Missions to Movements

Dana Snyder

Missions to Movements is the nonprofit marketing and fundraising podcast that helps you grow recurring donors, scale monthly giving programs, and build digital campaigns that convert.  Hosted by Dana Snyder—speaker, strategist, and founder of Positive Equation—this show is packed with actionable nonprofit growth strategies, social media tips, and fundraising best practices.  Each week, you’ll hear how organizations are increasing donor retention, building thought leadership, and using digital fundraising to drive real impact. If you want to learn how to attract monthly donors, master nonprofit marketing, and transform your mission into a movement, this podcast is for you. 

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    How To Choose Stories Based on Strategy - Creating Belonging & Champions of Your Mission with Max Kringen

    How do you build a storytelling rhythm that can fuel your fundraising efforts all year long? Max Kringen of Tellwell Story Co. is EXACTLY who nonprofits call when they want to stop guessing. We kick off by going behind the scenes of a Ronald McDonald House Charities gala where a beautiful, cinematic story helped raise more than $350,000 in one night. Max walks us through how Clara’s story was selected, the meaning of narrative transportation, and how organizations can reposition themselves as the “helpful guide” instead of the hero. Once you hear Max’s wildly practical “Story Seasons” framework, you won’t be scrambling for stories in May or guessing what donors should hear in October. You’ll be fueling generosity all year long! Resources & Links Connect with Max on LinkedIn, subscribe to his newsletter, Start With Story, and learn more about Tellwell Story Co. Grab your ticket to Max’s nonprofit storytelling conference, WellTold, on April 30, 2026. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    33 min
  2. 5 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #3: Pause Isn’t Failure - Flexibility Becomes Non-Negotiable

    Donor flexibility is the quiet superpower of retention - and it’s about to become non-negotiable.  We dig into why giving supporters control to pause, downgrade, skip, or shift billing dates doesn’t fuel cancellations; it prevents them.  Pulling lessons from the subscription world and real stories that celebrate customer milestones, we translate those insights into practical steps any nonprofit can take to keep monthly givers connected through life’s ups and downs. If you’re ready to reduce churn, lift lifetime value, and build trust that lasts, this conversation will give you the blueprint.  Subscribe, share this with a colleague who manages recurring giving, and leave a review with one change you’ll make to your donor portal this quarter. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    8 min
  3. 21 JAN

    “How Can We Be Expansive Together?” The Future of Nonprofit Partnerships with United Way's Matthew Sutton

    If a corporate partner had to tell a story about working with your nonprofit, what would they say?  What companies want from nonprofit partnerships has FUNDAMENTALLY changed. That’s why I’m excited for you to meet a great friend of mine, Matthew Sutton, Director of Corporate Partnerships at United Way of Greater Atlanta, to talk about how corporate partnerships are evolving and what nonprofit leaders need to understand right now.  Matthew shares why companies are going deeper with fewer partners, why a multi-layer approach matters, and how nonprofits can become collaborators in a shared narrative. We’re digging into real-world examples too, including a 24-month relationship-building process, and the growing role of social enterprise as nonprofits look for more predictable revenue. Resources & Links Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn or send him an email at matthewsutton2018@gmail.com.  Check out Matthew’s book recommendations, including my book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, and Beyond Checks & Halos by Cynthia Eads Currence. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    33 min
  4. 20 JAN · BONUS

    2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #2: The “Easiest Yes” Wins

    What if the smallest monthly gift unlocks the biggest lifetime value? We’re digging into our second Monthly Giving Prediction for 2026: lower entry points will become the norm in monthly giving - and they’ll outperform the high-ask mindset many of us grew up with.  Donors aren’t less generous; they’re less willing to overcommit.  That’s a signal, not a setback, and it’s time to design programs around the easiest yes. We break down recent data trends from major giving moments showing growth in recurring signups alongside smaller average amounts, and explain why that’s good news when you care about retention and lifetime value. Drawing on lessons from the subscription economy, we look at how streaming and SaaS brands prioritize momentum over pressure, starting with doable plans and earning trust over time.  The same playbook works for nonprofits: invite people in with a low, human entry point, then nurture them with clear impact stories, flexible options, and upgrade moments that feel earned. This conversation is a practical roadmap for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and digital teams who want sustainable revenue, wider reach, and a supporter community that stays.  Subscribe for more predictions, share with your team, and leave a quick review to help other nonprofits find the show. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    5 min
  5. 14 JAN

