Nonprofit Lowdown

Feeling overwhelmed by the tsunami wave of AI chatter? Wondering how your nonprofit can ride the AI wave without wiping out? You're not alone.  The rapid evolution of AI technology has everyone's heads spinning, trying to figure out how to adopt it responsibly and effectively to amplify their impact. In today's episode, I sit down with the phenomenal Devi Thomas, a beacon of knowledge from Microsoft Philanthropies, who's illuminating the path for nonprofits in the digital age. Her insights reveal that the integration of AI isn't just a trend; it's a toolset for improving efficiency, personalizing donor engagement, and scaling impact with a tactical edge. Devi, preaches that adopting AI starts with embracing our curiosity and permitting ourselves to experiment.AI's potential to revolutionize nonprofit operations is immense - if wielded with intention, transparency, and inclusivity. Ready to demystify AI and propel your organization into a future where tech and purpose align more closely than ever? Tune in to the full episode and learn how AI can be your co-pilot in achieving more with less, without losing the human touch that defines our missions. Important Links:  https://nonprofitcommunity.microsoft.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Ever felt a surge of imposter syndrome just as you're about to hit a major fundraising goal? Wonder why, even after securing that dream funding, a creeping sense of dread shadows your success?  If your accomplishments in the nonprofit realm leave you more anxious than empowered, it’s time we talk about your "Identity Upgrade." In today’s episode, we dive deep into the idea that our identity sometimes lags behind our achievements, leaving us feeling out of sync with our new realities.  🦞 Just like a lobster needs to grow a new shell to move around comfortably in the great big ocean, you need to upgrade your identity to fit your desired goals.  🦞 I'll take you through the concept of identity - how it shapes our actions, influences our reactions to success, and why upgrading our inner narrative is essential for stepping into our power as leaders. From discussing the psychological effects of sudden changes in our external environment to offering tangible steps on crafting a new, empowering identity, this episode is a guide for those ready to transcend their self-imposed limits. So, are you ready to align your identity with your achievements and lead with confidence and clarity? Dive into the full episode to discover how to navigate the discomfort of growth, the power of surrounding yourself with the right community, and ultimately, how to step fully into your upgraded identity. 🌟 To join the conversation, reach out, or learn more about upgrading your nonprofit leadership identity, head over to RheaWong.com. Let’s embrace this journey together. Important links:  https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Worried AI will take your job? Fear robots more than global warming? Think AI lacks morals? Well, take a chill pill my nonprofit friends. 💊 Today's guest Vilas Dhar provides a refreshing perspective on AI. Rather than some apocalyptic force, he views it as a "human-centric reflection of our society." Our biases and beliefs shape how it develops. So who is this optimistic leader guiding us to an ethical AI future? Vilas heads the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, advancing social good through tech. With experience across business, government and nonprofits, he connects communities to steer AI toward human dignity. Discover how we can distribute AI more broadly so underserved groups have agency to address their needs. Learn what civil society can do now to democratize participation. Hear Vilas' global vision for aligning innovators and people. The robots aren't coming for us yet, people! 🤖 Tune into this uplifting episode to understand how we shape the ethics and promise of AI. The future remains unwritten - our choices matter. Important Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vilasdhar/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Are you giving money too much power in your fundraising efforts? Are desperation and scarcity sabotaging your fundraising success? 😣 You’re not alone, my friend. Many leaders try tactic after tactic, only to come up short again and again. Exhausting, right? But what if the real barrier isn’t your savvy strategy, but your mindset? 💭 On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into money mindset to discover how trauma and the stories we tell ourselves about money affect our fundraising for better or worse.  Here are a few of my takeaways: 🔑 Trauma and money experiences get encoded in our brains and bodies, affecting our fundraising mindsets and results 🔑 Attaching heavy emotion like desperation or scarcity to money activates our fight-or-flight response 🔑This traps us in survival mode rather than abundance - and donors feel that! 🔑By unpacking our money stories and shifting to an abundance mindset, our outer results can transform. This is where the real work starts. We have to go inward to unearth our subsurface money narratives. What did your family say about money? What emotions come up when you fundraise? When you uncover the answers to these questions and shift your mindset, you’re going to see a huge transformation in your numbers too!  Ready to address inner blocks and finally hit your fundraising goals?  