This is Nonprofit Lowdown where I review and recommend the best ideas, resources, tools, tricks and tips to run your nonprofit like a pro!
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Tina Rexing is the founder of T-Rex Cookie, based in Minnesota but known nationally with her numerous media appearances, a scrapped episode of Shark Tank - and relentless pursuit to market her quality cookies fatter than your baby and bigger than your head. She’s an immigrant, a former corporate warrior, a competitive baker for nearly 20-years - and a fierce advocate for being honest and building your business. Her stories reflect her cookies, unconventional, unique flavor, and indulgent. Yo ...
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Your podcasting safe space for confidence chats & confetti celebrations while spending time always learning from the best babes in their industry!
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Podcast by Rather Inventive
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#340- Scaling an Organization to 7 Figures with Jehron Petty
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32:44I’m beyond excited to share my latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown featuring one of my former students and now nonprofit powerhouse, Jehron Petty, founder and CEO of ColorStack. Y’all—Jehron started ColorStack during the height of the pandemic, fresh out of Cornell, and five years later? He’s leading a national org serving over 15,000 Black and Lat…
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#339- Stepping Into Consulting with Amber Buck Hamilton
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32:36I got to chat with my friend and former student Amber Buck Hamilton, founder of Fig Leaf Development and a total rockstar in the fundraising world. We talked about: ✅ Why she left her high-level nonprofit job to start her own consulting biz ✅ How burnout, family, and values drove her decision ✅ What it really feels like to take the leap (spoiler: t…
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#338- Power of a Healthy Pipeline with Maria Griffin
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41:23I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend and fundraising rockstar Maria Griffin on the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown — and trust me, you need to hear this one. Maria is the Chief Advancement Officer at DREAM (yes, the same DREAM from the episode with Rich Berlin!) and she's about to launch her own consultancy to help nonprof…
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#337- Tenacious Fundraising in Tough Times
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48:19Hey friends—I'm turning my recent Leadership Connect session into a podcast episode because the conversation was too real not to share with a wider audience. If you’re a fundraiser, ED, or nonprofit leader navigating today’s uncertainty, this one’s for you. Yes, the economy is wobbly. Yes, federal and state dollars are shrinking. But no, that doesn…
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#336- Values Driven Fundraising with Karla Altmayer
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37:48I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Karla Altmayer, co-founder of Healing to Action, on Nonprofit Lowdown this week — and wow, this conversation is a must-listen. We talked about how her team is flipping the script on both gender-based violence and traditional fundraising. Instead of fancy decks or transactional asks, they’re hosting under…
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197: Girlfriends, Let’s keep them, shall we?!
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11:18Edit: this is episode 197 not 200 😝😜 Today’s episode is a celebration of the divine gift of sisterhood. Inspired by the touching poem “Keep Your Girlfriends” from achristianhome.org, we’re diving into the sacred bond between women who hold each other up through every season. From whispered prayers to belly laughs, girlfriends are God’s way of sayin…
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#335- Celebration + Joy as Resistance with Yully Cha
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40:11This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I had the absolute pleasure of reconnecting with my friend Yully Cha, SVP of Research & Policy and Senior Advisor at Embrace Boston. We dove into a deep and inspiring conversation about what it really means to lead equity work in today’s climate—and why joy and belonging are central to the fight for justice. 💥 We tal…
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#334- Retention Marketing with Sean Littman
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35:19If you’re struggling with donor retention (let’s be real — who isn’t?), you need to hear this convo I had with my friend Sean Littman, founder of GiveSuite.com. We got into the real talk about why retention in the nonprofit sector is so dismal (below 40% — yikes), and more importantly, what to actually do about it. 💡 Here’s a taste of what we cover…
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#333- Power of Authencity with Jacob Adams
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25:39Nonprofit fam, you do not want to miss this one. On the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with the brilliant, bold, and beautifully authentic Jacob Adams — founder + CEO of Inner Spark — to talk about what it really means to lead and fundraise with authenticity. 🙌🏽🔥 We go deep on: Being unapologetically real in funder relationships Wh…
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#332- The State of Nonprofit Staffing with Evan Wildstein and Michelle Flores Vryn
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32:55Nonprofit Leaders, it's time to wake up and take action! In the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with two experts, Michelle Flores Vryn and Evan Wildstein, to dive deep into a critical issue facing our sector: nonprofit staffing struggles. They discuss trends from their groundbreaking Social Impact Staff Retention Report, revealing t…
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#331- Power of Community with Kriste Peoples
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35:38In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m joined by my friend and former student, Kriste Peoples, the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness in Colorado. We talk about the power of community, what it’s like being a BIPOC leader in the outdoor space, and how we’re challenging the idea that the outdoors is only for certain people. 🌿✨ Kriste shares …
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#330- Getting Your Board to Fundraise with Faith Galati
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36:04I’m so excited to share the latest episode of Nonprofit Lowdown where I sit down with my good friend and former student, Faith Galati, Executive Director of Breakthrough Sacramento. She’s here to talk about her incredible journey of turning her nonprofit’s fundraising around, and how she more than doubled her budget! 💡 What we dive into: Shifting y…
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#329- Mastering Major Gifts: A Conversation with Rhea Wong
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35:51Hey, nonprofit fam! It's Rhea Wong here, bringing you an exciting new episode featuring insights from my recent webinar with the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference's Tactical Tuesdays. This one is all about major gift fundraising and why you should be leaning into your major donors NOW. Plus, I’m starting something new on my podcast—answering YOUR b…
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196. Unfuckery Chronicles 3/10/25: weekly words to pump you up!
