Missions to Movements
Missions to Movements is the nonprofit marketing and fundraising podcast that helps you grow recurring donors, scale monthly giving programs, and build digital campaigns that convert. Hosted by Dana Snyder—speaker, strategist, and founder of Positive Equation—this show is packed with actionable nonprofit growth strategies, social media tips, and fundraising best practices. Each week, you’ll hear how organizations are increasing donor retention, building thought leadership, and using digital fundraising to drive real impact. If you want to learn how to attract monthly donors, master nonprofit marketing, and transform your mission into a movement, this podcast is for you.
Scaling Monthly Giving to 34% of Donors and $134K in Recurring Revenue with Meghan Walsh
When Roots Ethiopia first attempted to build a monthly giving program, it was cumbersome and collapsing under its own weight.
Fast forward to today? That SAME program has transformed into a fundraising powerhouse with 93% donor retention, 34% of all donors giving monthly, and over $134K in annual recurring revenue.
Meghan Walsh, founder and board chair of Roots Ethiopia is back on the show to share it all: the handwritten cards, real-time donor reports, and a simple $20/month offer that shaped their results.
You’ll hear all about the nitty gritty tech too...
How Simplified Tech & Messaging is Growing Monthly Donors with the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood
It is Black Philanthropy Month, and I couldn't think of a better conversation to spotlight this than with two incredible women behind the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, Dr. Leslie Farrington and Khadejah Stegall. When it comes to giving birth while Black in America, having advocacy skills can literally save lives.
BCFSM’s ACTT framework of “ask questions, claim your space, trust your body, tell your story”, equips birthing people and supporters to speak up in medical settings, reduce communication breakdowns, and secure dignified, safer care.
You’ll hear how a Mother...
The Power of Differentiation - How Can Your Nonprofit Stand Out?
Differentiation can transform both your brand AND your internal culture.
For over 40 years, Barry LaBov has helped iconic companies like Harley-Davidson, Audi, and The Macallan uncover the magic that sets them apart - and now he’s bringing those lessons to the nonprofit sector.
Barry walks us through his 5-step “brand re-engineering” process, which starts with a profound question: "What should we NOT change?"
You’ll hear why naming your unique approach is critical, how to avoid the trap of generic mission statements, and why launching your brand refresh...
Want to 5x Your Impact? This Executive Director Did - Here’s How
What if your nonprofit could grow its impact by 5x, WITHOUT increasing staff or burning out your team? That’s exactly what Greg Harrell-Edge did during his tenure as Executive Director of CoachArt. And you’d never believe that a mindset shift ultimately led to their 37% year-over-year increase in impact, sustained over five years.
Greg shares how a single board retreat sparked a movement within the organization, and why traditional models of nonprofit growth no longer serve today’s landscape. He also reveals how he created a unique spin on monthly giving by forming online advisory boards...
How Writing a Book Grew The Mission of Hope House Colorado with Executive Director Lisa Steven
Lisa Steven never imagined her journey as a teen mom would lead to founding an award-winning nonprofit that transforms the lives of thousands of young mothers. Yet that's exactly what happened.
With over 28 years leading Hope House Colorado (which now operates with a $4.7M annual budget AND two debt-free buildings), Lisa reveals how saying “yes” to telling her story reshaped her organization’s future.
You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes of the 6-year journey to publish her book, A Place to Belong, the fundraising magic that made it happen (including a $25,000 gift fro...
Is Your Donation Page Leaking Donors? Here’s How to Fix It
88% of potential donors ABANDON donation forms mid-click! If you are driving traffic to your donation page only to watch donors disappear, you may have a conversion problem. But don’t worry - I’ll help you close the “conversion gap” and reimagine the donor experience.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through 4 strategic donation page formats, when to use each, and how to analyze your Google Analytics data to diagnose mobile drop-offs, funnel performance, and campaign effectiveness.
Whether you're sending paid traffic to a Giving Tuesday campaign or trying to capture...
NAACP’s Bold Shift Toward Sustained Impact with Trovon Williams
What happens when a 115-year-old organization decides to reimagine EVERYTHING, from brand to fundraising model – in the wake of a global pandemic?
In this episode recorded live at SubSummit, I’m sitting down with keynote speaker Trovon Williams, SVP of Marketing & Comms at the NAACP, to unpack the organization's sweeping transformation.
Trovon shares how the NAACP leaned into the urgency of the moment to pivot its approach to advocacy, storytelling, and monthly giving.
You’ll hear why leading with solutions (not just problems) drives deeper...
How Tiffany Yu Turned Her Story Into a Movement for Disability Inclusion
The global disability market represents a staggering $18 trillion dollars in spending power. And in this powerful episode, Tiffany Yu, founder of Diversability, TEDx speaker, and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto is sharing how she turned her own disability into a global movement for inclusion.
After a car accident made her disabled and took her father's life, Tiffany eventually found the courage more than a decade later to share her story, helping others unlearn shame and embrace their own identities.
You’ll hear how Tiffany bui...
Storytelling, Strategy, and the Smart Use of AI in Nonprofits with Amy Neumann
Did you know that brainstorming with AI can increase your number of creative ideas by up to 60%? In this episode, I’m joined by social impact entrepreneur and AI thought leader Amy Neumann to talk about how AI can make nonprofit work more efficient, creative, and impactful.
Amy shares SO MANY tactical examples of how nonprofits can integrate AI responsibly, whether it’s for content creation, donor communications, research, or internal efficiencies. Using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to spark strategic planning and storytelling, and leveraging meta AI glasses for event documentation, Amy paints a clear pict...
How to Achieve MORE By Doing Less with Kishshana Palmer
Redefining productivity (and actually slowing down) might be the KEY to preventing burnout in the nonprofit world.
Author, coach, and leadership expert Kishshana Palmer is joining me to break down what it really takes to do less, better, especially during your busiest fundraising seasons.
From her "RETHINK Method", which starts by challenging what productivity actually means - to embracing boundaries, joy, and rest as strategic advantages, Kishshana unpacks the pressures nonprofit professionals face and all the ways we can lead with intention instead of urgency. Burnout is...
Want More Donors This Summer? Try These 5 Website Fixes to Spark Monthly Giving
I'm sharing five website tweaks I've discovered while working with eight organizations through VIP intensives since March. These simple changes can transform your website into a catalyst for evergreen monthly giving growth, even during the summer fundraising slump.
Book your VIP Intensive here.
• Make your homepage message unmistakably clear - ensure visitors immediately understand what you do, who you serve, and why it matters
• Create a dedicated monthly giving landing page that explains your program, builds community, and makes recurring support a no-brainer
• Add strategic pop-ups to your top five most-visited pages...
Becoming a Social Fundraiser: How to Build Donor Relationships on LinkedIn with Microsoft's Carson Heady
What if your next major donor or corporate partner is already in your LinkedIn inbox, and all you need is the right message to start the conversation?
Carson Heady is someone who's truly mastered the art of showing up online with purpose. He's a five times best selling author, podcast host, and one of the most insightful voices on social leadership. As the Managing Director at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, Carson is here to share how nonprofit professionals can borrow proven strategies from the sales world to build genuine relationships, increase visibility, and s...
How Boys Town Uses Text Messaging to Fundraise & Deepen Donor Relationships
Would you believe it if I told you that texting is now one of Boys Town’s TOP revenue generating channels? Text messaging isn’t just for appointment reminders. It’s becoming one of the fastest and most effective ways nonprofits can deepen donor relationships.
In this episode, I’m talking to Jasonea Shockey, Director of Digital Marketing at Boys Town, to share how her team launched their successful SMS strategy from scratch. With no new hires, they repurposed email content, added emojis, and saw sky-high engagement - think 98–99% open rates!
Jasone...
From 0 to 2,000 Monthly Donors from Grassroots Face-to-Face & Phone Fundraising with Katherine Lacefield
Katherine Lacefield is taking us behind the scenes of growing a monthly giving program from absolute zero to 2,000 committed donors in just FIVE years, all through grassroots efforts.
You’ll hear exactly how Katherine and her team used face-to-face canvassing and phone fundraising (NOT flashy ad campaigns or pricey agency consultants!) to spark long-term donor relationships. These are scrappy, creative tactics that built a high-retention recurring giving engine, all done in-house.
We also dive deep into messaging strategies (like the “3 Ps” of monthly giving: proactive, project-based, and political power), why stewardship starts on day...
Sustaining Pride: How The Trevor Project Attracts Lifelong Allies with Kate Anderson
This week, we are honoring Pride Month with a powerful conversation about storytelling, community, and the impact of showing up - not just for a moment, but month after month. At the center of this episode is Kate Anderson, Community Philanthropy Manager of Sustainers, who offers us an inside look at how The Trevor Project is building a movement of lifelong allies and deepening relationships with their recurring donors.
You’ll hear about the behind-the-scenes tactics they’re using to drive 40-50% open rates, their high-retention onboarding strategies, data-driven storytelling, and interactive Pride kickoff webinar. Even the...
Building Effective Nonprofit Teams to Drive Change (Featuring 2025 LinkedIn Nonprofit Talent Report)
Building resilient nonprofit teams has never been more crucial. Today I’m bringing you an enlightening conversation recorded LIVE at LinkedIn’s 2025 Nonprofit Talent Impact Summit in D.C.
You’ll hear from Betsy DiMalanta from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. Luisa Boyarski from Georgetown University's Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership about what it actually takes to develop effective teams that can weather uncertainty and how to navigate today's complex talent environment.
If you’re a nonprofit leader, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas on hiring, retaining, and developing talent in the worl...
Inside the Mastermind: How 5 Nonprofits Launched Monthly Giving Programs
What happens when FIVE nonprofit leaders overcome their fear of asking for monthly donations? Transformation. Growth. Sustainability.
Today’s episode is an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the final support call of my Monthly Giving Mastermind.
The Campers, The Plenty, The Advocates, The Circle, and The Cultivators reflect on their launch journeys, their biggest mindset shifts, how they leveraged their boards, and the strategies that are already helping them attract and retain monthly donors.
You’ll hear firsthand how FundraiseUp, Flodesk
How Houston Food Bank Grew 5,200 Monthly Donors - The Importance of a Sustainer Role
Monthly Giving Week is here! So how do you grow a recurring donor program from a trickle to over 5,200 committed supporters?
In this powerful episode, Ashlyn Jones, the force behind Houston Food Bank’s “Faithful Friends” program, shares how the organization invested in a full-time sustainer role.
AND, why having someone solely focused on nurturing monthly givers has been a game changer for retention and revenue.
Ashlyn walks us through how emergencies, storytelling, and strategic touchpoints helped build long-term donor loyalty. She dives into the campaigns and platforms they’ve used, incl...
The Habit of Asking: Shifting to a Recurring-First Mindset
Did you know that only 3% of charitable giving in the U.S. happens on a recurring basis, and moving that needle to just 5% could unlock $9 BILLION in annual funding for nonprofits?!
Today I’m sharing my keynote from the 2025 Monthly Giving Summit and pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to stop treating recurring giving like a side hustle. It’s time to make it the main event!
Sustainable, predictable revenue doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we lead with intention, ask boldly, and invite people into s...
How to Get Your Nonprofit Featured in the Press with Gloria Chou
PR success can create a snowball effect for your nonprofit, ALL at once. But how do you do it?
In this episode, I’m talking to former U.S. diplomat turned PR powerhouse Gloria Chou, who’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small organizations land over 10,000 media features without needing an agency, big budget, or insider contacts.
Gloria shares why traditional PR is often gatekept and how you can break through using her "CPR Method" (Credibility, Point of View, and Relevance) to craft pitches that journalists actually want
The Email Platform that EVERY Nonprofit Should Know About, Flodesk with Dawn Richardson
If you’d like to check out Flodesk + get my 4-Part Email Welcome Series Workflow sign up with my link!
What if your email marketing platform actually made you feel smarter instead of overwhelmed? Dawn Richardson, Product Education Manager at Flodesk, is here to help you redefine what’s possible in nonprofit email marketing (with ALL the segmenting and automations too!)
Email personalization in 2025 is going way beyond just inserting a supporter’s name. Dawn introduces link actions, form preferences, and how to seg...
How Automations Can Save You Time + Increase Donor Relations with Rachel Bearbower
If you're still manually sending thank you notes, chasing spreadsheets, or struggling to keep up with donor touch points, this episode could save you THOUSANDS of dollars.
I’m talking with Rachel Bearbower, an absolute systems wizard and the founder of Nonprofit Automation Agency, to break down how nonprofits can implement systems and automations that actually feel personal.
Rachel walks us through some compelling case studies, including a monthly giving program that used customized workflows to segment donors by gift size and deliver messages that felt lik...
The LinkedIn Tool Every Fundraiser Should Be Using For Donor & Corporate Partner Growth with Ariana Younai
Did you know that 80% of LinkedIn's BILLION-plus members want to give back to organizations?
Today I’m joined by a repeat guest: Ariana Younai, Head of LinkedIn for Nonprofits! And we’re here to cover how you can strategically use LinkedIn’s most powerful (and often overlooked) tool: Sales Navigator.
Ariana shares exactly how it can help fuel your fundraising efforts, build warm donor relationships, and unlock corporate partnerships. And she’s giving us allll the data, examples, and a time-sensitive offer to boot!
Ariana also breaks down how to use LinkedIn’s advanced f...
Behind the Production of the Monthly Giving Summit with 4,693 Registrants from 58 Countries!
Today’s episode is a peek behind the curtain of my recent virtual Monthly Giving Summit. The good, the surprising, and everything in between! With a team of 6 handling strategic planning and marketing, we ended up with 31 speakers and 4,693 registrants from 58 countries!
I’ll share what we paid in speaker fees, the secrets behind our marketing approach, why simple, no-frills video ads work, and how a $2,500 investment in paid ads generated 26% of our total registrations at just $2.04 per registration.
Plus, my combo of email marketing, influencer partnerships, speaker collabs, and stra...
The Power of Video: Boosting Your Nonprofit’s LinkedIn Presence
Did you know that LinkedIn video uploads have increased by 34% year over year?!
If your nonprofit isn’t leveraging video on LinkedIn, you’re missing out on a major opportunity to connect with potential donors and advocates. In this episode, I’m sharing a replay of a recent livestream I co-hosted about the power of LinkedIn video with Scott Rising, Senior Content Marketing Manager at LinkedIn.
We cover why it’s the FASTEST growing content format on the platform and how nonprofits can use it as a catalyst for building relationships. Of course, w...
Gift For You: My 4-Part Monthly Giving Email Welcome Series Using Flodesk (Done For You!)
Today, I'm sharing something I normally reserve for my paid mastermind clients: a ready-to-implement, 4-part email welcome series designed specifically for monthly donors. Even better? It’s built in Flodesk so you can download and customize it immediately for your organization!
When you’re capturing new monthly donors, are you missing a crucial opportunity to take them through a well-timed sequence?
I’ll break down the four strategically timed emails that I recommend sending: an immediate thank you, a personal message from leadership, an impact story that demonstrates their support in act...
Scaling Impact Through Partnerships: The Face Equality & Sephora UK Story
What happens when a nonprofit and a major beauty brand come together to change the narrative on the deeply ingrained biases surrounding facial differences?
You’re about to learn how a BOLD vision turned a dream collaboration with Sephora UK into reality with Phyllida Swift, CEO of Face Equality International.
Phyllida starts by sharing her incredible story of resilience and strength after a car accident. The important work she does today stands at a unique intersection of human rights, disability policy, and representation.
Phyllida breaks down the Face Equa...
How To Craft A Signature Talk to Amplify Your Mission with Speaking Coach, Heather Sager
You deserve to be on stages of all shapes and sizes this year. And the only way that we're going to shake up this world for good is if we get your stories out there!
Speaking coach Heather Sager is behind the mic today to break down the wild world of public speaking and how to craft your signature talk.
Whether you’re pitching your nonprofit, leading a meeting, or commanding a stage, Heather shares how a simple mindset shift from fear to service can transform your confidence AND your effectiveness as a speaker.
...
The Most Important Conversation in Nonprofit Fundraising Starts Today
The Monthly Giving Summit is HERE!
Instead of scrambling for last minute dollars or stressing over whether a big donor will renew their gift, imagine that you have a solid foundation of predictable revenue that gives you room to breathe, plan and focus on the work that truly matters.
That's what a thriving monthly giving program can do.
This year’s summit is a space where we can all come together. You’ll hear from industry leaders like Liz Forkin Bohannon, author of ...
The Rise of Sustainable Giving & Why It Matters for Nonprofits with Dave Raley
Did you know 97% of recurring donor value occurs AFTER the first gift?
Author and nonprofit advisor Dave Raley is here to share why the subscription economy is reshaping recurring giving and how nonprofits can shift from a transactional mindset, to building engaging donor experiences that foster long-term retention.
We get into why you need a dedicated staff focusing on recurring giving programs (one of Dave's clients saw 6-figure year-over-year growth after implementing this!), how brands like organic perfumery Ffern are creating intrigue before a purchase decision, and how to prevent involuntary donor c...
Celebrating Failures: A New Approach to "Pluck Ups" with Liz Bohannon (Monthly Giving Summit Keynote Speaker)
Nonprofits need to stop playing it safe.
Liz Bohannon (our keynote speaker for the upcoming 2025 Monthly Giving Summit!) is here to share her take on embracing perceived failures, or as she calls them, "Pluck Ups."
What if failure wasn't something to fear, but something to celebrate?
Liz shares how the stories we tell ourselves about setbacks can either lead to shame and isolation or open doors to resilience and growth. She recounts a powerful moment when she misinterpreted an audience member’s reaction during a talk, only...
Navigating the Federal Grant Freeze: What To Know & How To Adapt with DeaRonda Harrison
Last week’s federal grant freeze sent shockwaves through the nonprofit sector, and you may be wondering, what is the impact as it relates to funding and future sustainability?
DeaRonda Harrison, CEO of June First Firm, is here to break down what this means for grant-funded nonprofits. DeaRhonda shares her expertise on federal and private grants, explaining the ripple effects of the freeze, the confusion surrounding the government’s response, and how organizations can adapt in times of funding uncertainty.
She also shares a crucial grant writi...
How Every Shelter's GivingTuesday Quiz Generated 170+ New Contacts & Automatic Gifts with Lauren Hanson
How can you use a quiz to elevate your nonprofit’s fundraising goals?
I’m excited to bring back Lauren Hanson from Every Shelter, to share the nuts and bolts of their successful GivingTuesday quiz that generated 170+ new contacts AND counting.
Inspired by The Adventure Project, who deployed a similar strategy (see Episode 7!), Lauren breaks down the easy-to-use quiz maker she used, and the 4-part email sequence that follows, inviting participants to join their monthly giving program, The Haven.
From craf...
Maximize LinkedIn – 5 Powerful Tips Nonprofits Need Right Now to Stand Out
How can you use LinkedIn to boost your nonprofit’s visibility, partnerships and funding?
In this episode, I’m sharing FIVE powerful tips that can help you maximize LinkedIn in 2025.
We’ll cover how to craft an impeccable LinkedIn profile and company page that serves as your nonprofit’s “digital handshake”, using the “2-2-1” content strategy to captivate and connect, and the importance of experimenting with different post types (from videos, to polls, newsletters, and long-form articles) to see what resonates most.
I also delve into the essential elements of creating a winning LinkedIn...
How Surfrider Foundation's CEO, Chad Nelsen Amplifies Impact Through Thought Leadership (From TEDx, Podcasts, Social Media & More)
Get ready to explore the vibrant world of ocean and beach conservation! Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, leads one of the most impactful environmental nonprofit organizations.
Today, Chad shares his 27+ years of turning surfing culture into a powerful force for environmental stewardship, now with over 200 chapters and thousands of volunteers.
You’ll hear everything from how Surfrider aligned corporate partnerships with brands like Alaska Airlines, GoPro, and Pinterest, and how advanced technologies like Fundraise Up are helping them revolutionize their donor retention and monthly giving.
Chad’s mi...
A Fun Twist on Corporate Partnerships Results in $300k from 20 Cook-Offs with Courtney Johnson, Culinary Care
When I was 23, I could not even fathom starting a nonprofit, but Courtney Johnson did just that. In this episode, she shares her extraordinary journey and how her father’s battle with long cancer inspired her to start Culinary Care, an organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients with nourishing meals.
Fostering corporate partnerships have been a game changer for Courtney and she walks us through how hosting 20 of their interactive, culinary “cookoff” events resulted in $300,000!
We break down the details of how companies can sponsor a cookoff, how Culinary Care partners with local restaurants, and her...
The Wonder Effect: Why 2025 Could Be Your Nonprofit's Breakthrough Year
In 2025, can you dare to wonder?
To kick off the new year, I’m sharing my word of the year, and what’s to come on the Missions to Movements podcast in 2025. The four core themes we’ll be diving into? Revolutionizing fundraising, monthly giving programs, personal branding and thought leadership, and creating unique partnerships.
In this episode, I also take a moment to reflect on my favorite moments from 2024, from writing a book to launching a successful virtual Monthly Giving Summit, and how these experiences taught me the power of collaboration and innovation.
My 2025 Nonprofit Marketing & Fundraising Predictions: The Complete Guide for Nonprofit Leaders
Could embracing the latest nonprofit tech trends redefine your fundraising strategy for 2025?!
Today I’m sharing a comprehensive, data-driven look at my top FIVE key trends and predictions that will transform how you connect with supporters in the new year… starting with AI!
We’ll explore how AI innovations like Claude and Perplexity are transforming grant writing and donor communication, with fascinating examples from the American Red Cross (who use AI for real-time disaster relief), to Greenpeace Australia and UNICEF, who leverage AI chatbots to streamline more complex donor interactions.
There are many o...
How the Canada Post Strike Inspired Hope Centre Ministries to Rethink Direct Mail Delivery
The Canada Post strike began on November 15th, and Shellie Power, the Executive Director of Hope Centre Ministries, is here to shine a light on the fascinating creative strategies she’s crafted to maintain crucial donor communications. (Hint: it’s pretty heartwarming!)
We talk about the strike's ripple effect that has been felt across sectors and how it’s challenging nonprofits to find innovative ways to keep fundraising efforts afloat.
Shellie turned these postal delays into a chance for personal connection with donors. By hand-delivering not just mail, but also cookie...
12 Must-Have Tools for Nonprofit Professionals aka My Favorite Things for 2025
In honor of the 12 Days of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to share 12 of my FAVORITE tools, services, personal treasures, and subscriptions that make my life easier, more productive, and more enjoyable.
Shop Dana’s Favorite Things
The Monthly Giving Mastermind Book (For a limited time, get the first two chapters for FREE!)
Flodesk
Nonprofit Automation Agency
Monthly Giving Summit Replays (Binge the replays for 50% off through 12/31/24!)
...
