Nonprofit leaders love to default to newsletters - long, clunky, “Fall Update”-style emails stuffed with program blurbs, raffle announcements, and event reminders. But newsletters don’t raise money. In fact, they train donors to skim, ignore, or unsubscribe. In this episode, I break down why newsletters flop, what you should be sending instead, and how shifting to single-topic, story-driven campaigns can multiply your revenue without adding more work. You’ll learn how to replace the newslette...
Most nonprofits underestimate the quiet powerhouse sitting right in front of them: email. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 proven strategies to transform your inbox into your most reliable fundraising engine. From reactivating lapsed donors to priming your biggest asks, I’ll walk you through the data-backed reasons email outperforms social and direct mail, and how small tweaks in consistency, intimacy, and urgency can create donations on demand. Whether you’re a solo fundraiser or leading a la...
Most nonprofit leaders play it too safe. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why a little “healthy delusion™” might be the missing ingredient in your fundraising and leadership success. You’ll learn why being overly realistic can quietly cap your revenue potential, and how the right dose of ambitious, slightly unreasonable belief in your vision can get you into rooms, conversations, and opportunities you didn’t think were possible. This isn’t about ignoring reality. It’s about ex...
Something is missing in your recipe for success. Not a tool. Not a strategy. But something deeper: your inner grit. This isn’t about hustling harder or pushing yourself until you burn out. It’s about the strength you draw on when you’re tired, when the campaign feels heavy, when the grant report is due, and when your to-do list is longer than your capacity. In this episode, I’m sharing why grit matters just as much as skill in fundraising, the mindset shifts that make it sustainable, and ho...
This episode is for the nonprofit leader doing “all the right things” (you’ve got peer fundraisers, events, email blasts, major donor asks) but you're still not hitting your campaign goals. Sound familiar? It’s not your fault. It’s your foundation. I recorded this episode fresh off the launch of The Purpose and Profit Club®, and after talking to so many of you, I noticed the same trap over and over: layering modern tactics on top of weak campaigns. If your messaging isn’t emotionally resonan...
Joey Goone is back, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him return to the podcast. If you’ve ever felt like your fundraising events are starting to blend together, or you’re craving something more intentional, joyful, and authentic, this conversation is your permission slip to shake things up. Joey is the President of Utopia Experience, and honestly, he brings so much heart to the events space. He’s not here for stuffy ballrooms or robotic run-of-shows. He’s here to help nonprofits lead w...
I’m back from a month in Greece, sun-soaked, inspired, and wildly energized, and there’s one theme that keeps showing up in every single conversation I’ve had since: 10 minutes can change everything. In this episode, I’m sharing the power of micro-bravery. Not hypotheticals, but real stories. A client who made one 10-minute thank-you call and created a deeper connection than she imagined. Another who picked up the phone and walked away with a six-figure intro. I’ll even tell you how a 10-min...
Most nonprofits wait for permission: a grant panel, a sponsor, an award to tell them they’re the best. This episode flips that script. Today, I share why it’s time to claim your brilliance, boldly articulate what makes you exceptional, and anchor your authority before anyone else does. From a five-star Airbnb in Greece to awkward sponsor meetings where leaders freeze, this conversation unpacks the mindset shifts and tactical moves that help you own your impact. Because you don’t need a medal ...
Everyone’s chasing the wrong spotlight—and in this episode, I explain why. You think you need a Grammy winner to post your fundraiser, but what you actually need is a solid campaign and a Social Street Team® to spread it. I share real stories of big-name flops, what gets campaigns to convert (hint: it’s not fame), and how to build a movement of aligned, trusted messengers who drive results. If you’re tired of waiting for someone famous to save your fundraiser, it’s time to flip the script and...
What if your birthday could change lives? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Houchin, founder of Sonder Bakehouse, a passionate fundraiser, and a longtime advocate for Charity: Water. Kayla shares how a book and a single birthday campaign turned into over $100,000 raised (and counting!) to bring clean water to communities worldwide. We talk about the power of starting small, how joy and creativity fuel sustainability in fundraising, and why showing up with purpose can inspire a whole tow...
