71. Mobilize Your Mission: Data-Driven Decision Making in a Recession with Woodrow Rosenbaum

Your head will spin with the data-driven insights and post-pandemic strategies my guest has to share on this jam-packed episode of What the Fundraising. Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer at GivingTuesday, brings a powerful lens on fundraising based on his previous career in commercial marketing as well as the detailed metrics he’s constantly scanning for clues to donor behavior. In large part because of the COVID-19 global impact and response, many of the nonprofit world’s old-school models, false assumptions, and self-limiting strategies are up for re-evaluation.  From his viewpoint at GivingTuesday, the donor movement unleashing radical generosity around the world, Woodrow has a unique and broad-based understanding of the dynamics at play in today’s fluid giving environment. We’re all being called upon to break old models, be brave and shift from a scarcity mindset into one of abundance!  Among the many things Woodrow shares thoughts about:  Abandoning zero-sum competitiveness in favor of helping all boats rise together Why many fundraising truisms no longer hold What makes for the most resilient nonprofits, especially in recessionary times Why fundraising that exclusively emphasizes the transactional leaves money – as well as goodwill and long-term engagement – on the table Why Donor Fatigue actually isn’t a thing  How recurring donations are a boon and why they’re sticky Woodrow unpacks what it means to approach nonprofit work holistically, aligning fundraising with story-led marketing activities that expand nonprofit missions, build community, drive social movements and inspire donors to get on board with giving, again and again. You won’t want to miss the surprising research insights or leading-edge practical advice inside this episode.