How the Canada Post Strike is Shaping Non-Profit Strategies: Insights from Backpack Buddies Ep #78
How the Canada Post Strike is Shaping Non-Profit Strategies: Insights from Backpack Buddies Ep #78

Episode 78

What's a non-profit to do with no mail for over two weeks? 

In this episode, Megan and Naomi chat with Joanne Griffiths from Backpack Buddies to discuss some of the strategies they're trying as we head into their busiest giving season.

This podcast interview features Joanne Griffiths, co-founder of Backpack Buddies, a non-profit organization addressing childhood hunger. We explore Backpack Buddies growth over the last 13 years and talk about the challenges due to the Canada Post strike and explores alternative communication strategies to maintain donations.

You Will Want to Hear This Epsiode if You Are Interested In...

(00:00:53) - The Origin of Backpack Buddies

(00:07:15) - Securing Essential Resources as a New NPO

(00:14:28) - Impact of the Canada Post Strike

(00:16:02) - Future of Direct Mail and Budgeting

(00:17:14) - Donor Awareness and Response to the Strike

(00:21:24) - Volunteer Mobilization and Alternative Strategies

(00:25:22) - Exploring BVMs and Text Messaging

(00:27:07) - Donor Stewardship and Thank-a-thons

(00:28:02) - Collecting Donor Contact Information

(00:30:38) - Tax Receipts and CRM Management

(00:31:36) - Revenue Predictions and Strike Impact

(00:35:24) - Exploring New Social Media Platforms

(00:37:01) - Threads, BlueSky, LinkedIn and Instagram

(00:47:42) - Pros and Cons of Event Fundraising

(00:55:00) - NotebookLM

(00:56:03) - Greatest Fears

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Planning for a Canada Post Strike and Last Minute Giving Tuesday Ideas, EP #77
Planning for a Canada Post Strike and Last Minute Giving Tuesday Ideas, EP #77

Episode 77

Canada Post gave a 72hr strike notice today, so what does that mean for your Year End fundraising?

In this episode, Megan and Naomi dive into some strategies you can implement in the face of a looming strike, and a few ideas you can still execute on before Giving Tuesday. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • (00:02:50) Stewardship, phone calls, and updating your CRM

  • (00:06:00) Advertising in digital

  • (00:06:55) Leveraging buckslips effectively

  • (00:07:30) Matches and Match alternatives

  • (00:11:05) Giving Tuesday, there's still time!

  • (00:11:45) Video, BVMs, and SMS

  • (00:21:29) Creating effective ad campaigns

  • (00:29:41) The role of your webite in your Year End fundraising

  • (00:31:15) Building a consistent donor journey   

  • (00:36:21) Thanking Canada Post on your OEs 

  • (00:38:30) Stewardship through video content

  • (00:44:55) Will they stirke? What we saw in 2018

Resources & People Mentioned

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Frontier FM: NextAfter Throwback Edition, EP #76
Frontier FM: NextAfter Throwback Edition, EP #76

Episode 76

In celebration of our LinkedIn Live event with NextAfter (and definitely NOT because we ran out of episodes in the queue) we are taking a dive into episodes past, pulling out some of our favourite moments from our time with our guests from NextAfter and their alumni!

 

Original Episodes

  • All About Testing with Nathan Hill from NextAfter, EP #70

  • Discussing Digital Fundraising Trends with Brady Josephson, EP #53

  • Tim Kachuriak of NextAfter Talks Online Optimization, the Digital Frontier, and Generosity, EP #25

Resources & People Mentioned

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Insights from the CanadaHelps 2024 Giving Report with Nicole Danesi and Jennifer Robins, Ep #75
Insights from the CanadaHelps 2024 Giving Report with Nicole Danesi and Jennifer Robins, Ep #75

Episode 75

What do Taylor Swift, the Stanley Cup, and Spotify Wrapped have in common? They might just help you improve your fundraising!

In this episode, Megan is joined by Wes Moon and some behind the scenes Frontier staff as they take a deep dive into the CanadaHelps 2024 Giving Report with special guests: Nicole Danesi from CanadaHelps and Jennifer Robins from Environics Analytics.

This episode is packed with insights, data, and trends that are shaping the landscape of charitable giving in Canada. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...


(00:00:52) Nicole Dainese's Background
(00:01:25) Jennifer Robbins' Background
(00:04:04) Profile of Jessica: A Representative Canadian Millennial
(00:07:01) Social Connectedness and Giving Trends
(00:10:01) Impact of the Pandemic on Social Networks
(00:14:40) Monthly Giving Trends
(00:32:06) Gap Between Concern and Action in Environmental Giving
(00:40:06) Effectiveness of In-Person Asks and Door-to-Door Canvassing
(00:46:31) Importance of Hope in Fundraising
(00:48:08) The 1% Improvement Theory
(00:51:20) Leveraging Leassons from the For Profit Sector
(00:56:48) Surprising and Not So Surprising Insights From Giving Reports Past and Present 
(00:59:20) Why are we Seeing Fewer Donors?
(01:05:55) Giving Tuesday Best Practices
(01:08:45) The Giving Report Personas 
(01:11:50) Online Giving Trends & Talks of a Recession 
(01:15:05) Pandemic Predictions vs Reality 
(01:21:30) Identifying and Leveraging Donor Values
(01:24:01) The Consequences of Relying on Major Gifts
(01:26:13) Greatest Fears

