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Unlock ‘no-ask’ fall fundraising ideas that get your donors excited long before the leaves change.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, fundraising coach Britt Stockert shows you why July is your secret window for building “quiet momentum” and shares three no-ask tactics to deepen relationships, spark engagement, and position your organization for a powerhouse fall season.

You’ll discover how to:

• Create simple video notes to unlock new levels of donor loyalty.
• Host low-pressure community events that drive authentic connection
• Refresh your stewardship plan with real voices from your mission front lines

Because at the end of the day, it’s the relationships you build, not just the dollars you raise, that sustain your mission. Make your ‘summer slump’ the engine of a successful fall fundraising season, listen now!

Looking for more summer-to-fall fundraising wins? Check out Ep 164 | From Summer Slump to Donor Retention Win! - the perfect companion piece to round out your end-of-summer preparedness program.

In Memoriam:

We’re deeply saddened by the recent passing of Sabrina Walker Hernandez, our guest on Ep 161 (“Activate Your Board for Fundraising Success”).

Sabrina’s wisdom, courage, and passion, launching her consultancy from a hospital bed, continue to inspire us. We’re resharing her episode to honor her legacy and amplify her voice one more time. Her words remind us why we do this work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to July Fundraising Strategies

01:21 Building Quiet Momentum in July

05:04 Engaging Supporters with Personal Touches

08:51 Creating Community Connections

09:57 Refreshing Stewardship Plans

11:00 Recap and first steps to Fall success

Join our community:

• Like & Subscribe for more nonprofit survival tactics on your favorite podcast platform
• Watch our monthly video podcasts on our Donorbox YouTube Channel and discover a mine of information to take your nonprofit to the next level here: https://www.youtube.com/@Donorbox/podcasts
• Comment: Which move are you most curious about?
• Share with your team to spark action

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:

🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never mis

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4 Power Moves to Navigate Funding Cuts & Build Nonprofit Resilience

Feeling the squeeze of budget cuts and extra funding scrutiny? We've got you!

In today's episode, Jena Lynch and Britton Stockert unlock four underused power moves to help you:

• Reframe your story for maximum impact
• Unlock fresh revenue streams
• Advocate strategically with a nonpartisan focus
• Cement compliance as a growth driver

Ready to future-proof your nonprofit? Hit play and get the edge you need to turn funding cuts into opportunity.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why This Episode Matters Now

01:20 – Move 1: The Narrative Shift

04:00 – Move 2: New Revenue Unlock

07:15 – Move 3: Advocacy, Minus the Politics

10:30 – Move 4: Unbreakable Donor Trust

13:45 – What’s Next & Quick Recap

🔗 Resources

• Nonprofit Sustainability: Your Action Plan → https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/sustainability-action-plan
• Giving USA on diversified funding → https://givingusa.org
• Nonprofit Quarterly: Advocacy best practices → https://nonprofitquarterly.org

Join our community:

• Like & Subscribe for more nonprofit survival tactics on your favorite podcast platform
• Watch our monthly video podcasts on our Donorbox YouTube Channel and discover a mine of information to take your nonprofit to the next level here: https://www.youtube.com/@Donorbox/podcasts
• Comment: Which move are you most curious about?
• Share with your team to spark action

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:

🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast

🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

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AI isn’t coming - it’s already deciding who gets funded.

This episode is your wake-up call.

Donors are turning to ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools to find and evaluate nonprofits they can trust with their support. If your organization isn’t showing up, or showing up accurately, you may already be missing out.

In our Season 6 premiere, Jena sits down with Raj Hegde, SVP of Growth & Marketing at Donorbox, to break down how AI is quietly reshaping donor behavior, and what your nonprofit can do right now to stay seen, trusted, and funded.

You’ll learn:

• How AI tools are changing donor discovery
• What “AI visibility” really means - and why it matters
• The small gaps that create big funding problems
• Simple steps to assess your current AI presence

💡 Don’t miss the free AI Visibility Checklist to help you track and improve your org’s visibility where donors are looking.
👉 https://library.donorbox.org/donorbox-ai-visibility-checklist/

Resources and links to guide you:

• Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/
• GuideStar: https://www.guidestar.org/
• Schema Markup for Nonprofits: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data
• Google Markup Helper: https://www.google.com/webmasters/markup-helper/

▶️ Prefer to watch? The full video episode is available now on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Donorbox

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast

🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

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Send us a text

Nonprofit grant applications can be time-consuming, complex, and discouraging, but they don’t have to be.

That’s exactly what inspired Gauri Manglik to co-found Instrumentl, an all-in-one platform that simplifies grant discovery, tracking, and strategy.

In this Season 2 encore episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, Cara sits down with Gauri to talk grant application techniques that save time and increase your chances of success. Whether your organization is just getting started or scaling its fundraising efforts, this episode delivers insights and strategies that remain effective today.

If you’re trying to decide whether to prioritize grant funding or Giving Season campaigns in the second half of the year, this conversation will help you plan with clarity and purpose. It’s full of guidance for nonprofits at every stage of growth and development, especially those looking to build a more intentional grant strategy in Q3 and beyond.

• Learn how to spot right-fit funders (and what not to waste time on)
• Hear why relationship-building with grantors is just as crucial as it is with donors
• Get clarity on when grants should not be your first fundraising strategy
• Discover what makes a strong proposal, and how to build one that funders trust
• And walk away with a smarter, more doable approach to planning your grant calendar

Resource List:

• The Ultimate Grant Writing Resources Collection: features over 100 pages of grant writing resources ranging from grants calendar guides to RFP evaluation tools.
• Grant Writing Classes On-Demand: 50+ hours of free grant writing education that can be watched by any grant writer regardless of skill level
• Successful Grant Proposal Examples: The Ultimate List: successful grant proposal examples to show how you can start winning grant funding for your organization.
• 49 Grant Writing Resources: The Ultimate List: the most comprehensive list of grant tools and grant writing resources for nonprofits.

Listen now and refine your nonprofit grant application strategy with confidence.

Don’t forget, our new season launches July 3 with even more tools, tactics, and practical fundraising insights.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonp

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In this summer throwback, we’re revisiting one of your favorites: Stabilizing Your Fundraising. Ready to reset and recharge your fundraising strategy for the rest of 2025? Take just 15 minutes to gain fresh clarity and confidence, press play, and let’s hit the ground running!

2025 has already thrown nonprofits a curveball. So what now?

This week, we’re taking a moment to breathe and break down the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts that are actually helping nonprofits right now.

Think recurring giving strategies that stick, smoother donor journeys, and collaboration that cuts costs and builds resilience. Whether you’re adjusting to shifting priorities or bracing for what’s next, this episode gives you a game plan to steady your fundraising efforts and re-energize your team.

Discover:

✔ Why recurring giving is your most reliable revenue stream

✔ How to simplify the donor experience to reduce drop-off

✔ Tools and tactics to support long-term donor relationships

✔ Real-world examples of collaboration and resource sharing

✔ Ways to pivot when funding contracts get rocky

From recurring donation upsells to collective fundraising campaigns, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you stabilize, grow, and thrive through whatever 2025 throws your way.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.

Chapters:
00:00Navigating the Nonprofit Landscape in 2025

01:29The Power of Recurring Giving

04:29Building Resilience Through Collaboration

08:27Enhancing Donor Experience and Engagement

12:30Shifting Mindsets: From One-Time to Recurring Donors

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download, and never miss an episode.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast

🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show

Send us a text

The Nonprofit Podcast is taking a breather before Season 6 kicks off on June 26, but we’re not leaving you hanging! We’re rewinding to one of our most-loved episodes with Maria Bryan, packed with powerful insights for challenging times.

Building donor trust is essential for nonprofit engagement, especially in times of crisis.

Join Jena and a favorite guest, Maria Bryan, an ethical and trauma-informed storytelling expert, to explore how nonprofits can effectively share crisis stories without causing donor fatigue or eroding hard-won trust.

