Episode Summary

Monthly giving isn’t just a fundraising tactic—it’s the foundation of sustainable nonprofit growth.

In this episode of Your Rally Point Podcast, James Martin is joined by Dana Snyder, founder of Positive Equation and author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind, to break down why recurring donations outperform one-time gifts and how nonprofits can build monthly giving programs that actually work.

Dana shares practical insights from nearly a decade of nonprofit and digital strategy work, explaining how the subscription economy has reshaped donor behavior—and why nonprofits must adapt. From treating monthly giving like a product to optimizing mobile donation paths, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for leaders who want predictable revenue and deeper donor relationships.

What You’ll Learn

• Why monthly donors retain at 80–90% while one-time donors often don’t

• How the subscription economy has trained donors to say “yes” to recurring gifts

• Why most monthly giving programs fail—and how to fix them

• How to position monthly giving as a branded program, not a checkbox

• Who to ask for monthly gifts (and who not to)

• The role mobile optimization plays in recurring revenue growth

• How monthly giving improves forecasting, planning, and board conversations

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Introduction to Dana Snyder and monthly giving
05:30 – The shift from one-time fundraising to recurring revenue
10:45 – The subscription economy and donor behavior
16:30 – Why retention matters more than acquisition
21:15 – Treating monthly giving like a product
27:00 – Mobile optimization and donation friction
32:45 – Identifying the right donors for monthly asks
38:00 – Long-term sustainability and nonprofit resilience
42:30 – Final advice for year-end and beyond

Quotables

“Monthly donors aren’t just supporters—they’re committed believers.”
“If you ask for a one-time gift, that’s exactly what you’ll get.”
“Monthly giving turns fundraising from survival mode into sustainability.”
“The mistake isn’t lack of generosity—it’s lack of clear pathways.”
“Retention is where nonprofit growth actually happens.”

Learn More

• Dana Snyder / Positive Equation: https://positiveequation.com

• Subscribe to Your Rally Point Podcast for more conversations on sustainable growth

• Ready to build a mobile-first giving strategy? Book a demo at https://rallycorp.com/demo

In this episode, James Martin sits down with veteran digital strategist Sandi Fox to unpack what human-centered texting really looks like for nonprofits. They discuss permission-based engagement, why conversations matter more than blasts, which metrics actually indicate success, and how upcoming changes like RCS will impact mobile strategies—plus why “burn and churn” tactics hurt trust and results.

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Connect with Sandi @ https://www.smartasafox.org

Rally Corp @ https://rallycorp.com

Apple’s iOS 26 is about to change the game for text messaging—and a lot of nonprofits (and brands) are not prepared.

In Episode 21 of Your Rally Point Podcast, James Martin and Jack Bobin explain what’s happening, why Apple is pushing more filtering to the device level, and what that means in practical terms: more legitimate messages getting routed into the Unknown Sender folder (what Jack calls the “penalty box”).

They break down why this shift is inevitable (email went through the same lifecycle), how spam and fraud are forcing Apple’s hand, and what organizations must do now to protect their deliverability and click rates—especially heading into the year-end giving season.

James walks through the “dominoes” that determine whether a message gets seen and trusted: carrier registration (10DLC/A2P), compliance toolkit, sender verification, branded short links, and VCards/contact cards that help supporters save your organization as a known sender. Miss one step and your best campaign may never reach the inbox.

This episode is not doom-and-gloom—it’s a practical playbook. Text messaging is still the fastest way to reach supporters in the moment. The goal is simply to do it the right way: permission-based, human-centered, and trusted.

What you’ll learn:

• What iOS 26 changes about text filtering and inbox placement

• Why “Unknown Sender” routing can quietly crush campaign results

• How carrier registration and compliance affect deliverability

• Why branded links build trust (and reduce suspicious-link friction)

• How VCards/contact cards can protect sender recognition on iPhones

• What to ask your current texting vendor—before iOS 26 rolls out

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Book a demo: https://rallycorp.com/demo

Apple’s next iOS update is coming—and it will change how text messages are delivered, filtered, and trusted on iPhones.

In this short, focused episode of Your Rally Point Podcast, James Martin and Jack Bobin break down what iOS 26 means for nonprofits, why legitimate messages may start landing in spam or “promotions,” and what organizations must do now to protect deliverability, trust, and ROI.

They explain why this shift is inevitable (email already went through it), how Apple is moving filtering to the device level, and why permission, verification, and sender trust matter more than ever. You’ll also hear why many text vendors aren’t talking about this—and why ignoring it could quietly kill your click rates.

