Ep. 116 Clean Data Isn’t Enough: Turning Donor Data Into Stronger Relationships FT. Cannon Brooke

In this episode of Profiting Nonprofits, Sean Littman talks with fundraising professional Cannon Brooke about turning donor data into meaningful action. Clean data matters, but collecting information is only the first step. The real value comes from using it to understand supporters, personalize communication and build stronger relationships. Cannon and Sean discuss data quality, donor engagement, responsible use of AI and why automated tools can’t replace the human connection at the heart of stewardship. They also share practical ways to reconnect with supporters, including reviewing your data, reaching out personally and tailoring messages to what donors care about. Their central takeaway: protect your data, keep it useful and let it support better conversations with the people who believe in your mission.  This podcast is sponsored by Givesuite.com, your nonprofits growth engine. To learn more about Givesuite. check us out www.Givesuite.com Connect with Cannon on LinkedIn. The guy is a trip and a great conversation.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cannonbrooke/ 

How can nonprofits use AI to build capacity without losing the human touch? Sean Littman sits down with Noah Landau of  Macktez to discuss where AI can make a practical difference—and where organizations should proceed thoughtfully. Macktez is a New York IT consulting firm with 30 years of experience helping nonprofits, creative organizations, and media companies navigate complex technology and operational change. Its services include managed IT, identity and access management, device management, security, and office buildouts. As organizations get their technology foundations in order,  Macktez increasingly helps them adopt AI responsibly.The conversation explores how AI can support teams by reducing tedious work—from searching system logs to handling data and capturing meeting follow-ups—without replacing the people who build donor and community relationships. Noah also breaks down different levels of AI use, the risks of giving AI agents too much access, and why privacy, transparency, and good management matter. Macktez is a strong fit for organizations of up to about 1,000 people whose systems have become messy behind the scenes, whether that means stale accounts, overloaded shared inboxes, weak security, or no central directory. In this episode: Where AI can reduce repetitive work and help nonprofits build capacity How to think about chat tools, tools that take action, and AI agents Why donor communication should preserve transparency and human connection How to approach AI permissions, security, and sensitive information Why strong technology foundations matter when adopting AIA grounded conversation for nonprofit leaders and teams looking to make technology work better—without losing sight of trust, mission, or the people they serve.  This podcast is sponsored by Givesuite.com, your nonprofits growth engine. To learn more about Givesuite. check us out www.Givesuite.com

Building Movements: Insights from Mackenzie Darling  Transforming nonprofit visions into impactful movements. Creating a movement goes beyond just fundraising; it’s about inspiring a community to co-create and champion a shared vision. In this episode of **Profiting with Nonprofits**, Mackenzie Darling shares her journey and insights on movement building in the nonprofit space.  The Vision Behind Movement Maker Mackenzie runs the Movement Maker school, designed for nonprofit executive directors and mission-driven organizations. Her **Movement Maker Incubator program** focuses on the inner workings of movement building.   'How do you steward a vision that's larger than yourself in right relationship?' — Mackenzie Darling   This question is at the heart of her approach, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership and community involvement.  Profit and Purpose: A New Perspective One of the key takeaways from the conversation is the relationship between profit and purpose. Mackenzie argues that many nonprofits mistakenly prioritize purpose over profitability.  'Profit and purpose can be married, but we've been putting them in the wrong order.' — Mackenzie Darling   This perspective challenges the conventional belief that nonprofits should shy away from making money. Instead, she advocates for viewing community members not just as funders but as co-creators of the mission. Learning from Experience Mackenzie shared a powerful example from her early work with a nonprofit documentary film organization that spread its message globally through community-driven film screenings.   'We grew that to over five million people in 128 countries... by not asking for support directly at the right time, we missed out on a potential eleven million dollars.' — Mackenzie Darling   This anecdote illustrates the potential impact of engaging communities effectively and the importance of asking for support.  The New Operating System for Nonprofits Mackenzie emphasized the need for a shift in how nonprofits operate, particularly in the age of AI and content saturation.   'In the age of AI, content is cheap. It's the user-generated content that tells the authentic stories that matter.' — Mackenzie Darling   This highlights the necessity for nonprofits to foster genuine community connections rather than relying solely on automated systems.  Reflection The conversation with Mackenzie Darling offers valuable insights for nonprofits looking to build sustainable movements. By embracing co-creation and understanding the intertwined relationship of profit and purpose, organizations can grow and thrive in today’s landscape.   For a deeper dive into Mackenzie’s insights and strategies, you can reach out to Mackenzie https://www.linkedin.com/in/makenziedarling/ This podcast is sponsored by Givesuite.com, your nonprofits growth engine. To learn more about Givesuite. check us out www.Givesuite.com 

