Hey Nonprofits is the only podcast specifically focused on event fundraising and auction strategy- because someone has to stand up for the gala. But great events alone won't save your organization if your financial foundation is broken.

In this episode Matt Gardner, Co-founder and CEO of Hiline and host of the Fiscally Awesome podcast, makes the case that nonprofit financial infrastructure isn't just a back-office problem. It's a fundraising problem. A credibility problem. And a mission problem.

If you're an executive director, development director, or nonprofit leader trying to grow your organization and diversify your funding in 2026 this conversation will change how you think about the business of running a nonprofit.

🔑 *What You'll Learn:*

✅ Why the traditional major donor model is aging out and what replaces it.

✅ How clean financial reporting directly impacts your ability to raise more money.

✅ Why "nonprofit" is a tax designation, not a business plan and what that mindset shift unlocks.

✅ The stock gift vs. cash gift gap: average cash gift ~$100 vs. average stock gift ~$7,000–$8,000.

✅ How to accept stock gifts and crypto without the paperwork nightmare (Karen Holden & Infinite Giving).

✅ Donor Acquisition Cost (DAC) and Lifetime Donor Value- the metrics your board should be tracking.

✅ Why outsourcing financial ops frees your ED to focus on the only thing nobody else can do.

✅ How to pitch financial modernization to a skeptical board using language they already speak.

✅ Why auction items are cost of goods sold, not expenses and how GAP principles prove it.

✅ The long-tail return on fundraising events most nonprofits never measure.

✅ Technology tools actually built for nonprofits: QuickBooks, Bill, Ramp, Gusto & more.

✅ Why your donor management database is probably your biggest untapped asset whether you're running a $500K organization or a $5M one.

Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know https://hgafundraising.com/ask-your-questions/

🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗

Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/

Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/

🔗 *CONNECT WITH MATT GARDNER * 🔗

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgardnercpa/

🌐 Website: https://www.hiline.co/

🎙️ Fiscally Awesome Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5122VWEMx6qMKEStwOuWeZ?si=173f4cd3b13b4d29

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HilineHQ

⏱️ *Chapters:*

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

02:02 Matt Gardner's Background and Highline's Mission

07:36 The State of Nonprofit Funding and Diversification

09:02 Building Trust and Financial Infrastructure

12:55 Impact of COVID-19 on Nonprofit Operations

15:53 Cash Sustainability and Investment Strategies

19:33 Frictionless Giving and Donor Experience

23:45 Technology Tools for Nonprofit Finance

28:05 Engaging and Educating Nonprofit Boards

31:02 Auction Costs as Long-term Investments

34:43 Final Thoughts and Connecting with Matt Gardner

💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙

This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. HGA helps nonprofit event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable — and mission-focused — auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization raise more money.

🔗 Explore auction items: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/

🔗 Free fundraising coaching: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/

🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://hgafundraising.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/