Missions to Movements

Dana Snyder

Missions to Movements is the nonprofit marketing and fundraising podcast that helps you grow recurring donors, scale monthly giving programs, and build digital campaigns that convert.

Hosted by Dana Snyder—speaker, strategist, and founder of Positive Equation—this show is packed with actionable nonprofit growth strategies, social media tips, and fundraising best practices.

Each week, you’ll hear how organizations are increasing donor retention, building thought leadership, and using digital fundraising to drive real impact. If you want to learn how to attract monthly donors, master nonprofit marketing, and transform your mission into a movement, this podcast is for you.

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260 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes260

Newest first

March 18 · 17 min
The Accountability Gap: Why Knowing Isn't Enough (And What Actually Moves the Needle)
In this episode, Dana explores the gap between knowing about monthly giving and actually implementing it. She shares practical strategies from a recent mastermind call, emphasizing the importance of planning, community, and taking action to build sustainable revenue streams for nonprofits. Apply for the Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind - Doors close 3/25 (4) spots left to join the Monthly Giving Retreat (May 6-8) - Learn More Start building with The Monthly Giving Builder (use code MGBLUCKY for 17% off - ends 3/31) Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Monthly Giving 02:08 Bridging the Gap: From Knowledge to Action 06:46 Strategies for Successful Monthly Giving 11:33 Building Community and Accountability 14:21 Taking Action: Making Monthly Giving a Priority This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
March 11 · 33 min
The Future of Direct Mail for Nonprofits: Bring Joy Back to the Mailbox
In a world where nonprofits are competing with overcrowded inboxes, direct mail is experiencing a comeback. And if your direct mail looks the same as everyone else’s, there’s a good chance it’s heading straight for the recycling bin. Brandon Gaty and Cait Connolly work at LettrLabs and help brands create hyper-personalized donor experiences with robotics-powered handwritten mail. This makes it possible to personalize EVERY piece of mail at scale! So today, we are unpacking how to spark joy in someone’s mailbox, how segmentation and automation can dramatically improve ROI, where you might be overspending, and why focusing on donor retention and upgrades before acquisition can unlock faster results Resources & Links This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
March 4 · 30 min
How to Launch a Monthly Giving Program That Attracts First-Time Donors (Case Study: $10 for 10 Campaign) with Raegan Mach, Urban Bridge
Imagine if you ask someone to become a monthly donor for just $10, and they give more than triple that? It's no secret that talking about monthly giving strategies and case studies is my jam, so I brought on Raegan Mach to break down Urban Bridge’s “10 for 10” campaign. Their goal? 25 new donors at $10/month to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. In just 2.5 months, they surpassed it! You’ll hear how they drove 15 new donors in the first 48 hours with a CEO-led launch video, strategic campaign champions, and consistent messaging across email and social, and why LinkedIn turned out to be a surprisingly powerful conversion channel. If you’ve been thinking about launching or prioritizing monthly giving, this is a practical, replicable case study you won’t want to miss. Resources & Links Connect with Raegan on LinkedIn and Instagram and learn more about Urban Bridge on their website. Follow Urban Bridge at @urbanbridgenow on Instagram. Raegan uses FundraiseUp to improve their donor experience. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 25 · 10 min
Inside the Monthly Giving Summit: Strategies, the Builder, and a Retreat for Recurring Revenue
It’s officially Monthly Giving Summit Day!!! This short episode is your invitation to join us and start building. In this episode, Dana shares what’s happening at the Monthly Giving Summit and why this isn’t just another virtual event - it’s a room full of builders focused on sustainability, recurring revenue, and cultivating believers (not just donors). You’ll get a preview of what attendees are learning, including: How The Trevor Project acquired new monthly donors at scale in just two weeks How Interfaith Sanctuary turned monthly donors into advocates who influenced local legislation How Letters from a Pre-Scientist built an automated micro-giving system with 500+ volunteer-supporters How Dion’s Chicago Dream leveraged thought leadership to amplify mission visibility (yes, all the way to national TV) From SMS to innovative direct mail to growth and retention planning, this summit is focused on execution — not theory. But that’s not all. Dana also announces the official launch of The Monthly Giving Builder — an interactive tool built from her five-step framework designed to help small and mid-sized nonprofits forecast revenue, craft messaging, build growth and retention plans, and launch sustainable monthly giving programs without a five-figure mastermind investment. And finally, she shares details about the second annual Monthly Giving Retreat at Serenbe, GA, a transformational in-person experience May 6-8 for women leaders ready to step away from the noise and design recurring revenue with clarity and intention. If you’re tired of living campaign to campaign and ready to build something that lasts, this episode is your invitation. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 18 · 31 min
Clarity Is the Strategy: Turning Experience into Influence with Brandy Walker
