What if the key to long-term impact isn’t raising more money, but building giving that actually lasts? Is monthly giving still being treated like a side tactic when it should be core strategy?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley welcomes fundraising pioneer Harvey McKinnon, one of the earliest and most influential voices in the recurring giving movement. With more than 40 years of experience, and decades of data to back it up, Harvey brings clarity, candor, and perspective to a conversation many nonprofits urgently need to revisit.

Together, Dave and Harvey explore how monthly giving became foundational to sustainable philanthropy, why so many organizations still hesitate to fully invest in it, and what leaders can do, whether they’re just getting started or ready to scale. From emergency response moments to lifelong donor relationships, this conversation is both practical and deeply human.

Key Topics They Cover:

1. Why Monthly Giving Is Foundational to Sustainable Philanthropy

   Harvey shares what led him to write How to Create Lifelong Donors Through Monthly Giving and the moment he realized recurring giving wasn’t just a tactic, but essential infrastructure.
   

2. The Compounding Power of Lifelong Donors

   Why monthly donors consistently give more per year, stay longer, and upgrade more often, and how those effects multiply over time.
   

3. Scaling vs. Starting: Two Very Different Journeys

   Clear guidance for leaders looking to scale an existing recurring program, alongside simple, high-leverage starting moves for organizations at ground zero.
   

4. Persistent Myths That Hold Monthly Giving Back

   From short-term thinking to internal silos, Harvey names the misconceptions that keep organizations from investing wisely in recurring revenue.
   

5. Recurring Giving Across Borders: Canada, the U.S., and Europe

   What geography and culture reveal about donor behavior, and what North American nonprofits can learn from global approaches.

Also in this episode, they talk about:

• Turning emergency response into long-term donor relationships

• Why investment mindset matters more than tactics

• How leadership incentives can unintentionally block progress

• The importance of ease, urgency, and perceived impact

• Why monthly donors are your strongest legacy giving prospects

What would change if your organization treated monthly giving as essential, not optional?

Key Resources:

• Visit Harvey's Website
• Connect with Harvey on LinkedIn
• Get Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving
• Connect with Dave on LinkedIn

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

Why do donors say one thing… but do something completely different — and what does that mean for building generosity that lasts?

In this episode, Dave Raley sits down with the brilliant (and very fun) Cherian Koshy — author of Neurogiving, globally recognized fundraising strategist, and newly-minted VP at Kindsight — for a lively conversation about what’s actually happening inside the donor brain.

This is not your typical “fundraising best practices” episode. This is behavioral science meets generosity… with a side of humor, identity psychology, and a whole lot of practical insight for anyone trying to grow recurring generosity.

Together, Dave and Cherian explore why donors move from considering a gift to actually giving, why monthly giving turns out to be a trust-building superpower, and how fundraisers can create donor experiences that feel easier, lighter, and more human.

If you’ve ever wondered why donors behave the way they do (or why your “surefire” campaign didn’t perform the same way twice), this episode is a goldmine.

Key Topics They Talk About:

1. The Story Behind Neurogiving

• How frustration, curiosity, and years of field-tested research led Cherian to compile one of the most comprehensive behavioral-science-driven resources in fundraising.

• The gap he saw between “best practices” and actual donor behavior — and why the sector needed better data, not just anecdotes.
  2. What Donors Say vs. What Donors Do

• Why donors genuinely believe their stated motivations… yet behave differently when making real decisions.

• How cognitive load, emotional triggers, identity, and bias shape donor behavior far more than stated intention.

• Why optimizing for what donors do (not what they claim) leads to better repeatability and sustainability.
  3. Consistency, Trust & the Donor Brain

• The neuroscience behind why repeated positive experiences strengthen trust like a muscle.The “relaxed confidence” donors develop when nonprofits consistently follow through.

• How recurring giving acts as a trust engine — not just a revenue model.
  4. Habit Formation & Donor Behavior

• How repetition rewires neural pathways and transforms giving from decision → habit → identity.

