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The Nonprofit Podcast

The Nonprofit Podcast

Hosted by Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger

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Episodes

233

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Nonprofit Podcast is your weekly dose of real-talk fundraising, designed for the doers, dreamers, and difference-makers powering today’s nonprofit world. Hosted by Jena Lynch, Donorbox’s Education & Community Engagement Manager, and fundraising strategist Britt Stockert, CFRE, each episode delivers clear, practical insights you can act on right away, no fluff, no filler. You’ll also hear from Cara Augspurger, Ed.M., CFRE, ED of Grace Care Center Foundation, sharing field updates and frontline perspectives. Whether you’re building something new or leveling up your impact, we bring you bold ideas, honest conversations, and tools to help you fundraise smarter and lead with confidence. Information. Inspiration. Implementation. Impact. That’s the energy we bring…every week. Let’s get to work.

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60 recent
August 13, 2026Episode 21725 min

Ep 217| Strategic Planning Isn't an Implementation Problem - with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross

Send us Fan MailA plan built by a few people at the top and handed down is just paperwork. Dr. Renee Rubin Ross argues real ownership comes from who's in the room while the goals get decided, not just who signs off on them.Dr. Ross is the founder of The Ross Collective and author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits. In this episode, she and Britt break down her five-step spiral planning process, including step zero: how to know your organization is actually ready to plan. They also talk about what happens when planning uncovers real dysfunction, and how to tell whether it's a planning problem or a leadership one.Grab Renee's free Strategic Planning Template, the Five-Step Spiral breakdown, and sample strategic plans in the links below.Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits (book) can be purchased here The Five-Step Spiral, explained here Get Your Free Strategic Planning Template here And, Sample nonprofit strategic plans here Chapters:00:00 - Why Traditional Strategic Planning Fails02:10 - Why Write Another Book on Strategic Planning?04:47 - The 5-Step Spiral Planning Framework07:26 - Balancing Visioning with Concrete Execution09:29 - Why 3-Year Strategic Plans Work Best10:50 - Step 0: Assessing Organizational Readiness12:51 - Navigating Internal Tension & Staff Culture15:45 - The 3 Circles of Participation (Deciders, Builders, Sharers)18:46 - Translating Your Plan into Action (Using RACI)22:13 - What You Lose by Excluding Frontline Staff23:35 - Where to Find Dr. Ross About Donorbox: Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations to raise over $4 billion worldwide. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

August 6, 2026Episode 21610 min

Ep 216| How to Write a Nonprofit AI Policy & Close the Donor Trust Gap

Send us Fan MailOnly 26% of nonprofits tell donors when AI helped write to them. 76% of donors say they should be told. That's not small! It's a fifty-point trust gap that grows every time an organization reaches for a new tool without a plan for it.This week, Jena Lynch digs into what's actually pulling nonprofits toward AI right now (hint: it's burnout, not hype), why donors can tell when a human checked out of the process, and the socioeconomic costs that rarely make it into the fundraising conversation. She shares four practical moves any organization can put in place this week, no tech background required.What you'll learn:Why AI-governed organizations are pulling ahead while everyone else is improvisingThe three numbers behind nonprofit AI's donor trust problem, and why donors notice even when they can't name what feels offThe real cost behind the tools that never shows up in a donor letterFour moves to close the trust gap, starting with a policy you can write todayResources for you from this episode:Free nonprofit AI policy template download to get you started hereAn easy-read blog with a full breakdown on how to use AI responsibly as a nonprofit,  here.Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform serving more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, helping them raise over $4 billion and counting. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

July 30, 202614 min

Summer Rewind| 5 Steps to Building a Nonprofit Strategy That Actually Works

Send us Fan MailMost nonprofit strategic planning mistakes don't show up until year-end, right when your fundraising push exposes exactly what's missing.Being busy isn't the same as having direction. In this Summer Rewind, Cara Augspurger, CFRE, breaks down the five steps that took her organization from constant firefighting to a plan that actually holds up, in six months.What you'll learnHow to tell real growth from just being busy, before it costs you at year-endThe one question your strategic plan has to answer firstHow to run a funding reality check that shows exactly where the gaps areHow to set numbers-based targets for a "good year", no gut feel requiredAbout Cara Augspurger, CFRECara is the Executive Director of Grace Care Center Foundation and host of The Nonprofit Podcast.About DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, helping raise over $4 billion for causes that matter. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This episode is for educational purposes only and isn't legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

July 23, 202624 min

Summer Rewind| Why Your Nonprofit's Next Leader Needs More Than Potential - With Chris Wong

Send us Fan MailGreat performers don't always make great leaders. That gap is costing nonprofits people they can't afford to lose.As nonprofits head into the busiest stretch of the year, Britt Stockert revisits a listener favorite with Chris Wong, founder of Leadership Potential and a licensed therapist who builds leadership programs inside nonprofits. They talk about accidental leadership: the quiet gap between being a great performer and being ready to lead a team, and why closing it matters most right before things get loud.Spotting potential is easy. Developing it is non-negotiable.What You'll LearnWhat accidental leadership is and why it happens even in the best-run nonprofitsWhy promotion skills and leadership skills aren't the same thingHow one avoided conversation can quietly cost you your best peopleWhat leaders can do right now to close the gapMore About Our GuestChris Wong is the founder of Leadership Potential, a licensed therapist who builds leadership development programs inside nonprofits from the ground up.Resources and LinksGet Chris's free Difficult Conversations Playbook for Leaders hereConnect with Chris on LinkedInAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide.donorbox.orgEnjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