James and Jack walk through the “dominoes” that determine whether a text actually gets seen: campaign registration, compliance, permission-based opt-ins, verified sending, trusted links, and saved contacts. Miss one step, and your message may never reach the inbox—no matter how good your copy is.

If texting is part of your fundraising, communications, or engagement strategy, this episode will help you understand what’s changing and how to stay ahead of it.

What you’ll learn:

• What Apple’s iOS 26 filtering means for text delivery

• Why spam controls are moving from networks to phones

• How permission-based texting protects deliverability

• Why verified sending and trusted links matter more now

• The questions you should ask your text messaging vendor

• How poor deliverability destroys ROI—even if everything else is done right

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Book a demo: https://rallycorp.com/demo

Nonprofits don’t need more dashboards—they need results.

In this episode of Your Rally Point Podcast, James Martin and Jack Bobin tackle one of the most common (and frustrating) questions in nonprofit marketing: How do you actually prove ROI from text messaging?

Open rates are easy to quote. Vanity metrics are easy to celebrate. But neither helps you justify spend to your board.

James and Jack break down why click-through rate is the first meaningful signal of engagement, how integrations with donor platforms finally make revenue attribution possible, and why automation dramatically improves results by following up with supporters who click but don’t convert.

They also walk through a simple ROI model any nonprofit can understand—starting with a list of just 100 supporters—and explain why mobile messaging can outperform email and direct mail when measured correctly.

If you’re already texting (or thinking about it) and want to move from “we think this works” to “we can prove this works,” this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Why clicks matter more than opens

• How to measure real dollar ROI from text campaigns

• The role integrations play in attribution

• Why donation page experience affects texting results

• A simple model to explain mobile ROI to leadership

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Book a demo: https://rallycorp.com/demo

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems help nonprofits build relationships with supporters. Your Rally Point podcasts hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin talk about how data is the crucial foundation for connection. Data offers the context of a relationship—donation, event attendance, volunteer record, and more; the required legal compliance—no texting them after they unsubscribed; and the ongoing conversation that builds a relationship. Integrations make connecting data easy. It saves you time and amplifies your ability to connect.

What You’ll Learn

• CRM systems are essential for managing donor relationships.
• You need to understand how donors want to be communicated with.
• Relationships require permission, preference, and persistence.
• You have to be persistent with donors, but not too persistent.
• Data allows for context, compliance, and conversation.
• Nonprofits need a single source of truth—one place to go for donor data.
• Integrations connect data, saving you time and effort.

Resources

• Save Time With Integrations

Quotables

• “It's a process and it's a learning and you adapt and you learn and you try again.”
• “It really comes down to the right purpose, the right people, the right promotion, and then a clear path for participation.”
• “I do not want you ignored. You may choose to obfuscate yourself and make it easy to ignore you, but that's on you. And don't boohoo when you're missing the goal.”
• “Can't have a relationship without communication.”
• “You want to be able to personalize the message. It's ‘Hey Jack’ and or ‘Hi Jack,’ not just ‘Hi friend.’”
• “My team is overworked. They don't have time to upload spreadsheets and manipulate data. Come on, just connect and let it come over, right?”
• “It's moving people forward without a whole lot of head space.”
• “Once it's set up, it works. These integrations today are solid and no more running around wasting time.”
• “The world runs on integrations.”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Crabbing Adventures and Independence Day Traditions
• 05:43 - The Importance of Communication in Nonprofits
• 11:27 - Building Relationships Through CRM
• 17:07 - Data Management and Personalization in CRM
• 18:04 - Building Relationships Through Context
• 20:00 - Challenges of Disparate Systems
• 20:51 - Leveraging CRM for Donor Engagement
• 22:41 - Automation and Integration Simplified
• 24:27 - Real-World Examples of Integration
• 27:28 - The Role of Integrations in Everyday Life
• 29:26 - Creating a Unified Communication System
• 31:22 - The Takeaway: Consistency in Communication

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Ready to mobilize better and grow smarter? Subscribe to Your Rally Point and listen wherever you enjoy podcasts. We’re here to help. For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.

Nonprofits need quick wins. You’re already overworked and overwhelmed, you don’t have time to wait six months for results. So let’s take something you’re already doing and make it better. Your Rally Point podcasts hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin talk about how to improve. It starts with data. What gets measured gets managed, so start tracking a meaningful metric. Then you can find ways to improve, whether it’s honing in on the right audience, tweaking your message to focus on what works, or simply changing suggested donation amounts.

What You’ll Learn

• Actionable metrics are crucial for measuring success.
• Engagement metrics should focus on meaningful interactions, not just likes.
• Data can reveal ways to improve your campaigns.
• When picking suggested donation amounts, look at your average donations.
• Start measuring one thing to track progress effectively.
• Demographics matter more than numbers—are you talking to the right people?
• Use link shorteners to track clicks.
• Commit to measuring something to drive results.

