#312- Giving Circles and the Future of Philanthropy with Emily Rasmussen

In this solo episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I dive deep into one of the most pressing issues in the nonprofit world—burnout. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, like you’re running in place just to keep your nonprofit afloat, this episode is for you. I share a game-changing framework to help nonprofit leaders prioritize their time, focus on high-impact activities, and avoid the dreaded burnout spiral.  You’ll learn: - Why all tasks are NOT created equal—and how to identify the ones that really matter. - The 4 key quadrants to organize your time and maximize ROI. - How to leverage delegation, automation, and elimination to reclaim hours in your day. - The surprising truth about donor retention and why it’s your secret weapon for growth. Special Resources: Download the free worksheet mentioned in the episode to start tracking your time and organizing your priorities like a pro. Bonus: Mark your calendar for December 12th! Join me for a free webinar, Why Major Gift Fundraising Sucks—and What to Do Instead. Sign up on my website here. Action Steps: -Track your activities over the next 3–5 days and identify where you’re spending your time. -Focus on strategic revenue-generating activities for maximum impact. -Share your feedback on this solo episode and suggest topics you’d love to hear in 2025! Let’s make 2025 the year of strategic focus and growth for your nonprofit! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow nonprofit leaders. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Nonprofit Lowdown is back with another insightful conversation, this time with fundraising expert Elizabeth Goldberg! If you're looking to build a major gifts program from scratch, this episode is a must-listen. 💡 In this episode, Elizabeth shares her incredible journey from the textile industry to the world of nonprofit fundraising. She talks about the importance of relationship-building, focusing on donor needs, and how to ask the right questions to truly understand what your donors care about. 💬 🔥 Key Takeaways: How to really listen to your donors (beyond just the words they say) The art of building authentic, long-term relationships with major donors Why it's not just about the "ask" – it's about the relationship How to navigate generational differences in communication preferences And more on how to create a major gifts program that aligns with your mission. ✨ Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, Elizabeth's wisdom and personal stories are invaluable. Tune in to hear how focusing on the donor's philanthropic goals can transform your approach to fundraising. Important Links: Connect with Elizabeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-goldberg-ma-216993b/   My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

On this week's Nonprofit Lowdown episode, I sat down with my special guest Dana Snyder, founder of Positive Equation and author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind. 💡 In this episode, we dive deep into the power of monthly giving and how you can harness the subscription economy to build sustainable revenue for your nonprofit. 🌱 Dana shares her journey from solopreneur to a thriving business, giving tips on hiring, mastering time management, and investing in business coaches (yes, it takes money to make money!). 💸 Plus, we get real about the challenges nonprofits face with donor retention and how to build a successful monthly giving program that not only drives income but nurtures long-term relationships. 🤝 Why should you listen?✅ Want to scale your nonprofit with recurring donations?✅ Struggling with donor retention?✅ Need a breakthrough on how to automate your fundraising efforts? This episode is for YOU! 🎧 Important Links: Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danarsnyder/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

If you're in the nonprofit world and marketing feels like a mystery or a necessary evil, you're not alone! In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I chat with Billy Broas, a messaging strategist and founder of Five Lightbulbs, about how to make marketing simple and effective — without being sleazy or salesy. 🙌 Billy’s insights are game-changing for nonprofit leaders who want to raise more funds and build stronger connections with their audience. In this episode, you'll learn: 🔑 How to market your cause without feeling “icky” 💡 The Five Lightbulbs Framework that helps you connect with donors in a more meaningful way 💬 Why marketing is about educating your audience (not just promoting) 🎯 How to craft a message that warms up your audience, making fundraising feel like a natural next step Whether you're a nonprofit pro or new to the game, this episode will help you shift your perspective on marketing and build strategies that feel authentic and resonate with your supporters. Tune in NOW and get ready to make fundraising easier, smarter, and more impactful! Important Links: Connect with Billy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billybroas/  The Five Lightbulbs: https://FiveLightbulbs.com  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Emily Rasmussen, the founder and CEO of Grapevine, to dive into the power of Giving Circles and the future of philanthropy. 💸✨ 👥 What exactly is a giving circle? Emily explains how this simple yet powerful concept is bringing everyday philanthropists together to pool their resources, build community, and make a bigger impact. It's all about democratizing philanthropy, where everyone can contribute—whether it’s time, talent, treasure, or connections! We discuss: - How giving circles are transforming philanthropy by empowering people to give in a recurring, community-driven way - The importance of building community among donors, not just managing a list - Why everyday donors should feel like part of a movement, not just a name on a donor roll - The growing trend of giving circles as the fastest-growing form of philanthropy and why this model is so effective in today’s nonprofit world 💡 Whether you're looking for fresh ideas on how to engage your donors or you're curious about new ways to build sustainable fundraising, this episode is for you! Important Links: Giving Tuesday: https://www.givingtuesday.org/  Connect with Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-rasmussen-02816619/  Grapevine: https://www.grapevine.org/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

