Ready. Set... Give!

Do you want to crush your fundraising goals in 2025? Tune in as we talk about donation page best practices! 

Windy Keene, Customer Success Manager of Qgiv fundraising platform, joins Ashley Prior, BDI Digital Marketing Manager, to share how you can optimize your donation pages and forms for fundraising success.  

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to identify if your forms are working (and what to do ASAP if they’re not!)
• Best practices for images, CTAs and forms on mobile
• How to optimize donation pages and boost monthly giving

Whether it’s been a while since you last optimized your donation pages, or if this is new to you, taking the time to fine-tune your donation pages is key to your fundraising success in 2025!

Are you looking for new fundraising strategies that can increase revenue and response? See how digital marketing testing can help!

BDI Director of Digital Strategy Nicole Ige-Hutto is sharing some impactful testing ideas to elevate your digital marketing. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why regular digital marketing testing is crucial for your nonprofit’s success
• Step-by-step guidance on how to conduct digital marketing tests effectively
• Real-world examples of successful marketing tests and what they teach us

Testing can be the difference between a “good enough” fundraising campaign and a great one… So listen now to learn how you can launch your own digital tests today! 🚀

AI is showing no signs of slowing down! And at BDI, we’re committed to exploring this new frontier, responsibly, to put these innovations to work. Our goal is to help you maximize your impact as you incorporate AI in your nonprofit’s daily operations.

BDI’s Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read,  are joined by some of the brightest minds on our Creative Team to continue their timely conversation about this developing technology.

In this second-part episode of our Adventures in AI series, you’ll explore…

• AI applications BDI uses for our client partners
• Ethical questions surrounding the use of AI
• How to start leveraging AI for your organization

Listen now to dive into the questions, answers and ethical best practices that will help you start incorporating AI in your nonprofit’s life-changing work!

In the last 12 months, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and you’ve likely felt the effects at your organization! 

From the rapid rise of ChatGPT and other AI tools, it can be hard to keep up – and hard to know when and how to dive in. BDI’s Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read, are eager to help. 

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• A helpful history of AI and how it works
• Possible applications of AI in fundraising
• How AI can make your work more efficient and effective

Listen now to be encouraged and inspired to harness the power of AI at your nonprofit organization!

Episode Highlights:

• Meet Mike and James and hear their experiences in the nonprofit industry
• A brief history of artificial intelligence
• How does AI technology show up in our lives every day?
• Why is AI at the forefront of our conversations today?
• Major milestones of OpenAI and ChatGPT
• Types of AI: Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning or Generative AI
• How BDI has adopted AI tools into our workflow
• PLUS… a game: “Is it real or is it AI?”

Connect with us!

• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with Mike Rogers: LinkedIn
• Connect with James Read: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: How AI is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Fundraising & Marketing
• Article: 5 Steps to Integrate AI Into Your Organization
• Article: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to AI-Powered Productivity

What do you do when there’s tension between what you think your brand should sound like and fundraising best practices? 

Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, discusses the balance between staying true to your nonprofit’s brand while still getting results – and why it’s a healthy dynamic to have. 

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• How to handle tension between brand style and best practice 
• When and when not to prioritize brand guidelines
• Why an outside perspective can be helpful

Both brand style and best practice are critical to connecting with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to balance the two for a strategy that stays true to your brand – while amplifying your message for more impact!

Episode Highlights:

• Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voice
• Nitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standards
• How to handle tension between creative mandatories and best practices 
• When it might be okay to compromise on your standards
• What best practices should you implement to boost results
• How and when to use people-first language (and why it’s important)
• Do grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…

Connect with us!

• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with Anna Koons: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your Fundraising
• Article: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising Copy
• Article: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story
• Article: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success

How much does your fundraising copy impact your results? 

Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, is sharing how effective fundraising starts with consistent, clear communications – and how you can make this happen at your organization, starting today!

In this episode, you’ll learn how to…

• Develop a style guide of copy mandatories for stronger fundraising
• Identify your organization’s unique brand voice
• Let go of details that don’t really matter when it comes to results

It’s critical to understand how well your brand voice and messaging strategy connect with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to take your fundraising copy to the next level and amplify your message for more impact today!

Episode Highlights:

• Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voice
• Nitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standards
• How and when to use people-first language (and why it’s important)
• Deciding on your tone – religious, urgent or donor-centric?
• Messaging matters: How tone of voice impacts results
• Do grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…
• How to start building your nonprofit’s brand voice
• PLUS… The most controversial grammar rules in the world!

Connect with us!

• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with Anna Koons: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your Fundraising
• Article: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising Copy
• Article: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story
• Article: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success

Unwrap the top fundraising trends of 2023… and look forward to what’s coming next! 

Katrina Williams and Maddie Lara from BDI’s Marketing team take us on a walk down memory lane. Tune in now for this rewind on the top trends and insights from the last year. 

