Nonprofit Lowdown

Donor-advised funds are everywhere. But for a lot of nonprofit fundraisers, they’re still a little mysterious.So I invited Liza Carballeira onto the podcast to break them down. She brings a pretty unique perspective. Liza spent more than 10 years as a frontline fundraiser, then seven years working on the other side with a major DAF institution, advising philanthropists and helping distribute charitable funds. Now, she’s the founder of Epic Philanthropy, where she helps nonprofits understand and activate this increasingly important giving vehicle.In this episode, we get into what a donor-advised fund actually is, where the money comes from, and why nonprofits need to stop thinking about DAFs like traditional foundations. We talk about everything from stock and appreciated assets to the surprising fact that even things like harvested corn can make their way into a DAF.But the really juicy stuff is what happens on the nonprofit side.How do you figure out who is giving through a DAF when the gift comes through an institution? How do you properly credit and steward those donors? And how do you find the clues hiding in your CRM? Liza shares practical ways to identify potential DAF donors and explains why truly anonymous DAF grants are much rarer than many fundraisers think.We also get into some DAF mistakes that could seriously come back to bite you: sending a tax receipt for a DAF gift, accidentally miscrediting the donor, using DAF funds to cover the tangible benefits of an event, and even trying to use a DAF to fulfill an enforceable pledge. There are some surprisingly strict rules here, and you’ll want your fundraising and admin teams to know them, And then Liza gives us her SPARK framework for DAF fundraising: show your legal information, pull DAF donors from your file, add a DAF page, reset your timing to the off-season, and keep talking about it. Simple steps that can help make DAF giving easier for donors and easier for your organization to receive.We also have a spirited conversation about DAF Day, donor fatigue, and why you probably don’t need to add another fundraising holiday to your already overflowing calendar, especially if you’re a small nonprofit without extra bandwidth.If you’ve ever wondered whether DAFs are something your nonprofit should actually be paying attention to, this conversation is for you.Important Links:Connect with LizaEmail Liza: [email protected] PhilanthropyLiza’s DAF ProgramUse code RHEA for 10% off!My Big Ask Gifts ProgramMy Book, Get That Money HoneyMy Newsletter⁠Join the Free Webinar

Your year-end plan is actively insulting a segment of your donor file. It's September and that plan is nearly locked, so let's fix it before it goes out.When I was a baby ED, we'd get a $7,500 check from Schwab Charitable in December and I'd code it to Schwab. Not to Susan, who actually made the gift. In my file, Susan looked like she'd bought a gala ticket. She was a major donor and I never once treated her like one, because I didn't know what a DAF was and neither did the person doing my data entry. You probably have Susans right now, sitting in your database dressed up as corporations.Here's what most fundraisers miss: a DAF donor already took her tax deduction the day the money went into the fund. February and December are the same day to her. So every countdown clock and midnight-tonight email you send that segment is factually wrong, and she knows it. It makes you look like an amateur.In this episode I give you the CRM screen to run this week, the four behavioral signals that flag someone holding a DAF who's never given you one, and why I'd rather run this play in January. Everyone decided December was the Super Bowl. January is the empty field. Keep your annual fund calendar exactly as it is, your major gift calendar is a different animal.Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts ProgramMy Book, Get That Money HoneyMy NewsletterJoin the Free Webinar

I had a board member, let's call her Lena, who told me she'd rather stick hot needles in her eye than ask her friends for money. So I asked if we could count on her for the $35,000 check instead. She said yes, done, no problem. Then she spent the next several years opening her home and hosting people for us.Lena wasn't refusing to fundraise. She had no idea what fundraising was.In 20 years I have never met a board that refuses to fundraise. I've met a lot of boards nobody bothered to instruct. And in most board members' heads, fundraising has exactly one definition: standing in front of your college roommate with your hand out. So when you say "we need the board more engaged in fundraising," what lands in their body is "we need you to go be humiliating at a cocktail party." No wonder you get crickets.Underneath that there are two fears nobody says out loud. One is social capital, they don't want to be embarrassed by how you treat their friends. You're asking to borrow their reputation and you haven't told them what you're going to do with it. The other is reciprocity, if I ask Bob, Bob asks me. And the third thing we never talk about: even rich people have money baggage. Money is not neutral territory for anybody.So I show them the machine. Six stages of EFOS, and the board leads engagement, helps with prequalification, participates in qualification, cultivation and stewardship. Staff owns the proposal, and not because it's the scary part. It's the technical part. You physically cannot strong-arm someone inside a system where they're invited to opt out at six separate doors.Then the part nobody believes the first time they hear it: there is no ask. No pounding heart, no number said out loud into silence. We dissolved that moment nine months upstream in qualification. My client Amy ran this exact play last month, donor ballpark was $75,000, they came back with $120,000 unrestricted. Nobody asked anybody for anything.I'm also giving you the board action menu, why the menu itself is the training, the Jeffersonian dinner that changes the host more than the guests, why you recruit in twos and threes, and the one word I want deleted from your vocabulary entirely.Your board is not the obstacle to your major gifts system. They're the first stage of it.What You'll Learn:The three things actually going on when your board "won't fundraise"The two fears your board members will never say out loudWhere the board belongs in each of the six EFOS stagesWhy there is no ask, and how it disappears in qualificationThe board action menu that teaches without a single trainingHow to set a give/get as a floor, not a ceilingWhat to do about the board member who does too much of the wrong thingImportant Links:My Big Ask Gifts ProgramMy Book, Get That Money HoneyMy NewsletterJoin the Free Webinar

Why AI Cannot Replace Fundraising StrategyI use Claude every day, he's literally my side piece. And I'm telling you to stop buying AI tools.Here's what I'm seeing across nonprofit shops right now: everyone's buying wealth screening software, AI donor tools, personalization platforms. They think the tool will fix it. It won't. AI amplifies what you already have. If your strategy is broken, AI just accelerates the crash.The real problem isn't AI. It's that most nonprofits don't have a strategy. They don't have criteria for what qualifies a major donor. They don't have a framework for moving donors through a process. So they purchase expensive tools and create content slop, technically personalized, completely forgettable.Here's the Ferrari metaphor: You need three things to actually get somewhere. One, the car (your AI tools). Two, to know how to drive (a clear strategy like EFOS). Three, to know where you're going (the skills to execute). Most nonprofits have one. Maybe two. Then they crash and blame the car.In this episode, I'm breaking down the five components of real qualification, timing, capacity, reason, engagement, permission and why wealth screening covers maybe one of them. Then I'm showing you what changes when you nail down EFOS first, then layer AI on top: suddenly AI becomes a qualification accelerator instead of just a donor organizer.What You'll Learn:Why wealth screening is not qualification (and what actually is)The five components of real donor qualificationHow AI synthesizes your data when you have a clear strategyThe Ferrari framework: why most nonprofits crashHow to stop chasing donors and start attracting themWhy your donor communication tools are creating slop (and how to fix it)Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts ProgramMy Book, Get That Money HoneyMy NewsletterJoin the Free Webinar

When I started this podcast in 2018, I had no strategy. No content calendar. Just a cheap microphone and a genuine desire to connect with busy nonprofit friends who never had time to grab coffee. I didn't think I was doing marketing. I thought I was just... connecting.Turns out, that's exactly what I was doing.But here's what I resisted for years: I didn't want to believe that visibility mattered. I wanted good work to be enough. I wanted to believe that if I just got excellent results for my clients, recognition would come. That the work would speak for itself.I was wrong. Dead wrong.And I'm not the only one. Most of you are probably under-marketing too. You're doing brilliant work. You're getting real impact. And nobody knows about it. Because you're operating on the same belief I was: that excellence gets recognized on its own.It doesn't.Here's the truth I learned in eight years: the best program nobody knows about loses every single time to the mediocre program with a megaphone. I wish that wasn't true. But it is. The math backs it up: 60% of your success comes from exposure. Who knows about you? That's the game.And the game changed. Your donors aren't coming to you anymore. They're researching you. They're Googling, YouTubing, scrolling LinkedIn. They want to self-qualify before they ever call. Which means your content is now your cultivation. Your visibility is your survival.In this episode, I walk through what I learned about visibility that actually works in 2026. Why relationships are necessary but not sufficient (you need a system, not just a lunch). Why the Bob story, the $50K gift I almost fumbled, taught me that you can't leave money on the table by hoping. Why personalization at scale isn't optional anymore. Why authenticity beats polish. And why, if you've ever said "we're the best kept secret," you need to pick up the megaphone.I also talk about the trends I'm watching: trust-based philanthropy. DAFs as the default, not the exception. A wealth transfer that's unprecedented. And a talent crisis that's bleeding your organization dry every time a fundraiser walks out the door.But the real lesson? Start before you're ready. Show up on one platform this week as a human being. Hit record and ship it before it's perfect. Done is better than perfect.Because consistency compounds. And visibility isn't vanity. It's survival.Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts Program:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠⁠⁠⁠My Book, Get That Money Honey:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠⁠⁠⁠My Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.rheawong.com/⁠⁠⁠

Here's what nobody tells you: when a founder gets $47M in liquidity, they don't call you. They call their advisor. And by the time you find out they exist, the giving decision's already locked in with someone else.Most nonprofits are still running the old playbook. Cold outreach to newly wealthy people (who get 100 asks a day). Hoping they land on your website. Betting on a gala where you can somehow figure out if they have capacity. It doesn't work. And the reason is simple: you're chasing donors when you should be positioning yourself with their advisors.Here's the blind spot nobody talks about: the window to be top-of-mind after a liquidity event is 6 to 12 months. After that, it closes. The advisory team, wealth advisors, tax attorneys, family office managers, they're the ones steering the giving strategy. Not the donor. The donor's overwhelmed. The advisor's asking, "Where should you give?" And if your nonprofit isn't the one they think of, you're invisible.I walk through four systematic levers for accessing this wealth before anyone else does. The Advisor Play (one board connection can generate $250K–$300K annually in referred gifts). The DealBook Scan (fifteen minutes every Monday on Crunchbase finds you one warm outreach opportunity per week). The Candid Play (your profile needs to be the obvious choice when newly liquid people search). And Founder Networks (if you have founder board members, you have direct access to people already thinking about impact).These aren't lottery tickets. They're repeatable revenue streams. The math: one systematic scan nets you roughly six to twelve donors per year at $25K–$100K each. One strong advisor relationship can generate $125K–$500K over five years.The best time to position your nonprofit for newly liquid wealth was three years ago. The second-best time is Monday morning.Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts Program:⁠⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠⁠⁠My Book, Get That Money Honey:⁠⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠⁠⁠My Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.rheawong.com/⁠⁠Join the Free Webinar: The Lapsed Donor Email That 10x'd a Gift