The easiest fundraising win might be the one everyone is avoiding: a five-minute phone call. Kel Haney shows how nonprofits can turn lapsed supporters, subscribers, and ticket buyers into renewed donors without scripts, awkward asks, or endless email follow-up.If your organization relies on major gifts, monthly giving, or automation alone, this conversation is a reality check. Kel breaks down why mid-level donors need a different approach, and why the organizations that treat them like people - not entries in a CRM - are seeing real momentum fast. You’ll discover: Why five-minute calls outperform cold outreach for warm community members The exact kind of donor or attendee Kel’s team targets first How artists make fundraising feel human, natural, and surprisingly effective Why scripts can actually hurt relationship-building The simple scheduling habit that makes phone-based fundraising sustainable How one hour a week can compound into hundreds of meaningful conversations a yearKel also shares the framework behind her five-minute fundraising ask, including the structure she uses to keep calls focused while still allowing for real conversation. She explains why curiosity beats pressure, why “always be candid and always be curious” matters more than “always be closing,” and how earned revenue and contributed revenue work together in performing arts organizations.This episode makes a strong case for something many nonprofits miss: your next wave of sustainable support may already be in your audience, your subscriber base, or your lapsed donor list. The opportunity is not just to raise more money, but to build trust, loyalty, and long-term community around your mission.Essential listening if you work in nonprofit fundraising, performing arts, mid-level donor strategy, or any organization trying to create stronger relationships instead of just chasing transactions. Kel Haney is the founder of a consulting firm that helps nonprofits retain and grow mid-level donor bases through short, relationship-first phone calls led by artists. Connect with your community www.givesuite.com/try Connect with your friends https://luma.com/npconnectionfest Connect with Kel https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney/

Most nonprofits are leaving money on the table by treating donors like transactions. Ryan Dobson explains how his father helped raise more than $3 billion without ever making the standard ask and why the real growth happens when you build friendships, not funnels. Sean Littman and Ryan Dobson break down the donor relationships that create lifetime supporters, including the exact mistake that causes seven out of 10 first-time donors to never give again. If you want more repeat giving, stronger major donor relationships, and a fundraising approach that feels human instead of robotic, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can use immediately. You'll discover: Why donor trips, house calls, and real conversations outperform traditional fundraising asks The 'donor intelligence framework' for remembering spouses, kids, hobbies, and life details that matter How to keep the conversation going after the gift instead of stopping at a generic receipt Why seed donors often have far more capacity than their first gift suggests How thoughtful follow-up can turn a one-time donor into a long-term friend and board-level supporterRyan shares stories from decades around Focus on the Family, including the relationships that led to major gifts, a built-from-friendship Welcome Center, and donor bonds that lasted for decades. Sean connects those lessons to modern nonprofit marketing, automation, and CRM strategy, showing how the right systems can help you scale personal care without losing the human touch.The message is simple but powerful: if you want more funding, stop chasing money and start learning people. This episode is essential listening for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, marketers, and anyone responsible for donor retention, major gifts, or building a culture of genuine appreciation. Guest credibility:Ryan Dobson is a philanthropy consultant and host of Fundraising is Dead. He draws on a lifetime around nonprofit leadership, donor relationships, and the legacy of his father’s work at Focus on the Family.  Connect with him https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesryandobson/  Connect with new friends https://luma.com/npconnectionfest  Connect with your community www.givesuite.com/try 

In this episode, Peter Murphy Lewis shares his journey from storytelling in television to helping nonprofits craft compelling stories that resonate and drive impact. We explore how authentic storytelling, the role of AI, and innovative content strategies can transform nonprofit engagement and outreach. This episode is sponsored by Givesuite.com and Nonprofit Connectionfest. Givesuite is not another nonprofit CRM/Fundraising tool, but your nonprofits growth engine taking your people from stranger to champion and helping them become your biggest fans. Test drive two months on us at www.Givesuite.com\try If you haven't been to Nonprofit ConnectionFest, it's the premier networking event for the sector. Full day, all conversation, no sales pitches. Grab your spot here. https://luma.com/npconnectionfest Connect with Peter on social media : https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermurphylewis/