July 17, 202623 min

Summer Rewind| Slow Fundraising: How to Do Less and Raise More with Chad Barger

Send us Fan MailSummer time and the living...could be easier!Nonprofit teams are gearing up for the second half of the year, and this Summer Rewind brings back one of the show's most practical conversations for that exact moment.Jena Lynch talks with Chad Barger, founder of Productive Fundraising, about slow fundraising: an approach built on doing fewer things, doing them consistently, and letting data guide the decisions. It's a mindset shift for nonprofit teams who are busy but not seeing the growth to match.What You'll LearnWhy doing less, done well, beats doing moreHow simple data tracking reveals what's actually workingHow to build a fundraising rhythm that avoids burnoutWhy donor retention deserves more attention than new donor acquisitionMore About Our GuestChad Barger is the founder of Productive Fundraising, helping nonprofits simplify their strategy and focus on what drives real results, known for a practical, data-informed style built around sustainable, burnout-proof fundraising.Resources and LinksChad Barger on LinkedInProductive FundraisingProductive Fundraising's Resource LibraryAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide.donorbox.orgEnjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

July 9, 202613 min

Summer Rewind| 3 Reasons Nonprofits are Missing out on Donations in 2026

Send us Fan MailSummer is a good time to slow down and check the quiet gaps in your fundraising…before Giving Season prep picks up speed.This episode is a fan favorite, back for our July summer rewind series.Donors haven't stopped giving. They've just gotten more careful, and that means small friction points matter more than they used to. Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert talk through three quiet "leak points", a slow checkout, under-positioned recurring giving, and fading event momentum… and how to fix them without a bigger campaign or a strategy overhaul.What You'll LearnWhy small friction costs more when donors are being cautiousHow to make recurring giving visible and easy to chooseWhy in-person energy needs an instant way to giveA simple way to check your own donation experienceAbout the HostsJena Lynch, Head of Community Engagement at Donorbox, and Britt Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, co-host this episode. Together, they bring hands-on experience helping nonprofits strengthen donor relationships and build fundraising systems that hold up under pressure.Resources and LinksOmniGive™ donation formsRecurring Giving FeaturesDonorbox Live™ KioskAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

July 2, 2026Episode 21522 min

Ep 215| Giving USA 2026 - The Fundraiser's Breakdown

Send us Fan MailGiving hit a record high in 2025. What's underneath that number will shape your fundraising strategy for the next decade.Americans gave $617 billion to charity in 2025, a record, and real growth even after inflation. Five of nine nonprofit categories hit all-time highs. The sector showed up!!But the Giving USA 2026 report tells a more layered story. Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert dig into what's really shifting, and what it means for how nonprofits build donor relationships, plan for foundation funding, and think about legacy giving.What You'll LearnWhy $617 billion is a record, even adjusted for inflationHow mega gifts are shaping the individual giving numbersWhat a 16% drop in foundation inflows signals for 2026 and 2027Why bequest giving jumped 19.7%, and what it means for the Great Wealth TransferWhy your most loyal donors are your best legacy giving prospectsWhat younger donors expect from the giving experienceChapters00:00:  Introduction01:44:   Giving USA 2026 - The Headline Number02:15:    Real Growth, Not Just Inflation04:41:   The Mega Gifts Effect07:51:    The Foundation Grant Cliff09:48:   Individual Giving Hits a 40-Year Low12:49:    The Great Wealth Transfer Arrives15:46:    What Younger Donors Expect18:03:    Key Takeaways for NonprofitsResources and LinksGiving USA 2026 Report  Ep 117 |The Great Wealth Transfer: The Big Nonprofit AdvantageEp 209| The Real Reason Donors Stop Giving - With Rob Harter Darrin Cook| Staying Close to Your Donors: A Practical Guide to Retention Donorbox OmniGive™Donation Forms About the HostsJena Lynch - Head of Community Engagement, DonorboxJena specialises in donor stewardship, retention, and peer-to-peer fundraising. She works closely with nonprofit teams to strengthen donor relationships and build practical systems that support long-term growth. As anchor of The Nonprofit Podcast, she keeps strategy clear, steady, and actionable.Connect with Jena on LinkedInBritt Stockert - Fundraiser Coach, DonorboxWith more than 20 years in the public sector, Britt helps nonprofits build fundraising strategies that match real capacity. She guides teams in strengthening donor relationships, refining systems, and simplifying operations. She also serves on the board of an immigrant- and refugee-led nonprofit and stays closely connected to on-the-ground realities.Connect with Britt on LinkedInAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide.  donorbox.orgEnjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

