Fundraising Superheroes

22/02/2021

Fundraising Superheroes has a new look! ✨

We are excited to announce that Donor Engine from today onward will become Driven, and with that, we’ve also decided to update the podcast to match. As innovators in nonprofit technology, we felt that our brand needed a makeover.

Fundraising Superheroes will continue to be the same podcast, sharing the amazing stories, advice and experiences of those in the nonprofit industry. We are excited to continue to share these stories with you on our company homepage.

Moving forward, we will be posting solely on our company page and encourage you to join us there. In addition to podcasts, we will be sharing blog posts, infographics and other resources.

Thank you for supporting the show, and we hope to see you on our new page!

17/02/2021

Did you know this week marks 50 episodes of Fundraising Superheroes?

If you haven't got a chance to listen to some of our earlier episodes, you're missing out.

The Townsend Smith Hospice Foundation was the first nonprofit to join the podcast and do tremendous work in their community to provide palliative care.

We spoke with their founder Janet Townsend and their Director of Development, Kate Holmes, on how they have been able to find success and connect with their community.

Listen to the full interview here: https://pod.co/fundraising-superheroes/the-townsend-smith-foundation

We kickoff the podcast with The Townsend-Smith Foundations founder and director of development, Janet Townsend and Kate Holmes. They discuss how important the community and a good business plan is to building a successful nonprofit. Learn More About the Townsend Smith Foundation https://www.townsend...

10/02/2021

Mark Buzan is the founder of the Society of Nonprofit Board Directors and is a four-time Executive Director, a NonProfit board director, and founder of Our Executive Director, an association management company.

Both nonprofits and their board need to trust each other, especially now. With such an uncertain future ahead, it's important that nonprofits are confident in their leaders.

In our interview, Mark shares
- How involved your Executive Director should be in your Board's activities
- Advice on building trust with your board
- How nonprofit leaders keep their boards engaged and "buying-in"
- What qualities make a good board member
- How involved the board should be in your organization's day to day

Listen and watch the interview below!

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/mark-buzan-on-effective-board-leadership-in-nonprofits

    Having a good relationship with your board of directors is a huge factor in effective board leadership.  Both nonprofits

03/02/2021

A board does more than offer governance, they lead a community of changemakers.

Mark Buzan is a 3 time Executive Director, President, and nonprofit board director who has helped numerous associations grow their revenues, memberships and build productive board cultures that support their chief staff officer.

In our interview releasing next week, Mark shares what traits a productive board will have and what to do when things begin to fall out of order.

We are excited to have Mark on the show, so be sure to subscribe to Fundriaisng Superheroes on your favourite podcasting platform o be notified when it goes live!

https://pod.co/fundraising-superheroes

02/02/2021

Get Your Board “On Board” with Being a Better Boss

Mark Buzan will be appearing on the Fundraising Superheroes podcast this month, and he is also hosting the Nonprofit Board Online Summit!

The summit will offer resources and a community that deals with many challenges your board might face. They can also educate themselves about governance and learn about the top questions they should ask themselves before changing.

More information below on how to sign up and stay tuned for our interview with Mark.

https://www.nonprofitboardsummit.org/executive-bridge1607575150711

Nonprofit Board Summit Executive Director

27/01/2021

Let’s talk about partnerships.

Corporate partnerships are great; they help you raise more funds while also supporting your local businesses. It’s often a win-win situation that benefits both parties, and businesses will often set aside a budget each year for this specific reason.

But it’s competitive out there, and sometimes you get to a business after they used up that budget, or maybe you meet with them and have trouble finding a connection between your two organizations.

We challenge you to look at partnerships differently with our latest guest Mike Cole.

Mike is a long time nonprofit supporter, having worked as a president of a board and now a business owner he hopes to partner with nonprofits himself. He discovered that although a business may have a small philanthropic budget, their marketing budget is huge. So how do nonprofits take advantage of that? They think like marketers.

Read on and listen to the full interview: https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/learn-how-to-approach-businesses-for-collaboration-with-choose-your-reader-s-mike-cole

  // Let’s talk about partnerships.  Corporate partnerships are great, they help you raise more funds while also suppo

20/01/2021

How can nonprofits create more meaningful partnerships with local businesses?

That's the question Mike Cole answers in his episode of Fundraising Superheroes releasing next week.

Businesses and nonprofits are collaborating more than ever before. Local businesses can be a powerful ally to your organizations, helping your nonprofit access skills, funding, resources, and people to extend your reach and your impact.

If you're interested in learning how to approach and work with like-minded companies, make sure to subscribe to Fundraising Superheroes, wherever you like to listen to podcasts!

