Nonprofit Answers: Nonprofit Fundraising, Marketing, Monthly Giving

A lot of the conversation about AI focuses on what it can do, and the list keeps getting longer. This episode is about something different — not what AI does poorly today and might improve at tomorrow, but what is structurally, fundamentally beyond what it can do. Not because of current limitations. Because of what those things actually are. Jeremy makes the case for five things in nonprofit work that are irreplaceable in ways that matter: presence, trust earned over time, judgment in ambiguous situations, the formation that comes from doing hard work, and genuine care. These aren’t soft ideas. They’re the specific qualities that make donors give significantly, that make program participants stay engaged, that make community partners choose your organization over the alternatives. And they’re exactly the things that erode when AI takes over more and more of the work that builds them. The episode also addresses the honest tension this creates. If authentic presence and real relationships require personal time, doesn’t that limit how many people you can serve? Jeremy’s answer is yes, to some degree — and why the alternative, scaling through AI-generated approximations of care, produces organizations that are bigger but hollower. This is the episode to share with a board member who keeps asking why you can’t just automate more of the donor work. It’s also the one to sit with yourself when the efficiency argument starts feeling more persuasive than it should. Part of the AI for Nonprofits series. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai

Here's a scenario that plays out more often than anyone talks about. You automate several things, gain back real time, produce more content, hit your deadlines, and by every measurable metric you're more efficient. And then something shifts. You're busier than ever but feel less connected. Your communications are more frequent but your relationships feel thinner. You have more capacity and somehow less of the thing that capacity was supposed to serve. That's the efficiency trap. And it has nothing to do with AI being bad at its job. It has everything to do with what happens when efficiency becomes the goal instead of the means. In this episode, Jeremy names five specific versions of the trap that show up in nonprofit work — including one that's changing meeting culture in ways most leaders haven't noticed yet, and one that's quietly hollowing out major gift pipelines at organizations that think they're doing well. He also gives you four practical principles for capturing real efficiency gains without paying the costs that usually come with them. The core question this episode keeps coming back to is a simple one: when you automate something, what specifically are you doing with the time you get back? Most people don't have a clear answer. This episode makes the case that answering it deliberately is the difference between AI serving your mission and AI slowly replacing it. Part of the AI for Nonprofits series. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai

The blank page is one of the most expensive problems in a nonprofit communications shop. Every appeal that goes out late, every grant narrative written in a panic the night before it's due, every newsletter that gets skipped because nobody had time — that's mission capacity sitting on the floor. AI doesn't solve the blank page problem by replacing the writer. It solves it by giving you a starting point that's faster and less painful than staring at a cursor. The discipline is in what comes next. In this episode, Jeremy walks through the human-in-the-loop workflow he uses for every significant piece of AI-assisted content: what you load in at the front, where you check in during the middle, and why a human review at the end is non-negotiable. He covers newsletters, social media, grant narratives, impact reports, and board communications — with specific workflows for each, not just general principles. He also introduces one of the most underused strategies for small nonprofits: the content library. Loading your best past appeals, impact stories, and voice examples into your AI tool as standing context changes the quality of everything it produces. Instead of generic nonprofit language, you get something that actually sounds like your organization. Jeremy shares how he built this at Serving Orphans Worldwide and what it made possible. The episode also addresses the concern communications staff hear most often — what if AI makes us all sound the same? The answer isn't to avoid it. It's to give it strong enough signals that it can't. Part of the AI for Nonprofits series. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai Want to learn more? My new book may have the answers for you! The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA

Your donors are already using AI. Seventy-six percent of them, according to a March 2026 study from BBS & Associates. They know what AI-generated content feels like. Which means the question of whether to use AI in your fundraising isn't really about hiding anything — it's about knowing where it helps and where it quietly erodes the thing donors are actually giving to. In this episode, Jeremy digs into the BBS Donor Confidence Survey findings and what they actually mean for your development program. The results are more nuanced than most people expect. Donors broadly support AI when it makes their charitable dollars go further operationally. They get noticeably more cautious the closer AI gets to the relationship itself — and the data shows they can often tell the difference. Jeremy covers what AI does well in fundraising: prospect research, donor file analysis, content drafting, versioning appeals for different audiences, and annual planning. He gives you specific workflows, not just concepts. And he's clear about where the line is — the one place in major gift fundraising where AI should never be making the decisions, no matter how good it gets at the output. If you've been wondering how to use AI in your development work without losing the relationships that make your fundraising actually work, this episode is the one to start with. Part of the AI for Nonprofits series. Download the free companion workbook at nonprofitfundraising.com/ai. The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA BBS & Associates: https://servantheart.com

You're busy. The question isn't whether AI can help with that ... it can. The question is which parts of your work should stay yours, and which parts are just getting in the way. In this episode, Jeremy Reis introduces the obstacle versus connection test: a simple, practical framework for deciding what to hand off to AI and what to protect. Some tasks are pure overhead, like formatting, reformatting, scheduling, and data entry. They consume time without connecting you to anything that matters. Others look like overhead but actually keep you attuned to your donors, your clients, and the details that make you good at your job. Hand those off and you get the output. You lose what the doing of them actually gives you. Jeremy shares how Serving Orphans Worldwide used this framework to go from four fundraising appeals a year to four emails a month plus a monthly mailed appeal — with zero new staff — and grow from 300 new donors in 2024 to 1,500 in 2025. The efficiency was real. But the gains came from what the reclaimed time made possible, not from the time saved itself. One framework. One question to ask before you automate anything. And a homework assignment that most people skip but shouldn't. Part of the AI for Nonprofits series. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA Virtuous Study: https://virtuous.org/blog/2026-nonprofit-ai-adoption-report/ BBS & Associates: https://servantheart.com

There's a risk of AI adoption that doesn't make headlines. It's not a data breach or a generated image with extra fingers. You'll find this risk quieter than that, and by the time most leaders notice it clearly, it's been building for a long time. When you consistently hand your hardest cognitive work to a tool, something starts to slip. Your output quality hopefully doesn't change. What slips is the understanding that comes from doing the work yourself. The board member who used to have a firm grip on the details. The development director who lost touch with what made her donor communications feel real. The executive director who realized his most recent strategic presentation was more polished than any he'd done before, and somehow less his. Jeremy calls this cognitive atrophy, and in this episode he makes the case that it's the most underappreciated risk in nonprofit AI adoption. He walks through exactly where it shows up in leadership work: strategy, donor relationships, program evaluation, and the kind of judgment that can't be looked up. He also covers what protecting your thinking actually looks like day to day, and why the answer isn't to avoid AI but to stay deliberate about which work stays yours. Your homework this episode is simple and uncomfortable: pick one thing you've been letting AI handle, and do it yourself this week. Just once. Notice what you find. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA Virtuous Study: https://virtuous.org/blog/2026-nonprofit-ai-adoption-report/ BBS & Associates: https://servantheart.com

Most leaders ask the wrong question about AI. "Can I use this?" has a very short conversation these days ... the answer to almost everything is yes. The steward asks a different question: "Should I, and how?" That shift changes everything about how you approach technology decisions. In this episode, Jeremy introduces the steward's mindset for AI adoption, the framework that separates organizations that use AI wisely from those that drift into it reactively. He walks through four questions every steward asks before adopting any significant tool: What does it actually do? What does it do poorly? What happens to me when I use it regularly? And what happens to the people I serve? Then he introduces the four pillars of an AI-ready organization — Safety, Alignment, Transparency, and Flexibility — and shows what each one looks like in practice. This episode is where the series shifts from honest assessment to building something. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for evaluating any AI decision, and a first draft of the principles your organization needs to use AI well. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA Virtuous Study: https://virtuous.org/blog/2026-nonprofit-ai-adoption-report/ BBS & Associates: https://servantheart.com

