What the Fundraising

Hosted by Mallory Erickson

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326

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Aug 2026

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About the show

What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way.  Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser. There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all. So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you. If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

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60 recent

September 8, 202627 min

321: A Practical Guide to Launching Planned Giving in Your Nonprofit with Tony Martignetti

Planned giving may sound complicated, but it does not have to be! This episode features Tony Martignetti, an expert in planned giving strategies & accelerated programs. Tony began his planned giving career in 1997 after working as a lawyer for two years. In 2003, he started Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors, where he provides consulting services for nonprofits. He is also the author of the upcoming book Planned Giving Accelerated, which will be published in September. In the conversation, Tony explains that the basic ideas behind planned giving have stayed the same over the years. He encourages small and mid-sized nonprofits to start with simple gifts, especially bequests and gifts through wills. He also clears up common myths, such as the idea that planned giving is only for wealthy donors.  Tony shares tips for having honest conversations with loyal donors, following up when donors need time to decide, and keeping in touch over the long term. He also explains why many planned gifts remain private and why organizations should continue talking about their long-term impact.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand the basic ideas and purpose of planned giving. Identify why bequests and gifts through wills are a good starting point for nonprofits. Recognize and challenge common myths about planned giving. Use simple and respectful ways to start and continue planned giving conversations. Understand why some donors choose not to disclose their planned gifts. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

September 3, 202648 min

320: Fundraising and Funder Behavior: The Tiny Habits That Will Change Your Life with BJ Fogg, PhD

We are releasing a special bonus episode of What The Fundraising! In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… I talked to behavior scientist and author BJ Fogg, PhD. BJ is one of my biggest teachers and superheroes, he has run a lab at Stanford University for 20 years now, and for the last 10, he’s dedicated his work to behavior design. His book Tiny Habits is a wonderful explanation of how our brains work and what small but effective techniques we can use to create habits and beat fears. His Fogg Behavior Model is perfect for fundraisers out there, it goes from allowing yourself to feel success over small victories, to taking action by tracking down your prompts and abilities. In this conversation BJ shares SO many useful and simple hacks, I felt like I had to write them down. Plus, his approach to people is immensely human, compassionate, and positive, (just like fundraising!) You really don’t want to miss this conversation.

September 1, 202619 min

319: 3 Fundraising Readiness Gaps Standing Between You and Your Next Yes with Mallory Erickson

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, What if the reason you're avoiding fundraising outreach isn't because you're bad at fundraising, but because you have a readiness gap? In this solo episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory Erickson breaks down three common fundraising readiness gaps that can quietly stand between you and your next yes: confidence, clarity, and consistency. She shares the behavioral science behind why we avoid outreach, why vague to-do lists create procrastination, and how frantic bursts of fundraising can make relationship-building feel transactional. Most importantly, Mallory gives you one concrete move for each readiness gap that you can put into practice this week. From rewriting the story you tell yourself when a donor doesn't respond to turning vague fundraising tasks into tiny physical actions, these strategies are designed to make fundraising feel more doable—and help you build the muscle memory that creates sustainable momentum. In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand why fundraising avoidance isn't a character flaw, but a potential readiness gap. Recognize how anticipatory anxiety and negative assumptions can affect your fundraising outreach. Reframe donor silence and rejection without turning them into judgments about your worth or competence. Turn vague fundraising to-dos into specific, actionable next physical steps. Use tiny habits to lower the activation energy around fundraising. Build consistency by anchoring small donor touchpoints to routines you already have. Understand why relationship fundraising benefits from consistency rather than frantic bursts of activity. Create simple habits that help you become the fundraiser who never fully goes quiet. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 25, 202625 min

