Using the Whole Whale - A Nonprofit Podcast

Interview with Kate Harris: https://www.kateharrisgroup.com/who-we-are In this episode of the Whole Whale podcast, host George speaks with Kate Harris, founder and principal of the Kate Harris Group, about the often misunderstood and stigmatized concept of collaboration and mergers in the nonprofit sector. Kate explains how her organization helps nonprofits navigate significant transitions, often involving mergers or shared services, to better align their mission and structure. They discuss the benefits of structural changes, the nuances of different types of mergers, and the vital role of funders in these processes. Kate also emphasizes the importance of continuous collaboration and adaptability for nonprofit survival and growth, and the need to normalize conversations about mergers and organizational changes to better serve communities.

*****UPDATE: After we recorded this episode, GoFundMe announced they would reverse their stance on auto-generated nonprofit donation pages made without their consent making them opt-in instead of opt-out. Unclaimed Nonprofit Pages, they wrote in a public response, would be removed and de-indexed.***** In this episode of Nonprofit Newsfeed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, digital strategist at Whole Whale, dive into a startling discovery involving GoFundMe's creation of 1.4 million shadow donation pages for US nonprofits. Without outreach or consent, GoFundMe auto-generated these pages, raising significant concerns within the nonprofit community. Discovery of Shadow Pages: The hosts note how they discovered that many nonprofits, including Whole Whale clients, had active GoFundMe pages soliciting donations without their knowledge or consent. Potential Ramifications: The hosts discuss the implications of GoFundMe using nonprofit logos and public information without permission. The platform also initially set a default tip for itself at 16.5%, which has since been reduced following public backlash. Impact on Nonprofits: The episode emphasizes the risk to nonprofit brand management, especially with the upcoming end-of-year giving season. Nonprofits now face the challenge of ensuring their brand integrity and donor relationships are not compromised. Recommendations for Nonprofits: George and Nick outline a "claim, clean, and correct" strategy. They advise nonprofits to claim their GoFundMe pages, correct any inaccuracies, and make the pages private to protect their brand and donor data. Broader Implications: The conversation extends to the potential impact on AI systems that rely on indexed information from such pages, affecting how nonprofits are represented in digital spaces.

In this week's episode the hosts delve into the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and its implications for the nonprofit sector. The shutdown, now extending over half a month, poses significant challenges for nonprofits that rely on government partnerships. With 750,000 federal workers furloughed, nonprofits face operational hurdles, particularly in grant management and accessing social services like SNAP benefits. The shutdown's ripple effects could increase demand for nonprofit services as more workers remain unpaid and public services remain halted. In brighter news, a consortium of ten major philanthropic foundations has announced a $500 million initiative, Humanity Forward, to explore AI's societal impacts. This collaborative effort includes the Doris Duke Foundation, Ford Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation, among others. The initiative aims to investigate AI's influence on democracy, economy, culture, and education, with funds being distributed as early as fall 2025. The episode highlights the importance of nonprofits actively engaging with AI to drive innovation rather than being passive participants. The hosts also introduce a fun, albeit tongue-in-cheek, mini-game created by Whole Whale. The game serves as a metaphor for the challenges nonprofits face in fundraising, emphasizing innovative content strategies to engage audiences beyond traditional written articles. This interactive approach underscores the potential for nonprofits to leverage AI and technology in new ways. For nonprofits navigating these uncertain times, the episode underscores the importance of strategic planning and adapting to technological advancements. The discussion encourages nonprofits to explore AI's potential and consider how these tools can enhance their mission-driven work.

Nonprofit Sector Faces Challenges Amid Government Shutdown and Advocacy Efforts In this week's episode the focus is on the implications of the U.S. government shutdown and recent advocacy efforts within the nonprofit sector. The episode tackles two primary topics: the immediate impacts of the government shutdown on nonprofits and a coalition's response to political challenges against the Open Society Foundations. Government Shutdown Impact on Nonprofits The episode begins with a discussion on the current government shutdown, the first since 2018. George and Nick outline the immediate consequences, such as non-essential federal employees facing furloughs and potential delays in grant disbursements. This could lead nonprofits to seek high-cost loans, cut services, or reduce staff if the shutdown persists. Organizations like food banks and those relying on government contracts are particularly vulnerable. The hosts suggest nonprofits explore temporary lines of credit to manage cash flow during this period. Advocacy Against Political Retaliation The episode also highlights a broad coalition of nonprofits, including the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, condemning political retaliation against the Open Society Foundations. The coalition argues against the Department of Justice's investigation, viewing it as a threat to free speech and democratic values. The hosts emphasize the importance of advocacy and coalition building in protecting civil society from political interference.

