What the Fundraising

Mallory Erickson
  • 4.9 (124)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way.  Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser. There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all. So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you. If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

  1. 1d ago

    Campaign Success Starts Before You Fundraise with Amy Eisenstein & Sarah

    In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, Capital campaigns don't succeed by luck; they succeed through preparation, education, and strong leadership. Today, let's discover why empowering board members with the right knowledge can transform uncertainty into confidence and lay the foundation for a successful fundraising campaign. Meet Amy Eisenstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Capital Campaign Pro, who brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience, including two decades as a fundraising consultant. She is joined by Sarah Plimpton, Vice President and Chief Happiness Officer at Capital Campaign Pro, whose extensive background spans fundraising, campaign leadership, consulting, and nonprofit advisory work. Together, they share practical insights from their experience helping organizations raise transformational gifts and explain the inspiration behind their book, A Board Member's Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. Today's discussion explores why board education is essential, when organizations should begin preparing for a campaign, and how the book can be used as an ongoing resource throughout the fundraising journey. Amy and Sarah explain how stronger partnerships between staff and board members lead to better campaign outcomes, why challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth, and how redefining feasibility studies as "campaign readiness studies" creates a more strategic, relationship-driven approach. They also share actionable recommendations on strategic planning, organizational readiness, and building the confidence needed to execute successful capital campaigns.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand the role of board education in campaigns. Learn when to start campaign preparation. Build board confidence and fundraising knowledge. Address common campaign fears and myths. Strengthen staff-board collaboration. Align campaigns with strategic goals. Small changes can lead to significant cultural shifts over time. Agency in giving is crucial for fostering genuine generosity. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

  2. 5d ago

    Conscious Fundraising: How to Move From Reaction to Intentional Action

    After a week of executive coaching tools, reflections, and strategies, Mallory closes out this series with one of the most important foundations of sustainable growth: consciousness. In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory explores how increasing awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can help fundraisers move from stress-based reactions into more intentional, empowered action. Many fundraisers spend their days in response mode—reacting to challenges, uncertainty, donor behavior, and endless priorities. Mallory shares how executive coaching helps create more space between what happens and how we respond, allowing us to make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear, stress, or automatic patterns. Listeners will learn how to build daily and weekly consciousness practices, give themselves grace while changing old habits, and embrace growth without perfectionism. This episode is a reminder that transformation does not require a complete overhaul—it happens one degree at a time. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the role consciousness plays in fundraising success. Recognize when you are operating from stress responses. Create habits that increase awareness and intentionality. Shift from reactive fundraising to proactive decision-making. Practice self-compassion while building new skills. Move away from perfectionism in your growth journey. Use curiosity instead of criticism when reflecting on your actions. Embrace small, consistent changes that create lasting transformation. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

  3. 6d ago

    You Are Enough: A Reminder for Every Fundraiser Doing The Hard, Important Work

    Fundraising is deeply human work. It requires vulnerability, connection, courage, and the ability to hold the hopes and dreams of an entire community. But in a profession that often carries immense pressure, it can be easy for fundraisers to forget something essential: they are already enough. In this special executive coaching episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson offers a heartfelt reminder to fundraisers everywhere. She shares why self-love, self-compassion, and recognizing your own worth are not barriers to growth—they are the foundation for sustainable impact and meaningful change. Mallory invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves beyond their fundraising goals, job titles, and accomplishments. This episode is a reminder that the people moving resources toward what matters most deserve the same compassion and care they extend to others. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize the true impact and importance of fundraising work. Understand why fundraising is the work—not just what supports the work. Practice self-compassion as a foundation for growth. Release the belief that achievement determines your worth. Reflect on the pressure fundraisers carry every day. Build a healthier relationship with yourself. Replace self-criticism with encouragement and care. Celebrate the meaningful work you are already doin Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

  4. Aug 5

    How Fleeing Discomfort Is Holding Back Your Fundraising

    Fundraising is filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and moments of discomfort—but what happens when those feelings start driving our decisions? In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson dives into the hidden ways fundraisers respond to discomfort and how those stress responses can unintentionally derail fundraising success. Drawing from her executive coaching work and research on fundraiser behavior, Mallory explores how flight and freeze responses show up in everyday fundraising activities. From avoiding donor conversations to endlessly perfecting reports and strategies, these patterns can keep fundraisers stuck in cycles of busy work, scattered action, and missed opportunities. Listeners will learn how to recognize when stress is influencing their fundraising decisions and how to build the capacity to sit with uncertainty, have deeper donor conversations, and take the actions that truly move their organizations forward. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize how discomfort impacts fundraising decisions. Understand the connection between stress responses and fundraising behaviors. Identify when busy work is replacing meaningful fundraising action. Learn why uncertainty can feel so dysregulating. Understand how perfectionism can prevent fundraising progress. Build awareness around avoidance patterns. Develop more conscious responses to fundraising challenges. Create stronger donor relationships through vulnerability and connection. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

