Honoring the legacy of a brave young girl whose love and courage united a community in hope. SHOW NOTES: July 31, 2025 – Episode # 193 Love Like Layla: Turning Heartbreak into Hope On this moving episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego sits down with Angie Lindberg, co-founder of the Layla Julien Foundation, to share the tender and powerful story behind an organization born from unimaginable heartbreak and built on unwavering hope. Created in loving memory of her dear friend’s daughter, Layla Julien, who was taken far too soon by a rare, high-grade brain tumor, the foundation has become a beacon for awareness, research funding, and community unity. Angie opens up about the pain of a loss that shattered her friend’s world and deeply affected her own family, as her daughters were Layla’s closest friends. The grief was paralyzing until they found purpose. What followed was a surge of overwhelming support from their community and a beautiful outpouring of action from the next generation of changemakers, who stepped in because they were raised with compassion, empathy, and heart. This episode will pull at your heartstrings and illuminate the power of love, the importance of advocacy, and the incredible resilience of a community united to keep Layla’s courageous spirit alive. Guest Reflection: “Layla’s spirit was larger than life. She showed us what it means to fight with grace, to love without limits, and to believe that even in heartbreak, we can still create something beautiful.“ — Angie Lindberg Episode Highlights: - How Layla’s courage continues to inspire a growing movement - The critical need for research funding for rare childhood brain tumors - Ways the foundation empowers and engages youth in philanthropy - The extraordinary power of community support in times of tragedy - How the foundation uses social media and storytelling to grow awareness and impact OneCause Customer Profile: - Customer Success Manager: Brooke Wyatt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookewyatt/ - Fundraising Software: OneCause Fundraising Platform - https://www.onecause.com/solutions/fundraising-platform/ - Signature Events: The Layla Julien Foundation Benefit - https://eventsupporter.onecause.com/event/organizations/cf967dc3-75c3-4528-b006-6e4e700cfd99/events/vevt:e417e6ea-79b7-4076-9976-0e48f80a0730/home/story Connect with our Guests: - Angie Lindberg - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-fisher-lindberg-07730010/ Episodes Resources: - Layla Julien Foundation - https://www.laylajulienfoundation.org/ - Support - https://www.laylajulienfoundation.org/donate - How to Get Involved - https://www.laylajulienfoundation.org/how-to-help

Exploring how nonprofits can spark recurring generosity and build lasting donor communities. SHOW NOTES: July 17, 2025 – Episode # 192 Monthly Magic: Turning Donors into Mission Owners Monthly giving isn’t trendy; it’s the foundation of nonprofit sustainability. On this compelling episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego chats with Chris Barlow, Customer Happiness Director (we love the title, too!) at Beeline Marketing, to explore the art and science of building a strong recurring donor base. From defining a clear value proposition to treating monthly donors like mission insiders, this conversation is filled with creative fundraising strategies, digital marketing wisdom, and human-centered insights that drive donor retention. Guest Reflection: “When nonprofits treat recurring donors like part-owners of the mission, everything changes – engagement, retention, and the impact they feel.“ — Chris Barlow Episode Highlights: - Why recurring donors are the VIPs of nonprofit sustainability. - The role of a compelling value proposition in securing monthly gifts. - Strategies to transition one-time donors into committed supporters. - How digital marketing and active listening refine donor messaging. - Real-world lessons nonprofits can learn from public radio fundraising. - Treating recurring donors like stakeholders, because they are. Connect with our Guests: - Jeff Schreifels - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/ Episodes Resources: - Beeline Marketing - https://yourbeeline.com/ - How to Use Digital Marketing to Find NEW Donors - https://yourbeeline.com/finding-donors/ - How to Get the Google Ad Grant - https://yourbeeline.com/guide-to-ad-grants/

Unlocking the power of permission-based asks, donor data, and authentic relationships to fuel nonprofit growth. SHOW NOTES: July 10, 2025 – Episode # 191 Permission Granted: Fundraising the Veritus Way On this episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego sits down with Jeff Schreifels, Principal at Veritus Group, to peel back the layers of fundraising success. With decades of experience guiding nonprofits toward transformational giving, Jeff shares how authentic donor relationships, data-driven strategies, and permission-based asking can revolutionize how nonprofits engage their supporters. From mid-level to major gifts, the Veritus philosophy empowers fundraisers to lead with empathy, strategy, and purpose to build a culture of sustainable generosity. Guest Reflection: “When you treat donors like partners, not piggy banks, everything changes. Permission-based asking isn’t just respectful, it’s transformational.“ — Jeff Schreifels Episode Highlights: - How data and discipline unlock major gift potential. - The power of permission-based asking in building confident fundraisers. - Why donor retention begins with understanding behavior and motivations. - Real-world nonprofit success stories that prove structure equals growth. - Mid-level donors: the overlooked heroes of sustainable fundraising. - The case for year-round strategy over seasonal sprinting. Connect with our Guests: - Jeff Schreifels - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/ Episodes Resources: - Veritus Group - https://veritusgroup.com/ - FREE Donor Assessment - https://veritusgroup.com/resources/free-donor-assessment - Books - https://veritusgroup.com/books/

