I had a bit of a revelation recently. I was talking to Justin Yaassoub, a man who knows a thing or two about leadership. It was one of those conversations that make you sit up and take notice. Justin went from a military background to the world of consulting and coaching, but not before experiencing a pivotal moment during a 300-kilometer canoe trip. Waking up cold, wet, and probably a tad miserable after a downpour, he saw one of his peers greet the day with unbridled positivity. That was a...

ENROLL IN THE INTENTIONAL FUNDRAISING PLAN MASTERCLASS. DOORS CLOSE FRIDAY, JULY 14! I remember, years ago, I was just starting out in the industry, working long hours and constantly seeking new ways to inspire potential donors. The world was a different place back then, technology was more of a luxury and the tools we leaned on were pretty traditional.  Recently, I reconnected with a quote by George Bernard Shaw: "Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their...

As fundraisers, we know that navigating the challenges of legacy giving can be difficult. We also know monthly givers have the highest potential and probability of making legacy gifts. In this episode, Lynne Boardman and I delve into not just the how, but the why and the what of legacy giving. Lynne shares her valuable insights and practical advice on how to make legacy giving an integral part of your fundraising strategy. You'll learn about the potential pitfalls, the surefire strategies,...

Understanding the power of words in the social sector is crucial for nonprofit organizations. Choosing and using the right language in communications can mean the difference between engaging supporters or repelling them. A strong message not only gets noticed but also deepens connections with audiences and propels them to take action, ultimately leading to increased revenue and greater impact. It is essential for non-profit leaders to appreciate the energetic impact of words and harness their...

Join me as I chat with Andy Robinson to unlock the secrets to balancing personal talents and organizational requirements for a high-performance board on the latest episode of The Intentional Fundraiser. My special guest is Andy Robinson Get to know Andy Robinson, an accomplished trainer, consultant, and author whose mission is to guide nonprofit organizations in the areas of board development and effective fundraising. Through his dedication to the nonprofit sector, he has led over 150 online...

In my latest podcast episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Seth Godin about the importance of nurturing a valuable atmosphere within nonprofit organizations. When it comes to building a thriving nonprofit, it's crucial to focus on creating a culture of significance. By embracing transparency, empathy, and open communication, we can foster an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to make real change. This approach also...

Do you want to increase donor loyalty and boost lifetime value? As an Individual Giving Program Manager, building sustainable recurring giving communities is the key. And the solution lies in creating a culture of giving that fosters long-term relationships with your donors.  With this approach, you can achieve higher donor retention rates and maximize lifetime value, all while making a positive impact. Join me as I share the secrets to building successful recurring giving communities that...

I loved speaking with Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim on this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast. Inclusion is the cornerstone of successful fundraising. The power of hybrid events lies in their ability to bring together diverse communities by fostering inclusivity and emotional connections with donors and creating engaging experiences that drive fundraising results. One of my favorite parts was this: When Kristin and Samantha first realized the potential of hybrid events,...

Rhea Wong, a successful fundraiser and passionate advocate for changing mindsets, found herself in a challenging situation when she first became an executive director. With no prior knowledge, she began her journey by learning everything she could about fundraising, only to discover that psychological aspects were missing from the teachings. Reflecting on her upbringing and the scarcity mindset she had inherited from her family, Rhea realized that her own fear of asking for support was...

When Ian Adair shares his personal experience with mental illness, he realizes the importance of bringing attention to this issue and how it affects individuals across the world. He takes a stand against the stigma of mental illness and encourages organizations to support their people.  From an early age, Ian has faced mental health challenges in his family, which shaped his passion for advocating mental health awareness. As he grew older, he discovered the power of sharing his story and...

Did someone tell you that simply tracking demographics and services provided is enough for your nonprofit's success? Think again! Developing a data-driven culture in a nonprofit is essential for effective impact measurement. In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, Sheri Chaney Jones highlights the role of leadership and the positive influence of professionals with corporate backgrounds in fostering this culture. By prioritizing impact measurement, organizations can better...

Geng Wang, CEO of Civic Champs, is on a mission to help nonprofits maximize their impact by deepening volunteer engagement. With a passion for change-making and a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship, Geng and his team have developed an innovative platform that streamlines the volunteer management experience to help nonprofits save time and reduce manual effort while improving volunteer experiences. Don't miss my latest podcast episode with Geng, where we uncover how technology can help...

Investing in prospect development is crucial for long-term fundraising success. In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, Regina Alhassan, CEO at ResearchPRO, emphasizes the importance of allocating appropriate resources to prospect research to generate extraordinary fundraising results. She also shares her insights on connecting donors' values to your mission. Take a listen. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODETEDx: Money. Black People. Philanthropy by Regina Alhassan We Should...