18/01/2021

"I think that perspective on a board can be amazing, not for the organization, but also the other board members. You know, most of these people are more than likely if they're sitting on your board, they've never really had a need for your services.

So, again, that's completely dependent upon your nonprofit. But if you can bring in people that are physically participating in what it is you're doing, that can sometimes bring in a whole different perspective."

Sara Lundenberger from Dot Org Solutions joined us on the Fundraising Superheroes Podcast a few weeks back to talk about communication, and the important role perspective plays in a board of directors.

If you didn't get the chance to listen to our interview, it's not too late! Access the full episode below.

https://pod.co/fundraising-superheroes/dot-org-solutions-sara-lundenberger-talks-effective-board-communications

13/01/2021

An organization works best when it works together. A silo mentality is the opposite of collaboration, teams need to be on the same page in order to perform at their best.

Denise Fernandes is the current Executive Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts at Diabetes Canada and an exceptional leader with a track record of exceeding fundraising goals. She joins the show to share how removing silos has helped her team find fundraising success by learning from each other.

In our interview, Denise discusses:

- What a silo is and examples of how her team improved performance with collaboration
- The future of teamwork in the sector and
- Why leaders should communicate with their employees and set goals for success

Listen to the full podcast below!

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/denise-fernandes-on-removing-silos-for-a-more-collaborative-team

      Nonprofit silos are the enemy of productivity and collaboration. There is nothing that hinders success more than hidi

06/01/2021

Successful fundraising and a collaberative team go hand in hand.

The best leaders are those that work with their team, not against them. Ensuring that everyone is on the same page, fighting the silo mentality that often prevents organizations from working effectively.

Denise Fernandes is an experienced leader and the newest Executive Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts at Diabetes Canada who has plenty of experience demolishing silos.

Her episode of Fundraising Superheroes releases next week!

30/12/2020

Have you listened to all of the Fundraising Superhero Episodes yet?

The show has grown so much from its first interview, and we have had the chance to talk to some of the world's best Organizations, Consultants and Change Makers.

We have a ton of amazing new episodes scheduled for 2021, so make sure you catch up on old shows and subscribe to stay updated on new content!

https://pod.co/fundraising-superheroes

A podcast celebrating the every day fundraising superheroes working to make our world a better place.

28/12/2020

One week left until 2021! 🎉

2020 took us all by surprise, and now that e are gearing up for 2021, what are the resolutions and goals you hope to achieve in the new year?

We'd love to hear what you learned and how you hope to make this year better than the last.

#2021

23/12/2020

Let's learn all about the wonderful world of volunteer fundraising with the amazing Gillian Smith!

As an experienced board member and fundraiser, Gillian has a ton of advice for anyone looking to hone in on their fundraising skills or get started in the industry. We discuss why you should never take a "no" personally, the qualities of a great fundraiser and why finding a sponsor is so important.

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/gillian-smith-demystifies-the-wonderful-world-of-fundraising

      Fundraising is a hard job. It takes more than skill and knowledge. You have to be a special type of person to succeed in

16/12/2020

What does it take to be a successful fundraiser? Is it passion, determination, or being able to read your donors' minds?

Gillian Smith may not be a mind reader, but as an experienced board member and volunteer fundraiser, she's pretty close to becoming one!

We are so excited to share our interview with Gillian with you all next week. She spoke to us about the lessons she learned from close mentors and what years of experience have taught her about connecting with donors.

14/12/2020

Your volunteers are the heart of your organization.

No one knows that better than Lori Gotlieb. She is one of the leaders in volunteer management, and we were so happy to have her on the show back in August to discuss the future of Volunteer Coordination and how COVID has impacted the sector.

Whether it's an organized activity or just neighbour helping neighbour, people want to give back to their communities, and we need to be ready to support them.

Don't leave your volunteers behind in 2021, and listen to the full interview below!

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/how-will-covidimpact-volunteer-management

09/12/2020

2020 didn't just mark the start of a new year, but a whole new decade.

As we head into the last few weeks of the year, it's time to think about making the rest of this decade better and paving the way for the next generation of leaders.

Andre Vashist of The Pillar Nonprofit Network is ready for a better tomorrow and discusses ways to support tomorrow's fundraisers, create real change and make a safe space for minorities within organizations.



https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/andre-vashist-explains-how-to-check-bias-and-build-inclusivity-in-the-nonprofit-sector

02/12/2020

2020 has been a whirlwind, and with only 3 short weeks till the new year, it's time to start thinking ahead.

Reflect on what lessons has this year's challenges brought us, and how can the industry move forward to create a more just environment?