In this episode, I'm calling out the thing nobody says out loud: your major gift program isn't really a program. The gifts come in, but you can't predict them. Your board member lands a home run, then goes quiet. Your ED holds all the relationships in their head, and when they leave, the revenue leaves with them. I've lived this, and I know you have too.I start by naming what I call the invisible revenue gap: the difference between what your list should be raising and what it actually raises. It's costing mid-sized nonprofits hundreds of thousands a year while the financials look perfectly fine on the surface, and it's the thing that wakes EDs up at 4 AM in a cold sweat.Then I get into the diagnosis. You're not bad at fundraising. You're not lazy or unsophisticated. You're un-infrastructured. You know what to do, you just don't have a system to do it consistently, in the right order, every time. I break down why the old five-stage model we all inherited runs on fragile relationships and hope, and why it falls apart with today's busier, more skeptical donors.From there, I walk through what an actual system looks like: the six stages of the Engagement Fundraising Operating System, the real role of your board as door openers (12 board members, one intro each per quarter, that's 48 new prospects a year, the math maths), and the qualification conversation that stops you from chasing people who were never going to give. I also share results from a $6M client who went from 15 prospects to 47 and doubled her close rate. Not by finding richer donors. By building infrastructure.If every quarter feels like crossing your fingers, this one's for you.Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts Program:⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠⁠My Book, Get That Money Honey:⁠⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠⁠My Newsletter:⁠⁠ https://www.rheawong.com/⁠⁠

The biggest gift your organization will ever receive might come from a donor who's been quietly giving you $10 a year for two decades. And most of you are ignoring them.Planned giving evangelist Tony Martignetti, retired attorney and author of the upcoming Planned Giving Accelerated, is back to bust the six nasty myths keeping small and mid-size nonprofits out of the game. It's not too complicated, it's not just for the big guys, and you're not having a "death conversation", you're talking about the life and longevity of your mission.The launch is simple: query your database for loyalty and longevity (gift size doesn't matter), pick your top 3-6 prospects, start conversations. Ten hours a month, no splashy website required. Plus: what to say when you make the ask, and the research showing 75% of donors who put you in their will increase their other giving.If planned giving has been on your someday list, this episode moves it to Monday.Important Links:Connect with Tony:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio :⁠ https://tonymartignetti.com/Join the Planned Giving Accelerated Waitlist: https://www.plannedgivingaccelerated.com/My Big Ask Gifts Program:⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠My Book, Get That Money Honey:⁠ https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠My Newsletter:⁠ https://www.rheawong.com/⁠

I love a good transformation story, and Lucy Madden's is one of my favorites.Lucy was a middle school science teacher who ran a snail mail pen pal program in her classroom, pairing her students with STEM professionals around the world. She watched her kids start imagining bigger futures for themselves, so she turned it into an organization: Letters to a Pre-Scientist. Now she's the CEO, and she's fundraising for it as a team of basically one.When we started working together, Lucy had 10 to 15 donors giving $1,000 or more, and those gifts felt random. In this episode, she walks through what changed: stepping away from grants, getting her board on board, and shedding the ick she felt about asking individuals for real money.The moment that stuck with me: Lucy called a donor just to say thank you for a $10,000 gift. On that call, the donor did the math on Lucy's growth plan herself and said, "You need $140,000. I think we can do that." It became a multi-year six-figure stock gift, the first stock gift her organization has ever received, on a budget of $500K.We also talk about why snail mail is her secret weapon (in programs and in fundraising), why she stopped throwing spaghetti at the wall, and what shifted internally that let her show up to donor conversations with actual confidence.If you've ever told yourself you're not a fundraiser, this conversation is for you.Important Links:Connect with Lucy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-madden/Letters to a Pre-Scientist: https://prescientist.org/My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-programMy Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honeyMy Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

