Most nonprofits are focused on finding new supporters.

But what if some of the most important people you need to reach…
are already part of your story?

In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi sits down with Jennifer Cunningham, an expert in alumni engagement, to explore a missed opportunity across the nonprofit world.

Because “alumni” isn’t just a university concept.

It includes former volunteers.
Past board members.
Program participants whose lives were shaped by your work.

People who already know your mission —
and may be your most natural advocates moving forward.

So why do so many organizations lose touch with them?

And what would it look like to re-engage them — not as a one-time outreach,
but as a long-term strategy for growth, leadership, and connection?

This conversation breaks it down in practical terms:

• What “alumni” really means in a nonprofit context
• Why organizations overlook these relationships
• How to re-engage people without turning it into a fundraising ask
• And how alumni can become champions, not just contacts

This isn’t about nostalgia.

It’s about recognizing the people who already walked part of the journey with you —
and inviting them to walk the next mile.

To contact Jennifer Cunningham, visit her website: https://engagejc.com/

And as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst, whose giving helps make these conversations possible.