MatchNice

Let’s be real: tech in the nonprofit sector often feels like a maze 🌀

Disconnected tools. Siloed data. Constant pressure to “innovate”.

That’s why this conversation with Kelley Hecht at Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Nonprofits was such a breath of fresh air.

Kelley breaks it all down—from cloud strategy to AI to mission delivery.

😵‍💫 You don’t need to be a technologist to lead digital change.
👉 You need clarity, curiosity, and the courage to ask better questions.

5️⃣ Takeaways Every Nonprofit Leader Should Know:

🏁 Work backwards to move forward
Start with your desired outcomes—and build your tech strategy from there.

☁️ Cloud is the foundation
It connects your data using the same tools used by Fortune 100 companies.

📊 Unify your data
CRM, marketing, programs, finance, and ops data all in one place (data lake).

🧠 AI is only as good as your data
A clean, centralized data hub helps you unlock the true power of AI analytics.

🔐 Data governance builds trust
It’s not just about compliance—it’s the clarity that powers everything else.

🎁 Bottom Line
Start where you are. Think big. Build systems that move your mission forward.

The future belongs to the nonprofits that build systems with intention. And our country and the world needs your impact now more than ever.

👇 Links in the episode description

🎧 The Nonprofit Lab episode in BIO
💰 AWS Imagine Grant (funding for cloud innovation)
📊 AWS Cloud Assessment Tool (free, personalized roadmap)

What if the biggest thing holding back your mission isn’t lack of funding…
…but the broken system you have to navigate to get it?

This one’s for every nonprofit leader who’s lost sleep, hit pause on the mission, or quietly wondered—why does the grant process feel this hard?

We sat down with Philip Deng, CEO of Grantable, to talk about reimagining grant writing—and building a system that actually works for nonprofits.

A few takeaways:

🔥 The grant process is burning people out.
It’s not just tedious—it’s extractive. Teams are spending more time proving their worth than delivering impact.

🦾 AI can give time back—not take control.
Used well, AI becomes a capacity builder—not a decision-maker. The power lies in supporting human judgment, not replacing it.

🤝 We don’t need tweaks. We need trust.
Small changes won’t fix a system built on skepticism. Real change starts with trusting nonprofits to lead.

As federal grants freeze and USAID is pulled back, one thing is clear:
The old way isn’t working.

But we can build something better.

It starts with trust.
With tools that give time back.
With funding systems that serve the mission—not the other way around.

🎧 Link to the full episode in our BIO. Definitely worth the listen as the sector rethinks and adapts to the future of funding.

Some conversations stay with you long after they end. This was one of them.

Two years ago, we met Omondi Peter at the Global Youth Forum and had the privilege of sharing his story on The Nonprofit Lab, highlighting how he’s transforming communities in Kenya through sports.

Since then, his vision and impact haven’t just grown—they’ve evolved.

From expanding football tournaments to launching an archery program that drives social change, he’s proving that impact isn’t about staying in your lane.

It’s about stepping into uncertainty, taking bold action, and growing into the leader your mission demands—even when the outcomes are uncertain.

One of our biggest takeaways?

👉 Sustainability isn’t just about funding—it’s about adaptability.

It’s easy to stick to the familiar. But Omondi turned archery into both a leadership tool for youth and a revenue stream to sustain his work.

A reminder that vision alone isn’t enough. It takes managing risk, courage, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

The world needs more leaders like him, and we’re grateful for the work he does.

What’s a challenge you stepped into before you felt ready?

It might be the thing that takes your mission—and impact—to the next level.

Big shoutout to our partners at Podcasthon. They took a risk on a big idea, and it’s led to this episode plus 1,600+ podcasts amplifying nonprofit stories this month. Check them out for more inspiring social impact stories like Omondi’s.

🔗 Link to our episode in the our BIO.

Fundraising is human. AI just helps.

People give to people. Trust. Emotion. Connection.

That’s what drives donations, not just the ask, but the relationship behind it.

But in today’s fast-paced world, how do fundraisers make every interaction feel personal, without burning out?

I sat down with Griffin Bohm, co-founder of Momentum to explore how they’re building at the intersection of psychology, AI, and fundraising.

💡 How a well-placed ask influences donor behavior
💡 Why anchoring donation amounts matters
💡 How giving itself creates a ripple effect of generosity

Griffin, Nick Fitz and his team are solving a major challenge: helping nonprofits do more with less (pretty relevant always but especially right now).

This conversation was a powerful reminder: Technology should make it easier to enhance connections, not replace it.

AI can make donor engagement smarter, faster, and more strategic. But at the end of the day, fundraising is about people truly connecting with people.

👆 Link to the full episode on The Nonprofit Lab in our BIO

Love when serendipitous, mission-aligned connections like this happen!

We’re celebrating a big milestone: 🎉 Episode 50 of The Nonprofit Lab in collaboration with the Impact Table Podcast, also celebrating their 50th!

We had the privilege to speak with Marssie Versola, a true champion for women in impact, dedicated to empowering mission-driven leaders.

Marssie shines a light on women in nonprofits, sharing powerful stories from her journey and inspiring others to lead with courage and conviction.

She spends so much of her time shining a light on women nonprofit leaders, and it’s so cool to be able to turn the spotlight back on her.

Tune in to hear real and authentic stories about:

🔥 Empowering Resilience: Overcome burnout, break systemic barriers, and embrace vulnerability as strength.

🤝 Cultivating Authentic Connections: Create safe spaces, foster mentorship, and share transformative, real-life stories, and

⭐ Driving Lasting Impact: Build enduring leadership, forge genuine relationships, and turn vision into measurable action.

Congratulations to Impact Table on this incredible milestone, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this podcasting achievement together.

🔗Episode link in our BIO

Support is the backbone of change. In the nonprofit sector, support can come in many forms—from funding and resources to emotional encouragement and shared goals. True support means standing alongside others, providing the help they need to thrive. Let’s offer our support generously, knowing that together we can create the kind of impact that truly makes a difference. Who do you support, and who supports you?

Community is the essence of human connection. It’s about coming together, supporting one another, and building a shared vision for a better future. In the nonprofit world, community is everything; it’s the reason we do what we do and the force that makes our work possible. When we nurture our communities, we build resilience, hope, and collective strength. How has community impacted your life? Let’s celebrate the power of coming together for good.

People don’t leave missions, they leave cultures.

What if your nonprofit’s greatest untapped resource was right in front of you — your people?

When we prioritize people, we don’t just build stronger teams—we amplify impact.

In our latest episode, we sat down with Tiffany E. Slater, CEO of HR TailorMade, LLC,  to explore how mission-driven organizations can truly thrive by aligning their culture, leadership, and HR practices with their purpose.

A few insights from our conversation:

1️⃣ Trust starts at the top – Transparent, compassionate leadership builds the foundation for a culture where employees feel valued and empowered.

2️⃣ Onboarding is more than Day One – A clear, intentional roadmap from the moment an employee says “yes” sets them up for long-term success and engagement.

3️⃣ Clarity drives performance – Simple tools like clear job descriptions with measurable goals (KPIs) ensure everyone knows what success looks like, fostering accountability and motivation.

If you care about strengthening your team and your mission, this episode is packed with insights you can put into action.

🔗 Link to our latest episode of The Nonprofit Lab in our BIO

Purpose is the "why" behind our work. It’s what fuels our vision, keeps us motivated, and gives meaning to life through our efforts. For nonprofits, purpose is the heart of our mission, reminding us of the positive impact we seek to create and the why we do the work we do. Stay connected to your purpose to guide actions and inspire others. What’s your mission and purpose, and how does it shape your work? Share it with us in the comments below!

Gratitude is about recognizing and appreciating the good around us. In the nonprofit world, gratitude reminds us to value our supporters, honor the contributions of our teams, and acknowledge the progress we’ve made. It fuels positivity and strengthens our resolve to continue our mission. Let’s make gratitude a daily practice, celebrating the people and moments that make our work possible. What are you grateful for today? Share in the comments below—we’d love to hear!

Fun facts: 79% of donors find online videos the most useful marketing they encounter, and 57% of viewers donate after watching.

Pat Taggart at SkyBlue Creative and I dove deep into the power of unscripted and authentic video storytelling in the nonprofit world.

Nonprofits have some of the most compelling stories, yet many rely on stats and services descriptions instead of tapping into emotional narratives.

Video can be one of the most effective medium to evoke these emotions and make those stories resonate with new and existing supporters.

Pat shared how even simple, raw videos can make a significant impact. It's not about perfection; it's about authenticity and connecting on a human level.

For nonprofits looking to truly engage supporters and drive real impact, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there — people connect with genuine stories.

Give it a listen, I promise it's worth your time!

👉 Episode Link: https://bit.ly/TNL-E45

One of the most powerful and untapped channels for nonprofits to raise awareness has been right in front of us all along 🎙️✨

Podcasts offer a unique space where real, unfiltered stories and emotions can resonate with listeners in a way that no other medium can.

I had a chance to connect with Jeremie Mani, co-founder of Podcasthon, who is spearheading a global movement that recognizes this potential.

From March 15 to 21, 2025, thousands of podcasts will unite in a worldwide charity event, each releasing a special episode in support of nonprofit.

It’s all about raising awareness on a massive scale, allowing nonprofits to reach entirely new audiences in ways traditional marketing often can’t.

If you’ve been searching for a way to break through the noise and truly connect with new and existing supports, start thinking about podcasts.

It’s more than a trend — it’s an opportunity for your mission to be heard across the globe. Link to the episode on The Nonprofit Lab in our BIO