Nonprofit Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

#312- Giving Circles and the Future of Philanthropy with Emily Rasmussen Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Emily Rasmussen, the founder and CEO of Grapevine, to dive into the power of Giving Circles and the future of philanthropy. 💸✨

👥 What exactly is a giving circle? Emily explains how this simple yet powerful concept is bringing everyday philanthropists together to pool their resources, build community, and make a bigger impact. It's all about democratizing philanthropy, where everyone can contribute—whether it’s time, talent, treasure, or connections!

We discuss:

- How giving circles are transforming philanthropy by empowering people to give in a recurring, community-driven way

- The importance of building community among donors, not just managing a list

- Why everyday donors should feel like part of a movement, not just a name on a donor roll

- The growing trend of giving circles as the fastest-growing form of philanthropy and why this model is so effective in today’s nonprofit world

💡 Whether you're looking for fresh ideas on how to engage your donors or you're curious about new ways to build sustainable fundraising, this episode is for you!

Important Links:

Giving Tuesday: https://www.givingtuesday.org/

Connect with Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-rasmussen-02816619/

Grapevine: https://www.grapevine.org/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

#311 - When Local Becomes National..and VOTE with Margaret Huang Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

🎙️ Join me, Rhea Wong, on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with Margaret Huang, the incredible president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and SPLC Action Fund. Together, we dive into how we can make geographically specific causes nationally relevant—especially in today's political climate.

Margaret shares her unique journey in becoming a leader of one of the most impactful nonprofits in America. We discuss the importance of intersectionality in civil rights and how the SPLC is addressing threats to our democracy that start in the South but resonate nationwide.

Whether you’re in New York or beyond, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s not just about the South; it’s about all of us. Don’t miss out on Margaret’s insights into the changing landscape of civil rights and the power of grassroots mobilization.

Important Links:

Giving Tuesday: https://www.givingtuesday.org/

Connect with Margaret: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-huang-she-her/

SPL Center: www.splcenter.org

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#310- Empathy Marketing with John Lepp Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

🎧 Join me on this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with the amazing John Lepp, partner at Agents of Good, author of Creative Deviations, and the "Ted Lasso of fundraising"! 🏆✨

Together, we dive deep into the art of empathetic marketing and its crucial role in nonprofit fundraising. 💖

John shares his journey from journalism to direct marketing, emphasizing the power of direct mail in a digital age. 📨💌 He challenges us to rethink how we connect with donors, highlighting the importance of personal relationships over mere transactions.

This episode is packed with insights on list segmentation, donor behavior, and how to truly engage your supporters.

If you're ready to transform your fundraising strategy and foster real connections, you won't want to miss this! 🚀

Important Links:

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlepp/

Agents of Good: https://agentsofgood.org/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#309- Social Media + Year End Giving with Julia Campbell Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Join me, Rhea Wong, on this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with the fabulous Julia Campbell, social media maven! 🙌

We're diving deep into the current state of social media—and let’s just say, it’s not great. 😅

Is social media feeling more like a burden than a blessing? You’re not alone! Julia and I explore why it’s often overwhelming and how nonprofits can shift their approach from broadcasting to engaging. 🚀

Discover:

✅ The true purpose of social media in fundraising

✅ How to measure success beyond vanity metrics

✅ Tips to overcome the comparison game

✅ Strategies to build community and drive action off-platform

Whether you’re feeling lost in the sea of social media or just need a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with insights to help you leverage these platforms for good! 💪

Tune in now and let’s get to work transforming your social media strategy! 🎙️✨

Important Links:

Connect with Julia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell/

Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit: https://jcsocialmarketing.com/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#308- Tips for Giving Tuesday with Woodrow Rosenbaum and Stephanie Russell Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Hey, podcast listeners! Join me as we dive into the buzz surrounding Giving Tuesday—the fundraising Super Bowl of the year! 💰✨

In today's episode, I am joined by:

Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer of Giving Tuesday

Stephanie Russell, Executive VP of RKD Group

We discuss the latest GivingPulse Report and share crucial insights on how to effectively engage donors this Giving Tuesday. 🤝

🔍 Key Takeaways:

Understanding Donor Behavior: Learn why it’s essential to understand donor motivations and engagement strategies.
In-Person Engagement: Explore innovative ways to harness the power of in-person connections amidst digital noise.
Donor Retention Strategies: Discover how to retain first-time donors and convert them into loyal supporters.

