Nonprofit Lowdown – Episode #366: A Giving Tuesday Pep Talk You Actually Need

Host: Rhea Wong
Date: December 1, 2025

Overview

In this special pep talk episode, Rhea Wong, nonprofit coach and fundraising expert, delivers an encouraging, no-nonsense message for fundraisers sprinting towards Giving Tuesday and year-end. Coming off the Thanksgiving break, Rhea acknowledges the unique stresses nonprofit professionals feel at this pivotal time, and offers her signature blend of relatability, tactical advice, and good humor. The episode is a succinct, actionable checklist for anyone about to hit send on their Giving Tuesday campaign, with Rhea’s focus on what truly matters—and permission to let go of the rest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recognizing the Challenges of Fundraising Right Now

(00:34–04:45)

• Rhea opens by empathizing with her listeners, recognizing the political, social, and economic upheavals of the year and the immense pressure on fundraisers to meet end-of-year goals.

• She emphasizes the need for “grace”—both self-compassion and a realistic perspective on outcomes beyond one’s control.

  “I just wanted to say I see you and I want you to give yourself a little bit of grace because we’re out here trying to make the best of a tough situation.”
  —Rhea (02:32)

• Encourages listeners to “divorce [themselves] a little bit from the outcome,” since fundraisers can only control their own actions, not donor responses.

2. Drowning in Advice? Pick Three Things and Let Go

(04:45–06:15)

• Rhea humorously notes the overwhelming amount of Giving Tuesday advice online.

• Her recommendation: Select one, two, or three strategies to implement—don’t try to do it all at once.

  “You could literally make yourself crazy trying to follow everybody’s advice. Pick one, two, or three things, and then let it go.”
  —Rhea (05:28)

• Suggests learning and iterating, rather than expecting perfection this year.

3. The Giving Tuesday “Punch List” – Rhea’s Quick, Effective Tips

(06:15–11:50)

a. Subject Lines Matter Most
(06:38–08:00)

• Subject lines are routinely overlooked, yet are crucial for email open rates.

• Questions to ask: Would I open this? Does it create urgency/curiosity? Is the pre-header compelling?

• Examples of effective subject lines:

  • “Your gift is triple today”
  • “We’re 37 girls away”
  • “Lindsay, this is your moment”

  “Think of subject lines like the preview to a movie. If the preview is boring, I’m likely not going to see the movie.”
  —Rhea (07:28)

• Use tools like ChatGPT to test subject lines for engagement.

b. Simple Omnichannel Outreach (Without the Drama)
(08:00–09:40)

• Go omnichannel, but don’t overcomplicate:

  • Email + social media post
  • Text message to top donors (with permission)
  • Personal emails or phone calls from staff or board (genuine human touches)

  “We’re not looking at a 12-touch multimedia campaign with smoke machines and interpretive dance.”
  —Rhea (08:10)

• Most donors don’t ignore appeals out of disinterest—they just forget. Gentle reminders (not spammy, but thoughtful nudges) can make the difference.

c. Always Invite Replies (and Use that P.S.)
(09:40–11:00)

• Add a P.S. that explicitly invites a reply for questions or dedications.

• Reply-backs boost deliverability and spark real engagement.

  “Reply-backs are the most reliable source of engagement. PS’s are magic. PS’s are what people read.”
  —Rhea (09:46)

• Every email is an opportunity to begin a conversation, not just close a transaction.

  “Remember, you’re not closing a gift. You’re opening a relationship.”
  —Rhea (10:36)

4. The Last-Minute Button Check

(11:00–11:30)

• Make your donate button extra-visible—“big old button, probably an obnoxious color.”

• Ensure the call to donate stands out when people scan your communication.

  “I know it sounds so obvious, but… we need to catch their attention and make it obvious what we want them to do.”
  —Rhea (11:20)

Memorable Quotes & Pep Talk Moments

• “Do what you can do and let it go.” (03:19)
• “Trying to boil the ocean in one year is not going to be a recipe for success.” (05:54)
• “If you don’t have time for donor conversations, what are you making time to do?” (10:53)
• “In order to scale, we have to do things that do not scale. And part of doing things that do not scale is talking to human beings…” (11:02)
• “Go get that money, honey.” (12:34)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:34: Rhea’s warm, post-Thanksgiving check-in; “Super Bowl of fundraising” analogy.
• 02:32: Empathy for fundraisers & call for self-grace.
• 05:28: Advice on filtering overwhelming Giving Tuesday tips.
• 07:28: Movie preview analogy for subject lines.
• 08:10: Keeping omnichannel efforts realistic.
• 09:46: Magic of the P.S. and reply-back engagement.
• 10:36: Shift from transactions to relationships.
• 11:20: Visibility of the donate button.

Tone & Final Words

Rhea’s tone is upbeat, reassuring, and laced with empathy and humor. She meets fundraisers where they are—likely tired, overwhelmed, and nervous. The message: focus on what’s effective, let go of perfection, and remember that you are not alone.

End encouragement:
“You’ve got this. And if you want more nerdy fundraising gold, follow me, subscribe. We’ll see you next time. And good luck out there. Go get that money, honey.” (12:34)

Summary by Nonprofit Lowdown Podcast Summarizer.