Curious about how cryptocurrency can revolutionize nonprofit fundraising? This episode is for you. Meghan Speer sits down with Pat Duffy, CEO and co-founder of The Giving Block, who unveils his journey from pharmaceuticals to pioneering crypto donations in the nonprofit world.  Discover how nonprofits can effortlessly convert crypto donations into US dollars, avoiding the technicalities of holding or trading cryptocurrencies, and learn practical strategies for integrating crypto into your fundraising toolkit. Don’t miss this transformative conversation that could elevate your fundraising efforts to new heights.

Pat shares the compelling story of how The Giving Block emerged to solve the challenges nonprofits face in accepting crypto donations, along with a simplified breakdown of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making the concept accessible to everyone.

Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

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What if leadership isn’t about having all the answers? Discover the power of embracing uncertainty with our special guest, Lisa Slayton, a former nonprofit leader who now thrives as a consultant and author. Join us as Lisa recounts her transformative journey from heading the a local Pittsburgh nonprofit to co-authoring “Life in Flux” with Michaela O’Donnell.

In this eye-opening episode, we challenge conventional problem-solving approaches by exploring the concept of “embracing the unfigureoutable.” Lisa and I talk about the shift from solving problems to fostering curiosity, especially when facing complex, unsolvable issues. Embrace your vulnerabilities and learn why admitting “I don’t know” can be a strength, leading to innovation and growth. With the metaphor of a trapeze artist as our guide, we discuss the leaps of faith required to unlearn outdated practices and navigate the ever-changing landscape of leadership. Tune in for practical wisdom and inspiration that will resonate with leaders across all fields.

Lisa Pratt Slayton is the founder and CEO of Tamim Partners. She partners with leaders and their teams to help them flourish and lead well in complex times. With 25 years of leadership, organizational consulting and coaching experience, her clients include business executives and non-profit and ministry leaders.

Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

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Wondering how to ensure the long-term sustainability of your nonprofit? Our latest episode with philanthropy expert Mike Goorhouse dives into the often-overlooked world of planned giving strategies. Mike joins host Meghan Speer to share his journey from a youth grantmaker to leading a philanthropic consulting company, revealing why delayed gratification is essential for securing your mission’s future. Learn how to make strategic asks that promise future rewards, even when the immediate benefits are not visible. From creative approaches to measurable metrics, this episode offers actionable steps to foster estate gift commitments, ensuring your nonprofit’s future is secure. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to mastering planned giving in the nonprofit sector.

Mike Goorhouse is Founder and Lead Consultant at Inspiring Impact, LLC, a firm dedicated to helping nonprofit and philanthropic organizations effectively inspire change in their community.

He has spent his entire career in philanthropy including working with Family Foundations, Community Foundations and Youth Grantmakers while at the Council of Michigan Foundations and serving as President/CEO for the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) for 10 years.

Over the years Mike has been recognized for his commitment to philanthropy and the community. In 2011 he was named one of the top 30 Civic Leaders under the age of 30 in the nation by the National Conference on Citizenship. In 2017 he was named Young Executive of the Year as part of the MiBiz Best Managed Nonprofit Awards. Finally, he has been recognized as one of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Business Leaders six times and three times has been named one of GRBJ’s top 200 most influential business leaders in West Michigan.

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Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming more and more prevalent in the nonprofit space, and it is becoming increasingly crucial for nonprofits to understand this method of giving. What is a DAF? What are the advantages of donating through DAFs in a world where credit card usage is more convenient? How can you accommodate donors who are looking to use this new means of supporting your mission? Learn about the motivations behind your donors who are switching to DAFs, the benefits of DAFs for your nonprofit organization, and the latest strategies for accommodating donors who use DAFs. On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Greg Farrell and Mitch Stein to discuss the ins and outs of DAFs as vehicles for philanthropic giving, one of the most requested topics for the podcast.

Throughout the podcast, references are made to the following study regarding data collected about DAFs: https://www.givechariot.com/daf-fundraising-report. 

Mitch Stein is the Head of Strategy for Chariot, a payments company for Donor Advised Fund (DAF) giving. They help nonprofits incorporate Donor Advised Fund gifts into all their fundraising flows with Chariot’s integrated DAF payment option, removing the headaches of missing DAF donors and tracking DAF gifts. He had a 7 year career as an Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs before becoming a startup founder around his biggest passion – bringing more high impact innovation to the nonprofit space. His startup raised over $1M in pre-seed funding, grew to a team of 10, and helped thousands of users. In 2023, he consulted with other founders in the social impact tech sector on their Strategy, Story & Sales where he ultimately joined Chariot’s team to help make his biggest dreams for philanthropy a reality.