 

Resources & People Mentioned

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Ethical Storytelling: How to Transform Fundraising Narratives with Allison Rolle & Mariya Glubrecht, Ep #74
Ethical Storytelling: How to Transform Fundraising Narratives with Allison Rolle & Mariya Glubrecht, Ep #74

Episode 74

In this enlightening episode, Naomi takes a deep dive into the critical topic of ethical storytelling within the nonprofit sector with guests Allison Rolle and Mariya Glubrecht. Together they offer valuable insights into how nonprofits can honor and empower the individuals whose stories they share without compromising impact.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • (00:00:00) Meet Mariya and Alli

  • (00:02:14) Importance of Ethical Storytelling

  • (00:04:30) Honoring Stories in Nonprofits

  • (00:07:17) Addressing Power Imbalances in Storytelling

  • (00:13:05) Capturing the Right Voice

  • (00:19:33) AI and Ethical Storytelling

  • (00:31:00) Acknowledging the Past and Moving Forward

  • (00:35:47) EDI Misteps and Fails

  • (00:39:48) Oversimplification and Manipulation

  • (00:47:17) Helping Organizations Embrace Ethical Storytelling

  • (00:51:37) NPOs that are Doing it Right

  • (01:01:05) Alli and Mariya Share Their Greatest Fears

Resources & People Mentioned

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

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Beyond Demographics: Harnessing Values for Better Engagement With David Allison, Ep #73
Beyond Demographics: Harnessing Values for Better Engagement With David Allison, Ep #73

Episode 73

Join Naomi and Megan as they are joined by the dynamic David Allison, a trailblazer in the field of value-based marketing and the mind behind Value Graphics Research Company.

David shared his journey from marketing to discovering that values, not demographics, are the key drivers of human decisions. His research has led to the creation of a global inventory of values, changing how companies and nonprofits connect with their audiences.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • [00:00:00] - The Origin of Valuegraphics

  • [00:04:40] - Defining Values

  • [00:14:08] - Cultural Differences in Value Graphics

  • [00:17:42] - Uncovering Non-Profit Donor Segments Using Value Graphics

  • [00:32:29] - Understanding Values on a Budget

  • [00:38:59] - Building Workplace Culture with Value Graphics

  • [00:46:35] - Are Our Values Changing?

  • [00:48:50] - Leveraging Valuegraphics for Personal Growth

  • [00:55:15] - When to Use Demographics

  • [01:00:57] - Values Focused Homeruns and Horror Stories 

  • [01:12:55] - David's Greatest Fear

Resources & People Mentioned

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

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How To Show Your Donors Some Love With Naomi Perks, Ep #72
How To Show Your Donors Some Love With Naomi Perks, Ep #72

Episode 72

With Megan McCaffery and Naomi Perks

Love is in the air, and so is the spirit of donor stewardship on this heartwarming episode of Frontier FM.

Join Megan as she welcomes Naomi Perks, a former client and the member of the Frontier family, for a deep dive into the art of showing appreciation to donors. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, they discuss the similarities between a good date and good stewardship, and surprisingly, Megan finds herself speaking fondly of SMS fundraising.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Naomi's transition from client to Frontier team member [00:00:45]

  • The importance of balancing donor relationships without constant asks [00:03:53]

  • Creative stewardship methods and the power of tangible communication [00:02:24]

  • The innovative use of SMS for donor updates by Canadian Blood Services [00:07:01]

  • The significance of stewardship across all donor levels [00:09:44]

  • Parallels between stewardship and love languages [00:14:11]

  • The economic perspective of stewardship and donor retention [00:25:26]

  • Community building and the 'cult' of brand loyalty [00:47:53]

  • Stewardship tools we love [00:51:08]

  • Naomi's greatest fear [1:01:01]

Resources & Mentions

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

Connect with Mike Berg

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Demystifying AI, A Conversation With Mike Berg, Ep #71
Demystifying AI, A Conversation With Mike Berg, Ep #71

Episode 71

With Megan McCaffery and Mike Berg

We used AI to write these show notes!

Dive into the depths of AI's current landscape and future possibilities with Mike Berg on this enlightening episode of Frontier FM.

In this episode, Megan engages in a compelling discussion with industry veteran Mike Berg, the Chief Technology Officer at System 3. Mike shares his wealth of experience in artificial intelligence, from his tenure at AltaML, Canada's leading peer-to-peer AI company, to his role in developing AI models for diverse applications in everything from feline diagnostics, to HR management.

