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292 episodes
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Nonprofit Lowdown Rhea Wong
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- Business
This is Nonprofit Lowdown where I review and recommend the best ideas, resources, tools, tricks and tips to run your nonprofit like a pro! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support
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#285 - Why Your Donors Aren't Giving Again
What if I told you the reason 82% of your donors never give again is because of something you’re doing? 😳
It’s true - we churn through first-time givers by failing to build real relationships and showcase impact. We leave donors confused about what their money achieved, then bombard them with more asks.
Donors ghost you because you’re giving them buyer’s remorse. 👻
On this week’s straight-talk episode, I’m exploring the psychology behind why donors flee and how we inadvertently trigger their buyer’s remorse. Learn how to flip the script to create onboarding journeys that wow donors by:
Asking the right questions to uncover their motivations
Closing the story loop to spotlight their investment
Shifting from extracting value to nurturing truly reciprocal partnerships
If you’re shaking your head thinking, “Rhea gets me!” - this discussion is for you. I’m bringing solutions that transform donor retention from 20% to 80% overnight. Listen now!
Important links:
https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support -
#284 - Pipeline Training
Executive directors, are you tired of chasing after those $20 donations like a squirrel on espresso? Yeah, me too. And let me tell you, focusing all our energy on foundation grants and corporate donations because they seem easier is a bit like preferring instant noodles over a gourmet meal—it sort of does the job, but we're left feeling unsatisfied. 😖
Let's talk about moving away from survival-mode tactics that leave us feeling icky and instead, start nurturing genuine relationships with our donors. I'm dishing out all my secrets on identifying prospects and building a donor pipeline of people who are as excited about our cause as we are—because let's face it, sending a million "just checking in" emails is about as fun as watching paint dry.
In this episode, I'm breaking down why it's crucial to focus on those individual donors and how creating meaningful connections can lead to those juicy, significant gifts we dream about.
Remember, folks—desperation is the world's worst cologne. It's time to start fundraising with confidence, swagger, and a whole lot of heart. 💖
Important links:
https://go.rheawong.com/wheredodonorscomefrom
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support -
#283 - The Future of AI with Devi Thomas
Feeling overwhelmed by the tsunami wave of AI chatter? Wondering how your nonprofit can ride the AI wave without wiping out? You're not alone.
The rapid evolution of AI technology has everyone's heads spinning, trying to figure out how to adopt it responsibly and effectively to amplify their impact.
In today's episode, I sit down with the phenomenal Devi Thomas, a beacon of knowledge from Microsoft Philanthropies, who's illuminating the path for nonprofits in the digital age. Her insights reveal that the integration of AI isn't just a trend; it's a toolset for improving efficiency, personalizing donor engagement, and scaling impact with a tactical edge.
Devi, preaches that adopting AI starts with embracing our curiosity and permitting ourselves to experiment.AI's potential to revolutionize nonprofit operations is immense - if wielded with intention, transparency, and inclusivity.
Ready to demystify AI and propel your organization into a future where tech and purpose align more closely than ever? Tune in to the full episode and learn how AI can be your co-pilot in achieving more with less, without losing the human touch that defines our missions.
Important Links:
https://nonprofitcommunity.microsoft.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support -
#282 - Identity Upgrade
Ever felt a surge of imposter syndrome just as you're about to hit a major fundraising goal? Wonder why, even after securing that dream funding, a creeping sense of dread shadows your success?
If your accomplishments in the nonprofit realm leave you more anxious than empowered, it’s time we talk about your "Identity Upgrade."
In today’s episode, we dive deep into the idea that our identity sometimes lags behind our achievements, leaving us feeling out of sync with our new realities.
🦞 Just like a lobster needs to grow a new shell to move around comfortably in the great big ocean, you need to upgrade your identity to fit your desired goals. 🦞
I'll take you through the concept of identity - how it shapes our actions, influences our reactions to success, and why upgrading our inner narrative is essential for stepping into our power as leaders. From discussing the psychological effects of sudden changes in our external environment to offering tangible steps on crafting a new, empowering identity, this episode is a guide for those ready to transcend their self-imposed limits.
So, are you ready to align your identity with your achievements and lead with confidence and clarity? Dive into the full episode to discover how to navigate the discomfort of growth, the power of surrounding yourself with the right community, and ultimately, how to step fully into your upgraded identity. 🌟
To join the conversation, reach out, or learn more about upgrading your nonprofit leadership identity, head over to RheaWong.com. Let’s embrace this journey together.
Important links:
https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support -
#281 - Humanity + AI with Vilas Dhar
Worried AI will take your job? Fear robots more than global warming? Think AI lacks morals? Well, take a chill pill my nonprofit friends. 💊
Today's guest Vilas Dhar provides a refreshing perspective on AI. Rather than some apocalyptic force, he views it as a "human-centric reflection of our society." Our biases and beliefs shape how it develops.
So who is this optimistic leader guiding us to an ethical AI future? Vilas heads the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, advancing social good through tech. With experience across business, government and nonprofits, he connects communities to steer AI toward human dignity.
Discover how we can distribute AI more broadly so underserved groups have agency to address their needs. Learn what civil society can do now to democratize participation. Hear Vilas' global vision for aligning innovators and people.
The robots aren't coming for us yet, people! 🤖 Tune into this uplifting episode to understand how we shape the ethics and promise of AI. The future remains unwritten - our choices matter.
Important Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vilasdhar/
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support -
#280 - Money Mindset and Fundraising
Are you giving money too much power in your fundraising efforts? Are desperation and scarcity sabotaging your fundraising success? 😣
You’re not alone, my friend. Many leaders try tactic after tactic, only to come up short again and again. Exhausting, right?
But what if the real barrier isn’t your savvy strategy, but your mindset? 💭
On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into money mindset to discover how trauma and the stories we tell ourselves about money affect our fundraising for better or worse.
Here are a few of my takeaways:
🔑 Trauma and money experiences get encoded in our brains and bodies, affecting our fundraising mindsets and results
🔑 Attaching heavy emotion like desperation or scarcity to money activates our fight-or-flight response
🔑This traps us in survival mode rather than abundance - and donors feel that!
🔑By unpacking our money stories and shifting to an abundance mindset, our outer results can transform.
This is where the real work starts. We have to go inward to unearth our subsurface money narratives. What did your family say about money? What emotions come up when you fundraise? When you uncover the answers to these questions and shift your mindset, you’re going to see a huge transformation in your numbers too!
Ready to address inner blocks and finally hit your fundraising goals?
Important Links:
https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz
https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support