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7:27Affirming the week ahead could be crucial to how your week can play out or a pivoted opportunity for yourself at each and any moment. Thank you to @lawofattractionlive and @chakrahealingvibes on socials for the inspiration. Something you may need to remind yourself about inspirational posts and pieces you implement in your real life: they are negot…
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It’s Rhea Wong back with another episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic I’m passionate about—MARKETING! If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I don’t have enough prospects in my pipeline,” or “Why are my donors not responding?” then this episode is for YOU. I’m breaking down two key issues that nonprofits face: 1️⃣…
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#327- How to Expand Your Fundraising with Your Board
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15:06Hey Nonprofit Lowdown listeners! Rhea Wong here with an episode that’s all about shifting your mindset from fear to possibility. 💡 I’m sharing a powerful story about a farmer and his horse, illustrating how we often jump to conclusions, but we don’t truly know if something is “good” or “bad” until we look at the bigger picture. It’s time to ask: Wh…
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#326- How to Elevate Your Fundraising with Your Team
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20:48Are you feeling the stress of federal funding uncertainty? You're not alone. In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I dive into how you can take control of your nonprofit’s financial future—even with all the unknowns in the air. I walk you through diversifying your revenue and engaging your board in major gift fundraising. Plus, I share a step-by-st…
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#325- 3 Biggest Mistakes You're Making with Donors
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21:34Are you tired of feeling like you're stuck in the endless loop of chasing donors, getting ghosted, and facing constant objections? If so, this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is a must-listen! In today's episode, I dive into the Top 3 Mistakes Fundraisers Make and give you a game plan on how to fix them NOW. Here’s what we’re talking about: 1️⃣…
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#324- Nonprofit Marketing in 2025: Navigating the Chaos and Creating Real Connections
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20:56Feeling the pressure in the nonprofit world? Between funding cuts, executive orders, and the chaos of social media, it’s been a lot lately. But guess what? I’ve got your back. In the latest episode ofNonprofit Lowdown, I’m diving into the shifting landscape of nonprofit marketing in 2025 — and how to navigate it without burning out. 🔥 From understa…
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Get ready to shake things up in the nonprofit world in 2025! In this spicy episode, I bring together powerhouse voices from the nonprofit sector—Brooke Ritchie Babbage, Tania Bhattacharyya, Rachel Bearbower , Cindy Wagman, and Jess Campbell. Together, we are diving deep into what’s no longer working and what should be left behind for the year ahead…
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In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I break down what sets the most successful leaders apart. It’s not just about grit and determination—it’s about having something to prove, embracing discomfort, and using accountability as fuel. Whether it’s frustration with the system, the hunger to make a difference, or the desire to silence critics, it’s tha…
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#321- Why Your Email Strategy Impacts Fundraising
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15:50If you’ve ever been frustrated by email newsletters that fall flat (or even worse, end up in the dreaded unsubscribe pile, this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown is for YOU! 💡 In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the 10 most common email newsletter mistakes I see nonprofits making—and how to FIX them! ✨ 🔑 Highlights include: Too long? Simplify and cut …
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In today’s episode, we dive into the transformative power of seeing the world through someone else's eyes. When we understand the world from their perspective, we gain a deeper understanding of people and connect in more meaningful ways. It’s a humbling reminder that the greatest honor we can have is to be a conduit for somebody else’s story. We al…
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195. Unfuckery Chronicles 1/6/25: Embracing Authencity & Self-Acceptance
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7:07Girl, Stop saying 'I'm sorry'. In 2025 we are going to stop fucking apologizing and this isn't the way that Ms. Hollis described it many years ago but we're going to do it in a way that is full of tough love in the best way possible. I want you to know that it never gets easier and you're never going to have it all figured out BUT if you continuall…
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In the first episode of Nonprofit Lowdown for 2025, I introduce and explore the ‘Let Them’ theory inspired by self-help guru Mel Robbins. I discuss how relinquishing control over others’ actions can lead to greater mental and emotional peace, especially in the realm of fundraising and board management. I also highlight the importance of clearly def…
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194. We're breaking it down, with our Main Character Energy selves in 2025!
