What the Fundraising

Have you heard the myths that data management in nonprofits is too difficult, too expensive, and too time-consuming? Don't believe everything you hear! Join this conversion with Tim Lockie to learn the truth about developing a sustainable relationship with data in your organization.

As Tim reminds us, data becomes information, and information becomes insight.

Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, Tim's expertise lies in the intricate relationship between data, technology, and human behavior. As the Founder & CEO of The Human Stack, Tim has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping nonprofit leaders harness the power of data to make informed decisions.

Throughout his career, he excelled at combining data, technology, and human relationships. However, during a conference in 2019, Tim was struck by a statistic: While 90% of organizations collect data, only 5% use it to make decisions. This realization led Tim to question his entire approach to helping organizations, ultimately prompting him to develop a new method that focused on teaching people how to effectively utilize their data.

There is so much to learn from Tim's unique perspective and extensive knowledge in the world of data management so dive in to this episode and meet Tim!

In this episode, we talk about:

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Keela for making this episode possible and I want to invite you to join me for an upcoming webinar where are going to bust through the "clean data” myths and actually talk about how you focus on what’s actually important when acquiring and maintaining donor data, how to forge meaningful connections using that data, and how data can integrate with best practices in behavior design to get funders to say yes more easily. I'll help you overcome data challenges (including the perfectionism and overwhelm that often accompanies our data management) and build good habits for cleaner, more usable data. Sign up today at keela.co/wtf.

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

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

Through her own experiences of feeling powerless and vulnerable when in the data of powerful organizations, Meena Das found an unexpected passion for exploring the importance of data transparency and ethics. Fueled by her commitment to data equity, Meena has dedicated much of her career to helping others understand the need for more human approaches to data. 

Meena is a data consultant and workshop facilitator specializing in ethical data practices. Meena's experience as a first-generation immigrant from India has informed her passion for promoting transparency and ethics in data-driven initiatives within the nonprofit sector. With over 15 years of experience in technology and nonprofit industries, Meena has developed a unique approach that encourages organizations to be more intentional, purpose-driven, and conscious in their use of data science and AI. Her workshops cover a range of topics, including data equity and centering humans in algorithms.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Keela for making this episode possible and I want to invite you to join me for an upcoming webinar where are going to bust through the "clean data” myths and actually talk about how you focus on what’s actually important when acquiring and maintaining donor data, how to forge meaningful connections using that data, and how data can integrate with best practices in behavior design to get funders to say yes more easily.  I'll help you overcome data challenges (including the perfectionism and overwhelm that often accompanies our data management) and build good habits for cleaner, more usable data. Sign up today at keela.co/wtf.

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.

Aaron Machbitz discovered the power of vulnerability when tragedy struck and unexpectedly redirected his life. Through open and honest conversation, he has become a beacon of hope for those seeking solace and understanding - inspiring us to ask, what does it take to create meaningful connections and foster emotional validation in times of pain and loss?

Aaron Machbitz is a mental health advocate whose journey began as a professional wrestler with a performative lifestyle. Aaron's life took an unexpected turn when he experienced a personal loss, leading him to question the value of authentic connections and emotional honesty. Today, Aaron is the founder of the mental health nonprofit, You Are Loved, and host of the podcast, Something for Everybody, where he shares his insights and experiences in mental health, vulnerability, and building genuine connections. Through his work, Aaron aims to create a supportive community and equip individuals with the tools they need to navigate their emotional well-being and foster meaningful relationships.

In this episode, you’ll learn Aaron’s approach to helping others - centered around the idea of validating, appreciating, and referring. He also emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries while being honest about one's own struggles. 

In this episode, you learn how to:

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode we talk about suicide, loss of a family member, greif and other challenging topics, if you decide to listen please do so with your own mental health and wellbeing top of mind. 

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Givebutter for making this episode possible. Our friends at Givebutter really understand what it takes to be a magnetic fundraiser. Their fundraising platform empowers millions of changemakers to raise more, pay less, and give better every single day. To learn more about them, head on over to givebutter.com/mallory.

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.

Nonprofits have unique marketing requirements in comparison to other business entities. Unless they have programs that they specifically market for, their focus is primarily on generating awareness, engaging potential donors, and making a substantial impact on their target audience. To achieve this, nonprofits must understand their target audience's needs, wants, and preferences, and tailor their marketing efforts accordingly. 

In this episode, we talk with Aidan Augustin, a visionary leader, co-founder, and Chief Revenue Officer at Feathr, a marketing software company designed specifically for nonprofits. With a passion for helping organizations grow their online presence, Aidan has played a pivotal role in supporting over 1,200 organizations using Feathr's innovative tools. His expertise in website analytics, targeted digital advertising, email marketing, and automation have made Aidan a sought-after voice in the nonprofit sector. As a guest on today’s episode, Aidan shares his insights into leveraging data and technology for effective nonprofit marketing campaigns, bridging the gap between traditional marketing strategies and the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. In the digital age, simply showcasing the work that they do is not enough. 

So instead of viewing marketing as a necessary evil and doing the bare minimum, nonprofits should see it as a powerful tool to create positive change. By focusing on the potential impact on fundraising and mission achievement, Aidan encourages nonprofits to fully embrace marketing strategies and tactics designed specifically for their needs.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

1. Grasp how digital marketing plays a pivotal role in nonprofit fundraising and mission success. 

2. Understand the power of personalized marketing in nurturing potential donor-nonprofit relationships. 

3. Discover how to effectively combine one-to-one activities with digital marketing techniques. 

4. Delve into deepening donor connections through the use of one-to-many communication channels. 

5. Learn the importance of leveraging data and technology in crafting efficient nonprofit marketing campaigns.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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.