• Why donors who give repeatedly are far more likely to stay long-term, upgrade, or eventually make legacy gifts.
  5. Applying Behavioral Science to Recurring Giving

• Why offering one clear action (vs. 7 options) dramatically increases follow-through.How defaults, simplicity, and identity-based messaging increase conversion and retention.

• The science-backed reason “the enemy of fundraising isn’t ‘no’ — it’s ‘not now.’”

Also in this episode, they talk about:

• Single gifts vs. recurring commitments: how the brain processes them differently

• How nonprofits accidentally create friction that slows generosity

• Why recurring donors are more likely to advocate for you publicly

• The long-term psychological benefits of habitual giving

• AI, personalization, and the ethical questions fundraisers must wrestle with next

What would fundraising look like if your donor experience made giving feel effortless — even automatic?
Key Resources:

1. Get Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving: sustainablegiving.org

2. Explore Cherian’s work: neurogivingbook.com

3. More from Cherian: cheriankoshy.com

4. Connect with Cherian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy

5. Register for the Sustainable Giving Workshop: imago.consulting/workshop

6. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn:

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

How could giving circles reshape the future of philanthropy — and what might they unlock for your nonprofit?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, Dave sits down with Emily Rasmussen, Founder & CEO of Grapevine and one of the leading voices in the modern collective giving movement. From her early life as a professional ballet dancer to her work in microfinance in rural India to now building the largest platform dedicated to giving circles, Emily brings a truly unique perspective to what generosity can look like when people do it together.

This conversation moves fast (in the best way!) as Dave and Emily dive into the resurgence of community-driven philanthropy, the psychology behind recurring generosity, and why giving circles just might be one of the biggest under-the-radar bright spots in the entire fundraising landscape.

If you care about connection, recurring giving, and the future of generosity… this one’s for you.

Key Topics They Cover:

1. Emily’s Unexpected Journey to Philanthropy

• From professional ballet to global arts leadership to microfinance in rural India

• How her early work in hyper-local, community-led financing became a blueprint for her later work in philanthropy

• The common thread: using creativity and community to unlock impact

  2. The Deep Roots of Collective Giving

• Giving circles: newer term, ancient concept

• Cultural traditions like tontines, susus, and self-help groups as early models

• Why doing good together is resurging now — and how it answers today’s loneliness + disconnection crisis

  3. What Giving Circles Actually Are (and Why They Matter)

• A clear, simple definition (100 people × $100 → $10,000 grant)

• How members nominate, vote, learn, and build lasting relationships

• “The Four C’s”: Community, Collective Resources, Collaboration, and Continuation

• Why giving circles create real belonging, not transactional giving

  4. The Powerful Connection Between Giving Circles & Sustainable Recurring Giving

• Stunning data:

• Only ~2% of new nonprofit donations are set to recur (GivingTuesday Data Commons)

• 50–80%+ of new giving-circle donations on Grapevine recur

• Why recurring giving is “baked in” to the giving circle model

• How collective models build trust, accountability, and long-term donor loyalty naturally

  5. How Nonprofit Leaders Can Tap Into the Giving Circle Movement

• How to find circles already giving in your region or cause area

• Why nonprofits should ask their donors whether they’re in one

• The rise of nonprofit-created giving circles + group-based donor communities

• How giving circles can supercharge board engagement, next-gen donors, and mid-level giving

  
  

  They Also Talk About:

• The role of trust, transparency, and “the five T’s” of generosity

• How Grapevine supports giving circles with infrastructure, community tools, and the global directory

• The surprising overlap between giving circles and workplace giving

• How companies are experimenting with employee-led giving circles

• Why generosity evolves with culture — and why that’s actually encouraging

So… what might happen if your community had a giving circle of its own? Or if you joined one yourself?

