Sustainable Giving

Dave Raley
  • 5.0 (4)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Sustainable Giving Podcast is your go-to show for exploring the future of fundraising through the lens of sustainable recurring giving. Hosted by Dave Raley—author of The Rise of Sustainable Giving and founder of Imago Consulting—the podcast brings together change makers, strategists, and nonprofit leaders for candid conversations that inspire action and spark innovation. Start listening now!

  1. FEB 4

    Turning Belief Into Action: From Crisis-tunity to Consistent Giving

    What if sustainable giving isn’t just a funding strategy, but part of your mission itself?   In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, Dave Raley sits down with with Eddie Kahler, Executive Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Christian University, to unpack an honest, hopeful, and highly practical story of transformation. What started as a looming funding deadline quickly became a breakthrough moment, one that reshaped how Eddie and his team think about generosity, discipleship, and long-term impact.   Recorded live during our Sustainable Giving Workshop last week, this conversation traces TCU Wesley’s journey from cautious experimentation to nearly quadrupling their recurring giving in just one year.   Along the way, Eddie shares what surprised him most, what fears were disproven, and how leaning into community (rather than doing everything alone) made all the difference.   Key Topics They Cover: From Crisis to “Crisis-tunity” 💪🏻 A looming staffing funding gap became the catalyst for innovation, reframing urgency as opportunity and sparking meaningful change. Recurring Giving vs. One-Time Gifts (Spoiler: They’re Not Competing) 🥳 Eddie shares how leading with monthly giving actually increased overall donations during key campaigns, including a major giving day. Turning Donor Insight Into Resonant Messaging ✨ Alumni surveys revealed one powerful word—home—which became the heart of TCU Wesley’s recurring giving program and donor storytelling. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone 🤝 From students with design skills to board members stepping into donor communication, sustainable giving became a shared effort, not a solo grind. When Generosity Becomes the Mission 😎 A mindset shift from “fundraising supports ministry” to “growing generosity is ministry” with powerful implications for leadership, discipleship, and donor relationships. So what might change if you stopped seeing recurring giving as a tactic... and started seeing it as formation?   Key Resources: Learn more about TCU WesleyConnect with Eddie on LinkedInDiscover more about RISEConnect with Dave on LinkedIn  Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Tom, Victoria, Kirsten, Michelle and Abigail.

    28 min

  2. JAN 21

    Why Monthly Donors Matter More Than Ever: Lessons from 40 Years of Fundraising

    What if the key to long-term impact isn’t raising more money, but building giving that actually lasts? Is monthly giving still being treated like a side tactic when it should be core strategy? In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley welcomes fundraising pioneer Harvey McKinnon, one of the earliest and most influential voices in the recurring giving movement. With more than 40 years of experience, and decades of data to back it up, Harvey brings clarity, candor, and perspective to a conversation many nonprofits urgently need to revisit. Together, Dave and Harvey explore how monthly giving became foundational to sustainable philanthropy, why so many organizations still hesitate to fully invest in it, and what leaders can do, whether they’re just getting started or ready to scale. From emergency response moments to lifelong donor relationships, this conversation is both practical and deeply human. Key Topics They Cover: Why Monthly Giving Is Foundational to Sustainable Philanthropy Harvey shares what led him to write How to Create Lifelong Donors Through Monthly Giving and the moment he realized recurring giving wasn’t just a tactic, but essential infrastructure. The Compounding Power of Lifelong Donors Why monthly donors consistently give more per year, stay longer, and upgrade more often, and how those effects multiply over time. Scaling vs. Starting: Two Very Different Journeys Clear guidance for leaders looking to scale an existing recurring program, alongside simple, high-leverage starting moves for organizations at ground zero. Persistent Myths That Hold Monthly Giving Back From short-term thinking to internal silos, Harvey names the misconceptions that keep organizations from investing wisely in recurring revenue. Recurring Giving Across Borders: Canada, the U.S., and Europe What geography and culture reveal about donor behavior, and what North American nonprofits can learn from global approaches. Also in this episode, they talk about: Turning emergency response into long-term donor relationships Why investment mindset matters more than tactics How leadership incentives can unintentionally block progress The importance of ease, urgency, and perceived impact Why monthly donors are your strongest legacy giving prospects What would change if your organization treated monthly giving as essential, not optional? Key Resources: Visit Harvey's WebsiteConnect with Harvey on LinkedInGet Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable GivingConnect with Dave on LinkedIn Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    55 min