Resources

• Link Shorteners: Why, How, Huh?

Quotables

• “How do we take something they're already doing and make it better in 30 days?”
• “Time—that's the one resource that's not renewable.”
• “What gets measured gets managed, right? So the surest way to improve anything in an organization or even in your personal life is you just pick one thing to measure.”
• “We all love to post on LinkedIn and have 200 likes and all these smiley faces, but is that really success?”
• “Let's just pick one thing to measure. What does success look like for you?”
• “Just please, for the love of God, make sure that we're at least measuring clicks.”
• “Facts and data set you free.”
• “If you don't have the data, you're lost. You're on a map with no compass.”
• “So the goal for everyone after they see this podcast is find something to measure that matters, and then start measuring it.”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Scene
• 02:00 - The Importance of Mobile Engagement
• 03:52 - Measuring Success in Nonprofits
• 07:47 - The Role of Metrics in Social Media
• 11:33 - Understanding Engagement Beyond Likes
• 15:21 - Navigating Email Metrics and Challenges
• 16:20 - Understanding Audience Engagement
• 19:16 - Optimizing Donation Campaigns
• 22:25 - Measuring Success in Digital Outreach
• 27:04 - Leveraging Data for Better Insights
• 29:56 - The Importance of Targeted Communication

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Ready to mobilize better and grow smarter? Subscribe to Your Rally Point and listen wherever you enjoy podcasts. We’re here to help. For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.

There are so many channels and tools for nonprofit fundraising, but it’s all about one cohesive strategy: Push people to action, now. Your Rally Point podcasts hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin talk about the evolving digital world, where it takes serious discipline to be productive. They talk about what the big tech companies are so good at optimizing—that hit of dopamine that keeps people on their sites. So how can nonprofits make that work for good? They talk about QR codes, near field communication (NFC) tags, text, email, and more. But no matter the channel, it’s about a cohesive strategy and taking action now.

What You’ll Learn

• Digital discipline is essential for productivity.
• Keeping phones away can help maintain focus.
• Big tech knows dopamine boosts engagement—how do nonprofits make that work for good?
• QR codes can create curiosity and interaction.
• Capturing attention is the first step in engagement. Immediate tactile feedback is crucial for donor engagement.
• Email communication is often passive and less effective.
• It’s not about a new channel or tool, it’s about a strategy that brings everything you do together.
• Immediate action can lead to quick results for nonprofits.

Resources

• Tap to Go: Rally’s NFC Tag

Quotables

• “People are going to take out their phone and do something during your gala, whether you like it or not. The question is are they consuming your content? Are they interacting with your material?”
• “Can you imagine one of the big semi trucks with a four foot by four foot QR code on the back door and nothing else?”
• “The key here is not one modality or one method—it’s to tie it into this broader strategy of what you are attempting to do.”
• “The biggest thing is people are being ignored. They feel like they spin their wheels.”
• “Tie in all the pieces together, because some people prefer email. So give them email. And some people prefer text, give them text. And some people prefer a phone call. You drop a voicemail. Don't make it hard.”
• “What happens to your nonprofit if nothing changes?”
• “It's not the mechanics of the deal that gets them hung up. It's ‘Do I have the capacity tomorrow to do this thing?’”
• “Let’s build on action.”
• “When they're looking at technology, they don't need more tools. [Instead, it’s] how do we bring these channels into one cohesive strategy?”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Introduction and Digital Discipline
• 02:53 - The Impact of Mobile Communication
• 06:03 - The Psychology of Engagement and Dopamine
• 09:01 - Innovative Uses of Technology in Nonprofits
• 11:59 - QR Codes and Community Engagement
• 14:59 - Engaging Donors with Immediate Feedback
• 17:07 - The Passive Nature of Email Communication
• 19:52 - Multi-Channel Engagement Strategies
• 22:11 - The Importance of Immediate Action
• 25:34 - Creating Tangible Results for Nonprofits
• 28:57 - Building Trust and Reducing Barriers
• 31:34 - Embracing Action and Flexibility

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For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.

Sales gets a bad reputation and nonprofits often struggle with the concept. But the reality is everybody is in sales—even nonprofits. We’ve talked about sales before, but now Your Rally Point podcasts hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin explore sales for nonprofits. They talk about creating value for donors, that it’s about giving them the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. They also explore different tones that can help you connect and explore what a potential donor is looking for.

