Hey Nonprofits!

HGA Fundraising
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

The 'Hey Nonprofits!' podcast is here to help fundraisers and event professionals Raise More Money. Each week, we bring on an industry expert to highlight important tips and strategies, and you can use them effectively to grow your organization. Whether you simply need help communicating with donors or need advanced tactics with setting up live auctions and fundraising events—host Trevor Nelson is here to guide you toward success. Be sure to tune in for a new episode every Tuesday! Brought to you by HGA Fundraising.

  1. 1d ago

    The Theater of Giving: How to Move Donors From Information to Emotion | Lucas Hunt

    Most nonprofits have a storytelling problem they don't know they have. They've been so close to the mission for so long they can't see what's actually moving about it anymore. Lucas Hunt, president of Hunt Auctioneers, former literary agent, and one of the more thoughtful voices in the fundraising auctioneer world, joins Trevor to break down why the people running your organization are usually the worst people to tell its story, why donors should be treated as producers of the story rather than consumers of it, and how to build what he calls a "theater of giving" at your next event. In this episode: the "curse of knowledge" that's flattening your mission moments, why the recipient of services is almost always a more powerful narrator than the executive director, how to create emotional proximity in a room full of distracted donors, and Lucas's closing reminder for anyone burned out on fundraising, get out of the way of the river of goodness that's already there. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:37 Introduction to Lucas Hunt 06:55 Art of Story Telling in Fundraising 09:14 Impact of Information Overload on Storytelling 15:58 Creating Emotional Proximity at Events 17:57 Power of Storytelling 22:40 Producer vs. Consumer Mindset 27:23 Faith in Good Work 32:04 Power of Collective Action Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/ 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Lucas for an event: https://www.huntauctioneers.com Connect with Lucas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-hunt-6a6a768/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here:  https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers:   https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    35 min

  2. Jun 16

    Easiest $10K You Can Add to Your Next Event | Brittany Pilcher

    Brittany Pilcher, Director of Development at Quest Inc., joins Trevor to walk through exactly how her team added a Golden Ticket Raffle to WineQuest , a $500,000 two-night gala in Orlando and sold out 100 tickets in 72 hours. Brittany doesn't sugarcoat the hesitation. She talks through why she almost didn't do it, the moment she decided to pull the trigger three weeks out, and how the raffle pulled in nearly $8,000 of pure incremental revenue without adding meaningful work to her team. More importantly: she breaks down what she'd do differently next year, including running two ticket tiers and considering corporate underwriting to cover the cost upfront. In this episode: why the $100 price point is the sweet spot, when to announce the winner in your program (and when not to), how to get your board and committee actually sharing the raffle, and the part most organizations miss, the 100 new names in your database that you can steward long after the event. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Introduction to the Golden Ticket 02:18 Hesitations and Strategies for Ticket Sales 06:01 Psychology of Ticket Sales and Winner Announcement  08:49 Impact of the Golden Ticket on Fundraising 10:49 Quest Inc.: Mission and Community Engagement Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/ 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Add the Golden Ticket to Your Event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanylara/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here:  https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers:   https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    15 min

  3. Jun 9

    Your Board Won't Fundraise? Stop Asking Them To | Elise Woodworth

    Most fundraising problems aren't fundraising problems. They're board problems. Elise Woodworth — VMI alum, Air Force veteran, and author of Business Not Battle — joins Trevor to unpack why so many nonprofit boards stall out, and what to actually do about it. She came to this work through a back door (the VMI Foundation made her their first female and youngest-ever trustee), and her approach is unusual: instead of teaching EDs how to manage their boards, she teaches board members how to be effective in the first place. In this episode: the 20-minute Champion's Elevator Pitch exercise you can run at your next meeting, the four thoughtful questions that move a stuck organization forward, why Elise refuses to say the word "fundraising" with new boards, and her four-month blueprint for turning around a burned-out board. If you've ever said "I can't get my board to fundraise," this one's for you. Chapters: 00:00 Intro00:55 Understanding Strength and Strategic Mindset05:45 Journey into Nonprofit Leadership11:14 Empowering Board Members14:53 Embracing Change for Growth18:37 Aligning Mission and Leadership19:19 The Champion's Elevator Pitch24:11 Transforming Fear into Invitation30:35 Passion for Nonprofit Impact Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Elise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisewoodworth/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    35 min

  4. Jun 2

    Events are the Vehicle, Not the Destination | Kristen Bowles

    Most fundraisers treat events like the finish line. Kristen Bowles treats them like the starting point. In this episode, Trevor sits down with Kristen — a development pro who's worked across the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, peer-to-peer fundraising, and now the National MS Society — to unpack why sponsorship sales isn't transactional. It's strategic matchmaking. We get into: Why "plan, post, and pray" is killing your sponsor retentionThe mindset shift from "sponsor of an event" to "investor in your mission"How to segment donors by engagement, not dollar amount (and why a $100 donor might be your next major gift)Mission nuggets: the research habit every frontline fundraiser needsFree tools Kristen uses to research sponsors (hint: it's not a fancy database)Why events are really about how you make people feelIf you're a frontline fundraiser, event planner, or auctioneer, this one's full of takeaways you can use Monday morning. Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-mckay-bowles/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    34 min