Most nonprofit leaders are already using AI ... often quietly, without a shared plan, and without a framework for deciding what's okay and what isn't. A 2026 study found that 92% of nonprofits are using AI, but 65% describe their use as reactive and individual, and 47% have no governance policy at all. If that sounds familiar, this episode is your starting point. Virtuous Study: https://virtuous.org/blog/2026-nonprofit-ai-adoption-report/ BBS & Associates: https://servantheart.com In this first episode of the AI for Nonprofits series, Jeremy cuts through the noise and addresses the question nobody says out loud: should you feel weird about this? He walks through the three organizational postures — avoidance, reactive, and intentional — and gives you the framework you'll use throughout the entire series: three diagnostic questions that apply to every AI decision you'll ever face. No hype, no fear. Download the free companion workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/ai The Christian Leader's Guide to AI: https://amzn.to/3RvXyoA

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. In this episode, we’re diving into why donor retention is the one of the most important factors for nonprofit success. It’s not just about attracting new donors—it’s about keeping the ones you already have engaged and loyal. We break down how expensive it can be to constantly seek out new supporters, and why focusing on your existing donors is a more cost-effective strategy that fuels long-term growth. You’ll discover how building donor loyalty leads to consistent revenue and turns your supporters into long-term advocates for your cause. We also cover the potential risks of poor retention, including financial instability and a damaged reputation, and why nonprofits that prioritize retention are better positioned for success. If you’re ready to turn one-time donors into long-term partners for your charity, this course will give you the key strategies to boost donor retention and build a solid foundation for your nonprofit’s future.

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 2: Quick Tips to Showing Donor Gratitude – Why Saying ‘Thank You’ Isn’t Enough Want to know how to keep your donors coming back? In this episode, we’re breaking down the power of genuine donor gratitude and how it can make all the difference in retention. Learn why expressing appreciation goes beyond a simple thank-you and discover practical tips like personalized notes, welcome calls, and impact reports to help your donors feel valued. If you’re ready to master the art of gratitude and build stronger, longer-lasting relationships, this episode has everything you need!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 3: Crafting the Perfect Thank-You – How Thoughtful Gratitude Boosts Donor Retention What separates a simple thank-you from one that truly makes a difference? In this episode, we explore the art of crafting meaningful and timely thank-you messages that leave a lasting impact on your donors. Learn how personalized notes, heartfelt phone calls, and thoughtful messages can significantly boost donor retention and deepen relationships. We’ll share best practices to ensure your donors feel appreciated and valued. If you’re ready to elevate your gratitude game and keep donors engaged, this episode is a must-listen!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 4: The Power of First Impressions – How to Craft a Donor Welcome Series That Works First impressions matter, especially with new donors. In this episode, we dive into the critical role an email welcome series plays in building strong, lasting relationships. Learn how to create a structured, impactful series of emails that not only expresses gratitude but also builds trust, engages donors, and encourages ongoing support. We’ll walk you through crafting a five-part welcome series that leaves a lasting impression and sets the foundation for long-term donor loyalty. Ready to master your first interactions with new supporters? Tune in for the step-by-step guide!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 5: Segmenting Donors & Creating a Warm Welcome – Personalizing Your Approach for Better Retention In this episode, we’re unlocking the power of donor segmentation—because not all donors are the same, and your communication shouldn’t be either. Learn how to effectively segment your donor base and create personalized engagement strategies that speak directly to each group. We’ll show you how segmenting donors can lead to stronger connections, higher retention, and more meaningful relationships. If you’re ready to stop sending one-size-fits-all messages and start creating targeted, personalized experiences that keep donors coming back, this episode is for you.

