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. Ep199| The Lifetime Value Mindset for Fundraisers

    2D AGO

    Ep199| The Lifetime Value Mindset for Fundraisers

    Send a text Most nonprofits track gift size.  The best fundraisers track lifetime value. Join Cara as she unpacks the lifetime value mindset and why recurring donors often become some of the most valuable supporters a nonprofit has. While major gifts create big moments, monthly donors quietly build the steady support that sustains a mission over time. What you'll learn in this episode: Why your quietest donors may be your most valuableHow a lifetime value mindset changes how fundraisers evaluate donor impactEffective but simple ways to engage and retain recurring donorsHow simple prompts can turn one-time gifts into monthly supportWhy this matters: When fundraisers shift from tracking gift size to understanding lifetime value, monthly donors often emerge as some of the most important supporters in their community. About Cara: Cara Augspurger is the Executive Director of Grace Care Center Foundation and an on-the-ground correspondent for The Nonprofit Podcast, sharing practical insights from real nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience. Topics covered in this episode: monthly giving | recurring donors | donor retention | nonprofit fundraising strategy | lifetime value | donor relationships | nonprofit leadership | recurring donations What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode. Support the show

    10 min
  2. Ep 198| Community Care Beyond the 9 to 5 - Lessons for Nonprofits

    MAR 5

    Ep 198| Community Care Beyond the 9 to 5 - Lessons for Nonprofits

    Send a text Are we overlooking one of the most powerful forces behind nonprofit work? For many nonprofit professionals, care for community doesn’t switch off at the end of the workday. Long after the job is done, we’re still showing up, supporting causes, helping neighbors...living the values that drew us to this work to begin with. In this episode, Britt sits down with Esther Saehyun Lee, founder of Elevate Philanthropy Consulting and a leading voice in Community-Centric Fundraising, to explore the deeper motivations that shape nonprofit work - and the often unseen ways those values continue to strengthen communities beyond the 9-to-5. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the values that draw people into nonprofit work often show up far beyond the workplaceHow everyday acts of community care reflect the principles of community-centric philanthropyWhy this “invisible work” carries real value for the communities nonprofits serveHow recognizing these motivations can reshape the way organizations think about fundraising and leadershipWhat nonprofit leaders can learn from the care and commitment their teams bring into community lifeThe core insight: The work nonprofit professionals do outside formal roles often reflects the same values that power the sector itself - care, community, and commitment to something larger than the job. When we recognize that connection, we gain a clearer understanding of what truly drives nonprofit work. About Esther Saehyun Lee Esther Saehyun Lee is the founder of Elevate Philanthropy Consulting, where she works with nonprofit organizations to build fundraising practices rooted in equity, community trust, and the principles of Community-Centric Fundraising. Her work focuses on helping organizations align fundraising with the values of the communities they serve. Chapters 00:00 Work vs Community: The Two Ways We Show Up 02:28 The Invisible Care That Happens Outside the Job 07:21 Formal vs Informal Community Spaces 12:19 Relationships, Conflict, and Peer-Led Community Care 16:30 Fatigue, Burnout, and Why Community Matters 22:12 Supporting the People Who Do the Caring What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode. Support the show

