Episodes
Join Naomi and Megan as they are joined by the dynamic David Allison, a trailblazer in the field of value-based marketing and the mind behind Value Graphics Research Company. David shared his journey from marketing to discovering that values, not demographics, are the key drivers of human decisions. His research has led to the creation of a global inventory of values, changing how companies and nonprofits connect with their audiences. You will want to hear this episode if you are...
Published 04/16/24
Published 04/16/24
Episode 72 With Megan McCaffery and Naomi Perks Love is in the air, and so is the spirit of donor stewardship on this heartwarming episode of Frontier FM. Join Megan as she welcomes Naomi Perks, a former client and the member of the Frontier family, for a deep dive into the art of showing appreciation to donors. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, they discuss the similarities between a good date and good stewardship, and surprisingly, Megan finds herself speaking fondly of SMS fundraising. ...
Published 02/14/24
We used AI to write these show notes! Dive into the depths of AI's current landscape and future possibilities with Mike Berg on this enlightening episode of Frontier FM. In this episode, Megan engages in a compelling discussion with industry veteran Mike Berg, the Chief Technology Officer at System 3. Mike shares his wealth of experience in artificial intelligence, from his tenure at AltaML, Canada's leading peer-to-peer AI company, to his role in developing AI models for diverse...
Published 12/24/23
Sometimes the best way to innovate is to start with the basics. On this episode, Megan and Frontier ED, Derek Weiss sit down with testing guru and friend of the pod, Nathan Hill from NextAfter to discuss all things testing. Nathan shares his favourite test for charities in their A/B infancy, some surprising findings fresh from the NextAfter lab, and some common errors you should avoid while planning your end of year tests. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... ...
Published 11/07/23
Is it really best practice to follow best practice? On this episode, Megan is joined by Russell Philips of the Canadian Constitution Foundation to discuss their learnings from the recent NIO Summit in Dallas. You'll find out why it's so hard to convince people under 40 to give, get some quick UX/UI wins to optimize your donation pages, and learn why testing trumps best practice.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Russell and the CCF [0:45]...
Published 10/24/23
Megan returns to the pod for a message to our listeners about where we've been and where we're going!
Published 10/16/23
Just because corporate fundraising feels complicated does not mean it is. It’s also not a money buffet that charities can just show up to for funding. It requires strategy, skill, and a little bit of patience. On this episode, Ben sits down with Heather Nelson of BridgeRaise to discuss the ins and outs of corporate fundraising, why charities seek corporate partnerships, the shadow side of corporate funding, and how to take your first steps as a charity into the space. You will want to hear...
Published 04/12/23
Sometimes it takes an outsider's perspective to bring clarity to the needs of an industry you work in every day. That’s why Ben asked his long-time friend, former co-worker, and now SAAS leader Steve Benjamins to weigh in on the state of tech in the charity world. The two also take a deep dive into the unique benefits and challenges of four-day work weeks and remote working environments. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Steve Benjamins and his...
Published 03/15/23
What are your favorite fundraising trends for 2023? On this episode, Ben and Becca dive into all things trends for the ten months ahead. They discuss person-centered fundraising, using TikTok for donor acquisition, making giving easy, the future of phones in fundraising, and everything in between. You don’t want to miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Catching up with Becca and Ben’s Nonprofit Innovation Circle recap [0:09] Person-centered fundraising and...
Published 03/01/23
Change is often a bad word among charities. And nothing exemplifies change more than technology. Many charities avoid it for a myriad of reasons, but tech is a valuable piece to cracking the generosity puzzle for decades to come. On this episode, Ben sits down with Yulia from Giveffect to discuss how charities should choose the right technology for their organizations. The two dive into Yulia’s professional journey, the origin and mission of Giveffect, and the resistance to change in the...
Published 02/15/23
Are you ready for the Fundraising Revolution? Nejeed Kassam of Keela is! On this episode, Ben sits down with Nejeed for an engaging discussion focused on pushing the charitable sector forward. From tech innovation to addressing the fear that so many fundraisers hide just under the surface, get ready for a thought-provoking conversation everyone living the nonprofit life needs to hear. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Nejeed’s origin and going from practicing...
Published 02/01/23
A major part of human-centered fundraising is human-centered design. How do you create mass marketing content that feels personal to the reader and accomplishes the goal of inspiring generosity through giving? On this episode, Ben sits down with Frontier OG and Creative Director Nick Tassell to discuss the importance of design, the power of humanity in marketing, and his experience starting at the beginning of Frontier. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting...