Important Links: https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Is it going to take over the world and make nonprofit work obsolete? Some peeps seem hyped, while others wanna unplug the mainframe, Office Space-style. 💻🚫 Well, never fear!  With experience from computer engineering to working for the FBI in the White House (?!?), my guest Afua Bruce knows her bytes from her bits. Afua decrypts how bias gets baked into algorithms and breaks communities. But she also shares how nonprofits can responsibly use AI as a force for good and level up their impact with AI’s help. 👩🏿‍💻 Some of the key takeaways: Top AI concerns include the invisibility of marginalized groups and scalable bias due to historical data and speed/scale of deployment. Everyone can educate themselves on AI by trying tools, asking questions, and knowing when to turn systems off if they don't serve you. Guidance for using AI ethically includes clarifying your strategy and values first, then evaluating if tools align. AI may risk loss of critical thinking skills but it also presents opportunities like predictive analytics to improve services. Bottom line: We got this, people! 💪 Ask questions, set guardrails, but don't let fear leave you behind. The tools ain't perfect but we can influence and improve. As Afua says, "...you still have agency in this process." ✊ Listen to the full episode to learn more. 🎧 Important Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/afua-bruce/ https://thetechthatcomesnext.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

With the first blooms of spring comes our annual opportunity for renewal. Time to clear out the old and make way for new growth! In this solo episode, I'll share my best tips for spring cleaning every aspect of your NPO - from refreshing stale programs to pruning unengaged contacts.  Get ready to plant the seeds now for a fruitful year ahead! Here's what we'll cover:  ✅ Breathing life and inspiration into your impact data with impactful storytelling ✅ Pruning and cleaning your email, communications, and database  ✅ Cultivating supporters with strategic messaging  ✅ Planting the seeds for efficient systems, processes & database moving forward ✅ Sprinkling your day with tasks that energize you and removing the ones that zap your energy.  And because we lead best when we lean into self-care, I'll also share my recipe for a quarterly mental vacation to blossom into the healthiest version of you! Whether you need serious weeding or just some strategic fertilizing, let this episode seed a sustainable way forward. Now get growing by tuning in! 🌱🎧 Important Links: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

This week on the podcast, I had an illuminating discussion with spiritual healer John Jacob Mubarak - a spiritual advisor with a heart for integrating soulful practices into everyday life. Our deep dive was enlightening, revealing how to pour into the causes we're passionate about without draining our own spirit. Key Takeaways: Embracing nature and holistic practices like plant medicine isn't just about healing—it's about unlocking a deeper understanding of who we are. It's a call to nurture our inner selves with the same vigor we use to champion our causes. We explored the impact of our pasts and the "I must" mentality that often fuels us, highlighting the power of crafting new, life-affirming stories for ourselves. It's a journey to discovering our true "why" and embracing it fully. Trusting in the grand journey of life, whether that's through the universe, a higher power, or something else entirely, empowers us to persevere. Adopting an abundance mindset reveals a beautiful truth: serving others actually fills our cup. Feeling the burnout? This episode is your gentle nudge to take a step back, breathe, and realign with what truly matters. 🎧 Tune in for a dose of soulful wisdom and a reminder that self-care and service go hand in hand. Important Links: https://junglegayborhood.com/retreat-index/508/remembering-wholeness-a-gbtqia-wellness-retreat --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

When we're scraping by each month, it's natural to get transactional with donors. But people give to people, not causes.   The good news? By shifting your mindset and strategies, you can move from survival mode to stability and even abundance. 🙌  In this episode, I’ll outline the top mistakes nonprofit pros make that lead to fundraising fatigue and give you my signature science-backed solutions for…  🚨 Why you can't find the right donors  🚨 How to engage supporters who aren't ready 🚨 Building trust and partnership If you’re tired of icky, salesy tactics and ready to start granting wishes and helping donors realize their dreams, first you have to learn what YOUR donors really want. I’ll show you how to connect, engage, and cultivate with all the tools and confidence you need for executive-level fundraising.  Whether you’re leading an established organization or building a fundraising machine from scratch, you'll walk away fired up and ready to connect donors to your mission. Important Links:  https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