If your board can’t clearly articulate what you do in one sentence, your donors won’t either. Brandy Walker is joining me to unpack why nonprofit leaders must get ruthlessly clear on the ONE thing their organization does exceptionally well. Not the 20 programs, not the calendar of activities, but the core impact. Brandy shares why embracing the “messy middle” builds trust, how to use lived experience as influence, and the one question that can completely reshape your growth trajectory: What do you want to be known for? P.S. We are in the final countdown to the FREE Monthly Giving Summit. Join me on February 25th-26th to master monthly giving. Resources & Links Connect with Brandy on LinkedIn, learn more about Brand Worthy Solutions, and tune in to her podcast, Brandy Was Here. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 16 · 9 min
Monthly Giving Prediction #6: Monthly Donor Communities Move IRL
We close our 2026 monthly giving predictions with a bold call: move donor communities into real life to deepen belonging, retention, and advocacy. Sincere gatherings beat big productions when donors feel trusted, included, and invited to co-create. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 11 · 35 min
How to Get Your Board "On Board" with Monthly Giving
If you’ve ever sat at a board meeting thinking “we can't keep doing fundraising like this!” then it might be time to start championing monthly giving – which is one of the most practical shifts a nonprofit can make. Board strategist Christal M. Cherry and I are getting specific about what staff should bring to the boardroom, how to pilot change without triggering resistance, and how dashboards and donor milestones help boards actually see the impact of recurring giving. That level of predictability can fundamentally shift how your nonprofit plans, invests, and leads with confidence. P.S. We are in the final countdown to the FREE Monthly Giving Summit. Join me on February 25th-26th to master monthly giving. Resources & Links Connect with Christal on LinkedIn, tune in to The Board Shake-Up podcast, and learn more about The Board Pro. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 9 · 7 min
Monthly Giving Prediction #5: Retention Is Built Before the Gift
The neat donor funnel sounds good in slides, but it doesn’t match how people actually decide to give. We dig into the real path supporters take today—bouncing from reels to Google to LinkedIn to your site—and why the strongest retention work happens long before the first dollar shows up. Instead of chasing one perfect subject line or a last-minute match, we focus on what actually converts: consistency, clarity, and leadership that lowers the emotional risk of giving. You’ll hear how to spot and support the messy, multi-touch donor journey without getting lost in attribution rabbit holes. We unpack the limits of tracking tools and UTMs, then pivot to what you can control every day: narrative consistency across your website, social bios, and emails; visible leaders who show context and follow-through; and storytelling that explains the why, not just the need. The goal is simple but powerful—help donors predict you. Predictability builds safety, and safety powers renewal. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 4 · 31 min
Who Gets to Be ‘Legit’? BackBlack: The Movement That Proved Community Is the Infrastructure with Floyd Jones
A lot of movement builders might be thinking, who actually gets to be considered “legit”? We are celebrating Black History Month, and in a very short amount of time, BackBlack has built massive momentum, which is why I had to have one of my favorite repeat guests back on the show, Floyd Jones. This incredible case study unravels how they’ve helped move nearly $4 million to Black-led organizations, built a directory of close to 2,000 organizations, and driven tens of thousands of people to take action. We also talk about the structural realities many Black-led organizations face: 44% have no full-time staff, and most operate on less than $30,000 a year. The real question this episode raises is what becomes POSSIBLE when trust, proximity, and community are treated as legitimate infrastructure?! Resources & Links Connect with Floyd on LinkedIn, sign up for his newsletter, and learn more about BackBlack on their website. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
February 2 · 6 min
Monthly Giving Prediction #4: AI-Powered Donor Care Moves From “Nice to Have” to Necessary
Quiet signals decide retention long before a donor hits “cancel.” We explore how to turn early indicators—failed payments, skipped emails, reduced engagement—into timely, human responses that save relationships and revenue. Drawing on the proven playbook of subscription businesses, we unpack how predictive insights can flag risk before supporters drift away and how small teams can deploy light-touch interventions that feel like care, not automation. You’ll hear why the best results come from respectful timing and segmentation based on behavior, not guesswork. The goal isn’t to send more messages; it’s to send the right message at the right moment, in language that protects dignity and preserves trust. Throughout, we reframe AI as a second set of eyes—a smoke detector that notices patterns your team can’t watch 24/7. It doesn’t replace stewardship; it points you to where care is needed so real people can do what they do best. As attention becomes the scarcest resource, the organizations that win won’t be the loudest. They’ll be the ones who notice first and respond with empathy that keeps supporters close. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague who handles retention, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Your feedback guides what we build next—what’s the one donor-care trigger you want to test? This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 28 · 35 min
