Beyond Burnout: Sustaining Donors with James Misner

In this episode, David Blyer, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Arreva and Chris Fink, COO of Arreva sit down with Julie Criss Gibson, Founder & CEO of SJ Consulting to talk about one of the biggest challenges organizations face today: making technology work for you instead of against you. David, Chris, and Julie share different approaches to evaluating your tech stack as a whole rather than one tool at a time, how to identify the solutions that truly fit your needs, and why simplicity is often the smartest strategy. Whether you’re overwhelmed by disconnected systems or planning your next software decision, this conversation will help you step back, see the bigger picture, and build a setup your team will actually use.

In this episode of Driven by Cause, we sit down with Sean Kosofsky, nonprofit consultant, coach, and the strategist known as The Nonprofit Fixer, to talk about why the board, the part of a nonprofit most leaders treat as a formality, is the single biggest thing making or breaking their organization. He breaks down why fixing your board has to come before fixing your fundraising, why the most underused fundraising strategy costs nothing and comes down to crafting a pitch that lights a fire rather than reciting your mission, and why the "poverty mindset" around asking for money is quietly costing the sector trillions in generosity. Listeners will come away with insights on: why a board is a room full of owners rather than well-meaning volunteers and how to hold them to that standard, why asking someone for money is an invitation to solve a problem instead of a favor you're begging for, and why management training is the second most neglected skill in nonprofit leadership after fundraising itself. To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Gary Phillips, President and Founder of Visionary Golf Events, to talk about why the charity golf tournament, the event most nonprofits treat as an afterthought, is one of the most underused revenue engines in fundraising. He breaks down why a three-hour gala leaves money on the table that an eight-hour golf event captures, why the gap between a $50,000 tournament and a $250,000 one comes down to budget control rather than bigger donors, and what separates events that raise real money from ones that just break even. Listeners will come away with insights on: why an event without "sizzle" isn't worth running, how an organization with no donor base can still get in the game with a single $1 million shootout, and what to do when you've sold every hole and sponsors still want in. To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with James Misner, Founder and Owner of The Kipos Group, to talk about why nonprofit burnout and donor fatigue are the same problem wearing two different faces. He breaks down why staff burnout isn't really about workload or pay, how the attention economy is quietly dismantling the community that builds resilience, and what's behind the 86% of first-time donors who gave in 2024 and never came back in 2025. Listeners will come away with insights on: why a thank you isn't the same as a confirmation receipt, how staff turnover drives long-time donors away, and what the fastest-growing organizations do that most nonprofits won't. To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Judy Keller, President and Founder of Keller Consulting, and Stacy Tew-Lovasz, Senior VP at Keller Consulting, to talk about what it takes to run a successful capital campaign and build lasting donor relationships. They break down how feasibility studies reveal whether an organization is truly ready for a campaign, how to approach corporate partners with curiosity instead of an ask, and why most board retreats fail without real accountability. Listeners will come away with insights on: what a feasibility study actually uncovers, how to build corporate partnerships beyond sponsorship, and how to balance new technology with the relationships that still drive results. To stream more episodes of Driven by Cause visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Pedro Rivera, founder and CEO of PJR Consulting, to talk about the future of philanthropy and what nonprofits need to understand about engaging Latino communities as true partners in giving. Pedro brings decades of experience helping organizations raise more than $150 million, and he doesn't hold back on where the sector is falling short. From reframing Latino communities as philanthropic leaders rather than service recipients, to unpacking what he calls the $4 trillion opportunity, this conversation challenges some of the most deeply held assumptions in nonprofit fundraising. Listeners will walk away with: A new perspective on Latino philanthropy and the economic power behind it Practical thinking on building authentic relationships with multicultural communities A simple but powerful action step to audit your donor assumptions and expand your fundraising vision. To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Peter Gross to discuss the evolving role of technology in modern fundraising and why having the right tools means nothing without proper adoption across your organization. Peter shares insights on how nonprofits can better evaluate fundraising technology, avoid common implementation mistakes, and create systems that teams will actually use.  Listeners will walk away with: Insights on choosing fundraising technology that supports both teams and donors Strategies for improving adoption and buy-in when introducing new tools Practical thoughts on building smarter, more sustainable fundraising systems

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Brian Williams, founder of Dandelion Consulting, and CF Callahan, founder of Heart Strategy Impact, to discuss their groundbreaking report Beyond the Pride Flag: Understanding the Complex Dynamics of the LGBTQ+ Philanthropic Community  and what nonprofits can do to more authentically engage LGBTQ+ donors year-round. Brian and CF share insights from over two decades of combined nonprofit experience, offering practical guidance on building inclusive donor strategies, moving beyond performative allyship, and why representation at the leadership level matters more than a Pride flag in June. Listeners will walk away with: Insights on authentically engaging LGBTQ+ donors beyond Pride Month Strategies for stewarding younger and older LGBTQ+ donors without a one-size fits all approach Advice on conducting internal audits to assess representation and donor data practices To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Sean Hale, founder of Nonprofit CFOs, to talk about the financial challenges many nonprofits face and how stronger financial leadership can help organizations grow and sustain their impact. Sean shares practical insights from working closely with nonprofit leaders, offering tips on improving financial clarity, strengthening budgeting practices, and building systems that support long-term success. The conversation highlights how better financial management can help nonprofits stay focused on what matters most their mission. Listeners will walk away with: • Simple tips for improving nonprofit financial management • Insights on building stronger budgeting and financial systems • Advice for making more confident financial decisions To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Maryanne Dersch, founder of Courageous Communication, to explore why confidence is one of the most overlooked tools in nonprofit leadership. Maryanne breaks down how organizations can communicate with more clarity and calm, even under pressure, and why embracing your authentic voice can make your message land more powerfully. She also shares practical ways nonprofits can build stronger relationships, set healthier boundaries, and ask for what they truly need without fear. Listeners will walk away with: • A clearer understanding of what confident communication looks like • Tips for reducing stress and leading conversations with ease • Guidance on how to communicate needs without overexplaining or overselling To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause