Episode 128 | How to Build a Strong Board with Mary Hiland

On today’s show, I interview Mary Hiland with Hiland Consulting.  Mary has been involved with nonprofit organizations for more than 40 years.  She went from volunteer to staff to executive director.  Mary led two mergers of her nonprofit with 530 staff and has worked with budgets ranging from $100,000-$26 million. Mary is now a consultant and coach for…Continue reading Episode 128 | How to Build a Strong Board with Mary Hiland

Episode 126 | 7 Questions to Ask Yourself To Harness Your Zone of Genius

Your Zone of Genius is the intersection of your interests, passions and skills and ultimately result in your superpower or your zone of genius. On today’s show we tackle the 7 questions to ask yourself to harness your zone of genius. To start let’s review the four main operating zones as described in Gay Hendricks…Continue reading Episode 126 | 7 Questions to Ask Yourself To Harness Your Zone of Genius

Episode 125 | The One Thing I Did to Make My Dream Home a Reality and How I Used The Same Thing to Raise Millions

Over the last two years, my husband and I have been in the process of building our dream home.  It all started when I did this one thing…I made a decision!  To make a decision means you’re cutting off all other options to achieve your goal/dream.  For me, I wrote a personal check to myself for $250,000 and…Continue reading Episode 125 | The One Thing I Did to Make My Dream Home a Reality and How I Used The Same Thing to Raise Millions

Episode 124 | How I Raised More Than $500,000 In Less Than 3 Months with No Printed Invitations and Only 50 Guests

I modeled this fundraiser off of a conference I recently attended.  The conference felt so special and exclusive and that’s how I wanted the guests to feel at this fundraiser.  I always want every person – donors, staff members, and volunteers alike – to feel special and like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. I wanted…Continue reading Episode 124 | How I Raised More Than $500,000 In Less Than 3 Months with No Printed Invitations and Only 50 Guests

Episode 123 | Philanthropic Giving with Arlene Cogen

Arlene Cogen spent more than 20 years in the trust and investment services industry, and 9 years in non-profit development. She is a sought-after speaker and coach as well as a certified financial planner.  Arlene is also the author of Give to Live:  Make A Charitable Gift You Never Imagined.  Why is philanthropic giving so important? People give to causes for…Continue reading Episode 123 | Philanthropic Giving with Arlene Cogen

Episode 122 | Effective Stewardship with David Baker

David Baker is a recovering lawyer who has provided comprehensive fund development services to nonprofits, social service agencies, churches, and libraries for over 20 years. David has raised hundreds of millions of dollars through major gift efforts. He has consulted with organizations in California, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Utah, Arkansas and more for capital and endowment campaigns, comprehensive fundraising efforts, planned giving, development…Continue reading Episode 122 | Effective Stewardship with David Baker

Episode 121 | Enneagram and Intentionality with Teresa McCloy

Culture in the U.S. is driven by success and the Enneagram teaches that every type has a driver/motivator.   Teresa McCloy has been married to her husband Dale for 36 years and live on a 3rd generation family grain farm in Central Illinois. Now that she’s living and leading her passion, the joy has returned to her everyday, ordinary REALIFE! It continues to be a process and she wants you to feel the…Continue reading Episode 121 | Enneagram and Intentionality with Teresa McCloy

Episode 119 | 5 Ways to Enjoy the Journey Towards Your Fundraising Goal

In today’s episode we address the very common desire to want to jump right to our final destination. Of course we want to raise those funds fast, but we just might miss the best part…the journey! Mary shares how to enjoy the journey by doing the following 5 things:  1. Travel with people you like.…Continue reading Episode 119 | 5 Ways to Enjoy the Journey Towards Your Fundraising Goal

Episode 118 | What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know About Social Media with Lauren Davis

Today’s episode features social media expert, small business owner, and nonprofit executive director, Lauren Davis. Lauren lives close to Chicago in Rockford, Illinois, but works with people around the world to overcome their personal branding discontent and grow their presence so that they can focus on sales, exposure, leadership and community impact. She was named…Continue reading Episode 118 | What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know About Social Media with Lauren Davis

Episode 117 – What Breaks Your Heart and How Can You Use That to Raise Funds

Today we may get a bit emotional, but as you know emotions are important especially when raising funds for your cause.  In this episode we tackle 3 important questions (that I totally stole from my friend, Mike!).  They include: 1. What Pisses You Off? (The Injustice) 2. What Breaks Your Heart? (The Compassion) 3. What…Continue reading Episode 117 – What Breaks Your Heart and How Can You Use That to Raise Funds

