Episode Details

What if your next big fundraising win wasn’t about adding more grants, galas, or gimmicks, but about simplifying and believing it could work?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Wardlow and Penn Street from Aftersight, an incredible organization supporting the blind and low-vision community through accessible media, podcasts, and programs. They share how they went from uncertainty to running a $20K in just 20 days campaign that exceeded its goal, using storytelling, matching gifts, and genuine connection. We talk about how they built confidence, engaged their board, and reimagined fundraising as something fun, creative, and totally possible. Plus, they share how their growing podcast network and the White Cane Project are helping more people than ever. If you’ve ever doubted whether your next campaign could actually take off, this story is proof that it can.

Topics:

• The story behind Aftersight’s “$20K in 20 Days” win
• How Kim and Penn overcame fear and doubt in fundraising
• Why podcasting became their tool for accessibility and donor engagement
• How they used matching gifts + storytelling to motivate donors
• The importance of accessible technology in fundraising (like Givebutter)
• How board members became advocates after campaign success
• What’s next: monthly giving and influencer partnerships 

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits like yours. Book your demo here. Read The 2026 Giving Signals Report here. 

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Resources:

• Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System
• Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator   
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers 
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter  
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links