The Nonprofit Podcast

Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger
  • 4.7 (29)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

The Nonprofit Podcast is your weekly dose of real-talk fundraising, designed for the doers, dreamers, and difference-makers powering today’s nonprofit world.Hosted by Jena Lynch, Donorbox’s Education & Community Engagement Manager, and fundraising strategist Britt Stockert, CFRE, each episode delivers clear, practical insights you can act on right away, no fluff, no filler.You’ll also hear from Cara Augspurger, Ed.M., CFRE, ED of Grace Care Center Foundation, sharing field updates and frontline perspectives.Whether you’re building something new or leveling up your impact, we bring you bold ideas, honest conversations, and tools to help you fundraise smarter and lead with confidence.Information. Inspiration. Implementation. Impact.That’s the energy we bring…every week.Let’s get to work.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 226| The Science of Giving: Donor Confidence, Decoded

    Send us Fan Mail Why - and when - do donors actually trust your organization? Every gift is a decision, and every decision has mechanics. Donorbox has mapped them in a new field guide, 10 Principles of Donor Conversion and Retention: The Science of Giving. It draws on published research into why donors give and why they stop. In the first of two episodes that break down the mechanics of the giving decision, Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert talk us through the six principles that build donor confidence: transparency, credibility, congruence, security, impactful messaging, and reciprocation. Along the way, they unpack the changes the guide recommends nonprofits make before Giving Season. About half of first-time donors never make a second gift. The research suggests that’s rarely a marketing problem. It’s a design problem, and it’s fixable. The guide is built to be used, not just read. It closes with a ten-principle self-audit: one yes-or-no test per principle, to score before any campaign goes live. Every “no” marks a specific, fixable conversion loss. Each principle also comes with practical steps a fundraiser can complete without a developer. Each principle is grounded in behavioral science, from the goal gradient effect to the reciprocity norm, and brought to life with examples from Britt’s coaching. It’s practical listening for any fundraiser focused on donor conversion and retention heading into year-end. Download your FREE copy of Donorbox’s 10 Principles of Donor Conversion and Retention: The Science of Giving today, and run the self-audit before your campaign goes live. It’s a practical first step toward turning this Giving Season’s first-time donors into next year’s repeat supporters. So, what are we talking about? Donors rarely evaluate an organization consciously. Nobody sits on a donation page weighing credibility. But donors notice when something feels off, and they leave without explaining why. That makes donor confidence hard to measure and easy to lose. Each of the six confidence principles maps to a question donors are quietly asking, from “Where does my money actually go?” to “Did anyone notice that I gave?” Building donor confidence doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It starts with spotting the small things that make someone hesitate, and addressing them before Giving Season traffic arrives. Chapters 00:00 - Why First-Time Donors Don’t Return 01:54 - Defining Confidence vs. Friction 04:09 - Principle 1: Transparency (Where the Money Goes) 06:54 - The Goal Gradient Effect & Visible Progress 07:56 - Principle 2: Credibility & Social Proof 11:31 - Principle 3: Congruence & Consistent Branding 16:01 - DonorBox Field Guide Overview 16:25 - Principle 4: Payment Security & Loss Aversion 19:10 - Principle 5: Impactful Messaging (Stories vs. Numbers) 22:22 - The Identifiable Victim Effect 23:37 - Principle 6: Reciprocation & Meaningful Thank-Yous 26:58 - The Reciprocity Norm & Retention Impact 29:01 - Key Takeaways & Next Steps for Giving Season About the Hosts Jena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox and anchor of The Nonprofit Podcast, a 2025 Silver Anthem Award winner. She speaks regularly to nonprofit audiences on donor stewardship and retention. Britt Stockert is a Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox with more than 20 years of public-sector experience. She coaches nonprofit teams one-on-one and serves on the board of an immigrant- and refugee-led nonprofit. About Donorbox Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide. Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance. Support the show

