151: NextGen Fundraising: What to Do When “What You’ve Always Done” Stops Working

If your fundraising strategy still runs on 2010 logic, this is your wake-up call. In this episode, I break down the concept of NextGen Fundraising—not just for Gen Z, but for every generation of donor who now expects fast, friction-free, modern giving experiences. I share why traditional tactics are burning you out, why your board doesn’t need another gala, and how to cut the clutter and focus on what actually works. Get ready for mindset shifts, strategy overhauls, and some tough love on why clinging to the past is costing you funding. If your nonprofit is still waiting on permission, outdated systems, or “someday” grants—this one’s for you.

Topics:

• What “NextGen Fundraising” really means
• Why traditional fundraising tactics are failing — and how donor habits have shifted faster
• The outdated “fundraising OS” most orgs are still using
• The myth of long cultivation cycles
• Why chasing new donors while losing your current ones is the ultimate leaky bucket
• What nonprofit leaders can learn from Shopify and Amazon
• How to use Social Street Team® to expand reach
• Why being grant-dependent is a risk, not a strategy — and what to do right now if you’ve lost a major funder's support
• Real wins from real nonprofits
• Why holding out for board meetings or retreats is costing you more than you realize

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

What's Actually Working in 2025 - Free Registration Here

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links