318: From Loss to Legacy: How Joey’s Song Scales Volunteer-Led Fundraising

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, What if music could do more than entertain people? For Mike, concerts have become a way to bring people together and raise money for an important cause: finding better treatments for epilepsy. Mike Gomoll founded Joey's Song, a 100% volunteer organization, following the loss of his son. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the organization is dedicated to funding research grants aimed at minimizing and ultimately eliminating seizures. Rather than spreading its efforts across awareness campaigns and patient services, Mike has kept the mission deliberately focused on research, making it easier for sponsors, artists, and supporters to understand and champion the cause. Mike explains how Joey's Song uses unique music concerts to raise funds. Well-known artists, including The Bangles, Goo Goo Dolls, and Tears for Fears, come together to perform covers and create a special experience for both musicians and audiences. Moreover, he talks about why artists return every year and shares lessons from ideas that did not work as expected. The conversation also covers taking smart risks, protecting donor money, and being willing to change plans. Mike believes organizations should keep their main purpose clear while listening to their teams, learning from experience, and following new opportunities. In this episode, you will be able to:  - Understand how a clear mission can guide an organization. - Explain how music events can support fundraising. - Identify ways to engage and retain artists. - Understand the value of community building. - Recognize the importance of taking smart risks. - Learn from unsuccessful ideas and mistakes. - Understand how to balance risk and responsibility. - Recognize when an organization needs to adapt. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 18, 202650 min

317: Lead with Trust, Not Control with Rebecca Blume

What if becoming a better leader starts with letting go of who you think you should be? Meet Rebecca Blume, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Washington Bothell. She has 22 years of fundraising experience and has worked with organizations including Fair Start and the YWCA in downtown Seattle.  To start the conversation, Rebecca shares how her experiences helped her become more confident and comfortable with her leadership style. She discusses viewing life as seasons rather than chasing perfect balance, using a pendulum to shift attention toward what matters most.  Moreover, Rebecca shares a powerful exercise for challenging limiting beliefs and explains how letting go of the need for total control can strengthen trust within a team. The discussion also touches on people-pleasing, healthy boundaries, holding space for difficult emotions, and responding rather than reacting. Finally, Rebecca encourages leaders to intentionally shape workplace culture and make small, daily shifts toward authenticity, connection, and trust. In this episode, you will be able to:  Lead more authentically by being comfortable with who you are. Manage different life priorities by thinking in seasons. Identify limiting beliefs that may affect your leadership. Let go of unnecessary control and build trust within your team. Set healthy boundaries without feeling guilty. Handle difficult emotions without reacting defensively. Communicate clearly during challenging situations. Create a positive workplace culture that reflects your values. Reduce people-pleasing habits and focus on what truly matters. Make small daily changes to become a more confident and authentic leader. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

August 11, 202626 min

316: Campaign Success Starts Before You Fundraise with Amy Eisenstein & Sarah

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, Capital campaigns don't succeed by luck; they succeed through preparation, education, and strong leadership. Today, let's discover why empowering board members with the right knowledge can transform uncertainty into confidence and lay the foundation for a successful fundraising campaign. Meet Amy Eisenstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Capital Campaign Pro, who brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience, including two decades as a fundraising consultant. She is joined by Sarah Plimpton, Vice President and Chief Happiness Officer at Capital Campaign Pro, whose extensive background spans fundraising, campaign leadership, consulting, and nonprofit advisory work. Together, they share practical insights from their experience helping organizations raise transformational gifts and explain the inspiration behind their book, A Board Member's Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. Today's discussion explores why board education is essential, when organizations should begin preparing for a campaign, and how the book can be used as an ongoing resource throughout the fundraising journey. Amy and Sarah explain how stronger partnerships between staff and board members lead to better campaign outcomes, why challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth, and how redefining feasibility studies as "campaign readiness studies" creates a more strategic, relationship-driven approach. They also share actionable recommendations on strategic planning, organizational readiness, and building the confidence needed to execute successful capital campaigns.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand the role of board education in campaigns. Learn when to start campaign preparation. Build board confidence and fundraising knowledge. Address common campaign fears and myths. Strengthen staff-board collaboration. Align campaigns with strategic goals. Small changes can lead to significant cultural shifts over time. Agency in giving is crucial for fostering genuine generosity. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 7, 202610 min

315: Conscious Fundraising: How to Move From Reaction to Intentional Action

After a week of executive coaching tools, reflections, and strategies, Mallory closes out this series with one of the most important foundations of sustainable growth: consciousness. In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory explores how increasing awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can help fundraisers move from stress-based reactions into more intentional, empowered action. Many fundraisers spend their days in response mode—reacting to challenges, uncertainty, donor behavior, and endless priorities. Mallory shares how executive coaching helps create more space between what happens and how we respond, allowing us to make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear, stress, or automatic patterns. Listeners will learn how to build daily and weekly consciousness practices, give themselves grace while changing old habits, and embrace growth without perfectionism. This episode is a reminder that transformation does not require a complete overhaul—it happens one degree at a time. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the role consciousness plays in fundraising success. Recognize when you are operating from stress responses. Create habits that increase awareness and intentionality. Shift from reactive fundraising to proactive decision-making. Practice self-compassion while building new skills. Move away from perfectionism in your growth journey. Use curiosity instead of criticism when reflecting on your actions. Embrace small, consistent changes that create lasting transformation. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 6, 202611 min

