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In this episode John Lepp, co-founder of Agents of Good and author of Creative Deviations, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about what it truly means to be human in fundraising. John makes the case that empathy isn't just a buzzword, it's the foundation of every meaningful donor relationship. He challenges fundraisers to pause before hitting send on that next e-blast and ask: what do I want this person to think, feel, and do? Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, John argues that "messy" human communication — smeared ink, handwritten notes, a stamp placed on an angle — consistently outperforms polished, corporate-looking outreach because it signals to donors that a real person took the time to care.
John also pushes back on the sector's growing obsession with automation and AI, arguing that the fundamentals like a handwritten thank-you card within 48 hours of a gift and a single phone call per year, do more to improve donor retention and lifetime value than any shiny new tool. He encourages fundraisers to see themselves as creative beings, reframing creativity not as a rare gift but as a muscle everyone can build, one small deviation at a time. His parting advice is deceptively simple: ask why more often. That single word, he says, opens the door to curiosity, conversation, and the kind of courageous change that makes fundraising and the sector more human.
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This Episode Brought to You by:
Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com
Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.
The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/
As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.
Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw
Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.
Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/
Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.
Speakers
Samantha Swaim
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/
Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies
Kristin Steele
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/
Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies
John Lepp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlepp/
| RESOURCES |
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Connect with The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/
Connect with Agents of Good: https://agentsofgood.org/
Free Resources from Agents of Good: https://agentsofgood.org/resources
Get Creative Deviations by John Lepp: https://hilborn-civilsectorpress.com/collections/new-releases/products/creative-deviations
Get John Lepp’s Resources: https://agentjohnlepp.myshopify.com
The Fundraising Elevator Episode with Jen Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crOZxFCeoyY
Get Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin: https://www.powells.com/book/tribes-we-need-you-to-lead-us-9781591842330?condition=Used%20-%20Good