  3. JAN 6

    The Neuroscience of Generosity: How Recurring Giving Rewires Behavior

    Why do donors say one thing… but do something completely different — and what does that mean for building generosity that lasts? In this episode, Dave Raley sits down with the brilliant (and very fun) Cherian Koshy — author of Neurogiving, globally recognized fundraising strategist, and newly-minted VP at Kindsight — for a lively conversation about what’s actually happening inside the donor brain. This is not your typical “fundraising best practices” episode. This is behavioral science meets generosity… with a side of humor, identity psychology, and a whole lot of practical insight for anyone trying to grow recurring generosity. Together, Dave and Cherian explore why donors move from considering a gift to actually giving, why monthly giving turns out to be a trust-building superpower, and how fundraisers can create donor experiences that feel easier, lighter, and more human. If you’ve ever wondered why donors behave the way they do (or why your “surefire” campaign didn’t perform the same way twice), this episode is a goldmine. Key Topics They Talk About: 1. The Story Behind Neurogiving How frustration, curiosity, and years of field-tested research led Cherian to compile one of the most comprehensive behavioral-science-driven resources in fundraising. The gap he saw between “best practices” and actual donor behavior — and why the sector needed better data, not just anecdotes.2. What Donors Say vs. What Donors Do Why donors genuinely believe their stated motivations… yet behave differently when making real decisions. How cognitive load, emotional triggers, identity, and bias shape donor behavior far more than stated intention. Why optimizing for what donors do (not what they claim) leads to better repeatability and sustainability.3. Consistency, Trust & the Donor Brain The neuroscience behind why repeated positive experiences strengthen trust like a muscle.The “relaxed confidence” donors develop when nonprofits consistently follow through. How recurring giving acts as a trust engine — not just a revenue model.4. Habit Formation & Donor Behavior How repetition rewires neural pathways and transforms giving from decision → habit → identity. Why donors who give repeatedly are far more likely to stay long-term, upgrade, or eventually make legacy gifts.5. Applying Behavioral Science to Recurring Giving Why offering one clear action (vs. 7 options) dramatically increases follow-through.How defaults, simplicity, and identity-based messaging increase conversion and retention. The science-backed reason “the enemy of fundraising isn’t ‘no’ — it’s ‘not now.’” Also in this episode, they talk about: Single gifts vs. recurring commitments: how the brain processes them differently How nonprofits accidentally create friction that slows generosity Why recurring donors are more likely to advocate for you publicly The long-term psychological benefits of habitual giving AI, personalization, and the ethical questions fundraisers must wrestle with next What would fundraising look like if your donor experience made giving feel effortless — even automatic?Key Resources: 1. Get Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving: sustainablegiving.org 2. Explore Cherian’s work: neurogivingbook.com 3. More from Cherian: cheriankoshy.com 4. Connect with Cherian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy 5. Register for the Sustainable Giving Workshop: imago.consulting/workshop 6. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    55 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    From Crowdfunding to Community: Giving Circles and Sustainable Giving

