ABOUT THIS EPISODE
As traditional funding sources shift, many nonprofits are asking a hard question: can individual giving become a meaningful and sustainable revenue stream? In this episode of High-Impact Growth, Amie Vaccaro and Jonathan Jackson sit down with Javan Van Gronigen, founder of Donate.ly, to unpack what it truly takes to make that transition work.
Drawing from more than a decade in digital fundraising, Javan shares why storytelling—not technology—is the most critical asset nonprofits have, and why so many organizations struggle by committing “random acts of marketing.” The conversation explores how to move from one-to-one fundraising toward scalable, one-to-many models without burning limited budgets, and how testing small bets is essential before going all-in.
The group also digs into the evolving role of AI in fundraising—from speeding up content creation and data analysis to raising new ethical questions about authenticity and trust. Whether you’re testing individual giving for the first time or rethinking your entire fundraising strategy, this episode offers a grounded, honest roadmap for navigating a more crowded and uncertain funding landscape.
Related Resources:
https://www.fiftyandfifty.org/services/engagement-os
https://invisiblechildren.com/
Sign up to our newsletter, and stay informed of Dimagi’s work
We are on social media - follow us for the latest from Dimagi: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube
If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.
Hosts: Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro
