It’s dizzying to look back on this past season of What the Fundraising and try to encapsulate all the brilliant advice, life lessons, and wisdom that my guests have shared – which is why I was fortunate to have my good friend Dana Snyder, CEO of Positive Equation, on deck to help out! Together we’re deconstructing some of the big themes impacting nonprofits today as well as the many innovative new ways organizations are approaching donor partnerships. 

A lot of our conversations in this space seem to be trending towards pausing – whether for self-reflection, celebration, or recalibration in the face of fast-paced, relentless technological and social change. This episode provides highlights (and links) for some of our most compelling What the Fundraising conversations and favorite topics from perfectionism to donor retention and everything in between. Listen now to hear a thought-provoking, lively, and information-packed episode. 

Episode Highlights:

(02:35) – About the brainstorming and support that Mallory and Dana offer each other.

(04:47) – Ep. 37 Highlight: Vanessa Bohns and the Science of Influence. Click here to hear the podcast in its entirety. 

(10:40) – When you are afraid of being too “sales-y.” 

(13:20) – Defining the word “influencer”

(14:39) – Episode 29 Highlight: Dominique James has thoughts to share on the power of everyday experts. Click here to listen.

(16:00) – Episode 28 Highlight: Shukurat Adamoh-Faniyan shares thoughts on the important expertise and stories that nonprofits need to own! Click here to listen.

(17:02) – Dealing with impostor syndrome 

(21:25) – Episode 36 Highlight: Dethra Giles talks about dropping perfectionism in order to get to a place of ownership. Click here to listen.

(22:58) – What happens when we avoid discomfort 

(24:25) – Why are we so fearful of looking at things like donor or ad data? 

(30:45) – Episode 05 Highlight: Habits expert BJ Fogg explains the concept of “shine”. Click here to hear more.

(31:46) – Dana believes the metrics for “success” in fundraising must change. 

(32:01) – Episode 38 Highlight. About the psychology of motivation and how it relates to donor behavior. Listen to the episode here.

(33:05) – Donor stewardship/cultivation can present a “middle problem”.

(37:27) – Finding the space for integration.

(40:54) – Episode 47 Highlight: Fascinating conversation with Donor Relations Guru Lynne Wester about why we see people turn away from nonprofits. Click here for the episode.

(42:40) – Dana touts the innovative partnering opportunities generated by new giving forums. 

(45:10) – Two great podcasts to check out on the topic of creative partnering:

Episode 41: How to Align Goals, Language and Perspectives to Create Win-Win-Win Cross-Sector Relationships, with Kate Williams.

Episode 54: Confidently Claiming Next-Level Success Through Self-Awareness, Visibility and Brand Partnerships, with Julie Solomon.

If you’d like to hear lots more of Dana’s thoughts, click here to access episodes of her Missions to Movements podcast!

And please check out my Power Partners Formula and register for a masterclass here. For some quick self-discovery, you might like to take my Fundraising Superpower Quiz. 

Support for this show is brought to you by Bloomerang. Our friends at Bloomerang really understand fundraisers, which is how they make donor management software that nonprofits like to use. To learn more about them, head on over to bloomerang.com/mallory.