How To Choose Stories Based on Strategy - Creating Belonging & Champions of Your Mission with Max Kringen
How do you build a storytelling rhythm that can fuel your fundraising efforts all year long? Max Kringen of Tellwell Story Co. is EXACTLY who nonprofits call when they want to stop guessing. We kick off by going behind the scenes of a Ronald McDonald House Charities gala where a beautiful, cinematic story helped raise more than $350,000 in one night. Max walks us through how Clara’s story was selected, the meaning of narrative transportation, and how organizations can reposition themselves as the “helpful guide” instead of the hero. Once you hear Max’s wildly practical “Story Seasons” framework, you won’t be scrambling for stories in May or guessing what donors should hear in October. You’ll be fueling generosity all year long! Resources & Links Connect with Max on LinkedIn, subscribe to his newsletter, Start With Story, and learn more about Tellwell Story Co. Grab your ticket to Max’s nonprofit storytelling conference, WellTold, on April 30, 2026. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 26 · 8 min
2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #3: Pause Isn’t Failure - Flexibility Becomes Non-Negotiable
Donor flexibility is the quiet superpower of retention - and it’s about to become non-negotiable. We dig into why giving supporters control to pause, downgrade, skip, or shift billing dates doesn’t fuel cancellations; it prevents them. Pulling lessons from the subscription world and real stories that celebrate customer milestones, we translate those insights into practical steps any nonprofit can take to keep monthly givers connected through life’s ups and downs. If you’re ready to reduce churn, lift lifetime value, and build trust that lasts, this conversation will give you the blueprint. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who manages recurring giving, and leave a review with one change you’ll make to your donor portal this quarter. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 21 · 35 min
“How Can We Be Expansive Together?” The Future of Nonprofit Partnerships with United Way's Matthew Sutton
If a corporate partner had to tell a story about working with your nonprofit, what would they say? What companies want from nonprofit partnerships has FUNDAMENTALLY changed. That’s why I’m excited for you to meet a great friend of mine, Matthew Sutton, Director of Corporate Partnerships at United Way of Greater Atlanta, to talk about how corporate partnerships are evolving and what nonprofit leaders need to understand right now. Matthew shares why companies are going deeper with fewer partners, why a multi-layer approach matters, and how nonprofits can become collaborators in a shared narrative. We’re digging into real-world examples too, including a 24-month relationship-building process, and the growing role of social enterprise as nonprofits look for more predictable revenue. Resources & Links Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn or send him an email at matthewsutton2018@gmail.com. Check out Matthew’s book recommendations, including my book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, and Beyond Checks & Halos by Cynthia Eads Currence. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 20 · 5 min
2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #2: The “Easiest Yes” Wins
What if the smallest monthly gift unlocks the biggest lifetime value? We’re digging into our second Monthly Giving Prediction for 2026: lower entry points will become the norm in monthly giving - and they’ll outperform the high-ask mindset many of us grew up with. Donors aren’t less generous; they’re less willing to overcommit. That’s a signal, not a setback, and it’s time to design programs around the easiest yes. We break down recent data trends from major giving moments showing growth in recurring signups alongside smaller average amounts, and explain why that’s good news when you care about retention and lifetime value. Drawing on lessons from the subscription economy, we look at how streaming and SaaS brands prioritize momentum over pressure, starting with doable plans and earning trust over time. The same playbook works for nonprofits: invite people in with a low, human entry point, then nurture them with clear impact stories, flexible options, and upgrade moments that feel earned. This conversation is a practical roadmap for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and digital teams who want sustainable revenue, wider reach, and a supporter community that stays. Subscribe for more predictions, share with your team, and leave a quick review to help other nonprofits find the show. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 14 · 42 min
How Small Words Spark Big Movements with Adriana Carrig, Little Words Project
At my third annual Monthly Giving Summit, you’ll hear from someone who understands how repeat engagement, community and generosity actually get built into the DNA of a brand, raising over one million dollars along the way! Adriana Carrig, Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Little Words Project, is joining me to break down how she bootstrapped growth and focused on trust, transparency, and showing up consistently, which resulted in 14 retail storefronts, partnerships with Target and Disney, and repeat purchases. If you’re building or refining a monthly giving program, you’ll also love hearing how Adriana attracted 500 subscribers almost immediately into her Word of the Month subscription program. Resources & Links Connect with Adriana on LinkedIn and learn more about Little Words Project, Little Words Big Impact, and their Word of the Month subscription. If you want to make your own Word of the Year bracelet, check out the 2026 Word of the Year Bead Kit. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 12 · 7 min
