Fostering Donor-Centric Fundraising: Insights with Lynne Wester | Nonprofit411

In this engaging episode of Nonprofit411, host Sarah Barton sits down with Lynne Wester, founder of the Donor Relations Group and co-host of the podcast Fundraising is Funny. Lynne shares her unique approach to creating donor-focused fundraising strategies, inspired by her experience at Disney, to ensure donors feel valued and appreciated. Together, they discuss the importance of gratitude, intentionality, and finding joy in nonprofit work to build lasting donor relationships and sustainable fundraising practices.

Lynne highlights practical strategies, including being intentional about donor engagement, prioritizing gratitude to drive retention, and celebrating donors’ behavior beyond just the amount they give. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to transform your approach to donor relations.

 

Resources:

• Donor Relations Guru Group: www.donorrelations.com
• Fundraising is Funny Podcast: www.fundraisingisfunny.com
• Book Recommendation – Give and Take by Adam Grant: Insights into the power of generosity and its impact on relationships.
• Grant Writing Proposal Guide: Nonprofit411 Grant Guide

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hello and welcome to Nonprofit411, where we dive into resources and strategies that help nonprofits not just survive, but truly thrive.
I'm Sarah Barton, your host and fundraising advocate.
.346938776Each episode, we bring you inspiring conversations with experts in fundraising, sustainability, and best practices to equip you with the tools and confidence you need to make a real impact. 4 00:00:25,867.346938776 --> 00:00:33,257.346938776 Welcome to this week's episode of nonprofit 411, where we explore resources and strategies to help nonprofit organizations thrive. 5 00:00:33,277.345938776 --> 00:00:40,947.346938776 I'm Sarah Barton, your host, and today I'm excited to welcome Lynn Wester, who is the co host of the podcast. 6 00:00:40,967.346938776 --> 00:00:46,547.346938776 Fundraising is funny with Clay Buck and the principal and founder of donor relations group. 7 00:00:46,587.346938776 --> 00:00:47,227.346938776 Welcome. 8 00:00:47,827.346938776 --> 00:00:48,747.346938776 Thank you so much. 9 00:00:48,747.346938776 --> 00:00:50,327.346938776 I'm excited to be here today. 10 00:00:50,357.346938776 --> 00:00:51,267.346938776 Thanks for having me. 11 00:00:51,862.346938776 --> 00:01:00,842.346938776 Yes, I'm excited to have you and to have a conversation, you know, about fundraising, which apparently is something dear to both of our hearts. 12 00:01:01,142.346938776 --> 00:01:02,72.346938776 Absolutely. 13 00:01:02,872.345938776 --> 00:01:16,257.347938775 Before we get started though I'd like to ask you my favorite question, which is what is your favorite hobby? Well, I live on an island in the Caribbean, and so my favorite hobby is spending time in the water. 14 00:01:16,597.347938775 --> 00:01:22,517.347938776 Whether it be the sea, the pool, under the water, anything to do with water, I'm there for it. 15 00:01:22,537.347938775 --> 00:01:23,977.347938775 So, love it so much. 16 00:01:24,317.347938775 --> 00:01:28,97.347938776 And on the other side of my personality, I love jigsaw puzzles. 17 00:01:28,107.347938776 --> 00:01:31,357.347938776 So I've got like this total dichotomy going on. 18 00:01:33,97.347938775 --> 00:01:34,427.347938776 Water and jigsaw puzzles. 19 00:01:34,607.347938776 --> 00:01:37,637.347938776 Well, I do jigsaw puzzles often with my dad. 20 00:01:38,17.347938776 --> 00:01:45,797.34793878 But I have vertigo and so I didn't know this until we went to Hawaii, but the ocean and I don't mix anymore. 21 00:01:45,797.34793878 --> 00:01:50,357.34793878 So I can't do water when it understood, understood Hawaii is such a magical place. 22 00:01:50,377.34793878 --> 00:01:56,857.34793878 We work with the Hawaii community foundation and Maui strong raising money to help those recover from the fires. 23 00:01:56,867.34793878 --> 00:01:59,307.34793878 So a very special place indeed. 24 00:01:59,787.34793878 --> 00:02:01,417.34793878 Yeah, that is awesome. 25 00:02:01,807.34793878 --> 00:02:06,87.34793878 So can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and about your background? Sure. 26 00:02:06,97.34793878 --> 00:02:11,737.34793878 So, because I started when I was nine, haha, I'm 23 years into my fundraising career. 27 00:02:12,37.34793878 --> 00:02:17,377.34693878 I started in higher education and 13 years ago while working a job. 28 00:02:17,792.34793878 --> 00:02:36,922.34793878 I also started a blog and a website and then that took off and we now help nonprofits with donor relations, communications, events strategy, really all designed with the donor in mind to make sure that we retain them and have sustainable fundraising. 29 00:02:37,332.34793878 --> 00:02:38,492.34793878 And so I have a team. 30 00:02:38,947.34793878 --> 00:02:51,437.34693878 We do education trainings, webinars conferences, and then we also do private consulting work to help folks realign and really focus on the donor experience. 