🎧 Tune in now for actionable tips to maximize your fundraising efforts this season and beyond! Let’s make this Giving Tuesday your best one yet!

Important Links:

GIvingPulse Report: https://www.givingpulse.givingtuesday.org/

Connect with Woodrow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodrowrosenbaum/

Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slaudrussell/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#307 - Community Centric Fundraising with Maria Rio Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

Hey, podcast listeners! 🎙️ Join me on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with my friend Maria Rio, founder and CEO of Further Together and host of The Small Nonprofit podcast! 🌟 We dive deep into community-centric fundraising and how it shifts our focus from individual organizations to the well-being of the entire community.

From Maria's journey as a street fundraiser to her insights on equity and social justice in fundraising, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to rethink how we approach donor relationships. 💖

Important Links:

Connect with Maria: https://linkedin.com/in/mariario

Community Centric Fundraising: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/tag/maria-rio/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#306 - Recruiting for Board Members with Melissa Madzel Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

🤔 Are you struggling with board dynamics? Wondering how to engage board members effectively without micromanaging?

In this episode, Melissa Madzel, founder of Do Good Connections, shares insights from her years in executive search, exploring:

The lifecycle of boards and the importance of strategic recruitment
How to foster strong leadership within your board
Tips for decoupling board membership from fundraising pressures
Best practices for onboarding and setting expectations

If you’re an ED looking to navigate the complexities of board relationships, this episode is for you!

Important Links:

Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamadzel

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#305 - Words of Wisdom with Brooke Richie-Babbage Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

🎙️ This week, I’m chatting with my business bestie, Brooke Richie-Babbage. We’re diving deep into the challenges many of us have faced in 2024—yes, it’s been a tough year!

✨ From feeling stuck to grappling with budget concerns, we’re exploring why so many nonprofits are struggling, despite doing everything “right.” We talk about the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how to break through the noise in a world flooded with information.

💡 Join us as we share personal stories of our own missteps (hello, hiring mistakes and epic event flops) and discuss the power of acknowledging our gaps to foster growth.

🌟 If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure, you're not alone! Tune in to hear how to embrace uncertainty and keep moving forward.

Important Links:

Connect with Brooke: https://brookerichiebabbage.com/

Brooke’s Courses: https://brookerichiebabbage.com/courses-resources/

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#304- How to Steward Donors Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

Get ready to dive deep into the world of donor stewardship and recognition in our latest episode! 🎉

We’re unpacking the secrets to keeping your donors engaged and ensuring they don’t slip through the cracks.

🔍 Here’s what you’ll learn:

- The 53% Rule: Why the majority of your time should be spent on stewardship.

- The Leaky Bucket Problem: How to address the staggering 45% donor retention rate and why focusing on retention can transform your year economically.

- Personalization Matters: Discover how understanding and aligning with your donors' unique preferences can drastically improve your retention rates.

- Seven Touch Points: Learn why you need multiple touch points before asking for another donation and how to effectively implement them.

- Metrics That Matter: Essential metrics you should be tracking to ensure your efforts are paying off.

💡 Call to Action: Don’t miss out on downloading my essential template and taking our fun, free self-diagnosis quiz. These tools are designed to supercharge your stewardship strategy and boost your donor relationships!

Important Links:

Free Quiz: https://go.rheawong.com/freebie-quiz

Free Annual Fundraising Plan Tracker: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

#303- How to Solicit Donors Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

Are you ready to dive into the art of solicitation for nonprofits? 💸 Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our latest episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss!

In this episode, we tackle the final stage of the fundraising process—solicitation. From crafting the perfect ask to understanding the value exchange, we're breaking down the essentials to help you make compelling requests and secure those crucial donations.

✨ **What You'll Learn:**

- **The Power of Preparation:** How to create real value for your donors before making the ask.

- **Matching Needs and Desires:** Tailoring your approach to align with donor interests and capacity.

- **Effective Solicitation Methods:** When to go in-person vs. using other communication channels.

- **Navigating Donor-Advised Funds:** Tips for handling anonymous or indirect donations.

- **The Pyramid of Value:** Understanding what motivates donors and how to tap into their desires.

Don’t miss out on these game-changing strategies that can transform your approach to fundraising. Subscribe, listen, and get ready to elevate your nonprofit's success!

Important Links:

Free Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4317252143685/WN_Ou6hEuuGQ_29_IjYTTAcAA#/registration

Free Annual Fundraising Plan Tracker: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker

My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey

My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

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