Watch or Listen:

Watch this episode now by clicking the video above, or by visiting Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Key Resources:

• ⁠GivingTuesday Data & Research

• “Growing Giving” Research

• Explore Grapevine

• Connect with Emily on LinkedIn

• Grab Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving

• Discover more episodes of the Sustainable Giving podcast

• Register for the Sustainable Giving Workshop

• Connect with Dave on LinkedIn
  

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

How do you turn an emergency donor into a lifelong partner in impact?

When disaster strikes, generosity surges — but what happens when the headlines fade? In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley sits down with Vila-Sheree Watson, Vice President for Development & Membership at Bread for the World and author of the Bag Secured newsletter, to talk about transforming urgency into lasting generosity.

With nearly three decades of experience in humanitarian fundraising and advocacy, Vila-Sheree shares practical, hard-earned wisdom for any nonprofit leader navigating the space between crisis response and sustainable impact. This one’s equal parts strategy, storytelling, and inspiration — with plenty of laughs along the way.

Topics They Cover: 

• From Emergency to Endurance: How to move beyond one-time disaster gifts and design donor journeys that last long after the crisis fades.
  

• Turning Urgency into Habit: Vila-Sheree’s framework for helping donors connect their immediate compassion to long-term impact, and why “habit” is the secret ingredient to retention.
  

• Retention by Design, Not Luck: What it takes to intentionally plan for donor retention, including the digital tactics and messaging rhythms that keep people engaged.
  

• The “Sustainer-First” Mindset: Why leading with recurring giving (even during emergencies!) can double lifetime donor value, and how to make that ask feel natural.
  

• The Evolution of One-to-One Giving: What Vila-Sheree learned from years leading child sponsorship programs, and how to carry that human connection into today’s digital, subscription-style world.

Also in this episode, they talk about: 

• What Bread for the World teaches us about sustaining engagement in advocacy work

• Why donor acquisition should never be the first budget cut

• The importance of storytelling and dignity when representing program participants

• How organizations can prepare now for the “next” crisis

• The power of bringing humanity (and humor!) back into fundraising

What could your organization do today to make generosity last tomorrow?

Key Resources:

• Retaining Emergency Donors Before They Disappear

• Discover more about the work Vila-Sheree does at https://www.bread.org and https://bagsecured.substack.com/

• Get to know Vila-Sheree

• Get to know Dave Raley

• Discover more about the Sustainable Giving podcast⁠

• The Rise of Sustainable Giving Book⁠⁠⁠⁠

• The Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Victoria and Kirsten.

What does it take to build an organization — and a life — that can go the distance?

In this episode of The Sustainable Giving podcast, host ⁠⁠Dave Raley sits down with Chris Free, Senior Director of Communications & Advancement at The Joshua Fund, to unpack what it really looks like to build endurance — both personally and organizationally.

From his beginnings as a filmmaker and storyteller to leading one of the most remarkable transformations in recurring giving we’ve seen, Chris shares the inside story of how The Joshua Fund grew from $5.3M to $18.6M in five years, with 47% of their revenue now coming from recurring donors.

They dig into the heart behind the data, exploring how storytelling, discipline, and faith intersect to create something truly sustainable. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or simply someone who cares about long-term impact, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about what it means to build something that lasts.

Key Topics They Discuss:

• The Power of Storytelling in Generosity How Chris’s early career as a filmmaker shaped his passion for purpose-driven storytelling,  and how that foundation now fuels The Joshua Fund’s mission and donor engagement.
  

• From Campaigns to Continuity The pivotal “aha moment” when Chris realized recurring giving wasn’t just a tactic. It was a mindset shift toward long-term sustainability.
  

• Building Systems that Sustain The real-life process of implementing sustainable giving practices, from adopting Fundraise Up to reworking donor experiences and automating communication flows.
  

• Transformation & Tangible Results How The Joshua Fund nearly doubled its recurring giving program and grew overall revenue 2.5x,  and what that stability means for impact, planning, and peace of mind.
  

• Endurance for the Long Run Parallels between marathon running and leadership: the discipline of consistency, learning to pace yourself, and the courage to keep going when you “hit the wall.”

