Lisa Steven never imagined her journey as a teen mom would lead to founding an award-winning nonprofit that transforms the lives of thousands of young mothers. Yet that's exactly what happened.

With over 28 years leading Hope House Colorado (which now operates with a $4.7M annual budget AND two debt-free buildings), Lisa reveals how saying “yes” to telling her story reshaped her organization’s future.

You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes of the 6-year journey to publish her book, A Place to Belong, the fundraising magic that made it happen (including a $25,000 gift from a longtime champion!), and how strategic PR efforts are opening doors for new partnerships, speaking engagements, and national expansion. 

Lisa and I also get transparent about the challenges of balancing leadership and creative work, imposter syndrome, the ripple effects of podcast interviews, and why hybrid publishing offers unexpected freedom.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Hope House Colorado on their website and their podcast, Life (Re)viewed, and connect with Lisa Steven on LinkedIn.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

88% of potential donors ABANDON donation forms mid-click! If you are driving traffic to your donation page only to watch donors disappear, you may have a conversion problem. But don’t worry - I’ll help you close the “conversion gap” and reimagine the donor experience.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through 4 strategic donation page formats, when to use each, and how to analyze your Google Analytics data to diagnose mobile drop-offs, funnel performance, and campaign effectiveness. 

Whether you're sending paid traffic to a Giving Tuesday campaign or trying to capture a donor mid-blog post, these tips and tricks will help you match the format to the moment, reduce friction, and finally fix the page that's costing you the most.

Resources & Links

Check out iDonate’s blog, The 4 Types of Online Donation Experiences (and How to Use Them to Convert More Donors).

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

What happens when a 115-year-old organization decides to reimagine EVERYTHING, from brand to fundraising model – in the wake of a global pandemic?

In this episode recorded live at SubSummit, I’m sitting down with keynote speaker Trovon Williams, SVP of Marketing & Comms at the NAACP, to unpack the organization's sweeping transformation.

Trovon shares how the NAACP leaned into the urgency of the moment to pivot its approach to advocacy, storytelling, and monthly giving.

You’ll hear why leading with solutions (not just problems) drives deeper emotional investment, how internal “inside baseball” campaigns are essential to getting leadership buy-in, and why being consistent (not performative!) is key to building successful partnerships and sustainable movements.

Resources & Links

Learn more about the NAACP on their website and YouTube channel.

Connect with Trovon Williams on LinkedIn.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

The global disability market represents a staggering $18 trillion dollars in spending power. And in this powerful episode, Tiffany Yu, founder of Diversability, TEDx speaker, and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto is sharing how she turned her own disability into a global movement for inclusion. 

After a car accident made her disabled and took her father's life, Tiffany eventually found the courage more than a decade later to share her story, helping others unlearn shame and embrace their own identities.

You’ll hear how Tiffany built Diversability from a college club into a thriving international community, why employers must rethink job descriptions and office norms to foster true accessibility, and how storytelling paired with data can radically shift public perception.

If you want to build more inclusive communities, Tiffany's magnetic energy and practical wisdom will inspire you to see lived experience as a superpower rather than a limitation.

Resources & Links

Connect with Tiffany on her website, order her book, The Anti-Ablelist Manifesto, and watch her TED talk, The Power of Exclusion. 

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

Did you know that brainstorming with AI can increase your number of creative ideas by up to 60%? In this episode, I’m joined by social impact entrepreneur and AI thought leader Amy Neumann to talk about how AI can make nonprofit work more efficient, creative, and impactful.

Amy shares SO MANY tactical examples of how nonprofits can integrate AI responsibly, whether it’s for content creation, donor communications, research, or internal efficiencies. Using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to spark strategic planning and storytelling, and leveraging meta AI glasses for event documentation, Amy paints a clear picture of what’s possible today (and how to protect donor data in the process).

You’ll also hear how I use AI in my own business (hint: it’s not just for podcast intros!) and why building an internal AI strategy is mission critical for long-term success.

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting, this episode will help you use AI with more intention and confidence.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Amy on her website, Empower Your Nonprofit and check out her book.

Check out Mallory Erickson’s AI tool, Practivated, to practice donor conversations.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

Redefining productivity (and actually slowing down) might be the KEY to preventing burnout in the nonprofit world. 

Author, coach, and leadership expert Kishshana Palmer is joining me to break down what it really takes to do less, better, especially during your busiest fundraising seasons. 

From her "RETHINK Method", which starts by challenging what productivity actually means - to embracing boundaries, joy, and rest as strategic advantages, Kishshana unpacks the pressures nonprofit professionals face and all the ways we can lead with intention instead of urgency. Burnout is NOT a badge of honor and shifting your energy can unlock more impact than overwork ever could.