    How could giving circles reshape the future of philanthropy — and what might they unlock for your nonprofit? In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, Dave sits down with Emily Rasmussen, Founder & CEO of Grapevine and one of the leading voices in the modern collective giving movement. From her early life as a professional ballet dancer to her work in microfinance in rural India to now building the largest platform dedicated to giving circles, Emily brings a truly unique perspective to what generosity can look like when people do it together. This conversation moves fast (in the best way!) as Dave and Emily dive into the resurgence of community-driven philanthropy, the psychology behind recurring generosity, and why giving circles just might be one of the biggest under-the-radar bright spots in the entire fundraising landscape. If you care about connection, recurring giving, and the future of generosity… this one’s for you. Key Topics They Cover: 1. Emily’s Unexpected Journey to Philanthropy From professional ballet to global arts leadership to microfinance in rural India How her early work in hyper-local, community-led financing became a blueprint for her later work in philanthropy The common thread: using creativity and community to unlock impact 2. The Deep Roots of Collective Giving Giving circles: newer term, ancient concept Cultural traditions like tontines, susus, and self-help groups as early models Why doing good together is resurging now — and how it answers today’s loneliness + disconnection crisis 3. What Giving Circles Actually Are (and Why They Matter) A clear, simple definition (100 people × $100 → $10,000 grant) How members nominate, vote, learn, and build lasting relationships “The Four C’s”: Community, Collective Resources, Collaboration, and Continuation Why giving circles create real belonging, not transactional giving 4. The Powerful Connection Between Giving Circles & Sustainable Recurring Giving Stunning data: Only ~2% of new nonprofit donations are set to recur (GivingTuesday Data Commons) 50–80%+ of new giving-circle donations on Grapevine recur Why recurring giving is “baked in” to the giving circle model How collective models build trust, accountability, and long-term donor loyalty naturally 5. How Nonprofit Leaders Can Tap Into the Giving Circle Movement How to find circles already giving in your region or cause area Why nonprofits should ask their donors whether they’re in one The rise of nonprofit-created giving circles + group-based donor communities How giving circles can supercharge board engagement, next-gen donors, and mid-level giving They Also Talk About: The role of trust, transparency, and “the five T’s” of generosity How Grapevine supports giving circles with infrastructure, community tools, and the global directory The surprising overlap between giving circles and workplace giving How companies are experimenting with employee-led giving circles Why generosity evolves with culture — and why that’s actually encouraging So… what might happen if your community had a giving circle of its own? Or if you joined one yourself? Watch or Listen: Watch this episode now by clicking the video above, or by visiting Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Key Resources: ⁠GivingTuesday Data & Research “Growing Giving” Research Explore Grapevine Connect with Emily on LinkedIn Grab Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving Discover more episodes of the Sustainable Giving podcast Register for the Sustainable Giving Workshop Connect with Dave on LinkedIn Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    44 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    Emergency Relief to Sustainable Impact: How to Keep Crisis Donors for the Long Haul

    How do you turn an emergency donor into a lifelong partner in impact? When disaster strikes, generosity surges — but what happens when the headlines fade? In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley sits down with Vila-Sheree Watson, Vice President for Development & Membership at Bread for the World and author of the Bag Secured newsletter, to talk about transforming urgency into lasting generosity. With nearly three decades of experience in humanitarian fundraising and advocacy, Vila-Sheree shares practical, hard-earned wisdom for any nonprofit leader navigating the space between crisis response and sustainable impact. This one’s equal parts strategy, storytelling, and inspiration — with plenty of laughs along the way. Topics They Cover:  From Emergency to Endurance: How to move beyond one-time disaster gifts and design donor journeys that last long after the crisis fades. Turning Urgency into Habit: Vila-Sheree’s framework for helping donors connect their immediate compassion to long-term impact, and why “habit” is the secret ingredient to retention. Retention by Design, Not Luck: What it takes to intentionally plan for donor retention, including the digital tactics and messaging rhythms that keep people engaged. The “Sustainer-First” Mindset: Why leading with recurring giving (even during emergencies!) can double lifetime donor value, and how to make that ask feel natural. The Evolution of One-to-One Giving: What Vila-Sheree learned from years leading child sponsorship programs, and how to carry that human connection into today’s digital, subscription-style world. Also in this episode, they talk about:  What Bread for the World teaches us about sustaining engagement in advocacy work Why donor acquisition should never be the first budget cut The importance of storytelling and dignity when representing program participants How organizations can prepare now for the “next” crisis The power of bringing humanity (and humor!) back into fundraising What could your organization do today to make generosity last tomorrow? Key Resources: Retaining Emergency Donors Before They Disappear Discover more about the work Vila-Sheree does at https://www.bread.org and https://bagsecured.substack.com/ Get to know Vila-Sheree Get to know Dave Raley Discover more about the Sustainable Giving podcast⁠ The Rise of Sustainable Giving Book⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026 Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Victoria and Kirsten.