    24 min
  3. Ep 197| 3 Reasons Nonprofits are Missing out on Donations in 2026

    FEB 26

    Ep 197| 3 Reasons Nonprofits are Missing out on Donations in 2026

    Send a text Is your nonprofit overlooking the quiet infrastructure gaps costing you donations? When fundraising feels tighter, it’s rarely because generosity disappeared. Donors are still giving. They’re just more careful. And that means small friction carries more weight than it used to. A slow checkout. Recurring giving that’s technically available but not clearly positioned. Event energy that fades before someone can act. None of it feels dramatic. But over time, it adds up. In this episode, Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert break down three quiet fundraising “leak points” and talk through how to protect revenue without launching another campaign or rewriting your strategy. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why friction at checkout costs more in cautious giving climatesHow clearly positioned recurring support stabilizes revenueWhy in-person inspiration needs instant ways to giveHow stronger systems lower stress for your teamA simple way to evaluate your current donation experienceThe core insight: When fundraising feels harder, the instinct is to get louder. But louder isn’t the fix. Stronger infrastructure is. Protect the moment someone says yes.Build steadiness over time.Capture live momentum while it’s still warm.Tools mentioned in this episode: OmniGive™ - A mobile-first donation form built for speed, flexibility, and 22+ payment methods Recurring Giving Features - Tools that make monthly support visible and intentional, including recurring upsells Donorbox Live™ Kiosk - A tap-to-pay device built for in-person events and live giving moments Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Current Fundraising Climate 00:28 Donors Are More Cautious, Not Less Generous 00:54 The Importance of a Frictionless Donation Experience 02:10 Testing Your Donation Page on Mobile 03:27 Modern Donation Forms and Their Impact 05:05 Recurring Giving: Stability and Growth 07:38 In-Person Giving and Instant Donations 10:23 Building Reliable Infrastructure for Long-Term Success 11:12 Focus on Fixing the Biggest Leaks First 12:10 Final Tips and Encouragement for Nonprofits If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone on your team. And if revenue feels tighter than it used to, this is a grounded place to start. What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️ Support the show

    14 min
  4. Ep 196 | Rethinking Fundraising Success & Mission Impact in 2026 - Bruce Arbit

    FEB 19

    Ep 196 | Rethinking Fundraising Success & Mission Impact in 2026 - Bruce Arbit

    Send a text Uncertainty doesn’t just expose cracks in the system. It exposes who actually holds value. When uncertainty hits the sector, partnership conversations often shift.  Resources tighten. Expectations change. Risk tolerance narrows. In this conversation with Britt, impact advisor Bruce Arbit challenges the assumption that nonprofits enter these conversations from a position of need. They don’t. They bring impact. They bring access. They bring credibility earned through proximity to the problem. That carries value in any room, including cross-sector partnerships. Bruce unpacks what he calls “the business of impact” and why many organizations may be underestimating their leverage in collaborative work. In this discussion: Why traditional fundraising models feel strainedHow power dynamics shape partnership negotiationsThe strategic advantage of community trust and lived expertiseWhat disciplined experimentation actually looks likePractical steps you can implement immediatelyNonprofits do not show up empty-handed. They bring assets that cannot be easily replicated. The question may not be whether this is instability…but whether it is a moment to reassess positioning. Head over and dig deeper with Bruce on our Nonprofit Blog: How to Unlock New Paths to Fundraising Success and Mission Impact in 2026| Bruce Arbit Connect with Bruce Arbit Learn more about Bruce’s work or reach out directly on LinkedIn. What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode. The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube Chapters 00:00. Navigating Uncertainty in Nonprofits 03:00. The Business of Impact 05:47.   Power Dynamics in Partnerships 08:46.  Shifting Mindsets and Strategies 11:47.    Embracing Experimentation 14:51.    Real-World Examples of Impact 18:11      Taking Action: Practical Steps 20:59.   Conclusion: The Path Forward Support the show

    26 min
  5. Ep 195| How to Build Donor Retention Between Campaigns

    FEB 12

    Ep 195| How to Build Donor Retention Between Campaigns

    Send a text Email is where most supporters experience your organization over time – not just during campaigns, but in the quieter moments in between. Jena Lynch sits down with our on-the-ground fundraising expert, Cara Augspurger, CFRE, to talk about what’s really happening in those in-between spaces. Because the emails you send every day? They’re shaping donor relationships long before the next ask ever lands. They dig into what happens when email becomes something you send just to tick the box, how reactive communication slowly becomes the relationship, and why clarity matters more than volume in overflowing inboxes. This isn’t about crafting perfect emails or sending more messages. It’s about creating a rhythm supporters can follow, and putting a few simple structures in place so consistency feels doable, even when capacity is stretched. When email drifts, you don’t always see it right away. But you feel it later, in trust, in engagement, and in how people respond when you do reach out. Discover: Why email is often the relationship, whether you intend it to be or notHow clarity and repetition work together (without becoming noise)What changes when communication is supported by systems, not willpowerDon’t forget to download our useful blog to keep you 'systems' focused:  Email Marketing Tips for Nonprofits What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode. The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube Support the show

