Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Support for this show is brought to you by our friends at Bloomerang. Bloomerang offers donor management and online fundraising software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron, a nonprofit that empowers kids and teens through the game of golf. After just one year with Bloomerang they doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds. To listen to the full interview with First Tee of Greater Akron visit bloomerang.com/nonprofit-nation .
Are you having trouble growing your fundraising program and expanding your donor base? If your nonprofit's growth has flattened out, it’s most likely a result of a belief - or several - rather than a tactic or a strategy.
I was thrilled to be able to talk to one of the world's most sought-after fundraising expert, Steven Screen, about this common fundraising problem.
Steven is Co-Founder of The Better Fundraising Company and lead author of its must-read industry blog. With over 25 years' fundraising experience, he gets energized by helping organizations understand how they can raise more money. He’s a second-generation fundraiser, a past winner of the Direct Mail Package of the Year, and always driven by the data.
Topics we cover:

• The beliefs that prevent us from fundraising effectively
• Why donor fatigue is a myth
• How to communicate to donors in the best way possible
• Why getting complaints is actually a GOOD thing - and how to reframe them

Connect with Steven:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenscreen/
• The Better Fundraising Co.

About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:
Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.
She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.
Julia’s online courses, webinars, and keynote talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and how to do effective marketing in the digital age.
Take Julia’s free nonprofit masterclass, 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media That Converts

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

As the U.S. gears up for the 2024 presidential election, nonprofit professionals find themselves at the intersection of philanthropy and politics, considering the unique challenges and opportunities that come with fundraising during an election year.

My guest this week is Alyssa Wright, industry expert on fundraising. Having spent time as a human rights activist in Eastern Europe and Africa, Alyssa brings over a decade of experience in international philanthropy to Wright Collective. With a background in community organizing and the arts, Alyssa leads the Collective with skill, creativity, and passion.

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of setting fundraising goals for 2024, drawing reflections from historical trends, research, and insightful analyses.

This episode is sponsored by RSVPify. At RSVPify, you can host ticketed events for free - no subscription required. Host any free event with a monthly or annual subscription. Use the code NONPROFITNATION50 at checkout for an 50% off any annual subscription (discount applied for first year only) - or 50% off any monthly subscription for three months (billed at full rate subsequently).

About Alyssa Wright
Having spent time as a human rights activist in Eastern Europe and Africa, Alyssa brings over a decade of experience in international philanthropy to Wright Collective. With a background in community organizing and the arts, Alyssa leads the Collective with skill, creativity, and passion. As an accomplished facilitator, consultant, and coach, she builds new revenue streams, shifts cultural perspectives, and inspires people to believe that change is possible no matter what.

She has helped hundreds of both domestic and global social change organizations successfully launch major gifts programs, capital campaigns, and create sustainable funding models resulting in over $100,000,000 of resource flow. Everyone that has worked with Alyssa knows that she is a true partner. She answers late-night text messages, takes on difficult conversations for clients, and makes jokes that will keep clients smiling through rejected proposals and rained-out fundraising events. Her experience and wit has also allowed her to become a sought-after speaker on philanthropy and fund development as well as a regular contributor to ForbesWomen, Global Giving, and Network for Good. Alyssa is a powerful Millennial voice in the social change movement.

Fun Fact: Alyssa has had to handle a lot of stressful and harmful situations as a fundraiser over the last decade including a funder revoking a seven-figure gift at the last minute, sexual harassment while stewarding a male donor over the years, and having to fire and rebuild an entire board of directors in a few weeks. No situation seems unknown to her as a fundraiser.
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Alyssa on LinkedInBlog: Elevate Your Fundraising Strategy: Practical Tips for Election Year ChallengesBlog: Navigating social media marketing in an election year

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month! In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by the inspiring Cynthia Torres, LMFT—someone who has been a true force in the social good space for over 25 years. As a Colombian-American entrepreneur and community leader, Cynthia wears two powerful hats: she’s the founder of New Dawn Counseling & Consulting, Inc., and the Executive Director of the beloved nonprofit, City Impact. Cynthia is here to break down how she’s mastered the art of blending business with benevolence, all while serving Oxnard’s vibrant Latinx population.
We dive into some hard-hitting truths, like why Latinas face the steepest climb in corporate America and how Cynthia’s been smashing those barriers every step of the way. She also shares how she balances running both a for-profit and a nonprofit—yes, at the same time—and how her hybrid model is changing lives while keeping the lights on.
What we discuss:

• National Hispanic Heritage Month: Why this month matters and how it connects to the rich history of Hispanic contributions in the U.S.
• Latinas in Business: We’re tackling some eye-opening stats on Latina labor force participation and business ownership. Spoiler: Latina-owned businesses are booming!
• Cynthia’s Journey: From Colombia to California, she shares her deeply personal story of overcoming barriers as a Latina entrepreneur and why she founded New Dawn Counseling.
• A Hybrid Business Model: Curious how someone runs both a for-profit and a nonprofit? Cynthia breaks it down and explains how her model provides stability while staying true to her mission of serving those most in need.
• Advice for Young Latina Professionals: Cynthia dishes out some real talk and actionable advice for the next generation of Latina leaders trying to break through.