    How Small Words Spark Big Movements with Adriana Carrig, Little Words Project

    At my third annual Monthly Giving Summit, you’ll hear from someone who understands how repeat engagement, community and generosity actually get built into the DNA of a brand, raising over one million dollars along the way! Adriana Carrig, Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Little Words Project, is joining me to break down how she bootstrapped growth and focused on trust, transparency, and showing up consistently, which resulted in 14 retail storefronts, partnerships with Target and Disney, and repeat purchases. If you’re building or refining a monthly giving program, you’ll also love hearing how Adriana attracted 500 subscribers almost immediately into her Word of the Month subscription program. Resources & Links Connect with Adriana on LinkedIn and learn more about Little Words Project, Little Words Big Impact, and their Word of the Month subscription. If you want to make your own Word of the Year bracelet, check out the 2026 Word of the Year Bead Kit. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    41 min
  6. 7 JAN

    A Subscription-Economy Lens on Monthly Giving (And What It Means For 2026)

    We’ve officially entered what I’m calling the retention era. Recurring GivingTuesday gifts are growing year over year, and nonprofit benchmarks are showing 80%+ retention rates for monthly donors. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down three powerful signals that are shaping monthly giving RIGHT NOW across the subscription economy and in the nonprofit sector. I’m covering Recurly’s 2025 State of Subscriptions analysis of 67 million subscribers, including what brands are doing to combat slow acquisition and churn, and the GivingTuesday trends emerging around mobile-first, recurring signups. This conversation sets the foundation for the next few episodes, where I’ll share my 2026 monthly giving predictions. Resources & Links Check out Recurly’s 2025 State of Subscriptions report. LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    9 min
  7. 31/12/2025

    7 Fundraising & Leadership Lessons Every Nonprofit Should Carry into 2026

    In this special year-end recap episode, I’m revisiting seven of the most inspiring, quotable, “steal this idea” stories from 2025. You’ll hear the real numbers, tested strategies, and leadership insights you can carry straight into 2026. Here’s who you’ll hear from: Courtney Johnson from Culinary Care, who generated $300,000 across 20 corporate eventsChad Nelsen from Surfrider Foundation, who invested in recurring giving technology to reach 91% retention on auto-renew donorsLiz Bohannon, a keynote speaker & author, who talks about “pluck ups” and how to reframe failure as courage-in-actionHeather Sager, a speaking coach, who shares a powerful mindset shift to help you build confidence in public speaking Ashlyn Jones from Houston Food Bank, on growing their monthly giving program to 5,200 sustainers with human-centered storytellingTrovon C. Williams from NAACP, about why leading with solutions can create stronger donor empowermentMaddie Ward from End Overdose, about how they scaled from a single campus to 70+ cities nationwide Resources & Links Hear the full episodes with each of today’s featured guests: How 20 Cook-Offs Raised $300k from Corporate Partnerships How Surfrider Foundation’s CEO Amplifies Impact Through Thought Leadership Celebrating Failures: A New Approach to “Pluck-Ups” How to Craft a Signature Talk to Amplify Your Mission How Houston Food Bank Grew 5,200 Monthly Donors - The Importance of a Sustainer Role NAACP’s Bold Shift Toward Sustained Impact From UCLA to 70+ Cities: End Overdose Sparked a College Campus Movement LettrLabs is the proud presenter of Missions to Movements. LettrLabs helps nonprofits build lasting donor relationships through real, handwritten mail that’s fully automated - turning moments of intent into meaningful connection. From thank-yous to impact updates, they help you cut through with mail donors actually open, remember, and trust. Register now for the FREE Monthly Giving Summit on February 25-26th, the only virtual event where nonprofits unite to master monthly giving, attract committed believers, and fund the future with confidence. The Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind: A high-touch Mini Mastermind + optional in-person retreat (May 6-8) for nonprofit leaders that have an existing monthly giving program and ready to take it to the next level with 1:1 and peer support. Apply now! 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 bu...

    43 min

Trailer

About

Missions to Movements is the nonprofit marketing and fundraising podcast that helps you grow recurring donors, scale monthly giving programs, and build digital campaigns that convert.  Hosted by Dana Snyder—speaker, strategist, and founder of Positive Equation—this show is packed with actionable nonprofit growth strategies, social media tips, and fundraising best practices.  Each week, you’ll hear how organizations are increasing donor retention, building thought leadership, and using digital fundraising to drive real impact. If you want to learn how to attract monthly donors, master nonprofit marketing, and transform your mission into a movement, this podcast is for you. 

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