Purpose & Profit Club® – The Nonprofit Fundraising & Marketing Podcast

Christina Tzavaras Edwards

Ready to stop fundraising the old way and start doubling results? Join nonprofit strategist Christina Tzavaras Edwards for bold, fast-action tactics that help you 2X your next fundraiser and build a community fueled by generosity. From leveraging the Social Street Team®: Influencer Marketing Method to mastering courageous fundraising asks, this podcast equips you with the mindset and strategies needed to spark deep engagement and sustainable growth—no extra workload required.Music by The Selmanaires, featuring "Selmanaire Rock." Visit http://www.splendidatl.com/podcast for more.

  1. 3D AGO

    186: 6 Indicators Your Fundraising Strategy Needs to Change

    What if your fundraising challenges aren’t about effort, but about design? In this episode, I break down six indicators that your fundraising strategy may be quietly underperforming. If your team feels tired, campaigns feel heavier every time, or growth has plateaued despite working harder, this conversation will give you clarity. I unpack the hidden signs I see in nonprofit teams: overreliance on a few people, waiting instead of inviting, campaign cold starts, stalled monthly giving, and measuring success by campaign rather than by donor. This episode is about momentum, alignment, and designing a fundraising engine that compounds instead of resets. If you’ve ever said “we’ve tried everything,” this one is for you. Topics: Why “we’ve tried everything” is often a strategy design issueThe difference between momentum problems and donor problemsWorking harder vs. working with leverageThe danger of relying on the same few peopleWhy waiting instead of inviting stalls growthCold-start campaigns and donor churnWhy monthly giving fails without primingMeasuring success per donor vs. per campaignStrategy hopping vs. shared operating systemsDesigning fundraising systems that compound over time For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    26 min
  2. FEB 17

    185: Strategic Networking That Actually Grows Revenue (Without Being Cringey)

    If you want bigger gifts, stronger partnerships, and more sustainable revenue, you can’t grow in isolation. In this episode, I’m breaking down what strategic networking actually looks like for nonprofit leaders, and why staying hidden in your inbox is one of the fastest ways to stall growth. This isn’t about awkward mixers, cheesy pitches, or forcing yourself to be someone you’re not. It’s about intentionally placing yourself in rooms where influence, generosity, and decision-making already exist, and learning how to show up with confidence, clarity, and alignment. I talk about why familiar routines keep organizations stuck at the same revenue ceilings, how one conversation can collapse years of cultivation, and the exact types of rooms nonprofit leaders should prioritize if they want to raise more without burning out. If you’re ready to stop doing great work quietly and start building real momentum, this episode will shift how you think about networking forever. Topics: Why nonprofit growth requires proximity, not more hustleThe difference between old-school networking and strategic networkingHow one conversation can bypass years of donor cultivationWhy staying “in your lane” keeps revenue cappedThe four types of rooms nonprofit leaders must prioritizeHow to network without feeling salesy or awkwardWhy asking great questions makes you more memorableHow visibility leads to funding opportunitiesBuilding a consistent networking habit without burnoutTurning conversations into warm introductions and partnerships For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    24 min
  3. FEB 10

    184: The Familiarity Trap: Why “Good Enough” Is Slowing Your Fundraising

    I see this pattern constantly with nonprofit leaders: staying busy, staying loyal to systems and strategies that feel familiar, and wondering why results have plateaued. Today, I break down what I call the familiarity trap,  the tendency to cling to fundraising tactics, tools, and routines not because they’re effective, but because they’re comfortable. I talk about how burnout often shows up as indecision, avoidance, and endless tinkering instead of forward momentum. I unpack why familiarity feels safe to the brain, how it keeps leaders stuck in low-impact work, and why decisiveness (not perfection) is the fastest way out. If you’re circling the same decisions, rewriting the same content, avoiding donor outreach, or telling yourself you’ll “deal with it later,” this episode will help you recognize what’s actually happening and show you how to interrupt the cycle with clarity and courage. Topics: What the familiarity trap is and why it’s so common in nonprofitsHow burnout shows up as indecision and avoidanceWhy “thinking about thinking” keeps leaders stuckThe neuroscience behind comfort, fear, and decision-makingWhy decisiveness beats perfection every timeHow familiar tasks drain energy without moving revenueThe cost of delaying donor outreach and key decisionsHow to choose one path and commit long enough to see resultsThe difference between being careful and being stalled For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    25 min
  4. FEB 3

