Podcast Summary: Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Episode: "Transparency is a Fundraising Strategy with Brittany Hall"

Release Date: February 25, 2026
Guest: Brittany Hall, Senior Director of Equitable Access at Candid

Episode Overview

In this episode, Julia Campbell welcomes Brittany Hall of Candid to explore how transparency serves as a transformative fundraising strategy for nonprofits. They delve into data equity, the power of Candid’s Seals of Transparency, and practical steps organizations—especially small and BIPOC-led nonprofits—can take to save time, build trust, and secure more funding. The conversation blends actionable advice, sector-wide insights, and an honest discussion about systemic inequities in the nonprofit world.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brittany Hall’s Journey and Role at Candid

• Professional Background: Over 15 years merging tech and social impact, Hall focuses on reducing burdens for nonprofits so they can spend more time serving communities.
  • “I've kept seeing the same exact pattern. Organizations that are closest to the work often have the best solutions, but... they're also carrying the heaviest administrative burden.” (03:31)
• Goal at Candid: Provide equitable access to data and tools, especially for smaller and BIPOC-led groups.
  • “The goal stays simple. Less time proving legitimacy and more time doing the work that the communities depend on.” (04:15)

2. What is Candid and How Does it Serve Nonprofits?

• Sector Infrastructure: Candid is a data nonprofit consolidating information from Guidestar and Foundation Center, supporting both funding decisions and organizational visibility.
  • “We provide shared infrastructure so that the sector operates with clearer information and fewer friction points.” (04:37)
• Impact: Powers over 200 giving platforms; millions of users access Candid profiles to guide funding decisions.

3. Navigating the Current Nonprofit Landscape

• Challenges: Sector faces reduced funding, increased need, and constant external pressures.
• Candid’s Response (06:15–07:37):
  • Surfacing real-time data for sector advocacy
  • Expanding free access to fundraising tools to help diversify nonprofit revenue streams
  • Reducing administrative burden so leaders can focus on impact
  • “Canada's responding in three ways: surfacing timely data, expanding free fundraising tools, and focusing on reducing administrative burden...” (06:15)

4. Candid’s Seals of Transparency: What & Why?

• Description: Seals verify a nonprofit has provided standardized core information—mission, leadership, finances, impact—on its Candid profile.
  • “The candid seals of transparency verify that a nonprofit has shared key information... in a consistent and standardized way...” (08:35)
• Purpose: Sets a baseline for trust and due diligence, especially benefitting smaller organizations often overlooked for funding (09:00).
• Not a Marketing Badge: Meant as public infrastructure for the sector.

5. The Impact of Transparency on Fundraising

• Data-backed Benefit:
  • “Donors give an average of 62% more contributions to organizations with a seal than similar organizations that don't have one. 62%, Julia.” (09:39)
  • This holds true across all organization sizes, not just large ones (09:58).
• Why This Works: Verified information reduces donor hesitation and speeds up funding decisions.

6. How Easy Is It to Get a Seal?

• Simplicity and Efficiency:
  • Start by claiming your profile; the process mirrors grant application basics.
  • Bronze level unlocks features like Apple Pay, reducing friction at donation.
  • Each level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) can be attained in about 10 minutes each, under an hour total.
• Equitable Access Initiatives:
  • “Our Go for Gold program is designed to make transparency even more beneficial for small nonprofits by removing cost barriers...” (12:11)
  • Gold Seal holders get free access to Candid Premium, including AI-powered tools and dashboards.

7. Transparency as a Systemic Equalizer

• Leveling the Field:
  • Transparency allows smaller and BIPOC-led nonprofits to compete on an equal footing with larger, resource-rich organizations.
  • “Transparency becomes the most cost-effective strategy for credibility... The seal in itself signals to donors that your organization is professional, it's ready to engage and willing to be held accountable.” (13:28)
• Data on Racial Equity:
  • Candid’s data show stark disparities in resources between white-led and BIPOC-led nonprofits.
  • “Majority white led organizations control about 5.5 times as much sector revenue as majority BIPOC led organizations.” (14:06)

8. Case Studies and Anecdotes

• Local Example: Hall’s local animal shelter with a Platinum Seal can stand out alongside large organizations like the ASPCA on merit, not marketing.
• “It's leveling the playing field... funders can see the exact same information across those two organizations...” (16:52)
• Time Savings and Small Organizations: Even organizations without a website gain a credible landing page and donor-facing profile (18:01).

9. Mitigating Cost and Capacity Barriers

• “It's a no brainer to invest a little bit of time on a completely free service and then really pay dividends to the tune of 62% more contributions.” (19:09)
• Small orgs (<$1M budget) get a year of free Candid Premium when they reach Gold.

10. Shifting Power in Philanthropy

• Vision: Move from a gate-kept, relationship-based funding ecosystem to a readiness- and transparency-based system.
• “I know my long term vision and wish for the sector is that we shift from this relationship-based gatekeeping... to more readiness based access...” (19:23)

11. Transparency in Donor Communication

• Voluntary and Configurable: Nonprofits control what and how they share. Safety is prioritized, especially in a volatile political environment (21:13).
• Transparency as Strength: Encourage orgs to highlight how much they accomplish with limited resources—turning a perceived weakness into a selling point (22:30).
  • “Don't hide that... Imagine what we could do with more.” (22:30)

12. Candid’s Support for Orgs Facing Funding Challenges

• Resources for Lost Federal Funding: Candid provides dashboards showing funding cuts and the economic impact of nonprofits; shares curriculum "Funding Beyond Federal" to help orgs pivot to new revenue streams (24:32).
• Building Community: Candid hosts peer learning events and networks for organizations in similar issue areas. “We're relying on each other more, sharing resources in order to get through this together.” (27:52)

13. Collaboration Over Isolation

• Julia shares her own experience with the power of collaboration and peer network for nonprofit leaders and urges listeners to seek community (28:25).

14. Hope and Forward Momentum

• Brittany’s Hope:
  • “I see folks waking up every morning in the most challenging conditions that we have likely faced in our lifetime... waking up and still continuing to do good work. That's what inspires me.” (29:17)

15. Action Steps and Closing Advice

• How to Get Started:
  • Claim your Candid profile at candid.org, earn a Bronze (in minutes), and for small orgs, push to Gold for extra benefits (30:23).
  • “This is the one free thing that you can do this week that will pay dividends, literally 62% more contributions on average.” (31:01)
• Connect with Brittany: Find her on LinkedIn (Brittany Hall). She welcomes stories and feedback from nonprofit leaders.

Notable Quotes

• “The goal stays simple. Less time proving legitimacy and more time doing the work that the communities depend on.” —Brittany Hall (04:15)
• “Trust drives giving, and transparency makes trust easier.” —Brittany Hall (09:39)
• “Donors give an average of 62% more contributions to organizations with a seal than similar organizations that don't have one.” —Brittany Hall (09:39)
• “Transparency is a really cost effective credibility leveller that anyone can access.” —Brittany Hall (17:26)
• “My long term vision... is that we shift from this relationship-based gatekeeping... to more readiness-based access...” —Brittany Hall (19:23)
• “Don't hide that... Imagine what we could do with more.” —Brittany Hall (22:30)
• "That's what inspires me. I'm very, very grateful to be in this position where I can do all that I, as an individual and Candid, as a sector leader, can to help us navigate this tide and really come out hopefully stronger on the other side." —Brittany Hall (29:17)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:45] Introduction & Guest Background
• [04:17] Overview: Candid’s Mission & Role
• [06:15] Candid’s Multi-pronged Response to Sector Challenges
• [08:35] Seals of Transparency Explained
• [09:39] Transparency and the 62% Funding Increase
• [12:11] Equitable Access, Free Tools for Small Nonprofits
• [14:06] Candid-Driven Research on Systemic Racial Disparities
• [16:46] Leveling the Playing Field with the Platinum Seal
• [19:23] Long-term Vision for Sector Equity
• [21:13] Transparency & Vulnerability in Donor Communications
• [24:32] Candid’s Response to Lost Federal Funding
• [27:52] Building Community and Peer Support
• [29:17] Hope for the Sector: Empathy for Leaders
• [30:23] How to Claim Your Candid Seal

Tone and Language

The conversation is accessible, empathetic, and practical, blending humor (e.g. “ready for some precedent in times, right?” (07:49)), encouragement, and data-driven persuasion. Both speakers champion small, often overlooked nonprofits and frame transparency as a path to equitable, sustainable impact—backed by actionable data and stories.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a must-listen (or read) for any nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or communications professional seeking to streamline administrative work, bolster donor trust, and increase contributions—all while supporting sector equity. Julia and Brittany provide clear next steps and share both the “why” and “how” behind transparent practices, offering both philosophical and practical guidance for any nonprofit, regardless of size.