I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

Why do some fundraising appeals succeed while others fall flat?

It all comes down to the power of language.

Dr. Emilie Socash, the visionary founder and CEO of the Nonprofit Help Center, is here to share groundbreaking findings from her research, including why donors are MORE generous when messaging emphasizes preventing negative outcomes.

We break down the psychological contrasts between promotion-focused and prevention-focused approaches, drawing from an eye-opening experiment involving 225 high-income adults.

Prevention-focused individuals are 53% more likely to increase their donations when they receive messages tailored to their motivational orientation!

Later, we go through Emilie’s incredibly actionable “Mad Libs” exercise to A/B test, analyze, and refine your appeals.

This episode is FILLED with impactful advice. Get ready to furiously take notes and have your pen and paper ready.

Resources & Links

Connect with Emilie on LinkedIn and learn more about the Nonprofit Help Center on their website, where they host hundreds of micro-learning courses.

Check out the free resource Emilie talked about in today’s episode: How To Say It And Speak Their Language (with promotion and prevention language examples!)

Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

What if you could transform your entire donor engagement strategy from the ground up, 2x your fundraising goals, AND achieve a 64% open rate?

I’m excited to feature a conversation previously on The Purpose & Profit Club podcast featuring Wendy Faust, the trailblazing Executive Director of the Live Like Lou Foundation, and host Christina Edwards from Splendid Consulting.

Wendy takes us on an inspiring journey through her transformative work supporting ALS-affected families, funding innovative ALS research, and keeping Lou Gehrig’s legacy alive. You’ll hear about the viral success of the Ice Bucket Challenge and what it means for ongoing advocacy and funding efforts.

We also uncover the secrets behind tripling email frequency to achieve a 64% open rate, all through the lens of nonprofit storytelling. Plus, personalized thank-you notes, candid videos on TikTok, anniversary emails, and data platforms like Bloomerang helped revolutionize their approach.

Every connection and story shared can make a difference!

P.S. Sign up for FREE instant access to Christina’s masterclass, Email Goldmine: Monetize Your Email List.

Resources & Links

Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn and learn more about Live Like Lou on their website and Instagram.

Want to skyrocket your open rates and double your next fundraiser? Sign up for FREE instant access to Christina’s masterclass, Email Goldmine: Monetize Your Email List.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

What if the key to turning your mission into a movement lies in the power of video?

Shannon Fitzgerald from The Hooligans Agency is here to reveal how creative video content can revolutionize advocacy and nonprofit work.

And you DON’T need a massive budget to make a significant impact.

You’ll hear the incredible story behind two “fake” horror movie trailers designed with a scrappy budget in less than a week (!) for Gas Leaks Action, that educated audiences about the dangers of natural gas.

These ads received a TON of earned media attention, even landing in movie theaters during Halloween season.

Shannon has one heck of a resume, going from Hollywood to spearheading 80+ campaigns for democratic and climate initiatives.

You’re no doubt going to learn so many practical tips for aligning your creative projects with your core values, and why the “MAYA Principle” is so special (it will help your content resonate more deeply!)

This episode is for you if you’re ready to elevate your social impact mission with video.

P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at the Kendra Scott store in Sarasota, FL on September 18th! RSVP here.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Shannon’s work on her agency website and connect with her at shannon@thehooligansagency.com, or on LinkedIn.

Check out the video examples discussed in this episode: Silent But Deadly for Gas Leaks Action and Assume That I Can for CoreDown.

Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

The Monthly Giving Summit is here! In less than 24 hours, over 1,500 nonprofits from all over the world are coming to the first online virtual event completely dedicated to monthly giving.

So what can you expect? Day 1 is focused on keynotes and panels, sharing stories about growth, retention, and fostering values-aligned partnerships. You’ll hear from the Head of LinkedIn for Nonprofits, Ariana Younai, and Marcus Collins, who wrote one of my favorite books.

Day 2 will feel like a mastermind. It’s time to come together and network, share your learnings and experiences, AND we’ll have two breakout sessions where you can get hot seat style coaching. Come prepared with your most burning questions!

Whether you are in the pre-launch phase of your monthly giving strategy, or you have over 100,000 monthly donors, this event is for you.

Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET to learn how to build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.

P.S. I am hitting the road this week! Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL!

RSVP for Atlanta on September 7th

RSVP for Sarasota on September 18th

P.P.S. Would an in-person monthly giving event in 2025 pique your interest? Send me a DM at @positivequation on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

Resources & Links

Special thanks to the Monthly Giving Summit’s growth partners: Neon One, iDonate, Givebutter, and DonorPerfect.

Register for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

Get ready to unlock the secrets of nonprofit email marketing with Katelyn Baughan, a seasoned email expert who has worked with National Geographic and the Trevor Project.

Katelyn and I are diving into the nuances of nurturing new email leads with a well-crafted welcome series, (which is underutilized and CRUCIAL during the early stages of supporter engagement!)