    24 min
  6. Ep 194| Why Donor Retention Starts After - Not During - the Ask

    FEB 5

    Ep 194| Why Donor Retention Starts After - Not During - the Ask

    Send a text Where do donor relationships go after the gift? Donor retention is shaped by what carries the relationship forward over time. When that continuity isn’t intentionally supported, donors don’t disengage all at once...they slowly lose their sense of connection. In this episode, Jena Lynch unpacks how simple, repeatable structures, not more asks, help relationships hold between campaigns, especially for small teams. Join Jena to discover: What fills the space between gifts and campaignsWhy donor relationships drift without clear structureHow consistency supports retention without adding more workWhere intentional engagement replaces reactive communicationAnd don't forget to download our handy, free resource here: Sample Stewardship Plan: Plan Out Your Stewardship Activities for Maximum Donor Engagement 📑  https://library.donorbox.org/sample-stewardship-plan/ A practical starting point for mapping follow-up and stewardship so supporter relationships don’t fade over time. What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube Support the show

    13 min
  7. Ep 193| The Hidden Cost of Silence: Psychological Safety in Nonprofits

    JAN 29

    Ep 193| The Hidden Cost of Silence: Psychological Safety in Nonprofits

    Send a text Most teams learn pretty quickly what happens when they give feedback and adjust accordingly.   When people feel safer being honest anywhere except work, trust isn’t the issue...safety is. Britt Stockert chats with Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive, about psychological safety in nonprofit teams...and why silence often shows up long before burnout or turnover. Together, they unpack what psychological safety really looks like in day-to-day nonprofit work: the ability to speak up, ask for help, name concerns, and make mistakes without fear of backlash. We explore: Why nonprofit staff often feel safer processing challenges outside their own organizationsHow well-intended leadership behaviors can unintentionally shut people downThe difference between performative care and real psychological safetyWhat silence is actually signaling inside teamsWhat helps rebuild trust after it’s been brokenRather than offering quick fixes, this episode invites nonprofit leaders and teams to look honestly at how trust is built - or eroded - through everyday actions, follow-through, and response. Where do honest conversations actually happen on your team, and what has speaking up led to in your organization?  Share your experience with us, and join the broader conversation: Connect with Tasha Van Vlack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasha-van-vlack/Learn more about The Nonprofit Hive: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nonprofit-hive/Contact Tasha:tasha@thenonprofithive.com What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube Support the show

    19 min
  8. Ep 192| Donor-Advised Funds: What Fundraisers Need to Know Now

    JAN 22

    Ep 192| Donor-Advised Funds: What Fundraisers Need to Know Now

    Send a text DAFs don’t delay generosity - they reveal giving friction. Donor-advised funds are shaping how people give, but many nonprofits aren’t quite ready for it. In this episode, Cara Augspurger shares what she’s seeing firsthand as a frontline fundraiser, including why DAF donors are often some of the most prepared, responsive, and relationship-driven supporters - when nonprofits make it easy to say yes. You’ll hear: What fundraisers often misunderstand about DAF donorsWhy DAF giving doesn’t slow generosity - friction doesSimple ways to be clearer, more visible, and more DAF-readyIf donor-advised funds feel confusing or intimidating, this episode brings clarity without the noise. Listen now and share with someone navigating donor shifts or planning for more sustainable fundraising. Helpful DAF Resources: We have an in-depth blog to bring you up to speed:  Donor-Advised Funds: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits and Donors?And, quick links to providers mentioned in the episode: Fidelity Charitable – Official Site (DAF info)Schwab Charitable / DAFgiving360 Donor-Advised Fund PageVanguard Charitable – Donor-Advised FundsDaffy – The Donor‑Advised Fund for You™ (Official)What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals? Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact. Discover how Donorbox can help you help others! The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode: The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms. 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast 🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Donor-Advised Funds Are Everywhere 01:20 - What Are Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)? 02:15 - Real Example: Fund Holder Reaches Out 03:50 - DAF Growth: A Million in 2 Years 04:39 - How DAFs Impact Nonprofits 06:27 - 3 Common Myths About DAFs 08:42 - Why Visibility + Clarity Matter for DAF Giving 11:09 - 3 Things to Do This Week (Practical Tips) 13:09 - Bonus Tip: Open Your Own DAF 15:28 - Final Thoughts: Removing Friction for Donors Support the show

    17 min
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4.7
out of 5
29 Ratings

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
    212
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Nonprofit Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Podcast

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