🎙️ Join me, Rhea Wong, on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with Margaret Huang, the incredible president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and SPLC Action Fund. Together, we dive into how we can make geographically specific causes nationally relevant—especially in today's political climate. Margaret shares her unique journey in becoming a leader of one of the most impactful nonprofits in America. We discuss the importance of intersectionality in civil rights and how the SPLC is addressing threats to our democracy that start in the South but resonate nationwide. Whether you’re in New York or beyond, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s not just about the South; it’s about all of us. Don’t miss out on Margaret’s insights into the changing landscape of civil rights and the power of grassroots mobilization. Important Links: Giving Tuesday: https://www.givingtuesday.org/  Connect with Margaret: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-huang-she-her/  SPL Center: www.splcenter.org   My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

🎧 Join me on this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with the amazing John Lepp, partner at Agents of Good, author of Creative Deviations, and the "Ted Lasso of fundraising"! 🏆✨ Together, we dive deep into the art of empathetic marketing and its crucial role in nonprofit fundraising. 💖 John shares his journey from journalism to direct marketing, emphasizing the power of direct mail in a digital age. 📨💌 He challenges us to rethink how we connect with donors, highlighting the importance of personal relationships over mere transactions. This episode is packed with insights on list segmentation, donor behavior, and how to truly engage your supporters. If you're ready to transform your fundraising strategy and foster real connections, you won't want to miss this! 🚀 Important Links: Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlepp/  Agents of Good: https://agentsofgood.org/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Join me, Rhea Wong, on this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with the fabulous Julia Campbell, social media maven! 🙌 We're diving deep into the current state of social media—and let’s just say, it’s not great. 😅 Is social media feeling more like a burden than a blessing? You’re not alone! Julia and I explore why it’s often overwhelming and how nonprofits can shift their approach from broadcasting to engaging. 🚀 Discover:  ✅ The true purpose of social media in fundraising  ✅ How to measure success beyond vanity metrics  ✅ Tips to overcome the comparison game  ✅ Strategies to build community and drive action off-platform Whether you’re feeling lost in the sea of social media or just need a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with insights to help you leverage these platforms for good! 💪 Tune in now and let’s get to work transforming your social media strategy! 🎙️✨ Important Links: Connect with Julia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell/  Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit: https://jcsocialmarketing.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Hey, podcast listeners! Join me as we dive into the buzz surrounding Giving Tuesday—the fundraising Super Bowl of the year! 💰✨ In today's episode, I am joined by: Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer of Giving Tuesday Stephanie Russell, Executive VP of RKD Group We discuss the latest GivingPulse Report and share crucial insights on how to effectively engage donors this Giving Tuesday. 🤝 🔍 Key Takeaways: Understanding Donor Behavior: Learn why it’s essential to understand donor motivations and engagement strategies. In-Person Engagement: Explore innovative ways to harness the power of in-person connections amidst digital noise. Donor Retention Strategies: Discover how to retain first-time donors and convert them into loyal supporters. 🎧 Tune in now for actionable tips to maximize your fundraising efforts this season and beyond! Let’s make this Giving Tuesday your best one yet! Important Links: GIvingPulse Report: https://www.givingpulse.givingtuesday.org/  Connect with Woodrow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodrowrosenbaum/  Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slaudrussell/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Hey, podcast listeners! 🎙️ Join me on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with my friend Maria Rio, founder and CEO of Further Together and host of The Small Nonprofit podcast! 🌟 We dive deep into community-centric fundraising and how it shifts our focus from individual organizations to the well-being of the entire community.  From Maria's journey as a street fundraiser to her insights on equity and social justice in fundraising, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to rethink how we approach donor relationships. 💖 Important Links: Connect with Maria: https://linkedin.com/in/mariario  Community Centric Fundraising: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/tag/maria-rio/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program  My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey  My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support