Go Beyond Fundraising: The Podcast for Nonprofits Nonprofit Fundraising & Marketing Podcast by Pursuant

Determining the health of your organization can be tricky. The success of one campaign or a decrease in one certain metric isn’t enough to know whether your fundraising efforts are working.

In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Teena Wright, Annual Giving Director at Idaho Public Television, and Debbie Merlino, an Executive Vice President at Allegiance Group + Pursuant. Together, they outline the seven key database metrics you should track to get a better sense of where you stand.

They’ll also address some common questions:
- How often should you look at your data?
-How can you account for seasonality as you compare one time to another?
-What KPIs do you track for a campaign vs. long-term planning?

Listen to the full episode now to get the seven database KPIs that will give you a clear snapshot of the overall relationship donors have with your organization.

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s latest Quarterly Fundraising Report™ is out, and we’re digging in! In this episode of Fundraising Today, VP of Client Strategy Kristin Priest breaks down the key findings that compare overall philanthropic giving trends in 2022 and 2023.
 
The report tracks macro trends in donors, dollars, and retention, then looks deeper at each category. The leading takeaway is that all three show a continued decline, but there is a glimmer of good news. For instance, in 2022, donors were down 10%; but in 2023, they’re only down about 3.4%.

Join us as we discuss what the report means for fundraisers as we prep for the second half of 2024. Will we continue to see decreases, or is this the year that things start to stabilize? Kristin also shares five strategies fundraisers can use to acquire, engage, and retain donors.

Does your organization have a rich history that your donors love? The magic of digital archiving is that it makes historical artifacts available to anyone, anywhere. However, not everyone has the know-how or the technology to properly preserve their physical media for future generations or how to leverage it in fundraising communications. In this episode of Fundraising Today, we'll sit down with Kristen Gwinn-Becker, PhD from HistoryIT, to explore digital archives' challenges, opportunities, and future, emphasizing the power of storytelling and engagement.

Don't miss our webinar with HistoryIT on May 16! Register here: https://info.teamallegiance.com/connecting-with-faces-from-the-past-leveraging-digital-archives-for-non-profit-storytelling-and-engagement

It’s hard to miss the fact that 2024 is an election year. The presidential race is dominating news cycles and social media, but what does it mean for your fundraising efforts? On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Allegiance Group + Pursuant Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker about what nonprofits can expect.

Organizations often fear that political giving will impact their fundraising; however, studies show this simply doesn’t happen. Instead, nonprofits should adjust their timing and approach to campaigns based on the political climate.

Ricker highlights the need for nonprofits to stay agile and responsive to changing advertising policies in terms of ad content, imagery, and cost. He also stresses the power of data to inform how nonprofits address local and national issues in their fundraising. Finally, he emphasizes that while it’s important to be aware of the election, organizations should stay focused on advancing their mission and engaging their donors.

What does it take to start and scale a nonprofit? Elana Frank is still learning, and she’s sharing her lessons in this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast.

Frank is the founder and CEO of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, which provides financial assistance, support, and education to those struggling with infertility. In just nine years, the nonprofit has grown to eight locations across the country. She discusses what she’s learned while scaling the organization, including the qualities she seeks in those hired to lead each location.

Frank also emphasizes how important it is for founders and CEOs to work with a professional business coach, as well as why all leaders need to slow down sometimes and give themselves some grace.

The world is changing, and it’s time for nonprofits to change too — including their boards. To better fulfill your mission, your stakeholders and leaders should reflect the communities you serve. That’s why, on this episode of Fundraising Today and the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re exploring the principles behind DEIAB.

Joining us are Christal Cherry and Dr. Renee Rubin Ross, who work with boards and lead inclusive workshops and conversations. They’ll define what diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging mean for nonprofits and why these principles should begin with your board.

We cover how you can get started with hard conversations, including ways to engage people who may not initially recognize the value of DEIAB work. They also share advice for making sure your efforts become part of the fabric of your organization and are sustained for the long term.