Andre Vashist has been in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years. He is currently working with the Nonprofit Pillar Network as a Network Developer at The Pillar Nonprofit and Verge Capital's Co-Founder. Innovative and muti-talented, Andre represents the future of fundraisers and discusses the charitable industry's future in our interview, releasing next week!

25/11/2020

Resilience is the ability to bounce back, and COVID sure has brought up an opportunity to practice being resilient within our organizations.

As we continue to recover, we face new challenges every day and that means re-evaluating our measures of success. Karen Link from Volunteer Alberta comes on the show to discuss resilience within nonprofits and how the pandemic has impacted the industry.

Full podcast and transcript below!

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/karen-link-on-building-resiliency-while-coping-with-the-new-normal

  //   How have your daily operations changed since March? Whether it’s you had to adapt to working from home, taking extra pr

18/11/2020

How resilient is your organization?

Karen Link joins up on the podcast next week to discuss how to build and measure resiliency in your nonprofit. She has done a ton of research and shares how COVID has affected giving trends across Canada, and why it's important that we keep pushing forward.

16/11/2020

Awareness can't be the only goal of your campaign, you need to think about the actions you want your campaigns to drive. Julia Campbell from Julia Campbell joined us on the show to share her top tips on boosting meaningful social media engagement

https://youtu.be/gL3E2MdoUes

Julia Campbell is an expert in Nonprofit Marketing and Fundraising and in this clip, she explains why your goal needs to be more than just "spreading awarene...

11/11/2020

City Kidz founder Todd Bender created his organization from a truly incredible experience.

Now over 20 years later, CityKidz is thriving with 3 locations across Canada. Todd shares how he stumbled into the industry and how they've grown from a local charity to a full-blown organization.
https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/city-kidz-founder-todd-bender-on-finding-success-and-growing-across-canada

    //   Todd Bender didn’t always run a nonprofit. In fact, although he originally went to bible school in the hopes of

04/11/2020

One of our favourite parts of the Fundraising Superheroes podcast is hearing the incredible stories that founders have on starting their organization.

Todd Bender is no exception. He was inspired to start City Kidz after meeting Shawn, a 7 year old that frequented the drop-in centre he volunteered at.

is an incredible organization with 3 locations across Canada increasing resiliency and inspiring big dreams for children living in low-income communities.

We are excited to share their incredible story in our interview coming next week! So stay tuned

31/10/2020

Have a safe and spooky Halloween from all of us at Fundraising Superheroes!

28/10/2020

Take your major gift solicitations to the next level in today's podcast interview with the incredible Amy Eisenstein. ⭐

An industry leader with over 20 years of experience, Amy knows what drives results in nonprofit organizations. If you've been struggling to secure major gifts or find out what a major gift means for your organization, you need to listen to today's show!



https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/take-the-major-gifts-challenge-with-special-guest-amy-einstein

    //   How much time are you dedicating to major gifts a week? Well, fundraising consultant and industry legend Amy Eise

27/10/2020

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity with you all, Mazarine Treyz has gathered some of the top women in fundraising and put together a conference that you can't miss!

Do you want to flip the script, bring in more money and uplevel your career? If so, join nonprofit leaders on Nov 11-13 for the New Power Fundraising Conference! Three days to help you learn how to fundraise online more effectively, reach new donors, connect with major donors, build online community and more!


Can't wait to see you there!

https://newpowerconf.com/

21/10/2020

Amy is a leader in her field and has helped organizations raise millions for their cause. She joins us on the show to discuss raising more money with major gifts and measuring your fundraising success.

Get ready to take the major gifts challenge in our full interview premiering next Wednesday!

19/10/2020

How important is data in your marketing strategy?

According to Senior Fundraising Strategist Maeve Strathy it's crucial! Learn how to build an effective communication strategy in Maeve's episode of Fundraising Superheroes.

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/maeve-strathy-senior-strategist-at-blakely-talks-communication

14/10/2020

Communication is key when it comes to building a strong board of directors.

Sara Lundenberger is the Director of Fundraising at Dot Org Solutions LLC and loves helping nonprofits find success. Our conversation today shares advice on settling conflict, creating an efficient onboarding process and effective board communication. Sara is a true professional, and we are very excited to have her on the show!

The full transcript and podcast can be found on our website: https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/dot-org-solution-s-sara-ludenburger-gives-her-advice-on-board-communications

Have you ever disagreed with a board member? Or had a board leader who didn’t quite understand how your nonprofit works? Sara Ludenburger is Director of Nonprofit Consultant at Dot Org Solutions in Akron, Ohio, helping dozens of organizations build their board. She shares how to set boundaries and...

