MatchNice

Fundraising is human. AI just helps. People give to people. Trust. Emotion. Connection. That’s what drives donations, not just the ask, but the relationship behind it. But in today’s fast-paced world, how do fundraisers make every interaction feel personal, without burning out? I sat down with Griffin Bohm, co-founder of Momentum to explore how they're building at the intersection of psychology, AI, and fundraising. ?? How a well-placed ask influences donor behavior ?? Why anchoring donation amounts matters ?? How giving itself creates a ripple effect of generosity Griffin, Nick Fitz and his team are solving a major challenge: helping nonprofits do more with less (pretty relevant always but especially right now). This conversation was a powerful reminder: Technology should make it easier to enhance connections, not replace it. AI can make donor engagement smarter, faster, and more strategic. But at the end of the day, fundraising is about people truly connecting with people. ?? Link to the full episode on The Nonprofit Lab in the comments.

We’re excited to welcome?Alison Teres?to the?MatchNice?Advisory Board! Alison has already been instrumental in helping us?think critically about our strategy and product, bringing deep expertise in?donor engagement, lifecycle marketing, and nonprofit fundraising. Her expertise will help us scale donation matching as we work to inspire more giving. ?? From Alison: “As someone who has spearheaded matching gift campaign development across multiple nonprofit organizations, I’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary impact these campaigns have on donor engagement—as well as the time and complexity required to source and fulfill matches. I’m excited to help MatchNice simplify and innovate donation matching to make it easier for nonprofits and donors alike!” Building something meaningful takes more than just a great idea—it takes?the right people. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support, and believe in the mission is everything. So happy to have Alison on board!

The way people engage with causes is evolving fast. A willingness to adapt can be a nonprofit’s greatest asset. I sat down with Ryan Ruud, founder and CEO of Lake One ?, to talk about how nonprofits can and need to navigate digital transformation in 2025. ?? Small steps, big impact → Transformation takes time. Focus on small, intentional changes that improve donor and team experiences. ?? Donors expect easy giving → If donating or interacting with your organization is clunky, they’ll walk away. Fewer clicks, mobile-friendly, clear calls to action. ?? AI should enhance, not replace relationships → The right tools don’t make fundraising robotic, they free teams to build real donor connections. It can all feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it all at once or solo. Lean on experts, learn from peers, and take it one step at a time. ?? Give our episode a listen, link in the comments

Women drive the nonprofit sector—so why aren’t more leading them? ? 75% of the nonprofit workforce is made up of women. Yet: ? Only 42% of nonprofit board seats are held by women. ? In nonprofits over $1M in revenue, just 22% of CEOs are women. ?? Representation ≠ Equity (yes, DEI still matters). This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a call to action. What Marssie Versola has built at Impact Table is more than a community. It’s a movement, a space where women in the sector can come together, challenge barriers, and rise together. Leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about who we lift as we climb. ?? If you’re a woman in social impact, check out Impact Table, and for more real talk, listen to episode 50 on The Nonprofit Lab and Impact Table Podcast. There's so much work to be done. Cool to even be a very small part of it. ?? Link to full episode in the comments

Love when serendipitous, mission-aligned connections like this happen! We're celebrating a big milestone: ?? Episode 50 of The Nonprofit Lab in collaboration with the Impact Table Podcast, also celebrating their 50th! I had the privilege to speak with Marssie Versola, a true champion for women in impact, dedicated to empowering mission-driven leaders. Marssie shines a light on women in nonprofits, sharing powerful stories from her journey and inspiring others to lead with courage and conviction. She spends so much of her time shining a light on women nonprofit leaders, and it’s so cool to be able to turn the spotlight back on her. Tune in to hear real and authentic stories about: ?? Empowering Resilience: Overcome burnout, break systemic barriers, and embrace vulnerability as strength. ?? Cultivating Authentic Connections: Create safe spaces, foster mentorship, and share transformative, real-life stories, and ? Driving Lasting Impact: Build enduring leadership, forge genuine relationships, and turn vision into measurable action. Congratulations to Impact Table on this incredible milestone, I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this podcasting achievement together. ?? Episode link in the comments #WomenInLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact

Many of the principles that fuel startup fundraising also power successful nonprofit campaigns. Both rely on creativity, persistence, and authentic human connection, and a deep ground in your mission. Here’s how these five points raised by Helena Wasserman at Investors for Climate resonate in the nonprofit world: ?? Direct Messages - A concise, personal note can spark engagement faster than a long, formal email. Prove your impact, then invite them in for a call. ?? Events & Speaking - Step onto stages (in-person or virtual) to showcase your mission’s urgency and passion, inspiring donors to become champions. ?? Content Creation - Share compelling stories, videos, and insights to demonstrate your nonprofit’s transformative work and foster emotional bonds. ?? Newsletter Consistency - Regular updates build trust. Keeping supporters in the loop on both wins and challenges makes them feel part of your journey. ?? Referrals & Community - Encourage your biggest fans to spread the word. Peer-to-peer recommendations supercharge credibility and donor growth. Approach nonprofit fundraising with the same boldness and innovation startups use. Embrace your agility and purpose to scale your mission impact. ?? Link to our full episode in the comments.

Nonprofits and startups share a surprising amount of common ground. Both begin with a compelling mission, face the challenge of securing sustainable funding, and must innovate quickly to stay relevant. That’s why I was fascinated by my conversation with Helena Wasserman, climate investor and co-founder of Investors for Climate. She shed light on how nonprofits can adapt the principles of a startup mindset to maximize their impact. Here are ten (of the many) takeaways: ?? Nonprofit = Startup Spirit: Both tackle urgent problems with limited resources and a big vision. ?? Clarify Your “Why”: A clear, unique mission statement and differentiated value proposition attracts both partners and funding. ?? Test & Tweak Fast: Pilot small programs, gather feedback, iterate quickly. ?? Track Meaningful Metrics: Use data to refine approaches and prove impact, it's also critical to show traction for fundraising. ?? Be Transparent: Openly share wins and just as important, setbacks, to build real trust with donors and supporters. ?? Practice Continuous Outreach: Engage donors year-round, not just during campaigns and year-end fundraising events. ?? Leverage Collaboration: Form mission-aligned alliances (even with “competitors”) for bigger outcomes. ?? Stay Lean & Resourceful: Treat every dollar like it truly matters and show where the money is going to create an impact. ??♀? Pivot with Purpose: Adapt to change without losing sight of your mission, vision, and values. ?? Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize progress to keep volunteers, donors, and staff motivated, and take moments to see how far you've come. This is just scratching the surface of the conversation with Helena. It was such a powerful reminder that a nonprofit isn’t just a charity—it can be a hub of innovation, resilience, and massive social impact. By blending startup agility with a nonprofit mission, you can amplify your effectiveness and transform the world around you. Nonprofits are businesses. ?? Link to the full podcast episode of The Nonprofit Lab in the BIO.