Grassroots storytelling emphasizes genuine, human experiences that can deeply connect with the audience. Rather than focusing on a polished narrative, it prioritizes the authenticity and raw emotions of individuals who are not professional storytellers. This form of storytelling can have a profound impact on the listener, as it evokes empathy and understanding by showcasing the unfiltered realities faced by real people. In this episode we interview Chris Miano, a passionate advocate for authentic storytelling and founder of MemoryFox, a storytelling platform for nonprofits to collect and leverage stories from their communities for fundraising and marketing. MemoryFox was initially designed as a storytelling platform for pre-dementia elderly but pivoted to serve all nonprofits. Chris has an incredible journey that started with his time in the Army and the desire to preserve his grandfather's stories from World War II. 

In this episode, Chris urges non-profit marketers to embrace grassroots storytelling, rejecting the idea of creating perfect, scripted stories. Instead, Chris values the imperfections as a representation of genuine human experience. He believes that the energy, tone, and body language of the storyteller are more compelling than carefully selected words, emphasizing the need for non-profits to prioritize honest and relatable narratives. For nonprofits, grassroots storytelling also provides an avenue to hear and learn from their own communities and share these insights with a wider audience, effectively promoting their cause.

In this episode, you will:

1. Discover the power of authentic storytelling to inspire support for non-profits. 

2. Uncover the ethical dilemmas of using personal experiences in fundraising efforts. 

3. Learn about cultivating stronger bonds between non-profit organizations and funders through compelling narratives. 

4. Tap into the potential of technology and younger generations to drive social change. 

5. Master the art of streamlining non-profit promotion through user-friendly platforms.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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.

In today's world, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we approach various tasks, from mundane daily tasks to complex business problems. For nonprofits, the use of AI in fundraising and donor engagement is a game-changer that could lead to improved strategies and deeper connections with donors. AI helps these organizations analyze massive amounts of data to identify patterns and trends, ultimately leading to the pinpointing of ideal donors and tailoring meaningful communication to them. 

In this episode, I talk with Shawn Olds, a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. As the Co-founder and CEO of boodleAI, Shawn has made it his mission to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help nonprofits deepen their human connections and streamline communication. His expertise in leveraging AI has helped countless organizations optimize their fundraising strategies and maximize donor engagement. 

In this episode, you will be able to:

NOTE: There is no sponsorship or industry money behind the production of this series and the editorial content was at the sole discretion of the What the Fundraising team.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved significantly over the years, transforming from a concept that fascinated us when computers bested chess champions, to a powerful tool with a variety of applications. For nonprofit professionals, AI has the ability to revolutionize content creation in the sector, automating tasks, and providing insights into data patterns and trends. AI creates a new approach when it comes to content production and it has the potential to save time and streamline processes in a big way, allowing organizations to focus on their core mission and themselves.. 

And I am talking about all of this and more with today’s guest, Cherian Koshy, an innovative leader in the nonprofit sector, helping organizations harness the power of AI to revolutionize their fundraising and content creation efforts. After witnessing the impact of AI on various industries, Cherian realized its potential to transform the way nonprofits approach donor relations and communication. With a passion for technology and a keen eye for opportunities, he successfully integrated AI tools into his own work, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency and now he’s here to help the rest of us. 

In this episode, you will be able to: 

1. Discover how AI is transforming content creation in the fundraising and nonprofit sector. 

2. Uncover the importance of balancing AI-generated content with human editing and approval. 

3. Recognize the potential dangers of AI bias and misinformation and how to address them. 

4. Explore the power of AI in donor identification and engagement strategies. 

5. Learn about time-saving AI tools that can enhance work-life balance for nonprofit professionals.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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.

The importance of measuring a person's connection to an organization cannot be underestimated, as it transforms the way nonprofit fundraisers prioritize and prompt potential donors. By utilizing artificial intelligence, fundraisers can focus on building relationships with individuals based on their genuine interest in the cause rather than simply targeting them because of their wealth. This approach leads to more meaningful and fruitful partnerships, which positively impacts the efforts of the organization in the long run. 

In this episode, I get to speak with Nathan Chappell, a trailblazer in the world of AI-driven fundraising and co-author of the book Generosity Crisis. Nathan brings his vast experience and innovative ideas to the conversation and there is so much to learn! With a background in technology and business ownership, Nathan embarked on a 20-year journey in the nonprofit sector before joining Donor Search AI. 

In this episode, Nathan shares his insights on using AI to measure connections, stressing its ability to challenge assumptions and improve accuracy when modeling donors and prospects. For example, by treating donors and non-donors as separate entities and considering their ever-evolving priorities, AI enables fundraisers to make informed decisions about which individuals are most likely to offer valuable support. Nathan's expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing has enabled him to challenge traditional assumptions and deliver groundbreaking insights into donor behavior.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

1. Discover the innovative ways AI is combating the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. 

2. Uncover the secrets behind personalization and precision in charitable giving through AI technology. 

3. Recognize the vital aspects of responsible AI, including privacy, security, ethics, and equity. 

4. Embrace the discomfort associated with AI implementation for improved fundraising results. 

5. Grasp the importance of accountability and transparency in AI-driven models for nonprofits.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here

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

Please note: This episode is a part of a very special series called The People Behind the Products. More than ever, nonprofits care about the company behind their technology and service providers. What’s the underlying mission and vision of the company? What do they stand for? And how are they thinking about the sector and serving nonprofits? This series is an opportunity to get to know some of my favorite nonprofit technology companies so that the next time you’re making a tech decision, you can understand a little bit more about the people behind the product. There is no sponsorship or industry money behind the production of this series and the editorial content was at the sole discretion of the What the Fundraising team. 

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

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.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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.