2026 Monthly Giving Predictions: #1 - Recurring Giving Becomes Core Infrastructure
Why monthly giving must move from a checkbox to core infrastructure and how that shift changes budgets, dashboards, and daily decisions. Practical prompts help you test your own reliance on recurring revenue and plan for a steadier 2026. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
January 7 · 9 min
A Subscription-Economy Lens on Monthly Giving (And What It Means For 2026)
We’ve officially entered what I’m calling the retention era. Recurring GivingTuesday gifts are growing year over year, and nonprofit benchmarks are showing 80%+ retention rates for monthly donors. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down three powerful signals that are shaping monthly giving RIGHT NOW across the subscription economy and in the nonprofit sector. I’m covering Recurly’s 2025 State of Subscriptions analysis of 67 million subscribers, including what brands are doing to combat slow acquisition and churn, and the GivingTuesday trends emerging around mobile-first, recurring signups. This conversation sets the foundation for the next few episodes, where I’ll share my 2026 monthly giving predictions. Resources & Links Check out Recurly’s 2025 State of Subscriptions report. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
Dec 31, 2025 · 44 min
7 Fundraising & Leadership Lessons Every Nonprofit Should Carry into 2026
In this special year-end recap episode, I’m revisiting seven of the most inspiring, quotable, “steal this idea” stories from 2025. You’ll hear the real numbers, tested strategies, and leadership insights you can carry straight into 2026. Here’s who you’ll hear from: Courtney Johnson from Culinary Care, who generated $300,000 across 20 corporate events Chad Nelsen from Surfrider Foundation, who invested in recurring giving technology to reach 91% retention on auto-renew donors Liz Bohannon, a keynote speaker & author, who talks about “pluck ups” and how to reframe failure as courage-in-action Heather Sager, a speaking coach, who shares a powerful mindset shift to help you build confidence in public speaking Ashlyn Jones from Houston Food Bank, on growing their monthly giving program to 5,200 sustainers with human-centered storytelling Trovon C. Williams from NAACP, about why leading with solutions can create stronger donor empowerment Maddie Ward from End Overdose, about how they scaled from a single campus to 70+ cities nationwide Resources & Links Hear the full episodes with each of today’s featured guests: How 20 Cook-Offs Raised $300k from Corporate Partnerships How Surfrider Foundation’s CEO Amplifies Impact Through Thought Leadership Celebrating Failures: A New Approach to “Pluck-Ups” How to Craft a Signature Talk to Amplify Your Mission How Houston Food Bank Grew 5,200 Monthly Donors - The Importance of a Sustainer Role NAACP’s Bold Shift Toward Sustained Impact From UCLA to 70+ Cities: End Overdose Sparked a College Campus Movement This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
Dec 24, 2025 · 14 min
I Didn’t Expect This Year to Go This Way: Reflections & Looking Ahead
This year held some of my highest highs and lowest lows, and much of it happened faster than I expected. In this solo episode, I’m reflecting honestly about what 2025 looked like for me, both personally and professionally. You’ll hear what surprised me most, the growth of the Monthly Giving Summit, what it was like working 1:1 with 14 organizations through VIP intensives, the unexpected speaking gigs (including international!), and the journaling questions I’m sitting with. Of course, I couldn’t leave out the data, and we also dig into insights from this year’s M+R Benchmarks Report, including the stat that monthly giving now accounts for 31% of all online revenue. If you’ve been waiting for permission to prioritize sustainable, recurring giving, this is your sign! My hope is that this episode helps you reflect on where you spent your energy this year as you build, prioritize, and prepare for the year ahead. Resources & Links This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!
Dec 17, 2025 · 29 min
From Practitioner to Funder: How to Build Collaborative Funding (Foundations & Grants) with Dr. Maggie Sullivan Marcus
When a former classroom educator becomes the one writing the checks, EVERYTHING about grantmaking shifts. Dr. Maggie Sullivan Marcus of the Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation brings a rare, dual perspective shaped by years in the classroom and years in philanthropy. Her on-the-ground experience supporting multilingual learner programs is rooted in empathy, deep respect for educators, and a commitment to equity. We get into how small but strategic investments can spark outsized impact, like, DC Public Schools’ $2,500 micro-grants. Maggie also shares what it takes to build a multilingual educator pipeline and why meaningful change can’t be squeezed into a 12-month grant cycle. Her candor around trust-based philanthropy, power dynamics, and multi-year funding models offers a blueprint for nonprofits eager to move the needle on bolder, more sustainable partnerships. Resources & Links Connect with Dr. Maggie Sullivan Marcus on LinkedIn and learn more about the Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation on their website. This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder. With the Monthly Giving Builder, you can generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Missions to Movements

