Explore the evolving dynamics of the "fundraising pie" and how nonprofits can carve out a larger slice by embracing innovation and thinking beyond traditional methods.  In a vibrant chat about the shifting landscape of nonprofit fundraising, host Julia Patrick sits down with Ben Erwin, CEO of Charity Buzz.

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Ben is a seasoned expert at the intersection of technology, entertainment, commerce, and charity, and he talks about the need for new approaches in fundraising. "The charity sector has so much growth in front of it," he begins. "It’s incumbent on all of us to figure out ways to incentivize innovation and raise more money." 

Charity Buzz stands out in this space by offering donors exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences while raising funds for various charitable organizations. These experiences, ranging from intimate evenings with celebrities like George Clooney to luxury travel packages, appeal to a donor base eager for unique opportunities. Ben tells Julia, "What we do is increase the size of the pie by offering up customers, donors, and philanthropists really unique, in most cases, money-can’t-buy experiences—all in support of terrific charitable organizations." 

The informative conversation looks into the challenges nonprofits face in a crowded sector with limited resources. Ben points out that while the percentage of GDP donated to charity in the U.S. remains stagnant at around 2% for decades, the number of charities has skyrocketed. This situation makes it increasingly difficult for individual organizations to secure a meaningful portion of the available funds. "We need to think outside and innovate beyond just going out to our existing donor base every day, every week, every month," he says. "We clearly need to do more if we want to get that 2% to grow and adequately fund the charity sector." 

Ben’s views bring to light the importance of creativity and adaptability in fundraising. By leveraging technology and offering experiences that appeal to the modern donor, Charity Buzz is helping nonprofits reach new audiences and generate additional revenue streams. The key takeaway you’ll appreciate from this episode? Nonprofits must look at the whole pie, not just their piece, and innovate to grow their impact.

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