  
  

Also in this episode, they talk about:

• Lessons from The Sustainable Giving Accelerator and how it reshaped The Joshua Fund’s culture.

• The importance of data over ego — why objective insights always win.

• How crisis moments can drive innovation in fundraising.

• The role of automation in scaling meaningful donor relationships.

• Why January (or September!) doesn’t have to be scary when half your revenue is already recurring.

What if your organization could move from reaction to rhythm; from chasing donations to cultivating generosity that lasts?

Additional Resources:

• ⁠The Rise of Sustainable Giving Book⁠
• ⁠The Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

What happens when the world’s biggest day of generosity meets the rise of the subscription economy?

In this special LIVE edition of The Sustainable Giving podcast, host ⁠Dave Raley⁠ is joined by ⁠Woodrow Rosenbaum⁠, Chief Data Officer at ⁠GivingTuesday⁠, for a deep and energizing conversation on how generosity is evolving, and how nonprofit leaders can turn one powerful day into lasting, sustainable impact.

Broadcast live on LinkedIn and made possible by ⁠CharityEngine⁠ — with a special word from Vice President of Marketing, ⁠Dave Martin⁠ — this episode unpacks what’s happening at the intersection of technology, culture, and generosity — and how organizations can build year-round giving strategies rooted in belonging, not burnout.

Key Topics They Covered:

1. The Future of Generosity: Woodrow shares the scale and scope of GivingTuesday’s global impact, and how the data shows generosity is more participatory, community-driven, and sustainable than ever before.

2. The Rise of Sustainable Giving: Dave and Woodrow explore the momentum behind recurring giving — noting that 12% of GivingTuesday donors last year became monthly givers — and what that tells us about the future of donor loyalty.

3. Four Insights to Grow Sustainable Giving This GivingTuesday: Dave outlines four proven strategies from the field:

- Start early, stay late: Treat GivingTuesday as a season, not a single day.

- Lead with recurring: Make monthly giving the hero of your campaign.

- Incentivize conversion: Use simple, delightful nudges like match offers or special perks.

- Leverage multiple channels: Align your message across email, social, direct mail, and events for a unified story.

4. Leveraging Shared Moments for Lasting Impact: The conversation turns to how shared cultural moments like GivingTuesday create belonging, spark participation, and, when leveraged well, lead to higher retention and deeper connection.

5. Launch of the Sustainable Giving Certification: Dave announces the new Sustainable Giving Certification, designed to recognize technology and service providers that enable recurring giving at scale. CharityEngine was recognized as the Founding Certified Partner for its leadership in sustainable giving technology.

Also in this episode, they talked about:

- How data insights from GivingTuesday reveal shifting donor behaviors.

- The link between technology, donor experience, and long-term retention.

- Practical steps for smaller nonprofits with limited tech resources.

- The importance of aligning providers and platforms with sustainable giving principles.

- Highlights from the Sustainable Giving Workshop and upcoming opportunities to engage.

What if your next GivingTuesday campaign didn’t end after 24 hours — but built a foundation for year-round generosity?

Get to Know the Presenters:⁠

- Learn more about Woodrow Rosenbaum⁠⁠

- Learn more about Dave Martin

⁠⁠- Learn more about Dave Raley⁠

Additional Resources:

• The Rise of Sustainable Giving Book
• The Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026
• Sustainable Giving Accelerator
• Recent Wave Report: “Growing Sustainable Giving This GivingTuesday”
• GivingTuesday Resources
• Growing Giving Research⁠
• Latest Research (GivingTuesday Data)
• CharityEngine Sticky Sustainers
• CharityEngine Sustainer Calculator

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

What if the biggest opportunity in fundraising has been quietly waiting all along — hidden in plain sight?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley chats with Erica Waasdorp, President of A Direct Solution, longtime champion of monthly giving, and self-proclaimed “Philanthropyholic.” From her early career at Reader’s Digest in Amsterdam to 30+ years helping nonprofits grow recurring giving programs around the world, Erica has seen it all, and she’s here to share the lessons that last.

