How do you tell stories that not only inform but inspire people to act? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Caroline Keylock, co-founder of LookUP, a global storytelling consultancy helping nonprofits, brands, and agencies harness the power of narrative to drive growth, connection, and impact.

Caroline shares her unique perspective drawn from both the nonprofit and commercial sectors, including her work with Wikimedia, Alzheimer’s organizations, and The Communications Network. Her message is clear: in a noisy world filled with apathy and misinformation, storytelling is not a nice-to-have - it’s absolutely essential. 

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• he critical difference between telling your story and telling your audience’s story
• How to structure a story to make it memorable—and actionable
• What nonprofits can learn from entertainment storytelling
• Why story is the key to alignment, clarity, and influence—internally and externally

This is a conversation for communicators, leaders, and change-makers who want their messages to matter, and to move. 

💼 About Caroline Keylock

Caroline Keylock is co-founder of LookUP, a storytelling consultancy working with people and organisations to drive growth through the power of story. She spends half her time working with non-profits globally (Wikimedia, Alzheimers, The Communications Network); and the other half working with agencies, media owners, and brands who want to harness their story to give them clarity as to their future goals, get their teams to work together more effectively, or sell what they do more effectively. She believes that storytelling has become the essential skill for organisations working in social good, in a world of apathy and disinformation, and LookUP are increasingly working with companies in this space to help them harness this skill.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• LookUP website
• Follow Caroline on LinkedIn

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

What if everything you’ve been taught about fundraising isn’t wrong—but just too safe?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa L. Stueckemann, CFRE, author of Fundraising Rebel—a book that’s shaking up how we think about donor relationships, generosity, and what it means to lead with courage in today’s fundraising landscape.

Lisa is a consultant, mentor, and nationally recognized speaker who’s worked with hundreds of nonprofit teams to help them ditch the “donor-centric” buzzwords and build real, lasting connections instead. In a time when donor trust is down and fundraising feels harder than ever, Lisa offers a refreshing—and rebellious—approach to leadership, authenticity, and generosity.

💡 We talk about:

• What it really means to be a fundraising rebel
• How to build donor loyalty in a time of burnout and disconnection
• Why “donor-centered” fundraising may be doing more harm than good
• How to talk about money in ways that feel honest and aligned
• Strategies to lead with courage, not just KPIs

If you’re ready to shake off the guilt, say goodbye to outdated scripts, and fundraise with more freedom—this conversation is for you.

💼 Lisa Stueckemann

Lisa L. Stueckemann, CFRE, is the author of “Fundraising Rebel.” She has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and Master of Nonprofit Administration from North Park University provide a unique and creative lens to her fundraising strategy and leadership style. She has on-the-ground experience in annual giving, major gifts, corporate philanthropy, event design, cause-marketing, and communications. She truly enjoys encouraging fundraising and marketing teams and forwarding the sector through teaching, consulting, and mentoring. A sought-after speaker on fundraising and leadership, Lisa regularly speaks at local, state, and national conferences.

🧰 Resources & Links:

•  🔗 Learn more at fundraisingrebel.org
• 📘 Get the book: Fundraising Rebel on Amazon

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

What does it take to lead with strength and compassion when your work revolves around trauma, crisis, and healing?

In this episode, I’m joined by Bridgette Stumpf, CEO and Co-Founder, and Lindsey Silverberg, Executive Director at Volare, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that provides free, trauma-informed legal, advocacy, and therapeutic services to survivors of crime. Formerly known as the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), Volare has grown from a grassroots startup into a $5M organization with national reach.

Bridgette and Lindsey share what it takes to lead in the survivor services space - from building resilient teams and navigating resource scarcity, to advocating for systemic reform and shifting how organizations think about trauma, healing, and justice.

We also talk about how they use storytelling, marketing, and even their own podcast (TraumaTies) to engage with their community while honoring the complexity and sensitivity of the work.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

• What it means to create a truly trauma-informed organization (not just a program)
• How to prevent burnout and build resilience in your team
• Creative strategies for sharing resources and building cross-sector partnerships
• Fundraising and scaling in a challenging environment
• Using social media and storytelling to deepen impact—without retraumatizing
• Why they launched a podcast, and what it’s taught them about leadership and connection

💼 Bridgette Stumpff

Bridgette Stumpf, Esq., is the CEO at Volare (formerly Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)), a position she has held since co-founding the organization in 2012. She has over 15 years of experience advocating to ensure those impacted by crime are afforded meaningful rights and access to supportive services to mitigate the negative effects of trauma post-victimization.

💼 Lindsey Silverberg

Lindsey Silverberg is the Executive Director at Volare In this capacity, Lindsey works to ensure seamless delivery of survivor services in the acute crisis response, advocacy and case management, legal, and therapeutic programs. Her responsibilities range from building infrastructure and support for direct service staff, to educating the local and national community about trauma, and thinking big with Volare's CEO on how to help survivors achieve survivor-defined justice. Lindsey joined Volare as one of the first full time staff members in 2012, as an advocate providing hospital accompaniment for sexual assault survivors, attending court, and offering direct advocacy support to survivors of crime. She received her B.A. from the University of Maryland and her M.A. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• 🎧 Check out their podcast: TraumaTies
• 🔗 Learn more: volare-empowers.org

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

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