

Nonprofit Lowdown
Rhea Wong
This is Nonprofit Lowdown where I review and recommend the best ideas, resources, tools, tricks and tips to run your nonprofit like a pro!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2024 ⢠43min
#309- Social Media + Year End Giving with Julia Campbell
Join me, Rhea Wong, on this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown as I sit down with the fabulous Julia Campbell, social media maven! š
We're diving deep into the current state of social mediaāand letās just say, itās not great. š
Is social media feeling more like a burden than a blessing? Youāre not alone! Julia and I explore why itās often overwhelming and how nonprofits can shift their approach from broadcasting to engaging. š
Discover:
ā
The true purpose of social media in fundraising
ā
How to measure success beyond vanity metrics
ā
Tips to overcome the comparison game
ā
Strategies to build community and drive action off-platform
Whether youāre feeling lost in the sea of social media or just need a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with insights to help you leverage these platforms for good! šŖ
Tune in now and letās get to work transforming your social media strategy! šļøāØ
Important Links:
Connect with Julia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell/
Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit: https://jcsocialmarketing.com/
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Oct 14, 2024 ⢠36min
#308- Tips for Giving Tuesday with Woodrow Rosenbaum and Stephanie Russell
Hey, podcast listeners! Join me as we dive into the buzz surrounding Giving Tuesdayāthe fundraising Super Bowl of the year! š°āØ
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 effectively engage donors this Giving Tuesday. š¤
š Key Takeaways:
Understanding Donor Behavior: Learn why itās essential to understand donor motivations and engagement strategies.
In-Person Engagement: Explore innovative ways to harness the power of in-person connections amidst digital noise.
Donor Retention Strategies: Discover how to retain first-time donors and convert them into loyal supporters.
š§ Tune in now for actionable tips to maximize your fundraising efforts this season and beyond! Letās make this Giving Tuesday your best one yet!
Important Links:
GIvingPulse Report: https://www.givingpulse.givingtuesday.org/
Connect with Woodrow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodrowrosenbaum/
Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slaudrussell/
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Oct 7, 2024 ⢠38min
#307 - Community Centric Fundraising with Maria Rio
Hey, podcast listeners! šļø Join me on this weekās Nonprofit Lowdown as I chat with my friend Maria Rio, founder and CEO of Further Together and host of The Small Nonprofit podcast! š 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 journey as a street fundraiser to her insights on equity and social justice in fundraising, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to rethink how we approach donor relationships. š
Important Links:
Connect with Maria: https://linkedin.com/in/mariario
Community Centric Fundraising: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/tag/maria-rio/
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Sep 30, 2024 ⢠37min
#306 - Recruiting for Board Members with Melissa Madzel
š¤ 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 your board
Tips for decoupling board membership from fundraising pressures
Best practices for onboarding and setting expectations
If youāre an ED looking to navigate the complexities of board relationships, this episode is for you!
Important Links:
Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamadzel
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Sep 23, 2024 ⢠29min
#305 - Words of Wisdom with Brooke Richie-Babbage
šļø This week, Iām chatting with my business bestie, Brooke Richie-Babbage. Weāre diving deep into the challenges many of us have faced in 2024āyes, itās been a tough year!
⨠From feeling stuck to grappling with budget concerns, weāre exploring why so many nonprofits are struggling, despite doing everything āright.ā We talk about the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how to break through the noise in a world flooded with information.
š” Join us as we share personal stories of our own missteps (hello, hiring mistakes and epic event flops) and discuss the power of acknowledging our gaps to foster growth.
š If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure, you're not alone! Tune in to hear how to embrace uncertainty and keep moving forward.
Important Links:
Connect with Brooke: https://brookerichiebabbage.com/
Brookeās Courses: https://brookerichiebabbage.com/courses-resources/
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Sep 16, 2024 ⢠26min
#304- How to Steward Donors
Get ready to dive deep into the world of donor stewardship and recognition in our latest episode! š
Weāre unpacking the secrets to keeping your donors engaged and ensuring they donāt slip through the cracks.
š Hereās what youāll learn:
- The 53% Rule: Why the majority of your time should be spent on stewardship.
- The Leaky Bucket Problem: How to address the staggering 45% donor retention rate and why focusing on retention can transform your year economically.
- Personalization Matters: Discover how understanding and aligning with your donors' unique preferences can drastically improve your retention rates.
- Seven Touch Points: Learn why you need multiple touch points before asking for another donation and how to effectively implement them.
- Metrics That Matter: Essential metrics you should be tracking to ensure your efforts are paying off.
š” Call to Action: Donāt miss out on downloading my essential template and taking our fun, free self-diagnosis quiz. These tools are designed to supercharge your stewardship strategy and boost your donor relationships!
Important Links:
Free Quiz: https://go.rheawong.com/freebie-quiz
Free Annual Fundraising Plan Tracker: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program
My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/