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27:08OMG I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST EPISODE FOR 2025! We're bringing some MCE to your life this year babes! Do you have it? How do you Embrace it? How do you enhance it in others??? Let's find out some quick tips from this great article from Greenlight! Read all about it here: https://greenlight.com/learning-center/parenting-and-family/main-char…
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Hey, Nonprofit Lowdown listeners! Rhea here, bringing you the final episode of 2024. It’s been a year full of incredible insights, heartwarming stories, and actionable tips for nonprofit leaders like you. I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this journey — we’re officially in our 6th year of the podcast! Can you believe it?! 🙌 For…
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#317 - You Say You Don't Have Enough Time...
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25:19As we head into the final stretch of the year, fundraising is on everyone’s mind. In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I’m breaking down the crucial differences between annual gifts and major gifts – two very different types of donors that require distinct strategies. 🔑 What You'll Learn: The key mindset and motivation behind annual vs. maj…
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#316- Burnout Breakthrough: The 4-Step Framework Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Save Time and Maximize Impact
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21:25In this solo episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I dive deep into one of the most pressing issues in the nonprofit world—burnout. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, like you’re running in place just to keep your nonprofit afloat, this episode is for you. I share a game-changing framework to help nonprofit leaders prioritize their time, focus on high-impact…
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193. Unfuckery Chronicles : an Ode to Banner T. Dukes
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11:58This is your permission slip to stay in the pool of grief with an arm out of the water so someone can help pull you out. Yesterday, our plott hound of 13 years passed away on the arm of my husband, covered in a blanket from my parents (thank you Momma & Poppa Rose for letting me steal that comforter years ago, it was his favorite), in his sleep. Th…
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#315- Starting Your Major Gift Program with Elizabeth Goldberg
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43:55Nonprofit Lowdown is back with another insightful conversation, this time with fundraising expert Elizabeth Goldberg! If you're looking to build a major gifts program from scratch, this episode is a must-listen. 💡 In this episode, Elizabeth shares her incredible journey from the textile industry to the world of nonprofit fundraising. She talks abou…
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On this week's Nonprofit Lowdown episode, I sat down with my special guest Dana Snyder, founder of Positive Equation and author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind. 💡 In this episode, we dive deep into the power of monthly giving and how you can harness the subscription economy to build sustainable revenue for your nonprofit. 🌱 Dana shares her journey…
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#313- Simple Marketing for Smart People with Billy Broas
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41:54If you're in the nonprofit world and marketing feels like a mystery or a necessary evil, you're not alone! In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I chat with Billy Broas, a messaging strategist and founder of Five Lightbulbs, about how to make marketing simple and effective — without being sleazy or salesy. 🙌 Billy’s insights are game-changin…
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#312- Giving Circles and the Future of Philanthropy with Emily Rasmussen
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34:27In this week's episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, I sit down with Emily Rasmussen, the founder and CEO of Grapevine, to dive into the power of Giving Circles and the future of philanthropy. 💸✨ 👥 What exactly is a giving circle? Emily explains how this simple yet powerful concept is bringing everyday philanthropists together to pool their resources, buil…
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192. Unfuckery Chronicles: Sit by Yourself, To Nurish your Time with Others.
