NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange

Recent data suggests that more than half of nonprofit professionals are considering leaving their jobs — and those numbers climb even higher for frontline fundraisers. In today's episode, Sadé Dozan from Borealis Philanthropy joins Russ Phaneuf to discuss the "invisible labor" that might be burning you out faster than your actual workload. Tune in to learn how your lived experience can be a powerful asset instead of "baggage," ways...

When resource‑strapped nonprofits lean too heavily on AI to generate appeals and donor communications, they risk trading away long‑term donor trust for short‑term efficiency. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf and narrative strategist Josh Gryniewicz explore best practices for using AI in fundraising while avoiding ethical pitfalls. Tune in to learn how to set practical guardrails around AI use, update storytelling practices to respe...

Many nonprofit leaders today feel lost in the weeds. They're stuck reacting, caught between expectations from donors and demands from the board to do more with less. When everything feels urgent, leaders lose focus, putting organizational stability and donor trust at risk. In today's episode, Melissa Cowley Wolf interviews Daniela Bryan about grounded leadership — why it matters now more than ever, why leadership development is no ...

In an environment where many donors are overwhelmed by urgent appeals and global crises, it's easy for even the most generous supporters to disengage. However, successful organizations realize they don't need to "scream louder" to get attention; they simply need to be clearer, more human, and more intentional about their asks. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf sits down with Jack Padovano, Board Chair of PC Project, to discuss how p...

Finding the right funding for new ideas is challenging, especially when traditional philanthropy often favors established connections. However, open-call grant models are leveling the playing field, encouraging organizations to propose big, bold solutions that might otherwise stay under a funder's radar. In today's episode, host Josh Gryniewicz interviews Marc Moorghen from Lever for Change about the ways open calls are reshaping a...

As donor demographics shift and concerns regarding data-sharing practices grow, nonprofits are facing a significant challenge in maintaining the trust of an increasingly skeptical audience. Many leaders are now asking: How do we prove our impact with true transparency to earn long-term, continued support? In today's episode, host Russ Phaneuf welcomes Kyle Gardner, SVP of Development with Charity Navigator, to dig into the hard tru...

For nonprofits, stories matter. But the underlying narratives that shape how people make sense of the world matter even more. As narrative change takes on a larger role in ...

Private funders are increasingly shifting from funding short-term service delivery to long-term systems change, pushing nonprofits to rethink their role in their community. Many are now asking, how do we stay mission-focused while building the relationships needed to attract funders who want deeper change? In today's episode, we explore the idea of power ecosystems — what they are, how they work, and why they're reshaping the nonpr...

Community listening sessions are essential for effective nonprofit work, yet too often they become a box-checking exercise rather than a chance to uncover blind spots and foster true collaboration. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Dana Perlman to explore practical strategies for meaningful, co-creative listening. Tune in for a fresh perspective on systems change, community listening, and narrative strategy.

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According to the Giving USA 2025 report, individual giving rose from last year. But three-quarters of dollars raised came from just 3% of donors. When giving is this top-heavy, should you keep investing in your annual fund program? In today's episode, we explore why the annual fund remains essential for long-term donor relationships — with insights on donor retention, stewardship through storytelling, and direct mail strategies to ...

The goal of narrative strategy is to influence a community's perception of an issue to enroll support and inspire real change. To do so, your nonprofit must first understand what makes up the "narrative ecosystem" in which all of your messaging lives. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz returns to explain the six "units of narrativity." Learn how to shape storytelling at every level so your nonprofit's communications and fundraisin...

Donors today — especially younger generations — are demanding greater transparency and efficacy from the nonprofits they support. To meet these needs, your nonprofit's narrative strategy must evolve beyond traditional fundraising messaging. In today's episode, host Russ Phaneuf and guests Sadé Dozan and Josh Gryniewicz follow-up their recent Bridge Conference presentation with a special Q&A designed to help you apply narrative stra...

What does it mean to be a nonprofit today, and how did we reach a point where so many organizations feel underfunded, under attack, and uncertain about their future? The challenges the nonprofit sector is facing didn't come out of nowhere; they're rooted in deeper systemic issues, and they raise fundamental questions about the role of nonprofits in society. In today's episode, we discuss how we got here, what's changing, and where ...

Good donor stewardship is rooted in human connection, where every donor is acknowledged regardless of the size of their contribution. In this episode, Sami Zoss sits down with Mikey Latner, founder of Project:Camp, to discuss how even the smallest nonprofit can create meaningful relationships with their supporters. Learn how Mikey makes his donors feel seen and appreciated, and how his passionate, human-centered stewardship transfo...

Many nonprofits invest valuable time and money into messaging that never quite connects. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Kurt Shaw about innovative strategies for finding and amplifying the voices that inspire action and change. You'll learn practical techniques for building trust, co-creating stories with community members, and using both fictional and non-fictional narratives to reveal deeper truths that challenge ...

Great donor stewardship goes beyond thank-you notes — it creates a sense of meaning for the donor. In this kickoff episode of our new series on stewardship, Sami Zoss sits down with Dzenan Berberovic, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Avera Health, to explore how thoughtful stewardship can deepen relationships, celebrate generosity, and offer donors what they truly seek: a lasting sense of purpose and impact. Learn why stewardship isn'...

Radical shifts in federal funding priorities continue to create widespread uncertainty across the nonprofit sector. In today's episode, we explore strategies to build organizational resilience, collaborate with other nonprofits, and communicate effectively with donors and funders during difficult times. We also examine the unique value a consultant brings, and share key criteria for choosin...

When federal funding is at risk, diversification is a smart long-term strategy. But there's a more immediate response nonprofits can't afford to ignore — advocacy. In this episode, we break down what advocacy really means, how it works, and why it's essential for every nonprofit to get involved right now. Join us as we explore how to make your voice heard and protect the funding that fuels your mission.

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Recently, a series of rapid-fire decisions by the Trump administration sent shockwaves through the nonprofit sector, leaving many organizations uncertain about the future of their federal grants. In today's episode, our expert panel explores strategies nonprofits can implement to assess the challenges they face and survive potential funding cuts. With insights on collaboration, donor communication, impact assessments, and advocacy,...