    Ep 226| The Science of Giving: Donor Confidence, Decoded

  2. Oct 8

    Ep 225| DAF Donors Have Already Said Yes

    Send us Fan Mail Happy DAF Day. Here's something to think about. Nearly one in four dollars of individual giving in the US now moves through donor advised funds, and DAF giving is growing 8X faster than everything else. Jena Lynch and Cara Augspurger get into who DAF donors really are (**Spoiler** not all are billionaires - most give under $1,000), why they tend to stay longer and give more, and where in the past these gifts have run into friction for donors and nonprofits alike. Then Jena shares what Donorbox launched today: DAFPay, powered by Chariot and built right into your Donorbox OmniGive donation form. It's available on the Pro and Premium tiers for US-registered 501(c)(3) organizations. See how Donorbox DAFPay works here New to DAFs? Download Episode 192, Cara’s DAF 101. In this episode: What a donor-advised fund is, in plain terms, and why the decision to give has already been madeWho DAF donors really are, and why the “wealthy donors only” picture is wrongWhere DAF gifts can get stuck, for donors and for nonprofitsThe receipting mistake that can turn into an IRS headacheHow Donorbox DAFPay brings DAF giving onto your OmniGive donation formAnd if you’re ready for a deeper dive, here are links to the research reports and resources mentioned in the show: Donorbox Pro and Premium plansEpisode 192: Cara’s DAF fundamentals episodeChariot 2026 DAF Fundraising Report Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative Donorbox Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to DAF Day and the Growth of DAFs 00:29 The Rise of Donor-Advised Funds in Giving 01:20 Cara’s Perspective on DAF Trends 02:28 Understanding What a DAF Is and How It Works 03:20 Who Are DAF Donors and Why They Give 05:03 Common Misconceptions About DAF Donors 08:09 The Rapid Growth and Scale of DAFs 09:37 How DAFs Distribute Funds Faster  10:16 Donor Demographics and Giving Patterns 12:14 Impact of DAFs on Donor Support and Giving Behavior 13:59 The Challenges of Managing DAF Gifts for Nonprofits 19:19 Making DAF Giving Easier: Chariot DAFPay on Donorbox 22:37 Practical Steps for Nonprofits to Engage DAF Donors About Donorbox Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide. Learn more at donorbox.org.  Jena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox and host of The Nonprofit Podcast. She speaks widely on donor relationships and fundraising at conferences, webinars, and on other shows.  Cara Augspurger is a frontline fundraiser and co-host of The Nonprofit Podcast. She brings what she sees on the ground at her own organization to every conversation, and hosted Episode 192, our DAF 101, for first-timers.  Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization. Support the show

    Ep 225| DAF Donors Have Already Said Yes

  3. Oct 1

    Ep 224| Last Year's Donors Are This Year's Opportunity

    Send us Fan Mail You pulled the report. 1,800 people who gave last year haven't given a cent this year. And it's October. Cue Giving Season panic. Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert see it differently. Most of those lapsed donors didn't leave. They drifted. This episode is all about winning back LYBUNT donors (Last Year But Unfortunately Not This) before December 3 - no guilt trips. No "we miss you" emails. These donors already said yes once. That counts for a lot. Donors with a giving history come back 66% of the time. New donors come back just 24% of the time. And there's still time. Last year, December brought in 37% of nonprofits' online revenue. Britt shares the exact voicemail she'd leave a lapsed donor, and makes the case for skipping the ask in the first message (yes, even in October). Jena brings the gym membership comparison nobody wanted, but everybody needed. Got 30 minutes this week? Britt's action plan at the end is built for exactly that. What You'll Learn Why and how "hasn't given yet" and "gone for good" are two very different listsThe unglamorous check that saves a lot of awkward emailsHow to pick 30 personal calls from a list of 1,800 (hint: not by gift size)Who in the organization should really be making those callsWhat to do when a donor leaves you on readHow to ask in December without sounding like a final noticeThe one thing every fundraiser should do on their phone todayA LYBUNT report shows who hasn't given. It can't show why. Before assuming the worst, check the data. Then start a conversation. As Jena puts it, "You are a nonprofit fundraiser, you are not a debt collector." Chapters: 00:00 That report you've been avoiding 01:00 LYBUNT: the acronym Britt loves 03:25 The 24% vs 66% gap 04:09 Check before you reach out 06:02 Bounced emails and the Promotions tab myth 07:13 1,800 names, 30 phone calls 08:01 The biggest gift isn't always the best relationship 10:05 First touch: skip the ask 10:47 The voicemail you should leave 13:02 Ask a question, not for money 16:04 When donors leave you on read 17:03 Adjusting expectations 18:08 The December ask that actually lands 18:50 A nonprofit, not a debt collector 21:02 Your 30-minute action plan Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, and Britt Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, co-host this episode. Together, they bring hands-on experience helping nonprofits strengthen donor relationships and build fundraising systems that hold up under pressure...especially in Giving Season! Links Mentioned M+R Benchmarks studyEp 192| Donor-Advised Funds: What Fundraisers Need to Know Now with Cara Augspurger Donorbox: donorbox.org About Donorbox Donorbox is a global fundraising platform trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits, with $4B+ raised worldwide.   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Consult a professional advisor. Support the show

