Podcast
Nonprofit Lowdown
Hosted by Rhea Wong · EN
This is Nonprofit Lowdown where I review and recommend the best ideas, resources, tools, tricks and tips to run your nonprofit like a pro!
98episodes
Episodes
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#380- No More Poverty Porn in Fundraising with Maria Rio
Mar 1600:33:47Summary readyIn this episode, I sit down with fundraising strategist Maria Rio, founder of Further Together Fundraising and host of the Small Nonprofit Podcast. Maria brings a powerful perspective to the conversation—not only as a longtime fundraiser, but as someone who once relied on nonprofit services herself after arriving in Canada as a refugee.We talk about one of the most important questions in fundraising today: How do we tell stories that inspire giving without exploiting the people we serve?Important Links:Further Together: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#379- So You're Thinking About a Capital Campaign with Amy Eisenstein
Mar 900:30:08Summary readyCapital campaigns sound exciting—big vision, big gifts, big impact. But they’re also one of the most misunderstood parts of fundraising.In this episode, I sat down with my friend Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, to talk about what a capital campaign actually is, how to know if your organization is ready, and why planning matters far more than people realize.If you’ve ever wondered whether your nonprofit should launch a campaign—or worried it might cannibalize your annual fund—this conversation is for you.Important Links:Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyeisensteinacfre/ Capital Campaign Pro: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/ Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#378- Why Your Donors Are Ghosting You
Mar 200:19:34Summary readyIf a donor has ever gone silent after a few “great” meetings, let me gently suggest:It’s probably not you. It’s probably qualification.We move from conversation to cultivation to ask — without getting real, explicit consent to go deeper.Qualification isn’t a wealth screen or a good vibe.It’s mutual clarity:Are we aligned on timing?Do you actually want to explore a bigger partnership?Did we agree on the next step?When we skip this, we ask too soon, donors feel surprised, and we start doubting ourselves.Qualification isn’t a hurdle.It’s respect.Fix this step, and everything downstream gets easier.Important Links:Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026 Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#377- MrBeast Is Not Your Fundraising Strategy
Feb 2300:21:02Summary readyStop fundraising like you’re buying lottery tickets.In this episode, I’m breaking down why chasing random donors and one-off opportunities keeps you stuck in scarcity mode—and what to do instead. If your fundraising strategy feels like crossing your fingers and hoping for a miracle, it’s time for a shift.We’re talking about how to build a signal-driven pipeline—one rooted in consent, clarity, and real relationships. When you focus on signals (who’s engaged, who’s responding, who’s leaning in), you stop wasting time convincing people who were never a fit in the first place.This isn’t about hype. It’s not about viral moments. And no, Mr. Beast is not coming to save you.It’s about building a sustainable, repeatable system that works—without burnout or magical thinking.If this resonates and you want to learn more about creating a consent-based fundraising system, head to riawong.com and sign up for my newsletter. I share details about upcoming webinars where I teach this framework in depth.Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#376- Boards Don't Avoid Fundraising. They Avoid Embarrassment.
Feb 1600:18:00Summary readyI got so much feedback from the last episode about boards that we’re going there again.Here’s the hot take:Your board isn’t avoiding fundraising. They’re avoiding embarrassment.They’re protecting their reputation. Their relationships. Their social capital.And honestly? I get it.As an executive director, I remember thinking: “I’m out here writing grants and running events. Can you just call your friends?”But what I’ve learned—both as a former ED and a board member—is that this isn’t a motivation problem.It’s a safety problem.Most board members:Don’t want to burn trust with friendsDon’t want to look foolishDon’t want to feel transactionalDon’t want to ambush anyone with an askWhen fundraising feels risky, vague, or transactional, they shut down.So here’s the reframe:Staff executes. Board de-risks.Board members aren’t there to run your strategy. They’re there to lend trust.They don’t need more courage. They need guardrails.If the role is vague, it becomes optional.If your board isn’t engaged, don’t guilt them. Design for safety.When people feel safe, they show up.Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/How to Train ChatGPT: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#375- Why Boards and Executives Keep Talking Past Each Other About Fundraising
