In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Maryanne Dersch, founder of Courageous Communication, to explore why confidence is one of the most overlooked tools in nonprofit leadership.

Maryanne breaks down how organizations can communicate with more clarity and calm, even under pressure, and why embracing your authentic voice can make your message land more powerfully. She also shares practical ways nonprofits can build stronger relationships, set healthier boundaries, and ask for what they truly need without fear. Listeners will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of what confident communication looks like

• Tips for reducing stress and leading conversations with ease

• Guidance on how to communicate needs without overexplaining or overselling

To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause

In this episode of Driven By Cause, we sit down with Asha Curran, CEO and co-founder of GivingTuesday, to talk about what generosity looks like in today’s world and how nonprofits can make the most of this global day of giving. Asha breaks down how GivingTuesday has evolved, what supporters are looking for now, and what really helps an organization stand out when everyone is competing for attention. She also shares practical ideas for how nonprofits of any size can participate. Listeners will walk away with: • A fresh understanding of what generosity means today • Tips for staying visible in a crowded GivingTuesday landscape • Ideas for activating supporters in meaningful, accessible ways • Guidance on how to approach GivingTuesday with purpose and clarity To stream more episodes of Driven By Cause, visit: https://www.arreva.com/driven-by-cause;jsessionid=jJkuRV4BkCC_7phqgWWwJN5h7oHhV44ua1nZusf-

Branding isn’t just design, it’s strategy. In this episode of Driven By Cause, Eric Ressler, Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, explains how nonprofits can leverage brand infrastructure to amplify their mission, increase engagement, and drive long-term impact. With a background in design, strategy, and nonprofit communications, Eric leads a team that transforms the way purpose-driven organizations show up in the digital world.

In this episode, Eric unpacks the concept of brand as infrastructure, challenging nonprofits to think beyond logos and style guides to embrace branding as a strategic asset that drives awareness, engagement, and revenue. He discusses why many mission-driven organizations struggle to communicate their value clearly, and how that lack of clarity can limit growth and impact.

You’ll learn how to align your brand, messaging, and digital presence around your theory of change, and why investing in brand-building is not a luxury, but a necessity in today’s noisy, attention-scarce landscape. Eric also dives into the role of websites as primary engagement tools, how to make digital content more user-centric, and why form should always follow strategic function.

Listeners will come away with insights on:

• Why brand strategy is as critical as fundraising strategy
• How to move from reactive to proactive communications
• The importance of internal alignment before external messaging
• Leveraging design and storytelling to convert attention into action

Whether you’re launching a new initiative, refining your organization’s digital footprint, or struggling to stand out in a crowded cause space, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help you build a brand that moves your mission forward.

Step into a transformative episode of Driven By Cause featuring Hailey Evans, national speaker, marketing strategist, award-winning storyteller, and creator of the EPIC Communication Framework. From navigating life as a single mom on food stamps to earning three degrees debt-free through the power of story, Hailey now equips nonprofit leaders and changemakers to communicate with clarity, connect emotionally, and grow sustainably. In this episode, Hailey shares how she turned personal adversity into a strategic advantage—developing a messaging system that helps organizations cut through the noise and inspire action. She unpacks her EPIC Framework (Engage, Persuade, Inspire, Close), designed to help nonprofits communicate more effectively with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders across every platform. You’ll learn how to craft messages that drive results, use storytelling to deepen donor relationships, and avoid the “info overload” trap by leading with emotion and transformation. Hailey also demonstrates how pairing AI with intentional messaging can save overwhelmed nonprofit teams hours of content creation time—and even generate entire campaigns from a single conversation. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to:

• Create more compelling appeals, emails, and donor updates
• Leverage AI to repurpose stories across multiple channels
• Clarify and segment messaging for different audiences
• Craft a seven-second “EPIC intro” to clearly express their mission

Whether you’re trying to stand out in a crowded fundraising landscape or looking for ways to do more with less, this episode offers the clarity and confidence to move your message forward.

To learn more about Hailey, please visit haileyevans.com

Step into a powerful episode of Driven By Cause featuring Dee Dee Kiesow, founder of the Six-Figure Fundraising™ Network, creator of the Monetize Your Minutes® framework, and author of The Joy of Fundraising: A Spiritual Guide to Giving. With more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, Dee Dee is known for helping organizations raise millions through scalable strategies and joyful donor engagement. In this episode, Dee Dee shares her journey from grassroots fundraising to becoming a trusted consultant and auction strategist for nonprofits nationwide. She reveals how to reverse-engineer fundraising events to drive outcomes far beyond dollars raised—including building stronger boards, identifying major donors, and turning first-time attendees into lifelong supporters.