Episode 116 | How to Address the Elephant in the Room and Master Your Marketing with Mike Kim

Marketing expert, Mike Kim, joins the show to address what’s working and what’s not in nonprofit marketing. Find out why you need to address the elephant in the room and how to do that by addressing these 3 P’s… 1. Potential 2. Promise 3. Progress Most people are willing to give you a hand up…Continue reading Episode 116 | How to Address the Elephant in the Room and Master Your Marketing with Mike Kim

Episode 113 – Is Cold-Calling a Good Idea?

Most nonprofit and ministry leaders are determined to fund their mission and often wonder if they are doing everything they possibly can to raise funds, which leads to the question…”Is cold-calling a good idea?” In today’s episode we talk through the most efficient way to cold-call and how to add warm-calls to your marketing efforts.…Continue reading Episode 113 – Is Cold-Calling a Good Idea?

Episode 112 | How to Use Your Strengths to Fundraise

In today’s episode we jump in and look at how we’re uniquely equipped to raise funds using our specific strengths.  We talk through the four stages of competence by Martin M. Broadwell (known as the four levels of teaching) including: 1. Unconscious incompetence 2. Conscious incompetence 3. Conscious competence 4. Unconscious competence and  Gay Hendricks…Continue reading Episode 112 | How to Use Your Strengths to Fundraise

Episode 109 | 3 Reasons Why It’s Hard to Motivate Board Members to Fundraise

In this episode we not only talk through the three reasons why it’s hard to motivate your board members (or advisory group), but we also dig in and talk through what you can do to turn things around.   Here are the resources we talked about on today’s show: Free webinar training for board members is…Continue reading Episode 109 | 3 Reasons Why It’s Hard to Motivate Board Members to Fundraise

Episode 107 | How to Get Your Message Heard with Michael Hudson

Today’s interview is with Dr. Michael Hudson – a speaker, coach, and “idea-junkie” – who wants to help leaders do work that truly matters. During our time together Michael shares his 3 R’s and gives insight into how we can improve our storytelling so our message not only gets heard, but also get’s repeated. For…Continue reading Episode 107 | How to Get Your Message Heard with Michael Hudson

Episode 104 | How to Recharge Your Batteries When You Feel Burnt Out

We’ve all been there where we feel so exhausted and overwhelmed that something has to change. Burnout is often caused by overwork or stress so to recharge our batteries we need to make time to unplug and relax.  Typical signs and symptoms of burnout include: 1. Failure to take responsibility 2. Abuse of food, drugs…Continue reading Episode 104 | How to Recharge Your Batteries When You Feel Burnt Out

Episode 103 | How to Get Corporate Sponsors to Call You with Bridgett Myers

Bridgett Myers is the Chief Development Officer at FosterAdopt Connect (and Mary’s former boss). Bridgett assumed the new role in January 2018 after serving in executive leadership with the American Cancer Society for 23 years. Bridget digs in and shares incredible fundraising tips and hiring advice every non-profit executive leader should know. You don’t want…Continue reading Episode 103 | How to Get Corporate Sponsors to Call You with Bridgett Myers

Episode 102 | How Should Fundraising Really Work with Jason Lewis

Today’s episode features CFRE and AFP Master Trainer, Jason Lewis. Known for his willingness to question deeply engrained beliefs and assumptions of how effective fundraising really works, Jason shares his knowledge and expertise in this episode. If you’re interested in hearing how fundraising should really work, then you need to listen in. Here are some…Continue reading Episode 102 | How Should Fundraising Really Work with Jason Lewis

Episode 101 | The 3 BIG Takeaways From The Past 100 Episodes of The Show

After 100 episodes, I’m more committed than ever to your success. In this episode I share my three big takeaways from the past 100 episodes including: 1. I started this podcast with the intention of teaching others how to raise funds, but I ended up learning so much more. 2. Habits are hard to start,…Continue reading Episode 101 | The 3 BIG Takeaways From The Past 100 Episodes of The Show

Episode 100 | The #1 Thing Holding You Back From Fulfilling Your 2019 Goals

Today’s episode is the last episode of 2018 and the last episode before a new name change for 2019! Catch the #1 thing holding you back and we’ll talk through the 20 things successful people do to achieve their goals so you’re all set for 2019. The 20 things include… 1. They make time for…Continue reading Episode 100 | The #1 Thing Holding You Back From Fulfilling Your 2019 Goals

Episode 99 | The 5 Things Charities Are Doing Really Well

Instead of focusing on what doesn’t work, let’s talk about what is working! On today’s episode, we talk through 5 things that charities are doing really well this holiday season. We reflect back on episodes 72-77 where we talk about the 6 Principles of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. I share real examples of how you…Continue reading Episode 99 | The 5 Things Charities Are Doing Really Well

Episode 97 | The 3 S’s to Fund and Fuel Your Growth in 2019 with Wealth Advisor, Laura Waller

Today’s guest is wealth advisor, Laura Waller, with P3 Life Builders where she focuses on helping for profit and nonprofit leaders to live a life of Purpose, Power, and Prosperity. Listen in as Laura shares the 3 S’s to fund and fuel your growth in 2019 including: 1. State of Mind 2. Story 3. Strategy…Continue reading Episode 97 | The 3 S’s to Fund and Fuel Your Growth in 2019 with Wealth Advisor, Laura Waller

Episode 96 | 10 Ways to Give and Not Take on Giving Tuesday

A common mistake made on Giving Tuesday is to tell people “It’s Giving Tuesday!” and then ask for their money. Instead of going that route this year, let’s consider giving and not taking by doing one or more of the following… 1. Share helpful resources. 2. Answer donor questions. 3. Showcase your donors with a…Continue reading Episode 96 | 10 Ways to Give and Not Take on Giving Tuesday

Episode 95 | 25 Ways to Thank Your Donors So They Keep Coming Back

“Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.” — Oprah Winfrey “When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” — Tony Robbins It’s too easy to accept other people’s generosity without reciprocating the kindness. As we gear up for the largest giving season of…Continue reading Episode 95 | 25 Ways to Thank Your Donors So They Keep Coming Back

Episode 93 | The Personality Test That Everyone is Talking About

The personality test that everyone is talking about is the Enneagram, which is Greek for the number nine.  The Enneagram is broken down into 9 types including: 1. The Reformer – The Rational & Idealistic Type 2. The Helper – The Caring & Interpersonal Type 3. The Achiever – The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type 4. The…Continue reading Episode 93 | The Personality Test That Everyone is Talking About

Episode 92 | How To Turn Grief Into Hope With Laura Diehl

After the death of her daughter, Laura’s life turned upside down. Through the grief, she realized that she wasn’t alone and it later became the start to her charity, Grieving Parents Sharing Hope. On this episode, Mary and Laura walk through the first steps of the Fundraising Freedom process to ensure your fundraisers are innovative…Continue reading Episode 92 | How To Turn Grief Into Hope With Laura Diehl

Episode 91 | The 6 Basic Emotions That Impact Your Life And Work

On today’s episode we talk through the 6 Basic Emotions and how you can use emotion to reach your 90-Day Challenge Goal and bring in more donations to your cause.  The 6 Basic Emotions include: 1. Happiness (joy, trust, anticipation) 2. Fear 3. Surprise 4. Sadness 5. Disgust 6. Anger Definition of Emotion: Any conscious…Continue reading Episode 91 | The 6 Basic Emotions That Impact Your Life And Work

Episode 88 | How Your Relationship with Money Can Sabotage or Create Your Success

Your personal feelings around money does make a difference in the donations you bring in. Take some time to evaluate how you handle money personally and professionally and ask yourself the following questions. ⁃ What is your money story? ⁃ What emotions does money bring up? ⁃ What is your new story going to be?…Continue reading Episode 88 | How Your Relationship with Money Can Sabotage or Create Your Success

Episode 87 | How to Handle the Ups and Downs of Fundraising

Every year we experience the four season of winter, spring, summer and fall. Without a doubt spring always follows winter and an up always follows a down. In today’s episode we walk through each season to see how we can come with expectancy for each new fundraising season. Here are the lyrics to the song…Continue reading Episode 87 | How to Handle the Ups and Downs of Fundraising

Episode 83 | The Power of Being For Something and Not Against It

“I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there.” – Mother Teresa We only have so much mental capacity and it doesn’t make any sense to waste your limited energy on the things…Continue reading Episode 83 | The Power of Being For Something and Not Against It