Navigating the Philanthropy Landscape with the 'Philanthropy Guy' In this episode, host George Weiner sits down with Rick Peck, also known as "The Philanthropy Guy," to discuss strategies for nonprofits preparing for the crucial Q4 giving season, commonly referred to as the "nonprofit philanthropy Super Bowl." Rick, a seasoned consultant in the nonprofit space, shares insights on donor engagement, effective fundraising strategies, and the importance of cultivating relationships with major donors. Main Topics and Special Guest: Critical Insights:

Emmy's Gamification of Charity: A Hit or Miss? In a recent podcast episode, the hosts dissect the unconventional charity initiative at the Emmy Awards, where host Nate Bargatze pledged $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The twist: the donation amount would decrease based on the length of celebrity speeches, while shorter speeches would add to the fund. Despite the initial $100,000 dropping by $60,000 due to long speeches, Bargatze and CBS ultimately donated $350,000. The hosts debated the merits of this gamified approach to philanthropy. Critics argue it cheapens the serious work of nonprofits and aligns charity with guilt and shame. Conversely, supporters highlight the significant funds raised and the increased visibility for the Boys and Girls Clubs, as evidenced by a spike in Google searches. They argue that such creative fundraising efforts engage the public and inject fun into philanthropy.

Nonprofit Sector Sees Positive Trends and AI Empowerment Amidst Challenges In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed the duo delve into the latest updates and insights impacting the nonprofit world. Nonprofit Wellness Index Sees Positive Shift The episode kicks off with an encouraging update on the Nonprofit Wellness Index, which has reported its best month since inception. This index, tracking metrics like donation activity, ad spend, and job sector churn, showed a significant rebound from previous months, with notable increases in nonprofit job postings on platforms like Glassdoor and a rise in ad spending on Facebook. While some of this growth might be seasonal, the data suggests a positive trend for the sector, potentially signaling a more stable period ahead. Google for Nonprofits Expands AI Capabilities A major highlight is Google's expansion of its Nonprofits Workspace, now offering AI credits to organizations in the program. This includes access to powerful tools like Google Sheets, Gemini Notebook, and other AI-driven resources, providing nonprofits with high-value, cost-effective solutions. George emphasizes the importance of leveraging these free resources before investing in third-party tools, likening their value to the underutilized Google Ad Grant. Legal and Governance Challenges with ESG The conversation shifts to the complex landscape of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies, spotlighting a lawsuit by Texas against corporations implementing ESG practices. This legal pushback, fueled by conservative think tanks, highlights the contentious nature of ESG in corporate governance. Despite criticisms of ESG's broad metrics, George underscores the inevitable market forces that will drive sustainable practices, regardless of political opposition. Gender Equity in Nonprofit Leadership The episode also touches on the Candid 2025 Nonprofit Compensation Report, revealing persistent gender disparities in nonprofit leadership. Despite efforts towards DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), women remain underrepresented in CEO roles at large organizations, prompting ongoing discussions about achieving true equity in the sector.

Navigating the Future of Nonprofits: AI, Analytics, and Philanthropy Shifts In this episode of Nonprofit Newsfeed the hosts dive into several key topics impacting the nonprofit sector. After a brief hiatus, the duo returns with insights from a compelling interview with Avinash Kaushik, a leading figure in the analytics world, known as the "godfather of Google Analytics." Key Highlights: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): The conversation with Avinash emphasizes the transition from traditional SEO to AEO, where nonprofits must adapt to question-and-answer interactions driven by LLMs (Large Language Models). Avinash predicts a potential decline in nonprofit web traffic by 16% to 64% and paid search traffic by 5% to 30% as AI changes how audiences find information. The key takeaway is for nonprofits to focus on creating content with novelty, depth, and authenticity to stand out. Nonprofit Wellness Index: George and Nick introduce the Nonprofit Wellness Index, a metric tracking nonprofit sector health through digital ad spend, job listings, and volunteer opportunities. July's data indicated a slight downturn, which could suggest a seasonal trend or a broader economic slowdown. This index aims to offer insights into the sector's macro trends. Gates Foundation's Strategic Shift: The episode discusses the Gates Foundation's decision to end new grants to Arabella Advisors, a major player in progressive philanthropy. This move, potentially influenced by political pressures, reflects a broader trend of risk aversion in high-tier philanthropy, which could impact progressive causes. Feel-Good Spotlight: Health in the Hood, a nonprofit tackling food insecurity in Miami, is highlighted for its efforts in distributing 15,000 pounds of food monthly through urban gardens and large-scale distribution. This initiative addresses food deserts and supermarket redlining, providing essential nutrition to underserved communities. Insights and Recommendations:

