What does it take to build a truly inclusive, culturally competent organization where burnout isn’t the norm — but the exception?

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Dr. Rick Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Learning Partner at The Rooted Life — a first-generation, LGBTQ+, minority-founded, bilingual coaching and consulting organization that centers people, culture, and identity at the heart of leadership.

With over 20 years of experience supporting schools, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, Rick offers a healing-centered, equity-driven approach to leadership and organizational development. He helps teams go beyond surface-level diversity initiatives to foster environments where people not only feel seen — but truly belong and thrive.

💡 Key Topics:

• Why tackling burnout requires cultural change — not just better scheduling
• How bilingual and bicultural leadership can expand the lens of inclusion
• The difference between performative allyship and transformative equity work
• What it means to lead from a place deeply rooted in identity and values
• Practical steps nonprofits can take to build more culturally competent teams

🔍 About Dr. Rick Rodriguez

Rooted in the Chichimeca people of Central and Southern Mexico -Rick is a first-generation Mexicano Americano originally from Laredo, Texas. Rick has lived through and acknowledges the challenges that individuals and communities of color face across our systems. Barriers to success have further fueled his mission to ensure that the work is laser-focused on removing such barriers and mindsets for others.

Rick brings experience from the corporate , K-12, and social sectors where his leadership has incorporated collaborative approaches to strategies, structures, and frameworks that center on the needs of individuals, teams, and systems while engaging necessary internal and external stakeholders in the process for progress. Rick is a strong believer in the reality that “Si se puede!” and is determined to lead efforts that bring about what is best for all.

Rick holds a B.A. in Sociology from Texas A&M University – San Antonio, an M.S. in Human Resource Development, and an Ed.D in Professional Leadership K-12 from the University of Houston. Now based in La Tierra del Encanto (New Mexico), the mountains are calling and Rick is steadfast in reclaiming what should and will be.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• https://www.therootedlife.org/about 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-rodriguez-ed-d-1667b751/

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷 

This episode was recorded live on LinkedIn. 

The final months of the year can feel like a sprint—and for nonprofit fundraisers, it’s often a marathon on top of that. Between Giving Tuesday, holiday campaigns, and meeting year-end goals, teams are juggling outreach, reporting, donor stewardship, and internal pressure to perform with limited resources.

But what if fundraisers could move from a place of overwhelm to a sense of abundance—not by working harder, but by working smarter?

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, we’re diving into the power and possibility of AI with Tommy Vacek, Chief Technology Officer at Bloomerang. Tommy brings a unique perspective to this conversation—not only as a tech leader, but as someone deeply invested in building tools that amplify, not replace, human effort in the nonprofit sector.

Together, we explore how AI can become a trusted ally to fundraisers, especially during the high-pressure year-end season. From practical ways AI can lighten the lift—like automating repetitive tasks or drafting donor communications—to more strategic considerations around ethics and human connection, this conversation is full of actionable insights for nonprofit leaders looking to embrace AI with confidence and clarity.

Tommy also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Bloomerang is approaching AI within its own platform, and how the company is working to ensure its tools are aligned with the values and real-world challenges of the fundraising community.

🔍 We Discuss:

• Why year-end fundraising is a perfect test case for smart AI implementation
• Real-world examples of how AI can support donor segmentation, appeal writing, and campaign optimization
• How nonprofit professionals can upskill to stay ahead of the AI curve
• Ethical considerations and how to keep technology aligned with trust and transparency
• A sneak peek into how Bloomerang is integrating AI in ways that empower, not overwhelm, fundraising teams

🧰 Resources & Links:

Learn more about Bloomerang's AI tool: https://bloomerang.com/blog/meet-penny/

Connect with Tommy Vacek on LinkedIn 

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what mat

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷

💰 What if the nonprofit sector could help grow giving by $52 billion every year?

That’s not a pie-in-the-sky projection. It’s the real, data-backed opportunity uncovered by Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer at GivingTuesday, in their latest research from GivingTuesday Data Commons: Growing Giving: How Nonprofits Can Unlock Billions in Generosity.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Woodrow joins me to share insights that every nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and strategist needs to hear. Drawing from the GivingTuesday Data Commons, which spans 2,000+ collaborators and 150+ data providers around the world, he reveals how to activate hidden giving potential, reach donors who are ready to say "yes," and build lasting generosity in your community.

