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I hear this all the time: “Why won’t my board fundraise?” And I get it—it’s frustrating. But here’s the truth I’ve learned: it’s usually not because they don’t care. It’s because no one ever showed them a version of fundraising that feels human. Most board members think fundraising means awkwardly asking friends for money. Of course they avoid it. When we shift the definition to something more relational—making introductions, building connections, saying “join me”—everything starts to soften. We also have to talk about the money stuff. The beliefs we all carry about money? They don’t magically disappear just because someone joined a board. Creating space to unpack that can be a game changer. A few things that really move the needle: Everyone gives something—it creates ownershipMake fundraising visible and celebrate the effortBe specific: don’t ask for “help,” ask for responsibilityCreate real connection between board membersAnd I’ll be honest—changing board culture takes time. Some people will lean in, some won’t. But when it clicks? When your board actually wants to bring people in? There’s nothing more powerful. If this is something you’re working through, you’re not alone—and there is a way forward. Important Links: Board Fundraising Training: https://go.rheawong.com/forboardmembers-929795 Webinar: https://bit.ly/4emZZCX Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠  My Quiz: https://bit.ly/4vDEBjl

I’ve been in this sector for over 20 years, and I keep seeing the same thing: Great fundraisers don’t stay. And it’s not because they don’t care—it’s because we’re asking them to be the system. They’re holding donor relationships, strategy, and next steps all in their heads… and when they leave, everything leaves with them. That’s not a people problem. It’s a systems problem. In this episode, I talk about why burnout keeps happening, the real cost of turnover, and why hiring “better” fundraisers won’t fix it. Because the truth is: You don’t rise to the level of your goals—you fall to the level of your systems. If this sounds familiar, I’m hosting a free webinar: Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System I’ll walk you through a simple 6-part audit to help you find what’s broken and fix it. Important Links: Stop Flying Blind: Fix Your Leaky Fundraising System: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately: before you even say a word, your donor can feel you. Your energy—your calm, your stress, your urgency—it all shows up in the conversation. In this episode, I’m making the case that equanimity isn’t just a nice-to-have… it’s a real fundraising strategy. Because when you’re anxious or rushing to “get it right,” donors feel that—and they pull back. But when you show up grounded and curious? Everything shifts. Especially right now, when the world feels loud and uncertain, your donors don’t need more urgency. They need someone steady. Someone who’s actually there to understand them—not just make an ask. A few things I’m practicing: Preparing to listen, not perform Taking a quick pause to check my own state before calls Trusting my system so I’m not operating from panic If there’s one thing I want you to take away, it’s this: your presence is your pitch. Show up calm. Stay curious. That’s the work. Important Links: Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

What happens when your nonprofit gets featured by Oprah? This week, I sat down with Kyle Woody to talk about his “Oprah moment”—and why it didn’t instantly change everything the way you might think. We got into the deeper story behind his work supporting male caregivers (who are often invisible, even to themselves), and how shifting his focus to real relationships—not big events or big hype—completely changed his approach to fundraising. The conversation that stayed with me most? This reminder: You are worthy of your own compassion. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit or caring for someone you love, you don’t have to do it alone. Important Links: Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksed/ Jack’s Caregiver Coalition: https://www.jackscaregiverco.org/  Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

What if your fundraising challenges aren’t really about strategy—but about culture? In this episode, I sit down with Marcia Beckner to unpack how trust, safety, and leadership shape everything—from team performance to donor relationships. We dig into why fear holds fundraisers back, how toxic team members quietly drain revenue, and what it actually takes to build a culture where people (and fundraising) thrive. Important Links: Connect with Marcia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner/  Culture CARES: https://culturecares.com/ Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

In this episode, I sit down with fundraising strategist Maria Rio, founder of Further Together Fundraising and host of the Small Nonprofit Podcast. Maria brings a powerful perspective to the conversation—not only as a longtime fundraiser, but as someone who once relied on nonprofit services herself after arriving in Canada as a refugee. We talk about one of the most important questions in fundraising today: How do we tell stories that inspire giving without exploiting the people we serve? Important Links: Further Together: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/ Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026  Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠

Capital campaigns sound exciting—big vision, big gifts, big impact. But they’re also one of the most misunderstood parts of fundraising. In this episode, I sat down with my friend Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, to talk about what a capital campaign actually is, how to know if your organization is ready, and why planning matters far more than people realize. If you’ve ever wondered whether your nonprofit should launch a campaign—or worried it might cannibalize your annual fund—this conversation is for you. Important Links: Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyeisensteinacfre/  Capital Campaign Pro: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/  Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026  Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

If a donor has ever gone silent after a few “great” meetings, let me gently suggest: It’s probably not you. It’s probably qualification. We move from conversation to cultivation to ask — without getting real, explicit consent to go deeper. Qualification isn’t a wealth screen or a good vibe.It’s mutual clarity: Are we aligned on timing? Do you actually want to explore a bigger partnership? Did we agree on the next step? When we skip this, we ask too soon, donors feel surprised, and we start doubting ourselves. Qualification isn’t a hurdle.It’s respect. Fix this step, and everything downstream gets easier. Important Links: Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/donorjourneyauditwebinar-2026  Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠

Stop fundraising like you’re buying lottery tickets. In this episode, I’m breaking down why chasing random donors and one-off opportunities keeps you stuck in scarcity mode—and what to do instead. If your fundraising strategy feels like crossing your fingers and hoping for a miracle, it’s time for a shift. We’re talking about how to build a signal-driven pipeline—one rooted in consent, clarity, and real relationships. When you focus on signals (who’s engaged, who’s responding, who’s leaning in), you stop wasting time convincing people who were never a fit in the first place. This isn’t about hype. It’s not about viral moments. And no, Mr. Beast is not coming to save you. It’s about building a sustainable, repeatable system that works—without burnout or magical thinking. If this resonates and you want to learn more about creating a consent-based fundraising system, head to riawong.com and sign up for my newsletter. I share details about upcoming webinars where I teach this framework in depth. Important Links: Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

I got so much feedback from the last episode about boards that we’re going there again. Here’s the hot take: Your board isn’t avoiding fundraising. They’re avoiding embarrassment. They’re protecting their reputation. Their relationships. Their social capital. And honestly? I get it. As an executive director, I remember thinking: “I’m out here writing grants and running events. Can you just call your friends?” But what I’ve learned—both as a former ED and a board member—is that this isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a safety problem. Most board members: Don’t want to burn trust with friendsDon’t want to look foolishDon’t want to feel transactionalDon’t want to ambush anyone with an ask When fundraising feels risky, vague, or transactional, they shut down. So here’s the reframe: Staff executes. Board de-risks. Board members aren’t there to run your strategy. They’re there to lend trust. They don’t need more courage. They need guardrails. If the role is vague, it becomes optional. If your board isn’t engaged, don’t guilt them. Design for safety. When people feel safe, they show up. Important Links: Book a Call:  ⁠https://connect.rheawong.com/⁠ How to Train ChatGPT: ⁠ ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠⁠  My Big Ask Gifts Program:⁠ ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey:⁠ ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠⁠  My Newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠⁠ 

Real talk: I tried very hard to avoid this episode. Because boards + fundraising can get… messy. But if we’re serious about major gifts, we can’t keep skipping this conversation. In this episode, I unpack why boards and executives keep blaming each other for fundraising results and why the real issue usually isn’t effort, motivation, or commitment. It’s the system. Most of us are driving a fundraising “car” that was built for a different era. When it breaks down, boards say, “You’re driving wrong,” and executives say, “You’re not giving me enough gas.” Meanwhile, everyone’s exhausted and nothing changes. If fundraising feels heavy, risky, or dependent on one or two people, this episode is for you. Bring a partner. Come ready to be honest.No replay because real change needs shared presence. Let’s stop blaming the driver, the gas, or each other and fix the dang car. Important Links: Register Here: https://go.rheawong.com/murkytomoneysignup  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

If your fundraising feels scattered, exhausting, or like it all lives in your head, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m breaking down why the old fundraising model is no longer working—and why in 2026 we can’t keep relying on vibes, guesswork, or the heroics of one person. Activity isn’t a system, and burnout isn’t a strategy. I share what it actually looks like to build a donor-driven, consent-based major gift system that replaces pressure with clarity and makes fundraising feel human again. I’ll leave you with this question:What would change if fundraising stopped living in your head? Important Links: Book a Call: https://connect.rheawong.com/  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

This is not a normal episode of Nonprofit Lowdown. In this one, I’m sharing something deeply personal: my experience with ayahuasca and why it mattered so much to me as a nonprofit leader. From the outside, my life looked great. The business was working. The mission was working. I was working. But joy wasn’t part of the equation. I talk about burnout that doesn’t look like collapse—but like numbness. About over-functioning becoming a leadership identity. About how so many of us in the nonprofit sector are competent, ethical, respected… and quietly exhausted. I share why I chose a medically licensed ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, and how the experience helped me move from self-surveillance to self-trust. This episode isn’t about telling you to do ayahuasca. It’s about asking a bigger question:What happens when being “good” replaces being whole? If you’re a nonprofit leader who feels like the hallway monitor—holding it all together while losing touch with yourself—this one’s for you. Healing isn’t a detour from leadership. It’s part of it. Important Links Retreat: https://www.rythmia.com/open/worldsfirst?utm_source=post_affiliate_pro&utm_pap_affiliate_id=68cc7cb81ebf5&a_aid=68cc7cb81ebf5  How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

If your fundraising results depend entirely on one person holding everything together, that's not strategy- that's a vulnerability. And I see this all the time. Too many development programs are built on transactional asks, heroic effort, and one exhausted fundraiser keeping the whole thing afloat. That's not sustainable, and it's definitely not the future. 2026 is the year we stop doing fundraising to people and start building consent-based systems that actually work- systems that respect donors, reduce pressure, and create clarity instead of chaos. That's why I'm hosting a free webinar. No fluff. No vague theory. Just real systems that don't rely on one person's personality or stamina to succeed. Important Links Free Webinar: https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026  How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠ 

Nonprofit friends — I’ve been thinking a lot about why so many of us feel exhausted heading into 2026. And honestly? It’s not because we’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s because we’re trying to do everything. This week on Nonprofit Lowdown, I talk about focus — real focus. Not the kind that adds another priority to the list, but the kind that asks us to choose one thing and let the rest go. The kind that replaces fundraising chaos with clarity, and pressure with consent. So much of our burnout comes from fundraising theater — lots of motion, not enough impact. And leadership, real leadership, is about subtraction. Saying no. Protecting your energy. Deciding what actually moves the needle and having the courage to stop doing the rest. If you’re craving a calmer, more intentional way to lead fundraising this year — one that honors your time, your donors, and yourself — this episode is for you. And if you want to go deeper, I’m hosting a free training on January 21 at 12 PM ET on building a major gift system that feels aligned, focused, and human. No forcing. No chasing. Just clarity. Important Links: Free Webinar: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/MajorGiftSystem2026⁠  How to Train ChatGPT:  ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/annual-fundraising-plan-tracker1-3127-4300⁠  My Big Ask Gifts Program: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/big-ask-gifts-program⁠  My Book, Get That Money Honey: ⁠https://go.rheawong.com/get-that-money-honey⁠  My Newsletter: ⁠https://www.rheawong.com/⁠