Videos

The future is here. Artificial Intelligence is starting to infiltrate every industry—including the nonprofit world—and it's here to stay. What is the good, bad, and ugly of using this new technology in fundraising? 👊Punchline: There is no easy button when it comes to AI in fundraising. Embrace the technology, but…

The nonprofit industry is notoriously resistant to change. We don't like it. It makes us uncomfortable. And we hold on to dated (and sometimes downright laughable) practices because of it. It's time to evaluate "the way we've always done things" and embrace modern tools and methods to drive meaningful change.…

Ahhh technology. It's taken the nonprofit world by storm, and has provided some amusing tech fails along the way. In an industry full of shiny new tools, many nonprofits adopt new tech with hopes it will revolutionize their fundraising. The truth is, the tools can only do so much. We…

LYBUNTS, SYBUNTS, and first-time donors — what does it all mean? Our nonprofit jargon is often perplexing, especially in the wild world of data segmentation. Get ready to unravel the comedic tapestry woven by the intricacies of our everyday lingo! 👊 Punchline: Our everyday jargon can be difficult to interpret.…

Have you ever felt like you're on a secret mission, but the only secret is what you're actually supposed to be doing? Collaboration is challenging, and the key is effective communication—on all sides of the coin. 👊 Punchline: Clear communication isn't just kind, it's your lifeline in the workplace. Don't…

The power and influence of women in generosity is on the rise, and so is their desire to be recognized differently. There are so many problems with formal salutations in fundraising, so why are we still using them? 👊 Punchline: Move away from default gendered salutations and provide options for…

Is there ever grounds to uninvite someone to your event? If so, we know how NOT to handle it. There may be some legitimate reasons to uninvite someone to an event, but in this episode we dive into what NOT to do. This story has us asking serious questions about…

How to know if a nonprofit is a healthy place to work. You know you are in a bad workplace when everywhere you turn there are passive aggressive signs. A happy office is a good office. How to know if a nonprofit is a healthy place to work? Go to…

Your brand is not more important than your customer. Branding guidelines don't stop the world from spinning. Fundraising is funny because sometimes we hold more tightly to organizational standards than we do to serving those who are fueling our mission. 👊 Punchline: Don't mistake your priorities. Question the things you…

Don't make assumptions about generations. And just because something works for one mission, doesn't mean it will work for you. A feeling of belonging is important, but if we don't see ourselves, how do we belong? Do we see ourselves in a membership card? You can create false belonging. A…

We've noticed a pattern in development shops that just might be contributing to our poor retention rates + stifling our growth. The answer lies in understanding the T-Rexes and kangaroos around us. Let's create an environment where we can work together. Fundraising shops can be a zoo! And we know…

There's an art to communication. We all approach it differently, so seek to understand the other party and have grace when conflict arises. Urgency is not the same for all. Ever had someone badger you over an "urgent" email that wasn't at all on your radar? We thought so. Because…

If you are going to take the time to do something - do it well. Bad auctions aren't serving your organization and they may just be sending the wrong message. We've seen a lot of hilarious things in our careers and on thing's certain - auctions never cease to amaze!…

Is the story of fundraising about getting money in the door? Or is it about encouraging generosity and solving problems? What are the gimmicks in our industry that have always made you laugh? (We know a few just popped into your head) 👊 Punchline: Honor your mission and your beneficiaries…

The only competition, the only thing that we have to strive for as a fundraiser is am I better than I was yesterday? Have you had one of those situations where somebody has used numbers either against you or just not in a way that made sense for you? Tune…

Gone DAFFY- how we screw up the DAF. There's no way around it. We gotta laugh at the fact that billions of dollars are sitting in donor advised funds (DAFs) and not going to charities - or else we'll cry. And how are we reporting, stewarding and tagging them in…

Ethics + fundraising dilemmas. Remember that time you came across a contact report that made your eyes bug? 👀 We've all been there. But boy howdy, we're chatting through one example that had us questioning how/why they exist and how to cultivate with honor. 👊Punchline: Contact reports exist to show…

Fundraising jargon episode: why is it a "special" event? "Low Hanging Fruit?" 🤨 Let's face it, our sector's words are weird. And littered with bizarre acronyms. And after awhile, we kinda get used to them until a newbie enters the picture and says, "ummm, please define." Those who are generous…

Don’t make assumptions without digging deep into your data, because it can lead you astray. Repeat after us: no donor is the same. And digging in beyond surface-level data can illuminate why two gents who own castles in England are two very different humans with different interests and giving motivations.…

Even though we see that sign every day or that thing that has a donor's name on it, to someone somewhere it has meaning. Oh mercy. It's the signage conversation we've all experienced (and may carry the emotional scars to prove it🤕). Whether it's tracking correct spelling, ensuring we've uncoupled…

Know who your donors are by getting feedback and asking good questions. A recent survey shows 100% of nonprofits need to be asking bigger and better questions. Do you have a culture of surveying, and are you (gulp) asking questions that you already have in your database? 👊Punchline: Asking questions…

Getting to know your donors is important and having a plan for when something goes wrong. We've all seen the unbelievable and disbelievable in our work. But there's just something maniacally funny about the oddest experiences that inform our work. 👊Punchline: Getting to know your donors (beyond the surface level)…

Celebrate the generous more than the philanthropist The battle lines have been drawn and its generosity vs philanthropy🥊 Anybody can be generous, and honoring however a person wants to give truly honors the love of humankind. Do we value generosity or philanthropy more at our organizations? 👊Punchline: Generosity is bigger…

Nonprofits resistance to change We don't like change. And no we're not talking about the coins in your pocket. In this episode, we dive into the peculiarities of nonprofit business cards, explore the resistance to change within the sector, and discuss the importance of embracing new communication mediums. We share…