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Image of Beyond the Donation Podcast logo and a phone with a photo of Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy.

Ep. 43 | Building Impact and Community: An Inspiring Journey with We Are For Good

In this episode of Beyond the Donation, host Matt Bitzegaio chats with Becky Endicott and John McCoy from We Are For Good. They share their journey from university colleagues to founders of a media ecosystem centered around philanthropy and generosity. Becky and John discuss their unique approach to storytelling, community building, and the importance of shifting from transactional to relationship-focused fundraising. They also introduce their 'Impact Uprising' initiative, which aims to create local and global conversations about key issues. The episode delves into practical advice for nonprofit leaders, emphasizing donor engagement and the long game of building movements. Listeners are encouraged to get involved and learn how small actions can collectively make a significant impact.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:22 The Journey of We Are For Good

01:56 Challenges and Transformations

03:57 Building a Community-Centric Approach

08:17 Impact Uprising and Its Growth

16:02 Shifting from Transactional to Relational Fundraising

23:42 Advice for Nonprofit Leaders

32:14 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

To Connect with We Are For Good:

Website | We Are For Good LinkedIn | Jon LinkedIn | Becky LinkedIn

To Connect with Beyond the Donation Podcast:

BTD Podcast | DonorDock LinkedIn | Matt LinkedIn

How do nonprofits use storytelling to engage donors?

Use real people — one named beneficiary, one specific moment, one outcome — instead of statistics. Tell stories across every channel in sequence: a longer version on the blog, a condensed version in email, a one-sentence version in text. Donors respond to faces and moments far more reliably than to averages and totals. Stories turn data into meaning.

Last updated
April 25, 2026
Why is relational fundraising better for donor retention?

Because donors give to organizations that make them feel known. Transactional fundraising asks, thanks, and asks again. Relational fundraising asks, thanks, reports, connects, listens, and then asks when the donor is ready. Industry retention data consistently shows that relational programs retain donors at double-digit percentage points above transactional ones.

Last updated
April 25, 2026
Do nonprofits need a storytelling system?

Yes. Good stories without a sending system go nowhere; a sending system without good stories is noise. Pair your CRM's segmentation and automation with a content calendar and a simple library of mission stories, staff-pick quotes, and donor testimonials. That combination is a storytelling system — and it scales in a way one-off emails do not.

Last updated
April 25, 2026
What is the 'start with the person' storytelling strategy?

Open every story with a specific individual — their name, their situation, one sensory detail — instead of the organization's background. Research on donor psychology consistently shows that identifiable-victim stories outraise statistical appeals by large margins. "Maria, a 62-year-old grandmother in Cleveland…" outperforms "1,200 seniors served this year" every time.

Last updated
April 25, 2026
Author
Sarah O'Brien
Marketing and Outreach Manager
Last updated:
April 28, 2026
Written by
Sarah O'Brien
Marketing and Outreach Manager

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