What happens when philanthropy becomes more about control than community? Can generosity still be called generosity when tax benefits and personal recognition take center stage?

Join us for today's episode to question the hidden dynamics behind modern fundraising and explore what true public stewardship really looks like!

This conversation features Glen Galaich, a respected philanthropy leader with more than 25 years of experience in donor education and fundraising. As the founder of the Stupski Foundation, which works across San Francisco, Oakland, and Hawaii, Glen has spent years examining how wealth shapes giving. He is also the author of the book Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short, in which he challenges traditional philanthropic systems and calls for greater accountability, trust, and honesty in the sector.

Throughout the conversation, Glen unpacks the idea of donor-centric fundraising and its historical roots, tracing it back to Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth." He discusses how philanthropy often becomes tied to power, ego, and tax advantages rather than genuine generosity.

Glen explains the psychological shifts that can happen when people gain significant wealth, often leading to insecurity and a stronger desire for control. He also explores trust-based philanthropy, participatory grantmaking, and the importance of unrestricted funding. 

Furthermore, Glen emphasizes that donors should act as public stewards, staying accountable to the communities they aim to serve, while fundraisers must create honest conversations and challenge unhealthy power dynamics within philanthropy.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

- Recognize the difference between generosity and philanthropy.

- Learn how donor control can affect community impact.

- Understand the importance of trust-based philanthropy.

- Identify why unrestricted funding supports stronger outcomes.

- Learn how tax benefits influence philanthropic decisions.

- Recognize the role of fundraisers in guiding donor accountability.

- Understand how wealth can shape donor behavior and mindset.

- Learn why public stewardship should guide charitable giving.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels.

Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team.

Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone.

Connect with me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

This episode takes a slightly different approach. Instead of the usual format, Mallory responds directly to a range of thoughtful questions from her community!

She begins by discussing how to handle anxiety before donor conversations, encouraging fundraisers to acknowledge their feelings rather than push them away. Simple techniques, such as validating emotions with phrases such as "that makes sense," can help reduce stress more quickly. She also explains that preparation and practice are key to building confidence, introducing AI-based tools that allow fundraisers to rehearse conversations and develop strong muscle memory.

Mallory also highlights how confidence impacts fundraising success, noting that low confidence can lead to missed opportunities and inefficiency. She further addresses burnout and loss of motivation, explaining the "freeze" response and suggesting that sometimes people need energizing activities rather than just rest to regain momentum.

A key theme in the episode is a shifting mindset. Mallory encourages fundraisers to stop feeling guilty about asking for money and instead see it as an opportunity for donors to contribute to meaningful change. She also emphasizes curiosity when handling objections, focusing on understanding donors rather than persuading them.

Overall, the episode reinforces the importance of practice, emotional awareness, and purpose. Mallory also points to the growing role of AI in supporting fundraisers, helping them build skills while keeping human connection at the center.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

Recognize practical ways to manage anxiety before donor conversations.

Learn how validating emotions can reduce stress and improve performance.

Understand the role of preparation and practice in building fundraising confidence.

Explore how mindset shifts can transform asking for money into meaningful invitations.

Gain insights into handling donor objections with curiosity and alignment.

Identify the impact of confidence on time management and fundraising success.

Understand the nervous system’s role in stress, burnout, and motivation.

Learn simple grounding techniques to stay present during donor conversations.

Discover the importance of consistent practice and role-play in skill development.

Explore how AI tools can support training and enhance fundraising effectiveness.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Connect with me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

Today's episode offers valuable insights into how to create more intentional, empowered, and balanced ways of working and living. Tune in to discover how to break the cycle of stress and start building a life and career that truly supports you!

In this episode, Amanda Gulino delves into the complex world of stress management, emotional intelligence, and self-empowerment. Amanda is a dynamic facilitator and certified coach specializing in career design, team development, and leadership habits. She is passionate about reimagining how we work, lead, and connect, guiding individuals and teams to thrive through intentional practices and meaningful change.  

In this episode, you will be able to: 

Support for this show is brought to you by Pledge. Our friends at pledge have just launched a super easy way to get your campaigns up and running using some pretty cool AI technology. Check out their newest tools ⁠pledge.to⁠

Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation⁠ at this link⁠.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my⁠ Power Partners Formula⁠, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization.⁠ This free masterclass⁠ offers a great starting point

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast,

Join Arash Javanbakht, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC), as he delves into the intricate workings of fear and anxiety. With expertise spanning neuroscience, trauma research, and nonprofit fundraising, he offers a comprehensive exploration of how fear manifests in our brains, its evolutionary origins, and practical strategies for managing it in various aspects of life!

Arash's clinical focus encompasses civilians, law enforcement, and refugees, particularly those affected by war trauma in regions like Syria and Iraq. Through STARC, he conducts groundbreaking research into the biological and psychological factors contributing to resilience and vulnerability in trauma response. Also, Arash pioneers the integration of technology into mental health care, exploring augmented reality and telemedicine for innovative in vivo treatment of anxiety disorders and PTSD. Moreover, his work has received widespread acclaim, featuring in prominent media outlets such as CNN, Al Jazeera, NPR, and The Washington Post.