I think we can all agree Gen Z has lofty ideals and a spring in their step for social change that makes some of us old fogeys a little uncomfortable. But could they be the generation that deconstructs the nonprofit industrial complex while the rest of us stand by and watch the show? Today, I’m joined by Sarah Medina Camiscoli, Assistant Professor of Law at Rutgers and the founding co-director of the Peer Defense Project. Sarah shows us how these visionary zoomers are experimenting with entirely new ways to build mission-driven organizations, from mutual aid networks to worker-self-directed nonprofits and beyond. My fave takeaway - the power of Gen Z isn’t necessarily in the benjamins they can raise, but rather in their ability to multiply their following.  They’ve done what we Gen Xers and millennials have merely hoped to accomplish–leveraging digital community and grassroots solidarity to advance justice. (Sarah even gave me a template to start integrating some of these "prefigurative politics" into my own organization without fully disrupting the board and funders.) So whether you lead an established nonprofit empire or are just a wannabe ally looking to support the next generation of world-changers, listen in on the discussion as Sarah breaks down everything you need to know. Stick around to the end for her best tips on bringing Zoomers onto your board, doing right by youth staffers, and opening up decision-making to a consent-based approach in your organization. Important Links:  https://www.peerdefense.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-medina-camiscoli-74b31912b/ Peer Defense Project Resource Guide: 1. Sociocracy and Worker-Self Directed Nonprofits Who — Peer Defense Project and Youth Power Coalition  What How  2. Mutual Aid3. Action Networks (Hub and Spoke Collectives) Who—Youth Alliance for Housing  What How 3. Action Networks (Hub and Spoke Collectives) Who— Law Students for Climate Accountability  What How --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Itching to make your passion project a legendary nonprofit? It might not be as straightforward as you think.  I sat down with my gal pal Tiffany Allen, founder and president of Boss on a Budget, to spill some piping hot tea about the real deal when it comes to starting up your own nonprofit. And let me tell ya…it ain't as easy as just slapping a 501c3 on your passion project and watchin' the donations roll in! We debunk some major myths around funding and control that trip up many founder executive directors. The key is building relationships, people! Donors are community too. Tiffany shares straight truth about the pitfalls nonprofit newbies face, like lacking systems and support early on. We dish out some real talk around trusting others to carry the vision, finding the right "who's" for your board, and avoiding burnout. Even us visionary bosses need help sometimes! Overall, an enlightening convo you don't wanna miss if you're thinking about jumping into the nonprofit battlefield. Tune in and leave a review!  Important Links:  https://www.youtube.com/@BossonaBudget https://bossonabudget.lpages.co/purposeprofitsociety/  Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork - by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy - https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Does your nonprofit have a “part-time” fundraising problem? As an ED, I learned the hard way that hiring well-meaning but inexperienced junior development folks often wastes precious resources. 💸 Their lack of strategic chops yields scattershot efforts and little ROI…leaving us with a half-baked revenue recipe. 🍳 But Cindy suggests a secret ingredient to bake up some major gifts – fractional fundraisers! 💡 These seasoned specialists bring targeted plans and efficient implementation to quickly elevate fundraising. It’s like adding an entire strategic department without the burden of permanent staff. 😍 For small shops stuck in survival mode, fractional fundraising could fast-track stability and growth. Cindy explains what to expect, how to track results, and why it beats blowing your budget on the wrong hires. 💥 So who else wants to take their fundraising from fractured to fully funded? Let’s level up together! 🙌 Hit play to explore fractional fundraising now. Important Links: https://www.fractionalfundraising.co/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Sick of shame sabotaging your fundraising? 😣 Turns out our money baggage builds invisible barriers between us and the resources we need. But together with my soul sister Shulamit Ber Levtov, we're busting through old stories to unlock flow! 💸 In this week's episode, Shula and I get real about how oppressive systems and early traumas wire our minds for lack - and why fixing feelings is the fast track to funding. We explore simple but powerful practices like self-compassion, boundary setting, and rewriting scarcity scripts that help shift stuck energy inside and out.  The truth that transformed my money journey? Healing shame and embracing our worthiness is an inside job, but community makes it possible. So if pesky inner blocks have you chasing (not attracting) dollars, join us! With compassion and clarity, we can rewrite old narratives into sources of strength for serving true abundance. 💗 Now let's drop faulty core beliefs to unlock core purpose! Hit play as Shula schools me on reconciling mind, body and money for good! 🎧 Important Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulamitberlevtov/ https://www.instagram.com/the_entrepreneurs_therapist/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Does chasing big donor bucks leave you feeling shook? Here’s a little secret to flip the switch on our inner dialogue so you can start bringing in major gifts: When you fix your mindset, you fix your money probs.  But don’t take my word for it! I’m all about a case study too.  