The Nonprofit Lab

Attention doesn’t always equal impact, especially in nonprofit fundraising. In this episode, Whole Whale founder George Weiner about how nonprofits can turn donor attention into real commitment, why fundraising funnels break down, and what recent platform controversies reveal about power, consent, and trust in nonprofit tech.

LinkedIn is the most overlooked fundraising engine in the sector. Mario Hernandez at Impact Circle returns to share how he raised $1M organically, built a 55,000+ person community, and developed a repeatable system nonprofits can use to build trust, land corporate partners, and grow revenue -- all without ads, gimmicks, or pitch-slaps

Armine Afeyan, CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, to shares how “gratitude in action” can reshape modern humanitarianism. We explore Aurora’s unique approach to uplifting grassroots humanitarians, the power of storytelling to inspire empathy, and how individual acts of courage ripple into global impact. It’s a reminder that generosity is contagious—and that every person has the capacity to change someone’s world.

Trish Davis, Vice President of Major Gifts & Planned Giving at Susan G. Komen, shares how true stewardship goes beyond fundraising—it’s about listening, gratitude, and connection. From her service in the Air Force to leading national philanthropy strategy, Trish reveals how to build donor trust at scale, keep relationships personal in a digital age, and turn gratitude into lasting impact.

We connect with Nathan Chappell, Founder and Chair of Fundraising.AI, Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and author of The Generosity Crisis, and Nonprofit AI, to explore how nonprofits can rebuild trust and reignite generosity in the age of AI. We unpack what radical connection really means, how to fix broken incentives, and why the future of giving will depend on curiosity, courage, and care.

How can nonprofits turn data into deeper donor relationships?

In this episode, Brian Gawor from Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates (JGA) shares how to move from wealth-based fundraising to engagement-first philanthropy, where every click, call, and connection becomes a clue to generosity.

Wesley Todd Holiday shares how a 24-year, family-run organization grew from scrappy basketball teams into “Holiday HOOPS & ARTs,” blending athletics, arts, and life skills to expand access for youth. We dig into stepping into leadership midstream, balancing metrics with real stories, cultivating alumni mentors, and the road to a 25th-anniversary vision centered on scholarships, space, and legacy.

Erik Tomalis, Chief Revenue Officer at Avid, shares how nonprofits can move from data overload to clear direction. We explore how Avid’s fundraising operating system unifies disconnected tools, surfaces real insights, and helps teams focus on what truly drives generosity, trust, clarity, and human connection.

Sarah Landman from Insightful shares why good development starts with good listening, tuning into donor news, life updates, and milestones to show up when it matters most. We dig into practical ways nonprofits can track what’s happening in their donors’ world and turn those touchpoints into lasting, trust-filled relationships.

Change CEO Sonia Nigam joins The Nonprofit Lab to unpack the hidden rails behind online giving. From compliance pitfalls and paper checks to donor-advised funds and API-first solutions, Sonia shares how Change is simplifying fundraising infrastructure and unlocking more dollars for nonprofits.

Donor-advised funds now hold over $255 billion in charitable assets, but most nonprofits struggle to access them. In this episode, Elon Packin, Head of Partnerships at Chariot explains how their DAFpay technology makes giving from donor-advised funds seamless, and why unlocking these dollars can transform fundraising. Learn more at givechariot.com.

Samantha Swaim of Swaim Strategies shares how to design fundraising events that move people: from storytelling that doubles giving, to match strategies that multiply impact, to follow-ups that turn donors into lifelong supporters.

Nonprofit finance doesn’t have to be confusing or scarcity-driven. Karen Houghton, CEO of Infinite Giving, shares how nonprofits of every size can move idle cash into growth, accept stock and crypto with confidence, and build reserves and endowments that open doors to major gifts. A practical roadmap for shifting from survival mode to sustainable impact.

Thinking about switching CRMs, moving off spreadsheets, or just getting more from the system you already use? Kevin Wood of NPact breaks down the realities of nonprofit data management, the hidden costs of poor systems, and how to make CRM transitions smoother. A must-listen for any nonprofit leader planning for growth.

What if the key to unlocking billions in medical debt relief was hiding in plain sight? Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, joins The Nonprofit Lab to share how one viral TikTok exposed hospital charity care, and sparked a movement that’s erased over $90M in medical bills.

Fundraising isn’t just about sending messages, it’s about making people feel seen. Bart Lillie from Synergy joins to share how nonprofits can build real donor connection through intentional, multichannel engagement that centers trust, listening, and humanity.

Mallory Erickson shares how unlearning false beliefs, regulating our nervous systems, and having our own back can transform the way we fundraise. We explore burnout, scarcity mindset, and why emotional well-being is essential to sustainable impact. Mallory is the author and host of What the Fundraising and the creator of Practivated, an AI-powered conversation simulator helping fundraisers build confidence through practice.