31 00:02:51,447.34793878 --> 00:02:53,707.34693878 So it's a, it's great work that we get to do. 32 00:02:53,707.34793878 --> 00:02:54,947.34793878 We're really privileged to do it. 33 00:02:56,262.34793878 --> 00:02:56,722.34793878 Yeah. 34 00:02:56,752.34793878 --> 00:02:59,762.34793878 So there's lots of that, that I would love to dive into. 35 00:02:59,972.34793878 --> 00:03:02,702.34793878 I actually started my career in higher education too. 36 00:03:03,592.34793878 --> 00:03:06,472.34793878 Did, did you do advancement work? I did. 37 00:03:06,472.34793878 --> 00:03:10,92.34793878 I built the donor relations department at Rollins college in Florida. 38 00:03:11,2.34793878 --> 00:03:11,422.34793878 Yeah. 39 00:03:11,422.34793878 --> 00:03:14,662.34793878 So I transitioned, I've mentioned it a couple of times on the show. 40 00:03:14,662.34793878 --> 00:03:17,162.34793878 Like I transitioned Ohio Valley university. 41 00:03:17,522.34793878 --> 00:03:23,872.34793878 Like I was with them when they transitioned from DOS to windows and I was very familiar with windows. 42 00:03:23,902.34793878 --> 00:03:31,532.34793878 And so I kind of, you know, I was the unintended techie, you know, on the windows side of it. 43 00:03:31,532.34793878 --> 00:03:36,682.34793878 And so built up from there did advancement with just fundraising. 44 00:03:36,682.34793878 --> 00:03:38,302.34693878 And then I also did admission. 45 00:03:38,312.34793878 --> 00:03:45,122.34743878 So at one point we were behind and I did admissions is, is, is fantasy land sometimes. 46 00:03:45,122.34743878 --> 00:03:45,632.34693878 Right. 47 00:03:46,502.34793878 --> 00:03:57,972.34693878 Yeah, so I, it's such a great learning opportunity though, because in higher ed, when you're in advancement, you get to do such a broad gamut of fundraising. 48 00:03:58,282.34793878 --> 00:03:59,232.34793878 Exactly. 49 00:03:59,432.34793878 --> 00:04:05,212.24793878 It's good experience and it's also good experience in just how big a bureaucracy can be. 50 00:04:05,602.34793878 --> 00:04:05,842.34793878 Yeah. 51 00:04:07,12.34793878 --> 00:04:08,762.34793878 Thankfully I didn't have to deal a lot with that. 52 00:04:08,772.34793878 --> 00:04:10,92.34793878 I was at a small private college. 53 00:04:10,92.34793878 --> 00:04:12,12.24793878 So, yeah. 54 00:04:12,92.34793878 --> 00:04:12,682.34793878 Yeah. 55 00:04:12,712.34793878 --> 00:04:21,822.34943878 I have since then I worked in the last eight years I've worked in community health and we worked with WVU which is West Virginia university. 56 00:04:21,822.34943878 --> 00:04:30,342.34793878 And so like that area of grant writing and working with grants is very different than working at a small private institution. 57 00:04:31,787.34793878 --> 00:04:32,317.34793878 I love it. 58 00:04:32,447.34793878 --> 00:04:32,877.34793878 I love it. 59 00:04:32,877.34793878 --> 00:04:33,157.34793878 Yeah. 60 00:04:34,57.34793878 --> 00:04:37,707.34793878 So I love that your work is donor focused. 61 00:04:37,797.34793878 --> 00:04:47,957.34793878 You know, I think a lot of times when we start talking about fundraising, We automatically go to thoughts about what do we need? Right. 62 00:04:48,257.34793878 --> 00:04:51,507.34693878 So I love that you start the conversation about being donor focused. 63 00:04:51,517.34793878 --> 00:05:06,947.34793878 So how did you, like, how did you get to that shift where you were, you know, you realize that you weren't focused on what necessarily the organization needed first, but how you align with the donors. 64 00:05:07,302.34793878 --> 00:05:07,692.34793878 Yeah. 65 00:05:07,702.34793878 --> 00:05:12,32.34793878 So my first career prior to joining higher education was at Walt Disney World. 66 00:05:12,522.34793878 --> 00:05:14,532.34793878 And they have some of the best training in the world. 67 00:05:14,532.34793878 --> 00:05:20,742.34793878 I started there when I was in college and then did internships and then went to work there after I graduated undergrad. 68 00:05:20,782.34793878 --> 00:05:25,152.34693878 And their belief is that the guest experience matters more than anything. 69 00:05:25,652.34793878 --> 00:05:32,582.34793878 And so it was a natural fit to bring that mantra or mindset over to fundraising. 70 00:05:33,2.34793878 --> 00:05:37,472.34793878 And like my simple motto is, if it done doesn't benefit the donor, we don't do it. 71 00:05:37,992.34793878 --> 00:05:48,602.34793878 And so I love that because these are people that have chosen, they've made a choice to be generous in whatever form or fashion they choose to be generous. 72 00:05:48,992.34793878 --> 00:05:54,302.34793878 And I think sometimes organizations lose sight that it's not really about them. 73 00:05:54,692.34793878 --> 00:05:56,72.34793878 They are the conduit. 74 00:05:56,362.34793878 --> 00:05:58,102.34793878 Through which the good happens. 75 00:05:58,102.34793878 --> 00:06:02,572.34793878 They serve as the hope and the signal, and our work is really important. 76 00:06:02,902.34793878 --> 00:06:06,322.34793878 But for most nonprofits, that work doesn't happen without donors. 