Send us a text

DAFs don’t delay generosity - they reveal giving friction.

Donor-advised funds are shaping how people give, but many nonprofits aren’t quite ready for it.

In this episode, Cara Augspurger shares what she’s seeing firsthand as a frontline fundraiser, including why DAF donors are often some of the most prepared, responsive, and relationship-driven supporters - when nonprofits make it easy to say yes.

You’ll hear:

• What fundraisers often misunderstand about DAF donors
• Why DAF giving doesn’t slow generosity - friction does
• Simple ways to be clearer, more visible, and more DAF-ready

If donor-advised funds feel confusing or intimidating, this episode brings clarity without the noise.

Listen now and share with someone navigating donor shifts or planning for more sustainable fundraising.

Helpful DAF Resources:
We have an in-depth blog to bring you up to speed:

• Donor-Advised Funds: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits and Donors?

And, quick links to providers mentioned in the episode:

• Fidelity Charitable – Official Site (DAF info)
• Schwab Charitable / DAFgiving360 Donor-Advised Fund Page
• Vanguard Charitable – Donor-Advised Funds
• Daffy – The Donor‑Advised Fund for You™ (Official)

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?
Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!
The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: Donor-Advised Funds Are Everywhere

01:20 - What Are Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)?

02:15 - Real Example: Fund Holder Reaches Out

03:50 - DAF Growth: A Million in 2 Years

04:39 - How DAFs Impact Nonprofits

06:27 - 3 Common Myths About DAFs

08:42 - Why Visibility + Clarity Matter for DAF Giving

11:09 - 3 Things to Do This Week (Practical Tips)

13:09 - Bonus Tip: Open Your Own DAF

15:28 - Final Thoughts: Removing Friction for Donors

Support the show

Send us a text

January is framed as a reset in many fields. Nonprofits know it isn’t.

Budgets are set, programs are already moving, and fundraising goals don’t wait for the calendar. Strategy doesn’t usually break in the planning – it frays later, in the small decisions that stretch capacity and make sustainability harder.

In this energy-sustaining focused episode, fundraiser coach Britt Stockert shares one grounding question fundraisers can use as a gut-check for strategy, capacity, and energy – especially when everything feels urgent.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why a grounding question works better than a resolution
• How it supports more sustainable fundraising decisions
• Where leaders quietly leak capacity during the year
• Plus, three practical moments to use the question to stay on track, especially when you’re tempted to add just “one more thing”!

If you’ve ever wondered what actually deserves your “yes” in fundraising, or how to keep your strategy sustainable when the year gets messy, this one’s for you.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

Support the show

Send us a text

Happy New Year!

We’re kicking off 2026 with a conversation many nonprofit leaders are already having behind the scenes: What’s actually changing in fundraising…and what’s just noise?

Every year, nonprofits get told to prepare for the next big trend. But the shifts shaping 2026 aren’t about shiny tools or louder campaigns. They’re quieter…and far more structural. Leaders are rethinking how fundraising holds up over time, not just how it performs in the next campaign.

Join us as Jena Lynch and Britt Stockert walk through five fundraising trends they’re seeing take hold across organizations…not as predictions, but as patterns emerging from real decision-making.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why predictable revenue is becoming the anchor, not a side goal
• How first-year donor retention is moving from “processing” to intentional onboarding
• Why reducing friction often outperforms better messaging
• How transparency is shifting from polished reports to ongoing communication
• Why technology is increasingly chosen to protect capacity, not chase innovation

A question for you:
What’s one part of your fundraising system that feels fragile right now - and what would it look like to strengthen it instead of pushing harder somewhere else?

Listen in, reflect, and start the year with a steadier foundation for the work ahead.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

Support the show

Send us a text

Final Episode of 2025!

Jena sits down with Jessica LaMesa, Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save, for a powerful, action-oriented conversation on how strategic, evidence-based giving translates into life-saving impact.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Power of Rapid Response: How The Life You Can Save mobilized over $13 million in just six months, funding critical healthcare and nutrition across Sub-Saharan Africa and saving over 4,000 lives, amid U.S. foreign aid cuts.
• Behind-the-Scenes Strategy: Get an exclusive look at the partnerships, data, and trust that enabled lightning-fast action without sacrificing rigor.
• Lessons for Leaders: Essential takeaways for nonprofit leaders on navigating uncertainty, maximizing impact with lean teams, and building a foundation of donor trust.

Before you go! The Nonprofit Podcast returns on Thursday, January 8, 2026, with new episodes and a deep dive into 2026 trend insights you won't want to miss!

The full video episode is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel.

Resource Links:

• Free Download: The Better Giving Guide 2025 — Get the free, practical, evidence-informed resource to support smarter, higher-impact giving from The Life You Can Save. Download here
• Learn More: Explore the work of The Life You Can Save here.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show

Send us a text

Giving Tuesday felt quieter than you hoped? Take a breath. Your December is still wide open.

In this episode, Jena and Britt break down what a slow Giving Tuesday really means, and what to do next without panic, pressure, or a full campaign rewrite.

You’ll learn how to:

• Read the data signals behind a “quiet” Giving Tuesday
• Reconnect donors without selling harder
• Make small, smart shifts that unlock stronger December giving
• Turn this moment into momentum – fast!

If your confidence took a hit after Giving Tuesday, this conversation is your reset button. Calm, clear, and built for real-world fundraising.

Listen now and get your December back on track.

Helpful Resource Links:

• If you are a Donorbox client, try Recurring Upsell for free:
  • This Giving Season, we're gifting you free access to a feature designed to grow your recurring donor base.
• From November 6, 2025, to January 15, 2026, your organization can receive free access to our Recurring Upsell feature, normally available only to Premium users or as a paid add-on.
• Our Donorbox Recurring Upsell feature seamlessly converts one-time donors into monthly supporters with a gentle ask. Donors who upgrade to a monthly gift stick around, with 96% of upgraded donors surpassing their original one-time gift amount.
• Explore Donorbox's monthly giving tools and what they can do for your organization here.

Don’t forget your free featured resource from our sponsor, AppealMaker, The 2025 State of Direct Mail Survey, packed with fresh insights into donor behavior and communication trends.

Download it here, and take a moment to explore how AppealMaker can strengthen your direct mail outreach.

Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Giving Tuesday's Impact

02:58 Reframing Expectations and Emotions

05:40 Strategies for Effective Engagement

08:43 Making Meaningful Adjustments

11:24 Emotional Resilience in Fundraising

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available every Thursday on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonpr

Support the show

Send us a text

December is where your year-end campaign is won or lost - and today, we’re making sure you stay steady, strategic, and connected all the way through December 31.

Jena and Cara Augspurger walk through the two actions that shape your final numbers: follow-through and follow-up.

Get ready for pro-tips covering:

• Stay consistent with your December communication rhythm
• Why tight messaging keeps donors engaged (especially this month)
• How to steward donors well with thoughtful, timely follow-up
• Why a January touchpoint strengthens trust and sets up the new year
• How recurring giving fits naturally into this moment

Whether you're running your first year-end campaign or your fifteenth, this episode gives you the rails to stay steady, show donors their impact, and finish the year with clarity, care, and momentum.

Helpful Resource Links

• Learn more at Donorbox.org
• Try Recurring Upsell:
• Donorbox Recurring Upsell feature seamlessly converts one-time donors into monthly supporters with a gentle ask. Donors who upgrade to a monthly gift stick around, with 96% of upgraded donors surpassing their original one-time gift amount.
• Explore Donorbox's monthly giving tools and what they can do for your organization here.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show

Send us a text

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Nonprofit Podcast. 🦃

Today’s episode is simply a pause - a moment to acknowledge the people who keep showing up, even in a year that’s felt heavier than most.

If you’re writing the extra email, answering the late call, carrying more need than resources, or holding hope for someone else when your own feels thin… this is for you.

Your work is noticed. Your impact is real. And we’re grateful for the way you keep moving your mission forward.

Next week, we’ll be back with post–Giving Tuesday stewardship insights and focused fundraising strategies for the remainder of the year-end.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show

Send us a text

Giving Tuesday Is Days Away - Here’s Your Game Plan

Giving Tuesday is almost here…and yes, you still have time to show up with clarity, confidence, and zero panic.

In this episode, Cara Augspurger walks you through the final steps that make the biggest difference – the practical moves, the strategic choices, and the calm mindset that help your nonprofit show up and shine in one of the biggest giving moments of the year.

You’ll discover:

• Why Giving Tuesday is absolutely worth showing up for
• What to focus on when time is short
• How to show up authentically without getting lost in the noise
• Smart steps from the Donorbox year-end checklist
• How to use Giving Tuesday to set up December success
• The monthly giving move most orgs forget
• The three things you must do on the day itself

Plus: Cara’s favorite low-lift ideas for creating real momentum – without a big team, big budget, or big stress.

Create your comprehensive last-minute checklist with this great blog: Your 2025 Giving Tuesday Checklist to Raise More

You’ve got this – and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Sponsor thanks: This episode is sponsored by AppealMaker - an easy, simple, and stress-free way to send direct mail campaigns that feel personal and powerful. Set up your free account (no credit card needed!) at AppealMaker.com today.

What makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?

Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox’s nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.

Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!

The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode:
🖥️The Nonprofit Podcast 🎙️🎙️ - YouTube

The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: The Nonprofit Podcast
🎙️ Spotify: The Nonprofit Podcast

Support the show