    183: The Real Reason Fundraising Burnout Keeps Coming Back

    If you’ve found yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or wondering how you’re supposed to do another year of fundraising like this, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m breaking down what fundraising burnout actually is and why it keeps showing up for capable, committed nonprofit leaders. This isn’t about working harder, pushing through, or needing more discipline. Most burnout isn’t solved by rest alone. It comes from carrying too many open decisions, too many mental tabs, and too much responsibility without enough structure or support. I talk about how stress cycles stay open in fundraising, how avoidance and indecision quietly drain your energy, and why clarity and decisiveness often bring more relief than another day off. I also share practical ways to close loops, reduce overwhelm, and rebuild momentum without burning yourself out again. If fundraising has started to feel heavy or unsustainable, this episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and give you a clearer, more supportive path forward. Topics: What is fundraising burnout, and what it isn’tWhy burnout is often a stress cycle, not just exhaustionDecision fatigue and its impact on fundraising momentumHow avoidance and “tinkering” worsen burnoutWhy rest alone doesn’t close open mental loopsThe power of decisiveness as a leadership toolHow to break big, overwhelming tasks into bite-sized actionsUsing movement to complete the stress cycleIdentifying what’s urgent vs. what just feels urgentBuilding systems that reduce burnout long-term For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    29 min
  5. JAN 27

    182: From Overwhelmed to Organized — Your 2026 Fundraising Reset

    If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and still staring at the same fundraising numbers, this episode is your reset. In this episode, I’m breaking down why most nonprofit leaders don’t actually need more ideas, tactics, or tools; they need better systems, clearer priorities, and fewer distractions. I walk through the hidden reasons fundraising can feel chaotic, how “busy” can disguise stagnation, and what it actually looks like to move from reactive mode to focused, revenue-driving leadership. I talk about simplifying your calendar, choosing fewer strategies that actually convert, and building a fundraising rhythm that supports growth without burnout. This episode is for nonprofit leaders who are done carrying everything alone and ready to organize their fundraising to create momentum, confidence, and results in 2026. Topics: Why overwhelm is a systems problem, not a motivation problemHow “busy work” keeps revenue flatThe cost of running too many fundraising strategies at onceWhat it really means to get organized for growthWhy clarity beats hustle in modern fundraisingHow to simplify your calendar without slowing momentumThe difference between activity and progressBuilding a repeatable fundraising rhythm for 2026Leading with confidence instead of reactionCreating space for sustainable fundraising success For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    34 min
  6. JAN 20

    181: From $2,500 to $10,825: How a Classical Music Nonprofit Won with a SPRINT Campaign

    What does it really look like to run a focused fundraising SPRINT™ without a gala, a big team, or running yourself into the ground? In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Ihnen, Executive Director of Live Music Project, for an honest conversation about what actually changed when she simplified her approach and trusted momentum over perfection. In just two weeks, Megan raised 108% of her campaign goal, not by doing more, but by doing the right things in the right order. We talk about what happens when you stop overcomplicating fundraising, shorten the timeline, lean into direct, human asks, and activate the network you already have. We also get real about burnout, fear of asking, donor psychology, matching gifts, peer-to-peer fundraising, and why speed and clarity almost always outperform polish. If you’re feeling stretched thin, second-guessing your strategy, or stuck repeating tactics that aren’t moving the needle, this episode will help you see what’s possible when fundraising finally works with you instead of against you. Topics: Why collapsing timelines creates fundraising momentumMoving from burnout to clarity with sprint-style campaignsActivating your personal network without guilt or fearThe power of texting and direct human asksMatching gifts as momentum multipliersBoard and peer-to-peer fundraising done simplyNavigating rejection, silence, and donor non-responseUsing AI as a thought partner, not a replacementStewardship and nurturing after a successful SPRINT™Turning one campaign into a repeatable fundraising system For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    46 min
  7. JAN 13