  5. Aug 4

    Conscious Values vs. Fear-Based Values: Making Decisions That Truly Align

    Have you ever felt torn between competing priorities—wanting to excel at work while also being present for your family, or saying "yes" to helping everyone even when you're overwhelmed? The tension you feel may not be because your values are unclear, but because they're competing with one another. In this solo coaching episode, Mallory Erickson explores the difference between conscious-based values and fear-based values, and why understanding that distinction can transform the way you make decisions. She explains why it's impossible to express all of your core values all the time, and how consciously choosing which value to prioritize in a given moment can reduce guilt, overwhelm, and decision paralysis. Mallory also introduces a powerful coaching exercise that helps uncover whether a value is truly yours or if it's being driven by fear, people-pleasing, or external expectations. Through practical examples and thoughtful reflection, she invites listeners to examine the beliefs underneath their values so they can make more intentional choices in both fundraising and life. In this episode, you will be able to: Identify your core personal values. Understand why your values naturally compete with one another. Reduce guilt when you can't honor every value simultaneously. Recognize the difference between conscious-based and fear-based values. Identify fear-based beliefs that influence your decisions. Practice converting fear-driven values into conscious choices. Make decisions with greater clarity and intention. Build a values-based approach to fundraising and leadership. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

  6. Aug 3

    Why Discomfort Isn't the Problem: A Better Way to Handle Stress in Fundraising

    Fundraising can be uncomfortable—but what if discomfort isn't actually the problem? In this solo coaching episode, Mallory Erickson introduces one of the foundational concepts of executive coaching: understanding the difference between discomfort and stress. While many fundraisers believe that feeling nervous before a donor meeting means they're doing something wrong, Mallory explains why discomfort is actually a natural sign of growth, uncertainty, and courage. Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings, she shares a practical framework for noticing what's happening in your body, acknowledging your emotions without judgment, and preventing negative self-talk from turning temporary discomfort into chronic stress. Through simple practices you can implement immediately, this episode offers a powerful mindset shift that can help you become a more grounded, confident, and effective fundraiser. In a nutshell: Discomfort isn't something to avoid, it's something to understand. When we stop judging our emotions, we create space to show up with more courage, clarity, and confidence. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the difference between discomfort and stress. Recognize how judgment amplifies difficult emotions. Notice physical signs of discomfort before they affect your actions. Interrupt negative self-talk before it escalates. Practice acknowledging and validating your emotions. Build a healthier relationship with discomfort. Develop greater nervous system regulation. Take fundraising action from courage instead of fear. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

  7. Jul 28

    Fear, Mindset, and Money: How Fundraisers Build Courage for Major Donor Asks

    Behind every successful fundraiser is someone who has learned to face fear, embrace discomfort, and build the confidence to keep moving forward. In this conversation, we explore why mindset, not just strategy, is often the biggest factor in fundraising success. Michael Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of The Fundraising Academy, shares insights drawn from years of coaching fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. Rather than focusing solely on scripts, templates, or techniques, he explains why lasting success begins with understanding the beliefs, emotions, and internal barriers that influence how people approach fundraising. His coaching philosophy emphasizes self-awareness, courage, and personal growth as essential ingredients for becoming a more effective fundraiser. Throughout the conversation, Michael discusses the emotional realities of fundraising, including fear, rejection, and overwhelm, and why these feelings should be normalized instead of ignored. He explores the powerful coaching principle of "naming it to tame it," showing how identifying underlying emotions can reduce their influence. The discussion also highlights the value of safe yet challenging coaching relationships, constructive feedback, emotional regulation, and the importance of leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it.  In a nutshell, fundraising isn't just about making the ask. It's about mastering the emotions that come with it! In this episode, you will be able to: - Understand the emotional side of fundraising. - Recognize fear and discomfort as normal. - Shift from tactics to mindset. - Identify limiting beliefs around fundraising. - Apply the "name it to tame it" approach. - Build emotional regulation skills. - Develop courage to make the ask. - Build a resilient fundraising mindset. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

  8. Jul 21

    Responsible AI Adoption for Grassroots and Justice-Focused Nonprofits with DeAnna Hoskins

    AI is no longer a future trend. It is reshaping how organizations lead, innovate, and create impact today, and nonprofits are no exception.  DeAnna Hoskins is the President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA, an organization led by formerly incarcerated people. She also served as a senior policy advisor during the Obama administration. Her experience in government and nonprofit leadership gives her a unique view on how technology, policy, and community work can come together to create positive change. During the conversation, DeAnna explains why nonprofits should invest in AI training before adopting new tools. She mentions that AI should support people, not replace them, and that human oversight is always important. She also talks about the need to reduce bias in AI, to create clear guidelines for its use, and to continue learning as the technology evolves. Furthermore, DeAnna discusses the role of philanthropy in funding AI education and helping organizations build the skills they need.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Recognize the value of AI training. Use AI with human oversight. Build responsible AI guidelines. Identify AI bias and risks. Create long-term AI strategies. Use AI to support teams. Understand AI funding needs. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

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4.9
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About

What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way.  Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser. There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all. So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you. If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

Information

  • Creator
    Mallory Erickson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    324
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mallory Erickson Coaching
  • Show Website
    What the Fundraising

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