In this episode of Beyond the Donation, host Matt Bitzegaio has a conversation with Kat Lacefield, a veteran in the nonprofit sector, about the challenges of fundraising in nonhuman philanthropy. Kat shares her journey of diving into the nonprofit sector at a young age, volunteering and working for different organizations, and eventually specializing in fundraising. She discusses her growth in the field and the importance of donor management. Kat also discusses the concept of nonhuman philanthropy, which includes organizations focused on animals and the environment. She shares the distinct challenges they face and emphasizes the importance of story sharing for effective donor retention.
[00:35] Introduction and Guest Background
[00:44] Journey into Nonprofit Sector and Fundraising
[03:15] Concept of Nonhuman Philanthropy
[04:05] “At the end of the day, there's nothing that's really nonhuman because if we're supporting animals, we're also supporting humans. And for the environment, that's a very direct connection to be made with humans of if there's no environment to support us then there's no human societies and communities.”
[04:46] “There is no such thing as nonhuman or human philanthropy. We’re part of an ecosystem. Each part plays its role.”
[05:06] Challenges in Storytelling for Nonhuman Causes
[07:11] “How do we talk about the importance of protecting a river? Try to get people to realize when they themselves have appreciated a river - childhood memories, a lot of nostalgia stories, how we feel when we go out and spend time out in nature.”
[11:11] Unique Challenges Animal and Environmental Nonprofits Face
[15:50] Importance of Donor Segmentation and Retention
[20:19] “People tend to not organize their databases very well. For shelters or animal organizations, it’s thinking about all the connections that your donors have to your organization - a donor can also be an adopter or a foster family, a board member, or a volunteer. You really need to make sure that your list has as much information on this person as possible.”
[31:05] Advice for Nonprofit Leaders: Invest in your Fundraising and Development Strategy
[32:48] Conclusion and Contact Information
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