Empowering all nonprofit founders by building community and embracing purpose.  SHOW NOTES: June 26, 2025 - Episode # 190 From Grief to Giving: Building a Community that Raises More Impact  On this heartfelt episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego sits down with Darren Port, founder and CEO of Powered by Professionals, for a conversation that blends personal passion with professional purpose. From navigating loss to raising over $300 million for causes that matter, Darren shares how his journey into fundraising and nonprofit event management became a mission to empower others.  Together, they explore the birth of the Nonprofit Founders Collective, a new initiative designed to unite and support nonprofit founders through shared wisdom, practical tools, and emotional resilience. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just beginning your nonprofit journey, this episode is a powerful reminder that while data drives strategy, community drives impact.  Guest Reflection:  "You can’t build a nonprofit alone. Behind every impact story is a community, a strategy, and a lot of heart." -- Darren Port Episode Highlights:  - Discover how Darren turned personal tragedy into a career of purpose and fundraising success.  - Learn why data isn’t just numbers—it’s the key to sustainable nonprofit growth.  - Explore the critical business mindset nonprofits must adopt to thrive.  - Dive into the vision and goals behind the Nonprofit Founders Collective.  - Hear stories of real impact from decades of event and community building.  - Understand why emotional stamina and collaboration are vital in the nonprofit world.  Connect with our Guests:  Darren Port - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenport/ Episodes Resources:  Powered by Professionals - https://www.poweredbyprofessionals.com/ Blog - https://www.poweredbyprofessionals.com/blog/ Videos - https://www.poweredbyprofessionals.com/videos/ Free Consultation - https://www.poweredbyprofessionals.com/contact/ From Champions to Fundraisers -https://www.onecause.com/webinar/from-champions-to-fundraisers-activating-boards-honorees-volunteers-to-boost-event-revenue/

Exploring storytelling and deep branding work to transform nonprofit missions into emotional connections. SHOW NOTES: June 19, 2025 - Episode # 19 Branding with Heart: Shai Creates’ Blueprint for Nonprofit Success On this episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego sits down with Shai Newaz, founder of Shai Creates, a trailblazing nonprofit branding agency. They dive into the art and science of branding — why it’s more than just logos and colors, but a deep, intentional process that uncovers a nonprofit’s core story and mission. Shai shares candid insights from his personal journey into the nonprofit space, revealing how authentic storytelling and emotional connection can fuel fundraising success even during moments of crisis.  Listeners will discover the crucial role that clear, consistent messaging plays in building trust and sparking limitless donor generosity. Shai also offers a peek into his visionary plans for Shai Creates, including a groundbreaking nonprofit initiative aimed at documenting the branding process to inspire mission-driven organizations everywhere.   Tune in if you’re looking to elevate your nonprofit impact through bold, heartfelt branding.  Guest Reflection:  "Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the emotional bridge that turns a donor’s support into a lifelong relationship with your mission." -- Shai Newaz Episode Highlights:  - Branding with Purpose: Clear, consistent messaging and visuals that authentically reflect a nonprofit’s mission and values.  - The Power of Deep Work: Effective branding begins with introspection to uncover stories that build emotional donor connections.  - Crisis as a Catalyst: While many seek help during crisis, sustainable success comes from investing in brand clarity year-round.  - Storytelling Meets Strategy: Compelling stories, backed by documented guidelines, drive trust and long-term brand consistency.  - Mission-Driven Future: Blending empathy with impact, Shai Creates is launching a nonprofit to share and demystify branding best practices.  Connect with our Guests:  - Shai Newaz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaimoom/ Episodes Resources:  - Shai Creates - https://www.shaicreates.com/

Igniting young minds and transforming futures through inclusive, hands-on STEM experiences. SHOW NOTES: June 12, 2025 - Episode # 188 From Bots to Belonging: Engineering Equity in STEM On this inspiring episode of Raise Nation Radio, host Dawn Lego sits down with Danielle Daugherty, Community Engagement Manager at TechPoint Youth, to explore how one organization is reshaping the future of STEM, one student at a time.   Danielle shares how TechPoint Youth is building bridges of opportunity for underrepresented youth, creating vibrant, inclusive pathways into robotics, coding, and STEM careers. The conversation dives into the power of friendraising, the importance of representation, and how experiential learning is sparking curiosity and confidence in over 55,000 students each year.   Tune in to hear how passion meets purpose at the intersection of technology and community.  Guest Reflection:  "We’re not just building future engineers. We’re building confidence, community, and a sense of belonging in every student we reach." -- Danielle Daugherty Episode Highlights:  - Discover Danielle’s “friendraising” philosophy and how it’s redefining donor engagement through genuine relationships  - Hear how TechPoint Youth builds a powerful sense of community that makes every student feel seen and supported in STEM  - Explore the shift from transactional giving to intentional connection by meeting donors where they are  - Learn how TechPoint Youth is transforming access to STEM education for over 55,000 students each year  - Understand the impact of introducing STEM as early as kindergarten to ignite passion and possibility  - See how robotics and coding programs are driving equity and opportunity for underrepresented youth  OneCause Customer Profile:  Customer Success Manager - Tyler Tranberg -https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-tranberg-782b3845/  Fundraising Software –Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software -https://www.onecause.com/solutions/peer-to-peer-fundraising-software/ Signature Events – Giving Tuesday 2025  Connect with our Guests:  Danielle Daugherty - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-m-daugherty/ Episodes Resources:  TechPoint Youth - https://www.techpointyouth.org/ STEM Programs - https://www.techpointyouth.org/programs-landing-page Volunteer - https://www.techpointyouth.org/volunteer Community Partnerships -https://www.techpointyouth.org/companies