that leave us feeling icky and instead, start nurturing genuine relationships with our donors.Rhea breaks down why it’s crucial to focus on those individual donors and how creating meaningful connections can lead to those juicy, significant gifts we dream about.About Rhea WongRhea helps nonprofits raise more money.  Though she has deep experience with institutional, corporate and event fund-raising, she is passionate about major individual donors and helping organizations to establish individual giving programs.  She has raised millions of dollars in private philanthropy and is passionate about building the next generation of fundraising leaders.She has become a leader in the New York nonprofit community and is a frequent educational commentator in the media.  She has been recognized with the SmartCEO Brava Award in 2015 and NY Nonprofit Media’s 40 under 40 in 2017.  For more information about Rhea, please see her LinkedIn Profile here.Rhea lives in Brooklyn with her husband.  When she is not raising money for causes she loves, she can be found hosting her podcast Nonprofit Lowdown, promoting her newest book Get that Money, Honey! or onstage as a newbie stand-up comedian in downtown Brooklyn.  For more information, check out rheawong.comGivingTuesday is right around the corner and I want to help you get ready! Join me for a free webinar with my friends at Givebutter on November 6 all about specific ways to drive donations on Giving Tuesday using social media. I’ll focus on sharing tactical ways  and real-world examples designed to increase your results on this international day of giving. You’ll walk away with practical tips, ideas, inspiration, tools, and useful resources to make this Giving Tuesday your most successful yet! Go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to register. I hope to see you on November 6!Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this conversation with Erin Hogue, Senior Director of Spark Good at Walmart, listeners discover how Walmart connects nonprofits, customers, and employees to create community impact. Erin shares insights into who is donating and their motivations, the rationale behind the Roundup program, and current trends in corporate giving. She also provides practical tips for nonprofits to leverage Walmart’s extensive resources, including storefront fundraising and grant applications, to expand their reach and enhance their efforts.

In this discussion, Tamsen Webster, a renowned message strategist and author, shares her expertise in ethical persuasion and change communication. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and shared values in nonprofits, moving away from fear-based tactics. Tamsen highlights actionable strategies for making messages unforgettable and fostering genuine engagement. Her insights into donor motivations and the power of narrative-centered fundraising offer valuable guidance for creating lasting impact, ensuring that messages resonate deeply with audiences.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I have an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with Mallory Erickson, the brilliant mind behind What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose, which launched on October 1st. As a fundraising expert and coach, Mallory opens up about the emotional journey behind writing her first book, and how her personal experiences as a new mother shaped her approach to both life and work.Mallory shares the challenges of writing and rewriting a significant portion of her book while caring for her newborn daughter, Ila. She speaks candidly about the vulnerability that comes with sharing her heart, soul, and hard-earned wisdom in her pages. Despite her nerves, she’s driven by her personal mantra: Do it scared!Key Highlights:The Emotional Journey Behind What The Fundraising: Mallory reflects on the balancing act of authorship and new motherhood, and how this unique season of her life influenced the themes of her book.Introduction of Alignment Fundraising: Mallory’s signature framework helps fundraisers find harmony between their work and personal wellbeing, while avoiding burnout and achieving greater impact.Genuine Donor Relationships: The book emphasizes building meaningful and lasting connections with donors, moving beyond transactional interactions to foster genuine partnerships.Special Launch Event: Listeners are invited to pre-order What The Fundraising and gain access to a host of exciting bonuses, including a free month inside the Alignment Fundraising Collective, and an exclusive Virtual Launch Party on October 3rd with fundraising influencer Floyd Jones.Join us for an empowering discussion on how to fundraise with both passion and sustainability, as Mallory reveals the core of her book and the practical tools she developed from her own triumphs and struggles in the nonprofit sector. Whether you're new to fundraising or a seasoned leader, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace vulnerability, find alignment, and thrive in your work.About Mallory EricksonMallory Erickson is an executive coach, fundraising consultant, and host of the podcast What the Fundraising. She is dedicated