Together, Dave and Erica dive into what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in the world of recurring giving, from the first direct-debit donors in Europe to the digital subscription era today. They unpack the tactics, mindset, and global insights that help organizations build sustainable, recession-resistant revenue, and what the next generation of fundraisers needs to know.

Whether you’re just getting started with recurring giving or looking to take your program to the next level, this conversation is packed with wisdom, wit, and plenty of inspiration.

Key Topics They Cover:

1. The Evolution of Recurring Giving: How monthly giving has transformed from mail and phone to digital-first—and why some organizations are still playing catch-up.
   

2. The Commitment Gap: Why many nonprofits still treat monthly giving as an afterthought—and how shifting from a “single-gift mindset” to a sustainability mindset changes everything.
   

3. Tactics That Still Work: Erica’s go-to strategies, from adding a simple “Give Monthly” button to leveraging donor testimonials, direct mail, and even the humble thank-you letter.
   

4. Lessons from Around the World: What generosity looks like in different cultures—and why human behavior (and the desire to help) is far more universal than we think.
   

5. The Next Generation of Sustainable Fundraisers: What today’s leaders can do to invest in recurring giving, mentor the next wave, and build long-term programs that inspire both donors and staff.

   
   

Also in this episode, they talk about: 

• How Dutch directness inspired A Direct Solution, and why honesty matters in fundraising

• Why smaller monthly gifts can lead to major legacy gifts later

• The underrated power of direct mail and phone calls in a digital world

• What European fundraisers got right decades ago, and what the U.S. can learn

• The simple truth behind “Just start—and keep going”

  
  

If recurring giving is the key to sustainability, what’s stopping your organization from planting that first seed today?

Additional Resources:

• Register for the 2026 Sustainable Giving Workshop.

• Pick up a copy of Dave's book, "⁠The Rise of Sustainable Giving⁠."

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

What does it take to shift an entire organization to a “sustainer-first” mindset — and keep donors engaged for the long haul?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley sits down with Sofia Machado Lemus, Director of Multi-Channel Fundraising at Operation Smile. From her early work with underserved communities in Guatemala to leading multicultural and sustainer fundraising efforts today, Sofia brings a global perspective, practical insights, and a deep passion for helping donors make a lasting impact.

Together, Dave and Sofia explore the real-life challenges and opportunities of building a strong recurring giving program, one that not only drives long-term stability but also reflects the values of diverse donor communities.

Key Topics They Cover:

1. The power of recurring giving at Operation Smile
   How sustainers now make up nearly a third of annual revenue, and why that stability matters for global programs.

2. Shifting to a sustainer-first mindset
   The internal challenges, testing strategies, and leadership conversations that made this cultural and operational shift possible.

3. The role of Hispanic donors in sustaining growth
   Why Spanish-speaking donors are especially loyal, how cultural values shape retention, and what other nonprofits can learn.

4. Leadership buy-in through small wins
   The importance of testing, proving ROI, and showing long-term donor value to get C-suite support.

5. Innovation through SMS and mobile engagement
   How text messaging is outperforming email for sustainer acquisition, and where Sofia sees future opportunities.

   
   

   Also in this episode, they talk about:

• Lessons learned from testing sustainer-first campaigns during year-end giving.

• The balance between one-time gifts and long-term recurring support.

• How gratitude and consistent communication drive donor retention.

• Why multicultural fundraising is not optional for the future.

  
  

What role will sustainers play in the next decade of nonprofit growth, and are we doing enough today to prepare?

Key Resources:

• Discover more about the work Sofia does at Operation Smile and Sonrisas Nuevas.

• Get to know Sofia.

• Get to know Dave⁠.

• Register for the 2026 Sustainable Giving Workshop.

• Pick up a copy of Dave's book, "⁠The Rise of Sustainable Giving⁠."