What if your next major hire isn’t a person, but a system? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the “NextGen Fundraising Engine”, a proven campaign system that replaces the need for a marketing coordinator, development associate, and monthly giving manager. If you’re stuck in a cycle of burnout, chasing one-off donations, or hiring your way out of a revenue gap, this episode is your permission slip to do it differently. You’ll learn why the smartest nonprofits are stealing proven grow...
Feeling stuck at $200K? Plateaued at $500K? Are you wondering why you can’t push past $1M even when your mission is solid and your team is working nonstop? In this episode, I explain why nonprofit revenue stalls — and more importantly, how to move beyond it. From outdated donor funnels to board bottlenecks, this episode offers a smarter system for sustained growth. I walk you through real revenue tiers, key mistakes organizations make at each level, and what to do instead. If you're ready to ...
If your fundraising strategy still runs on 2010 logic, this is your wake-up call. In this episode, I break down the concept of NextGen Fundraising—not just for Gen Z, but for every generation of donor who now expects fast, friction-free, modern giving experiences. I share why traditional tactics are burning you out, why your board doesn’t need another gala, and how to cut the clutter and focus on what actually works. Get ready for mindset shifts, strategy overhauls, and some tough love on why...
Donors don’t act like traditional donors anymore—they act like digital shoppers. And in this episode, Salvatore Salpietro, Chief Community Officer at Fundraise Up, joins me to break down exactly what that means for your nonprofit. This isn’t about throwing shade. It’s about meeting donors where they are—on their phones, on the go, and expecting the same seamless experience they get from Amazon, Uber, or Netflix. Topics: Why nonprofits are 10–20 years behind on digital fundraisingHow donor ...
You keep hoping your board will step up and help fundraise. They say they will. But when campaign crunch time hits, you get silence. Crickets. And you're stuck doing it all. In this episode, I walk you through the real reasons your board isn't fundraising — and it’s not just because they’re busy. From fear of rejection to outdated event mindsets, I unpack the top 10 blockers (with real-world examples), and most importantly, how to turn things around. You’ll walk away with practical steps to r...
Ever pour your heart into a campaign, emails sent, donors hyped, and an event planned, only to hit a wall? Donations stall, goals aren’t met, and suddenly, it feels like you failed. This episode is your permission slip to pause, reflect, and bounce back stronger. In part two of the mindset series, I’m sharing a concept I coach clients on weekly: The 7-Minute Rule. It's the strategy that helps nonprofit leaders recover from fundraising flops without spiraling into shame or burnout. Because the...
You know that moment when someone doesn’t reply to your email, or a donor backs out, or you get an unsubscribe notification—and suddenly, your stomach drops? Rejection stings—it hits hard and can hijack your momentum fast. In this episode, I’m sharing something I’ve been coaching on behind the scenes: The 7-Second Rule. It’s a mindset tool to help you handle rejection—ghosting, “no thank yous,” radio silence, without falling into a spiral that slows your mission down. Because the real issue ...
Your campaign launched strong—emails out, ambassadors ready, social posts scheduled. And then the momentum vanished. You’re not alone. I’m sharing what no one prepares you for: the messy middle of your fundraising campaign. That moment when things slow down, energy dips, and you start asking, “Where is everybody?” If it feels harder to move donors right now, you’re right. The game has changed. Campaigns that used to work aren’t hitting the same, and it’s not because your cause isn’t worthy. I...
If you're still fundraising alone, this episode will change everything. Whether you're a solo shop executive director, a part-time founder, or running a million-dollar organisation, one thing is clear: you're not meant to do this work alone. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to grow faster using digital ambassadors—aka your passionate, everyday supporters who already love your mission and are ready to spread the word. From awareness to fundraising to enrollment, mobilizing...
If you’ve ever felt like your board is holding you back—or worse, like you’re stuck asking for permission to lead the organization you’re working so hard to grow, you’re not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by Sabrina Walker Hernandez, founder of Building Better Boards, to dig into why so many nonprofit CEOs get stuck parenting their boards — and how to break free from the cycle. Sabrina’s lived it from all sides: she’s run a thriving nonprofit, serves on five boards, and is not afraid to ...