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 6: Crafting Your Fundraising Ask for the Welcome Series – How to Secure the All-Important Second Gift Wondering how to get that crucial second gift from your donors? In this episode, we’re breaking down how to create the perfect fundraising ask as part of your donor welcome series. Learn how to craft a compelling appeal that feels natural, builds trust, and encourages new donors to deepen their commitment. We’ll walk you through step-by-step strategies to turn first-time donors into long-term supporters. If you want to master the art of the follow-up and boost your donor retention, this episode has all the tools you need. Tune in to perfect your fundraising ask!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 7: Storytelling for Donor Retention – How to Use Stories to Keep Donors Engaged Ever wonder why some nonprofits have loyal donors year after year? The secret is in the stories they tell. In this episode, we dive into the powerful role that storytelling plays in donor retention. Learn how to craft and share stories that emotionally resonate with your donors, making them feel like integral parts of your mission. We’ll walk you through using the Hero’s Journey framework to position your donors as the heroes of your story. If you want to strengthen donor loyalty and deepen their connection to your cause, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in and discover how storytelling can transform your donor relationships.

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 8: The Impact Report – Turning Stories into Donor Engagement Gold Want to keep your donors hooked and excited about their impact? In this episode, we dive into the art of creating impact reports that do more than just list achievements—they tell powerful stories that make your donors feel like heroes. We’ll walk you through how to craft donor-centric impact reports that showcase your organization’s success while highlighting the crucial role your supporters play. If you’re looking to turn your impact reports into a tool that drives deeper engagement and long-term loyalty, this episode is packed with practical tips. Tune in and start turning your reports into relationship-builders!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 9: Creating ‘Wow’ Moments in the Donor Journey – Surprising Your Donors for Lasting Loyalty Want to know how to turn a regular donor interaction into something unforgettable? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of ‘Wow’ moments—those unexpected, thoughtful gestures that make your donors feel truly valued. We’ll show you how these moments can significantly enhance donor retention by strengthening emotional connections and deepening loyalty. From personalized thank-yous to surprise gifts, learn how to incorporate ‘Wow’ moments into your donor journey and keep supporters engaged for the long haul. Tune in and start creating experiences that donors won’t forget!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 10: The Power of Monthly Giving Programs – Build a Loyal Community of Recurring Donors Want to create a steady, reliable stream of income for your nonprofit? In this episode, we’re exploring the power of monthly giving programs and how they can transform your financial stability and donor retention. Learn practical strategies to build and grow a successful monthly giving program that keeps supporters engaged and committed long-term. From setting up the right systems to encouraging donors to join, we’ll show you how to create a community of recurring donors who fuel your mission. Tune in to discover how to launch a program that keeps donors giving month after month!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 11: Leveraging Data to Improve Retention – How to Use Donor Data for Stronger Engagement Ready to unlock the power of your donor data? In this episode, we dive into how nonprofits can use data analytics to boost donor retention. From personalizing communications to predicting donor churn, we’ll show you how to turn raw data into actionable insights that build stronger, lasting relationships. If you want to learn how to segment donors, spot patterns, and keep your supporters engaged with targeted strategies, this episode is packed with the tools you need. Tune in and discover how data can transform your retention efforts!

Welcome to the Donor Retention: Secrets to Keeping Your Donors Engaged, for Nonprofit Fundraisers, Development Directors, and Nonprofit Leaders course! This special 20-episode course will teach you everything you need to know about donor retention, ensuring your donors keep giving and you're able to retain more monthly donors! If you're discovering this episode first, please start with episode 1, labeled [Donor Retention]. 👉 Please download the free Donor Retention workbook at https://nonprofitfundraising.com/retention/ to get the most out of this course. Special Offers Get more donors to give a second gift and stay longer with our Retain More Donors with Great First-Year Communications course! Learn more | Get $50 off Build a successful and growing monthly giving program with our Step-By-Step Training to Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program. Learn more | Get $50 off Get either course for $50 off with coupon code RETENTION. Episode 12: Engaging General Donors – Strategies to Keep Your Annual Fund Strong Want to keep your annual fund donors coming back year after year? In this episode, we focus on practical strategies for engaging general donors, the backbone of many nonprofits. Learn how to nurture relationships with these essential supporters, encourage repeat giving, and build long-term loyalty. From personalized communication to consistent updates on impact, we’ll show you how to turn occasional donors into dedicated advocates for your cause. Tune in to find out how to keep your annual fund strong and your general donors engaged for the long haul!