Armine Afeyan, CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, to shares how “gratitude in action” can reshape modern humanitarianism. We explore Aurora’s unique approach to uplifting grassroots humanitarians, the power of storytelling to inspire empathy, and how individual acts of courage ripple into global impact. It’s a reminder that generosity is contagious—and that every person has the capacity to change someone’s world.

Trish Davis, Vice President of Major Gifts & Planned Giving at Susan G. Komen, shares how true stewardship goes beyond fundraising—it’s about listening, gratitude, and connection. From her service in the Air Force to leading national philanthropy strategy, Trish reveals how to build donor trust at scale, keep relationships personal in a digital age, and turn gratitude into lasting impact.

Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation shares what strategic philanthropy looks like in action, and how trust, data, and collaboration can turn philanthropy into long-term, systemic change. We explore how Truist Foundation is redefining corporate philanthropy through its focus on economic mobility, small business resilience, and community-centered investment.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Scaling for Impact Report

• Inspire Awards

• Where It Starts

We connect with Nathan Chappell, Founder and Chair of Fundraising.AI, Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and author of The Generosity Crisis, and Nonprofit AI, to explore how nonprofits can rebuild trust and reignite generosity in the age of AI. We unpack what radical connection really means, how to fix broken incentives, and why the future of giving will depend on curiosity, courage, and care.

How can nonprofits turn data into deeper donor relationships?

In this episode, Brian Gawor from Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates (JGA) shares how to move from wealth-based fundraising to engagement-first philanthropy, where every click, call, and connection becomes a clue to generosity.

Wesley Todd Holiday shares how a 24-year, family-run organization grew from scrappy basketball teams into “Holiday HOOPS & ARTs,” blending athletics, arts, and life skills to expand access for youth. We dig into stepping into leadership midstream, balancing metrics with real stories, cultivating alumni mentors, and the road to a 25th-anniversary vision centered on scholarships, space, and legacy.

Erik Tomalis, Chief Revenue Officer at Avid, shares how nonprofits can move from data overload to clear direction. We explore how Avid’s fundraising operating system unifies disconnected tools, surfaces real insights, and helps teams focus on what truly drives generosity, trust, clarity, and human connection.

Sarah Landman from Insightful shares why good development starts with good listening, tuning into donor news, life updates, and milestones to show up when it matters most. We dig into practical ways nonprofits can track what’s happening in their donors’ world and turn those touchpoints into lasting, trust-filled relationships.

Change CEO Sonia Nigam joins The Nonprofit Lab to unpack the hidden rails behind online giving. From compliance pitfalls and paper checks to donor-advised funds and API-first solutions, Sonia shares how Change is simplifying fundraising infrastructure and unlocking more dollars for nonprofits.

Donor-advised funds now hold over $255 billion in charitable assets, but most nonprofits struggle to access them. In this episode, Elon Packin, Head of Partnerships at Chariot explains how their DAFpay technology makes giving from donor-advised funds seamless, and why unlocking these dollars can transform fundraising. Learn more at givechariot.com.