Part 1 of a Conversation with James Misner: Donor Experience, Trust, and the Future of Philanthropy

A Conversation with Jessie Krafft: Global Giving, Trust, and Building Resilient Charities

In this timely and globally focused episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Jessie Krafft of CAF America [https://www.cafamerica.org] to discuss the rapidly evolving challenges facing the international nonprofit sector. Drawing from findings in the newly expanded World Giving Report, Jessie shares insights gathered from over 55,000 donors across 101 countries and charities operating in 27 countries. The conversation explores rising global demand for nonprofit services, funding pressures, donor expectations around transparency, and what it truly takes for charities to build resilience in uncertain times. Jessie explains that while increased need is affecting organizations across both high-income and low-income countries, the pressure is particularly intense due to declining government aid and limited access to flexible funding. One key insight from the report is the importance of unrestricted giving, which allows organizations to adapt quickly as crises and community needs evolve. “Organizations need the flexibility to shift funding,” Jessie explains, emphasizing how rigid restrictions can limit a charity’s ability to respond effectively during rapidly changing conditions. The discussion also highlights a fascinating disconnect between donors and nonprofits around transparency. While many organizations believe they are communicating effectively, donors consistently report wanting more clarity about how their gifts are being used. Jessie notes that in the United States, 64% of donors said they would give more if they had a better understanding of how their money would be spent. This gap creates an important opportunity for nonprofits to strengthen trust through clearer storytelling, honest communication, and more thoughtful donor engagement. Throughout the episode, Jessie shares CAF America’s six key pillars of nonprofit resilience, including mission clarity, effective leadership, strong partnerships, operational sustainability, and the ability to communicate impact. She emphasizes that resilience is not built through funding alone, it requires organizations to invest in governance, technology, staffing, and storytelling. “If they can demonstrate that they are having that conversation internally and building those resources,” she explains, nonprofits can better show funders why they are worthy of long-term investment. Ultimately, this conversation is a reminder that philanthropy is built on trust, adaptability, and partnership. As nonprofits around the world face increasing demand and growing complexity, donors and advisors have an opportunity to support organizations not just through dollars, but through confidence, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of what sustainable impact truly requires. Key Takeaways: * Global demand for nonprofit services is increasing across regions and issue areas. * Flexible, unrestricted funding strengthens organizational resilience and responsiveness. * Donors want greater transparency and clearer communication around impact. * Sustainable nonprofits invest in leadership, staffing, technology, and partnerships, not just programs. * Strong storytelling and trust-based philanthropy are essential for long-term impact. Connections: * Connect with Jessie Krafft [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-krafft-94726039/] * Connect With Rick Peck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/] * For more ideas, stories, and practical guidance to help you give smarter and raise more, subscribe to Charitable Giving News for You [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/o0P5UEI/thephilanthropyguy].

A Conversation with Kathleen Quinn: Alignment, Abundance, and the Courage to Give with Purpose

In this deeply reflective and heartfelt episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Kathleen Quinn, mindset coach, grief educator, and former higher education advancement leader, to explore the powerful connection between self-worth, abundance, legacy, and philanthropy. Drawing from her own personal journey, including establishing a scholarship fund with her late husband shortly before his terminal cancer diagnosis, Kathleen shares how aligned giving begins not with wealth, but with courage, clarity, and meaningful conversation. Throughout the conversation, Kathleen unpacks why so many people delay philanthropy, even when they have the capacity and desire to give. She explains how deeply rooted beliefs around money, scarcity, self-worth, and fear can quietly hold people back from making aligned decisions. Through her work as a mindset coach, Kathleen helps individuals uncover the stories they tell themselves about money and replace limiting beliefs with empowering ones grounded in abundance and purpose. A central theme of the discussion is aligned philanthropy, the idea that generosity becomes most meaningful when it reflects what truly matters to us. Kathleen shares her framework around self-worth, boundaries, alignment, and abundance, encouraging listeners to define their values and allow those values to guide both their lives and their giving. “You have always been more than enough,” she reflects, emphasizing that philanthropy is not reserved for billionaires, it begins the moment someone realizes they already have something meaningful to offer. The episode also highlights the role storytelling and legacy play in shaping generosity. Kathleen shares the moving story of a woman who divided “ten dimes” across the people and causes she cared about most, a simple but profound exercise that helped clarify her legacy and values. Kathleen reminds listeners that philanthropy is not only about financial impact, it is about how we touch lives, model generosity for future generations, and create meaning through intentional action. As she beautifully shares through a quote from Maya Angelou, “Like every human, your legacy is every life you touch.”Ultimately, this conversation is a reminder that giving is not a destination reached after perfect certainty, it is a journey of reflection, alignment, and courage. Whether through scholarships, family conversations, or simply choosing what matters most, Kathleen invites listeners to stop waiting and begin creating impact now, with whatever abundance they already possess. Key Takeaways: * Philanthropy often begins with mindset shifts around worthiness, fear, and abundance. * Aligned giving happens when generosity reflects personal values and purpose. * Legacy is not only about wealth—it is about the lives we touch and influence. * Family conversations around money and giving shape future generations. * Small, intentional acts of generosity can create lasting impact. Connections: * Connect with Kathleen Quinn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenaquinnllc/] * Connect With Rick Peck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/] * For more ideas, stories, and practical guidance to help you give smarter and raise more, subscribe to Charitable Giving News for You [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/o0P5UEI/thephilanthropyguy].