In this episode, you will be able to:

This week's episode is sponsored by ⁠DonorPerfect⁠. 

DonorPerfect's Community Conference is igniting a passion for change! This year's event, on June 4th & 5th, will equip you with the tools to excel in donor management, program innovation, community engagement, and organizational growth.

Remember, every powerful movement starts with a single spark.Your expertise is that spark! Head over to ⁠donorperfect.com/donorperfect-conference⁠ to register today!

Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation⁠ at this link⁠.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my⁠ Power Partners Formula⁠, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization.⁠ This free masterclass⁠ offers a great starting point

As a fundraiser, your ability to handle stress is constantly tested. Fundraising requires lot of hard work, sacrifice, rejection, and honestly, sometimes trauma. If you have a sensitive nervous system, like many fundraisers do, you’re more prone to burnout, anxiety, and chronic stress. So, how can we prevent that? Today’s guest is here to help! 

Dr. Linnea Passaler is the Founder and CEO of Heal Your Nervous System, a digital health startup that uses a combination of neuroscience and somatic work to help those struggling with overwhelm, trauma, burnout, and anxiety to heal their dysregulated nervous systems and thrive.

This episode is particularly important to me because the more I have learned about the nervous system over the years, the more I have realized that one of the main barries that fundraisers face is that the work of fundraising can be very disregulating. And without the right understanding, tools and framework we don’t understand why we’re constantly experiencing low energy, dread, and burnout. We keep trying to manage our time, but I really think it’s all about how we manage our nervous system. 

During this conversation, Linnea teaches you how to regulate your nervous system so that you can handle stress and accomplish more without it leading you to dysregulation and burnout. She details the connection between trauma and burnout and shares her 5-step framework for healing your nervous system.

Because of your brain’s neuroplasticity, we can reverse the damage that’s done when we feel overwhelmed or powerless. If you’ve been feeling powerless, constantly overwhelmed, or a lack of purpose in your role as a fundraiser, don’t worry. You’re not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel! These tips are just what you need.

A big shout out to our sponsor⁠ Instil⁠, the holistic tool that reimagines nonprofit technology in ways that deepen community relationships and nonprofit processes to magnify impact. The platform’s advanced UX design and real-time analytics supercharge donors, increase volunteer engagement, and smooth donor management and operations across your entire organization.

Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefundraising_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation⁠ at this link⁠.

We’ve all been there: Ghosted by a donor and wondering why, why, why? My guest on this episode of What the Fundraising is showing us how to redirect our minds, dismantling the reflexive responses that play in our heads and inhabit our bodies. 

Britt Frank, a somatic psychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of⁠ "The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward,"⁠ walks us through the many ways in which our reactions (and overreactions) are embedded within our bodies. 

Because so many of us are detached from our own sensations, we revert automatically to our brains in search of solutions. And that's all too often pinging around inside our heads? Lots of noisy self-doubts, recrimination, and other negative thoughts that do not serve. As Britt explains, however, we can befriend even the most toxic of emotions and in so doing diffuse them. “When we know how our brains work, we can feel like we're in the driver's seat of our life,” she says, “instead of locked in the trunk of the car, driving 95 miles down the highway.” 

You’ll love hearing how this multi-modality therapist and thinker came to her work, why ultimatums are less effective than healthy boundaries, and what modest actions you can take to interrupt when your body has taken over the driver’s seat.

Get all the resources from today’s episode ⁠here⁠. 

Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠ 

Connect with Mallory on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Want to raise more from the right funders without hounding them and banish your self-doubt in the meantime? Mallory’s⁠ FREE masterclass⁠ offers a great starting point!

Support for this show is brought to you by ⁠Bloomerang⁠. Our friends at ⁠Bloomerang⁠ really understand fundraisers, which is how they make donor management software that nonprofits like to use. To learn more about them, head on over to bloomerang.com/mallory.

Do you hear negative, nagging, bullying voices in your head? Are they telling you you’re a bad leader or fundraiser? That you’ll never raise what you need to grow your organization? In this week’s episode, I talk to Dr. Ethan Kross, psychologist, neuroscientist, professor, and the author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters and How to Harness It.

There is so much chatter that inhibits action, like negative thoughts and limiting beliefs about perfectionism, scarcity or what someone will think if we ‘ask them for money’. Tune in as Dr. Kross explains a few of the tools from his book to help reduce toxic mental chatter and how we can apply them as leaders and fundraisers in the nonprofit world to move more money into our organization and the sector as a whole.

Episode highlights:

(02:28) - Dr. Ethan Kross and all the work that went into his amazing book: Chatter

(04:27)- Why turning your attention inward can help us solve problems or make us miserable. 

(06:32) - What does “chatter” refer to? The amazing things our inner voice allows us to do and the negative dark side of it.

(10:39) - One of Chatter’s tools: Distance self-talk, using your name and the second person pronoun to coach yourself through a problem.

(16:44) - Why single quick fixes don’t exist!: How to mix and match different tools to find healing.

(24:03) - Cultivating the witness: Distancing yourself and the ability to step back to approach the problem with more objectivity. 