    Ep 224| Last Year's Donors Are This Year's Opportunity

  4. Sep 24

    Ep 223| Supporters to Fundraisers: Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer

    Send us Fan Mail How far can one campaign travel this Giving Season?  Further than your email list, if you set it up right. Today, Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, shares how a crowdfunding campaign gives supporters a clear, specific goal to rally around, and how peer-to-peer fundraising turns that campaign into something supporters carry into their own networks…reaching people a nonprofit hasn't earned trust with yet. In this episode, Jena digs into: What makes a crowdfunding campaign worth sharing, not just donating toWhat a campaign page needs so a stranger understands it in secondsWhy a supporter's personal ask lands differently than a simple shareHow to choose the first few supporters to invite as fundraisersWhat to do with the year-end plan next weekStart your Giving Season campaign Donorbox Crowdfunding gives supporters a page worth sharing, a goal meter, a live donor wall, and one-click sharing built in. Turn on Donorbox Peer-to-Peer and empower supporters to build their own pages, with every dollar automatically feeding the main goal. Launch in as little as 15 minutes: donorbox.org  Get your downloadable guides now, packed with tips and strategy support, from the Donorbox library: Donation Page Design Guide - image sizes, logo dimensions, and copy tips Peer-to-Peer Fundraising 101 - campaign types, a launch plan, and event ideas  Chapters  00:00 Welcome  00:23 Why one campaign should outgrow the email list 02:57 What makes a crowdfunding campaign worth sharing 05:11 Building the crowdfunding page as home base 07:25 From sharing to peer-to-peer fundraising 08:23 Borrowed trust: Leveraging personal networks for outreach 10:05 Choosing the first supporters to invite 11:49 Setting up supporter pages on Donorbox 12:30 Next week's to-do for Giving Season campaigns 13:15 Resources and close Host Jena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox and anchor host of The Nonprofit Podcast. About Donorbox Donorbox is a global fundraising platform trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits, with $4B+ raised worldwide. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Consult a professional advisor. Support the show

    Ep 223| Supporters to Fundraisers: Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer

  5. Sep 17

    Episode 222| The Fundraising Moments Most Nonprofit Events Miss

    Send us Fan Mail Most nonprofit events open exactly one path to giving: the ticket.  Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert map the fundraising moments most events miss, before doors open, during the event, after everyone goes home, and unpack how nonprofits can open more paths to giving - without extra work for their team. What You'll Learn Why the ticket purchase is one of the best, and most frequently ignored, fundraising opportunities of the event life-cycleWhat good ticket data actually looks like (knowing who to expect before your guests even walk in)Where the most donation opportunities quietly slip away once the event is underwayWhy one unified donor record beats three spreadsheets and a manual mail mergeThe one friction point Britt says to fix first, before your very next eventIf you're deep into your year-end event planning, this one is for you! Engage attendees. Simplify giving. Grow your impact. Find out more about maximizing your events with the double-down power of Donorbox Dynamic Duo  - from ticketing to post-event stewardship. You can: Streamline ticket sales and collect donations from ticket buyersManage your event in one easy-to-track placeCheck guests in with easeCollect in-person, cashless donations with just a tap, dip, or swipeChapters 00:00 The Mindset Shift in Event Fundraising 00:56 Welcome to The Nonprofit Podcast 02:28 Capturing Generosity at Ticket Checkout 04:08 Streamlining Table Registration & Payments 06:00 Common In-Event Pitfalls to Avoid 07:16 Eliminating Friction for Event Attendees 08:52 Using Donorbox Live Kiosk & Offline Auto-Sync 11:00 Post-Event Data Integration & Donor Segmentation 12:55 Timely Stewardship and Follow-Up Emails 13:44 Practical Action Step for Your Next Event 14:51 Closing Remarks & Resources Host Bios Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, anchors The Nonprofit Podcast. Brittan Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, co-hosts The Nonprofit Podcast. Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, raising over $4 billion for nonprofit causes. Learn more at donorbox.org. Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and shouldn't be considered legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization. Support the show