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

What if your donors felt just as essential to your mission as the people you serve?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley sits down with Tina Hudgins, a seasoned fundraiser, consultant, and educator who has spent her career helping organizations build donor-centric cultures that spark lasting generosity. From her days pioneering sustainer programs at International Justice Mission to her current work with Philanthropy and Fundraising of North America (PFNA), Tina brings a wealth of insight, energy, and heart to the conversation.

Together, Dave and Tina explore how recurring giving isn’t just a strategy. It’s a movement. They talk about the power of sustainer programs to weather economic storms, the lessons from bold experiments in event-based giving, and how nonprofits can reframe their culture to honor donors as much as beneficiaries.

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:

• Sustainer Giving as “C²R²”: Tina’s mantra — cash consistent, recession resistant — and how monthly giving creates stability and freedom for planning and innovation.
  

• Event-Based Acquisition in Action: The powerful story of the IF:Gathering event, where IJM invited thousands of women to become Freedom Partners through a deeply integrated, mission-driven experience.
  

• The Freedom Partner Journey: How IJM cultivated monthly donors — from $5 givers to $5,000/month partners — through storytelling, access, and intentional community.
  

• Donor-Centric Culture: Why nonprofits must treat donors as equally important as beneficiaries, and how this shift transforms revenue, retention, and relationships.
  

• Budgets & Boldness: Tina’s framework for acquisition, retention, and innovation budgets, and why learning itself should be considered a KPI.

Plus, a few more gems you won’t want to miss:

• Why asking major donors for recurring gifts actually deepens commitment (without reducing larger gifts).
  

• How to make events more than “one-time fundraising moments” by embedding them in your mission story.
  

• What it looks like when every staff member is equipped to tell your organization’s story, even in a 14-floor elevator ride.
  

• Why cultural transformation is the secret to long-term growth (200–1000% revenue gains over time!).
  

So, how can your organization start seeing itself through the eyes of your donors?

Key Resources:

• Learn more about the work that Tina does.
• Get to know Tina.
• Get to know Dave.
• Pick up a copy of Dave's book, "The Rise of Sustainable Giving."

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

What if the way we’ve been doing fundraising all along is actually setting nonprofits up to fail?

In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley sits down with Author, Keynote Speaker, and Nonprofit Advisor Lisa Greer, a major donor with a front-row seat to the best (and worst) of fundraising. Lisa brings candor, humor, and wisdom as she unpacks why so much of fundraising feels outdated and what it takes to build organizations that truly last.

From awkward million-dollar donation calls to why recurring giving is still the nonprofit world’s best-kept secret, Lisa shares real stories and practical insights that will challenge how you think about generosity, boards, and building trust with donors.

Top 5 Topics We Dive Into:

1. Why most fundraising is broken: Antiquated, inefficient, and ultimately unsustainable practices that nonprofits keep repeating.

2. The nonprofit starvation cycle: How underfunding operations creates a vicious cycle that drives talent away and keeps organizations constantly on the edge.

3. Boards as allies or obstacles: Why boards so often block progress, and how leaders can shift board culture to be a true force for good.

4. The power of recurring giving: Why donors of all levels (even major donors!) are embracing recurring gifts and how it changes the game for sustainability.

5. The donor’s perspective: What fundraisers often get wrong about donors (hint: we’re people, not revenue streams!) and how to build authentic, long-term relationships.

Plus, We Touch On:

- The story behind Lisa’s first major gifts, and the shocking responses she got.

- Why recurring donors aren’t “downgrades” (and are often your most loyal supporters).

- Creative ways to keep recurring donors engaged and connected.

- The role of transparency in building trust between donors and organizations.

- Why overhead shouldn’t be a dirty word. It’s actually the foundation for impact.

What would change if your nonprofit started treating donors like partners instead of pocketbooks?

Key Resources:

- Learn more about Lisa Greer.

- Subscribe to Lisa’s Philanthropy 541 Substack to receive free weekly tips.

- Pick up a copy of Dave’s book, "The Rise of Sustainable Giving."

Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.