In this episode, you’ll dive deeper into 2023’s…

• Shifts in giving + surprising results in philanthropy
• Developments in AI + applications for fundraisers
• Trends in marketing + what we predict will be BIG in the new year

We’re also revealing the top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles of the year from BDI! Was your favorite in our best of the best? Listen now to find out… 

Episode Highlights:

• What were the top trends in 2023?
• The year’s biggest headlines & fundraising news
• Results report: Declines and increases in giving
• New forms of fundraising: Text-to-give & TikTok
• 2023 trends in marketing
• New developments in AI and what it means for fundraising
• BDI Rewind: Top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles 
• A special Christmas activity
• A GIFT for you… Write a review for a gift card!

Connect with us!

• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with Maddie Lara: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: Your 5 Top Nonprofit Articles of the Year
• Article: Boost Your Results in 2023: Today’s Top Marketing Trends
• Article: Fundraising Trends and Challenges in 2023
• Article: 5 Takeaways from Giving USA 2023 Annual Report on Philanthropy

Want to boost your nonprofit team’s engagement? Looking to share the workload more evenly when it comes to development? Seeking ways to strengthen your fundraising? If you answered yes, tune in! 

This week’s episode of “Ready Set Give” dives into development strategies for all! Learn to empower EVERYONE on your team to do the all-important work of development (while protecting them – and yourself – from burnout).

Drawing on 15 years in nonprofit fundraising, BDI Strategist and Sr. Account Director David Stolberg is sharing his recommendations for development strategies to keep in-house. You’ll learn…  

• How to engage your internal team in the important work of development 
• Which programs run well in-house (monthly giving, major donor outreach, etc.)
• Ideas to get your internal team on board with your development strategies

Listen now to learn how you can share the joys (and challenges) of development with others at your organization, and set your team up for success!

Episode Highlights:

• David shares about his unique career path to nonprofit fundraising
• Why it’s important for nonprofits to handle some strategic work in-house
• The programs David recommends to keep in-house
• Program #1: Monthly Giving
• Program #2: Major Donors
• Real-life examples of successful monthly giving & major donor programs
• Why should development be the responsibility of everyone on a nonprofit team?
• First steps to empowering your team to share in development
• David’s final words of advice for nonprofit teams

Connect with us!

• Connect with David Stolberg: LinkedIn
• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article Series: Conquering the Development Mountain as a Nonprofit
• Article: Creating a Culture of Employee Appreciation
• Article: Your Organization Needs Monthly Giving Programs. Here’s why…

Are you looking to inspire more generosity through your fundraising appeals? Start with storytelling!

Jhovany Quiroz and Courtney Hamilton from BDI’s Storytellers team share how powerful stories, photos and videos from your organization can unlock giving… and encourage your community’s investment in your cause long-term.

You’ll learn…

• How to tell inspiring, real-life stories of transformation that inspire giving.
• Tools and tips for effective and efficient storytelling interviews.
• Ideas to amplify your stories through compelling photography and video. 

And get ready to check your biases at the door! ✅🚪Jhovany and Courtney also share some gentle but important reminders for making your interviews a safe and empathetic space for everyone involved. 

Tune in now to unlock the fundraising potential of your nonprofit stories!

Episode Highlights:

• Jhovany and Courtney share their passion for storytelling
• The vision and purpose driving BDI Storytellers 
• Actionable tips for great nonprofit storytelling interviews
• Thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewees
• The role of photography and video in powerful storytelling
• What is a “testimony” and how can it make your appeals more impactful? 
• Building trust, leading with empathy and leaving behind your biases in interviews
• Tested strategies and advice to help nonprofit teams strengthen their storytelling

Connect with us!

• Connect with Jhovany Quiroz: LinkedIn
• Connect with Courtney Hamilton: LinkedIn
• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: 5 Tips for Nonprofit Storytelling Interviews
• Article: When to Use “Need” and “Joy” Photos in Fundraising
• Article: 4 Best Practices for Nonprofit Photography and Video

Are you making these 7 email marketing mistakes?

BDI’s Digital Implementation Manager, Ashley Prior, has built a lot of great fundraising emails in her day… but she’s also seen a lot of nonprofit organizations struggle to apply email marketing best practices. They give in to common fears, and the temptation of sending “good enough” emails, when a few small tweaks could greatly increase their engagement!

You’ll learn…

• How to avoid common pitfalls that lead to email marketing purgatory 🪦(AKA the “spam” folder).
• The most important changes you should make to your email marketing today.
• Strategies for keeping your email subscribers and donors happy.

Plus, hear Ashley’s take on the biggest red flags in marketing today.  🚩🚩🚩

Episode Highlights:

• Ashley’s story and why she’s passionate about email marketing
• The “7 deadly sins” of email marketing
• The cardinal (email marketing) sin: not optimizing for mobile
• The sin of omission: not segmenting your list
• The sin of gluttony: spamming your subscribers
• The sin of laziness: not testing your emails
• The sin of confusion: using unclear CTAs
• The sin of neglect: not keeping your list clean
• The sin of greed: not personalizing your emails
• The biggest takeaways to be successful in email marketing
• Red flags and deal-breakers in marketing today

Connect with us!

• Connect with Ashley Prior: LinkedIn
• Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
• Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

• Article: 7 Email Marketing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
• Article: 5 Essentials for Your Email Marketing Platform
• Article: Multi-Channel Marketing for Nonprofits
• Email testing tools: 
  • Litmus
  • Browser Stalk