You'll learn a little bit about why AI may or may not take over the world, which tools you could leverage today, and how to best set up your organization grow into the tools of tomorrow.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Introduction to AI and Guest Mike Berg [00:33]

  • AI in Executive Recruitment [02:10]

  • Addressing Bias in AI Models [04:40]

  • Demystifying AI and Its Overuse [06:53]

  • Vetting AI Claims in Products [08:35]

  • ChatGPT uses and Data Security [10:27]

  • Prompts for Success [15:03]

  • Considerations Around the AI Wars [19:37]

  • Pitfalls of AI [24:40]

  • AI Tools for Agencies and Nonprofits [34:00]

  • AI in Feline Diagnostics, and How to Create an AI Model [40:49]

  • The History of AI and Technological Roadblocks of the Past and Future [49:13]

  • Preparing Your Organization for a Future with AI [54:30]

  • Job Security and AI [01:06:33]

  • Mike's Greatest Fear [01:10:10]

Resources & Mentions

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

Connect with Mike Berg

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All About Testing with Nathan Hill from NextAfter, Ep #70
All About Testing with Nathan Hill from NextAfter, Ep #70

Episode 70

With Derek Weiss and Nathan Hill

Sometimes the best way to innovate is to start with the basics. On this episode, Megan and Frontier ED, Derek Weiss sit down with testing guru and friend of the pod, Nathan Hill from NextAfter to discuss all things testing. Nathan shares his favourite test for charities in their A/B infancy, some surprising findings fresh from the NextAfter lab, and some common errors you should avoid while planning your end of year tests.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Nathan Hill and NextAfter [0:38]

  • All about NIO [4:33]

  • The problem with AI [14:07]

  • Findings from our value proposition study [17:39]

  • How to start testing [33:33]

  • Finding great testing resources with Winston [40:45]

  • Cautionary tales with testing [46:57]

  • Things you can still do (and shouldn't do) before Year End [52:49]

  • Nathan and Derek share their greatest fears [59:39]

  • Free resources and how to get in touch [1:01:23]

Resources & People Mentioned

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

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The Things We Learned at NIO With Russell Phillips from the Canadian Constitution Foundation, Ep #69
The Things We Learned at NIO With Russell Phillips from the Canadian Constitution Foundation, Ep #69

Episode 69

With Megan McCaffery and Russell Philips

Is it really best practice to follow best practice?

On this episode, Megan is joined by Russell Philips of the Canadian Constitution Foundation to discuss their learnings from the recent NIO Summit in Dallas. You'll find out why it's so hard to convince people under 40 to give, get some quick UX/UI wins to optimize your donation pages, and learn why testing trumps best practice.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Russell and the CCF [0:45]

  • Turning calls into conversions [7:00]

  • What is the NIO Summit? [8:15]

  • UX/UI learnings inspired by Tim Kachuriak & Karl Gilis [11:20]

  • Talking to Gen Zs & things we learned from Jon Lee [17:49]

  • Radical transparency & the generous side of Youtube & Twitch [32:12]

  • Quick wins and takeaways you can try before year end [39:03]

  • Russell's greatest fear and how to get in touch with the CCF [48:05]

Resources & People Mentioned

Email Frontier FM YOUR fundraising questions at junkmail@frontier.io! 

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A Corporate Fundraising Convo with Heather Nelson, Ep #68
A Corporate Fundraising Convo with Heather Nelson, Ep #68

Episode 68

With Benjamin Johnson and Heather Nelson

Just because corporate fundraising feels complicated does not mean it is. It’s also not a money buffet that charities can just show up to for funding. It requires strategy, skill, and a little bit of patience. On this episode, Ben sits down with Heather Nelson of BridgeRaise to discuss the ins and outs of corporate fundraising, why charities seek corporate partnerships, the shadow side of corporate funding, and how to take your first steps as a charity into the space.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Heather Nelson [0:57]

  • Defining corporate fundraising [6:18]

  • Should charities seek corporate funds? [13:19]

  • Understanding the shadow side of corporate giving [27:34]

  • Taking the first steps toward corporate fundraising [37:35]

  • Free resources and final questions [45:41]

Bringing clarity to corporate fundraising

The term corporate fundraising means a lot of things to a lot of people. That’s part of the problem! To those in the corporate world, corporate fundraising could be nonprofits raising money from the employees of a company. Within charities, corporate fundraising is used as a catch-all for everything from raising money from corporate foundations, to corporate sponsorships, to raising funds from small businesses in the local community. The complexity of corporate fundraising programs happens because charities think about all of these things as the same thing, at the same time. However, if you separate them out, you can create a cohesive strategy for each. Or just pick one of them and do it well. The more you define what you want to do and why, the more effective your organization will be at corporate fundraising.

The importance of value alignment

One of the main reasons charities seek corporate fundraising is because they’ve done it before, but Heather warns the validity of that reasoning has expired. In the early days of corporate fundraising, companies actually gave to charities with little to no strings attached. But over the last decade, the business case for corporate fundraising on the company side has increased exponentially. Corporations are now extremely aware of the marketing and employee engagement benefits this kind of fundraising provides. Just because they have the money does not mean they are aligned with the mission and values of the charity. Worst case scenario, the partnership actually harms the charity in some way. But it could also end up being a huge waste of time and resources. It's worth taking a little bit of time on the front end to figure out guidelines and the alignment you're looking for before you dive in head first.