    180: The Anti-Gala: How Board-Led Micro Events Bring In New Major Donors

    In this episode, I’m joined again by Nathan Ruby, Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH), who has spent more than twenty years raising major gifts, and doing it without relying on galas, grants, or flashy events. Instead, Nathan has built a deeply effective fundraising engine through micro events: small, relationship-centered gatherings hosted by board members and key volunteers. Nathan walks us through the exact structure of these 45-minute “CPM events,” why they consistently attract the right donors, and how they eliminate the burnout, costs, and low ROI that plague traditional events. We talk about capacity-based invitations, board coaching, donor psychology, follow-up strategy, and why the biggest gifts usually happen after the event, not during. If you want a practical, high-impact, board-friendly strategy for securing major gifts in 2026 and beyond, this conversation will give you the blueprint. Topics: Why traditional galas are expensive, draining, and rarely profitable long-termWhat micro events (CPMs) are, and why they outperform large eventsHow to structure a 45-minute micro event for maximum connectionWhy small groups (even 2–3 couples) lead to stronger donor relationshipsHow to help board members invite the right people with capacityThe role of the ED in follow-up and major gift cultivationHow international or remote nonprofits can use micro events to expand nationallyWhy fundraising is ultimately about relationships For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    29 min
  8. JAN 6

    179: [Part 2] The 2026 Fundraising Trends Every Nonprofit Leader Should Know

    In Part 2 of my 2026 Fundraising Trends series, we’re going deeper into the tools, tech, and leadership shifts that will define nonprofit growth this year.  If Part 1 was about strategy and visibility, this episode is about the systems and decision-making that actually make those strategies possible. I discuss upgrading outdated CRMs and donation tools, the rise of AI-assisted fundraising, the acceleration of donor-advised fund (DAF) giving, why leaders must color outside the lines to stay relevant, and how decision speed has become a key competitive advantage for nonprofits. I close with a look at the tech-driven donor experience, a world where frictionless giving, mobile-first design, SMS, and fast follow-up matter more than ever. If you’re committed to modernizing your fundraising and leading boldly in 2026, these two-part episodes are your roadmap. Topics: Why Q1 is the perfect time to evaluate and upgrade CRMs, donation tools, and ESPsHow outdated tech silently kills conversion, retention, and reportingThe rise of AI-assisted fundraising as a normal acceleratorHow to use AI without losing your voice, authenticity, or accuracyDonor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming a mainstream giving vehicleWhy nonprofits must “color outside the lines” and break legacy rulesThe need to drop slow, outdated tactics (raffles, auctions, galas) for modern, efficient onesDecision speed is a leadership advantage that drives revenuePerfectionism and committees as momentum killers in 2026The shift toward frictionless giving: SMS, mobile-first donations, automations, and welcome flows For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HERE Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

    32 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Ready to stop fundraising the old way and start doubling results? Join nonprofit strategist Christina Tzavaras Edwards for bold, fast-action tactics that help you 2X your next fundraiser and build a community fueled by generosity. From leveraging the Social Street Team®: Influencer Marketing Method to mastering courageous fundraising asks, this podcast equips you with the mindset and strategies needed to spark deep engagement and sustainable growth—no extra workload required.Music by The Selmanaires, featuring "Selmanaire Rock." Visit http://www.splendidatl.com/podcast for more.

You Might Also Like