🪷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

Simply “raising awareness” isn’t enough anymore for nonprofits. In this episode, communications specialist Kathleen Tonini joins Nonprofit Nation to challenge one of the sector’s most common traps—mistaking noise for strategy. With her G.A.M.E. framework (Goal, Audience, Message, Engage), Kathleen helps values-driven organizations get clear and confident about how they communicate, so they can inspire real action—not just fill inboxes.

Together, we dig into the difference between performative messaging and strategic storytelling, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive comms to communications that build trust, clarity, and genuine support.

🔍 What We Discuss

• The problem with “raising awareness” and what to do instead
• Kathleen’s G.A.M.E. framework for strategic messaging
• How to audit your messaging without scrapping everything
• Why clarity beats cleverness in nonprofit communications
• Messaging mistakes that cost organizations trust and traction

✒️ About Kathleen Tonini

Kathleen is a messaging strategist who helps mission-driven organizations get clear, strategic, and confident with their communications. With years of experience working across issue areas and organizational sizes, she brings a grounded, action-focused approach to communications that converts.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-tonini-419943b9/
• https://theleap.co/creator/commswithkathleen/

🪷🪷 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

Can artificial intelligence actually help you raise more money, as well as build better donor relationships? We’re diving into the future of fundraising with Juliet MacDowell, a veteran development strategist who’s raised over $1 billion for global NGOs and is now the founder of Mission AI.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just curious about how AI is impacting our sector, this episode is full of practical insights, big-picture thinking, and a hopeful look at what’s next for nonprofit development.

🔍 What We Discuss:

• How Juliet helped raise over $1B for mission-driven organizations—and what she learned along the way
• What Mission AI is and how it’s helping nonprofits fundraise more effectively
  Real-world examples of how AI tools can support donor segmentation, storytelling, and strategy
• The biggest myths about AI in fundraising—and what the tech can’t do
• Why AI doesn’t replace fundraisers—it empowers them
• What nonprofits can do today to prepare for a smarter, more data-driven future

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

✒️ About Juliet MacDowell

Juliet MacDowell is the founder of Mission AI, where she helps nonprofits and social enterprises achieve greater impact by combining the power of AI with 25+ years of strategic fundraising expertise. Over her career, she has helped organizations grow funding by over 50%, secure transformational partnerships, and unlock major gifts across the globe. Her work today focuses on using innovation to accelerate results—without sacrificing connection or mission.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Connect with Juliet MacDowell on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Mission AI

🪷🪷 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

If you've ever wondered how to land and leverage sponsorships for your nonprofit’s events, this episode is your playbook. A.J. Steinberg is a fundraising powerhouse with more than 20 years of experience producing high-impact nonprofit events and millions raised for mission-driven causes. Through her company, Queen Bee Fundraising, A.J. teaches organizations the art of securing corporate sponsorships that don’t just support events—but fuel entire fundraising strategies.

In this episode, A.J. pulls back the curtain on her popular training, Mastering Nonprofit Sponsorships, and shares actionable steps to identify your assets, build irresistible sponsorship packages, and close deals with confidence.

Key Topics:

• What makes a nonprofit “sponsorship-ready”
• The biggest mistakes organizations make with sponsorship outreach
• Creating compelling packages that go beyond logos and signage
• Engaging board and committee members in sponsorship prospecting
• How to value and pitch your sponsorship assets effectively

 🧰 Resources & Links:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ajsteinbergproductions 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/QueenBeeMalibu 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/queenbeefundraising
• www.QueenBeeFundraising.com 

🪷🪷 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 step into leadership during a time of profound cultural, social, and institutional change? Rabbi Joanna Samuels joins Nonprofit Nation to share how she’s navigating this challenge as the CEO of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan—one of the largest and most influential Jewish community centers in the U.S.

A longtime advocate for gender equity and social justice, Rabbi Samuels brings a unique lens to leadership, storytelling, and community-building. She discusses how nonprofit leaders can rethink engagement, lift up historically excluded voices, and lead with courage in post-pandemic times. Drawing from her recent viral essay in eJewish Philanthropy, she also unpacks “the vibe shift” in Jewish communal life and what it means for fundraisers, marketers, and mission-driven professionals everywhere.

Key Topics:

• What it means to lead a legacy nonprofit in a post-pandemic world
• Why “the vibe shift” matters—and how to respond as a sector
• Building inclusive narratives and championing diverse leadership
• How to fundraise and communicate during cultural change
• Real-world leadership advice for managing complexity and transition

About Joanna Samuels:

Rabbi Joanna Samuels became CEO of the MMJCCM in 2022. Previously, she served as founding ED of the Manny Cantor Center and has held numerous roles at the intersection of advocacy, faith, and equity. Her writing has appeared in major publications and she’s recognized nationally as a leading voice on gender justice in the Jewish nonprofit sector.

🪷🪷 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 the reason you're not raising more money... isn't your fundraising strategy?

Kevin L. Brown believes most nonprofits are stuck in the wrong cycle—constantly doing more fundraising, instead of fixing their fundability and visibility. In this episode, the Mighty Ally CEO and author of Fundable & Findable shares a brand-first, strategy-driven approach to nonprofit growth that challenges everything you've been told about development. 

We explore why only 1 in 1,000 nonprofits ever scale, what makes a nonprofit actually attractive to funders, and how branding, positioning, and clarity of purpose aren’t luxuries—they’re prerequisites for serious funding.

Topics We Cover:

• Why more fundraising isn’t the solution
• The Fundable/Findable Framework: what it is and how it works
• The nonprofit brand gap—and how to fix it
• What funders are really looking for
• Lessons from building nonprofits across four continents
• Practical steps to get fundable and findable, even on a small budget

🧰 Resources & Links:

•  https://fundablefindable.org/ 
• https://mightyally.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlbrown/ 

🪷🪷 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