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

July 8, 2025 26 mins
Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting new tools; it’s about establishing the right environment for change to take root. The human-first approach of digital transformation values curiosity over control and sees innovation as something grown, not forced. This episode is a great opportunity to witness what’s possible when people, not platforms, are at the center of progress.  Matt Leta is the CEO and partner at Future Wo...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… In today’s landscape of fundraising, where pressure and performance often obscure purpose, value alignment is more crucial than ever. Restorative philanthropy, embedded in authenticity, mutual respect, and shared purposes, can transform donor relationships and support healthier, more sustainable practices. Rather than centering persuasion, fundraisers can focus on clarity and connec...
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This week on the What the Fundraising podcast, Mallory is  joined by Boomer Anderson, a health optimization practitioner, investor, husband, podcast host, entrepreneur, and the CEO of Smarter Not Harder, Inc.  Mallory and Boomer explored how nonprofit leaders, often stretched thin and managing chronic stress, can rethink their approach to personal well-being, not just for themselves, but for the sustainability of their mission-driv...
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Joining Mallory today is the CEO of Stearns Bank National Association, Kelly Skalicky, a majority women-owned and governed financial services institution. Stearns Bank’s dedication lies in enabling individuals, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities to reach their maximum financial potential. Nonprofit organizations across the United States face unique financial challenges in times of economic uncertainty. Often wo...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… Joining Mallory today is Jill Vorndran, a fundraiser at Covenant House. She held a variety of leadership roles within the organization for 26 years and contributed to the movement’s effort to grow support, financial stability, and brand awareness. She joined us today to talk about the importance of relationship-based fundraising.  In an era where inboxes are full but the attention ...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… Joining Mallory today are Bill Cummings and Todd Hiestand, the co-founder and director of branding and the co-founder and director of web strategy at Liminal, a branding and messaging agency with 50 years of combined nonprofit experience. They specialize in branding, strategy, and engagement.  In the nonprofit landscape, a clear and consistent core message is not a luxury but a n...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of nonprofits, it’s a necessity that leaders lead with more bravery and boldness than ever before. Such courage means moving beyond their safe zones and well-worn paths and embracing risks that reflect the urgency of missions. Brave leadership is no longer an option but a necessity, whether it’s challenging misconceptions, building authentic rel...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by T. Clay Buck. The existing donor data is one of the most underutilized assets in your fundraising toolkit. While most people are chasing ‘new’ donors, we are diving deep into exploring the importance of the relationships that you’ve already started. We are on the path to make you understand it’s about identifying the generous, kind hearts behind each gift, rather than na...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… Fundraising and community-building are more about transformation than transactions. Real, lasting impact begins with authenticity and connection. When we invite people to our work, we are not just asking them for donations; we are inviting them to believe, belong, and build. Belief is earned through trust and care. People stay when they feel valued and seen. They will help carry you...
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In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory is joined by fellow AI enthusiasts, Nathan Chappell and Scott Rosenkrans. They discuss leveraging AI, which offers nonprofit organizations an extraordinary opportunity to boost their impact and drive fundraising efforts to a new level. AI transforms the way nonprofits operate from streamlining donor engagement to personalizing outreach. However, adopting AI is not just about integrat...
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On this episode on What The Fundraising, Mallory is joined by  Michelle Flores Vryn and Evan Wildstein, the two leaders of the Social Impact Staff Retention Project. Together they explore how nonprofits can build a culture where the prioritization of both mission and people is rooted in its core. They discuss why taking care of your people is not just the right thing to do, but also a clever business decision. With increasing burno...
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In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory is joined by  Candice Mama, a global thought leader in forgiveness, healing, and post-conflict transformation. They dive deep into the heart of personal growth, resilience, and navigating challenges in life. Life isn’t always about figuring everything out. It’s about embracing vulnerability, learning from both success and failures, and stepping into the known with determination. In t...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast. Mallory is joined by Jeremy Brown, the visionary behind Social Impact World, a vibrant global community of over 2,000 corporate social impact professionals. Together, they explore what it takes to sustain social impact initiatives inside corporations, especially as the economic landscape shifts and companies reassess their values.  Jeremy’s journey into social impact began after wor...
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This week on the What the Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Lauren Isbell, an executive director at Nevus Outreach Inc., a non-profit patient advocacy based out of Jonesboro, AR, United States. With nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Lauren has been building community, connecting people & ideas, and advocating for healthcare access, reform, and inclusion. Her passion is to raise awareness, provide support,...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is diving deep into a topic that is often misunderstood yet holds immense potential for nonprofit fundraisers: Family Offices and Philanthropy. Her guest, Kerrie Mitchell, is the Managing Partner at FSO Partners, where she and her identical twin sister advise philanthropists, family offices, and nonprofits on how to maximize impact. Kerrie unpacks what a family office is, how these ...
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In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory dives deep into a conversation with the trailblazing Birgit Smith Burton. With nearly four decades of experience in fundraising, Birgit has broken barriers, created spaces for belonging, and pushed for systemic change in the nonprofit sector. She shares her journey—from being the first frontline fundraiser of color at Georgia Tech to founding the African American Development Officers...
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Empathy, respect, and ethical responsibility are rooted in the practice of Trauma-Informed Storytelling. It recognizes that individuals who have experienced trauma often face challenges in regaining control, safety, and agency in their lives. This approach emphasizes giving people the power to decide how and when their stories are shared, ensuring that their dignity is upheld throughout the process. It's about striking a balance be...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Christina Martin Kenny, a career fundraiser, consultant, and nonprofit changemaker, who is tackling some of the most persistent challenges in the sector. From unsustainable fundraising models to the high turnover of development staff, Christina is unafraid to speak candidly about the deeply ingrained systemic issues that make fundraising feel so hard—and why she still re...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Brantley Boyett, co-founder and president of GivingDocs, to unpack the world of planned giving, behavioral science, and the role of AI in fundraising. With a background as a reformed attorney and years of research alongside Duke University, Brantley brings a wealth of insights into how nonprofits can unlock the potential of legacy giving—no matter their size. Mallory and...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising, we’re diving into a topic that many nonprofit leaders shy away from—finances. Whether it’s bookkeeping, audits, tax compliance, or financial storytelling, these elements are critical to your organization's success. And yet, so many of us feel overwhelmed, lost, or even avoidant when it comes to our financial health. A trusted financial partner is not someone who just helps you navigate the r...
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