We break down an optimal sequence of sending 4 emails over 12 days, including thank you notes, mission connections, storytelling, and a final call-to-action.

We also touch on the importance of key performance indicators (KPIs) and choosing the right email platforms and CRMs for your organization. Katelyn has so much wisdom to share on avoiding new subscriber overwhelm.

Plus, Katelyn is offering a bonus coaching call in my upcoming Grow Your List Ads Challenge, designed to help you attract new supporters. And if you join us, you’ll get her fully customizable email series welcome template!

P.S. My Monthly Giving Summit is coming up FAST! Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET for the only free virtual event that is dedicated to helping you build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.

P.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL!

RSVP for Atlanta on September 7th

RSVP for Sarasota on September 18th

Resources & Links

Register for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!

Sign up for my Grow Your List Ads Challenge to generate 100 subscribers in 7 days with Facebook ads. Get 4 live Zoom calls, plus a bonus group coaching call with email expert Katelyn Baughan.

Connect with Katelyn on LinkedIn and sign up for her newsletter, where she shares weekly tips about nonprofit email trends.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

What can we learn from the merger of two impactful nonprofits, and how can it reshape our approach to mission-driven work?

Join me as we welcome back Blythe Hill, the visionary founder of Dressember, who shares the inspiring journey of her organization’s partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM). With limited resources and a challenging post-COVID fundraising environment, this strategic move opened up new opportunities AND expanded the reach of Dressember's mission to combat human trafficking.

You’ll hear about the emotional and practical challenges Blythe faced, how they announced the acquisition to their 200,000 contacts, AND the nitty gritty of the legal side.

This episode offers a transparent look at how to execute a successful strategic transition that ensures continued impact and support for nonprofit teams.

P.S. My Monthly Giving Summit is coming up FAST! Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET for the only free virtual event that is dedicated to helping you build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.

P.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL!

RSVP for Atlanta on September 7th

RSVP for Sarasota on September 18th

Resources & Links

Register for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!

Learn more about Dressember on their website and follow them on Instagram. Connect with Blythe at blythe@dressember.org or on Instagram.

Tune in to Episode 3 for my first conversation with Blythe, The Power of Video.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

This week, there's another podcast I want to share with you: What the Fundraising.

Mallory Erickson is talking to Caitlin Wion, a data manager at Alzheimer's San Diego. And Caitlin is revealing ALL of her automation secrets to enhance donor engagement and make recurring giving work – with limited capacity and time.

Hear how a simple donation tracker in an email campaign led to an unexpected surge in donor sign-ups, the power of customization and segmentation, and the origins and evolution of Alzheimer's San Diego's recurring giving program.

Caitlin doesn’t hold ANYTHING back in sharing their best creative strategies for fostering a donor community (like heartfelt acknowledgment letters and special thank-you notes!), while their Visionary program celebrates major contributors annually.

This juicy episode underscores the broader impact of monthly giving on fundraising strategies, and should get your wheels turning while you plan this year’s Giving Tuesday and year-end campaigns.

P.S. I thought this was a perfect episode to share with you as my Monthly Giving Summit is coming up FAST! Join me on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET for the only free virtual event that is dedicated to helping you build, grow and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here.

P.P.S. Join me for my Book Launch Tour at Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta, GA and Sarasota, FL!

RSVP for Atlanta on September 7th

RSVP for Sarasota on September 18th

Resources & Links

Register for my Monthly Giving Summit coming up on Sept 5-6 from 1-4 pm ET - the ONLY virtual event designed to help nonprofits build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. RSVP for FREE here!

Learn more about Alzheimer’s San Diego on their website and connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message here and let me know what you thought about the episode. :)

Could leveraging Facebook Messenger transform your nonprofit's fundraising strategy? In this episode, we sit down with Becca Lockhart and Ty Hyacinth from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to uncover the digital strategies that have catapulted their annual giving. Discover how their innovative use of Facebook Messenger campaigns, combined with integrated donor engagement tactics, has revolutionized their approach to funding Parkinson's research, leading to remarkable growth in revenue and donor interaction.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation's shift to Facebook fundraising, in partnership with Good United, offers a masterclass in authentic community-building. Join us as Becca and Ty reveal the power of personalized interactions and the critical role of staff members stepping into the spotlight with a conversational tone. Hear how ongoing engagement and expressing gratitude have been pivotal in fostering trust, belonging, and sustained support through various campaigns and challenges.

We celebrate the foundation's impressive achievements in 2023, particularly through their "Year in Review" report. Listen to how they've leveraged Facebook Messenger for transparency and impactful communication, creating an engaged community where members share personal stories and support each other. As we look forward to April's Parkinson's Awareness Month, Becca and Ty share their excitement for upcoming community efforts and advocacy. Don’t miss this episode packed with valuable insights and heartfelt stories from the front lines of nonprofit fundraising.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!