314: You Are Enough: A Reminder for Every Fundraiser Doing The Hard, Important Work

Fundraising is deeply human work. It requires vulnerability, connection, courage, and the ability to hold the hopes and dreams of an entire community. But in a profession that often carries immense pressure, it can be easy for fundraisers to forget something essential: they are already enough. In this special executive coaching episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson offers a heartfelt reminder to fundraisers everywhere. She shares why self-love, self-compassion, and recognizing your own worth are not barriers to growth—they are the foundation for sustainable impact and meaningful change. Mallory invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves beyond their fundraising goals, job titles, and accomplishments. This episode is a reminder that the people moving resources toward what matters most deserve the same compassion and care they extend to others. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize the true impact and importance of fundraising work. Understand why fundraising is the work—not just what supports the work. Practice self-compassion as a foundation for growth. Release the belief that achievement determines your worth. Reflect on the pressure fundraisers carry every day. Build a healthier relationship with yourself. Replace self-criticism with encouragement and care. Celebrate the meaningful work you are already doin Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 5, 202614 min

313: How Fleeing Discomfort Is Holding Back Your Fundraising

Fundraising is filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and moments of discomfort—but what happens when those feelings start driving our decisions? In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson dives into the hidden ways fundraisers respond to discomfort and how those stress responses can unintentionally derail fundraising success. Drawing from her executive coaching work and research on fundraiser behavior, Mallory explores how flight and freeze responses show up in everyday fundraising activities. From avoiding donor conversations to endlessly perfecting reports and strategies, these patterns can keep fundraisers stuck in cycles of busy work, scattered action, and missed opportunities. Listeners will learn how to recognize when stress is influencing their fundraising decisions and how to build the capacity to sit with uncertainty, have deeper donor conversations, and take the actions that truly move their organizations forward. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize how discomfort impacts fundraising decisions. Understand the connection between stress responses and fundraising behaviors. Identify when busy work is replacing meaningful fundraising action. Learn why uncertainty can feel so dysregulating. Understand how perfectionism can prevent fundraising progress. Build awareness around avoidance patterns. Develop more conscious responses to fundraising challenges. Create stronger donor relationships through vulnerability and connection. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.

August 4, 202614 min

312: Conscious Values vs. Fear-Based Values: Making Decisions That Truly Align

Have you ever felt torn between competing priorities—wanting to excel at work while also being present for your family, or saying "yes" to helping everyone even when you're overwhelmed? The tension you feel may not be because your values are unclear, but because they're competing with one another. In this solo coaching episode, Mallory Erickson explores the difference between conscious-based values and fear-based values, and why understanding that distinction can transform the way you make decisions. She explains why it's impossible to express all of your core values all the time, and how consciously choosing which value to prioritize in a given moment can reduce guilt, overwhelm, and decision paralysis. Mallory also introduces a powerful coaching exercise that helps uncover whether a value is truly yours or if it's being driven by fear, people-pleasing, or external expectations. Through practical examples and thoughtful reflection, she invites listeners to examine the beliefs underneath their values so they can make more intentional choices in both fundraising and life. In this episode, you will be able to: Identify your core personal values. Understand why your values naturally compete with one another. Reduce guilt when you can't honor every value simultaneously. Recognize the difference between conscious-based and fear-based values. Identify fear-based beliefs that influence your decisions. Practice converting fear-driven values into conscious choices. Make decisions with greater clarity and intention. Build a values-based approach to fundraising and leadership. Get all the resources from today’s episode here.  Support for this show is brought to you by Donor Perfect. Our friends at Donor Perfect really understand fundraising on so many levels. Stay aligned while working online with a seamless and secure payments experience for your donors and your team. Empower donors to give where they are, whenever they like, automate data entry, and process online, monthly, and mobile payments, and accept payments over the phone. Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point