Becoming a Social Fundraiser: How to Build Donor Relationships on LinkedIn with Microsoft's Carson Heady

Missions to Movements

What if your next major donor or corporate partner is already in your LinkedIn inbox, and all you need is the right message to start the conversation?

Carson Heady is someone who's truly mastered the art of showing up online with purpose. He's a five times best selling author, podcast host, and one of the most insightful voices on social leadership. As the Managing Director at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, Carson is here to share how nonprofit professionals can borrow proven strategies from the sales world to build genuine relationships, increase visibility, and spark fundraising opportunities - ALL through LinkedIn.
Thoughtful DMs are outperforming long emails!
You’ll learn how to send better connection requests, strategies for leveraging Sales Navigator for donor prospecting, and how to use the platform as a relationship engine rather than just a digital resume.

You’ll also hear how Carson personally raised $80,000 for a nonprofit through a targeted LinkedIn campaign and why he believes nonprofit leaders should embrace the title of "social fundraiser."

Resources & Links

Connect with Carson on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, Mastering Modern Selling. He also published a great article on LinkedIn, How I Became the #1 Social Seller in Tech - and How You Can Too.

Carson recommends Opus as his favorite AI video clipping tool.

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.
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Chapters

1. Becoming a Social Fundraiser: How to Build Donor Relationships on LinkedIn with Microsoft's Carson Heady (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Social Fundraising (00:01:49)

3. LinkedIn as a Relationship Builder (00:07:56)

4. Creating Value in Connection Requests (00:15:31)

5. Leveraging Sales Navigator for Nonprofits (00:23:55)

6. Content Creation Without Perfect Planning (00:30:17)

7. Final Thoughts on Building Community (00:35:14)