Feb 900:17:59Summary readyReal talk: I tried very hard to avoid this episode. Because boards + fundraising can get… messy.But if we’re serious about major gifts, we can’t keep skipping this conversation.In this episode, I unpack why boards and executives keep blaming each other for fundraising results and why the real issue usually isn’t effort, motivation, or commitment.It’s the system.Most of us are driving a fundraising “car” that was built for a different era. When it breaks down, boards say, “You’re driving wrong,” and executives say, “You’re not giving me enough gas.” Meanwhile, everyone’s exhausted and nothing changes.If fundraising feels heavy, risky, or dependent on one or two people, this episode is for you.Bring a partner. Come ready to be honest.No replay because real change needs shared presence.Let’s stop blaming the driver, the gas, or each other and fix the dang car.Important Links:Register Here: https://go.rheawong.com/murkytomoneysignup My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#374- Building a System in 2026
Feb 200:25:43Summary readyIf your fundraising feels scattered, exhausting, or like it all lives in your head, this episode is for you.In today’s conversation, I’m breaking down why the old fundraising model is no longer working—and why in 2026 we can’t keep relying on vibes, guesswork, or the heroics of one person. Activity isn’t a system, and burnout isn’t a strategy.I share what it actually looks like to build a donor-driven, consent-based major gift system that replaces pressure with clarity and makes fundraising feel human again.I’ll leave you with this question:What would change if fundraising stopped living in your head?Important Links:Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/ My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#373- Out of the Ayahuasca Closet
Jan 2600:34:06Summary readyThis is not a normal episode of Nonprofit Lowdown.In this one, I’m sharing something deeply personal: my experience with ayahuasca and why it mattered so much to me as a nonprofit leader.From the outside, my life looked great. The business was working. The mission was working. I was working. But joy wasn’t part of the equation.I talk about burnout that doesn’t look like collapse—but like numbness. About over-functioning becoming a leadership identity. About how so many of us in the nonprofit sector are competent, ethical, respected… and quietly exhausted.I share why I chose a medically licensed ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, and how the experience helped me move from self-surveillance to self-trust.This episode isn’t about telling you to do ayahuasca. It’s about asking a bigger question:What happens when being “good” replaces being whole?If you’re a nonprofit leader who feels like the hallway monitor—holding it all together while losing touch with yourself—this one’s for you.Healing isn’t a detour from leadership. It’s part of it.Important LinksRetreat: https://www.rythmia.com/open/worldsfirst?utm_source=post_affiliate_pro&utm_pap_affiliate_id=68cc7cb81ebf5&a_aid=68cc7cb81ebf5 How to Train ChatGPT: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#372- Worst Fundraising Advice I've Ever Heard
Jan 1900:23:09Summary readyIf your fundraising results depend entirely on one person holding everything together, that's not strategy- that's a vulnerability.And I see this all the time.Too many development programs are built on transactional asks, heroic effort, and one exhausted fundraiser keeping the whole thing afloat. That's not sustainable, and it's definitely not the future. 2026 is the year we stop doing fundraising to people and start building consent-based systems that actually work- systems that respect donors, reduce pressure, and create clarity instead of chaos. That's why I'm hosting a free webinar. No fluff. No vague theory. Just real systems that don't rely on one person's personality or stamina to succeed. Important LinksFree Webinar:https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026 How to Train ChatGPT: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
Summary#371- Focus on What Matters: Goal Setting for Nonprofit Leaders in 2026
Jan 1200:25:12Summary readyNonprofit friends — I’ve been thinking a lot about why so many of us feel exhausted heading into 2026. And honestly? It’s not because we’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s because we’re trying to do everything.This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I talk about focus — real focus. Not the kind that adds another priority to the list, but the kind that asks us to choose one thing and let the rest go. The kind that replaces fundraising chaos with clarity, and pressure with consent.So much of our burnout comes from fundraising theater — lots of motion, not enough impact. And leadership, real leadership, is about subtraction. Saying no. Protecting your energy. Deciding what actually moves the needle and having the courage to stop doing the rest.If you’re craving a calmer, more intentional way to lead fundraising this year — one that honors your time, your donors, and yourself — this episode is for you.And if you want to go deeper, I’m hosting a free training on January 21 at 12 PM ET on building a major gift system that feels aligned, focused, and human. No forcing. No chasing. Just clarity.Important Links:Free Webinar:https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026 How to Train ChatGPT: https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300 My Big Ask Gifts Program: https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program My Book, Get That Money Honey: https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey My Newsletter: https://www.rheawong.com/
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