This episode is a little different. It's a bit of a public service announcement.I recently read new nonprofit sector data, and honestly, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. The numbers tell a pretty clear story: organizations that rely heavily on grants and government funding are feeling more pressure than ever, while nonprofits with strong individual giving and major gift programs are weathering the storm much more successfully.If your organization has been putting off building a major gift strategy or if your current program just isn't producing the results you need. I hope this conversation gives you permission to rethink where you're investing your time.In this episode, I share why major gifts are becoming more important than ever, the biggest mistakes I see nonprofits make when trying to build a program, and a few practical steps you can take today to start creating more sustainable fundraising.If you're feeling overwhelmed by fundraising right now, know this: you don't have to keep doing things the way they've always been done. Sometimes the smallest shift in focus can make the biggest difference.Important Links:My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation with Claire Wang is that fundraising and pricing have more in common than you might think. At their core, both are about understanding people their values, motivations, and the stories they tell themselves about who they are.Claire shares how great pricing isn't just about numbers; it's about listening deeply, understanding what someone truly values, and creating an experience that feels meaningful. We also explore how these same principles apply to major gifts, donor relationships, and building trust over time.If you've ever wondered how to better understand your donors, ask for larger gifts with confidence, or create a more thoughtful donor experience, this episode is full of insights you'll want to take with you.Important Links:Connect with Claire: https://www.claire-wang.com/My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠

I sat down with my friend Glennda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, to talk about what we're both seeing across the sector right now: burnout, funding uncertainty, increasing demand for services, and nonprofit leaders trying to do more with less.It's easy to get caught up in the anxiety of the moment, but one thing became crystal clear in our conversation: the organizations that will weather this season best are the ones investing in relationships.We talked about why individual donors matter more than ever, the risks of relying too heavily on grants and government funding, and why fundraising is ultimately about human connection not transactions.We also got into some hot takes on galas, donor behavior, AI, and what nonprofit leaders should be focusing on when everything feels uncertain.If you've been wondering how to navigate the current fundraising landscape, I think you'll find this conversation both grounding and encouraging.Important Links:Nonprofit Leadership Lab: https://nonprofitleadershiplab.com/?wickedsource=google&wickedid=Cj0KCQjw0JnRBhDJARIsALobnXYMR6sg7UyNnriy98C0t1QkwFu8XqFOpgP5qXL4hJB-Ly5wREp22jYaAlXLEALw_wcB&w_adid=733701107251&w_campaignid=22263756844&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22263756844&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22263756844&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0JnRBhDJARIsALobnXYMR6sg7UyNnriy98C0t1QkwFu8XqFOpgP5qXL4hJB-Ly5wREp22jYaAlXLEALw_wcB My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

One of my favorite parts of this work is watching nonprofit leaders grow into fundraisers not because they become slick salespeople, but because they discover that fundraising is really about relationships.That's exactly what happened with my guest this week, Andrew Murphy.When Andrew stepped into the Executive Director role at the Wisconsin Inmate Education Association, he inherited an incredible mission and a passionate community of supporters. What he didn't inherit was a fundraising system. Like so many nonprofit leaders, he found himself staring at a donor list, sending emails, making phone calls, and wondering what he was supposed to do next.Over the last two years, I've had the privilege of working alongside Andrew as he built a fundraising program from the ground up. In this conversation, he shares what changed when he stopped thinking about fundraising as asking people for money and started thinking about it as inviting people into a meaningful partnership.We talk about the donor survey strategy that became the foundation of his work, how prison tours helped supporters connect directly with the mission, and why building genuine relationships created more sustainable results than any fundraising tactic ever could.What I love most about Andrew's story is that it isn't about a magic formula. It's about having a system, staying consistent, and leading with authenticity.And the results speak for themselves. WIEA has nearly doubled its individual giving, created a stronger pipeline of supporters, and moved from worrying about making budget to dreaming about what's possible next.If you've ever felt like you're making fundraising up as you go, if you've inherited a donor program without a roadmap, or if you're tired of operating from a place of scarcity and uncertainty, I think you're going to find a lot of encouragement in this conversation.Enjoy my conversation with Andrew Murphy.Important Links:Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-murphy-6b960bb8/My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠

Ever feel like your major gifts program is held together by spreadsheets, good intentions, and crossed fingers?This week, I'm joined by my client and friend Amy Lester, Major Gifts Officer at Polar Bears International, for a candid behind-the-scenes look at how she transformed her fundraising program in just over a year.When Amy started, she inherited a portfolio, a giant spreadsheet of prospects, and what she lovingly calls a "hope strategy." Fast forward 15 months, and she's exceeded her fundraising goal by more than $400,000, doubled major donor gifts, increased her conversion rate from 40% to 84%, and brought in 19 new major donors.My favorite takeaway? Amy's shift from feeling overwhelmed and reactive to confident and strategic. That's the magic of having a system.If you're sitting on a portfolio full of potential and wondering how to turn donor relationships into real revenue growth, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.Important Links:Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-lester-cfre-40166b49/ 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/⁠ My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

This episode honestly changed the way I think about planned giving.I sat down with Tess Conrad and walked away realizing that planned giving isn’t just for giant institutions with fancy development teams. Tess made the case that even small nonprofits can start building a legacy giving program—and that some of your best future donors may already be quietly sitting in your database.We talked about why loyal donors matter more than wealthy ones, why monthly donors are often ideal planned giving prospects, and how relationships, not complicated financial knowledge, are really at the heart of this work.One thing that really stuck with me: the average estate gift is around $50,000, and many of those gifts come from people who never made huge annual donations during their lifetime.If you’ve ever thought, “We’re too small for planned giving,” this conversation is for you.Important Links:Connect with Tess: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-conrad-cfre/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/⁠⁠ My Quiz: ⁠https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sat down with Janine Quijije to talk about AI but probably not in the way you’re used to hearing about it.Instead of asking, “How can AI help us do more?” Janine asks a much more important question: How can AI help us preserve our energy and prevent burnout?We talk about the reality of being overextended in the nonprofit sector, the pressure to constantly produce, and how AI can actually help us create more sustainable ways of working. One of my favorite takeaways was Janine’s simple exercise of uploading your calendar into ChatGPT and asking it to audit how you’re spending your energy. The results? A little confronting… and incredibly helpful.This episode is really a reminder that your worth is not tied to how exhausted you are.My Ai Analysis Report: Your export contained 239 campaigns, but most showed 100% open rates against tiny sendcounts — those are automated/triggered sends (welcome flows, single-recipient sends), not listbroadcasts. I filtered to campaigns sent to at least 500 people, which isolated 43 realbroadcasts to your full list (median list size ~6,400).For each subject line, I tagged structural features (length, emoji, punctuation, opening word,presence of 'you/your', sender voice, editorial framing, etc.) and compared the top 11 andbottom 11 performers to identify what actually correlates with open rate on your list specificallyImportant Links:Connect with Janine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinequijije/ 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/⁠ My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

This episode felt personal for me because I’ve been watching so many development directors quietly disappear from organizations lately. And honestly? It’s not just about burnout or “bad hires.” Most of the time, it’s a systems problem.In this episode, I’m unpacking the two biggest reasons development directors leave, what it’s really costing nonprofits when they do, and why so many organizations are unknowingly operating without the infrastructure needed to sustain fundraising success.If you’re an ED, board member, or fundraiser, this conversation is your reminder that busy does not always mean effective and that great people cannot thrive in broken systems forever.Important Links: Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠ 

This episode felt personal—because it is.In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I sat down with Lauren Carson (Black Girls Smile) and April Walker (Philanthropy for the People), and we got real about what’s actually happening right now—in our work, in our communities, and in our bodies.If I’m honest, it feels like a lot. And I know I’m not the only one.We talked about how the pressure out in the world—politics, funding cuts, constant uncertainty—is showing up in our mental health. Especially for Black women and girls, who are so often expected to just… keep going.And then there’s the funding piece. The promises that didn’t last. The lack of transparency. The constant hustle. It’s exhausting—and it’s impacting how we show up as leaders, as teammates, as humans.One thing that really stuck with me:We talk a lot about resilience as “pushing through,” but not enough about healing. And without healing, what are we actually sustaining?So here’s what I’m taking with me this month:Rest isn’t a reward—it’s necessary (even in small moments between meetings)I don’t have to do everything—just focus on what actually mattersMy inner voice matters—if I’m resting but still beating myself up, that’s not restAnd honestly… sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is just breatheIf there’s one thing I’d invite you to do this month, it’s this:Tell yourself the truth about how you’re actually doing—and give yourself a little more space to be human.We’re all figuring this out. And you don’t have to do it alone.Important Links:Black Girl Smile: https://www.blackgirlssmile.org/Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026⁠ 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/⁠⁠ My Quiz: ⁠https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

We’re diving into a topic I have a serious love-hate relationship with: wealth screening. My guest is Tina Duong, founder of Impact ProTech and a 25+ year fundraising veteran. And let me tell you she has thoughts.We’re getting into what wealth screens get wrong, why fundraisers rely on them too much, and what you actually need to know to identify the right donors.Let’s dig in.Important Links:ImpactPro: https://www.impactpro.tech/ Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 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/⁠ My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

I hear this all the time: “Why won’t my board fundraise?” And I get it—it’s frustrating. But here’s the truth I’ve learned: it’s usually not because they don’t care. It’s because no one ever showed them a version of fundraising that feels human.Most board members think fundraising means awkwardly asking friends for money. Of course they avoid it. When we shift the definition to something more relational—making introductions, building connections, saying “join me”—everything starts to soften.We also have to talk about the money stuff. The beliefs we all carry about money? They don’t magically disappear just because someone joined a board. Creating space to unpack that can be a game changer.A few things that really move the needle:Everyone gives something—it creates ownershipMake fundraising visible and celebrate the effortBe specific: don’t ask for “help,” ask for responsibilityCreate real connection between board membersAnd I’ll be honest—changing board culture takes time. Some people will lean in, some won’t. But when it clicks? When your board actually wants to bring people in? There’s nothing more powerful.If this is something you’re working through, you’re not alone—and there is a way forward.Important Links:Board Fundraising Training: https://go.rheawong.com/forboardmembers-929795 Webinar: https://bit.ly/4emZZCXStop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 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/⁠ My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

I’ve been in this sector for over 20 years, and I keep seeing the same thing:Great fundraisers don’t stay.And it’s not because they don’t care—it’s because we’re asking them to be the system.They’re holding donor relationships, strategy, and next steps all in their heads… and when they leave, everything leaves with them.That’s not a people problem. It’s a systems problem.In this episode, I talk about why burnout keeps happening, the real cost of turnover, and why hiring “better” fundraisers won’t fix it.Because the truth is:You don’t rise to the level of your goals—you fall to the level of your systems.If this sounds familiar, I’m hosting a free webinar:Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising SystemI’ll walk you through a simple 6-part audit to help you find what’s broken and fix it.Important Links:Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 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’ve been thinking a lot about this lately: before you even say a word, your donor can feel you. Your energy—your calm, your stress, your urgency—it all shows up in the conversation.In this episode, I’m making the case that equanimity isn’t just a nice-to-have… it’s a real fundraising strategy. Because when you’re anxious or rushing to “get it right,” donors feel that—and they pull back. But when you show up grounded and curious? Everything shifts.Especially right now, when the world feels loud and uncertain, your donors don’t need more urgency. They need someone steady. Someone who’s actually there to understand them—not just make an ask.A few things I’m practicing:Preparing to listen, not performTaking a quick pause to check my own state before callsTrusting my system so I’m not operating from panicIf there’s one thing I want you to take away, it’s this: your presence is your pitch.Show up calm. Stay curious. That’s the work.Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠ 

What happens when your nonprofit gets featured by Oprah?This week, I sat down with Kyle Woody to talk about his “Oprah moment”—and why it didn’t instantly change everything the way you might think.We got into the deeper story behind his work supporting male caregivers (who are often invisible, even to themselves), and how shifting his focus to real relationships—not big events or big hype—completely changed his approach to fundraising.The conversation that stayed with me most? This reminder:You are worthy of your own compassion.Whether you’re leading a nonprofit or caring for someone you love, you don’t have to do it alone.Important Links:Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksed/ Jack’s Caregiver Coalition: https://www.jackscaregiverco.org/ Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠ 

What if your fundraising challenges aren’t really about strategy—but about culture?In this episode, I sit down with Marcia Beckner to unpack how trust, safety, and leadership shape everything—from team performance to donor relationships.We dig into why fear holds fundraisers back, how toxic team members quietly drain revenue, and what it actually takes to build a culture where people (and fundraising) thrive.Important Links:Connect with Marcia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner/ Culture CARES: https://culturecares.com/Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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 sit down with fundraising strategist Maria Rio, founder of Further Together Fundraising and host of the Small Nonprofit Podcast. Maria brings a powerful perspective to the conversation—not only as a longtime fundraiser, but as someone who once relied on nonprofit services herself after arriving in Canada as a refugee.We talk about one of the most important questions in fundraising today: How do we tell stories that inspire giving without exploiting the people we serve?Important Links:Further Together: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠

Capital campaigns sound exciting—big vision, big gifts, big impact. But they’re also one of the most misunderstood parts of fundraising.In this episode, I sat down with my friend Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, to talk about what a capital campaign actually is, how to know if your organization is ready, and why planning matters far more than people realize.If you’ve ever wondered whether your nonprofit should launch a campaign—or worried it might cannibalize your annual fund—this conversation is for you.Important Links:Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyeisensteinacfre/ Capital Campaign Pro: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/ Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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 a donor has ever gone silent after a few “great” meetings, let me gently suggest:It’s probably not you. It’s probably qualification.We move from conversation to cultivation to ask — without getting real, explicit consent to go deeper.Qualification isn’t a wealth screen or a good vibe.It’s mutual clarity:Are we aligned on timing?Do you actually want to explore a bigger partnership?Did we agree on the next step?When we skip this, we ask too soon, donors feel surprised, and we start doubting ourselves.Qualification isn’t a hurdle.It’s respect.Fix this step, and everything downstream gets easier.Important Links:Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠

Stop fundraising like you’re buying lottery tickets.In this episode, I’m breaking down why chasing random donors and one-off opportunities keeps you stuck in scarcity mode—and what to do instead. If your fundraising strategy feels like crossing your fingers and hoping for a miracle, it’s time for a shift.We’re talking about how to build a signal-driven pipeline—one rooted in consent, clarity, and real relationships. When you focus on signals (who’s engaged, who’s responding, who’s leaning in), you stop wasting time convincing people who were never a fit in the first place.This isn’t about hype. It’s not about viral moments. And no, Mr. Beast is not coming to save you.It’s about building a sustainable, repeatable system that works—without burnout or magical thinking.If this resonates and you want to learn more about creating a consent-based fundraising system, head to riawong.com and sign up for my newsletter. I share details about upcoming webinars where I teach this framework in depth.Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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 got so much feedback from the last episode about boards that we’re going there again.Here’s the hot take:Your board isn’t avoiding fundraising. They’re avoiding embarrassment.They’re protecting their reputation. Their relationships. Their social capital.And honestly? I get it.As an executive director, I remember thinking: “I’m out here writing grants and running events. Can you just call your friends?”But what I’ve learned—both as a former ED and a board member—is that this isn’t a motivation problem.It’s a safety problem.Most board members:Don’t want to burn trust with friendsDon’t want to look foolishDon’t want to feel transactionalDon’t want to ambush anyone with an askWhen fundraising feels risky, vague, or transactional, they shut down.So here’s the reframe:Staff executes. Board de-risks.Board members aren’t there to run your strategy. They’re there to lend trust.They don’t need more courage. They need guardrails.If the role is vague, it becomes optional.If your board isn’t engaged, don’t guilt them. Design for safety.When people feel safe, they show up.Important Links:Book a Call: ⁠https://connect.rheawong.com/⁠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/⁠⁠ 

