Can artificial intelligence actually help you raise more money—and build better donor relationships? This week on Nonprofit Nation, we’re diving into the future of fundraising with Juliet MacDowell, a veteran development strategist who’s raised over $1 billion for global NGOs and is now the founder of Mission AI. Juliet combines 25 years of hands-on fundraising experience with AI-powered tools to help nonprofits and social enterprises work smarter—not harder. We talk about how AI is reshaping...
Aug 6
31 min
If you've ever wondered how to land and leverage sponsorships for your nonprofit’s events, this episode is your playbook. A.J. Steinberg is a fundraising powerhouse with more than 20 years of experience producing high-impact nonprofit events and millions raised for mission-driven causes. Through her company, Queen Bee Fundraising, A.J. teaches organizations the art of securing corporate sponsorships that don’t just support events—but fuel entire fundraising strategies. In this episode, A.J. p...
Jul 30
36 min
What does it take to step into leadership during a time of profound cultural, social, and institutional change? Rabbi Joanna Samuels joins Nonprofit Nation to share how she’s navigating this challenge as the CEO of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan—one of the largest and most influential Jewish community centers in the U.S. A longtime advocate for gender equity and social justice, Rabbi Samuels brings a unique lens to leadership, storytelling, and community-building. She discusses how nonpro...
Jul 23
36 min
What if the reason you're not raising more money... isn't your fundraising strategy? Kevin L. Brown believes most nonprofits are stuck in the wrong cycle—constantly doing more fundraising, instead of fixing their fundability and visibility. In this episode, the Mighty Ally CEO and author of Fundable & Findable shares a brand-first, strategy-driven approach to nonprofit growth that challenges everything you've been told about development. We explore why only 1 in 1,000 nonprofits eve...
Jul 16
35 min
📊 Did you know the average human attention span is just 8 seconds—shorter than a goldfish? In today’s noisy digital world, that stat has big implications for how nonprofits write appeals, newsletters, and even mission statements. This week, Lynn Bohart—author, former nonprofit executive, and founder of Lil Dog Communications—joins us to unpack how nonprofit professionals can dramatically increase fundraising results through stronger, more persuasive messaging. Lynn Bohart is a seasoned nonpro...
Jul 9
36 min
In a time when short-term fundraising feels relentless, planned giving offers something rare: stability. Planned giving often seems like a strategy reserved for large institutions or a distant concern for smaller nonprofits. However, Tony Martignetti, the Planned Giving evangelist, and host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio podcast, argues that it's a crucial tool for organizations of all sizes seeking long-term financial resilience. With nearly three decades of experience and having assist...
Jul 2
38 min
What if fundraising isn’t a “necessary evil,” but a powerful act of bridge-building? Jill Vorndran leads a 75-person team raising over $85 million annually for Covenant House International. In this episode, she shares what most conferences leave out: how to lead with both relentless joy and accountability, why excellent CEOs still struggle with fundraising, and what it really takes to sustain a high-performing development culture. We dig into what it takes to sustain fundraisers in a time of ...
Jun 25
36 min
What if science wasn’t just about data—but about meaning? And what if stories were our most powerful technology for building a better future? This week on Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Dr. Vivienne Ming—theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor, and founder of The Human Trust—for a mind-expanding conversation about the stories we tell about science, progress, and ourselves. Vivienne is known for using AI, neuroscience, and epigenetics to tackle “impossible” problems—from detecting p...
Jun 18
38 min
What if fundraising was as simple and fun as a 5th-grade project? In today’s episode, we sit down with Patrick Kirby, founder of Do Good Better Consulting and host of The Official Do Good Better Podcast, to talk about his newest book, Fundraise Like a 5th Grader. Patrick brings his signature energy and humor to share why embracing a childlike approach to fundraising can lead to big wins for nonprofits. We also dive into 2025 fundraising trends, the dangers of “we’ve always done it this way” t...
Jun 11
37 min
Everyone is busy. Whether it’s emails, reports, or social media, most people skim rather than read in depth. So how can we write in a way that ensures our message gets through? In this episode, we’re joined by Todd Rogers, a Harvard Kennedy School professor, behavioral scientist, and author of Writing for Busy Readers. Todd shares the cognitive science behind effective communication and offers six actionable principles to help nonprofit professionals, educators, and leaders write clearly and ...
Jun 4
33 min
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