Learn key storytelling strategies, including:

• Balancing urgency with hope to maintain engagement
• Avoiding exploitative narratives while still driving action
• Using multiple platforms to strengthen community connections
• Creating transparency to foster lasting donor relationships

🎧 Listen now for actionable tips to refine your nonprofit's storytelling approach!

For a deeper dive into mastering ethical storytelling, check out Maria's FREE Trauma-Informed Storytelling Toolkit HERE.

🔗 More resources from Maria Bryan:
Storytelling Workshop
When Bearing Witness Program
Storytelling Circle

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Crisis in Nonprofit Storytelling

06:05 Balancing Urgency and Hope in Communications

12:03 Platforms for Effective Storytelling

17:58 Building Trust Through Authentic Storytelling

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

The Nonprofit Podcast and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and download to never miss an episode.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast

🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show

Send us a text

Strategic fundraising that anchors us

Fundraising looks different in 2025, but smart strategy remains essential. This insightful (and practical) replay from June 2024 delivers evergreen tips and tools to help your nonprofit stay focused and thrive in a shifting landscape.

Unlock the power of strategic fundraising to transform your nonprofit’s mission!

Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to educated decisions that drive results. Discover how to keep your primary goal focused and elevate your fundraising game as Cara unpacks the strategic benefits of a well-crafted fundraising strategy with John DeLange and Evan Cox, founders of The Strategic Fundraising Plan.

Get ready to unlock growth as they share their expertise on:

• Clear messaging, insightful data, and thoughtful planning can transform your efforts.
• Making supporters feel valued while avoiding donor fatigue.
• Balancing professional goals with personal connections

A strategic fundraising plan helps your organization raise more money, freeing up your staff and board's time and talent to focus on your mission and build deeper connections with your donors.

We have downloadable resources from The Strategic Plan to help you see a return on your marketing efforts: https://evancoxconsulting.com/resources/

Plus, a comprehensive step-by-step guide from our Nonprofit Blog:

• How to Create a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Nonprofits: https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/strategic-fundraising-plan

From design to data and managing donor fatigue, Cara, Evan, and Jon have an answer for your nonprofit's strategic fundraising. Join us and grow!

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 90,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Take a tour right now and start fundraising in just 15 minutes: → https://donorbox.org/

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:

🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all your favorite podcast platforms, so follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode:

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-important-podcast/id1483848924

🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fj1bk0PHws7kn6CMwzhLQ

🎙️ Buzzsprout: https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com

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We’re on summer hiatus, but we're bringing back one of our most popular episodes, 'Nonprofit Resilience: A Conversation.'

Originally released after the federal funding cuts were first announced in February, this episode digs into the challenges nonprofits are facing and offers strategies to navigate them.

Listen in to explore the potential impacts, possible responses, and actions you can take to ensure your mission stays resilient and adaptable as we head into the second half of 2025.

We’ll be back on June 26, 2025, with a new season. Until then, enjoy a selection of your favorite episodes from Season 5. We’ll see you soon with more tips, tools, and strategies to keep your mission moving!

How do you build nonprofit resilience in times of uncertainty?

The federal funding freeze confusion has left many nonprofits facing tough questions about their future. In this episode, Jena and Britt explore how organizations can build resilience in a rapidly changing landscape. They emphasize collaboration and data-driven advocacy as key areas to remain adaptive and mission-focused.

More from us to get you on the road to resilience:

• Ep 140 | Recurring Donations: How to Boost Donor Retention and Revenue
• Ep 128 | 5 Effective Nudges for Monthly Giving
• Ep 104 | Fundamentals of Nonprofit Digital Marketing

Remember, you don’t have to navigate uncertainty alone. Together, our community can build strength and stability.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Nonprofits

05:07 Building Collaborative Networks

10:26 The Role of Data in Advocacy

15:49 Self-Care and Resilience for Nonprofit Leaders

✅ Subscribe for more nonprofit insights! Stay ahead of the trends and take your fundraising to the next level. The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Take a tour right now and start fundraising in just 15 minutes: → https://donorbox.org/

The Nonprofit Podcast, and a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, are available on the Donorbox YouTube channel, subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday, be sure to follow, rate, and download so you never miss an episode.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts:

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