We were lucky to catch up with Carla Palmer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carla , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

7 years ago, I was at a point where I felt stuck in my career. After 15 years with my nonprofit organization—10 of them in the same role—a new CEO came in and made drastic changes to our program structure. The team I was leading and my position were cut. I was devastated and unsure of my next steps. However, the leadership had noticed something in me: a superpower. I had a natural ability to build relationships easily, a crucial skill in fundraising. They offered me a choice: severance or a role as Corporate and Community Engagement Manager on the development team. Though I was terrified, accepting the new role turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made. When I started on the development team, I didn’t really understand how to raise $1,000. Today, I bring in multiple six-figure gifts from individual donors. I honed my relationship-building skills and leveraged my talent for creating win-win opportunities for both donors and nonprofit participants. Since then, I’ve been promoted three times and have served as Director of Development for the past three years—a position I never sought or envisioned for myself. You never know who’s watching or what opportunities await when one door closes.

In addition to fundraising, I host a podcast for midlife women called The bRight Side of 50. The podcast offers insight into the many experiences we face as women over 50. I talk about relationships, changes in our bodies, friendship, finding and operating in joy, cultivating an abundance mindset, travel, and fitness. My hope is that women will feel connected and inspired to live life fully—on the bRight Side. The bRight side is the right side, and we’re navigating this second half of life in a way that brings us peace, joy, and abundance.

Carla , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my journey in nonprofit work in 2000. As a single mom, I moved back to LA from Tulsa to take on a role with a nonprofit organization that worked with youth in underserved communities, supporting them with college preparation and entrance. From there, I transitioned to UCLA, where I worked in the chemistry and biochemistry department, supporting PhD students.

One day, my former Director called and asked me to work with her again. She had taken on a new role with a nonprofit that served foster youth. I was interested but clueless about the population. However, once I learned about foster care and what foster youth experience after emancipation, I knew it was an organization I needed to be a part of. Twenty-one years and six roles later, I’m still here.

I started The bRight Side with Carla Palmer podcast as an extension of my health and fitness movement, GYSB—Get Your Sexy Back. The fitness movement began after my 50-pound weight loss in 2009. I wanted to encourage women to take a holistic approach to weight loss and weight management. The bRight Side of 50 gives me a platform to have more in-depth conversations about health—spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I believe that building and maintaining strong relationships with donors is key to fostering their loyalty and continued support. My approach centers around consistent, personalized communication and genuine engagement.

First, I ensure that every donor feels appreciated by promptly acknowledging their contributions with personalized thank-you notes. I take the time to share how their support has made a tangible impact on the lives of the individuals we serve. I also keep donors informed about the organization’s progress through regular updates, newsletters, and annual reports. These communications highlight success stories, program outcomes, and upcoming initiatives, helping donors see the ongoing value and impact of their contributions.

In addition to regular updates, I make a point to engage with donors personally. Whether it’s through phone calls, one-on-one meetings, lunch or special events, my goal is to build a deeper connection with them. I listen to their interests and priorities, which allows me to align their passions with our organization’s mission and opportunities for giving.

I cultivate a sense of community among our donors by inviting them to be more involved in our work. Whether it’s through volunteer opportunities, site visits, or exclusive events, I create experiences that allow donors to see firsthand the impact of their support. These experiences not only strengthen their connection to our mission but also foster a deeper sense of commitment and loyalty.

Lastly, I focus on stewardship by continuously recognizing and celebrating our donors’ contributions. Whether through public acknowledgment or milestone celebrations, I make sure they know how much they mean to our organization.

All of this intentional and genuine stewardship helps me cultivate loyal, long-term relationships with my donors, increasing the likelihood of their ongoing support for our mission.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Four years ago, the world had to pivot when we were all rocked by the global pandemic. Yet, despite the uncertainty, the needs of our foster youth still had to be addressed.

Many nonprofits rely on an annual gala to raise a significant portion of their annual funding. However, in the spring of 2020, due to quarantine restrictions, our gala had to be postponed. This was a critical moment where my relationship-building skills were truly put to the test.

I reached out to a professional gamer with whom I had built a strong relationship over the years. I asked if he would consider hosting a private gaming fundraiser, where his community could come together to raise funds for foster youth. Because our relationship was solid and based on mutual respect, he agreed without hesitation. His virtual gaming event lasted over eight hours, and the significant amount of funds raised helped our organization stay afloat during the pandemic.

This experience taught me that the strength of our relationships—whether in fundraising, partnerships, or any area of life—can be a crucial lifeline in times of crisis. By cultivating genuine connections and trust, we open doors to innovative solutions and resilience, enabling us to navigate unexpected challenges and continue to thrive, no matter what obstacles we face.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/gysbmovement
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gysbmovement/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlampalmer/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPzdbhvVuZTM3iYoRA3NWow

Image Credits

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