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If your nonprofit’s strategic plan is sitting on a shelf instead of driving results, this conversation is your wake-up call. Dylan Bassett, Principal and Founder of Department 1 Solutions, challenges a deeply ingrained habit across the sector: setting ambitious goals without first understanding operational capacity.

Dylan makes it clear—most nonprofit plans fail not because of poor intentions, but because they are disconnected from the realities of staff bandwidth, systems, and workflows. As he explains, “A lot of nonprofit strategic plans are too big for the team that’s executing them.” That disconnect creates frustration, burnout, and ultimately stalled progress.

Instead of starting with lofty goals, Dylan urges organizations to flip the model. Begin by assessing what your team and technology can actually support today. Then identify the gap between current capacity and future ambitions. That gap becomes the real work—where systems, processes, and people must align.

A major takeaway? Many nonprofits already have the tools they need but are underutilizing them. Rather than rushing to purchase new platforms, leaders should first evaluate how existing systems can be better configured and adopted. This approach not only saves money but also strengthens internal efficiency.

Dylan also emphasizes turning strategy into a daily habit. By breaking large goals into smaller, measurable actions, organizations can maintain momentum, build team confidence, and create regular opportunities for progress. As he shares, “The success of success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”

This is more than a planning conversation—it’s a call to rethink how your organization operates. Bring your team into the process. Align your tools with your workflows. And most importantly, create a roadmap that your staff can actually execute.

If your nonprofit is ready to move from planning to performance, this episode is your next step.

00:00:00 Opening and Guest Introduction
00:01:05 Why Strategic Plans Often Fail
00:03:13 Technology Challenges in Nonprofits
00:05:04 The Gap Between Vision and Capacity
00:07:39 Defining Capacity Before Setting Goals
00:10:47 Auditing Your Existing Systems
00:13:18 Are Nonprofits Using Tech Effectively
00:16:04 Technology as a Long Term Commitment
00:18:02 Turning Strategy Into Daily Practice
00:21:00 Building Momentum Through Small Wins
00:26:22 Staff Buy In and Adapting Plans
00:29:02 Final Takeaways on Clarity and Execution

#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitStrategy #OperationalExcellence

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A sophisticated and deeply reflective conversation on the science behind donor decision-making. Drawing from neuroscience and behavioral research, Cherian Koshy reframes fundraising not as persuasion, but as understanding—an evolution that has profound implications for the business of nonprofits.

Cherian shares his own journey into fundraising, describing how early trial-and-error efforts led him to question a fundamental issue: why do donors give? That curiosity sparked a deeper exploration into human behavior, ultimately revealing that giving is not driven primarily by logic, but by emotion. As he explains, “We make the emotional decision… and then our brain says, how do I justify or rationalize that decision based upon proof.”

This insight challenges long-held assumptions in nonprofit strategy. Rather than focusing solely on rational appeals or comparative value, organizations must recognize that donors are already motivated by internal emotional drivers. The fundraiser’s role, Cherian emphasizes, is not to convince, but to facilitate: “Our job as fundraisers is actually to get out of their way… not to convince them to do something that they don’t want to do.”

The discussion also confronts ethical considerations, particularly as technology and AI reshape the sector. Cherian introduces a practical ethical framework: if a donor would feel uncomfortable knowing how their behavior is being influenced, the approach is likely inappropriate. Transparency, consent, and donor intent become essential guardrails.

Importantly, the conversation bridges theory with application. From simplifying donation processes to rethinking stewardship messaging, Cherian illustrates how neuroscience can strengthen donor relationships when used responsibly. His example of moving from transactional acknowledgments to emotionally resonant gratitude reveals a powerful truth: donors are not giving to organizations—they are expressing personal meaning.

As nonprofits face increasing pressure to perform, this episode offers a refined perspective on sustainable fundraising, inviting leaders to move beyond tactics and toward a more human-centered, ethically grounded approach that builds long-term trust and impact.

00:00:00 Opening and 1500th Episode Celebration
00:01:04 Introducing Cherian Koshy and Topic
00:02:50 Journey into Fundraising and Discovery
00:04:37 Why People Make Decisions
00:06:48 Ethics and Donor Intent
00:10:11 Emotional vs Logical Decision Making
00:17:30 Building Donor Connection Over Persuasion
00:20:03 AI Opportunities and Risks in Fundraising
00:23:43 Rethinking Donor Stewardship
00:26:13 Sector Adoption and Real-World Impact
00:28:42 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways

#TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingStrategy #DonorBehavior

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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!
12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT

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Nonprofits can turn fundraising events into more efficient, donor-friendly, revenue-generating experiences that support long-term growth. Most events are full of potential, but this learning session makes it clear that the strongest galas are no longer built around chaos, long lines, and overworked staff.

In this energizing conversation, Justin Goodhew, Co-Founder and CEO of Trellis, makes the case that event success is not just about what happens in the ballroom. It starts before the event with better use of donor data, stronger integration with internal systems, and smarter choices about where staff time should go. He explains that many organizations stop doing galas not because events no longer matter, but because the process drains team capacity. By simplifying check-in, reducing friction, and using technology that connects with existing CRM and finance systems, nonprofits can free staff and volunteers to focus on donor relationships rather than administrative bottlenecks.

He also brings a strong business lens to revenue strategy. Instead of piling on low-yield activities that consume time, Justin encourages nonprofits to focus on the highest net return, such as paddle raises, major auction items, and thoughtfully designed upsell options. As he puts it, “We’re actually really a fundraising and a donor retention platform disguised as an event platform.” That perspective shifts the conversation from event logistics to donor value and lifetime engagement.

One of the key takeaways is Justin’s emphasis on what happens after the event. Fast follow-up, integrated donor data, and immediate action are what turn a one-night attendee into a future supporter. He also shares that strategic auction upsells can produce “about 6 to 7% increase in revenue” simply by giving donors another easy, mission-aligned way to give.

This session is a smart reminder that nonprofit events do not need to disappear. They need to evolve. With the right systems, intentional design, and a stronger focus on donor experience, galas can become more productive, more profitable, and far more sustainable for nonprofit teams!

00:00:00 Welcome
00:02:24 What Trellis.org Does for Nonprofit Events
00:04:29 Growing Event Revenue With Limited Staff
00:06:32 Faster Check-In and Better Donor Experience
00:12:40 Turning One-Night Guests Into Long-Term Donors
00:16:04 Modern Event Upselling That Increases Revenue
00:17:41 Why Paddle Raises Matter So Much
00:24:01 Why Tech-First Events Are Outperforming Traditional Models
00:26:23 Less Staff Strain More Mission Engagement
00:28:10 A New Mindset for Nonprofit Events

#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #EventStrategy

Find us Live daily on YouTube!

Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!

Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show

Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!
12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT

Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com
Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show