to transforming the way nonprofit leaders approach their roles and fundraising efforts. With her signature framework, the Power Partners Formula™️, Mallory equips nonprofits with the unique tools needed to secure funding from foundations, corporate partners, and individuals. By October 2023, she has trained over 60,000 fundraisers with elements of her innovative, win-win framework, blending executive coaching, science-backed behavior design, and strategic fundraising practices.Connect with Mallory on LinkedInLearn more about Mallory EricksonInstagram: @_malloryericksonPre-order What The Fundraising and claim your bonusesTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, Jay Acunzo, a leading voice in content creation and storytelling, shares invaluable insights tailored for nonprofit fundraisers and marketers. Jay discusses how to move beyond traditional, transactional fundraising tactics to create transformational experiences that resonate deeply with donors and volunteers. He offers guidance on building a strong Brand IP for nonprofits, the power of journey-based storytelling, and how to use frustration as a catalyst for creative and impactful campaigns.Key Topics:Resonating with donors and volunteers through meaningful storytelling.Shifting from transactional to transformational experiences in nonprofit marketing.Building a strong sense of community among nonprofit supporters.Developing a unique and compelling Brand IP for your cause.Addressing the unspoken needs of your supporter base.Overcoming learned helplessness to innovate in nonprofit storytelling.About Jay AcunzoJay Acunzo is a keynote speaker, author, and a kind of executive producer or "director of differentiation" for entrepreneurs and execs with something meaningful to say. He is known for his thought leadership in content marketing and storytelling. With a focus on creating work that truly matters, Jay’s insights are particularly relevant for nonprofit professionals seeking to differentiate their messaging and build deeper, more lasting connections with their audience. His latest book, The Creator’s Compass, and podcast, How Stories Happen, explore these themes with a fresh, creative lens.Connect with Jay on LinkedInCheck out Jay Acunzo's WebsiteIs it me, or does social media feel completely overwhelming right now? Are your posts underperforming and you don’t know what to do about it? Well I’ve got you covered. Join me and Neon One for the 2024 Nonprofit Social Media Summit! Designed for the small and mid-size nonprofit, my Summit offers actionable and practical insights on how to best use social media to raise awareness and funds, even during turbulent times.Walk away feeling empowered and supported, with strategies you can implement right away. Best of all, it's free to attend live thanks to my amazing partner Neon One! Reserve your spot today at NonprofitSocialMediaSummit.comTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

The way we search the web is being transformed in huge ways, and nonprofits need to understand the changing landscape in order to reach their donors and their stakeholders online. In this episode, I sit down with Rafi Norberg to explore the latest development in search technology: Google’s AI Overviews. Rafi  serves as President and Founder of Nexus Marketing, a marketing agency that helps businesses and organizations generate revenue online in the mission-driven sector. Rafi has over a decade of digital marketing experience in mission-driven sectors and through his agency has worked with 200+ brands to build their inbound presence. Rafi's goal is to help organizations do more good by connecting them to high-quality information, resources, and tools. Google recently announced the broad rollout of AI Overviews, a generative AI tool designed to streamline the search experience by directly answering users’ queries and citing the content sources. Rafi shares his expert insights on what this means for the SEO world, the potential impact on clickthrough rates and website traffic, and strategies for businesses to adapt to this significant change.Resources mentioned:Google rolls out AI Overviews in US with more countries coming soonGoogle AI Overviews: What You Need to Know - Nexus MarketingGoogle AI Overviews visibility drops, only shows for 15% of queriesTools: Google’s Lighthouse, SEMRush, Moz A massive transfer of wealth is right around the corner, and your constituent base is changing. Are your fundraising efforts ready? Qgiv surveyed donors of all ages to create The Generational Giving Report, a comprehensive guide to help you best connect with constituents of all generations.  To learn how new generations want to support you, hear from you, and stay connected with you head to jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to be notified when the report is released and to receive your copy!Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month! In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by the inspiring Cynthia Torres, LMFT—someone who has been a true force in the social good space for over 25 years. As a Colombian-American entrepreneur and community leader, Cynthia wears two powerful hats: she’s the founder of New Dawn Counseling & Consulting, Inc., and the Executive Director of the beloved nonprofit, City Impact. Cynthia is here to break down how she’s mastered the art of blending business with benevolence, all while serving Oxnard’s vibrant Latinx population.We dive into some hard-hitting truths, like why Latinas face the steepest climb in corporate America and how Cynthia’s been smashing those barriers every step of the way. She also shares how she balances running both a for-profit and a nonprofit—yes, at the same time—and how her hybrid model is changing lives while keeping the lights on.What we discuss: National Hispanic Heritage Month: Why this month matters and how it connects to the rich history of Hispanic contributions in the U.S.Latinas in Business: We’re tackling some eye-opening stats on Latina labor force participation and business ownership. Spoiler: Latina-owned businesses are booming!Cynthia’s Journey: From Colombia to California, she shares her deeply personal story of overcoming barriers as a Latina entrepreneur and why she founded New Dawn Counseling.A Hybrid Business Model: Curious how someone runs both a for-profit and a nonprofit? Cynthia breaks it down and explains how her model provides stability while staying true to her mission of serving those most in need.Advice for Young Latina Professionals: Cynthia dishes out some real talk and actionable advice for the next generation of Latina leaders trying to break through.Cynthia is a powerhouse of wisdom, warmth, and relentless drive. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or just someone looking to be inspired, this conversation is packed with insights on how to lead with both heart and hustle. Plus, you’ll get Cynthia’s personal tips on navigating the challenges that Latina women still face in today’s professional world. About Cynthia:Cynthia Torres, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist), is a Colombian American who has resided in our local community for over 25 years, leaving an indelible mark in service to our vibrant and dynamic Latinx population. Her professional journey is nothing short of remarkable: she not only founded the local for-profit business, New Dawn Counseling & Consulting, Inc., but also recently assumed leadership of the beloved thirty-year-old nonprofit organization, City Impact, Inc.Cynthia on LinkedInCity Impact on LinkedInCity Impact Website--A massive transfer of wealth is right around the corner, and your constituent base is changing. Are your fundraising efforts ready? Qgiv surveyed donors of all ages to create The Generational Giving Report, a comprehensive guide to help you best connect with constituents of all generations. To learn how new generations want to support you, hear from you, and stay connected with you head to jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to be notified when the report is released and to receive your copy!Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Sean Kosofsky, also known as "The Nonprofit Fixer." With over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge on executive coaching, leadership development, and nonprofit management. Tune in to discover practical advice on overcoming common challenges, setting fair compensation, and implementing innovative work practices.Sean Kosofsky is a seasoned expert in nonprofit leadership, known widely as "The Nonprofit Fixer." With a career spanning over three decades, Sean has dedicated his life to strengthening nonprofit organizations through strategic coaching, consulting, and training. He has a particular passion for supporting executive directors and has developed a range of digital tools, including courses and templates, to help nonprofits thrive. Sean’s expertise covers a broad spectrum of nonprofit challenges, from fundraising and board management to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). His practical approach and deep understanding of the sector make him a sought-after coach and consultant.Connect with Sean on LinkedInThe Nonprofit Fixer@nonprofitfixer - X and Instagram@MindtheGapC - Facebook ---A massive transfer of wealth is right around the corner, and your constituent base is changing. Are your fundraising efforts ready? Qgiv surveyed donors of all ages to create The Generational Giving Report, a comprehensive guide to help you best connect with constituents of all generations.  To learn how new generations want to support you, hear from you, and stay connected with you head to jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get your copy! Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Wendy Mercurio, a Content and Education Specialist at Qgiv and Bloomerang, shares insights from the latest Generational Giving Report. She reveals what motivates donors from Boomers to Gen Z, highlighting the surprising interest of Gen Z in in-person events despite their online habits. The conversation touches on the rise of digital wallets in fundraising and a startling statistic: 60% of donors don’t expect a thank you. Wendy emphasizes the critical role of online presence and personalized donor appreciation in successful fundraising strategies.