Would you believe me if I told you that emotional intelligence can transform donor relationships and drive sustainable fundraising growth? Bill Crouch is the visionary leader of BrightDot and the author of Start with Heart: The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results. And according to Bill, there is REAL data to prove why resilience and empathy consistently outperform traditional metrics.

Bill walks us through BrightDot’s “Teach, Train, Transform” methodology and how one community college in Florida raised significant gifts by rethinking their team structure, board accountability, and donor strategy.

He explains how handwritten notes, emotionally intelligent hiring practices, and even a 2 hour “Fundraising Focus” window each week can wildly change donor engagement outcomes. You’ll leave this conversation with so many practical takeaways to catalyze your results and bring more meaning into your fundraising culture.

Resources & Links

Connect with Bill at bill@thebrightdot.com and learn more about BrightDot on their website.

Check out Bill’s book: Start with Heart: The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results.

This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good.

This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same.

Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

What does it take to triple a nonprofit’s operating budget, raise $3.3 million for a capital campaign, complete a $10 million dollar facility renovation, AND expand to three campuses, all in just six years? Hope Pavich, Executive Director of Care for Friends, joins me to share how she did exactly that.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Hope’s team identified service gaps to build an innovative grocery delivery program for unhoused youth that now reaches 30 of Chicago’s 50 wards, and why funders jumped to support it. Plus, how an unexpected construction delay funneled into a long-term partnership with the Church of the Atonement, and why focusing on shared values over speed can create sustainable, scalable growth.

Hope is no stranger to strategic growth and mission aligned innovation. She also shares her process for crafting clear, funder-friendly storytelling, along with real-world examples on collaboration and leading through uncertainty.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Care for Friends, their programs, and how to donate.

Check out The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level.

This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good.

This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same.

Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

If you and your team are constantly juggling WAY too many priorities with not enough support, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. Vicki Burkhart is the powerhouse founder and CEO of The More Than Giving Co., a virtual, fractional staffing firm that has served over 230 nonprofit clients and counting!

There is a growing “crisis of capacity” across the nonprofit sector. Did you know 65% of nonprofit leaders say they don’t have enough staff to deliver programs and services?

Vicki explains how her Nonprofit Virtual Assistant program helps organizations scale smarter, freeing up leaders from day-to-day administrative tasks so they can focus on mission-driven growth.

You’ll learn what successful integration of a VA looks like in action, how much it costs, and how to assess when it’s the right time to seek outside support. I also share my own experience as a client!

Resources & Links

Learn more about Vicki on LinkedIn, email her at mtg@morethangiving.co, and check out The More Than Giving website to explore their fractional staffing services. You can also schedule a meeting to determine the next best steps for your organization.

This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good.

This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same.

Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!