Creating a mutually beneficial relationship

Another aspect of successful corporate fundraising is maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship for both the company and the charity. Some companies expect benefits from nonprofits that place a huge burden on their resources and go against their ultimate mission. One of the most prevalent examples is employee volunteerism. Every corporate HR Director wants their employees to be able to volunteer at your charity. The numbers on employee engagement alone are off the charts. The problem is that many charities don’t have an easy way to make this happen. Hosting corporate volunteers is more work than any other form of volunteerism. The questions have to be asked: How much effort should you put into building an employee engagement volunteer program, and how much money should the corporation pay for that? The reality is the value the charity is bringing to the company far exceeds the volunteer hours they are providing. Listen to this episode for more insight on corporate fundraising!

Resources & People Mentioned

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Ben Johnson
From Web Designer to SAAS Leader (And More): Meet Steve Benjamins, Ep #67
From Web Designer to SAAS Leader (And More): Meet Steve Benjamins, Ep #67

Episode 67

With Benjamin Johnson and Steve Benjamins

Sometimes it takes an outsider's perspective to bring clarity to the needs of an industry you work in every day. That’s why Ben asked his long-time friend, former co-worker, and now SAAS leader Steve Benjamins to weigh in on the state of tech in the charity world. The two also take a deep dive into the unique benefits and challenges of four-day work weeks and remote working environments.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Steve Benjamins and his career journey [0:45]

  • How Steve built multiple tech products [8:06]

  • The impact of tech entering the charity world [13:00]

  • Makers, managers, and building trust in changing work environments [21:27]

  • The power of in-person connection in a mostly remote world [28:41]

  • Tactical advice for social media and final thoughts [38:53]

Necessary balance

Tech and the nonprofit space have always had a complicated relationship. That is due, in large part, to the limited annual view that charities take with their budgets instead of investing in future growth. But does Silicon Valley tech bros and venture capitalists finally taking notice of our multibillion-dollar industry over the last four years mean a digital explosion is on the horizon? Not quite. Ben cautions that as great as technology can be for charities, we still need the people behind the tech to understand what it means to create generosity. Any website builder can make a mediocre form, but creating tech that supports both growth and generosity requires a balanced touch with deeper nuance.

Developing trust

The pandemic showed the world just how much the 40-hour work week wasn’t working. Not to say there aren’t those who thrive putting in those hours and beyond. But studies show that 30-hour work weeks cut down on costs and employee health issues as well as increase productivity and overall morale. So why are so many organizations resistant to adopting the four-day workweek? Steve believes the reason many managers want “butts in seats” for all 40 hours is as a half-assed way to solve what they perceive to be a trust problem. Just because someone is physically present does not mean they are any more productive. The goal is to be a good enough manager to judge someone’s productivity off their output rather than their attendance.

Cultivating connection

Another trend that saw enormous growth during COVID is remote work. It provides a lot of the same upsides as the 30-hour work week and has many people ready to say goodbye to the office for good. But Ben still sees the enormous value in creating intentional connection points for any team or organization. Especially if those can be in person. The downside to being constantly remote is that you’re always by yourself. It’s easy to feel like you’re checking a box rather than building camaraderie with a team. It’s also difficult to create and direct organizational culture when everything is done through a screen. We’ve ALL questioned the tone of an email for too long. By prioritizing community building and necessary in-person connections, organizations are actually investing in their productivity and overall organizational health.

Resources & People Mentioned

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Ben Johnson
2023 Trends in Fundraising, Ep #66
2023 Trends in Fundraising, Ep #66

Episode 66

With Benjamin Johnson and Becca Gust

What are your favorite fundraising trends for 2023? On this episode, Ben and Becca dive into all things trends for the ten months ahead. They discuss person-centered fundraising, using TikTok for donor acquisition, making giving easy, the future of phones in fundraising, and everything in between. You don’t want to miss it!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Catching up with Becca and Ben’s Nonprofit Innovation Circle recap [0:09]

  • Person-centered fundraising and breaking down the ideal donor [6:12]

  • Using personalization to build deeper donor connections [14:17]

  • The future of phones and SMS in fundraising [17:52]

  • Changing payment methods and the need for a timed opt-out [27:30]

  • Why charities need TikTok [32:36]

  • Trust-based philanthropy, an unlikely recession, the potential peak of podcasting, and other lightning-round trends [41:14]

The language of generosity

The fundraising world has learned quite a bit from good marketing copy. Specifically, acknowledging the role of the giver in the fundraising relationship. And while that is a massive improvement over making organizational needs the center of attention, donor-centric language becomes problematic. While any size gift is of course necessary and appreciated, a $5 donation did not cure the beneficiary’s addiction. So why does the language make it feel that way? Thus, the trend of person-centered fundraising was born and continues to grow in 2023. Person-centered language in fundraising puts the spotlight on the beneficiary. It paints the picture of core donor values and connects them to those impacted by the cause. As Ben said, if you want people to care for another human being, they need to see them as being like them in some way.