    Episode 222| The Fundraising Moments Most Nonprofit Events Miss

  6. Sep 10

    Ep 221| How to Turn Your Ask Into a Connection

    Send us Fan Mail Heart does that panicked double-thump. Stomach drops. Ohh - there goes gravity!  Sound familiar?  That's what happens right before most fundraisers call a donor to ask for money…and Britt Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, says that feeling is telling you the opposite of what you think. In this quick, coffee-break episode, Britt shares the four words she scribbled on a sticky note for a burned-out nonprofit leader who needed something simpler than a script. It changed how that leader's whole team makes the ask. This is perfect for fundraisers who want a low-pressure way to build donor trust, especially heading into year-end.  Discover: Why the discomfort of asking for a gift is a sign of a healthy donor relationship, not a warning signA four-word framework simple enough to fit on a sticky noteHow to open a donor call without mentioning money at allWhat to say when a donor pushes back on overhead or transparencyWhy silence after an ask is doing more work than most fundraisers realizeHow to measure success in donor outreach beyond whether a gift landed that dayIf you’re ready to refine your ‘Ask’ approach and get on track for Giving Season, schedule time with Britt here. That nervous feeling before asking for a gift isn't proof something's wrong. It's proof the moment matters. Britt's fix isn't more confidence - it's structure: four words on a sticky note that turn a high-pressure ask into a real conversation between two people who both care about the same thing. Chapters: 00:00 - Why Asking for Support Feels Uncomfortable02:10 - The Trust Gap & the Power of Personal Connection03:40 - A 4-Beat Framework for Donor Conversations06:55 - Timing the Ask & Permission-Based Giving08:15 - Redefining Success Through Small Wins09:15 - Overcoming Rejection & Closing ThoughtsDonorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by 100,000-plus organizations worldwide, helping them raise over $4 billion collectively. Learn more at donorbox.org. Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization. Support the show

    Ep 221| How to Turn Your Ask Into a Connection

  7. Sep 3

    Ep 220| Navigating AI search & Google Ad Grants for nonprofits with Jessica King

    Send us Fan Mail ChatGPT. Claude. Gemini. Or Google...Search visibility has changed. AI search is changing how donors and volunteers find nonprofits, and most teams are still figuring out what to do about it.  This week, host Jena Lynch talks with Jessica King, Director at Getting Attention, about what's actually working in search right now...from why ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are showing up as real traffic sources, to why relying on one platform is risky, plus how to make full use of the $120,000-a-year Google Ad Grant.  Jessica's take: you don't need a new playbook for AI, just a stronger version of the marketing fundamentals you already know.  What You'll Learn Why ChatGPT and Claude are already shortlisting nonprofits before donors ever reach your site, and what that means for your funnel.Why AI search doesn't call for a new strategy, just sharper execution of the SEO fundamentals you already have in place.How to build a channel mix that holds up when a single algorithm or platform shifts.How to extend the reach of your $120,000-a-year Google Ad Grant as search behavior changes.Why page-level content depth outweighs metadata for both AI and traditional search, and what that means for your content priorities.If your team has just a few hours a month for online visibility this Giving Season, this episode tells you where to spend them. About Our Guest Jessica King is Director at Getting Attention, where she helps nonprofits get more from Google Ad Grants, paid Google Ads, and search-focused content strategy. Before Getting Attention, Jessica worked in communications and digital marketing across higher education and the nonprofit sector, with a focus on SEO for mission-driven organizations. She holds a Master's degree in Communication from Virginia Tech. Links Mentioned Getting Attention: gettingattention.org - free guides, templates, and Google Ad Grant auditsGetting Attention on YouTube: weekly tutorials and marketing adviceBook recommendation: Steal Like an Artist by Austin KleonDonorbox: donorbox.org  - fundraising tools for nonprofitsHost Jena Lynch is Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox. Each week on The Nonprofit Podcast, she brings nonprofit leaders practical strategies and clear insight to help them raise more and reach further. Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Welcome 1:43 Meet Jessica King from Getting Attention 2:24 AI as a Traffic Source and the Shifting Search Landscape 6:38 Donor Trust, AEO/AIO Buzz, and Not Losing Sight of the Fundamentals 8:34 Why Foundational SEO Is the Basis for AEO 10:50 Building a Marketing Mix With No Single Point of Failure 13:26 Making the Most of the Google Ad Grant 19:05 Why Traditional Website SEO Isn't Dead 21:24 How AI Levels the Playing Field for Smaller Nonprofits 24:11 Non-Negotiables for Giving Season 27:53 Connect With Jessica and Getting Attention 28:35 Wrap-Up Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide. Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance. Support the show

