What the Fundraising

Mallory Erickson
  • 4.9 (123)
  • 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

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. Jul 14

    308: Using Donor Matching to Grow Impact and Community with Pooya Pourak

    What if the best way to raise more money is not just to find new donors, but to help existing donors give more meaningfully? Today, let's explore how matching campaigns can turn fundraising into a shared experience that builds trust, excitement, and community. Pooya Pourak is an industrial and systems engineer, human-centered designer, host of The Nonprofit Lab podcast, and the founder of MatchNice. His career began in consulting, where he created human-centered solutions for health and human services programs that support families through Medicaid, foster care, food assistance, and childcare. Passionate about creating social impact, he built MatchNice to help nonprofits, businesses, communities, and donors work together to make a bigger difference. In this conversation, Pooya shares how the COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of MatchNice and why donation matching is a powerful but often overlooked fundraising approach. He explains how matching works, why transparency and urgency motivate donors, and how nonprofits can engage everyday supporters and mid-level donors as matching partners. Through real examples, Pooya shows how matching campaigns can increase donations, bring in new supporters, strengthen donor relationships, and help nonprofits create greater impact. In this episode, you will be able to:  Explain how donation matching boosts fundraising. Understand the psychology of matching gifts. Identify different types of matching donors. Engage existing donors as match sponsors. Create milestone-based matching campaigns. Use progress tracking to motivate giving. 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. Jul 7

    The Partnerships That Change More Than Metrics with Renee Daniel Flagler

    Raising young people out of poverty takes far more than good intentions. It requires trust, healing, opportunity, and unwavering community support. Also, meaningful mentorship can become a powerful force for breaking generational barriers. Meet Renee Daniel Flagler, President of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. Today, she reflects on her personal journey into nonprofit leadership, inspired by a transformative volunteer experience that revealed the life-changing impact of supporting vulnerable youth. She discusses her organization's mission to empower young people through mentoring, trauma-informed healing, wellness, and workforce development. Moreover, the conversation explores the organization's holistic mentoring model, which combines mentor recruitment, emotional wellness, workforce readiness, and economic mobility to address the complex realities facing underserved communities. Renee explains why trauma-informed care is essential for long-term success, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19, and discusses the challenges of securing funding for comprehensive programs. She also highlights the importance of mission-aligned philanthropic partnerships, organizational adaptability, and reimagining philanthropy by removing unnecessary barriers so nonprofits can focus on creating lasting, life-changing impact. In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand how mentoring can help break the cycle of generational poverty. Recognize the importance of trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches in youth development. Explain why mental health and emotional well-being are essential for long-term success. Identify the value of combining mentoring, workforce development, and wellness into one holistic model. Understand why addressing root causes leads to more meaningful and lasting impact. Learn how strong, mission-aligned partnerships can strengthen nonprofit outcomes. 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. Jun 30

    Healing Starts Within with Dawn Wensel

    Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs begin with the hardest struggles! Today, Mallory and Dawn Wensel, the Director of Development at Hope Street Group, talk about healing, resilience, and the powerful connection between the mind and body. Their honest stories remind us that growth often starts with understanding ourselves. During the conversation, Dawn shares her journey from being a teacher to building a successful career in fundraising. Alongside her career, Dawn opens up about her long battle with chronic pain and how it affected both her work and personal life. She explains how reading John Sarno's book helped her see the link between stress and physical pain. Through journaling, reflection, and self-awareness, she found healthier ways to manage her symptoms and regain confidence. The conversation explores how stress can show up in the body and why it is important to address the root causes instead of only treating symptoms. Dawn introduces Positive Intelligence and explains how it can improve both personal well-being and fundraising success. Dawn also discusses the value of supportive leaders, self-compassion, curiosity, and community.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Recognize the connection between mind and body in health and performance. Explore how stress can show up physically in everyday life. Learn how journaling supports emotional balance and stress relief. Build self-awareness to notice and shift thought patterns. Use curiosity to better understand emotions and reactions. Shift from perfectionism toward self-compassion and acceptance. Value community support in building resilience and reducing isolation. See how openness about struggles builds connection with others. 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. Jun 23

