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Feeling exhausted from chasing the latest fundraising trends with little to show for it? In this insightful conversation with Isaac Ezell, CEO of Seed Fundraisers, we explore what truly drives sustainable nonprofit growth. Drawing from his 13+ years scaling Hope International from $5 million to $38.5 million, Isaac reveals that successful organizations focus on just one or two core strategies—rather than trying to do everything. He outlines five primary fundraising approaches and encourages nonprofits to align with their strengths and donor base. Most importantly, he highlights the relational heart of fundraising, where storytelling and listening build deeper, mission-driven partnerships.

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In 2025’s shifting nonprofit funding landscape, many organizations face steep federal grant cuts, prompting a pivot toward overlooked private foundations. In a timely discussion, Rachel Fidler Cannella of Instrumentl joins Megan Speer to share insights on navigating this challenge, highlighting examples like Second Harvest Food Bank. She debunks the myth of grants as “easy money,” noting most professionals spend 40+ hours per application with no guarantee of success. The conversation emphasizes how AI and cross-team collaboration are transforming the grant process, and Rachel offers practical strategies for strengthening grant efforts—urging leaders to focus on what’s working, set clear priorities, and adopt systems that foster visibility and sustainability.

Rachel Fidler Cannella is a skilled educator & nonprofit professional with over a decade in the Arts & Culture sector. She now leads educational programming as the Events & Community Manager at Instrumentl, the all-in-one grants platform for tracking, management, and prospecting.

Prior to Instrumentl, Rachel served as Senior Manager of School & Teacher Programs at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, leading all educational programming for 150,000+ annual school visitors at two county museum sites. She has also directed creative arts programming at Holocaust Museum LA and designed environmental education courses at the Portland Children’s Museum, in partnership with the Oregon Zoo.

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When the world feels like it's erupting around your nonprofit, should you wait for the storm to pass or forge ahead? In this timely conversation, Kimberly Bottom of Feather shares why inaction during uncertain times poses the greatest risk to your organization's future. We dive into the current challenging climate for nonprofits - from funding freezes to harmful rhetoric questioning the sector's legitimacy. Rather than seeing these as reasons to retreat, Kimberly reveals how they create unprecedented opportunities to amplify your mission and transform criticism into connection. "All press is good press," she notes. "The fact that nonprofits are being recognized nationally, even though the rhetoric is bad, gives us a taller soapbox to show what we're really about." The conversation explores practical strategies for nurturing donor relationships across generations, leveraging automation to create surprisingly personal experiences, and approaching new communication channels with a "test, don't guess" mentality. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by technological change, unsure about investing in marketing during lean times, or simply looking for a confidence boost, this episode delivers both strategic insight and empowering perspective. As Kim powerfully reminds us: "Take the high road. Say 'Hey, you're bringing all this attention to me? Thanks, I'm going to show you all the good work I'm doing.'" Don't miss this blueprint for turning today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities.

Kimberly Bottom is a passionate storyteller and a sharp strategic thinker with nearly two decades of experience in digital media. As Director of Community Engagement at Feather, Kimberly consults with nonprofits on the most effective and efficient ways to know, grow and engage their audiences through GOOD digital marketing.

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What if the most powerful tool for strengthening donor relationships isn't your messaging strategy, but your ability to listen? In this illuminating conversation with Chris Barlow, Customer Happiness Director at Your Beeline, we explore how nonprofits can transform their digital communications from one-way broadcasts into meaningful two-way conversations. We often view our websites, social media accounts, and email campaigns as channels for pushing out information rather than opportunities for genuine engagement. Chris challenges this mindset by showing how active listening principles can be applied across all your digital touchpoints to deepen connection with supporters and dramatically improve results. Discover practical strategies that any organization can implement immediately: from adding simple surveys to your website's thank you pages. Perhaps most powerfully, you'll learn how asking donors about their vision for your mission can uncover hidden major gift prospects while honoring their role as stakeholders in your work.

As Founder and Customer Happiness Director, Chris Barlow is grateful to help nonprofits use digital marketing to multiply the reach of their mission and the growth of their donors. Most of all, he’s grateful to be the dad to seven kids, and to try to teach them how to live in a way that multiplies good in others.