77 00:06:06,322.34793878 --> 00:06:20,92.34793878 Whether that be a grant maker, whether that be a funder, whether that be an individual donor or corporation, at the end of the day, you know, they are the, the fuel, the of our, of our catalyst, of our fire. 78 00:06:20,92.34793878 --> 00:06:22,92.34793878 And so how we. 79 00:06:22,767.34793878 --> 00:06:34,167.34793878 Focus our work on their experience means that that's our competitive advantage when it comes to being nonprofits right is how we treat the donor after they make their gift. 80 00:06:35,247.34793878 --> 00:06:46,17.34793878 You know my friend Madeline and I talked about frictionless fundraising like, how do we make sure that they have a frictionless experience all the way through, because we want them to do it again. 81 00:06:46,467.34793878 --> 00:06:52,837.34793878 And in America, only 60 percent of people give so we want to make sure that we say, Oh, that's great. 82 00:06:52,847.34793878 --> 00:06:59,657.34793878 And you're identifying as a donor and identifying as someone who's generous, which not everyone can say they do. 83 00:07:01,147.34793878 --> 00:07:02,937.34793878 So I have a belief about the 60%. 84 00:07:03,387.34693878 --> 00:07:06,157.34693878 I think that we're not asking the other 40 percent well. 85 00:07:07,717.34793878 --> 00:07:52,727.34793878 You know, I, and so, yes, and so I come from the school of improv comedy, so I'll say yes, and I think there are some people that it doesn't matter if you've got the Sarah McLachlan song and the dolphin riding a sick puppy with the cancer and, you know, during a hurricane, and they were And don't see charity maybe as the answer so they may give in other ways or they may see themselves as generous in other ways but maybe they're not going to hand a check or click online to a charity so yes and I also think that in non profit land we 40% And not enough time on the 60%. 86 00:07:52,937.34793878 --> 00:07:55,597.34793878 That really does grow our base. 87 00:07:55,647.34793878 --> 00:08:01,757.34693878 It really does grow, you know, just the wealth of opportunities. 88 00:08:02,57.34693878 --> 00:08:03,397.34793878 So I'm yes. 89 00:08:03,417.34793878 --> 00:08:04,917.34793878 And how about that? Yeah. 90 00:08:05,147.34693878 --> 00:08:05,577.34693878 Yeah. 91 00:08:05,877.34793878 --> 00:08:08,597.34793878 I do think that there's an opportunity to increase. 92 00:08:09,512.34793878 --> 00:08:19,592.34793878 giving, but I, I think that it is really based on, you know, what are we doing for the donor? I mean, you know, I really do believe that. 93 00:08:19,602.34793878 --> 00:08:27,542.34793878 And since we haven't all maybe adopted that mindset and I love that it came from Disney, I just got done listening to the last lecture. 94 00:08:27,742.34793878 --> 00:08:41,127.34693878 Are you familiar with it? I actually met, I was grateful enough to meet Randy Pausch he worked in Imagineering when I did and he wrote handwritten thank you notes like they were his job yeah, and such an amazing soul. 95 00:08:41,137.34693878 --> 00:08:51,247.44693878 He's now gone and he's just a, he was a fantastic, I say is, because To me, he still lives on and pancreatic cancer was a beast to him and many others. 96 00:08:51,277.44693878 --> 00:08:57,417.44693878 And, but his idea of these, like treating people well, isn't difficult. 97 00:08:58,227.44693878 --> 00:08:58,867.44693878 Yes. 98 00:08:59,137.44693878 --> 00:08:59,567.44693878 Right. 99 00:08:59,667.44693878 --> 00:09:00,837.44693878 It's just intentional. 100 00:09:01,402.44693878 --> 00:09:01,942.44693878 It is. 101 00:09:02,282.44693878 --> 00:09:06,332.44693878 And that's how we, you know, we teach a lot about generosity and gratitude. 102 00:09:07,402.44693878 --> 00:09:18,772.44593878 And, you know, with, with this, this sweeping new technology, AI and things like that, people like, Oh, well, how do I get rid of menial tasks? Like writing thank you notes. 103 00:09:18,772.44593878 --> 00:09:20,432.44593878 And I'm like, that's not a menial task. 104 00:09:21,42.44693878 --> 00:09:25,862.44693878 That is the core of relationship building is that when you do something nice for me, I say, thank you. 105 00:09:26,502.44693878 --> 00:09:31,782.44693878 And so I want us not to lose the actual art and practice of gratitude. 106 00:09:32,337.44693878 --> 00:09:40,167.44693878 And my mom was my original teacher before Disney in that I couldn't play with my birthday or Christmas presents until I had written my thank you notes. 107 00:09:40,227.44693878 --> 00:09:41,767.44693878 So nice. 108 00:09:41,957.44693878 --> 00:09:43,577.44693878 I still practice gratitude. 109 00:09:43,577.44693878 --> 00:09:48,497.44643878 Like I went out today, I have note cards, like, they carry stamps where I go. 110 00:09:48,497.44643878 --> 00:10:00,27.44693878 And I think if I can help organizations understand the return on that, that's part of the good in the, in the globe that I could do. 111 00:10:00,497.44693878 --> 00:10:00,997.44693878 Yeah. 112 00:10:01,197.44693878 --> 00:10:03,7.44693878 I also am a card writer. 