Episode #57 | Community-Centric Fundraising with Rachel D’Souza

With this episode we launch a special two-part series with Rachel D’Souza, founder of Gladiator Consulting and member of the Community-Centric Fundraising Global Council. We dive in and explore the transformative power of community-centric fundraising—a groundbreaking movement centered on equity, collaboration, and sustainability in the nonprofit sector. Rachel talks about how to rethink power dynamics, what innovative funding practices can look like, addresses generational shifts in giving, and explores technology’s role in philanthropy. She also shares how embracing discomfort can drive systemic change, enabling nonprofits to evolve in a rapidly shifting social and economic landscape. Join us next week for part two of this series, where Rachel dives into actionable strategies for integrating community-centric practices into your fundraising events.

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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. 

Greater Giving: https://go.greatergiving.com

Speakers

Samantha Swaim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaimstrategies/

Kristin Steele

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaimstrategies/

Rachel D’Souza

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gladiatorrds/

| RESOURCES |

Book Consulting Time with Sam and Kristin: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#consulting

Learn More About Elevate and the Elevate Conference for Your Fundraising Events: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/

Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book

Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com

Connect with The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/

The Ethical Rainmaker: https://theethicalrainmaker.com

Gladiator Consulting: https://www.gladiatorrds.com/

What the Fundraising: https://malloryerickson.com/book/

Philanthropology: https://www.epip.org/philanthropology2024

Community-Centric Fundraising: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/

The Generosity Commission: https://www.thegenerositycommission.org/

Bank of America Study of Philanthropy:

https://scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/2fd1581e-c1a0-43de-a174-a3080d019fc2/content

adrienne maree brown: https://adriennemareebrown.net/