    53 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    Building Endurance in Sustainable Giving: The Joshua Fund’s Explosive Growth Story

    What does it take to build an organization — and a life — that can go the distance? In this episode of The Sustainable Giving podcast, host ⁠⁠Dave Raley sits down with Chris Free, Senior Director of Communications & Advancement at The Joshua Fund, to unpack what it really looks like to build endurance — both personally and organizationally. From his beginnings as a filmmaker and storyteller to leading one of the most remarkable transformations in recurring giving we’ve seen, Chris shares the inside story of how The Joshua Fund grew from $5.3M to $18.6M in five years, with 47% of their revenue now coming from recurring donors. They dig into the heart behind the data, exploring how storytelling, discipline, and faith intersect to create something truly sustainable. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or simply someone who cares about long-term impact, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about what it means to build something that lasts. Key Topics They Discuss: The Power of Storytelling in Generosity How Chris’s early career as a filmmaker shaped his passion for purpose-driven storytelling,  and how that foundation now fuels The Joshua Fund’s mission and donor engagement. From Campaigns to Continuity The pivotal “aha moment” when Chris realized recurring giving wasn’t just a tactic. It was a mindset shift toward long-term sustainability. Building Systems that Sustain The real-life process of implementing sustainable giving practices, from adopting Fundraise Up to reworking donor experiences and automating communication flows. Transformation & Tangible Results How The Joshua Fund nearly doubled its recurring giving program and grew overall revenue 2.5x,  and what that stability means for impact, planning, and peace of mind. Endurance for the Long Run Parallels between marathon running and leadership: the discipline of consistency, learning to pace yourself, and the courage to keep going when you “hit the wall.” Also in this episode, they talk about: Lessons from The Sustainable Giving Accelerator and how it reshaped The Joshua Fund’s culture. The importance of data over ego — why objective insights always win. How crisis moments can drive innovation in fundraising. The role of automation in scaling meaningful donor relationships. Why January (or September!) doesn’t have to be scary when half your revenue is already recurring. What if your organization could move from reaction to rhythm; from chasing donations to cultivating generosity that lasts? Additional Resources: ⁠The Rise of Sustainable Giving Book⁠⁠The Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026 Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    54 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Sustainable Giving Podcast LIVE: Growing Sustainable Giving this GivingTuesday

    What happens when the world’s biggest day of generosity meets the rise of the subscription economy? In this special LIVE edition of The Sustainable Giving podcast, host ⁠Dave Raley⁠ is joined by ⁠Woodrow Rosenbaum⁠, Chief Data Officer at ⁠GivingTuesday⁠, for a deep and energizing conversation on how generosity is evolving, and how nonprofit leaders can turn one powerful day into lasting, sustainable impact. Broadcast live on LinkedIn and made possible by ⁠CharityEngine⁠ — with a special word from Vice President of Marketing, ⁠Dave Martin⁠ — this episode unpacks what’s happening at the intersection of technology, culture, and generosity — and how organizations can build year-round giving strategies rooted in belonging, not burnout. Key Topics They Covered: 1. The Future of Generosity: Woodrow shares the scale and scope of GivingTuesday’s global impact, and how the data shows generosity is more participatory, community-driven, and sustainable than ever before. 2. The Rise of Sustainable Giving: Dave and Woodrow explore the momentum behind recurring giving — noting that 12% of GivingTuesday donors last year became monthly givers — and what that tells us about the future of donor loyalty. 3. Four Insights to Grow Sustainable Giving This GivingTuesday: Dave outlines four proven strategies from the field: - Start early, stay late: Treat GivingTuesday as a season, not a single day. - Lead with recurring: Make monthly giving the hero of your campaign. - Incentivize conversion: Use simple, delightful nudges like match offers or special perks. - Leverage multiple channels: Align your message across email, social, direct mail, and events for a unified story. 4. Leveraging Shared Moments for Lasting Impact: The conversation turns to how shared cultural moments like GivingTuesday create belonging, spark participation, and, when leveraged well, lead to higher retention and deeper connection. 5. Launch of the Sustainable Giving Certification: Dave announces the new Sustainable Giving Certification, designed to recognize technology and service providers that enable recurring giving at scale. CharityEngine was recognized as the Founding Certified Partner for its leadership in sustainable giving technology. Also in this episode, they talked about: - How data insights from GivingTuesday reveal shifting donor behaviors. - The link between technology, donor experience, and long-term retention. - Practical steps for smaller nonprofits with limited tech resources. - The importance of aligning providers and platforms with sustainable giving principles. - Highlights from the Sustainable Giving Workshop and upcoming opportunities to engage. What if your next GivingTuesday campaign didn’t end after 24 hours — but built a foundation for year-round generosity? Get to Know the Presenters:⁠ - Learn more about Woodrow Rosenbaum⁠⁠ - Learn more about Dave Martin ⁠⁠- Learn more about Dave Raley⁠ Additional Resources: The Rise of Sustainable Giving BookThe Sustainable Giving Workshop 2026Sustainable Giving AcceleratorRecent Wave Report: “Growing Sustainable Giving This GivingTuesday”GivingTuesday ResourcesGrowing Giving Research⁠Latest Research (GivingTuesday Data)CharityEngine Sticky SustainersCharityEngine Sustainer Calculator Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    54 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    Don’t Wait, Just Start: Simple Steps to Monthly Giving Success