113 00:10:03,377.44693878 --> 00:10:07,367.44693878 Spoke with one of my former coworkers the other day. 114 00:10:07,367.44693878 --> 00:10:18,157.44593878 We were just talking about like the importance of the handwritten note, you know, the importance of taking care of the people that, you know, gratitude was definitely a kind of a hallmark of that conversation too. 115 00:10:18,657.44593878 --> 00:10:41,357.44693878 And so, I do think, you know, in starting or beginning our conversations about what we're doing in the organization and thinking about that donor experience is, is what sets nonprofit organizations apart, you know, and so what are some of your recommended practices. 116 00:10:41,757.44693878 --> 00:10:43,757.44693878 To for organizations to be able to do that. 117 00:10:44,747.44693878 --> 00:10:49,17.44693878 Yeah, I think the first one is being intentional and setting aside time. 118 00:10:49,17.44693878 --> 00:10:52,17.44593878 So I hear from nonprofits all the time. 119 00:10:52,27.44693878 --> 00:11:10,207.44693878 What is my solicitation strategy? How am I going to acquire new donors? And so are you spending a fraction of that same amount of time in gratitude and impact, telling donors what they're giving did, thanking them, you know, for so, so I would say being intentional and purposeful about it. 120 00:11:10,982.44693878 --> 00:11:28,702.44693878 I would say the second thing is understanding that sustainable fundraising that, that is, that values retention, that, that values relationships and not just transactions also needs to value the return on the engagement that you're putting out. 121 00:11:28,712.44593878 --> 00:11:35,852.44693878 So sometimes people say to me, Oh, wait, you're, you want me to thank donors more than once? And I'm like, yes, yes. 122 00:11:35,852.44693878 --> 00:11:39,577.44693878 Before you ask for more money and they're like, But that's an extra stamp. 123 00:11:39,577.44693878 --> 00:11:45,477.44693878 But I'm like, they never hesitated when they gave to you about what extra they were doing. 124 00:11:45,477.44693878 --> 00:11:56,727.44593878 So how, how do we cheapen that relationship to the point where we're not willing to buy an extra stamp or we're, but we'll spend hundreds of dollars on acquisition, which has less of a return. 125 00:11:57,307.44693878 --> 00:11:59,167.44693878 So it's, it's being intentional. 126 00:11:59,167.44693878 --> 00:12:00,17.44693878 It's also. 127 00:12:00,412.44693878 --> 00:12:03,482.44693878 building that, you know, everybody says they want a culture of philanthropy. 128 00:12:03,832.44693878 --> 00:12:09,372.44693878 I want a culture of gratitude because that will lead to a culture of generosity and philanthropy. 129 00:12:09,852.44693878 --> 00:12:31,557.44793878 And I, so being intentional, incorporating the mindfulness of that, that generosity and gratitude is actually a strategy for retaining donors, like it actually works and there's tons of studies all the way to Penelope Burke to, you know, Adrian Sargent, like we, we know all the data behind it, but then it's also a choice. 130 00:12:32,82.44793878 --> 00:12:36,952.44793878 I would say it's a choice about the type of organization you want to be. 131 00:12:37,492.44793878 --> 00:12:47,32.44693878 Do you want to be an organization that is a taker, or do you want to be an organization that's a giver? And you get to make that choice. 132 00:12:47,52.44793878 --> 00:12:50,882.44793878 Adam Grant, who's one of my favorite authors, wrote a book called give and take. 133 00:12:50,892.44793878 --> 00:12:54,532.44793878 And if you haven't read anything by Adam Grant, he's phenomenal. 134 00:12:54,542.44793878 --> 00:13:01,867.44793878 But he, you know, you will only you will only get so far when you are a taker. 135 00:13:01,957.44793878 --> 00:13:16,947.44893878 And so, I just think what is your gratitude and generosity mindset at your organization? And are you grateful for donors? Because sometimes I hear from nonprofit professionals or fundraisers. 136 00:13:17,227.44893878 --> 00:13:25,882.44893878 Oh, they just, I know they can give more or, you know, they say things like low hanging fruit, or I'm going to, I'm going to pin that guy down and get some money from him. 137 00:13:25,882.44893878 --> 00:13:28,352.44893878 And I'm like, that's a human being who's a giving soul. 138 00:13:29,282.44893878 --> 00:13:41,172.44893878 And who are we to place in judgment of that? So one of the things that we've been teaching for about eight years is rather than focusing on the amount of money that a donor gives, focus on their behavior. 139 00:13:42,442.44893878 --> 00:13:50,902.44793878 So first time donors, loyal donors, donors who increase because the amount is one tiny thing we know about donors. 140 00:13:51,62.44893878 --> 00:13:57,522.44893878 And it frankly doesn't tell us much at all about them except for what they could afford on that day at that point. 141 00:13:58,12.44893878 --> 00:14:03,642.44793878 And so we need to unlock that more and really think about donors holistically, not just transactionally. 