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Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, yet a staggering 35% don't return year after year. Why is this happening, and what can your organization do about it? In this eye-opening conversation with Eric Burger, Director of Marketing at Volunteer Hub, we unpack the critical importance of volunteer communication and management strategies that keep supporters coming back. When you consider that each volunteer hour is valued at $33.49, retention becomes not just a mission imperative but a financial one too. Burger shares practical insights on why volunteers leave—from feeling underappreciated to lacking proper training—and offers actionable solutions for addressing these challenges. We explore how treating volunteers with the same structured approach used for employees can dramatically improve retention rates, including proper onboarding, clear role definitions, and systematic feedback mechanisms. Whether you're struggling with volunteer recruitment or looking to enhance your existing program, you'll take away concrete strategies for creating streamlined, efficient processes that respect volunteers' time while deepening their connection to your mission. Looking to transform your volunteer program? Connect with Eric on LinkedIn or visit volunteerhub.com to explore comprehensive volunteer management solutions built specifically for nonprofit needs.

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When nonprofit leaders hear "operations," many immediately think of bureaucratic processes that pull them away from their mission work. But what if strong operational foundations are actually the key to multiplying your impact? Joshua Monge, fractional COO and founder of Think, Adapt, Build, makes a compelling case that treating your nonprofit like a business – with clear processes, defined roles, and contingency plans – creates the infrastructure needed for sustainable mission fulfillment. For startup nonprofits, Joshua offers three essential pieces of guidance. First, understand and clearly articulate why your organization specifically should be addressing your chosen issue when others may already be working in the space. Second, focus on measuring outcomes rather than just activities – not just what you're doing but what difference it's making. Third, remain flexible about potential solutions while staying focused on your core mission outcomes. Established nonprofits facing leadership transitions or growth challenges need different operational approaches. Joshua recommends a three-to-five-year window to document core processes, clarify financial systems, and create clear role definitions before significant leadership changes occur. This preparation prevents the all-too-common scenario where critical operational knowledge walks out the door with departing founders or executives. Connect with Joshua at thinkadaptbuild.com for operational resources designed specifically for nonprofits, or find him on LinkedIn where he regularly shares articles and practical wisdom for mission-driven organizations.

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Your nonprofit website isn't just digital real estate—it's the center of your marketing universe and your organization's 24/7 representative. But as Jay Owen, CEO of Business Builders, reveals in this eye-opening conversation, most organizations waste precious time and resources on ineffective digital strategies while missing fundamental opportunities to connect with donors and drive meaningful action. "Design builds trust, but words are what sell," Owen explains, challenging the common practice of prioritizing aesthetics over clear messaging. This insight leads to a practical approach where nonprofits should first perfect their story before worrying about visual elements. The most effective nonprofit websites speak directly to their primary audience (usually donors) while avoiding the "design by committee" trap that creates cluttered, confusing user experiences with too many competing calls to action. Whether you're planning a website overhaul or simply looking to improve your digital presence, this conversation offers practical wisdom that will transform how you think about your nonprofit's online home. Connect with Jay Owen on LinkedIn or visit storybrandcourse.com for a free 5-part course on improving your messaging fundamentals.

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When nonprofit funding landscapes shift dramatically—as they have in recent months—the organizations that survive and thrive are those with impeccable financial stewardship practices. Dayna Sear, founder and CEO of Sear Growth Solutions, brings her wealth of experience to this crucial conversation about compliance, transparency, and strategic financial management. Sear addresses the fundamental paradox facing nonprofits: they're expected to tackle society's most complex challenges while operating under strict administrative spending caps that limit their ability to invest in proper compliance systems. "We want you to solve the hardest problems of the world, but yet we cap the amount that you can spend on your admin costs," Sear explains, pointing out that this restriction makes it difficult to attract and retain the talent needed for effective management. For nonprofit leaders wondering where to start improving their compliance practices, Sear offers practical advice: begin by creating a comprehensive inventory of all funding sources, understand where each dollar originates (federal funds often trickle down through state or local entities), familiarize yourself with specific spending restrictions, and get all reporting deadlines on your calendar. These seemingly simple steps can prevent major compliance headaches later. Ready to strengthen your organization's financial stewardship? Visit smartgrantsolutions.com to learn how technology can simplify compliance while helping you demonstrate clear return on investment for every donor dollar.

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