Once upon a nonprofit, Emerald felt like an imposter around donors. But together we unpacked limiting money stories and reframed fundraising as an adventure, not a burden. Soon after, she received her first record $2.5 million donation for her nonprofit, Moves and Grooves, inc., and her budget has been growing strong and steady ever since. Tune in as Emerald shares her journey as a woman of color from scarcity to confidently leading with inspiration. You'll hear how one bold conversation and the power of authentic connection sparked her inner transformation and opened the floodgates of support.  The moral? All we need to unlock our inner fundraising rockstar is inner permission plus a solid plan. 💥 So if pesky money blocks feel like obstacles, let's shatter them! Abundance awaits, friends. Now…click play! 🎧 Important Links:  Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  Book - Get that Money, Honey!:  https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey Connect with Dr. Emerald Mitchell  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-emerald-mitchell-37a93679/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Fundraising leaving you frazzled? 😫 I've been there too. Turns out the problem isn't stingy donors - it's our own money mindset. 😳 I used to get bent out of shape whenever a gift fell through or the budget got tight. Then I learned around 80% of fundraising flows from how we feel about finances deep down.  Repeat after me: “Scarcity thinking repels resources. Inner abundance attracts support.” Join me and nonprofit Jedi Hugh Ballou as we confront the roots of money trauma and offer refreshing perspectives to rewrite our limiting stories. Shift reactive panic into responsive inspiration through emotional awareness and box breathing. Stop chasing uninterested donors by embodying, then emanating, the very wealth consciousness we seek. The path from poverty mentality to prosperous reality starts within.  Listen in as we map it out together. Important Links:  Free Webinar: 3 Reasons Why You are Burned Out on Fundraising - https://go.rheawong.com/3reasonswebinar Connect with Hugh Ballou - https://hughballou.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Sick of "spraying and praying" when it comes to finding new donors? I'm dishing my best tips on targeting your ideal supporters in this solo episode. I'm tackling the common mistakes I see nonprofits make, from failing to define their audience to not optimizing existing channels. Expect straight talk on the pros and cons of various donor acquisition strategies out there - no hype, just what really works! The key is getting specific. I'll share how to create detailed donor avatars, survey existing supporters, and use that intel to craft outreach that truly resonates. This clarity attracts great donors and repels those not aligned with your mission. Want my exclusive advice on messaging that converts the right prospects? I've tested this stuff in the real world, so you know it's legit. This episode is just a sneak peek at the P in my signature SPACE fundraising methodology I’ve used as the framework for my revamped Big Asks Gifts Program to transform your Processes.  We’re launching the 6 month BAG program right now to help you take their fundraising to the next level over 6 months. I only work with a limited number of EDs and DoDs each round, so check it out at rheawong.com if you think we might be a good fit! Can't wait to connect and chat all things donor acquisition. Let's take your outreach to the next level! Important Links:  https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Are you trudging through the fundraising world, feeling the weight of 'never enough'? It's time to drop the scarcity storyline and embrace the abundance that surrounds us. We've all carried baggage into our donor meetings, narratives laced with trauma and social hurdles. But what if I told you, it doesn't have to be that way? Let’s talk about the biggest game-changer in fundraising – your mindset. In today's episode, we're exploring how the tales we tell ourselves can make or break our fundraising effectiveness. I dive into the deep end of money narratives, discuss how our brain operates under stress, and reveal how shifting your state of mind from survival to executive mode can transform your fundraising efforts. You don't want to miss this journey beyond the numbers, into self-awareness where you'll find the key to long-term fundraising success isn't just in the ask—it's in the attitude. It's time to cultivate an abundance mindset, and I'm here to guide you. Your next big ask might just need the SPACE you'll discover within. Important Links: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