June 25, 2026Episode 21415 min

Ep 214| Retain Your Top Fundraisers: 5 Simple Strategies That Cost Nothing

Send us Fan MailNearly seven in ten nonprofit employees are actively looking for new jobs…and it's not always about the paycheck.Britt Stockert and Cara Augspurger talk through five low-cost ways to help your team feel appreciated and connected to the mission. Cara draws on real examples from her work at Grace Care Center Foundation, where a culture of recognition has helped keep people engaged without a big perks budget.If you've ever wondered whether you're showing your staff the same care you show your donors, this one's for you.What You'll LearnWhy recognition, not just compensation, drives nonprofit retentionHow a restructured annual calendar gave staff real rest without disrupting mission deliveryWhat local business partnerships can look like beyond fundraisingWhy handwritten notes work just as well for team members as for donorsHow schedule flexibility can fill the gap when budget can'tChapters 00:00  Celebrating Team Efforts02:55   Understanding Nonprofit Turnover05:55   Creating a Supportive Culture08:50   The Power of Handwritten Notes11:50     Flexibility as a Perk14:52     Recognizing Employee ContributionsResources and LinksGrace Care Center Foundation Donorbox — fundraising tools for nonprofitsAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide.  donorbox.orgEnjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

June 18, 2026Episode 21323 min

Ep 213| 4 Filters Every Nonprofit Leader Needs for Smarter Fundraising Decisions

Send us Fan MailEvery nonprofit team has one…the decision that keeps getting pushed to next week. The platform that's been under evaluation for three months. The recurring giving program that still doesn't have a name. The donor email that's been rewritten twelve times and still hasn't been sent.In this episode, Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert get into why fundraising decisions stall and what to do about it. They share a four-filter framework for cutting through the noise, talk through the real reasons teams delay, and leave you with one practical thing to try this week.No jargon, no fluff, just two fundraising professionals being honest about something every nonprofit leader will recognise.What You'll LearnWhy fundraising decisions feel riskier right nowHow to define the actual problem before picking a solutionThe difference between reversible and hard-to-reverse decisionsHow 30-day tests replace all-or-nothing pressureWhat to do when your team or board can't land on a directionA 30-minute decision reset to try this weekResources and LinksDonorbox| Fundraising tools built for nonprofitsChapters00:00 Fundraising Decision Paralysis03:18 Define the Real Problem09:19 Reversible vs Permanent Decisions12:06 Progress vs Complexity14:20 The 30-Day Testing Mindset16:30 Common Decision-Making Traps20:28 The 30-Minute Decision ResetAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process more than $4 billion in donations worldwide.  donorbox.orgEnjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

June 11, 2026Episode 21212 min

Ep 212| The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle: Why Good Fundraisers Burn Out

Send us Fan MailThe fundraising capacity gap is the distance between what a nonprofit needs to raise money sustainably and what it's actually resourced to do. And, right now?... That gap is widening.In this episode, Britt Stockert, Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox, unpacks what it is, where it shows up in daily development work, and why it keeps getting misdiagnosed as a performance problem when it's actually a structural one.The numbers are stark. The Nonprofit Finance Fund found that 85% of nonprofits expect service demand to keep rising, while 36% ended last year at a deficit, the highest in a decade. First-year donor retention sits around 20%. Sector technology budgets allocate 54% to hardware and 1% to training. And nearly a quarter of nonprofit workers can't afford basic living expenses.Britt makes the case that donor attrition, burnout, and fundraiser turnover are not separate problems. They share the same root cause, and it belongs in the budget conversation, not the performance review.What You'll LearnWhat the nonprofit fundraising capacity gap actually isWhere it shows up in real development work, and what it costsWhy burnout and donor loss are structural problems, not individual onesWhat the nonprofit starvation cycle is and why it mattersWhat fundraisers, EDs, and board members can each do differently to break the cycleThe Core InsightThe gap is almost always invisible, which is exactly what makes it so hard to fix. When a major gifts portfolio goes cold, it gets labeled a performance issue. When a fundraiser burns out and leaves, leadership calls it a pipeline problem. The structural cause stays hidden, and hidden problems don't get fixed.The first move is naming it honestly, in budget conversations, in board meetings, before you pick up a new framework or invest in a new tool. What is it actually costing you to leave it the way it is?Chapters00:00 The Fundraising Capacity Gap01:34 Why Retention Is Slipping03:06 Capacity Problems Disguised as Performance Problems06:03 The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle09:34 How to Break the CycleResources and LinksBook a free one-hour strategy session with Britt hereNonprofit Finance Fund Survey DataFundraising Effectiveness ProjectBridgespan Group ResearchUrban Institute Nonprofit ResearchStanford Social Innovation Review: The Nonprofit Starvation CycleAbout the HostBritt Stockert is a Fundraiser Coach at Donorbox with more than 20 years in the public sector. She helps nonprofits build fundraising strategies that match real capacity, working with teams to strengthen donor relationships, refine systems, and simplify operations. Britt also serves on the board of an immigrant- and refugee-led nonprofit and stays closely connected to on-the-ground realities.About DonorboxDonorbox is a globally trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over 3 billion dollars in donations worldwide.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

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