    Ep 220| Navigating AI search & Google Ad Grants for nonprofits with Jessica King

  8. Aug 27

    Ep 219| Stop guessing: What donors REALLY want before year-end

    Send us Fan Mail A simple donor survey is the closest thing you will get to reading your supporters' minds, yet the answers you get are rarely what you expect Donors are sitting on insights most nonprofits never think to look for. Cara Augspurger, our field correspondent and CEO of Grace Care Center Foundation, joins Jena Lynch to share what happened when her team surveyed hundreds of donors ahead of Giving Season, and what the answers revealed about messaging, trust, and the surprising link between volunteering and giving. And brace yourself - your best donors may not understand your organization as well as you think. What You'll Learn How to build and segment a short, anonymous donor surveyWhy loyal donors can still misunderstand your programsHow the volunteer experience shapes donor trustFour steps to launch a donor survey before year-endResources and Links Consolidate today’s framework with a helpful in-depth Donorbox blog:  Surveying Your Donors, How to Do It Right - you can find it here About the Hosts Cara Augspurger has been a nonprofit leader and fundraiser since 1996. As President and CEO of Grace Care Center Foundation and a founding board member, she brings decades of hands-on experience to conversations spanning annual fundraising, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and relationship building. A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and University of Illinois graduate, Cara previously served as a fundraising coach at Donorbox, where she helped nonprofits connect the dots between strategy and results. Jena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, specialises in donor stewardship, retention, and peer-to-peer fundraising. She works closely with nonprofit teams to strengthen donor relationships and build practical systems that support long-term growth. As the anchor of The Nonprofit Podcast, she keeps strategy clear, steady, and actionable. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Why Donor Surveys Matter 01:15 – Timing Your Survey Before the Fall Push 03:08 – Survey Mechanics: Length, Platforms, and Subject Lines 06:27 – Key Questions to Include in Your Survey 08:23 – How Well Do Donors Know Your Programs? 12:27 – Where Volunteering Meets Giving 16:35 – The Power of One Open Question 19:59 – 4 Action Steps to Launch Your Donor Survey 22:42 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts About Donorbox Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide. Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably. The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance. Support the show

    Ep 219| Stop guessing: What donors REALLY want before year-end
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4.7
out of 5
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About

The Nonprofit Podcast is your weekly dose of real-talk fundraising, designed for the doers, dreamers, and difference-makers powering today’s nonprofit world.Hosted by Jena Lynch, Donorbox’s Education & Community Engagement Manager, and fundraising strategist Britt Stockert, CFRE, each episode delivers clear, practical insights you can act on right away, no fluff, no filler.You’ll also hear from Cara Augspurger, Ed.M., CFRE, ED of Grace Care Center Foundation, sharing field updates and frontline perspectives.Whether you’re building something new or leveling up your impact, we bring you bold ideas, honest conversations, and tools to help you fundraise smarter and lead with confidence.Information. Inspiration. Implementation. Impact.That’s the energy we bring…every week.Let’s get to work.

Information

  • Creator
    Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Nonprofit Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Podcast

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