Nonprofits, your “10 blue links” era is over. In this episode, Avinash Kaushik (Human-Made Machine; Occam’s Razor) breaks down Answer Engine Optimization—why LLMs now decide who gets seen, why third-party chatter outweighs your own site, and what to do about it. We get tactical: build AI-resistant content (genuine novelty + depth), go multimodal (text, video, audio), and stamp everything with real attribution so bots can’t regurgitate you into sludge. We also cover measurement that isn’t delusional—group your AEO referrals, expect fewer visits but higher intent, and stop worshiping last-click and vanity metrics. Avinash updates the 10/90 rule for the AI age (invest in people, plus “synthetic interns”), and torpedoes linear funnels in favor of See-Think-Do-Care anchored in intent. If you want a blunt, practical playbook for staying visible—and actually converting—when answers beat searches, this is it. About Avinash Avinash Kaushik is a leading voice in marketing analytics—the author of Web Analytics: An Hour a Day and Web Analytics 2.0, publisher of the Marketing <> Analytics Intersect newsletter, and longtime writer of the Occam’s Razor blog. He leads strategy at Human Made Machine, advises Tapestry on brand strategy/marketing transformation, and previously served as Google’s Digital Marketing Evangelist. Uniquely, he donates 100% of his book royalties and paid newsletter revenue to charity (civil rights, early childhood education, UN OCHA; previously Smile Train and Doctors Without Borders). He also co-founded Market Motive. Resource Links Avinash Kaushik — Occam’s Razor (site/home) Occam's Razor by Avinash Kaushik Marketing <> Analytics Intersect (newsletter sign-up) Occam's Razor by Avinash Kaushik AEO series starter: “AI Age Marketing: Bye SEO, Hello AEO!” Occam's Razor by Avinash Kaushik See-Think-Do-Care (framework explainer) Occam's Razor by Avinash Kaushik Books: Web Analytics: An Hour a Day | Web Analytics 2.0 (author pages) Occam's Razor by Avinash Kaushik+1 Human Made Machine (creative pre-testing) — Home | About | Products humanmademachine.com+2humanmademachine.com+2 Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade) (company site) Tapestry Tools mentioned (AEO measurement): Trakkr (AI visibility / prompts / sentiment) Trakkr Evertune (AI Brand Index & monitoring) evertune.ai GA4 how-tos (for your AEO channel + attribution): Custom Channel Groups (create an “AEO” channel) Google Help Attribution Paths report (multi-touch view) Google Help Nonprofit vetting (Avinash’s donation diligence): Charity Navigator (ratings) Charity Navigator Google for Nonprofits — Gemini & NotebookLM (AI access) Announcement / overview | Workspace AI for nonprofits blog.googleGoogle Help Example NGO Avinash supports: EMERGENCY (Italy) EMERGENCY Transcript Avinash Kaushik: [00:00:00] So traffic's gonna go down. So if you're a business, you're a nonprofit, how. Do you deal with the fact that you're gonna lose a lot of traffic that you get from a search engine? Today, when all of humanity moves to the answer Engine W world, only about two or 3% of the people are doing it. It's growing very rapidly. Um, and so the art of answer engine optimization is making sure that we are building for these LMS and not getting stuck with only solving for Google with the old SEO techniques. Some of them still work, but you need to learn a lot of new stuff because on average, organic traffic will drop between 16 to 64% negative and paid search traffic will drop between five to 30% negative. And that is a huge challenge. And the reason you should start with AEO now ​ George Weiner: [00:01:00] This week's guest, Avinash Kaushik is an absolute hero of mine because of his amazing, uh, work in the field of web analytics. And also, more importantly, I'd say education. Avinash Kaushik, , digital marketing evangelist at Google for Google Analytics. He spent 16 years there. He basically is. In the room where it happened, when the underlying ability to understand...