142 00:14:04,872.44893878 --> 00:14:34,932.44893878 Yeah, I, I think that's really important, you know, and when I speak with individuals who do plan giving, what is beautiful about fundraisers who do plan giving is that when you ask them what is important about their work, they'll tell you about the legacy of individuals, right? They're like, this person cared about this so much that they funded this into the future, you know, and, and those stories about the humans. 143 00:14:35,487.44893878 --> 00:14:38,997.44893878 are the things that really matter. 144 00:14:39,37.44893878 --> 00:14:40,687.44893878 Like, you know, it matters. 145 00:14:40,887.44893878 --> 00:14:42,367.44893878 It matters why they did it. 146 00:14:42,377.44893878 --> 00:14:45,537.44893878 And it matters that it continues to have an impact. 147 00:14:45,567.44793878 --> 00:14:59,717.44893878 And those are the things that make fundraising a very beautiful opportunity and profession, you know, and when we take those things out of fundraising, it becomes overwhelming and scary, I think. 148 00:15:00,697.44893878 --> 00:15:05,397.44893878 You know, for the fundraise, for the fundraiser, and it doesn't, it doesn't do anything for the donor. 149 00:15:05,847.44893878 --> 00:15:13,777.44793878 It doesn't do anything at all for the donor, right? Like us restating our mission statement, that's, that doesn't do anything for the donor. 150 00:15:14,217.44893878 --> 00:15:14,527.44893878 Right. 151 00:15:14,527.54893878 --> 00:15:15,947.34893878 Yeah. 152 00:15:15,947.44893878 --> 00:15:16,447.44893878 Yeah. 153 00:15:17,147.44893878 --> 00:15:17,397.44893878 Yeah. 154 00:15:17,497.44893878 --> 00:15:18,107.44893878 Yes. 155 00:15:18,587.44893878 --> 00:15:20,37.44893878 So I love that. 156 00:15:20,77.44893878 --> 00:15:24,627.44893878 I think being intentional definitely incorporating gratitude and being intentional. 157 00:15:24,637.44893878 --> 00:15:25,617.44893878 Those are practices. 158 00:15:25,617.44893878 --> 00:15:27,677.44893878 There's so many things in our life that are practices. 159 00:15:28,57.44893878 --> 00:15:31,657.44893878 I do think that COVID, the COVID experience. 160 00:15:32,432.44893878 --> 00:15:34,892.44893878 Which is just such a marker in our life. 161 00:15:34,892.54893878 --> 00:15:37,252.44893878 And I hate to always talk about it as the COVID 19. 162 00:15:37,312.44893878 --> 00:15:39,572.44893878 I haven't been through a pandemic more than once. 163 00:15:39,762.44893878 --> 00:15:40,262.44893878 Right. 164 00:15:40,302.44893878 --> 00:15:40,662.44843878 I know. 165 00:15:40,662.44843878 --> 00:15:41,12.44793878 Right. 166 00:15:41,62.44893878 --> 00:15:42,682.44893878 So definitely a stake in our life. 167 00:15:43,122.44893878 --> 00:15:58,982.44893878 But I think that through it, many organizations started to make everything very automated electronic, you know, not intentionally just out of necessity. 168 00:15:59,592.44893878 --> 00:16:10,542.44893878 And we've, we've forgotten some of the practice, you know, and we've had a lot of turnover in our employee sector to for the nonprofit sector. 169 00:16:11,472.44893878 --> 00:16:26,787.44893878 And so, The new people coming in have maybe not experienced or witnessed, you know, fundraising in this manner as the donor, as donor centric and gratitude based. 170 00:16:27,237.44793878 --> 00:16:31,387.44893878 So are you, do you feel like you're seeing that? I am. 171 00:16:31,407.44893878 --> 00:16:34,287.44893878 I'm seeing a lot of people. 172 00:16:34,767.44893878 --> 00:16:36,127.44893878 I mean, we, we have turnover. 173 00:16:36,257.44893878 --> 00:16:37,647.44893878 We've had turnover for a while. 174 00:16:37,647.44893878 --> 00:16:38,677.44893878 It's getting worse. 175 00:16:39,137.44893878 --> 00:16:42,257.4484388 I, I think there's many reasons for that. 176 00:16:42,257.4484388 --> 00:16:43,907.4489388 I mean, we could start a list. 177 00:16:44,187.4489388 --> 00:16:50,752.3499388 But I also think you know, having been in the industry for a while, it, it takes some self awareness. 178 00:16:51,12.4499388 --> 00:16:53,862.4499388 reflection as to why you work in non profit. 179 00:16:54,412.4499388 --> 00:17:08,292.4489388 And I love Simon Sinek's start with why, right? And 99 percent of the people I run into in the non profit world are good, caring people that, that really have their why, they may have lost it somehow. 180 00:17:08,292.4489388 --> 00:17:22,412.5479388 So when I worked in higher ed and I was having a day where I would lose my why, I would go walk across campus and actually see the students that benefited from my work, right? It, it, it grounded me in Why I do what I do. 181 00:17:22,422.5479388 --> 00:17:29,852.5479388 And I think that sometimes we get too far removed from the work or the work becomes the work unto itself. 182 00:17:29,902.5479388 --> 00:17:34,362.5479388 And, you know, one of our core values at DRG is joy. 183 00:17:35,152.5479388 --> 00:17:38,217.5479388 And, you know, that's why we do fundraising is funny. 184 00:17:38,227.5479388 --> 00:17:42,707.5479388 To be honest, we wanted a podcast and there's a million podcasts out there. 