Published 01/18/23
The first Frontier FM of 2023 is here and you don’t want to miss it! On this episode, Ben sits down with Neon One’s Director of Corporate Brand Tim Sarrantonio for a jam-packed discussion about the future of generosity from a technology standpoint. The two explore human-centered fundraising, the three-percent problem in the charitable sector, three trends for small shops in 2023, and making it easy for donors to grow in generosity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested...
Published 01/04/23
For the last Frontier FM episode of 2022, Ben and Becca sit down to discuss everything that goes into building a successful donor journey. When and how should you thank your donors? What role do economic seasons play in annual planning? How important is showing impact and accountability to donors? Listen now to get answers from the experts! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Diving into annual planning and how economic seasons impact giving [1:51] Knowing when...
Published 12/21/22
It’s time to bring some internal innovation to the charity world! On this episode, Ben sits down with the Director of Marketing Growth for Funraise, David Schwab. David dives into why quality tech stacks for charities are a game changer, how and why he works for Funraise, and the power of owning the conversation through email marketing.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The difference between Seattle and Canadian sports [0:12] Exploring David’s professional...
Published 12/07/22
The world needs good marketers. Thankfully, Frontier FM has got you covered! On this episode, Ben is joined by Frontier strategist and new co-host Becca Gust to discuss her background, the Enneagram, her first Fall at Frontier, subjectivity in fundraising marketing, and the experimentation culture within Frontier. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Frontier FM’s newest co-host, Becca Gust! [1:22] Diving deeper into the Enneagram [11:40] Becca’s...
Published 11/23/22
Get ready to learn about all things social media in the world of fundraising marketing as Ben sits down with digital marketing coach and podcaster Dana Snyder of Positive Equation. On this episode, the two discuss the dynamic duo of marketing and branding, using social platforms effectively in fundraising, optimizing your charity’s YouTube channel, and the best use of your social media marketing dollars. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Dana...
Published 11/09/22
There are two sides to marketing in the charity world: fundraising and branding. Both are essential, but it’s time to give the branding crew some love! On this episode, Ben sits down with Anchor Marketing President Danielle Gagner to discuss why marketers need communication skills, the importance of branding, the prerequisites for a rebrand, creating intergenerational loyalty, and using data and branding to produce a strong sense of identity in donors. Resources & People Mentioned Email...
Published 10/26/22
Fundraising is an $18 billion industry fighting to be taken seriously. Charities often struggle to become more sophisticated and business-minded without losing their nonprofit side. One way to move the needle forward for the charitable sector is through fundraising education for fundraisers and those that work with them. On this episode, Ben sits down with New School of Fundraising founder Rowena Veylan to talk about accessible fundraising education, the importance of fundraising training for...
Published 10/12/22
What is the role of trust in the fundraising process? What does sustainable accountability look like in the charitable sector? On this episode, Ben sits down with Africa Community Technical Service (ACTS) for Water CEO Jeff Golby to discuss trust-based philanthropy, unhealthy power dynamics in major giving, and better ways to build trust between charities and the donors that fund them.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Jeff Golby and life...
Published 09/28/22
As summer comes to a close, a potential recession looms over the market and the media. Whether or not an economic downturn is waiting around the corner, charities need to be prepared to weather the storm. On this episode, Ben talks through the thoughts, methodologies, and tactics he recommends to help your organization stay successful in the face of adversity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... What to do when your organizational resilience is tested [1:50]  Why...
Published 09/14/22
When discussing digital fundraising trends, there’s no better person to do it with than Brady Josephson. Formerly of NextAfter, Brady is now the interim Marketing & Growth Lead at charity: water and provides a wealth of experience from both sides of the charity world. On this episode, Ben and Brady discuss the future of data, technology’s impact on charity culture, and playing Moneyball in the nonprofit sector. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to...
Published 08/31/22
On this episode, Ben sits down with Frontier’s own Marketing Director Sam Kirk to discuss his first year at the company. Get ready for a quick moving conversation filled with Gen X thoughts, the best parts about working at Frontier, areas of improvement, and plenty of mid-nineties nostalgia. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Sam Kirk and his non-profit journey [1:27] Understanding the impact of a potential recession on giving and Gen X thoughts...
Published 08/17/22
Data nerds rejoice! On this episode of Frontier FM, Ben sits down with Product Manager and Data Mad Scientist at Wisely, Kirk Schmidt to discuss what it means for charities to be data-driven in a meaningful way. The two dive into improving standards in the charitable sector, the difference between demographics and identity, and the value of taking a holistic approach to data. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Kirk Schmidt and how a degree in...
Published 08/03/22