AI's Impact on Search Behavior and Direct Cash Assistance: Key Insights for Nonprofits In this week's episode of Nonprofit Newsfeed the hosts dive into the evolving landscape of digital search and the effectiveness of cash assistance programs. They explore how AI-generated summaries on search engines like Google are altering user behavior and the implications for nonprofit content strategies. They also discuss a recent study on cash assistance's impact on low-income families and children's development. Main Topics Discussed: AI's Influence on Search Behavior: Effectiveness of Cash Assistance Programs: AI for Nonprofits Book Release:

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Newsfeed the focus is on the environmental impacts of AI data centers. This conversation is sparked by a New York Times article highlighting the plight of a family in Georgia affected by a nearby Meta data center. The discussion evolves into a broader debate on the ecological footprint of AI technologies and how nonprofits can navigate these concerns. Main Topics and Insights: AI Data Centers and Environmental Concerns: Debate on AI's Environmental Footprint: Nonprofit Sector Considerations: Additional Highlights:

Navigating AI and Nonprofit Challenges: Insights from Whole Whale In this episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed the focus is on the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for nonprofit organizations. With a special emphasis on the intersection of technology and nonprofit operations, this episode dives into the rising challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Skyrocketing Bot Traffic and Server Strain: Nonprofits, especially those with extensive digital resources, are experiencing increased server costs due to AI-driven bot traffic. This surge is attributed to AI companies aggressively crawling websites, leading to higher hosting expenses and potential performance issues for human users. Nonprofits like libraries, cultural institutions, and research organizations are particularly affected. Mitigating Bot Traffic: Strategies to manage this include analyzing server logs beyond standard analytics to identify non-human traffic and implementing regional and type-specific bot blocking. Tools like CloudFlare are introducing measures to help manage crawler access, including a pay-per-crawl system to offset costs. AI Avatars in Humanitarian Contexts: The episode discusses a controversial UN experiment using AI avatars to simulate refugees, sparking debates about empathy, representation, and the ethical use of AI in sensitive humanitarian contexts. The conversation highlights concerns about AI's role in potentially distancing aid efforts from the real experiences of affected individuals. Grok AI Model's Controversy: The episode touches on the recent issues with X AI's Grok model, which exhibited problematic behavior with minimal prompting, leading to its temporary deactivation. This incident underscores the importance of thorough testing and red-teaming to prevent AI tools from spreading harmful content.

In this conversation, George Weiner speaks with Ken Berger, the former CEO of Charity Navigator, about the evolution of nonprofit evaluation, the challenges of measuring overhead, and the importance of adapting to changing funding landscapes. They discuss the impact of effective altruism, the necessity of mergers in the nonprofit sector, and the role of storytelling and data in demonstrating outcomes. Ken shares valuable insights and advice for current and future nonprofit leaders, emphasizing the need for humility, collaboration, and strategic planning in navigating the complexities of the nonprofit world. takeaways

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed, George and Nick delve into the critical issue of donor data ownership within donation platforms. They reveal that for 25% of platforms, nonprofits cannot seamlessly migrate recurring donors, potentially severing relationships with monthly contributors. George emphasizes the importance of understanding donor payment tokens and the impact of being locked into platforms without data portability. The episode also touches on the philanthropic landscape, highlighting Warren Buffett's record $6 billion donation to various foundations and the ongoing influence of billionaire philanthropy. This brings into focus the necessity of smart, long-term philanthropic planning to avoid potential pitfalls of sudden funding withdrawals. Moreover, the conversation shifts to the legislative sphere, discussing the ramifications of the "big, beautiful bill" that threatens significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits, impacting millions of Americans. The hosts underline the urgency for nonprofits to prepare for increased demand on their services and the potential closures of rural hospitals and food banks due to these cuts.

In this episode of the Whole Whale podcast, host George Weiner speaks with Sal Alpietro, Chief Community Officer at Fundraise Up, about a critical issue affecting nonprofits: the ownership and transfer of payment tokens for monthly donors. Sal shares alarming stories of nonprofits facing exorbitant fees and resistance when trying to move donor data between platforms. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions before signing contracts with donation platforms and the potential financial and operational risks of not doing so. Sal also shares advice on best practices and offers insights into recent developments at Fundraise Up. -- If your nonprofit does not own the payments portal account (IE Stripe, Braintree, Paypal) and it has monthly donors, then it may not actually “own” those donors. While standard donation platform contracts allow for donor contact information to be exported, they may not allow the Donor Payment Tokens that allow for ongoing monthly donations to be exported. This means your nonprofit would lose the ability to continue to charge monthly donations from donors that had opted-in to donate if you moved platforms. Donation platforms range from small to huge fees to export this data, while some block this ability all together. ere is a great LinkedIn explanation of thiscalling out this monthly donor lockup issue “I have seen nonprofits literally in tears when they were told they needed to payup $30k to get permission to migrate their monthly donorbase built over years.” Salvatore Salpietro, Chief Community Officer, Fundraise Up Full article on the Monthly Donor lockup problem.