In this episode of Profiting with Nonprofits, the host sits down with entrepreneur and humanitarian advocate Sharyn Abbott to discuss alternative approaches to nonprofit funding and long-term sustainability. Sharyn shares her journey of developing humanitarian projects over the past 26 years and her mission to help organizations secure large-scale funding opportunities that allow them to focus on impact without relying solely on traditional donor models. The conversation centers on a key challenge in the nonprofit sector: infrastructure funding. Sharyn and the host discuss how many organizations struggle because donors often prioritize program outcomes while overlooking operational costs necessary to keep organizations functioning effectively. Sharyn explains her work connecting projects around the world to funding pathways aimed at supporting humanitarian initiatives such as education, housing, clean water, and community development. She emphasizes the importance of giving nonprofits the financial stability to focus on solving real-world problems rather than constantly chasing donations. The episode ultimately highlights a broader conversation about nonprofit sustainability, innovative financing models, and the need to rethink how organizations are funded to create lasting global impact. You can connect with Sharyn Abbott. GiveSuite proudly sponsors this podcast. GiveSuite is the one platform to replace them all. With powerful tools that help your nonprofit grow and scale without breaking the bank, you can schedule a strategy session with our team today and see how GiveSuite can work for you. Book here: www.GiveSuite.com

In this episode of Profiting with Nonprofits, the host speaks with David Wachs, founder of Handwrytten, about the overlooked impact of personalized communication in a digital-first world. David explains how his company uses automation to create authentic-looking handwritten notes at scale, helping nonprofits strengthen donor relationships beyond traditional emails and texts. The core idea is simple but powerful: tangible, thoughtful communication stands out in an oversaturated digital environment and leaves a lasting impression. The conversation highlights how nonprofits often reserve personal touches for top donors, missing opportunities to engage smaller contributors who could become major supporters over time. By extending personalized outreach to all donor levels, organizations can increase retention, boost long-term value, and foster deeper emotional connections. Ultimately, the episode underscores that while digital communication is efficient, meaningful engagement—and sustainable growth—comes from human-centered, memorable interactions. You can connect with David Wachs. GiveSuite proudly sponsors this podcast. GiveSuite is the one platform to replace them all. With powerful tools that help your nonprofit grow and scale without breaking the bank, you can schedule a strategy session with our team today and see how GiveSuite can work for you. Book here: www.GiveSuite.com

In this episode of Profiting with Nonprofits, the host sits down with Greg Garfield, founder of Chip In, to explore how everyday financial transactions can become a sustainable funding stream for nonprofits. Greg shares how his decades in merchant processing led to a breakthrough idea: redirecting a portion of transaction profits back to nonprofits, creating recurring donations without requiring additional contributions from donors. This model empowers businesses to support causes passively while improving their ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) impact and reducing processing costs. The conversation also challenges the common reliance on platforms like Stripe, highlighting limitations such as lack of support, rigid pricing, and fund control issues. Instead, Greg advocates for dedicated merchant accounts that offer flexibility, transparency, and stronger relationships. Overall, the episode reframes payment processing as an untapped fundraising lever—showing nonprofits how to generate consistent revenue by integrating giving into everyday business transactions rather than relying solely on direct donations. You can connect with Gregg Garfield. GiveSuite proudly sponsors this podcast. GiveSuite is the one platform to replace them all. With powerful tools that help your nonprofit grow and scale without breaking the bank, you can schedule a strategy session with our team today and see how GiveSuite can work for you. Book here: www.GiveSuite.com

In part two of Profiting with Nonprofits, the host continues the conversation with Matt Mundt, diving deeper into how nonprofits can structure effective marketing funnels. The discussion highlights a core challenge: people don’t naturally go online looking to donate, so organizations must first educate, engage, and build trust before asking for support. Matt shares a real-world case study involving a veteran-focused nonprofit, illustrating how long-term testing, audience targeting, and messaging refinement are essential for success. Instead of pushing immediate donations, they built a top-of-funnel strategy centered on community engagement—inviting supporters into a meaningful, low-barrier action (like prayer support), then nurturing them through consistent communication. The key insight is that sustainable fundraising comes from relationship-building, not quick conversions. By focusing on education, authentic storytelling, and gradual engagement, nonprofits can create a loyal community that eventually converts into donors—without relying on aggressive or transactional tactics. You can connect with Matt Mundt. GiveSuite proudly sponsors this podcast. GiveSuite is the one platform to replace them all. With powerful tools that help your nonprofit grow and scale without breaking the bank, you can schedule a strategy session with our team today and see how GiveSuite can work for you. Book here: www.GiveSuite.com