(27:40) - Stop zooming into negativity: How the nonprofit fundraising space can benefit from changing the narrative.

(33:04) - How to find resources hidden in plain sight for your unique chatter triggers.

(40:34) - Minimize the toxic effects of chatter: Why negative emotions aren’t something we want to avoid completely. 

(47:49) - Shout out to Dr. Kross’s favorite nonprofit: Angela Duckworth’s The Character Lab.

If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit ⁠MalloryErickson.com/Podcast⁠ for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

Planned giving is often seen as complex and intimidating, but is it really that complicated? 

Today's conversation takes a closer look at what planned giving truly involves and why many organizations may be approaching it the wrong way. This episode uncovers simple yet powerful ideas that can transform how fundraisers think about long-term giving!

Tess Conrad is the Founder & Principal Consultant at Full Potential Fundraising. She helps small fundraising teams build and grow effective planned giving programs.

The discussion covers key myths, strategies, and practical insights on planned giving. Tess explains that planned giving is often overcomplicated by focusing too much on tax and estate planning, when the real role of fundraisers is to inspire donors. She emphasizes that planned giving is not limited to wealthy donors, but includes loyal supporters with long-term potential. 

The conversation also highlights the importance of a strong base of loyal donors, a long-term mindset, and meaningful engagement rather than just pledges. Tess further shares insights about using simple tools such as interest checkboxes, maintaining consistent communication, and aligning giving opportunities with donors' values. Overall, she presents planned giving as a trust-based, relationship-driven strategy that can significantly strengthen overall fundraising efforts.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

Understand planned giving beyond technical details.

Recognize common myths in planned giving.

Identify loyal donors as key prospects.

Assess readiness for planned giving.

Adopt a long-term fundraising mindset.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels.

Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team.

Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone.

Connect with me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

What if the very technology that feels overwhelming today could become the strongest ally for nonprofits tomorrow?

Meet Darian Rodriguez Heyman, an experienced fundraiser, social entrepreneur, and best-selling author. His work has always focused on "helping people help." He began this journey during his five years as Executive Director of the Craigslist Foundation, where he created the Nonprofit Boot Camp and expanded it into the largest nonprofit gathering in history within just one year.

This success led to his best-selling books, including Nonprofit Management 101 (now in its second edition), Nonprofit Fundraising 101, and AI for Nonprofits. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of Blue Avocado, a well-known online magazine for nonprofits.

Today's discussion covers both the benefits and challenges of using AI. Darian explains how AI can help nonprofits build better relationships with supporters, save time by automating tasks, and communicate more personally. At the same time, he highlights concerns such as data security, bias, and ethical use. He stresses the importance of starting with clear values, addressing fears, and focusing on practical uses instead of technical details. The conversation also highlights the role of funders in supporting AI adoption, demonstrating how AI can help nonprofits achieve more while staying true to their mission.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

Discover how AI can support nonprofit missions and values.

Recognize AI as a practical tool, not just a technical concept.

Explore responsible AI use, including ethics and data concerns.

See how starting small helps build AI confidence and adoption.

Identify ways to reduce fear and resistance toward AI.

Understand how AI frees time for relationship-building work.

Explore how funders can support nonprofits' AI readiness.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels.

Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team.

Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone.

Connect with me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

Sometimes the most meaningful innovations begin with frustration. In this conversation, Natalie Poindexter shares how questioning broken systems, both in nonprofit funding and in technology, led her to build new solutions designed with empathy, accessibility, and human support at their core.

Natalie, a former grant writer turned funding systems architect and consultant, explains how her career evolved into helping nonprofits design stronger funding infrastructures. Acting as a "fractional development department," she supports organizations by building sustainable programs and processes. She also introduces Scaffina, a technology platform created by women for women that simplifies complex funding workflows, reducing burnout among development directors and grant writers.

Throughout the discussion, Natalie explores the deeper motivations behind building technology for social impact. Natalie reflects on a pivotal moment at South by Southwest, where she challenged a U.S. SBA administrator about gaps in support for procurement and entrepreneurs. That moment reinforced her belief that meaningful change often requires challenging existing systems. The conversation also touches on the importance of human-centered technology, combining AI tools with real guidance and support. Natalie candidly discusses the barriers women, especially women of color, face in the tech ecosystem. 

In this episode, you will be able to:

Understand how funding systems can be redesigned to better support nonprofit organizations.

Recognize the importance of combining AI tools with human guidance in social impact work.

Gain insights into the challenges women, particularly women of color, face in the technology and funding ecosystem.

Explore how questioning existing systems can lead to innovative solutions.

Learn the value of supportive communities and self-care in sustaining long-term impact and entrepreneurship.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Support for this show is brought to you by Practivated. Practivated delivers AI-powered donor conversation simulations that let fundraisers practice in a private, judgment‑free space—building confidence, refining messaging, and improving outcomes before the real conversation even begins. Developed by fundraising experts with real‑time coaching at its core, it’s the smart way to walk into every donor interaction calm, prepared, and ready to connect. Learn more at practivated.com.

Connect with me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652

If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.

If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.