185 00:17:42,707.5479388 --> 00:17:58,587.5479388 And so there's something for everyone, but frankly, clay and I, who've been in this industry for a long time, we wanted a podcast where somebody could turn it on and feel like they were at a bar or in a little seated area near a conference near us and was just laughing about. 186 00:17:59,117.5479388 --> 00:18:05,577.5479388 The funniness that is fundraising, the stuff that never happens in any other field happens in fundraising. 187 00:18:05,627.5479388 --> 00:18:13,887.5469388 And while there's value in content and there's value in, in education, there's also value in joy and laughter. 188 00:18:14,377.5479388 --> 00:18:25,852.5479388 And the fundraising shops where I wanted to work the most, those that I think raised the The best money from and have the great relationships with donors are those that have joy. 189 00:18:26,272.5479388 --> 00:18:35,772.5479388 And so sometimes I would question where's your joy coming from? Because this is such a wonderful presentation. 190 00:18:36,212.5479388 --> 00:18:46,587.5479388 Do you know what I mean? And I just think there's some There's some really I just think there, that we can incorporate joy into our profession more. 191 00:18:47,47.5479388 --> 00:18:48,847.5479388 Because sometimes we miss that. 192 00:18:48,917.5469388 --> 00:18:54,487.5469388 It's not all, you know, one of the great things about nonprofit workers, we're not actually doing heart surgery. 193 00:18:54,497.5469388 --> 00:18:56,277.5469388 We might be supporting heart surgery. 194 00:18:56,767.5479388 --> 00:19:06,487.5479388 So, you know, that brings me some joy to say that when I make good mistakes, which I do often, and I learn from them, I also, I also can have some levity about it. 195 00:19:07,177.5479388 --> 00:19:07,717.5479388 Yes. 196 00:19:07,797.5479388 --> 00:19:08,417.5479388 Yes. 197 00:19:08,957.5479388 --> 00:19:09,217.5479388 Yeah. 198 00:19:09,217.5479388 --> 00:19:09,837.5479388 I like that. 199 00:19:10,77.5479388 --> 00:19:10,657.5479388 I am. 200 00:19:10,757.5479388 --> 00:19:13,287.5479388 I incorporate joy into my regular life. 201 00:19:13,537.5479388 --> 00:19:17,807.5474388 My husband will tell you that most mornings I wake up laughing or making jokes about something. 202 00:19:17,807.5474388 --> 00:19:20,397.5479388 So I think that it's super important. 203 00:19:20,407.5479388 --> 00:19:20,927.5469388 So I love that. 204 00:19:20,927.5469388 --> 00:19:23,647.5469388 It's, it's a value that you mentioned and, and you're right. 205 00:19:23,647.5489388 --> 00:19:26,647.5479388 I do think that there is a lot of joy in fundraising. 206 00:19:29,397.5479388 --> 00:19:37,407.5479388 You know, I think when nonprofit organization nonprofit employees get overwhelmed. 207 00:19:38,7.5479388 --> 00:19:39,407.5479388 It's the first thing to go. 208 00:19:40,172.5479388 --> 00:19:41,302.5479388 Yes, right. 209 00:19:41,562.5479388 --> 00:19:42,262.5479388 Absolutely. 210 00:19:42,572.5479388 --> 00:19:48,682.5479388 The joy is the first thing to go and I'm coming off of a period of burnout. 211 00:19:48,742.5479388 --> 00:19:51,602.5469388 I've definitely had to recover from burnout. 212 00:19:52,582.5479388 --> 00:19:55,762.5479388 And there were a lot of things that I've had to relearn. 213 00:19:56,342.5489388 --> 00:20:04,932.5479388 In fact, All of the things you mentioned like intentionality and being grateful, like those are part of the practices. 214 00:20:05,622.5479388 --> 00:20:13,812.5479388 And analog has been a big piece of my joy return, right? I have to balance my digital and my analog. 215 00:20:14,422.5489388 --> 00:20:34,587.5479388 And so I think for fundraising, that's such a great reminder because No, I'm a I'm, I'm going to say this, I'm terrible at making phone calls, but making phone calls is really important, right? It really is, you know, today I had a really long day of zoom, zoom, zoom, webinar, zoom, podcast, recording, you know, all the things. 216 00:20:36,17.5489388 --> 00:20:38,27.5489388 The hour prior to this, I had freeze. 217 00:20:38,37.5489388 --> 00:20:43,477.5489388 So I, I'm here with my parents and I said, dad, let's go get in your golf cart and let's go drive around the neighborhood. 218 00:20:43,537.5489388 --> 00:20:45,357.5489388 I need my brain clear. 219 00:20:45,797.5489388 --> 00:20:48,27.5479388 I need to go feel some air. 220 00:20:48,37.5489388 --> 00:20:49,997.5479388 I need to not see the screen. 221 00:20:50,17.5479388 --> 00:20:54,27.5479388 And like just those resets sometimes really do that. 222 00:20:54,37.5489388 --> 00:20:57,167.5489388 And so it may be a reset on your perspective. 223 00:20:57,177.5489388 --> 00:20:59,577.5489388 It may be a reset on your environment. 224 00:20:59,997.5489388 --> 00:21:04,57.5489388 It may be a reset on what your priority is as well, because. 225 00:21:05,62.5489388 --> 00:21:09,152.5489388 In the nonprofit world, you know, if I hear one time a day, we're busy. 226 00:21:09,162.5489388 --> 00:21:12,32.5489388 If I hear a thousand times a day, I hear somebody say they're busy. 227 00:21:12,622.5489388 --> 00:21:18,282.5489388 And I'm like, right, but you're putting busyness above prioritization and innovation sometimes. 