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7:06honestly, the time together is great, but the time apart living in your individuality reigns supreme. of course, not all the time, but at least enough time so that you feel centered, challenged and cherished. for yourself, in order to make yourself the best presence for others and remain grateful in those relationships: the ones you've always had, …
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#311 - When Local Becomes National..and VOTE with Margaret Huang
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37:10🎙️ Join me, Rhea Wong, on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with Margaret Huang, the incredible president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and SPLC Action Fund. Together, we dive into how we can make geographically specific causes nationally relevant—especially in today's political climate. Margaret shares her unique jour…
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🎧 Join me on this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with the amazing John Lepp, partner at Agents of Good, author of Creative Deviations, and the "Ted Lasso of fundraising"! 🏆✨ Together, we dive deep into the art of empathetic marketing and its crucial role in nonprofit fundraising. 💖 John shares his journey from journalism to direct ma…
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#309- Social Media + Year End Giving with Julia Campbell
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42:32Join me, Rhea Wong, on this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with the fabulous Julia Campbell, social media maven! 🙌 We're diving deep into the current state of social media—and let’s just say, it’s not great. 😅 Is social media feeling more like a burden than a blessing? You’re not alone! Julia and I explore why it’s often overwhelming an…
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#308- Tips for Giving Tuesday with Woodrow Rosenbaum and Stephanie Russell
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35:43Hey, podcast listeners! Join me as we dive into the buzz surrounding Giving Tuesday—the fundraising Super Bowl of the year! 💰✨ In today's episode, I am joined by: Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer of Giving Tuesday Stephanie Russell, Executive VP of RKD Group We discuss the latest GivingPulse Report and share crucial insights on how to effectiv…
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#307 - Community Centric Fundraising with Maria Rio
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38:24Hey, podcast listeners! 🎙️ Join me on this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with my friend Maria Rio, founder and CEO of Further Together and host of The Small Nonprofit podcast! 🌟 We dive deep into community-centric fundraising and how it shifts our focus from individual organizations to the well-being of the entire community. From Maria's journ…
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#306 - Recruiting for Board Members with Melissa Madzel
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36:58🤔 Are you struggling with board dynamics? Wondering how to engage board members effectively without micromanaging? In this episode, Melissa Madzel, founder of Do Good Connections, shares insights from her years in executive search, exploring: The lifecycle of boards and the importance of strategic recruitment How to foster strong leadership within …
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#305 - Words of Wisdom with Brooke Richie-Babbage
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29:01🎙️ This week, I’m chatting with my business bestie, Brooke Richie-Babbage. We’re diving deep into the challenges many of us have faced in 2024—yes, it’s been a tough year! ✨ From feeling stuck to grappling with budget concerns, we’re exploring why so many nonprofits are struggling, despite doing everything “right.” We talk about the importance of a…
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Get ready to dive deep into the world of donor stewardship and recognition in our latest episode! 🎉 We’re unpacking the secrets to keeping your donors engaged and ensuring they don’t slip through the cracks. 🔍 Here’s what you’ll learn: - The 53% Rule: Why the majority of your time should be spent on stewardship. - The Leaky Bucket Problem: How to a…
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Are you ready to dive into the art of solicitation for nonprofits? 💸 Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our latest episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss! In this episode, we tackle the final stage of the fundraising process—solicitation. From crafting the perfect ask to understanding the value exchange, we're bre…
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191. Growth Strategies: statements to Self Evaluate!
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8:41Let’s Grow! Affirmations to Manifest. • nothing changes if nothing changes. • it is never too late to start the thing. • yes there will be ruptures but focus on the repair. • sometimes it is you. • listen to your body, it knows. • self-compassion releases you/judgement never will. • not everyone will get you, they're not your people. • your inner c…
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🎙 Hey podcast listeners! Rhea Wong here with **Nonprofit Lowdown**, bringing you the latest insights on fundraising. This Labor Day, we're diving into the art of **cultivation** – think of it as the dating phase in donor relationships! 💌 Tune in to explore: - **Cultivation Strategies**: How to move donors from awareness to active engagement. - **Ge…
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Hey, fundraisers! 🎙️ On this week’s episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, we’re diving deep into the world of **donor qualification**. Ever wonder why you’re chasing after donors who don’t seem to be that into you? Let’s talk about the 5% that really matters: 🔍 **Identification**: Who’s your type? 🤔 **Qualification**: Do they want to date you? 💞 **Cultivat…
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4 things You can do to build your confidence 1. Spend time alone - take yourself on little dates and get comfortable doing things in your own company 2. Prioritizing your health - you love yourself more when you water your own plants 3. Staying in your own lane - stop comparing yourself. Someone else's intelligence or beauty doesn't take away from …
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Hey, nonprofit leaders! 🎙️ If you’re looking to up your fundraising game, you’re in for a treat. Join me for an incredible workshop that’s set to transform how you approach donor relationships. In this workshop, I break down my proven strategies for engaging with donors, making major gifts, and turning those one-time contributions into lasting part…
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This week, I had an enlightening conversation with Jay Frost about how the old rules of fundraising are DEAD. 🛑 2024 has been a wild ride, especially in the fundraising world, and I’m here to share how you can not only survive but THRIVE in this new landscape. 🌟 Here are some key takeaways: - **Moves Management is Dead**: I explain why the traditio…
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