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 remains hopeful and optimistic about the future.
Mallory and Christina explore burnout, misaligned expectations, and the harmful "martyrdom mindset" that has been baked into nonprofit culture for too long. This conversation isn’t just about identifying the problems—it’s about solutions. They dive into how to create sustainable change, break cycles of fundraiser turnover, and build healthier, more effective organizations that actually support the people doing the work.
If you've ever felt like fundraising is an impossible, pressure-cooker of a job, this episode will make you feel seen—and hopefully, leave you with a sense of possibility for a better way forward.
In this episode, you will be able to,
- Learn the importance of addressing the hard truths within the nonprofit sector.
- Discover the impact of isolation on mental health and the importance of addressing it to prevent burnout.
- Learn about the systemic issues within the nonprofit sector.
- Learn about the need for organizations to adopt more humane and flexible policies.
- Discover the importance of building relationships in fundraising.
Get all the resources from today’s episode here.
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Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast
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If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point