The Accountability Gap: Why Knowing Isn't Enough (And What Actually Moves the Needle)

The Future of Direct Mail for Nonprofits: Bring Joy Back to the Mailbox

How to Launch a Monthly Giving Program That Attracts First-Time Donors (Case Study: $10 for 10 Campaign) with Raegan Mach, Urban Bridge

Inside the Monthly Giving Summit: Strategies, the Builder, and a Retreat for Recurring Revenue

Clarity Is the Strategy: Turning Experience into Influence with Brandy Walker

Monthly Giving Prediction #6: Monthly Donor Communities Move IRL

How to Get Your Board "On Board" with Monthly Giving

Monthly Giving Prediction #5: Retention Is Built Before the Gift

Who Gets to Be ‘Legit’? BackBlack: The Movement That Proved Community Is the Infrastructure with Floyd Jones

Monthly Giving Prediction #4: AI-Powered Donor Care Moves From “Nice to Have” to Necessary

How To Choose Stories Based on Strategy - Creating Belonging & Champions of Your Mission with Max Kringen

2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #3: Pause Isn’t Failure - Flexibility Becomes Non-Negotiable

“How Can We Be Expansive Together?” The Future of Nonprofit Partnerships with United Way's Matthew Sutton

2026 Monthly Giving Prediction #2: The “Easiest Yes” Wins

How Small Words Spark Big Movements with Adriana Carrig, Little Words Project

2026 Monthly Giving Predictions: #1 - Recurring Giving Becomes Core Infrastructure

A Subscription-Economy Lens on Monthly Giving (And What It Means For 2026)

7 Fundraising & Leadership Lessons Every Nonprofit Should Carry into 2026

I Didn’t Expect This Year to Go This Way: Reflections & Looking Ahead

From Practitioner to Funder: How to Build Collaborative Funding (Foundations & Grants) with Dr. Maggie Sullivan Marcus