  5. May 26

    The Neuroscience of Why People Give | Matt Roben

    What if the timing of your "ask" is costing your nonprofit thousands? Matt Roben — the Kilted Auctioneer, former circus performer, and police officer turned fundraising auctioneer, joins Trevor to break down the neuroscience behind why people give, and why most galas are leaving money on the table by asking too late in the night. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:59 Introing Matt Roben 02:38 Understanding the Auctioneer's Role 04:15 The Neuroscience of Giving 08:40 Data-Driven Fundraising Insights 12:34 Engaging Donors in Real-Time 17:20 Post-Event Gratitude Strategies 20:16 Building Genuine Connections with Donors 21:51 Utilizing Matching Gifts Effectively 26:40 Rapid-Fire Fundraising TipsHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Matt for your next event: https://www.thekiltedauctioneer.com/ Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-roben/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    32 min

  6. May 19

    Why 3 Events in a Row Creates Lifelong Donors | Emily Preble

    Most nonprofits measure events by one number: how much they raised. Emily Preble thinks that's the wrong starting point.Emily is a fundraising consultant and professional auctioneer based in Austin, and in this episode she walks through the question she asks every client before planning an event — and it has nothing to do with the goal. Trevor and Emily get into why more attendees doesn't mean more money, how to turn corporate-table guests into lifelong donors, the post-event gratitude strategy most orgs skip, and the research-backed reason three consecutive events matter more than almost anything else you'll do.Chapters: 00:00 Intro00:37 Celebrating Tom: The Heart of Our Team03:37 Emily Preble: A Passion for Fundraising05:03 The Role of Consulting in Nonprofit Success07:05 Understanding Event Goals Beyond Fundraising09:01 Engaging New Attendees and Building Lasting Relationships14:08 Reviving Energy in Fundraising Events18:14 Importance of Community and Connection21:33 Long-Term Goals in Fundraising 24:25 Gratitude and Recognition27:00 Rapid Fire Insights on Fundraising30:45 Closing Thoughts and Future ConnectionsHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Book Emily for an event: https://www.emilyprebleauctions.com/Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilypreble/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    33 min

  7. May 12

    The Silent Auction Mistake Costing You Revenue | Phil Sanger

    Most nonprofits think more silent auction items = more money. Phil Sanger has spent 15+ years proving the opposite. In this episode, Phil, founder of HelloFund and an OG in the fundraising tech space since 2009, joins Trevor to break down what's actually working at galas right now and what's quietly killing revenue. We cover: → Why the "espresso machine in the silent auction" mindset is costing you donors → The bid paddle mistake auctioneers hate (and the better way to land that sponsorship) → Closing your silent auction AFTER the event — and why it's making orgs more money → Using the silent auction to test future live auction items (and identify new major donors) → The check-in data you need 3 days before your event to avoid a slow line at the door → Why nonprofit turnover is leading to "paralysis by analysis" — and how to lead through it → "Software works WITH people, not instead of them" — what AI actually means for fundraisers Whether you're raising $25K or $1M+ at your next gala, this one's worth your time. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:33 The Role of Software in Nonprofits 02:52 Phil Sanger's Journey and HelloFund 06:27 Challenges in the Nonprofit Sector 07:33 Leadership and Decision-Making in Nonprofits 11:08 Simplifying Processes for Better Outcomes 14:36 Maximizing Auction Effectiveness 16:28 Silent Auction Strategies 22:00 Streamlining Check-In and Check-Out 24:49 Closing Silent Auctions for More Revenue 26:46 Final Thoughts and Future Opportunities 28:35 BONUSHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/ 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Phil's Website HelloFund: https://www.hellofund.com/ Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philsanger/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    34 min

  8. May 5

    After 2,000 Galas, Here's What Actually Makes Donors Give More | Rob Giardinelli

    Rob Giardinelli has attended over 2,000 fundraising galas. In this episode, he breaks down what actually moves donors to give more, why "events are dead" is bad advice, and the guest experience details most nonprofits completely miss.Rob is the founder of robgiardinelli.com and host of the Fun in Fundraising podcast. After 15 years chronicling top galas across Texas and the country, he advises nonprofits on optimizing the guest experience—the gap between what event planners and auctioneers do.What you'll learn:Why post-COVID donors are more selective and how to earn their timeThe 3-legged stool every successful gala needs (and how to spot when it's broken)Why messaging has to happen in the room, not just in the inviteHow major gifts, development, and gala teams should actually work togetherThe real determiner of whether someone becomes a lifelong supporterWhy "what works in Houston won't work in Austin" (and what that means for your event)Chapters:00:00 Like & Subscribe :)00:45 Trevor and Rob catch up03:49 Rob's path from tech to fundraising08:39 What's changed about donors since COVID11:03 Why every city fundraises differently14:08 Treat your gala like a business17:20 "Events are dead" pushback24:30 STOP competing internally26:55 How to get the messaging right31:22 3-events rule for lifelong donors33:12 Rob's advice: don't make fundraising harder than it needs to beHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Check out Rob's podcast: https://funinfundraising.podbean.com/ Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgiardinelli/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Sign up to receive the HGA Fundraising newsletter to receive fundraising insights from the brightest minds in the space: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

    36 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The 'Hey Nonprofits!' podcast is here to help fundraisers and event professionals Raise More Money. Each week, we bring on an industry expert to highlight important tips and strategies, and you can use them effectively to grow your organization. Whether you simply need help communicating with donors or need advanced tactics with setting up live auctions and fundraising events—host Trevor Nelson is here to guide you toward success. Be sure to tune in for a new episode every Tuesday! Brought to you by HGA Fundraising.

Information

  • Creator
    HGA Fundraising
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    266
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HGA Fundraising
  • Show Website
    Hey Nonprofits!

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