🔍 Together, we explore:

• Why year-end giving is just the tip of the iceberg
• How recurring giving could be supercharged with smarter acquisition
• The powerful potential of simply “asking” the unasked
• The role of data in building community-centered impact
• What’s next for the GivingTuesday movement and the Data Commons

💼 About Woodrow Rosenbaum

As Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research and analysis of individual giving behaviors. He leads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, bringing together a coalition of more than 2,000 collaborators coordinated through eight working groups as well as data teams around the world to understand the drivers and impacts of generosity to inspire more giving of all types. Woodrow brings expertise in moving markets and transforming audiences from passive participants to active and vocal ambassadors. Woodrow is also the founder of With Intent Strategies, an international agency specializing in brand reimagination.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Growing Giving Report
• GivingTuesday Data Commons

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷

Why do women give — and what truly inspires them to give more? In this powerful episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Jacqueline Ackerman, Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.and a leading voice in gender and philanthropy. With a background shaped by early experiences in Haiti and a career grounded in rigorous research, Jacqueline shares why understanding how women give is just as important as how much they give.

If you’re not segmenting, stewarding, and storytelling with women in mind, you’re not just missing out on donations — you’re missing the opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable culture of philanthropy.

💡 Key Topics:

• Why women give and why it’s important to understand
• The biggest myths and blind spots nonprofits have about women donors
• How to use storytelling to build trust and deepen engagement
• What it means to create a gender-inclusive fundraising strategy
• How fundraisers can apply an intersectional lens to their work
• Real examples of how WPI research has helped nonprofits grow giving

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Explore the Women’s Philanthropy Institute: https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/institutes/womens-philanthropy-institute/about/index.html
• Access WPI’s latest research reports: https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/institutes/womens-philanthropy-institute/research/index.html
• Connect with Jacqueline Ackerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelineackerman/
• Learn more from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.html

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their 12 Year-End Fundraising Checklists and get helpful templates to help you raise more. 🪷

This episode was recorded live on LinkedIn. 

Join me and Rachel at the all-virtual, free Nonprofit Social Media Summit November 18-19! 

What does it mean to be a changemaker in today’s nonprofit world — and how do we take that spirit onto social media, and even into the halls of government?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rachel D’Souza, founder of Gladiator Consulting and a leading voice in community-centric fundraising, joins Nonprofit Nation to talk about changemaking, systems transformation, and her next big leap: a run for public office in Missouri.

Rachel is currently a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives (District 79), bringing her deep experience in nonprofit leadership, racial equity, and social justice to the legislative arena. From organizational healing to fundraising with integrity, Rachel has long been committed to reshaping the sector — and now she’s taking that commitment to the ballot.

We also preview Rachel’s upcoming keynote at the 2025 Nonprofit Social Media Summit, where she’ll be sharing tools for navigating power, privilege, and purpose in a digital world.

In This Episode:

• What it really means to be a changemaker today
• How to navigate the tension between tradition and transformation in nonprofits
• The intersection of nonprofit leadership and political advocacy
• Why community-centric fundraising still matters more than ever
• How nonprofit leaders can engage in healing work within organizational cultures
• A sneak peek at Rachel’s keynote at the Nonprofit Social Media Summit

🧰 Resources & Links:

🔗 Learn more about Rachel and her work at Gladiator Consulting

🎟️ Register for the Nonprofit Social Media Summit 

 🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

Kathleen Jeanette Guillaume-Delemar is the President and CEO of the Center for Community Progress. From her historic role as the first Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latina, Haitian American elected to the Glenarden City Council to her current work shaping national policy, Kathleen’s journey is both inspiring and instructive. 

She shares how Community Progress builds partnerships, communicates impact, and mobilizes policymakers, funders, and practitioners toward transformative change.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, marketer, or fundraiser, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas on:

• How to tell compelling stories that make systemic issues like vacancy urgent and relatable.
• Building partnerships that align with both local needs and national priorities.
• Elevating equity and justice in your messaging and fundraising.
• Inspiring donors and stakeholders to see themselves as part of lasting community revitalization.

💡 Key Topics:

• Why property vacancy is more than a housing issue—it’s a nonprofit issue tied to racial, economic, and community justice.
• How to frame complex problems for funders, policymakers, and partners in ways that motivate action.
• Practical strategies for connecting local voices with national platforms.
• Lessons in leadership, authenticity, and resilience that nonprofit professionals can apply in their own work.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the Center for Community Progress
• Explore the National Land Bank Network
• Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-guillaume-delemar/

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

Is the print newsletter dead? Not so fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Edwards, also known as The Nonprofit Maven, a fundraising strategist and coach who helps organizations move from reactive chaos to strategic clarity. Julie shares a real-world case study where one mid-size nonprofit reimagined their print newsletter and saw a 55% increase in giving.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why donor-focused storytelling beats internal updates
• What direct mail best practices can boost newsletter ROI
• How to evaluate whether a purchased mailing list makes sense
• Tips to refresh old fundraising tactics with new energy
• Why it’s time to stop saying, “Our donors don’t give that way”

Whether you’re a one-person dev shop or leading a full team, this episode will help you rethink how you connect with supporters and the type of communication that you give to them. 