228 00:21:18,282.5489388 --> 00:21:22,452.5484388 And so we find ourselves saying, well, I'm busy. 229 00:21:22,452.5484388 --> 00:21:23,492.5479388 I can't get to that. 230 00:21:23,492.5489388 --> 00:21:33,322.5489388 And I'm like, Is being busy more important than getting to innovation and moving the organization forward. 231 00:21:33,332.5489388 --> 00:21:35,922.5479388 So again, everybody's different. 232 00:21:35,932.5489388 --> 00:21:38,802.5489388 Everybody resets themselves in a different way. 233 00:21:39,162.5479388 --> 00:21:41,372.5479388 But the analog certainly does help. 234 00:21:41,707.5479388 --> 00:21:58,287.5469388 And sometimes for me, resetting is going into the tech and I like mindless tech, you know, everybody's got their candy crush or their, you know, whatever it is, you know, middle of the night scrolling on reels, whatever that is, but also pulling out. 235 00:21:58,307.5469388 --> 00:21:59,127.5479388 So same thing. 236 00:21:59,137.5469388 --> 00:22:04,637.5479388 If you're burnt out in one area, do something that revitalizes your passion. 237 00:22:05,37.5479388 --> 00:22:09,697.5479388 Or find, you know, it's a phone call and maybe it's a long drive and a listen to a podcast. 238 00:22:10,17.5479388 --> 00:22:19,157.5479388 Maybe it's calling somebody who understands you and understands the world you work in and just sending them inappropriate memes. 239 00:22:19,157.6479388 --> 00:22:21,837.4489388 I mean, that's what Clay and I do. 240 00:22:21,837.5489388 --> 00:22:29,837.5479388 Like during the pandemic, we became so close because only us understood only us, if you know what I mean. 241 00:22:29,897.5479388 --> 00:22:34,327.5479388 And, and we would just, that's how we commented on the world sometimes. 242 00:22:35,187.5479388 --> 00:22:35,607.5479388 Yes. 243 00:22:35,707.6479388 --> 00:22:45,927.5479388 And, and I think, you know, along, you kind of alluded to it, the prioritization and what I have found is that. 244 00:22:47,12.5479388 --> 00:22:54,672.5479388 I do a much better job when I separate from my current work to do planning and thinking. 245 00:22:54,902.5479388 --> 00:23:05,782.5469388 So, you know, in my move to intention and my move to, I, I do it in a notebook, so I keep my journal note with me so I can do it handwritten. 246 00:23:06,192.5469388 --> 00:23:23,507.4479388 But Having a time separated for that thinking and the processing and the processing of the good and the bad, right? That so many times we just push through it and we don't take the time to actually process and think about it. 247 00:23:24,87.4479388 --> 00:23:25,487.4469388 And that weighs on us. 248 00:23:25,487.4479388 --> 00:23:27,577.4479388 It stays with us until we process it. 249 00:23:27,577.4479388 --> 00:23:31,497.4479388 And so, you know, I'm a, I'm a trauma informed coach. 250 00:23:31,547.4479388 --> 00:23:47,177.4474388 And so I've had a lot of trauma background training The best description I've heard of trauma is that, you know, when we experience something difficult or out of the ordinary, it creates a loop of, of cortisol and that loop keeps dripping till we close it. 251 00:23:47,177.4474388 --> 00:23:47,997.4469388 And I loved that. 252 00:23:48,37.4479388 --> 00:23:51,427.4479388 I'm like, that's such an easy, that's an easy concept to visualize. 253 00:23:51,467.4479388 --> 00:23:56,737.4479388 But, you know, in our work, a lot of times we don't take the time to close our loops. 254 00:23:58,957.4479388 --> 00:24:02,457.4479388 So we don't take the time to celebrate the good we have done. 255 00:24:02,457.4479388 --> 00:24:05,597.4479388 It's just onto the next, onto the next, onto the next. 256 00:24:05,597.4479388 --> 00:24:13,407.4469388 And I'm like, yeah, but you know, there's something to be said for taking a moment to look back and like, have some joy about it. 257 00:24:14,817.4489388 --> 00:24:15,297.4489388 Yeah. 258 00:24:15,397.4479388 --> 00:24:21,857.4479388 And I, I have found that if I don't write down like the things that I have accomplished in a day, right. 259 00:24:21,857.4479388 --> 00:24:22,817.4479388 I don't remember them. 260 00:24:23,297.4479388 --> 00:24:29,47.4479388 And so I've been trying to make a practice of at least jotting down a couple of things that I did today. 261 00:24:29,47.4479388 --> 00:24:31,227.4479388 So I could be like, Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I got that done. 262 00:24:31,227.4479388 --> 00:24:35,517.4479388 Or I'm so glad that I, you know, connected with them because I forget. 263 00:24:35,557.4479388 --> 00:24:46,437.4479388 I mean, my memory for remembering my joys is about half a second, just like, you know, yes, but the hurts or the, the things that don't work out, Oh my gosh, they last forever. 264 00:24:47,797.4479388 --> 00:24:49,457.4479388 Yeah, they last forever. 