Nonprofit Lowdown Rhea Wong

Ever felt a surge of imposter syndrome just as you're about to hit a major fundraising goal? Wonder why, even after securing that dream funding, a creeping sense of dread shadows your success? 



If your accomplishments in the nonprofit realm leave you more anxious than empowered, it’s time we talk about your "Identity Upgrade."



In today’s episode, we dive deep into the idea that our identity sometimes lags behind our achievements, leaving us feeling out of sync with our new realities. 



🦞 Just like a lobster needs to grow a new shell to move around comfortably in the great big ocean, you need to upgrade your identity to fit your desired goals.  🦞

I'll take you through the concept of identity - how it shapes our actions, influences our reactions to success, and why upgrading our inner narrative is essential for stepping into our power as leaders. From discussing the psychological effects of sudden changes in our external environment to offering tangible steps on crafting a new, empowering identity, this episode is a guide for those ready to transcend their self-imposed limits.



So, are you ready to align your identity with your achievements and lead with confidence and clarity? Dive into the full episode to discover how to navigate the discomfort of growth, the power of surrounding yourself with the right community, and ultimately, how to step fully into your upgraded identity. 🌟



To join the conversation, reach out, or learn more about upgrading your nonprofit leadership identity, head over to RheaWong.com. Let’s embrace this journey together.



Important links: 

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Worried AI will take your job? Fear robots more than global warming? Think AI lacks morals? Well, take a chill pill my nonprofit friends. 💊



Today's guest Vilas Dhar provides a refreshing perspective on AI. Rather than some apocalyptic force, he views it as a "human-centric reflection of our society." Our biases and beliefs shape how it develops.



So who is this optimistic leader guiding us to an ethical AI future? Vilas heads the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, advancing social good through tech. With experience across business, government and nonprofits, he connects communities to steer AI toward human dignity.



Discover how we can distribute AI more broadly so underserved groups have agency to address their needs. Learn what civil society can do now to democratize participation. Hear Vilas' global vision for aligning innovators and people.



The robots aren't coming for us yet, people! 🤖 Tune into this uplifting episode to understand how we shape the ethics and promise of AI. The future remains unwritten - our choices matter.



Important Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vilasdhar/




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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Are you giving money too much power in your fundraising efforts? Are desperation and scarcity sabotaging your fundraising success? 😣



You’re not alone, my friend. Many leaders try tactic after tactic, only to come up short again and again. Exhausting, right?



But what if the real barrier isn’t your savvy strategy, but your mindset? 💭



On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into money mindset to discover how trauma and the stories we tell ourselves about money affect our fundraising for better or worse. 



Here are a few of my takeaways:

🔑 Trauma and money experiences get encoded in our brains and bodies, affecting our fundraising mindsets and results

🔑 Attaching heavy emotion like desperation or scarcity to money activates our fight-or-flight response

🔑This traps us in survival mode rather than abundance - and donors feel that!



🔑By unpacking our money stories and shifting to an abundance mindset, our outer results can transform.



This is where the real work starts. We have to go inward to unearth our subsurface money narratives. What did your family say about money? What emotions come up when you fundraise? When you uncover the answers to these questions and shift your mindset, you’re going to see a huge transformation in your numbers too! 



Ready to address inner blocks and finally hit your fundraising goals? 



Important Links:

https://go.rheawong.com/money-quiz

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Is it going to take over the world and make nonprofit work obsolete? Some peeps seem hyped, while others wanna unplug the mainframe, Office Space-style. 💻🚫



Well, never fear!  With experience from computer engineering to working for the FBI in the White House (?!?), my guest Afua Bruce knows her bytes from her bits. Afua decrypts how bias gets baked into algorithms and breaks communities. But she also shares how nonprofits can responsibly use AI as a force for good and level up their impact with AI’s help. 👩🏿‍💻

Some of the key takeaways:


Top AI concerns include the invisibility of marginalized groups and scalable bias due to historical data and speed/scale of deployment.






Everyone can educate themselves on AI by trying tools, asking questions, and knowing when to turn systems off if they don't serve you.






Guidance for using AI ethically includes clarifying your strategy and values first, then evaluating if tools align.


AI may risk loss of critical thinking skills but it also presents opportunities like predictive analytics to improve services.





Bottom line: We got this, people! 💪 Ask questions, set guardrails, but don't let fear leave you behind. The tools ain't perfect but we can influence and improve. As Afua says, "...you still have agency in this process." ✊



Listen to the full episode to learn more. 🎧



Important Links: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/afua-bruce/

https://thetechthatcomesnext.com/


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

With the first blooms of spring comes our annual opportunity for renewal. Time to clear out the old and make way for new growth!



In this solo episode, I'll share my best tips for spring cleaning every aspect of your NPO - from refreshing stale programs to pruning unengaged contacts. 



Get ready to plant the seeds now for a fruitful year ahead!



Here's what we'll cover: 



✅ Breathing life and inspiration into your impact data with impactful storytelling



✅ Pruning and cleaning your email, communications, and database 



✅ Cultivating supporters with strategic messaging 



✅ Planting the seeds for efficient systems, processes & database moving forward



✅ Sprinkling your day with tasks that energize you and removing the ones that zap your energy. 



And because we lead best when we lean into self-care, I'll also share my recipe for a quarterly mental vacation to blossom into the healthiest version of you!



Whether you need serious weeding or just some strategic fertilizing, let this episode seed a sustainable way forward. Now get growing by tuning in! 🌱🎧



Important Links:

https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

This week on the podcast, I had an illuminating discussion with spiritual healer John Jacob Mubarak - a spiritual advisor with a heart for integrating soulful practices into everyday life.



Our deep dive was enlightening, revealing how to pour into the causes we're passionate about without draining our own spirit.



Key Takeaways:



Embracing nature and holistic practices like plant medicine isn't just about healing—it's about unlocking a deeper understanding of who we are. It's a call to nurture our inner selves with the same vigor we use to champion our causes.



We explored the impact of our pasts and the "I must" mentality that often fuels us, highlighting the power of crafting new, life-affirming stories for ourselves. It's a journey to discovering our true "why" and embracing it fully.

Trusting in the grand journey of life, whether that's through the universe, a higher power, or something else entirely, empowers us to persevere. Adopting an abundance mindset reveals a beautiful truth: serving others actually fills our cup.



Feeling the burnout? This episode is your gentle nudge to take a step back, breathe, and realign with what truly matters.



🎧 Tune in for a dose of soulful wisdom and a reminder that self-care and service go hand in hand.



Important Links:



https://junglegayborhood.com/retreat-index/508/remembering-wholeness-a-gbtqia-wellness-retreat


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support