You’ll discover how her Six-Figure Fundraising™ process helps teams stop “winging it” and start executing high-impact events with intention. From pre-event planning to post-event stewardship, Dee Dee emphasizes a strategic mindset that transforms galas and campaigns into engines of sustainable growth. She also explores the psychology behind joyful giving and explains why authentic storytelling—not guilt—leads to deeper donor relationships.

Listeners will gain practical tools for maximizing donor lifetime value, attracting the right guests, and leveraging matching gifts and corporate partnerships. Plus, Dee Dee shares real-world examples of how her clients doubled or tripled their event revenue by focusing on outcomes, not attendance.

Whether you’re a one-person development team or a seasoned fundraising pro, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your next campaign and move your mission forward.

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Driven By Cause featuring Patrick Kirby, founder of Do Good Better Consulting and author of Fundraise Awesomer and Fundraise Like a Fifth Grader. With nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit development, Patrick brings a refreshing and practical perspective to fundraising and donor engagement.

In this episode, Patrick shares his journey from political aspirations to nonprofit leadership, explaining how an early career detour led to a passion for helping organizations raise funds more effectively. He explores the core themes of his latest book, highlighting the powerful traits young fundraisers naturally possess and how adults can reclaim those qualities to build stronger donor relationships.

Patrick discusses the importance of simplifying fundraising efforts, the challenges of overcomplicating strategies, and the value of focusing on what organizations do best. He offers actionable tips for small teams, including a weekly planning framework designed to improve efficiency and reduce burnout. Patrick also emphasizes the power of personal connection and shares why consistent, thoughtful communication is the key to donor retention.

Listeners will come away with clear, practical strategies to enhance their fundraising approach, strengthen donor relationships, and navigate challenges with confidence and creativity.

Tune in now to Driven By Cause for a dynamic conversation with one of the most passionate voices in nonprofit consulting today. You won’t want to miss this one!

Dive into an inspiring episode of Driven By Cause featuring Jayme Dingler, founder and CEO of What’s Good Consulting. With a background in nonprofit marketing and fundraising, Jayme has transformed organizations by expanding donor engagement and increasing revenue. As a former development director, she played a pivotal role in growing the Talbot Interfaith Shelter’s income from $300,000 to nearly $1 million. She is also the author of The Itty Bitty Book of Nonprofit Fundraising, a concise yet powerful resource for board members who struggle with fundraising.

In this episode, Jayme shares her journey into the nonprofit sector, discussing how she transitioned from financial services to nonprofit leadership. She dives into the common misconceptions board members have about fundraising, emphasizing that fundraising is about relationship-building rather than just asking for money. Jayme also explores best practices for engaging board members in development efforts, highlighting creative approaches like gamification and personalized fundraising strategies.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into nonprofit leadership, the importance of strategic planning, and the role of marketing in donor engagement. Plus, Jayme offers practical advice for organizations looking to diversify their revenue streams and build sustainable fundraising models.

Tune in to Driven By Cause for an enlightening conversation that will transform how you approach board engagement and fundraising. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a passionate leader dedicated to helping nonprofits thrive!

Join us on this insightful episode of Driven By Cause as we welcome Dr. Una Osili, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A globally recognized expert in philanthropy and economics, Dr. Osili shares her expertise on the transformative trends shaping the nonprofit sector today.

In this episode, Dr. Osili delves into the latest findings from the Giving USA 2023 Report, uncovering how economic pressures, mega-donors, and social media are reshaping the landscape of giving. She highlights the resilience and innovation demonstrated by nonprofits, explores the increasing role of international aid in philanthropy, and discusses strategies for fostering donor engagement in challenging times.

Dr. Osili also provides actionable insights into leveraging technology to reduce barriers for donors and maximize impact, emphasizing the need for transparency and trust-building to strengthen connections with younger generations of supporters.

From her pioneering work on data-driven generosity tools like Generosity for Life to her personal dedication to volunteerism, Dr. Osili’s journey is a compelling testament to the power of philanthropy to create meaningful change.

Tune in to discover how your organization can adapt, innovate, and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving philanthropic environment.