#368- What Happened in 2025?

2025 was a pressure cooker year. Tariffs. Funding cuts. Attacks on DEI. AI overload. Donor fatigue. Burnout everywhere.In this episode, I reflect on what 2025 revealed about leadership, fundraising, and trust—and more importantly, what to do next as we head into 2026.Here’s what I cover:- Why burnout is not a personal failure—it’s a structural reality- The 5 trends that will define successful fundraisers in 2026- Why quality conversations > mass outreach noise-Why simplification beats expansion (stop chasing shiny objects)- How collaboration is the real power move-And why clarity of identity is the only true moat leftIf 2025 left you feeling behind, overwhelmed, or questioning your impact—this episode is your reminder that surviving was the win.Important Links:How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

If your Giving Tuesday results felt… underwhelming, you’re not alone. And more importantly—you’re not too late. In this special episode, I break down the real reasons campaigns flop and show you exactly how to course-correct for your year-end campaign.Giving Tuesday isn’t the finale.It’s the kickoff to the most important 28 days of your fundraising year.Important Links:Year-End Sprint Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/yearendsprint Checklist: https://go.rheawong.com/givingtuesdaytoendofyear-808942 How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

I’m coming to you the Monday after Thanksgiving, still full of pie and finally catching my breath. I hope you had a moment to rest too, because I know what tomorrow means for so many of us: Giving Tuesday and the sprint to year-end.If you’re feeling the weight of it all—your goals, your board, the world in general—I just want you to know: I see you. You’re doing meaningful work in a very complicated year. Please give yourself a little grace.Before you send that Giving Tuesday email, here are three simple things to double-check:1. Rethink your subject line2. Don’t rely on just one email3. Add a real PS and invite repliesBonus: Make your donate button obvious. People skim. Help them.I’m hosting a free year-end reflection + 2026 planning session for newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to join, the signup link is in the show notes.You’re not alone in this. You’re doing great work. Now go out there and raise what you can—and let the rest go.Important Links:Year-End Major Gifts Sprint Workshop:https://go.rheawong.com/yearendsprint   How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠

In this episode, I get real about the biggest pain point every fundraiser knows too well: we’re drowning in admin and not spending nearly enough time building real relationships. I share why most of us feel burned out, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the work we came here to do.I talk about my own journey as an accidental fundraiser and how AI would’ve saved me years of stress. Today, AI can help us clear inboxes, prep for donor meetings, draft campaigns, and take back precious time if we use it ethically and keep humans in the loop.I walk you through the real concerns (bias, data, hallucinations), why mission-driven leaders must have a seat at the AI table, and how even saving 15 minutes a day adds up to days of reclaimed time for actual donor relationships.Before diving into any tools, I guide you through identifying where your fundraising pipeline is leaking so AI can solve the right problems.This episode is all about freeing yourself from drudgery so you can do the human, mission-centered work you’re meant to do.Important Links:How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m sharing a juicy slice of one of my free live webinars—and trust me, this isn’t your typical “Giving Tuesday tips” vibe.Instead of talking about social posts, I break down how to turn Giving Tuesday into a major donor discovery day. Yep. One day. Major donor pipeline. Let’s go.Why Giving Tuesday is secretly one of the BEST moments to surface major donor prospects.The wild fact that 3% of your Giving Tuesday audience could literally fund your next program—and how to spot them.The real difference between annual donors and major donors (and why treating everyone the same is costing you).How to use simple “signals” to catch the folks who are quietly watching your work and ready to step up.Why in-person meetings boost your major gift success by 70%—and how to book more of them during year-end.Exactly how I segment donors into Lane A (annual givers) and Lane B (top 30 major prospects) without burning out.Wins from my students who’ve skyrocketed year-end revenue and landed surprise 5-figure gifts.Major donors often self-cultivate and self-solicit. Your job is to create the right conditions so they raise their hands. This episode shows you how to turn Giving Tuesday traffic into real conversations and transformational gifts.This episode features just a portion of my free webinar. If you want the full session—plus more tools to grow your major gift programInside the Episode: Why You’ll Want to Listen:Want More Trainings Like This?Important Links:Webinar Registration: https://go.rheawong.com/majorgiftsplaybook-5083-1612 How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

If you’ve been listening to me for a while, maybe caught one of my trainings, or you’re on my email list, this is your nudge: now is the time to work with me on your major gift strategy.I only have 20 spots left between now and the end of 2025 in my Big Ask Gift Program, and prices will increase in 2026.Let’s be real — one of the biggest blockers I see when folks reach out to me is their board. Maybe they say, “We only have $1,000 for professional development,” or they hesitate because they can’t see the ROI clearly.In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m walking you through exactly how to make the case to your board — with plain numbers, clear ROI, and a ready-to-forward approval packet that gets a yes fast.Your donors are being spoken to — the only question is, by who? Let’s make sure it’s you, with a clear, confident strategy.Important Links:How Much Revenue Is Your Nonprofit Leaving on the Table?:   https://magic-sparkle-maker-45.lovable.app/ Book an Evaluation Call Here:  https://go.rheawong.com/application Board Video: https://share.descript.com/view/kgx4gQmiyzY Webinar Registration: https://go.rheawong.com/majorgiftsplaybook-5165 How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

We’re counting down to Giving Tuesday, and my good friend Jess Campbell is dropping ALL the fundraising wisdom you need to finish the year strong.She’s the queen of email 👑 — but in this convo, Jess goes way beyond inbox strategy to share the “do this, not that” of end-of-year campaigns.From securing a match donor (“matches are magic!” ✨) to building real momentum before December 31, this episode is your Giving Tuesday survival guide.Important Links:Connect with Jess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-campbell-outintheboons/ Out in the Boone: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Webinar Registration: https://go.rheawong.com/majorgiftsplaybook-5165 How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠ 

We’re in what I like to call the Super Bowl of fundraising — that mad sprint to December 31st. Before you pour all your time and energy into your year-end campaign, I want to make sure you’re not losing money through hidden leaks in your donor funnel. In this episode, I break down the four biggest leaks that cost nonprofits thousands every year — and how to fix them before the giving rush begins:1️⃣ Acquisition – why prospects might not even be paying attention to you.2️⃣ Conversion – how a confusing donation page can kill your momentum.3️⃣ Upgrade – the missed opportunities right under your nose.4️⃣ Retention – the biggest leak of them all.Plus, I’m sharing a free Holiday Giving Readiness Checklist to help you plug those leaks and set yourself up for a strong finish to the year.Important Links:Holiday Giving Readiness Checklist: https://go.rheawong.com/holidaygivingreadinesschecklist How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠ 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/⁠

As we sprint toward the Super Bowl of fundraising — year-end giving — let’s talk about something that too many of us overlook: stewardship. Recently, I joined a K-Pop Demon Hunters singalong with 250 strangers in a rainy Brooklyn room. Did I hit the right notes? Nope. Did it matter? Also nope.Because we created something beautiful together. And that’s what fundraising should feel like.It’s not about getting money. It’s about creating moments — real, human, magical moments of connection. When we shift from being resource extractors to facilitators of meaning, something incredible happens:💡 Donors stop ghosting.💡 Conversations get deeper.💡 Giving becomes joyful — for everyone.If fundraising feels like a grind, remember:"Pressure is a privilege." You get to connect people to purpose. You get to lead with values. You get to create magic.Want to create better donor experiences? Apply for a donor growth evaluation call . https://go.rheawong.com/application Important Links: 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/⁠ 

I sat down with Stephanie Roth and Haley Bash, co-authors of the updated Accidental Fundraiser, and we got into what it really means to fundraise when you didn’t plan on it—and maybe don’t feel totally ready for it.We talked about:Why so many people still feel uncomfortable asking for moneyHow house parties can be more effective (and fun) than galasThe power of tapping your volunteers as donorsFundraising as a form of community organizingAnd why trying to ask everyone for everything never worksOne thing I loved: You don’t need fancy tools or big events to raise real money. A solid list, a clear plan, and authentic relationships can take you far.This episode is full of practical advice and encouragement—especially if you’re building the plane while flying it. You’re not alone.Important Links:Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-roth-17b15b5/ Connect with Haley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleybash/ 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/⁠