What You’ll Learn

• Nonprofits often struggle with the concept of sales.
• Sales is about solving problems for customers or donors.
• The mindset should shift from taking money to creating value.
• Tone and personal connection are crucial in fundraising.
• Handwritten notes can enhance personal outreach.
• Using a curious tone can enhance donor communication.
• Three tones can help you connect: curious, confused, concerned.
• Leadership in fundraising is a learned skill.
• Personalized communication is more effective than mass emails.
• Pick up the phone and talk to someone—you’ll never know unless you ask.

Resources

• Episode 13: Everybody Is in Sales

Quotables

• “Speak the language that your client speaks, your donor speaks, your supporters speak, your volunteers speak.”
• "Personal outreach feels way better."
• “Good salesmanship is a craft of helping people solve problems—it’s actually not separating them from their money, but it's creating more value for them.”
• “Great fundraising programs start from a human perspective.”
• “You want to create automation but not make it feel automated.”
• "A curious tone conveys genuine interest in understanding your donors.”
• “The confused tone is a strategic tool used to clarify or expand on a point.”
• “The concern tone demonstrates empathy and care for your donor’s struggles.”
• “How do I know unless I have a conversation?”
• "It's not rocket science, it's just being human.”
• “I would encourage your nonprofits to just carry into their next conversation, the mindset that they're not separating me from my money. They're giving me an opportunity and a path to be human and participate in something that otherwise I'd not be able to. That's philanthropy.”
• “Our heart here is to make you better at what you do so you can make the world better.”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Introduction and Feedback on Sales Episode
• 01:52 - Sales in Nonprofits: Understanding the Concept
• 05:46 - The Mindset Shift: From Selling to Creating Value
• 10:05 - The Importance of Tone and Personal Connection
• 13:59 - Building Trust and Accountability in Donor Relationships
• 16:58 - Creating Opportunities for Connection and Humanity
• 18:03 - The Power of Collective Impact
• 19:00 - Understanding Communication Tones
• 27:07 - Empathy in Donor Relations
• 31:27 - Taking Ownership in Fundraising
• 36:34 - Leveraging Technology for Engagement

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We’re here to help. For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.

The next big thing is rich communication services (RCS). It’s basically putting a website into a text message. Why? Because it creates a complete user experience where you can go from message to donation in a singular, contained moment. No breaking out to a website or another experience—which is where it’s easy to lose people. In the latest episode of Your Rally Point podcast, hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin dive into RCS and why it matters. It’s the same reason you want to test your donation form and make sure it’s stupid simple. Any complication or hindrance can derail people and you’re missing out on donations.

What You’ll Learn

• Text messaging is the most intimate form of communication with donors.
• RCS offers enhanced user experiences compared to traditional SMS and MMS.
• RCS allows for richer content, including images and buttons, in messages.
• Rich business messaging (RBM) is another term for the same thing.
• Your messages need clear identification and branding to build trust.
• Rich messaging can significantly improve click and response rates.
• The user experience in the donation processes is often overlooked.
• RCS technology can streamline the donation experience by keeping people in the message.
• If RCS sounds like more work, templates will be a way to make it easy.

Resources

• Episode 9: RCS Explained: New Mobile Feature and What It Means for Nonprofits

Quotables

• “Texting is where our personal lives happen on our devices.”
• "We went from SMS to MMS to RCS."
• “Fancy smart glasses that are probably the next fight for real estate on our bodies.”
• “I sent an emoji one time to my 20-year-old daughter. … She goes, ‘Dad, don't ever use that emoji. You don't know what it means.’”
• “With RCS, the entire process from end to end, from engagement to donation, should be contained in a single message. And there's no other platform that does that today.”
• “My reputation's on the line if you send a text message to thousands of people pointing to a really crappy website”
• “You're combining multiple experiences that we have today into one. And that's really the future with RCS”
• “I'm not saying here's a tool, good luck. I'm actually going to show up and help you swing the hammer, show you how to use it.”
• “Success as a service, not software as a service. I don't care about the software, care about the success.”
• “Make sure you see mobile as a means or a method. It is not the end. It is a machine or a tool to further your message and help you meet people in the middle and move them to act.”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Journey
• 03:05 - The Importance of Mobile Engagement
• 05:50 - Understanding RCS and Its Impact
• 12:10 - The Evolution of Messaging: From SMS to RCS
• 15:05 - Why Nonprofits Should Care About RCS
• 17:19 - Understanding Effective Messaging in Nonprofits
• 19:05 - The Importance of Rich Messaging
• 22:14 - The User Experience in Donation Processes
• 25:50 - The Future of RCS Messaging
• 29:51 - Creating Immersive Experiences for Nonprofits

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Ready to mobilize better and grow smarter? Subscribe to Your Rally Point and listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

We’re here to help. For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.