Sep 9, 2024 ⢠32min
#303- How to Solicit Donors
Are you ready to dive into the art of solicitation for nonprofits? šø 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 processāsolicitation. From crafting the perfect ask to understanding the value exchange, we're breaking down the essentials to help you make compelling requests and secure those crucial donations.
⨠**What You'll Learn:**
- **The Power of Preparation:** How to create real value for your donors before making the ask.
- **Matching Needs and Desires:** Tailoring your approach to align with donor interests and capacity.
- **Effective Solicitation Methods:** When to go in-person vs. using other communication channels.
- **Navigating Donor-Advised Funds:** Tips for handling anonymous or indirect donations.
- **The Pyramid of Value:** Understanding what motivates donors and how to tap into their desires.
Donāt miss out on these game-changing strategies that can transform your approach to fundraising. Subscribe, listen, and get ready to elevate your nonprofit's success!
Important Links:
Free Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4317252143685/WN_Ou6hEuuGQ_29_IjYTTAcAA#/registration
Free Annual Fundraising Plan Tracker: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Sep 2, 2024 ⢠32min
#302 - How to Cultivate Donors
š 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** ā think of it as the dating phase in donor relationships! š
Tune in to explore:
- **Cultivation Strategies**: How to move donors from awareness to active engagement.
- **Generational Preferences**: What each generation prefers when it comes to communication and giving.
- **Effective Donor Management**: Get practical tips on avoiding the pitfalls of outdated "moves management.
Plus, grab your **FREE** cultivation template below and mark your calendar for our **September 11th webinar** on the latest shifts in donor behavior. šļø Register belowā it's completely free!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to refine your approach and maximize your impact. Listen in, take notes, and letās make those donor relationships thrive!
Important Links:
Free Webinar on September 11th: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4317252143685/WN_Ou6hEuuGQ_29_IjYTTAcAA#/registration
Free Annual Fundraising Plan Tracker: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Aug 26, 2024 ⢠20min
#301 - How to Qualify New Donors
Hey, fundraisers! šļø On this weekās episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, weāre diving deep into the world of **donor qualification**. Ever wonder why youāre chasing after donors who donāt seem to be that into you? Letās talk about the 5% that really matters:
š **Identification**: Whoās your type?
š¤ **Qualification**: Do they want to date you?
š **Cultivation**: Letās get to know each other!
š **Solicitation**: Seal the deal!
š **Stewardship**: Keep building that relationship!
I'm sharing why skipping the qualification step can lead to wasted time and effort, and how to ensure youāre focusing on the right prospects. From capacity and affinity to recency and relationships, learn how to identify whoās truly engaged and ready to support your cause.
Plus, get tips on segmenting your list, the importance of consent, and why focusing on the most qualified leads can transform your fundraising strategy. š¤
š **Donāt miss out**! Tune in now for actionable insights that will help you stop chasing after uninterested donors and start engaging with the ones who matter most.
Important Links:
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program

Aug 19, 2024 ⢠41min
#300 - How to Identify New Donors
Hey, nonprofit leaders! šļø If youāre looking to up your fundraising game, youāre in for a treat. Join me for an incredible workshop thatās 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 partnerships. š” Expect actionable insights, lots of laughter, and a deep dive into making your fundraising efforts more effective and impactful.
šÆ **What Youāll Learn:**
- How to identify and engage with potential major donors.
- The secrets to successful donor cultivation and solicitation.
- Tips for effective email marketing and leveraging social media.
Whether youāre just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this workshop is packed with practical advice that you can put into action right away. šš°
Letās get ready to elevate our fundraising game and make a bigger impact together! šŖāØ
Important Links:
My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey
My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program


