The Real Currency of Giving for Non-Profits?  Trust and Belonging

$592 billion in charitable giving sounds like a fundraising dream, yet many nonprofit leaders feel more uncertain than ever. We unpack that tension with three philanthropy “data nerds” and practitioners who live the reality every day: Jodi Bopp at Boundless along with Susan Brekelmans and Laura McDonald.   With host, Scott Light, we get honest about what the numbers hide: donor participation is dropping, big gifts are concentrating totals, and donor acquisition is harder when people feel financially unsettled.We also dig into the trends reshaping nonprofit fundraising right now, including the intergenerational wealth transfer, the rise of new giving tools and the practical shift to modern payment habits. Along the way, we talk about trust and why it can’t be assumed.Then we move from tactics to mindset. We explore why the best fundraisers stop acting like “askers” and start serving as advisors, helping donors align their values with real impact.   We also look at storytelling in a multimedia world, how to avoid exploitative narratives, and why an authentic, human moment can land harder than any report. If this helps you rethink your strategy, subscribe, share the episode with a nonprofit leader, and leave a quick review so more people can find it.Send us Fan Mail