Fundraising Episodes

Discover how Marc Philpart, President and CEO of the Black Freedom Fund, is leading a $250 million effort to sustain racial justice advocacy, build lasting community power, and overcome philanthropy's inconsistent commitment to change.

Discover how Mide Akerewusi connects Black climate leadership, philanthropy, and community action, revealing practical ways to advance environmental justice, strengthen communities, and build a more sustainable future.

Former Helena, Montana Mayor Wilmot Collins shares how political giving and civic engagement helped make his historic election possible. Learn why voting alone is not enough, how 200 everyday donors fueled Montana's first Black mayoral victory, and how grassroots philanthropy empowers communities to support leaders who reflect their values.

National fundraising auctioneer Subyn Novelle shares how she changed careers after 40, discovered her purpose, overcame self-doubt, embraced an abundance mindset, and built a meaningful life through philanthropy and leadership.

Tired of chasing support from people who never truly believed in your mission? Floyd Jones shares how to recognize your organization's value, stop seeking approval, and build partnerships with funders who already understand your impact.

Discover what motivates today’s donors with Dr. Marguerite McClinton Stoglin. Learn how donor values, volunteer engagement, family philanthropy, stewardship, and next-generation giving can strengthen fundraising and long-term nonprofit sustainability.

Michael Romy Greer, President and CEO of ArtsFund, discusses how funders can simplify grant applications, reduce reporting burdens, provide unrestricted funding, and embrace trust-based philanthathy to better serve grantees. Artists and nonprofit leaders will learn how to confidently seek philanthropic support, communicate their value, and build sustainable funding strategies. This episode explores arts funding, grantmaking, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, philanthropy, equitable funding practices, and the future of community-centered investment.

In this Season 1 finale, released the week of Juneteenth, discover how the urgency to preserve Black history is as old as American history, and why philanthropy plays a critical role in protecting Black history. As funding for Black-led initiatives declines, Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, shares how he and his team have raised over $200 million to support 400+ Black historical preservation projects nationwide. In this episode, gain a ...

Feeling alone in fundraising can derail your confidence and career. This episode shows you how building a strong community and professional network helps you overcome isolation, gain support, and thrive long-term.

Local news is declining, threatening community awareness and accountability. Dale Anglin shares how philanthropic funding is rebuilding local journalism—and why your support is essential to sustaining trusted information and a healthy democracy.

The biggest generational wealth transfer in history is happening now and traditional fundraising strategies will fail you. Are you ready? Dr. Kevin Thompson, an advancement leader at the University of Washington and Seattle University, explains how donor trends are shifting and how you can engage next-generation donors who prioritize impact, accountability, and purpose so you and your community don't get left behind in the future of philanthropy. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. S...

Not sure how to land a nonprofit board role or whether it's the right one when you land it? Christal Cherry, founder of Board Pro and Fabulous Female Fundraisers (F3), shares how you find values-aligned boards, position yourself to serve, and lead with equity using best-practices grounded in Black philanthropic traditions. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Social Media Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michelle.renee.jackson (host)

Any venture capitalist worth-a-damn understands that intellectual investments must accompany financial investments. Nic Brathwaite, co-managing partner of Celesta Capital and co-founder of The PETNA Foundation, shows you how applying intellectual capital alongside philanthropic capital, from building wells to funding scholarships to championing Olympians, transforms communities worldwide. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michelle.renee.jackso...

Don't let your nonprofit stay in survival mode. Chevelle Dixon, of Pan‑African Solutions Consulting, shows you how to shift from scarcity thinking to strategic action, using an abundance audit and in‑kind giving to secure real resources, stabilize operations, and move your mission forward without chasing more cash. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michelle.renee.jackson (host)

If you feel devalued in transactional philanthropy, you're facing a real threat to your purpose‑driven work. You need a new model now. Using Black giving traditions, Heather Infantry, CEO of Giving Gap, shows you how to reclaim your joy, dignity, and worth so you and your nonprofit can create meaningful, purpose‑driven change without sacrificing yourselves. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michelle.renee.jackson (host)

If you believe you're powerless politically, you're not alone. This episode reveals how your giving can impact upcoming elections. Ludovic Blain, Director of the California Donor Table, explains how the wealthiest donors use non‑tax‑deductible political giving to influence campaigns while nonprofits and most voters remain unaware. Discover how your philanthropy is political power, before it's too late. More resources at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michell...

In this episode, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv speaks with Karen Isble, Vice President for College Advancement at Kalamazoo College about her work with the Collaborative for Respectful Workplaces in Higher Education Advancement. Karen shares her journey from opera singer and prospect researcher to frontline fundraising executive, offering insight into the often‑unspoken challenges frontline staffers in philanthropy face when their physical and emotional safety is compromised, and bad donor b...

When foundation and nonprofit board members stay an average of 3 to 5+ years longer than paid staff, their influence becomes decisive, undeniable, and lasting. They are the structural pillars on which nonprofits and foundations depend. In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv sits down with foundation and nonprofit board leader, Morris Price, for a masterclass on foundation and nonprofit board governance, executive director leadership, and the power d...

In this solo episode, Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv host of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories reflects on the last 7 months since BPOS premiered on Father's Day 2025. In order to guide the direction of BPOS moving forward, Michelle examines the wins, challenges, and hard lessons learned in the last 7 months. As a podcast in conversation with black leaders leading in a more than half‑trillion‑dollar philanthropy industry, this episode considers how the sector can become a more effective catalyst for...

Art Taylor, leads an organization of 25,000+ fundraising professionals globally as the CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He joins host, Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv to discuss Black fundraising leadership, diversity in philanthropy, and equity in donor engagement. He reflects on being one of the few Black men in the nonprofit fundraising sector, the isolation many fundraisers of color face, and why institutions often overlook Black donors despite long histories of Black ...

What does it take to transform a life from selling drugs to raising millions for nonprofits? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, sits down with Ken Miller, CFRE, a nationally recognized fundraising strategist, mentor, and advocate for Black men in development. Ken's story is one of resilience, faith, and purpose—a testament to the power of second chances and the calling to serve. Ken opens up about his early life in foster care, his struggles w...

How can small nonprofits build sustainable revenue, access philanthropic data, and stay rooted in community? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, sits down with Francesca Axam Frederick, a fundraiser, strategist, and tech entrepreneur whose journey from dance to data is reshaping how grassroots organizations engage with philanthropy. Francesca shares how her early experiences in the arts led her to fundraising, why she transitioned into human ser...

You're overwhelmed by lapsed donors, expired pledges, and impossible fundraising goals. Steven Wallace of Aspen Leadership Group shows you how he revitalized a dormant six‑figure pledge into a fully funded seven‑figure gift. He also helps you ditch a "victim" mindset and choose an employer that aligns with your values. More help at blackphilanthropypodcast.com. Follow @blackphilanthropyourstories & @michelle.renee.jackson (host)