Part 2 of A Conversation with James Misner: Donor Experience, Storytelling, and the Future of Engagement

In Part 2 of this insightful Money to Give conversation, Rick Peck continues his discussion with James Misner, founder of The Kipos Group, diving deeper into how nonprofits can strengthen donor relationships through intentional communication, storytelling, and transparency. Building on the fundamentals discussed in Part 1, James offers practical, actionable strategies for creating donor experiences that feel personal, engaging, and meaningful, ultimately driving stronger retention and deeper impact. At the center of this conversation is a powerful idea: stories move people. While organizations often default to sharing large-scale impact metrics, James emphasizes that “the number one thing that moves humans is a story of another human and their life being transformed.” By focusing on “the story of the one”—a single individual whose life has changed—nonprofits can create a stronger emotional connection that helps donors see the real impact of their gifts. Beyond storytelling, James highlights the importance of helping donors feel seen and valued. Simple, personal acknowledgments, especially from leadership, can build loyalty in ways that many organizations overlook. “One of the core human desires in life is to be seen,” he notes, reinforcing that even small efforts to recognize donors can significantly strengthen long-term relationships. The conversation also explores how nonprofits can modernize their communication strategies. From mixing formats, emails, handwritten notes, videos, and even personal text messages, to leveraging tools like AI for personalization at scale, James encourages organizations to meet donors where they are. He emphasizes that communication should not feel repetitive or transactional, but instead varied, timely, and authentic. These small shifts can make outreach feel more human and less like a mass communication effort. Finally, James makes a compelling case for transparency, not just in success, but in struggle. Sharing challenges, both internal and external, invites donors into a more authentic partnership and fosters trust. Rather than weakening confidence, vulnerability can deepen engagement by showing donors where they can help and how their support truly matters. In doing so, nonprofits move from simply reporting results to building collaborative relationships with their supporters. Key Takeaways: * Individual stories of transformation are more powerful than broad impact statistics. * Donors want to feel seen—personal acknowledgment builds lasting loyalty. * Mixing communication formats keeps engagement fresh and effective. * Tools like AI can help scale personalization without losing authenticity. * Transparency, including sharing challenges, strengthens trust and partnership. Connections: * Connect with James Misner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/] * Connect With Rick Peck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/] * For more ideas, stories, and practical guidance to help you give smarter and raise more, subscribe to Charitable Giving News for You.

Part 1 of a Conversation with James Misner: Donor Experience, Trust, and the Future of Philanthropy