🎆 Happy 2023! Before we dive into the new year, let's recap my 5 most popular Nonprofit Lowdown episodes from 2022. These insightful convos cover everything from ditching toxic fundraising tactics to navigating across generations in the workplace and beyond. I've compiled the very best nuggets of wisdom to inspire you to find greater connection and community in the year ahead. We touch on themes like the power of deep listening, building trust through questions vs demands, understanding generational differences with empathy, and more. Each guest brings a unique lens but underscores the same core truth: Fundraising works best when we lead with shared humanity, not organizational needs. I'm committed to helping this industry unlearn bad habits in 2023 so we can build authentic, equitable partnerships between nonprofits and philanthropists. And have a lot more fun while we're at it! 😊 If these greatest hits resonate, make sure to subscribe and stick around as we continue the conversation this year. Thank you for joining me on this mission to create better fundraiser-donor relationships rooted in care. Listen to the full episode here and get inspired for the year to come! 🎧Important Links:  #219 - Listening + Speaking with Intent with Jason Frazell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/219-listening-speaking-with-intent-with-jason-frazell/id1436858854?i=1000593176725 #223 - Negotiating like a Hostage Negotiator with Troy Smith - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/223-negotiating-like-a-hostage-negotiator-with-troy-smith/id1436858854?i=1000598249006 #224 - Why Major Donor Processes Suck and What to Do Instead with Greg Warner - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/224-why-major-donor-processes-suck-and-what-to-do/id1436858854?i=1000599328901 #243 - Gen Z staff, Gen X leaders with Darren Isom - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/243-gen-z-staff-gen-x-leaders-with-darren-isom/id1436858854?i=1000619122514 #257 - How to Stop Chasing Donors and 10x Your Thinking with Brooke Richie-Babbage, Cindy Wagman and Jess Campbell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/257-how-to-stop-chasing-donors-and-10x-your-thinking/id1436858854?i=1000630681751 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Burned by social media and its tiny ROI? 📥 Time to make email your BFF for bringing home the bacon in 2023! Digital marketing maven Christina Edwards explains why email crushes social media when it comes to converting supporters into donors. Listen and learn why you should centralize and optimize this workhorse channel ASAP. We cover the ideal email frequency, metrics to track, ingredients for compelling subject lines and content, tips for cleaning your list, and plenty more nuts and bolts. Christina also shares tactical ideas for year-end campaigns. Her bottom line says it all: “The more emails you send, the more money you make. The two go hand in hand." So get over your fear of flooding inboxes and start maximizing this money magnet! Ready to have a breakthrough in connecting with supporters? Christina is bringing the email excellence - take notes! Important Linkshttps://www.splendidcourses.com/email --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Does your nonprofit website attract donors like a 20-year-old Geo Metro? 🚗 Here's how to give it a sleek new upgrade without breaking the bank. Lou Kotsinis of BCS Interactive shares his 20+ years of digital marketing expertise to help nonprofits level up their online presence. A beautiful website matters - it’s often the first impression funders have of your work! We discuss common pitfalls in positioning, storytelling, user experience and functionality. Plus simple fixes that create a seamless, conversion-focused donor journey. Lou also gives tips on choosing intuitive donation platforms, website content that converts, calls to action that compel without annoying, and more. The bottom line? Nonprofit websites should make donors feel loved, not bamboozled! Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their passion points and perspective. Then craft an experience that makes them eager to engage with your cause. “Love your audience. If you love your audience [and] understand what their needs are, that can't help but be reflected in your website.” - Lou Kotsinis Ready for website wisdom that’s equal parts strategic and practical? Have a listen! Important Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukotsinis/ https://www.usertesting.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Are visions of year-end dollar signs turning into lumps of coal? 💸 We’ll help you turn your fundraising frown upside down with an email marketing strategy that converts before 2023 comes to a close! Here’s how to salvage your campaign in the final weeks of 2023. Email marketing whiz Jess Campbell of Out in the Boons returns to share late-game fundraising tactics. The season isn’t over even if Giving Tuesday bombed - there’s still lots of money left to raise before January 1st! We dive into setting achievable goals, writing compelling subject lines, using emoji and personalization to boost engagement, following up with lapsed donors, and more. Jess also explains why you should add text messaging to your outreach mix. The bottom line? Keep emailing consistently through December. Using a strategic cadence of valuable content leading to clear calls-to-action is key to converting supporters into philanthropists. And never miss a chance to steward and recognize donor generosity! If you’re feeling frantic about finishing your campaign strong, don’t miss Jess’s affordable new monthly fundraising email template membership. It’s packed with plug-and-play solutions to save you time while growing donations. Ready for an email makeover to raise year-end revenue? Take notes - Jess is bringing the expertise! Important Links: The Fundraising Template Shop - https://www.thefundraisingtemplateshop.com/membership LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-campbell-outintheboons/“The Nonprofit Email Report”- https://www2.neonone.com/l/679793/2023-08-08/277h7w/679793/1691513830BLlHeTzH/Influencer___GT_EOY_Email_Report.pdf --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support