In this episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed, hosts George and Nick explore the intricacies of recent mass mobilizations and the challenges facing nonprofits. The podcast focuses on the recent "No Kings" protests, a massive mobilization across all 50 states with participation from an estimated 5 to 7 million people. Nick shares his firsthand experience at the New York protest, emphasizing the diverse and passionate turnout despite the rain. The event's success hinged on strategic digital organizing through platforms like Mobilize Us and support from major organizations such as the ACLU and Indivisible. A key takeaway is the power of peaceful protest and the impressive organization behind such large-scale events, including a comprehensive 17-page guide for rally hosts. The discussion transitions to the broader theme of attacks on civil society, both domestically and globally. An article from Lawfare highlights how authoritarian regimes worldwide, including those in Nicaragua, Turkey, Hungary, and Russia, are suppressing civil society under the guise of national security. This pattern is mirrored in the U.S., where political rhetoric is increasingly used to justify crackdowns on nonprofits and civil liberties.

This week on the Nonprofit Newsfeed by Whole Whale, George and Nick delve into the ramifications of the GOP's newly proposed tax bill and its potential impact on the nonprofit sector. As the bill progresses from the House to the Senate, nonprofits face several looming challenges. These include the "foundation tax bomb," which proposes a tiered excise tax on foundation assets that could drastically reduce grant-making capacities, and a disincentive for major donors, which might discourage wealthy contributions. Smaller nonprofits are particularly at risk due to a proposed 1% minimum giving threshold that could eliminate tax incentives for small businesses. This, coupled with increased taxes on nonprofit payrolls, paints a grim picture for nonprofit funding and operations. In a shift from fiscal policies, the episode also critiques the College Board for allegedly straying from its nonprofit mission. Originally aimed at democratizing college access, the College Board is now criticized for operating like a corporation, heavily lobbying to maintain its monopoly over standardized testing. This raises broader questions about mission drift in nonprofits. On a brighter note, the episode concludes with a feel-good story about the successful reintroduction of otters in New Mexico's Rio Grande, thanks to a partnership between the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the nonprofit Amigos Bravos. This effort highlights the positive impact of public-nonprofit collaborations on local ecosystems.

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed from Whole Whale, hosts Nick and George focus on significant shifts in nonprofit tech strategy and community recognition initiatives. Main Topics: Microsoft's Software Grant Changes: Whole Whale's Foundation Study: Legislative Updates: United Way's Courage Project:

Understanding Microsoft Nonprofit Licensing Changes: Survival Guide and Solutions In this episode, Joshua Pesky, the Chief Product Officer at RoundTable, discusses with George the partial termination of Microsoft's grants program around Office 365 licenses. The discussion covers the impact on nonprofits, the timeline for changes, and possible solutions for affected organizations. Joshua explains the importance of checking license statuses through the admin portal and suggests alternatives like using web applications, Google Suites, or open-source software to mitigate costs. The episode also delves into the broader implications of tech expenses in the nonprofit sector and offers practical advice for managing these upcoming changes. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:02 Microsoft's Licensing Changes Explained 01:19 Impact on Organizations 02:37 Timeline and Deadlines 03:09 Options and Solutions 05:37 Navigating the Admin Portal 09:03 Financial Implications 09:50 Nonprofit Sector Challenges 11:17 Security and Obfuscation 12:10 Practical Advice and Final Thoughts 17:18 Survival Guide and Final Remarks

Gates Foundation's Bold Plan and Legislative Challenges for Nonprofits In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed, George and Nick dive into significant developments affecting the nonprofit sector. The discussion kicks off with Bill Gates' groundbreaking announcement regarding the Gates Foundation, the largest American foundation by asset volume. Gates revealed plans to dissolve the foundation by December 2045, aiming to spend down its entire endowment of over $200 billion. The foundation will focus on three key goals: reducing preventable maternal and childhood deaths, eradicating deadly infectious diseases, and alleviating poverty. This decision is driven by cuts in U.S. foreign aid and the pressing need for immediate action in health and human development. Gates' approach reflects a shift in philanthropy, emphasizing immediate impact over legacy preservation, reminiscent of Mackenzie Scott's philanthropic strategy. This move is seen as both radical and necessary, aligning with the current urgency in addressing global challenges. The episode also covers legislative developments that could impact nonprofits. A provision in the House budget bill, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," could grant the executive branch broad powers to revoke 501(c)(3) status from nonprofits without due process. This echoes past legislative attempts and raises concerns about potential executive overreach, particularly targeting organizations involved in immigration, gender rights, and other contentious areas. Additionally, the bill proposes taxing investment income from large endowments, affecting major foundations and universities. While intended to address equity issues, critics argue it could harm philanthropic efforts by redirecting funds away from charitable work.