Revolutionizing stewardship

Are phones going to be a big fundraising trend in 2023? Ben and Becca seem to think so. Although, they have differing opinions on how that will look. Ben believes phone calls are going to find new life this year as a means of stewardship. Imagine getting a phone call shortly after making your gift to thank you and ask what inspired you to give. Who does that? Not only will you help donors feel seen, but learning more about them will help you communicate with them in the future. Becca, on the other hand, believes SMS is the trend to help revolutionize stewardship this year. Charities have the unique opportunity to connect with donors via texting after they’ve given a gift. Thanking donors is a big part of that, but it’s also an opportunity to educate donors about the cause and help them become more invested.

TikTok as a fundraising tool

One trend Ben believes fundraisers shouldn't ignore is TikTok. Small businesses have seen a boom while using the platform to promote what they do, so why not charities? TikTok has the opportunity to become a modern-day Gala where live fundraising events can be held on an easily accessible platform. It can also bring a tremendous amount of awareness and education. A big part of acquisition, especially if it's digital, is providing value to the donor. In order to do that, you need to put the cause before the charity. TikTok allows organizations to put the cause on display so that the emotional benefit of a donor’s generosity is apparent. Also, the shorter format helps potential donors understand the problem and be a part of the solution in 3 minutes or less. If executed well, TikTok has the potential to be a powerful tool for generosity. Listen to this episode for more insight on fundraising trends in 2023!

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Ben Johnson
Yulia at Giveffect Shares Stories and How to Choose the Right Tech, Ep #65
Yulia at Giveffect Shares Stories and How to Choose the Right Tech, Ep #65

Episode 65

With Benjamin Johnson and Yulia Zhernovaya

Change is often a bad word among charities. And nothing exemplifies change more than technology. Many charities avoid it for a myriad of reasons, but tech is a valuable piece to cracking the generosity puzzle for decades to come. On this episode, Ben sits down with Yulia from Giveffect to discuss how charities should choose the right technology for their organizations. The two dive into Yulia’s professional journey, the origin and mission of Giveffect, and the resistance to change in the nonprofit sector.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Yulia’s professional journey and what led her to the nonprofit space [0:13]

  • The story of Giveffect and its mission to streamline the tech side of charity [9:01]

  • Unpacking resistance to change in the nonprofit sector [18:46]

  • Where and how to start choosing the right tech for your organization [29:00]

  • Cool Tools and final thoughts [37:23]

Embrace the future of change

Change is difficult for everyone. It is far more comfortable to stay where you are and do what you know how to do than branch out into unexplored territory. This is especially true for those who work in the charity world. Many nonprofit employees fear change because they're afraid of learning a new skill, looking incompetent in the process, or losing their jobs altogether. However, if the past three years have taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable. If charities want to grow and further their cause and the cause of generosity as a whole, they will have to learn to embrace it. If organizational leaders want to keep up, they will need to start shifting their mindsets and showcase to their people why change is so important to the longevity and success of the charity.

Audit your tools

One area that needs a shake-up in many charities is the area of technology. Choosing the right tech for your organization can be a process, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every charity is different, including varying structures and budgets. But there are some best practices for looking at tech tools and deciding which ones work best. At the beginning of your charity tech journey, Yulia recommends auditing the tools you're currently using to understand the changes that need to take place. How many tools are you using? How much time is being spent on these tools? Are there redundancies? If employees spend hours doing manual work when a paid resource could save the organization both time and money, it might be time for change.

Destroy departmental silos

Another area that technology can streamline a charity is through data transparency. So many charitable organizations operate in silos where one department has a direct impact on another, but neither department communicates or shares information effectively. An example of this that Yulia shared was a charity’s development team and volunteer team. If these two teams are not on the same page, it’s a huge missed opportunity! Volunteers are twice as likely to donate to an organization. It only makes sense to keep their information in the same place. The desire to avoid overextending volunteers is admirable. But here’s the thing: They already know and love your organization. You are doing them a disservice by not further inviting them to support the cause they love through giving.

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Ben Johnson
Keela, KIT, and Nonprofit Life with Nejeed Kassam, Ep #64
Keela, KIT, and Nonprofit Life with Nejeed Kassam, Ep #64

Episode 64

With Benjamin Johnson and Nejeed Kassam

Are you ready for the Fundraising Revolution? Nejeed Kassam of Keela is! On this episode, Ben sits down with Nejeed for an engaging discussion focused on pushing the charitable sector forward. From tech innovation to addressing the fear that so many fundraisers hide just under the surface, get ready for a thought-provoking conversation everyone living the nonprofit life needs to hear.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Nejeed’s origin and going from practicing law to starting a tech company [0:54]

  • NTEN, all about Keela, and where Nejeed believes fundraising is heading [12:22]

  • Addressing the fear in fundraising and bringing change to the charity world [20:24]

  • Risk, experimentation, and why charities need an ecosystem [24:23]

  • Working at Keela and AI in the nonprofit space [27:24]

Break some eggs 

As the old adage goes: You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. The same is true for fundraising! There will be hiccups on the journey to help others be more generous. Fundraisers are not immune to mistakes, but so many in the charitable sector are afraid to make them. That’s why empowering fundraisers is key to the work that Nejeed does at Keela. He wants fundraisers to believe in tech, have faith in themselves, and be comfortable with potential failures. It’s that fear of failure that holds people and organizations back from achieving their true potential. The benefits of being comfortable making mistakes far outweigh the potential downsides. 