Real talk: I tried very hard to avoid this episode. Because boards + fundraising can get… messy.But if we’re serious about major gifts, we can’t keep skipping this conversation.In this episode, I unpack why boards and executives keep blaming each other for fundraising results and why the real issue usually isn’t effort, motivation, or commitment.It’s the system.Most of us are driving a fundraising “car” that was built for a different era. When it breaks down, boards say, “You’re driving wrong,” and executives say, “You’re not giving me enough gas.” Meanwhile, everyone’s exhausted and nothing changes.If fundraising feels heavy, risky, or dependent on one or two people, this episode is for you.Bring a partner. Come ready to be honest.No replay because real change needs shared presence.Let’s stop blaming the driver, the gas, or each other and fix the dang car.Important Links:Register Here: https://go.rheawong.com/murkytomoneysignup 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 fundraising feels scattered, exhausting, or like it all lives in your head, this episode is for you.In today’s conversation, I’m breaking down why the old fundraising model is no longer working—and why in 2026 we can’t keep relying on vibes, guesswork, or the heroics of one person. Activity isn’t a system, and burnout isn’t a strategy.I share what it actually looks like to build a donor-driven, consent-based major gift system that replaces pressure with clarity and makes fundraising feel human again.I’ll leave you with this question:What would change if fundraising stopped living in your head?Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ 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/⁠ 

This is not a normal episode of Nonprofit Lowdown.In this one, I’m sharing something deeply personal: my experience with ayahuasca and why it mattered so much to me as a nonprofit leader.From the outside, my life looked great. The business was working. The mission was working. I was working. But joy wasn’t part of the equation.I talk about burnout that doesn’t look like collapse—but like numbness. About over-functioning becoming a leadership identity. About how so many of us in the nonprofit sector are competent, ethical, respected… and quietly exhausted.I share why I chose a medically licensed ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, and how the experience helped me move from self-surveillance to self-trust.This episode isn’t about telling you to do ayahuasca. It’s about asking a bigger question:What happens when being “good” replaces being whole?If you’re a nonprofit leader who feels like the hallway monitor—holding it all together while losing touch with yourself—this one’s for you.Healing isn’t a detour from leadership. It’s part of it.Important LinksRetreat: https://www.rythmia.com/open/worldsfirst?utm_source=post_affiliate_pro&utm_pap_affiliate_id=68cc7cb81ebf5&a_aid=68cc7cb81ebf5 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 fundraising results depend entirely on one person holding everything together, that's not strategy- that's a vulnerability.And I see this all the time.Too many development programs are built on transactional asks, heroic effort, and one exhausted fundraiser keeping the whole thing afloat. That's not sustainable, and it's definitely not the future. 2026 is the year we stop doing fundraising to people and start building consent-based systems that actually work- systems that respect donors, reduce pressure, and create clarity instead of chaos. That's why I'm hosting a free webinar. No fluff. No vague theory. Just real systems that don't rely on one person's personality or stamina to succeed. Important LinksFree Webinar:https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026 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/⁠ 

Nonprofit friends — I’ve been thinking a lot about why so many of us feel exhausted heading into 2026. And honestly? It’s not because we’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s because we’re trying to do everything.This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I talk about focus — real focus. Not the kind that adds another priority to the list, but the kind that asks us to choose one thing and let the rest go. The kind that replaces fundraising chaos with clarity, and pressure with consent.So much of our burnout comes from fundraising theater — lots of motion, not enough impact. And leadership, real leadership, is about subtraction. Saying no. Protecting your energy. Deciding what actually moves the needle and having the courage to stop doing the rest.If you’re craving a calmer, more intentional way to lead fundraising this year — one that honors your time, your donors, and yourself — this episode is for you.And if you want to go deeper, I’m hosting a free training on January 21 at 12 PM ET on building a major gift system that feels aligned, focused, and human. No forcing. No chasing. Just clarity.Important Links:Free Webinar:⁠https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026⁠ 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 kicking off 2026 with a big conversation—and the perfect guest to start the year.I’m joined by my friend Cherian Koshy, author of NeuroGiving and Vice President at Hindsight. Cherian’s journey from accidental frontline fundraiser to nonprofit tech founder to bestselling author mirrors so much of what many of us in this sector experience: curiosity, frustration with “best practices,” and a deep desire to do fundraising in a more human way.In this episode, we dig into why so many traditional fundraising approaches feel off—and what neuroscience and behavioral science can teach us about how people actually make decisions about giving. We talk about generosity, identity, trust, and the mistakes nonprofits make when we over-engineer donations but under-invest in relationships and stewardship.If you’ve ever felt like fundraising advice wasn’t built for real humans—or real organizations—this conversation is for you.Happy New Year, and I’m so glad you’re here.Important Links:Cherian’s Book- Neurogiving: https://www.amazon.com/Neurogiving-Science-Decision-Making-Cherian-Koshy/dp/1394370458How 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/⁠ 