    Turning Online Communities into Powerful Fundraisers with Michael Wasserman

    Fundraising is changing, and organizations need new ways to connect with younger people! In this conversation, Michael Wasserman explains how digital communities and online creators are shaping the future of fundraising. He shares why traditional methods are no longer enough and how organizations can build stronger relationships with younger supporters. Michael Wasserman, CEO and co-founder of Tiltify, talks about his journey and the inspiration behind creating the platform. While working as a consultant for charities, he repeatedly heard the same problem: organizations struggled to attract younger donors. He realized that younger generations were already active on platforms such as Twitch and TikTok, but charities were not reaching them. This led him to create Tiltify in 2014, a platform designed around the needs of fundraisers rather than charities. The conversation also explores the shift from one-time donations to community-based fundraising. Michael explains that people want to participate, interact, and feel connected, rather than simply make a donation and leave. He discusses the challenges organizations face in adopting new technology and shares practical ideas, such as simplifying fundraising processes, improving communication, and creating engaging digital spaces that encourage long-term donor support. In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand the shift from traditional to digital fundraising. Recognize the importance of meeting donors on modern platforms. Learn why email is less effective for younger audiences. See the value of community-driven fundraising models. Understand the move from transactional to participatory giving. Learn how digital communities increase engagement. Recognize resistance to adopting new technology. See the benefit of simpler, easier donation processes. Understand the impact of influencers on donor behavior. Learn the need to adapt to changing donor expectations. 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. Jun 16

    The Hidden Challenges of Skill-Based Hiring with A.P Porch

    Fundraising and alumni relations are evolving faster than many institutions are prepared for. But the concept of hiring people who make us feel comfortable remains the biggest threat to innovation since these practices often remain rooted in familiarity, rigidity, and outdated ideas of “fit.”  A.P. Porch is a higher education and philanthropy professional with nearly 15 years of experience in nonprofit and advancement spaces, currently serving as the University-Wide Director of Alumni Engagement at Loyola University, New Orleans. Her work centers on strengthening alumni and donor relationships while supporting the “life of the mind” through mission-driven engagement, leadership, and community building. She joined Mallory to talk about what it takes to build stronger, more sustainable advancement teams in the fundraising sector.  In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize the hidden challenges behind skill-based hiring in fundraising and alumni relations. Have a clear understanding about the difference between hiring for competency versus hiring for familiarity. Learn why burnout and turnover are often symptoms of deeper organizational issues. Discover how curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence can strengthen donor relationships. Learn how “culture fit” can unintentionally limit innovation and diversity of thought. 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. Jun 9

    The Culture Behind Successful Fundraising Teams with Jill Anderson

    The secret to a successful campaign is a culture shaped by trust, collaboration, emotional resilience, and a shared sense of purpose. A successful implementation of a fundraising team is more than just hitting financial goals; it demands leadership that understands and values institutional culture, supports people through high-pressure moments, and creates a system that will thrive without burning out. From donor relationships to preventing isolation, this conversation explores how transparency, accountability, empathy, and collective support can build a sustainable fundraising culture.  Jill C. Anderson is the current Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement at Moravian University, Pennsylvania. She is an expert in campaign strategy, major gifts, and donor engagement. With nearly 26 years of experience in advancement and an earlier career in finance, she brings a strategic, systems-oriented approach to philanthropy and organizational growth. She is also a doctoral student at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Having grown up as a daughter to a professional baseball coach, Jill believes deeply in team-centered leadership and cross-functional collaboration.  In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the unique challenges of building and leading fundraising teams. Learn about the effect of organizational culture on donor relationships and campaign success. Understand the importance of accountability and transparency during periods of growth and crisis. Explore strategies for reducing isolation and strengthening team connection in fundraising environments. Discover how collaboration and cross-functional understanding strengthen fundraising teams. 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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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
    318
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mallory Erickson Coaching
  • Show Website
    What the Fundraising