Risky business

One benefit to addressing the fear that often accompanies fundraising is the ability to branch out, experiment, and take risks. Nejeed points out that taking a few more risks is okay, even if we don't know the outcome, because there's an upside to risk too. It’s one thing to cover the spread, but risk and innovation can help organizations beat it. Charities can actually get ahead of the curve and do some really fun, amazing, and impactful things. But they involve a little bit of risk. What frustrates Nejeed as an innovator is the nonprofit sector often fails to realize that risk is in the control of the people doing the work. Technological resources were never meant to be followed blindly. Don’t do something just because a piece of tech says so. If you‘re committed to doing everything the right way, you will have a higher chance of success.

Predicting generosity

With the advent of things like Chat GPT and computer-generated art, the AI conversation has never been louder. For the charity world, AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for fundraisers. Understanding the propensity of someone's behavior before they do it will help you get the result you want. Knowing how much money to ask for, when, and for what campaigns would be a game changer. Not to say that computer-based predictions are always accurate or that results will be instantaneous. But if you know what is likely to happen and you do all the right actions to move it in that direction, you're absolutely increasing the likelihood that it's going to happen. Combined with a continued dedication to the human relationship aspect of fundraising, could AI be the magic weapon the charity world has been waiting for?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Nejeed Kassam

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Ben Johnson
Meet Saint Nick Tassell, Creative Director of Frontier, Ep #63
Meet Saint Nick Tassell, Creative Director of Frontier, Ep #63

Episode 63

With Benjamin Johnson and Nick Tassell

A major part of human-centered fundraising is human-centered design. How do you create mass marketing content that feels personal to the reader and accomplishes the goal of inspiring generosity through giving? On this episode, Ben sits down with Frontier OG and Creative Director Nick Tassell to discuss the importance of design, the power of humanity in marketing, and his experience starting at the beginning of Frontier.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Nick Tassell [1:22]

  • Balancing form and function and why design matters [6:05]

  • Nick’s experience on Frontier’s ground floor [12:48]

  • Taking a closer look at Frontier’s team and the benefits of different leadership styles [23:26]

  • Exploring human-centered design and its application in both print and digital marketing [35:08]

  • Understanding the importance of the message in your medium [40:56]

  • Nick’s perspective on the marketing journey of QR codes, the benefits of risk management with new tech, and final thoughts [49:20]

Design makes everything work

Design is the engine that makes marketing work. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the paint job on the car is if you can’t get it to start. Tim describes this as the “in and out” of marketing where content and strategy bring the money in, but a poor user experience drives it away. Of course, there is validity in saying that beauty and form should work together for greater results. And they often do! But donors care far more about how easy it is to give to an organization than the color scheme or fonts. A creative team’s top priority should be designing something that works before they worry about the look and feel.

A merry band of problem solvers

One of the biggest impacts for Nick during his time at Frontier has been the people. Frontier’s leadership boasts a plethora of people from different perspectives and backgrounds, both personal and professional. This is what inspires the unique Frontier culture that Nick loves and champions. At the end of the day, everyone is just a problem solver who wants to solve problems for the organizations that Frontier gets to partner with. Each person brings a unique set of skills to problem solve with, but the team is united by a common goal. Even when someone comes from a totally different perspective, Nick notes that it doesn’t take long for common ground to form and a mutual passion for the work to take over.

The undeniability of humanity

Isn’t it ironic that we often strive for perfection as humans, but our brains know too much of a good thing when they see it? As it turns out, there is such a thing as “too perfect”. Human brains instinctively seek out and recognize patterns. When this happens with fundraising marketing, it’s easy for donors to view your content as inauthentic and begin to tune your organization out. This is why human-centered design is so important to the success of human-centered fundraising. Human-centered design allows your audience to see the hand of the artist and makes them feel as though an actual person took the time to personally write and send them this material. When everything you send your readers is just a little bit different, it breaks the pattern established by corporate marketing that feels like a sales pitch versus a genuine request for support.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Nick Tassell

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Ben Johnson
Three Trends for Small Shops in 2023 With Tim Sarrantonio of Neon One, Ep #62
Three Trends for Small Shops in 2023 With Tim Sarrantonio of Neon One, Ep #62

Episode 62

With Benjamin Johnson and Tim Sarrantonio

The first Frontier FM of 2023 is here and you don’t want to miss it! On this episode, Ben sits down with Neon One’s Director of Corporate Brand Tim Sarrantonio for a jam-packed discussion about the future of generosity from a technology standpoint. The two explore human-centered fundraising, the three-percent problem in the charitable sector, three trends for small shops in 2023, and making it easy for donors to grow in generosity.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Tim Sarrantonio [0:09]

  • The gold standard in human-centered fundraising [6:19]

  • Tackling the three-percent problem and why tech bros won’t save the charitable sector [11:57]

  • Three trends for small shops in 2023 [24:33]

  • Understanding the peak-end rule [33:37]

  • Making it easy to join the generosity journey and Tim’s advice for overwhelmed fundraisers [36:41]

Best practices for individual donor engagement

In the United States, three percent of all nonprofits make over 5 million dollars annually. The problem is that the other 97% of charities create best practices and strategic visioning entirely around 3% content. This stems from the false belief that everyone treats charities the same, from the local food bank to international organizations. Based on studying the data from billions of dollars worth of charitable transactions, Tim has developed three best practices for individual donor engagement. The first is to focus on people, not money. The second is to focus on the experience of connection with those people. And the third is that technology can be an accelerant. However, that is where many charities are getting tripped up. Listen to this episode for a deeper dive into using technology effectively for better donor engagement!

Three small shop trends for a successful 2023

With 2023 officially underway, Tim has three trends that small charities need to keep on their radar. The first is that you are not fundraisers or marketers, but rather, generosity experience designers. You need to know marketing, fundraising, and finance in order to be multidisciplinary in your approach. The second is streamlining the experience of connection. If potential donors stumble around your website to the point of frustration, there are immediate steps you need to take to make giving a clear and impactful experience. Finally, Tim urges that charities close the loop. This means not only stewarding your donors well after they give through engagement but also keeping your finance team in the loop in case any issues occur.

Taking donors from couch to 5K

Giving and almost giving is a nearly identical experience for donors, with widely different outcomes for charities. If an organization makes it difficult to give, potential donors can give up and still receive the dopamine hit for trying to do something good. Charities on the other hand, get nothing from attempted generosity. Even though you can view the donor journey as a marathon, Tim reminds listeners that not every donor wants to be there for the long haul initially. Approaching every donor relationship as an attempt to lock them in is a quick way to scare them off. Charities should look to gradually transition donors from the couch to running a 5K through engagement and awareness. It’s not about a single decision to give but a journey with multiple access points where donors become more generous everyday.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Tim Sarrantonio

Connect With Frontier

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Ben Johnson
Building a Donor Journey for 2023, Ep #61
Building a Donor Journey for 2023, Ep #61

Episode 61

With Benjamin Johnson and Becca Gust

For the last Frontier FM episode of 2022, Ben and Becca sit down to discuss everything that goes into building a successful donor journey. When and how should you thank your donors? What role do economic seasons play in annual planning? How important is showing impact and accountability to donors? Listen now to get answers from the experts!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Diving into annual planning and how economic seasons impact giving [1:51]

  • Knowing when and how to thank and engage with your donors [7:42]

  • Accounting for the overall donor journey [14:31]

  • Understanding the timeframes and logistics for asking and reporting [20:06]

  • Cool Tools to help with better task management [33:41]

Understand the seasons

A big part of annual planning and building a donor journey is understanding the economic seasons that impact your organization specifically. During economic (and literal) winters, poverty relief organizations like shelters and food banks often get the most funding because people can see and feel the need. An arts organization would have a much tougher ask during these seasons. However, economic summers inspire people to build toward the future and invest in things that will be around forever. This is a key time for higher education, philharmonic societies, museums, and the like to run their fundraising campaigns. Ben summed it up well for marketers when he said that if you’re not thinking about what people will be thinking and feeling when the campaign is happening, you’re making a crucial error.

Give thanks effectively

One of the most important aspects of the donor relationship is gratitude. Thanking your donors is an essential part of the donor journey because it helps to keep them on it. A common mistake charities make when thanking their donors is making their gratitude too donor-centric. Absolutely every dollar counts when funding a great cause like a recovery center, but the focus should be on the individuals taking steps to change their lives. The donor is a part of a community surrounding that person, and they should be thanked for it! But their $5 donation shouldn’t be given credit for someone else’s accomplishments. Timing is another piece of the thankfulness puzzle. As Ben alluded to, the best time to give someone flowers is when they least expect it. Thanking donors in the off-season is a great way to keep your organization top of mind and prime them for the fundraising ask down the road.

Stay accountable

An often overlooked part of the donor journey is accountability. Ben’s rule of thumb is this: If you're a charity, and you just took someone's money, whether you took everyone's money or just some people's money, what did you do with it? The best way for charities to stay accountable is to continually show the impact of the funds they receive. This isn't to say that all funds should be designated. Every charity loves undesignated funds! But you still need to show impact. Practically, this looks like charities using their newsletter to show donors how their money is being put to good use. Not only will it show existing donors that they're putting their money in the right place, but it shows even the people who didn't give that the money was well spent, thus building the conditions for a future donation ask. Listen to this episode for more insights on building the donor journey!