🔍 About Julie Edwards

Julie Edwards is a nonprofit strategist with 30+ years of experience in copywriting, marketing communications, and fundraising. After a decade of leading a nonprofit organization, she launched The Nonprofit Maven in 2020 and has since helped clients raise over $20 million. Known for turning reactive chaos into strategic clarity, Julie brings a practical, donor-centric approach to fundraising strategy, donor relations, and campaign management. She partners with nonprofit leaders to create clear, effective plans that strengthen donor relationships, increase revenue, and build sustainable growth.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieedwards/ 
• Get on the Maven Mailing List!

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?  

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

What if your most powerful advocates are already inside your community — and just waiting for you to activate them?

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Tasha Van Vlack, community builder, engagement strategist, and founder of The Nonprofit Hive, about how nonprofit organizations can create impactful community ambassador programs without burning out their teams or breaking the bank.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why “micro-influencers” in your own community are more powerful than you think
• What a community ambassador program really looks like (and how to start small)
• How to create social media toolkits and storytelling prompts that ambassadors will actually use
• Best practices for recognition and motivation beyond “thank-you” emails
• What shifts when nonprofits center community instead of just transactions

🧰 Resources & Links:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Community Reimagined  
• Why Social Media Isn’t Community and What Canadian Nonprofits Can Do Instead

Email & productivity

• Fxxer AI — drafts/organizes emails in your voice  

Social & relationship management

• LinkedIn (primary channel + DMs)
• LeadDelta — to organize/manage LinkedIn relationships.
• Secondary/repurposed channels: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook.

Recording & content

• StreamYard — to record interviews/panels.
• Descript — for editing those recordings.

Story collection

• ProofPact — to capture member stories/quotes.

Ambassador/comms back-channel

• WhatsApp — for your ambassador group chat.

Community ops

• Oyr custom 1:1 matching tool (Community Hives layer) that powers weekly Hive Chats and white-label deployments.

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks a

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

The numbers don’t lie - 2024 was a record-breaking year for charitable giving. But are you actually feeling it this year? And what does it mean for 2026?

I talk with Wendy McGrady, President and COO of The Curtis Group, and Chair of Giving USA Foundation, to break down insights from the newly released Giving USA 2025 Annual Report. With giving up 6.3% and outpacing inflation for the first time in three years, fundraisers have reason to be optimistic — but also strategic.

We unpack what’s really behind the numbers, how donor behavior is evolving post-pandemic, and how nonprofit marketers can turn these insights into better messaging, stronger relationships, and more sustainable funding.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The economic tailwinds that fueled the recent giving surge
• Changing donor behavior and emerging giving patterns
• How to message hope and legacy in a divided, uncertain time
• Ways to adapt to federal funding cuts through stronger philanthropy
• Why now is the moment to deepen — not just diversify — donor engagement

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Full Report: Giving USA 2025
• Learn more about Wendy: Wendy McGrady – Giving USA

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them? 

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

🪷Nonprofit Nation is supported by Bloomerang. Download their free Ultimate Guide to GivingTuesday and get helpful templates to help you raise more on the biggest day of the year for new donor acquisition. 🪷

What if your nonprofit’s most passionate supporters aren’t new donors or current volunteers, but the people who were part of your mission years ago?

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I talk with Gustavo Zylberberg, founder of Vitalcy, an AI-powered engagement platform built to help nonprofits reconnect with the former staff, members, and donors who still care deeply but may have fallen off the radar.

Gustavo shares his journey from physical therapy and finance to launching a tech platform focused on community, storytelling, and long-term connection. We explore why re-engaging your extended community can unlock surprising value - and how AI can help make that possible without adding extra work for your team.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why your former members, staff, and donors might be your greatest untapped asset
• How Vitalcy uses AI to automate personalized re-engagement
• Lessons learned from working with camps, Hillels, and Boys & Girls Clubs
• Ethical considerations around using AI in nonprofit outreach
• What nonprofits can do today to start rebuilding relationships with their alumni community
• Why community isn’t just about who’s here now — it’s also about who helped get you here

💡 About Gustavo Zylberberg

Gustavo Zylberberg is a mission-driven entrepreneur with a background in both the nonprofit and business worlds. He’s the founder of Vitalcy, an AI-powered platform that helps organizations reconnect with former members, donors, and staff without adding extra work to their teams.

Earlier in his career, he led strategy and finance at a growing company, helping guide it through a period of meaningful growth and impact. He also holds a doctorate in physical therapy, and his work has consistently centered around community, storytelling, and building things that last.

Gustavo approaches every project with curiosity and a strong belief in learning from others. He’s grateful to be part of conversations that push important ideas forward.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Learn more: vitalcy.com
• Connect with Gustavo on LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars.  Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts