🪷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

🪷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. 🪷

How can nonprofits tell powerful, compelling stories without compromising the dignity of the people they serve?

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I welcome Carly Euler, Marketing Director at MemoryFox and creator of the Ethical Storytelling Report. With a rich background in fundraising, marketing, and communications across organizations like the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and the BOMA Project, Carly has seen firsthand how storytelling can both uplift and unintentionally harm.

We dive into Carly’s recent article, “I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me: Stories Can Be Ethical & Still Raise Funds,” and unpack the fundraising industry’s overreliance on trauma-driven narratives. Carly shares a powerful personal moment that reshaped how she approaches storytelling, and offers tangible strategies for nonprofit professionals who want to center consent, agency, and dignity while still driving results.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why “trauma-forward” storytelling is so common—and so problematic
• The key elements of ethical storytelling
• Highlights from the 2023 Ethical Storytelling Report
• How to give story subjects real agency (even on a small budget)
• Building trust and long-term relationships through dignified narratives

🧰 Resources & Links

• Web: https://www.memoryfox.io/ethical-storytelling/ 
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-euler-53a0b776/ 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carly_memfox 
• 2024 MemoryFox Ethical Storytelling Report 

🪷🪷 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. 🪷

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Amanda Nicholson, an email fundraising strategist with a background in special education and a deep commitment to advocacy and social justice. With nearly four years of experience helping nonprofits close critical fundraising gaps, Amanda brings a unique, mission-centered approach to digital strategy.

We explore why email remains one of the most powerful tools in a nonprofit’s toolkit—and how to use it more authentically and effectively in 2025. Amanda shares practical insights on building strong donor relationships, writing compelling email sequences, and designing donation pages that actually convert. Whether you're a small shop or a seasoned fundraising team, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can put to work right away.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why email is still a top-performing fundraising channel in 2025
• How to strengthen donor relationships through your email list
• Crafting strategic, authentic copy that reflects your mission
• Best practices for formatting fundraising pages that convert
• Post-donation engagement strategies to keep donors connected

💼 Resources and Links

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nicholson-20a23a225/ 
• Website: https://amandanicholson.com/ 
• How Nonprofits Can Build Strong Donor Relations: 5-Day Email Challenge
• M + R Benchmarks
• Liz Wilcox’s Email Marketing Membership 

🪷🪷 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. 🪷

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Faigy Gilder, a nonprofit digital marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience helping small organizations punch above their weight. With an MPA and a passion for practical, no-fluff strategies, Faigy specializes in teaching AI workflows tailored specifically to the unique challenges nonprofit professionals face.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by limited resources or looking for smarter ways to write, market, and fundraise, Faigy shares actionable techniques using free or low-cost AI tools — all without needing to be tech-savvy.

💡Tune in to learn how to:

• Audience research and personas using deep research mode, AI transcripts, and custom bots
• Generating compelling grant narratives using AI to research, outline, and draft
• Ideating and planning marketing content that resonates using your brand voice and content pillars (both generated with the help of AI)
• And explore even more ways AI can boost your impact

This is a must-listen for any nonprofit leader ready to save time, streamline content creation, and make AI their newest team member.

💼 Resources & Links

Visit SmallOrgComms.com/Nation to find custom GPTs you can use today and explore Faigy’s strategic and fractional services for your organization.

Connect with Faigy 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 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

What if nonprofit burnout isn’t inevitable—but preventable?

This week on Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Megan Whitney—nonprofit leader, coach, and mindfulness guide—who’s on a mission to help changemakers stop sacrificing their well-being for the work.

After an 18-year career in the sector—and burning out a decade ago—Megan realized that passion alone isn’t enough. Now, through 1:1 coaching, team workshops, and guided meditations on Insight Timer, she equips nonprofit professionals with tools to release stress, regulate emotions, and build a culture of collective care.

In this episode, Megan shares how she turned her own burnout into a blueprint for resilience. We explore how to embed mindfulness into daily routines, why self-compassion is a leadership skill, and what it takes to create nonprofit cultures where rest is not just allowed—but encouraged.

Whether you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or trying to support a team that is—this conversation offers both practical tools and permission to pause.

💡 Topics We Cover:

• Why burnout is not a personal failure—but a structural issue
• The “Minute to Arrive” practice and how to use it anywhere
• How to shift from grind culture to a culture of care
• Embedding mindfulness without overhauling your calendar
• Reframing from being “busy” to being “full”
• Tools from Megan’s free Burnout Prevention Kit
• What leaders can do to model emotional intelligence
• Creating ripple effects with mindful micro‑practices

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Download the Burnout Prevention Kit
• Follow Megan on Insight Timer
• Connect with Megan 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 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

What does it take to lead with purpose in philanthropy today? How can foundations lead in moments of political uncertainty or during periods of reduced federal support for nonprofits?

As nonprofits across the country face political and financial pressures—from policy rollbacks to funding cuts—the role of foundations has never been more critical. In this episode, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President & CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, joins us to reflect on how philanthropy can lead in uncertain times. With decades of experience in public policy, community development, and systems change, Dr. West-Scantlebury shares how WRF is leaning into its 50-year legacy to support nonprofits through advocacy, trust-based funding, and bold, equity-focused strategies.

For nonprofit leaders navigating a shifting landscape, this conversation offers insight into how to build power, communicate with clarity, and partner with funders who are ready to act.

🔍 About Sherece West-Scantlebury

Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury is president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, a private, independent foundation whose mission is to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic and racial equity for all Arkansans.

Involved in philanthropy for 25 years, Dr. West-Scantlebury served as CEO at the Foundation for Louisiana and as a program associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Her professional career includes nearly 30 years of experience in community development, public policy and advocacy, and public service.

In addition to running the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. West is active in a number of nonprofits and philanthropy organizations, and she is a mentor to several nonprofit leaders and young foundation executives.

🔗 Resources and Links:

• https://forwardarkansas.org/about/team/sherece-west-scantlebury/

Hit play now, then subscribe to Nonprofit Nation for more expert insights.

🪷🪷 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