Measuring More than Money: Why Donor Relationships Matter (with Michele Rebeor and Elizabeth Silverstein)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Release Date: 02/21/2024
How to Measure the Impact of Your Narrative Change Strategy (with Josh Gryniewicz and Brett Davidson)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
For nonprofits, stories matter. But the underlying narratives that shape how people make sense of the world matter even more. As narrative change takes on a larger role in strategic planning, leaders, boards, and funders are asking a critical question: How do we know if it’s actually working? In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz and Brett Davidson discuss ways nonprofits of all sizes can measure the impact of narrative change work and why that measurement matters. Tune in to learn practical frameworks for assessing narrative impact, including how to think collaboratively, how to spot...
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Power Ecosystems: Grow Your Impact, Build Collective Power, and Attract Funders (with Ginger Lee, Dr. Tony Iton, and Elizabeth Silverstein)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Private funders are increasingly shifting from funding short-term service delivery to long-term systems change, pushing nonprofits to rethink their role in their community. Many are now asking, how do we stay mission-focused while building the relationships needed to attract funders who want deeper change? In today's episode, we explore the idea of power ecosystems — what they are, how they work, and why they're reshaping the nonprofit-funder relationship. Tune in to learn how to identify your power ecosystem, build collective power, and engage private funders more effectively. Want to...
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Co-Creating Solutions: The Next Level of Community Listening (Narrative Strategy with Josh Gryniewicz and Dana Pearlman)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Community listening sessions are essential for effective nonprofit work, yet too often they become a box-checking exercise rather than a chance to uncover blind spots and foster true collaboration. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Dana Perlman to explore practical strategies for meaningful, co-creative listening. Tune in for a fresh perspective on systems change, community listening, and narrative strategy. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to . Additional Resources ...
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Giving USA 2025: Insights from an Individual Giving Perspective (with Colton Strawser and Samantha Timlick)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
According to the Giving USA 2025 report, individual giving rose from last year. But three-quarters of dollars raised came from just 3% of donors. When giving is this top-heavy, should you keep investing in your annual fund program? In today’s episode, we explore why the annual fund remains essential for long-term donor relationships — with insights on donor retention, stewardship through storytelling, and direct mail strategies to re-engage lapsed donors and strengthen your donor pipeline. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with...
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From Micro-Stories to Meta-Narratives: How to Influence Perception and Drive Change (Narrative Strategy with Josh Gryniewicz)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
The goal of narrative strategy is to influence a community's perception of an issue to enroll support and inspire real change. To do so, your nonprofit must first understand what makes up the "narrative ecosystem" in which all of your messaging lives. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz returns to explain the six "units of narrativity." Learn how to shape storytelling at every level so your nonprofit’s communications and fundraising efforts connect more deeply and deliver greater impact. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the...
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Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice (Bridge Conference Q&A with Sadé Dozan and Josh Gryniewicz)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Donors today — especially younger generations — are demanding greater transparency and efficacy from the nonprofits they support. To meet these needs, your nonprofit's narrative strategy must evolve beyond traditional fundraising messaging. In today's episode, host Russ Phaneuf and guests Sadé Dozan and Josh Gryniewicz follow-up their recent Bridge Conference presentation with a special Q&A designed to help you apply narrative strategy to real world challenges. Tune in as they workshop specific examples for nonprofits, big and small. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit...
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Rethinking How We Do Good: What We Can Learn from This Funding Crisis (with Melissa Cowley Wolf, Patton Hindle, and George Suttles)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
What does it mean to be a nonprofit today, and how did we reach a point where so many organizations feel underfunded, under attack, and uncertain about their future? The challenges the nonprofit sector is facing didn't come out of nowhere; they're rooted in deeper systemic issues, and they raise fundamental questions about the role of nonprofits in society. In today's episode, we discuss how we got here, what's changing, and where the sector can and should go next. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX...
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Seeing the Person Behind the Donation (Donor Stewardship with Sami Zoss and Mikey Latner)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Good donor stewardship is rooted in human connection, where every donor is acknowledged regardless of the size of their contribution. In this episode, Sami Zoss sits down with Mikey Latner, founder of Project:Camp, to discuss how even the smallest nonprofit can create meaningful relationships with their supporters. Learn how Mikey makes his donors feel seen and appreciated, and how his passionate, human-centered stewardship transforms supporters into mission advocates. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX...
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Narrative Strategy: How to Find Authentic Voices That Inspire Action (with Josh Gryniewicz and Kurt Shaw)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Many nonprofits invest valuable time and money into messaging that never quite connects. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Kurt Shaw about innovative strategies for finding and amplifying the voices that inspire action and change. You'll learn practical techniques for building trust, co-creating stories with community members, and using both fictional and non-fictional narratives to reveal deeper truths that challenge the status quo and create more genuine, transformative communication. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an...
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Donor Stewardship: Helping Donors Find Meaning through Philanthropy (with Sami Zoss and Dzenan Berberovic)
NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange
Great donor stewardship goes beyond thank-you notes — it creates a sense of meaning for the donor. In this kickoff episode of our new series on stewardship, Sami Zoss sits down with Dzenan Berberovic, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Avera Health, to explore how thoughtful stewardship can deepen relationships, celebrate generosity, and offer donors what they truly seek: a lasting sense of purpose and impact. Learn why stewardship isn’t just a follow-up tactic — it’s central to transformative fundraising. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode?...
info_outlineThe percentage of individuals giving to nonprofits has reached its lowest point in 40 years. This "giving crisis" has led to an overreliance on major gifts that isn't sustainable for most nonprofits. In today's episode, we discuss why measuring donor relationships (not just revenue) must be a part of your fundraising plan, how to enroll your leadership and board, and strategies to track and improve donor relationships at every level of giving.
Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com.
Additional Resources
[NPFX] Meaningful Donor Relationships: The Key to Financial Stability
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/meaningful-donor-relationships-the-key-to-financial-stability
Michele Rebeor is a founder of Synergy Philanthropy and an IPM Advancement consultant. Her work supporting nonprofit organizations focuses on building and maximizing donor relationships that result in greater levels of giving. Michele also has a rare expertise in effecting strategies that acknowledge the role and importance of women donors and their impact on the future of philanthropy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelerebeor/
Elizabeth Silverstein has served the not-for-profit sector for more than 40 years, specializing in transformational giving, vision casting, inspiring boards, and building passionate, effective teams. Beth has been instrumental in cultivating major gifts for capital campaigns in healthcare, two presidential libraries, higher education, K-12 independent schools, and social service organizations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-reynolds-silverstein-b211b7a/
Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/
Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. In his role as senior consultant with IPM Advancement, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in major gifts program management, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/