07/10/2020

A few weeks ago, we talked about recruiting passionate board members, but what about after they join your organization?

The amazing Sara Ludenburger from Dot Org Solutions LLC joins the show to share how we can create an easier onboarding process and talk through conflict. The full interview will be available next week!

30/09/2020

Diversity is not a token phrase, it's a necessity, and as an industry, we need to do better. Ryerson's 2020 Diversity Leads Report made is clear that in 2020 minority groups are still experiencing structural barriers and microaggressions within professional working environments.

In today's podcast, Sabine Soumare the Marketing and Communication Director from the Diversity Institute explains how we can begin to break down these barriers and advocate for change.

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/sabine-soumare-from-ryerson-s-diversity-institute-on-becoming-better-allies-in-the-nonprofit-industry

23/09/2020

"The stress that grassroots leaders of colour and activists take on is substantial."
- Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim became CEO of Future Foundation

Studies are showing us that there is still a gap in board leaders when it comes to diversity. Sabine Soumare joins us on Fundraising Superheroes to discuss this issue and what we need to do to create diverse boards. We talk about advocating for change and the discoveries made in Ryerson's Diversity Institue's Diversity Leads Report.

The full interview will be available next Wednesday!

16/09/2020

"Awareness is the first step in the know, like and trust funnel where we need people to go. They need to know about us, obviously, and then they can like us and then they can trust us. But that's not enough."

Take charge of your social media strategy with today's guest Julia Campbell! Listen and learn how to start your social media journey, measure success and create sharable content.

The full podcast and transcript can be found below 👇

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/julia-campbell-founder-of-j-campbell-social-marketing-on-social-media-strategy

      Your social media shouldn’t be stressful. As a key part of your digital strategy , your social channels are a great place

09/09/2020

The newest guest on our podcast will be the fabulous Julia Campbell!

Julia is a digital marketing and fundraising consultant who has taught dozens of nonprofits how to build a social media strategy that is manageable, fun and effective. Learn how to tell your story and reach new audiences in our interview next week!

07/09/2020

I'm sure you know the critical role your monthly donors play in your organization's funding.

Susan Delano joined us a while back to advise on how to strengthen your fundraising plan, and you may have already guessed a monthly giving program was high on her list of recommendations!

Access the full interview here:

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/fundraising-superheroes-episode-14-susan-tripi-delano-shares-how-important-a-monthly-giving-program-can-be

31/08/2020

Have you been SEO optimizing your website?

If you haven't, don't worry, Sarah Clarke gave her tips on how to get found on Google and rank higher online. For the full interview, and to learn how to perfect your website, visit the link below.

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/fundraising-superheroes-episode-21-why-you-website-is-so-important-to-getting-you-noticed-online

24/08/2020

How do we make calls to action that work?

We had the pleasure of speaking with Wild Woman Fundraising's Mazarine Treyz on the show a few weeks ago to discuss the future of fundraising post-COVID. With her vast knowledge of experience not only in fundraising but as a career coach, Mazarine truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Listen to our full interview below!

https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/mazarine-treyz-founder-of-wild-woman-fundraising

20/08/2020

Maeve Strathy is a Fundraising Consultant at Blakely Fundraising, but at heart, she's a story-teller.

Everything begins with your strategy. Before taking action, you need to know how each asset, like your website or email, will contribute to your objective.

Maeve shows you how to find the core of your strategy by asking questions, collecting data and segmenting donors. Learn how to focus your messages by watching our full interview below!


https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/maeve-strathy-senior-strategist-at-blakely-talks-communication

  Mass marketing and communication channels are a great way to reach a lot of people at once, but runs the risk of seeming impersonal to you

18/08/2020

Excited to announce Maeve Strathy will be joining us on the podcast this week!

Currently working as a Senior Strategist at Blakely, Maeve is helping nonprofits master their donor communication. In her interview releasing Thursday, she explains how to create personal messages for broad audiences, something that can come in handy for your next campaign!

13/08/2020

Learn how to build your dream board of directors in today's episode of Fundraising Superheroes!

Denny Young is a professor, consultant and board member with over 30 years of experience in the sector. In our interview, he breaks down how to find and recruit passionate board members and the importance of clearly communicating your expectations with candidates.

Use the link below to listen to our interview and access the full podcast transcript!



https://www.donorengine.com/blogs/denny-young-on-recruiting-your-board

11/08/2020

Learn how to build an active, engaged and passionate board in our upcoming interview with Denny Young!

Denny is a management expert who has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. He breaks down what is most important in the recruitment process and how to find exceptional board members who are committed to adopting your organization. The podcast releases this Thursday!