    What if the biggest opportunity in fundraising has been quietly waiting all along — hidden in plain sight? In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, host Dave Raley chats with Erica Waasdorp, President of A Direct Solution, longtime champion of monthly giving, and self-proclaimed “Philanthropyholic.” From her early career at Reader’s Digest in Amsterdam to 30+ years helping nonprofits grow recurring giving programs around the world, Erica has seen it all, and she’s here to share the lessons that last. Together, Dave and Erica dive into what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in the world of recurring giving, from the first direct-debit donors in Europe to the digital subscription era today. They unpack the tactics, mindset, and global insights that help organizations build sustainable, recession-resistant revenue, and what the next generation of fundraisers needs to know. Whether you’re just getting started with recurring giving or looking to take your program to the next level, this conversation is packed with wisdom, wit, and plenty of inspiration. Key Topics They Cover: The Evolution of Recurring Giving: How monthly giving has transformed from mail and phone to digital-first—and why some organizations are still playing catch-up. The Commitment Gap: Why many nonprofits still treat monthly giving as an afterthought—and how shifting from a “single-gift mindset” to a sustainability mindset changes everything. Tactics That Still Work: Erica’s go-to strategies, from adding a simple “Give Monthly” button to leveraging donor testimonials, direct mail, and even the humble thank-you letter. Lessons from Around the World: What generosity looks like in different cultures—and why human behavior (and the desire to help) is far more universal than we think. The Next Generation of Sustainable Fundraisers: What today’s leaders can do to invest in recurring giving, mentor the next wave, and build long-term programs that inspire both donors and staff. Also in this episode, they talk about:  How Dutch directness inspired A Direct Solution, and why honesty matters in fundraising Why smaller monthly gifts can lead to major legacy gifts later The underrated power of direct mail and phone calls in a digital world What European fundraisers got right decades ago, and what the U.S. can learn The simple truth behind “Just start—and keep going” If recurring giving is the key to sustainability, what’s stopping your organization from planting that first seed today? Additional Resources: Register for the 2026 Sustainable Giving Workshop. Pick up a copy of Dave's book, "⁠The Rise of Sustainable Giving⁠." Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Sustainable Giving Podcast is your go-to show for exploring the future of fundraising through the lens of sustainable recurring giving. Hosted by Dave Raley—author of The Rise of Sustainable Giving and founder of Imago Consulting—the podcast brings together change makers, strategists, and nonprofit leaders for candid conversations that inspire action and spark innovation. Start listening now!

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Raley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dave Raley
  • Show Website
    Sustainable Giving