This final episode for 2025 has no tips, no tactics, no strategies. Just a moment to acknowledge the grief, exhaustion, and weight so many of us—especially in the nonprofit sector—are carrying right now.If leadership feels heavier than usual…If fundraising feels harder…If you’re tired but still showing up anyway…This episode is for you.Nonprofits are the quiet machinery of hope. When the world burns, we’re the ones stitching it back together. That work isn’t glamorous, but it matters deeply.You don’t need to fix the whole world today.You just need to keep your corner lit.Give yourself permission to rest, to feel, and then—when you’re ready—to come back steady in 2026. Because hope isn’t passive. Hope is funded.Happy holidays, friends. Take care of yourselves.And as always—get that money, honey. 💛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/⁠⁠ 

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/⁠ 

I’m so excited about this episode with the amazing Erika Carley, Chief Impact Officer at National Angels (and one of the smartest donor retention minds I know).If you’ve ever said, “We just need more donors,” STOP. What you really need is to keep the donors you already have — and Erica is here to show us how.In this episode, we dive deep into:✨ Why donor retention should be your first priority✨ The “golden donation” (spoiler: it’s the second gift)✨ How to make donors feel something — and why that matters✨ Real stewardship strategies: handwritten cards, voice memos, texts, stickers… even angel wings!✨ What it means to create belonging for your donorsOne of my favorite takeaways? It’s not about the number of stewardship touches — it’s about the quality and the consistency. And yes, we even talk about ghosting donors… and being ghosted 😬If you do nothing else this year, please — I beg you — look at your donor retention numbers. This episode will give you the tools (and hopefully the inspiration) to turn those numbers around.Important Links:Zeffy: ⁠https://www.zeffy.com/?ref=Rhea⁠ Connect with Erika: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-carley123/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/⁠ 

This week, I’m chatting with my brilliant friend Rachel Bearbower, founder of the Nonprofit Automation Agency and my go-to tech guru. We’re talking all things tech stacks — the good, the bad, and the painfully expensive.In this episode, we dig into:✅ Why so many nonprofit tech setups are a hot mess✅ What tools are actually worth the money and time✅ The hidden costs (staff time, training, maintenance, etc.)✅ How to build a Lego-style tech stack that actually works together✅ Donor experience tips, especially for recurring giving✅ Why there’s no such thing as the perfect CRMI also share some real talk: if you feel behind on tech, you’re not alone and you’re not deficient — the world has changed fast, and we’re all just trying to keep up.This one is jam-packed with practical insights, a few strong opinions, and some solid laughs. If you’re an ED, fundraiser, ops person, or anyone just trying to make your tech stack less painful — this one’s for you.Important Links:Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/?ref=Rhea Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbearbower/ 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/ 

It’s year-end giving season — and if your strategy still relies on wealth screens and spray-and-pray asks, it’s time for a reset.On this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m joined by my friend (and fan favorite) Greg Warner, CEO of MarketSmart, to talk about why trust is your only currency — and how we’re getting it so, so wrong.💥 Why wealth screens can backfire 💥 How trust has eroded across generations 💥 The myths of donor pyramids and "burn and churn" fundraising 💥 The real role of tech and transparency in major giving 💥 And the one mindset shift that will transform your entire fundraising approachIf you’re ready to stop extracting and start building partnerships with your donors, this episode is for you.Important Links:Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/?ref=Rhea Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmarketsmart/ Fundraising Report Card: https://fundraisingreportcard.com/ How to Train ChatGPT:  https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ 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/

This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m joined by my business bestie and returning favorite, Brooke Richie-Babbage — strategist, executive, founder of Bending Arc, and all-around AI powerhouse.We’re diving deep into how AI is actually being used in the nonprofit space — beyond the hype.We discuss:How AI can support (but not replace) your thinkingUse cases for AI in finance, fundraising, and data analysisTools for donor segmentation and engagementWhy donor trust and ethical data use matter more than everHow to create guardrails, policies, and inclusive practices around AIWe also talk about the messy but necessary process of innovation, how to lead AI adoption with integrity, and why nonprofits must be part of the AI conversation — or risk being left behind.If you're curious about AI but unsure where to start, this one’s packed with insights, real examples, and practical tools you can use right away.Important Links:Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/register?&utm_source=Rhea_Wong Connect with Brooke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjrichiebabbage/ Fast Forward: https://www.ffwd.org/ai-for-humanity How to Train ChatGPT:  https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 Upcoming Events: https://www.rheawong.com/events/ 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/