In this candid and eye-opening episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with James Misner, founder of The Kipos Group, to explore one of the most overlooked drivers of successful philanthropy: the donor experience. With decades of experience advising nonprofits, James brings a clear and practical perspective on why so many organizations struggle with retention, and how simple, human-centered practices can dramatically improve both trust and long-term giving. At the core of the conversation is a surprising but critical insight: many nonprofits are missing the basics. From failing to acknowledge major gifts to providing inconsistent updates and unclear impact reporting, James highlights how these breakdowns erode donor confidence. In fact, he notes that only about 45% of donors give again year over year, a statistic that reflects what he calls a “downward spiral” caused by poor stewardship. James emphasizes that gratitude and impact must go hand in hand. A simple thank-you is not enough on its own, but it is essential. As he explains, donors ultimately want to know that their gift made a difference. “Show me that you’re a good investment,” he says, underscoring that donors are looking for both appreciation and clear evidence of outcomes. When organizations fail to deliver either, they risk losing not just funding, but trust. The conversation also highlights what great stewardship looks like in practice. James shares examples of organizations that communicate consistently, personalize outreach, and actively involve donors in the story of impact. These efforts don’t just maintain relationships, they deepen them. In some cases, strong engagement can even inspire donors to give more, work harder, and become advocates for the mission. Ultimately, James offers a powerful reminder: people give to people. While technology and data can enhance fundraising strategies, they cannot replace genuine human connection. From personalized communication to meaningful conversations over coffee, the most effective organizations are those that treat donors as partners, not transactions. When nonprofits invest in relationships, they unlock not only greater generosity, but a richer and more sustainable future. Key Takeaways: * Donor retention challenges often stem from missed fundamentals like acknowledgment and follow-up. * Gratitude and impact reporting must work together to build trust and long-term support. * Personalized, consistent communication transforms donors into engaged partners. * Strong donor experiences can increase both giving and advocacy. * Human connection, not just data, remains the foundation of effective philanthropy. Connections: * Connect with James Misner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/] * Connect With Rick Peck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/] * For more ideas, stories, and practical guidance to help you give smarter and raise more, subscribe to Charitable Giving News for You.

A Conversation with Domitille Marchal Lemoine: Bridging Borders Through Philanthropy

In this globally minded and insightful episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Domitille Marchal Lemoine, Executive Director of Friends of Fondation de France, to explore the power and potential of cross-border philanthropy. As the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary, Domitille reflects on its pioneering role in connecting U.S.-based donors with impactful nonprofit work in France and beyond, making it easier, safer, and more meaningful to give internationally. Since its founding in 2000, Friends of Fondation de France has helped raise more than $60 million to support over 200 projects, opening doors for donors to expand their generosity across borders. What makes this work so unique is not just the funding, but the trust and structure behind it. Domitille highlights how navigating international regulations can feel overwhelming for donors, and how their organization simplifies the process by ensuring compliance, transparency, and due diligence, making global giving more accessible and secure. A central theme throughout the conversation is trust. As Domitille explains, trust is one of the most important drivers behind international giving. With only a small percentage of U.S. charitable contributions going abroad, building confidence in where and how funds are used is essential. By acting as a trusted intermediary, Friends of Fondation de France enables donors to support causes they care about, whether in arts and culture, education, medical research, or humanitarian aid, without the complexity typically associated with cross-border giving. The conversation also highlights the deep and historic relationship between France and the United States, a bond rooted not only in shared history, but in generosity. From the restoration of Notre-Dame to ongoing collaborations in research and global development, Domitille illustrates how philanthropy can strengthen international ties while addressing global challenges. At its best, cross-border giving becomes more than a transaction, it becomes a bridge between cultures, communities, and shared values. Ultimately, this episode is a powerful reminder that generosity does not have to stop at geographic boundaries. With the right guidance, partnerships, and intention, donors can create meaningful impact anywhere in the world. Domitille’s work invites us to think bigger, give broader, and trust in the systems that make global generosity possible. Key Takeaways: * Cross-border philanthropy expands impact, but requires trust, structure, and compliance. * Friends of Fondation de France simplifies international giving by providing fiscal sponsorship and due diligence. * Trust is a key driver in global giving, especially when donors feel confident in how funds are used. * Donors can support a wide range of causes globally—from arts and culture to scientific research and humanitarian aid. * Philanthropy can serve as a bridge between countries, strengthening relationships and shared values.  Connections: * Connect with Domitille Marchal Lemoine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmarchallemoine/] * Connect with Rick Peck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/] * For more ideas, stories, and practical guidance to help you give smarter and raise more, subscribe to  Charitable Giving News for You [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/o0P5UEI/thephilanthropyguy?source_type=lipo&source_id=670802ff-63ae-4cdc-ba37-15128b8e7e78&source_id=6363f873-57e8-4ecc-b2fb-b2d488951e95&source_type=em&c=NJTBHDEzN2MssTq6TqIaM_sUhQD16ZcT5YfvJ-83-Ur3kYs_de2G0Q==]Subscribe to Charitable Giving News for You This episode includes AI-generated content.