265 00:24:49,567.4479388 --> 00:24:49,787.4479388 Yeah. 266 00:24:49,787.4479388 --> 00:24:52,177.4479388 And there's so many joys in the day. 267 00:24:52,187.4479388 --> 00:24:55,227.4479388 And I think like, you know, it is true. 268 00:24:55,237.4479388 --> 00:24:59,687.4459388 Our donors and our yeah, our donors and our funders, they bring such joy. 269 00:25:00,77.4469388 --> 00:25:04,397.4469388 If we can just take a moment and be like, Oh, I'm so thankful that they're in this with me. 270 00:25:04,887.4459388 --> 00:25:14,237.4469388 I'm so excited that they're interested in solving the world problem that I'm passionate about, you know, Then it can really be uplifting. 271 00:25:14,727.4469388 --> 00:25:15,477.4469388 Love that. 272 00:25:15,737.4469388 --> 00:25:16,217.4469388 Yeah. 273 00:25:17,17.4469388 --> 00:25:18,777.4469388 Well, Lynn, it's been a great conversation. 274 00:25:18,867.4469388 --> 00:25:23,7.4459388 Can you tell our donors where they can find you? Absolutely. 275 00:25:23,17.4459388 --> 00:25:25,167.4459388 You can find us at donor relations. 276 00:25:25,507.4459388 --> 00:25:27,507.4469388 com or fundraising is funny. 277 00:25:28,197.4469388 --> 00:25:28,767.4469388 com. 278 00:25:28,777.4469388 --> 00:25:29,907.4459388 Love to hear from you. 279 00:25:29,907.4459388 --> 00:25:31,517.4459388 You can see us at conferences. 280 00:25:31,837.4469388 --> 00:25:35,927.4469388 You can reach me on social at donor guru, and I'd love to hear from you. 281 00:25:36,517.4469388 --> 00:25:37,247.4469388 At donor guru. 282 00:25:37,247.4469388 --> 00:25:37,937.4469388 I love that. 283 00:25:37,947.4469388 --> 00:25:39,387.4469388 And you get one more question. 284 00:25:39,667.4469388 --> 00:25:50,997.4469388 So the last question I always give everyone after they tell us where they can find him is what is the last piece of advice that you want to give to our listeners? Do one thing, do it really well, and then move on. 285 00:25:51,207.4469388 --> 00:25:52,167.4469388 Don't get overwhelmed. 286 00:25:52,177.4469388 --> 00:25:59,187.4469388 Find out your big rocks and focus on those so that you don't get lost in and be overwhelmed. 287 00:25:59,187.4469388 --> 00:25:59,487.4469388 Right. 288 00:25:59,607.4469388 --> 00:26:02,907.4469388 Just do one thing that you find, do it really well, and then move on. 289 00:26:03,697.4469388 --> 00:26:04,327.4469388 I love that. 290 00:26:04,807.4469388 --> 00:26:07,457.4459388 Thank you so much for joining us today. 291 00:26:07,677.4459388 --> 00:26:07,907.4459388 My pleasure. 292 00:26:08,722.4469388 --> 00:26:10,222.4469388 I've enjoyed this conversation. 293 00:26:10,232.4469388 --> 00:26:14,962.4469388 I look forward to being able to share it with the listeners and to our listeners. 294 00:26:14,962.4469388 --> 00:26:17,722.4459388 I look forward to you tuning in next week. 295 00:26:17,912.4469388 --> 00:26:19,202.4459388 Thank you and have a great week. 296 00:26:20,575.1136054 --> 00:26:23,975.1136054 Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Nonprofit 411. 297 00:26:24,375.1136054 --> 00:26:27,945.1136054 I hope you found today's conversation as insightful and inspiring as I did. 298 00:26:28,535.1136054 --> 00:26:31,905.1126054 Remember, building a healthy nonprofit requires a holistic approach. 299 00:26:32,215.1136054 --> 00:26:39,85.1136054 There are many resources available to support your staff, and we're dedicated to helping your organization access what it needs to thrive. 300 00:26:39,825.1126054 --> 00:26:43,392.277284 One key to creating a thriving organization is a diverse fundraising strategy. 301 00:26:43,392.277284 --> 00:26:48,395.0136054 While grants are an important part of that strategy, they're just one piece of the overall puzzle. 302 00:26:49,285.1136054 --> 00:26:54,705.1136054 If you're looking to strengthen your grant writing skills as part of this bigger picture, I've got a resource to help you get started. 303 00:26:55,255.1136054 --> 00:27:03,555.1136054 Download my free grant writing guide packed with practical tips and best practices to help you craft proposals that align with your overall fundraising goals. 304 00:27:04,35.1136054 --> 00:27:05,515.1136054 You'll find the link in the show notes. 305 00:27:05,805.1126054 --> 00:27:11,985.1136054 And as always, if you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow change makers. 306 00:27:12,575.1136054 --> 00:27:15,175.1136054 Let's work together to build a vibrant nonprofit community. 307 00:27:15,495.1136054 --> 00:27:18,505.1136054 Until next time, keep pushing forward and making a difference. 308 00:27:19,704.2972789 --> 00:27:24,94.2972789 Feeling the pressure of meeting your nonprofit's fundraising goals? You're not alone. 309 00:27:24,614.2972789 --> 00:27:29,704.2962789 Many nonprofits struggle with limited resources, donor fatigue, and a lack of clear strategy. 310 00:27:30,484.2972789 --> 00:27:34,804.2972789 Nonprofit 411 offers personalized coaching to address these challenges head on. 311 00:27:35,334.2962789 --> 00:27:37,94.2972789 Together, we'll tackle your biggest obstacle. 312 00:27:38,539.2972789 --> 00:27:42,289.2972789 Boost your donor relationships and build momentum toward your mission. 313 00:27:42,839.2972789 --> 00:27:44,939.2972789 Don't let obstacles slow you down. 314 00:27:45,99.2972789 --> 00:27:48,309.2972789 Start your coaching journey today at Nonprofit411. 315 00:27:48,639.2962789 --> 00:27:49,9.2962789 org.