You’ll also learn how to build a trustworthy team, cultivate a support circle that challenges your thinking, and reframe self-care as a responsibility (not a luxury). Kishshana’s insights are especially timely for leaders navigating year-end fundraising, donor engagement, and the never-ending to-do list!

Resources & Links

Connect with Kishshana on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram and TikTok. You can also order her book, Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

I'm sharing five website tweaks I've discovered while working with eight organizations through VIP intensives since March. These simple changes can transform your website into a catalyst for evergreen monthly giving growth, even during the summer fundraising slump.

Book your VIP Intensive here.

• Make your homepage message unmistakably clear - ensure visitors immediately understand what you do, who you serve, and why it matters
• Create a dedicated monthly giving landing page that explains your program, builds community, and makes recurring support a no-brainer
• Add strategic pop-ups to your top five most-visited pages with urgent, emotional language specific to your cause
• Make your email signup irresistible by replacing generic "join our newsletter" language with compelling, mission-aligned messaging
• Clean out subscribers who haven't opened emails in 60+ days to improve deliverability and focus on truly engaged supporters

Don't buy into the myth of summer fundraising slumps! Giving Tuesday's Data Commons team reports consumer spending actually spikes during summer months, representing a potential 25% increase in giving worth $22.5 billion annually. Make your website work for you while you're on vacation!

If today's tips helped, send me a DM on Instagram or a quick note on LinkedIn to let me know what you're implementing.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

What if your next major donor or corporate partner is already in your LinkedIn inbox, and all you need is the right message to start the conversation? 

Carson Heady is someone who's truly mastered the art of showing up online with purpose. He's a five times best selling author, podcast host, and one of the most insightful voices on social leadership. As the Managing Director at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, Carson is here to share how nonprofit professionals can borrow proven strategies from the sales world to build genuine relationships, increase visibility, and spark fundraising opportunities - ALL through LinkedIn.

Thoughtful DMs are outperforming long emails! 

You’ll learn how to send better connection requests, strategies for leveraging Sales Navigator for donor prospecting, and how to use the platform as a relationship engine rather than just a digital resume.

You’ll also hear how Carson personally raised $80,000 for a nonprofit through a targeted LinkedIn campaign and why he believes nonprofit leaders should embrace the title of "social fundraiser."

Resources & Links

Connect with Carson on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, Mastering Modern Selling. He also published a great article on LinkedIn, How I Became the #1 Social Seller in Tech - and How You Can Too.

Carson recommends Opus as his favorite AI video clipping tool.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

Would you believe it if I told you that texting is now one of Boys Town’s TOP revenue generating channels? Text messaging isn’t just for appointment reminders. It’s becoming one of the fastest and most effective ways nonprofits can deepen donor relationships.

In this episode, I’m talking to Jasonea Shockey, Director of Digital Marketing at Boys Town, to share how her team launched their successful SMS strategy from scratch. With no new hires, they repurposed email content, added emojis, and saw sky-high engagement - think 98–99% open rates!

Jasonea walks us through how they leveraged their existing donor list, balanced MMS vs. SMS campaigns, crafted welcome flows, and learned from benchmarks around timing and frequency to improve performance. Even with an aging donor base (average age: early 80s), they found surprisingly strong engagement through mobile.

Whether you’re working with a small team or wondering how to stay visible as email privacy rules evolve, this episode offers a clear case for why SMS belongs in your nonprofit's toolkit.

P.S. Text DANA to 770-230-8422 to join my texting program.

Resources & Links

Connect with Jasonea on LinkedIn and learn more about Boys Town on their website. 

Check out Tatango, the#1 SMS software for nonprofit fundraising.

Text the word JOIN to 51550 to join the Boys Town texting program. You can also text DANA to 770-230-8422 to see my own experiment with this.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...

Katherine Lacefield is taking us behind the scenes of growing a monthly giving program from absolute zero to 2,000 committed donors in just FIVE years, all through grassroots efforts.

You’ll hear exactly how Katherine and her team used face-to-face canvassing and phone fundraising (NOT flashy ad campaigns or pricey agency consultants!) to spark long-term donor relationships. These are scrappy, creative tactics that built a high-retention recurring giving engine, all done in-house.

We also dive deep into messaging strategies (like the “3 Ps” of monthly giving: proactive, project-based, and political power), why stewardship starts on day one, and how organizations can reframe their energy around fundraising.

As the founder of Just Be Cause Consulting, Katherine has truly done it all in the fundraising world: major gifts, peer to peer campaigns, grants and my favorite topic, monthly giving. I can’t wait for you to tune in for this honest and refreshing conversation.

Resources & Links

Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn and learn more about her consultancy, Just Be Cause. Katherine also has a podcast that explores the causes that shape our world.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  

With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your even...