What the Fundraising

What the Fundraising

What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way. Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser. There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all. So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you. If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

Episodes

January 13, 2026 28 mins
As one of the most popular ways of contributing to philanthropy, Donor-advised funds are quietly changing the landscape, offering both unprecedented opportunity and unique challenges for nonprofits. By understanding the psychology behind DAFs, fundraisers can understand why donors act faster, give more generously, and engage differently than through traditional channels. Join with us and explore practical strategies for organizatio...
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What if in the future it is a possibility to build deeper connections with everyone who gives instead of raising more money from fewer people? In this episode Mallory is joined by Kalyan Varma, founder & CEO of Almabase, to discuss how AI and modern tools can help nonprofits better serve everyday givers. Originally from India, Kalyan Varma was introduced to fundraising in college after helping launch a student-led nonprofit to r...
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Generosity doesn’t begin with the ask; it begins with understanding. Joining with Mallory today is Kevin Schulman to discuss the role of behavioral science in reshaping how generosity is inspired, unmasking why people give far beyond the moment they’re prompted.  Kevin Schulman is the founder of DonorVoice, a behavioral science fundraising agency established in 2012 after a career in the commercial sector. Noticing a striking gap ...
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Fundraising is commonly portrayed as challenging, but for mission-driven leaders, it’s also a privilege because they’ve got to be one of the helpers in this time period. In this episode, Dana Smiley joins Mallory to discuss donor stewardship through the lens of authenticity, purpose, and human connection. Join us as our guest dives into the exhaustion that comes with the role, the mindset shift that keeps teams grounded, and the po...
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Change is built through purpose, innovation, and the people who keep showing up. Join with us and explore how social impact and fundraising are evolving beyond traditional boundaries, blending the strategy of business with the heart of philanthropy. Zachary Hynek is the founder of Morton Labs, a startup venture out of the University of Chicago, developing a multi-physics simulation platform specifically for the nuclear industry, a...
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Donors make decisions regarding generosity faster than you may think. It’s crucial that fundraisers understand how much those split-second decisions matter. This episode delves into the hidden psychology behind giving, the impact of choosing the right words, the signs that shut conversations down, and subtle mistakes even the skilled professionals make.  Grab a copy of Cherian's book: http://amazon.com/Neurogiving-Science-Decisi...
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GivingTuesday is more than just a calendar date; it’s a reminder of what generosity can do when people decide to show up for one another. Generosity isn’t always about money; it can be about time, support, sharing skills, or simply choosing kindness. It is a day to remember that small acts, multiplied by millions, can create lasting impact.  In this special episode, Mallory is joined by her daughter Emmie to read the book “How to ...
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What does it mean when we say a fundraising approach is really ‘working’? In this episode, Mallory and Tammy talk about moving past the fixed camps of donor-centric versus community-centric models and call for a shift toward human-centered fundraising. From redefining heroism to making conscious choices about what we measure and what we prioritize, they invite listeners to rethink success through shared values, equity, and intentio...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising… Change is the hardest thing to sustain but the most important thing in the nonprofit sector. Most of the time, leaders in nonprofit find themselves stuck between knowing what needs to evolve and struggling to make it happen. From outdated systems and burnout to scarcity mindset and fear of failure, the barriers to change are deeply human and structural. This conversation examines why good i...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising... Fundraising isn’t just about asking; it’s about understanding. The most successful fundraisers know that sustaining an organization couldn’t be done with passion alone. Passion must be combined with skill, strategy, and authentic human connection.  David Rhodes is an award-winning and bestselling author, keynote speaker, educator, deputy director at PennPAC, and founder of Dot Dot Org. W...
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In a world where leadership is often measured by individual success, today's episode shifts the spotlight to the strength found in unity and shared purpose. Joining us is Carmen James Randolph, the Founding President and CEO of the Women's Foundation of the South, to explore how collaboration, compassion, and collective power can transform communities and drive lasting change.  Carmen introduces the foundation's mission, which is ...
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Fundraising is often considered to be transformational, but most of the time it’s designed to measure only transactions. Behind the scenes, a quiet disparity has begun to shape the fundraising sector: a major gift fixation, hierarchies of value within teams, and a culture that rewards revenue over relationships. It’s time to reimagine success by tracking what truly matters. Join us in our journey to prove that sustainable philanthr...
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In an era of overloaded information, building genuine donor alignment is essential. Join with us and explore how curiosity, care, and flexibility help fundraisers uncover what truly motivates the donors. Let’s examine how AI can be a tool of support but never replaces the human connection at the heart of transformational philanthropic engagement.  Like most fundraisers, Tyler Mallory stumbled into the industry unexpectedly from a ...
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The emerging technologies force the social impact world to see an uncomfortable truth: progress requires both courage and conscience. This conversation highlights not only the ethics of using AI responsibly but also the responsibilities that come with choosing not to use it, the opportunity to let technology amplify human connection rather than erode it, and how institutions can prepare for a future where technology moves faster th...
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Systemic doesn’t happen in isolation; it begins when power is shared. By placing decision-making in the hands of communities most affected by inequity, collaborative funds are reshaping philanthropy. This approach redefines who leads, who decides, and how trust is built in the places that haven’t always been welcoming.  Rebecca Darwent is the founder and philanthropic advisor at Rebecca Darwent Global Inc. She is an internationall...
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Although people often perceive fundraising as refined conversations and confident asks, the reality is far more complex. Many fundraisers often struggle with self-doubt, suspicious of whether they fit into the category of a ‘good fundraiser.’ Whether it’s redefining what skills matter, reframing the role of data, or turning challenges like lapsed donors into opportunities, this episode explores how shifting perspectives can open ne...
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Leadership is framed around performance and results too often, ignoring the more profound needs of inclusivity, safety, and authentic expression. True leadership is something that is beyond token inclusion; it's about creating spaces where people feel empowered, valued, and feel free to bring their whole selves forward. Joy, curiosity, and play allow leaders to reframe challenges, nurture resilience, and cultivate strong connection...
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Building a nonprofit that genuinely connects with people requires more than a compelling mission; it demands empathy, strategy, and courage. Mark Dombkins, Founder at Forever Projects, shares insights from his journey leading a nonprofit dedicated to ending the Tanzanian orphan crisis through income creation for women. He and his wife Anna live in Australia with their six children, three of whom they adopted while working in Tanza...
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This week, we have the honor of conversing with the board chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Cicley Gay. The foundation is now expanding its vision to center joy, love, and play as revolutionary practices and redefines what it means to build lasting social change. This conversation explores how transparency, truth-telling, and risk-taking are reshaping the landscape of philanthropy and fighting misinfor...
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The promise of technology is efficiency, but the core of community building still lies in authentic human connection. The current nonprofit sector finds it hard to balance automation with meaningful touchpoints that foster trust, vulnerability, and genuine relationships. This conversation explores the intersection of community and technology, emphasizing how nonprofit organizations can avoid over-engineering relationships, understa...
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