Greg Farrell is a legacy Hefren-Tillotson advisor. He and his wife, Christine Farrell, lead a unique group within the Baird family. Greg is a CFP® practitioner and a Senior Vice President with the firm. He is licensed for a variety of insurance needs as well, including long-term care insurance. He has authored articles for several local newspapers and has been a featured speaker on the popular financial radio call-in show, “Your Money & You” heard Sunday mornings on KDKA-AM/1020. Greg has served in numerous volunteer positions for his favorite charity, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. He is also active in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church where Greg served as an Elder.

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As your organization grows, all-in-one solutions may not be offering everything that your organization needs. How can you determine when it’s time to drop the all-in-one solutions and search for more fitting single point solutions? How can you motivate a shift from an all-in-one solution that your organization has been using for a long time? Learn about all the benefits of more specialized, single point solutions for your nonprofit operations and the importance of graduating from all-in-one solutions that are limiting you and your team. On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Sal Salpietro to discuss the blessings and curses of all-in-one solutions in the nonprofit space and the importance of finding the correct solutions for your organization. 

Salvatore Salpietro, Chief Community Officer at Fundraise Up, and Board Secretary of Asia Wild, has a background spanning technology, digital marketing, startups, and nonprofits. As a frequent speaker, he enthusiastically encourages nonprofits to embrace innovation and efficiency in online fundraising. Having served both at a nonprofit as Director of Digital, as well as on the technology platform side, he has a deep understanding of the challenges nonprofits face and solutions to advance our missions. Eager to distill concepts into easily digestible actions, Salvatore uses analogies and self-reflecting questions to help nonprofit professionals see the world from the perspective of the donor. He speaks three languages, has lived in three countries, and is a proud girl-dad to a Swiftie.

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As presidential elections grow nearer, how much should your organization change your marketing strategy and how much should you keep the same? How can you make your attempts to connect with new and old donors stand out among the rush of emails, text messages, and direct mail that comes with election season? Learn about how to navigate through an election year and how to avoid common mistakes that nonprofit organizations make during this time. On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Jeff Kruszyna and Joel Baugher to discuss strategies for nonprofit organizations during the election year. 

Jeff Kruszyna is a three-time Peer Choice “All Star Award” winner and a 2019 recipient of the American Association of Political Consultants’ “40 Under 40 Award” who has raised more than $100 million for Republican campaigns, political action committees, veteran support groups, Christian charities, and other conservative advocacy organizations. He has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of Republican politics, direct response strategy, fundraising, copywriting, design, donor acquisition, list selection, segmentation and analysis. 

Joel Baugher is a networker whose agency expertise spans all facets of direct mail fundraising, including creative cause concepts and program strategy, list selection and analysis, print production brokerage, and creative copywriting. He has helped grow programs into nationally-recognized institutions by routinely exceeding client growth and revenue goals. For two decades, Joel Baugher has helped guide the direct response marketing success of charitable nonprofits, Christian missions groups, political candidates, and conservative advocacy organizations.

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Whether it’s an interview about the life of one of the people your organization is helping or a discussion with your donors about the motivations behind their support for your cause, the ability to capture and communicate a story is crucial to the success of your organization. So how do you enhance your storytelling abilities and improve the stories that your organization tells? How can you tell the story of the present while also inviting your audience to play a role in a possible story for the future? On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Arielle Bateman to discuss her 4 practices that she suggests for improving your storytelling: stay hopeful, be curious, focus on the people, and own your story. 

Arielle has worked as a nonprofit storyteller for more than 12 years in international relief, human services, and museums. Her work has spanned the donor pipeline from direct response to major gifts. As a dedicated fundraiser and communicator, she enjoys sharing stories of transformation and building relationships in the community. She loves helping people to discover their philanthropic passions and to support the work that’s closest to their heart.

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Has your social media content felt repetitive and robotic lately? Are you and your organization looking for a way to refresh your social media content and maximize your social media presence? Influencer marketing may be the refreshment that your social media pages need. Learn how to humanize your message by tapping into the potential of social media influencers who have audiences that are interested in your organization and its purpose! On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Ryan Davis and Mel to discuss the world of influencer marketing and the doors it could open for your nonprofit organization.

Ryan Davis has over twenty years experience in digital strategy for non-profit and advocacy organizations. He was the founding Social Media Director at Blue State and is the co-founder of People First. Ryan currently works with dozens of organizations across the country on influencer marketing.

Mel is a content creator who creates traveling content across several social media platforms. She has worked with several nonprofits to raise awareness about environmental issues in an effort to protect the lands that she visits and loves. She has worked with People First on several campaigns.

Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

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