Nonprofit Lowdown

🚀 Is your board more like a stubborn mule than a spirited stallion when it comes to fundraising? 🐴

On today's edition of Nonprofit Lowdown, we're diving into a burning question that keeps many of you up at night: "Why won't my board fundraise?"😡

You're not alone in this struggle—research shows only 41% of boards are engaged in fundraising. Shocking, right?

In this episode, we get real about the multitude of reasons why boards shy away from fundraising duties—from lack of awareness and understanding of their roles to deeper issues like money baggage. We discuss strategies to energize your board: assessing willingness and skill, empowering through training, and setting clear and achievable expectations.

💡 Discover:

How to diagnose and address the specific reasons behind your board's fundraising hesitance.

Effective methods to transform your board from passive participants to active champions of your cause.

Tired of doing the heavy lifting alone? Tune into this episode for practical tips that will help you craft a board that not only understands their fundraising role but excels at it!

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/episodes/244---Innovations-in-Board-Management-with-Bill-Ryan-e26onag

🌟 Are you wrestling with understanding what your donors really want?🌟

If you're an executive director on the hunt for that sweet strategy that separates annual donors from major donors, pull up your comfy chair! Here’s the scoop: treating both types of donors with the same approach just isn’t cutting it. Annual and major donors are as different as chai is from espresso – both amazing but distinct in flavor!

On today’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’ll be diving deep into the magic formulas that distinguish these donors not just by the size of their gifts but by their expectations, engagement, and your strategic communications with them. Understanding these critical differences can revolutionize your approach, shifting your outcomes from spinning wheels to celebrating wins!

💡 In this must-listen episode, we’ll explore:

• Why recognizing and catering to the unique characteristics of annual versus major donors can drastically enhance your fundraising efforts.

• Practical strategies to tailor your outreach, making every donor feel like the hero in their own story.

• The secret to transitioning from transactional to transformational relationships with your donors – because they're more than just ATMs!
  

Ready to stop the guesswork and start engaging effectively? Tune into the full episode to transform your donor interactions from ordinary to extraordinary. Trust me; your nonprofit can’t afford to miss out on this gem!

Don't forget to subscribe for more insights and join our vibrant community of nonprofit leaders just like you!

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

What if I told you the reason 82% of your donors never give again is because of something you’re doing? 😳

It’s true - we churn through first-time givers by failing to build real relationships and showcase impact. We leave donors confused about what their money achieved, then bombard them with more asks.

Donors ghost you because you’re giving them buyer’s remorse. 👻

On this week’s straight-talk episode, I’m exploring the psychology behind why donors flee and how we inadvertently trigger their buyer’s remorse. Learn how to flip the script to create onboarding journeys that wow donors by:

• Asking the right questions to uncover their motivations

  
  

• Closing the story loop to spotlight their investment

  
  

• Shifting from extracting value to nurturing truly reciprocal partnerships

  
  

If you’re shaking your head thinking, “Rhea gets me!” - this discussion is for you. I’m bringing solutions that transform donor retention from 20% to 80% overnight. Listen now!

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Executive directors, are you tired of chasing after those $20 donations like a squirrel on espresso? Yeah, me too. And let me tell you, focusing all our energy on foundation grants and corporate donations because they seem easier is a bit like preferring instant noodles over a gourmet meal—it sort of does the job, but we're left feeling unsatisfied. 😖

Let's talk about moving away from survival-mode tactics that leave us feeling icky and instead, start nurturing genuine relationships with our donors. I'm dishing out all my secrets on identifying prospects and building a donor pipeline of people who are as excited about our cause as we are—because let's face it, sending a million "just checking in" emails is about as fun as watching paint dry.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why it's crucial to focus on those individual donors and how creating meaningful connections can lead to those juicy, significant gifts we dream about.

Remember, folks—desperation is the world's worst cologne. It's time to start fundraising with confidence, swagger, and a whole lot of heart. 💖

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/wheredodonorscomefrom

Feeling overwhelmed by the tsunami wave of AI chatter? Wondering how your nonprofit can ride the AI wave without wiping out? You're not alone.

The rapid evolution of AI technology has everyone's heads spinning, trying to figure out how to adopt it responsibly and effectively to amplify their impact.

In today's episode, I sit down with the phenomenal Devi Thomas, a beacon of knowledge from Microsoft Philanthropies, who's illuminating the path for nonprofits in the digital age. Her insights reveal that the integration of AI isn't just a trend; it's a toolset for improving efficiency, personalizing donor engagement, and scaling impact with a tactical edge.

Devi, preaches that adopting AI starts with embracing our curiosity and permitting ourselves to experiment.AI's potential to revolutionize nonprofit operations is immense - if wielded with intention, transparency, and inclusivity.

Ready to demystify AI and propel your organization into a future where tech and purpose align more closely than ever? Tune in to the full episode and learn how AI can be your co-pilot in achieving more with less, without losing the human touch that defines our missions.

Important Links:

https://nonprofitcommunity.microsoft.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/

Ever felt a surge of imposter syndrome just as you're about to hit a major fundraising goal? Wonder why, even after securing that dream funding, a creeping sense of dread shadows your success?

If your accomplishments in the nonprofit realm leave you more anxious than empowered, it’s time we talk about your "Identity Upgrade."

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the idea that our identity sometimes lags behind our achievements, leaving us feeling out of sync with our new realities.

🦞 Just like a lobster needs to grow a new shell to move around comfortably in the great big ocean, you need to upgrade your identity to fit your desired goals. 🦞

I'll take you through the concept of identity - how it shapes our actions, influences our reactions to success, and why upgrading our inner narrative is essential for stepping into our power as leaders. From discussing the psychological effects of sudden changes in our external environment to offering tangible steps on crafting a new, empowering identity, this episode is a guide for those ready to transcend their self-imposed limits.

So, are you ready to align your identity with your achievements and lead with confidence and clarity? Dive into the full episode to discover how to navigate the discomfort of growth, the power of surrounding yourself with the right community, and ultimately, how to step fully into your upgraded identity. 🌟

To join the conversation, reach out, or learn more about upgrading your nonprofit leadership identity, head over to RheaWong.com. Let’s embrace this journey together.

Important links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz

Worried AI will take your job? Fear robots more than global warming? Think AI lacks morals? Well, take a chill pill my nonprofit friends. 💊

Today's guest Vilas Dhar provides a refreshing perspective on AI. Rather than some apocalyptic force, he views it as a "human-centric reflection of our society." Our biases and beliefs shape how it develops.

So who is this optimistic leader guiding us to an ethical AI future? Vilas heads the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, advancing social good through tech. With experience across business, government and nonprofits, he connects communities to steer AI toward human dignity.

Discover how we can distribute AI more broadly so underserved groups have agency to address their needs. Learn what civil society can do now to democratize participation. Hear Vilas' global vision for aligning innovators and people.

The robots aren't coming for us yet, people! 🤖 Tune into this uplifting episode to understand how we shape the ethics and promise of AI. The future remains unwritten - our choices matter.

Important Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vilasdhar/

Are you giving money too much power in your fundraising efforts? Are desperation and scarcity sabotaging your fundraising success? 😣

You’re not alone, my friend. Many leaders try tactic after tactic, only to come up short again and again. Exhausting, right?

But what if the real barrier isn’t your savvy strategy, but your mindset? 💭

On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into money mindset to discover how trauma and the stories we tell ourselves about money affect our fundraising for better or worse.

Here are a few of my takeaways:

🔑 Trauma and money experiences get encoded in our brains and bodies, affecting our fundraising mindsets and results

🔑 Attaching heavy emotion like desperation or scarcity to money activates our fight-or-flight response

🔑This traps us in survival mode rather than abundance - and donors feel that!

🔑By unpacking our money stories and shifting to an abundance mindset, our outer results can transform.

This is where the real work starts. We have to go inward to unearth our subsurface money narratives. What did your family say about money? What emotions come up when you fundraise? When you uncover the answers to these questions and shift your mindset, you’re going to see a huge transformation in your numbers too!

Ready to address inner blocks and finally hit your fundraising goals?

Important Links:

https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Is it going to take over the world and make nonprofit work obsolete? Some peeps seem hyped, while others wanna unplug the mainframe, Office Space-style. 💻🚫

Well, never fear! With experience from computer engineering to working for the FBI in the White House (?!?), my guest Afua Bruce knows her bytes from her bits. Afua decrypts how bias gets baked into algorithms and breaks communities. But she also shares how nonprofits can responsibly use AI as a force for good and level up their impact with AI’s help. 👩🏿‍💻

Some of the key takeaways:

• Top AI concerns include the invisibility of marginalized groups and scalable bias due to historical data and speed/scale of deployment.

  
  

• Everyone can educate themselves on AI by trying tools, asking questions, and knowing when to turn systems off if they don't serve you.

  
  

• Guidance for using AI ethically includes clarifying your strategy and values first, then evaluating if tools align.
  

• AI may risk loss of critical thinking skills but it also presents opportunities like predictive analytics to improve services.

  
  

Bottom line: We got this, people! 💪 Ask questions, set guardrails, but don't let fear leave you behind. The tools ain't perfect but we can influence and improve. As Afua says, "...you still have agency in this process." ✊

Listen to the full episode to learn more. 🎧

Important Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/afua-bruce/

https://thetechthatcomesnext.com/

With the first blooms of spring comes our annual opportunity for renewal. Time to clear out the old and make way for new growth!

In this solo episode, I'll share my best tips for spring cleaning every aspect of your NPO - from refreshing stale programs to pruning unengaged contacts.

Get ready to plant the seeds now for a fruitful year ahead!

Here's what we'll cover:

✅ Breathing life and inspiration into your impact data with impactful storytelling

✅ Pruning and cleaning your email, communications, and database

✅ Cultivating supporters with strategic messaging

✅ Planting the seeds for efficient systems, processes & database moving forward

✅ Sprinkling your day with tasks that energize you and removing the ones that zap your energy.

And because we lead best when we lean into self-care, I'll also share my recipe for a quarterly mental vacation to blossom into the healthiest version of you!

Whether you need serious weeding or just some strategic fertilizing, let this episode seed a sustainable way forward. Now get growing by tuning in! 🌱🎧

Important Links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program