126: Unicorns and Rainbows and Care Bears | Giving Tuesday with Ephraim Gopin

Hey there, nonprofit enthusiasts! In this episode of Charity Therapy, Jess is joined by her good friend and nonprofit fundraising guru, Ephraim Gopin, to chat about the highs and lows of Giving Tuesday and year-end fundraising. Spoiler alert: Ephraim isn't the biggest fan of Giving Tuesday. We dive into listener questions, including one from someone whose Giving Tuesday campaign didn't quite hit the mark. We discuss setting realistic goals and understanding donor moods—especially during the chaos of Thanksgiving when everyone's minds are on turkey and Black Friday deals. Ephraim and I also explore alternative approaches, like Gratitude Tuesday, which is all about appreciating your donors instead of chasing after their wallets. Ephraim shares some fantastic advice on managing board members' expectations, emphasizing the importance of building relationships rather than just focusing on the almighty dollar. Plus, we highlight why sometimes skipping a Giving Tuesday campaign can actually be a strategic move backed by solid data. Thanks for tuning in, and remember: fundraising is about building bonds, not just bucks! In this episode, you will hear: Tearing apart Giving Tuesday. Spoiler: Ephraim Gopin gives it two thumbs down! Setting goals is great, but setting realistic goals is even better Thanksgiving Vibes vs. December Giving Feels: Newsflash! People are more about turkey and travel during Thanksgiving Hitting board members with data and implementing Gratitude Tuesday Keep trying new things and learn from both your wins and your epic fails Resources from this Episode Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: birkenlaw.com/signup Facebook page: www.facebook.com/birkenlaw Sign up for the 1832 Communications newsletter: 1832communications.com/nonprofit-newsletter Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.