Cynthia is a powerhouse of wisdom, warmth, and relentless drive. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or just someone looking to be inspired, this conversation is packed with insights on how to lead with both heart and hustle. Plus, you’ll get Cynthia’s personal tips on navigating the challenges that Latina women still face in today’s professional world.
About Cynthia:
Cynthia Torres, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist), is a Colombian American who has resided in our local community for over 25 years, leaving an indelible mark in service to our vibrant and dynamic Latinx population. Her professional journey is nothing short of remarkable: she not only founded the local for-profit business, New Dawn Counseling & Consulting, Inc., but also recently assumed leadership of the beloved thirty-year-old nonprofit organization, City Impact, Inc.
Cynthia on LinkedInCity Impact on LinkedInCity Impact Website--
A massive transfer of wealth is right around the corner, and your constituent base is changing. Are your fundraising efforts ready? Qgiv surveyed donors of all ages to create The Generational Giving Report, a comprehensive guide to help you best connect with constituents of all generations. To learn how new generations want to support you, hear from you, and stay connected with you head to jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to be notified when the report is released and to receive your copy!

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

You may think the first step in building a corporate relations program is prospecting and calling businesses. But what about truly understanding the problem that you are solving, and the community that you serve? Creating effective corporate relationships is more than just a financial transaction. Many corporations seek to build holistic relationships with nonprofits to pursue social change.
Tammy Charles, a self-proclaimed "social change geek" (love that!) is on a mission to help nonprofits initiate, develop, and sustain their corporate relationships by producing strategic alliances that not only drive revenue but innovation and social impact. She has raised over $10 million in financial and nonfinancial capital in her career in nonprofit and consulting through building cross-sector partnerships, creating innovative business models, and helping organizations develop and craft clear strategies and goals.
Here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Ways in which you can build authentic relationships with the people and communities that you serve
• How to position your organization for major corporate investments and partnerships
• How to start building your corporate relations strategy
• Why nonprofits have to pivot away from events and galas into more innovative strategies

A Tammy quotable: "Be willing to build relationships with the people that you're serving, Build authentic relationships. Have coffee with these amazing people. Take the time to get to know them and their stories. And when you do, you'll realize that the the solutions lie within them."

Connect with Tammy:
https://twitter.com/tamcharlie
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammycharles/
https://www.instagram.com/tammcharlie/
Website: www.iamtammy.com

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About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:
Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.
She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements. Julia’s online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and raise more money online.
Clients include Mastercard, Facebook, GoFundMe Charity, Meals on Wheels America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, we’re diving into the art and ethics of nonprofit storytelling with Carly Euler, the creative force behind MemoryFox’s 2023 Ethical Storytelling Report. With experience across multiple nonprofits—from working with youth development at the Wily Network to community fundraising at the Breast Cancer Coalition—Carly knows how storytelling can engage, inspire, and empower. We’ll explore out-of-the-box storytelling techniques, practical ways to collect stories, and the fine line nonprofits walk to ensure their storytelling remains ethical and authentic.

Expect insights on the best ways to get those meaningful stories from volunteers and donors, why positive storytelling is gaining traction, and how to build trust through transparency—all while staying mindful of consent and dignity. If you're in the nonprofit space or curious about storytelling with impact, this one’s for you.

Topics discussed:

• New ways to tell stories: Creative strategies to stand out in a noisy digital world.
• Story collection hacks: Tools and tactics to make gathering stories easier and more consistent.
• Prompts that unlock powerful stories: The questions you should ask to spark meaningful responses.
• Ethical storytelling deep-dive: How nonprofits can handle tricky consent situations and build their own storytelling guidelines.

About Carly Euler:

Carly’s heart has always been with nonprofits. Over the years, she’s held roles at organizations like the Wily Network, Code of Support Foundation, Kenya Lacrosse Association, and the BOMA Project, specializing in marketing, communications, and fundraising. Now leading the marketing charge at MemoryFox, Carly is passionate about helping nonprofits share authentic stories while navigating the ethics involved. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and completed an MBA at Gannon University while coaching lacrosse. She lives in Rochester, NY with her husband and her rescue dog, Sadie, and continues to champion meaningful storytelling across the nonprofit world.

Connect with Carly Euler on LinkedInFollow Carly Euler on TikTok
Download the 2023 Ethical Storytelling Report on MemoryFoxIt’s almost the most wonderful time of year! Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, and to celebrate, Givebutter is giving back $25,000 to nonprofits! Givebutter is the easiest-to-use, all-in-one nonprofit fundraising platform that brings together everything changemakers need to raise more, pay less, and give better, from free fundraising pages, events, and auctions to a built-in CRM, modern marketing features, and so much more. This year, the five Most Engaging Giving Tuesday campaigns on Givebutter will each receive a $5,000 matching donation you can use to multiply your impact this year-end giving season. Get the full spread on Givebutter Gives Back for Giving Tuesday and learn more at www.givebutter.com/nonprofit-nation - I'm so excited to see what you come up with!

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts