What the Fundraising

What the Fundraising

What the Fundraising is the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way. Every Tuesday for 40-60 min, your host, Mallory Erickson, will be having real and raw conversations with some of the best personal and professional development experts, many of whom are outside the nonprofit sector. These are bestselling authors, world-renowned researchers, and TEDx experts, most of whom have never spoken to a non-profit audience before. They have come ready to share expertise, lessons, and stories that will fundamentally change the way you show up as a leader and fundraiser. There are so many valuable lessons nonprofit leaders are missing because they are outside of their typical orbit, but no more. Mallory is bringing them in and helping to apply her guest's expertise to disrupt the nonprofit sector once and for all. So if you are ready to learn how to upgrade your fundraising strategy, leadership skills, energy, habits, and mindset to bring in more funding and actually have some fun doing it, then this is the right podcast for you. If you’re wanting to implement ideas you heard, visit MalloryErickson.com/Podcast for the top tips and tools, full transcripts, quotes, videos, and additional resources from each episode.

Episodes

August 7, 2026 10 mins
After a week of executive coaching tools, reflections, and strategies, Mallory closes out this series with one of the most important foundations of sustainable growth: consciousness. In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory explores how increasing awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can help fundraisers move from stress-based reactions into more intentional, empowered action. Many fundraisers spend their day...
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Fundraising is deeply human work. It requires vulnerability, connection, courage, and the ability to hold the hopes and dreams of an entire community. But in a profession that often carries immense pressure, it can be easy for fundraisers to forget something essential: they are already enough. In this special executive coaching episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson offers a heartfelt reminder to fundraisers everywhere....
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Fundraising is filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and moments of discomfort—but what happens when those feelings start driving our decisions? In this episode of What The Fundraising, Mallory Erickson dives into the hidden ways fundraisers respond to discomfort and how those stress responses can unintentionally derail fundraising success. Drawing from her executive coaching work and research on fundraiser behavior, Mallo...
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Have you ever felt torn between competing priorities—wanting to excel at work while also being present for your family, or saying "yes" to helping everyone even when you're overwhelmed? The tension you feel may not be because your values are unclear, but because they're competing with one another. In this solo coaching episode, Mallory Erickson explores the difference between conscious-based values and fear-based values, and...
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Fundraising can be uncomfortable—but what if discomfort isn't actually the problem? In this solo coaching episode, Mallory Erickson introduces one of the foundational concepts of executive coaching: understanding the difference between discomfort and stress. While many fundraisers believe that feeling nervous before a donor meeting means they're doing something wrong, Mallory explains why discomfort is actually a natural sig...
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Behind every successful fundraiser is someone who has learned to face fear, embrace discomfort, and build the confidence to keep moving forward. In this conversation, we explore why mindset, not just strategy, is often the biggest factor in fundraising success. Michael Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of The Fundraising Academy, shares insights drawn from years of coaching fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. Rather than focusing solely...
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AI is no longer a future trend. It is reshaping how organizations lead, innovate, and create impact today, and nonprofits are no exception.  DeAnna Hoskins is the President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA, an organization led by formerly incarcerated people. She also served as a senior policy advisor during the Obama administration. Her experience in government and nonprofit leadership gives her a unique view on how technology, ...
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What if the best way to raise more money is not just to find new donors, but to help existing donors give more meaningfully? Today, let's explore how matching campaigns can turn fundraising into a shared experience that builds trust, excitement, and community. Pooya Pourak is an industrial and systems engineer, human-centered designer, host of The Nonprofit Lab podcast, and the founder of MatchNice. His career began in consulting...
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Raising young people out of poverty takes far more than good intentions. It requires trust, healing, opportunity, and unwavering community support. Also, meaningful mentorship can become a powerful force for breaking generational barriers. Meet Renee Daniel Flagler, President of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. Today, she reflects on her personal journey into nonprofit leadership, inspired by a transformative volunteer exper...
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Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs begin with the hardest struggles! Today, Mallory and Dawn Wensel, the Director of Development at Hope Street Group, talk about healing, resilience, and the powerful connection between the mind and body. Their honest stories remind us that growth often starts with understanding ourselves. During the conversation, Dawn shares her journey from being a teacher to building a successful career in fun...
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Fundraising is changing, and organizations need new ways to connect with younger people! In this conversation, Michael Wasserman explains how digital communities and online creators are shaping the future of fundraising. He shares why traditional methods are no longer enough and how organizations can build stronger relationships with younger supporters. Michael Wasserman, CEO and co-founder of Tiltify, talks about his journey and...
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Fundraising and alumni relations are evolving faster than many institutions are prepared for. But the concept of hiring people who make us feel comfortable remains the biggest threat to innovation since these practices often remain rooted in familiarity, rigidity, and outdated ideas of “fit.”  A.P. Porch is a higher education and philanthropy professional with nearly 15 years of experience in nonprofit and advan...
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The secret to a successful campaign is a culture shaped by trust, collaboration, emotional resilience, and a shared sense of purpose. A successful implementation of a fundraising team is more than just hitting financial goals; it demands leadership that understands and values institutional culture, supports people through high-pressure moments, and creates a system that will thrive without burning out. From donor relationships to p...
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History doesn't only live in books. It lives in who gets remembered, who gets silenced, and who chooses to speak anyway! Meet Kristi Williams, a descendant of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and member of Historic Vernon AME Church, who brings a deeply personal lens to historical preservation, and Emma Willis, who complements this perspective by focusing on advocacy, ethical philanthropy, and the importance of treating lived experien...
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In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast, Alumni relationships are shifting from tradition-bound loyalty to something more dynamic, personal, and value-driven. In this conversation, the focus turns toward what institutions are getting wrong and how listening more carefully could reshape the future of fundraising and engagement. Howard Heevner brings deep experience from a 30-year career in higher education fundraisi...
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The nonprofit world is changing faster than ever, and organizations are being forced to rethink how they survive and grow in uncertain times! This episode features Pradnya Haldipur, who brings more than 30 years of experience across the nonprofit landscape. Her career has spanned the arts, software, academic medicine, and global humanitarian work with Doctors Without Borders. Recently, she transitioned to running her own consultan...
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This conversation explores why modern fundraising still struggles with outdated systems despite living in a technology-driven world. It raises important questions about how fundraisers are expected to manage hundreds of donor relationships while spending hours on administrative tasks rather than building meaningful connections. The discussion challenges traditional fundraising methods and reveals how technology, automation, and bet...
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Fundraising is often seen as simply asking for money, but it is much deeper than that. What makes people truly connect with a cause? How can fundraisers create moments that donors remember long after an event ends? Meet Matt Roben, benefit auctioneer & farm sanctuary co-founder, who brings a unique background to fundraising, shaped by diverse careers. Before working in fundraising, he spent time as a performer, personal traine...
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What happens when philanthropy becomes more about control than community? Can generosity still be called generosity when tax benefits and personal recognition take center stage?   Join us for today's episode to question the hidden dynamics behind modern fundraising and explore what true public stewardship really looks like! This conversation features Glen Galaich, a respected philanthropy leader with more than 25 years of...
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This episode takes a slightly different approach. Instead of the usual format, Mallory responds directly to a range of thoughtful questions from her community! She begins by discussing how to handle anxiety before donor conversations, encouraging fundraisers to acknowledge their feelings rather than push them away. Simple techniques, such as validating emotions with phrases such as "that makes sense," can help reduce stress more q...
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