Building stories that scale ensures they remain flexible and relatable in diverse situations or contexts, thereby fostering a deeper connection with the audience.  This method allows organizations to use tailored messaging while still upholding their core principles. In my insightful conversation with Tamsen Webster, she emphasizes the importance of scalable stories as a vehicle for maintaining and conveying an organization's core message.  By focusing on adaptability and consistency, Tamsen...

On this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m so excited to be talking with Nathan Chappell and Brian Crimmins, two brilliant minds in the nonprofit space, respectively. As a thought leader, public speaker, author and inventor, Nathan is one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy. Nathan is Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, leading artificial Intelligence deployments for some of the nation’s largest nonprofit...

In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I talk with Helen Brown, President of The Helen Brown Group, a fundraising intelligence consulting firm based in Watertown, Massachusetts. In 2021 Helen founded DAFinitive™, a research resource for donor-advised funds. Helen is co-author of the book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers; the essential handbook (Wiley). She is a past board member and longtime volunteer for both Apra (Association of Prospect Researchers for Advancement) and...

In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I'm excited to talk with Nelly Cheboi, CEO and Founder of TechLit Africa. If her name sounds familiar, it may be because she was recently named CNN Hero of the Year. Hear about her incredible journey from herding cows as a little girl to leading a nonprofit that brings more Kenyans into the digital economy and developing effective, scalable solutions to poverty. Nelly’s journey is full of grit, determination, and empathy transforming the...

Amy Eisenstein is a veteran fundraising consultant with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is an ACFRE, published author, keynote speaker, and CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro. In this episode, we discuss: Strategies for effective major gift fundraising even if you don't have an established major gift programTips for leveraging virtual tools to boost fundraising efficiencyThe importance of being brave and asking for what you need in fundraising We go into a lot...

I'm excited to welcome Jonathan Meagher-Zayas to the #TheIntentionalFundraiser #podcast!  Jonathon is a self-described Queer Latinx Millennial and a #nonprofit strategist dedicated to addressing equity issues, building capacity, engaging the community, motivating new impact leaders, and getting stuff done. Jonathon is the Owner and Chief Strategist of Equity Warrior Strategies. In this episode, we talk about how to create equitable change in the #nonprofit sector, foster psychological safety,...

I feel so fortunate to have none other than Tony Myers as our guest today on this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast. I’ve been a fan of Tony and his work for many years. Last June I finally met him in person at the Western Canada Fundraising Conference where we were both speaking. And I have to tell you, he’s even more amazing than I expected. He’s so smart, so kind — just an absolute delight. Tony is passionate about philanthropy, leadership, and major gift fundraising. His...

On this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I’m delighted to be talking with Jason Ellinger of Beard & Bowler Productions. When asked to describe himself, Jason says first and foremost he’s a husband to his beautiful wife and father to an amazing 2-year-old. Of secondary importance, he’s co-founder of Beard & Bowler. He is a Commercial Filmmaker. A Magic Maker. Along with his co-founder Matt Carpenter, they help nonprofits raise funds & awareness through the power of...

There's been a lot of crystal ball gazing lately as many researchers, experts, and thought leaders looking at the economic forecast. Looking at giving USA data research, surveys, and assessing general nonprofit sentiment, trying to predict what 2023 may have in store for the sector and specifically for charitable giving. I tackled this topic in my live training with members of my Transformers Community last week. That session was titled, "Predictions & Preparations for 2023 Fundraising."...

One week ago today, on January 25, 2023, the Fundraising Transformed team hosted Transform23 – our first annual Fundraising Transformation Virtual Summit. It was phenomenal. Not flawless, but phenomenal. My heart is still so very full. In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast, I want to unpack that experience for you for a number of reasons. First, there were ten incredible speakers sharing exceptional research, insights, and innovations. I want to share a few of the highlights...

In this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast, I'm talking with Rachel Hutchisson, Rachel is a champion for social good. Rachel is a social impact leader with expertise in strategic communications, philanthropy and ESG (environmental, social and governance). Until very recently, she served as VP of Global Social Responsibility at Blackbaud, leading the company’s social impact investments and sustainability and helping the company’s 3,300 associates be Agents of Good. A position she...

Happy 2023 and welcome back to The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast! Today we’re talking with Alex Wilson, Co-Founder of The Giving Block about The Case for Crypto: What we can learn from challenging times. The Giving Block is the leading Crypto Philanthropy platform that connects nonprofits with crypto donors. Alex oversees The Giving Block’s growth in several areas, including:  technological innovationcrypto and financial partnerships and institutional giving I have to give a shout out to...