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect With Frontier

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Ben Johnson
Fun With Funraise, Ep #60
Fun With Funraise, Ep #60

Episode 60

With Benjamin Johnson and David Schwab

It’s time to bring some internal innovation to the charity world! On this episode, Ben sits down with the Director of Marketing Growth for Funraise, David Schwab. David dives into why quality tech stacks for charities are a game changer, how and why he works for Funraise, and the power of owning the conversation through email marketing. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • The difference between Seattle and Canadian sports [0:12]

  • Exploring David’s professional journey [3:37]

  • How David started working at Funraise [10:17]

  • The Funraise backstory and the power of platforms [17:26]

  • Big wins for charities using Funraise [25:09]

  • Explaining email marketing to the next generation and why marketing is pay to play [28:27]

Bringing tech to the charity world

What is the definition of good tech when it comes to charities? Unfortunately, “cutting edge” for fundraisers usually means taking things built to fuel the last iteration of what was fundraising, and retrofitting it to work in a modern context. Charities need to stop trying to push the bounds of marketing with a tech stack that was outdated 10 years ago. David spent many years on the for-profit agency side working in technology and digital marketing and realized that most good tech in the charity world barely passes the benchmark for average everywhere else. In order for charities to stay relevant, they need to explore tech being built from the ground up for nonprofit organizations to do the type of fundraising and marketing they need now and in the future.

What is Funraise?

Funraise doesn't just deliver technology to nonprofits, they innovate from inside the charitable sector. Funraise's leader (all members of the nonprofit industry themselves) saw that the world was changing, and charities were getting left in the dust. As a result, they founded Funraise to help organizations give donors a great donation experience, manage donor relationships on the backend, and fundraise through social media. At the time, having the functionality of all three on the same platform was a game changer. In addition to helping nonprofit people do their jobs better, Funraise is changing the game by creating quality conversion points designed to enhance the inherent emotional aspect of donating, making giving transformational rather than transactional.

Own the conversation

When social media platforms became corporations that needed to deliver profits to shareholders, everything changed. It was no longer about the content creators, but how much those creators were willing to pay to get their content in front of a specific audience. In fact, social media platforms have deprioritized brands across the board. So whether you have five or five million organic followers, you’re talking to the same amount of people through social media marketing. It’s a classic pay to play scenario! This is why email marketing is still so important. Marketing is about conversations. You can either pay to have that conversation or own the conversation. That's the inherent difference between marketing on social media and email marketing. There's no free marketing, period. However, if you own the conversation through email, you’ll have a much higher rate of return because you control when, where, and how you reach your audience.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with David Schwab

Connect With Frontier

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Ben Johnson
Another Good Marketer Joins the Pod, Ep #59
Another Good Marketer Joins the Pod, Ep #59

Episode 59

With Benjamin Johnson and Becca Gust

The world needs good marketers. Thankfully, Frontier FM has got you covered! On this episode, Ben is joined by Frontier strategist and new co-host Becca Gust to discuss her background, the Enneagram, her first Fall at Frontier, subjectivity in fundraising marketing, and the experimentation culture within Frontier.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Getting to know Frontier FM’s newest co-host, Becca Gust! [1:22]

  • Diving deeper into the Enneagram [11:40]

  • Becca’s first Fall at Frontier and resisting the urge to worship work [14:45]

  • Identity, perspective, and subjectivity in fundraising marketing [29:34]

  • The experimentation culture at Frontier and Becca and Ben’s hopes for the future [33:29]

How GREAT is the Enneagram?

If you’ve listened to this podcast for any amount of time, you know Ben loves the Enneagram. One of the reasons it is so great is that it really narrows down the different nuances of personality and how that shows up in our motivations. For instance, Becca is confident she is an Enneagram One. However, Ben pointed out that an Enneagram Three with a self-preservation subtype can be mistyped as a One because their motivations are more virtuous than a typical Three. At the end of the day, discovering your number is only the first step in your journey. The Enneagram is all about identifying your personal pitfalls so you can become a more integrated and well-rounded human. It’s not about being a One or a Three. It’s about not letting your number keep you from being the best version of yourself.

Creating harmony between desires

The idea of “work/life balance” doesn’t really exist in a capitalistic society. There will always be more work. More clients to help. More money to be made. That’s why Ben says it’s important to create harmony between work and your other desires. He recently dropped down to a four-day work week because giving work five days made it his obsession. It consumed his thoughts and took time away from his family. The constraint of working four days a week allows for the other areas of Ben’s life to grow. Becca also relates to the need for harmony as an Enneagram One (for now). She naturally has a tendency to work as hard as she can to make sure everything gets done. Which is a super valuable characteristic! The shadow side of that is having the inability to separate work and everything else. That’s why Frontier is committed to creating an environment that actively fights against burnout. 

Subjectivity on the highest level

One of the things that someone like Becca gets to learn by working at Frontier is subjectivity on the highest level. What someone may see as a good appeal may only be a good appeal for a health organization. Likewise, a great response rate or average gift for one campaign may fall short for another. Good fundraising marketing is very contextual and not as universal as some might think. It’s more nuanced than even Ben realized until a few years ago. But this is why Frontier exists! To help clients figure out what vertical they're in, identify what is unique about them, and use testing to see what works for their specific audience. Listen to this episode for more insights from Ben and Becca!

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect With Frontier

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Ben Johnson