She Doubled Her Fundraising While Her Son Was in Cancer Treatment — Inside The SPRINT Method™

Dina Besic started Maxwell's Toy Box because her two-year-old son Max wanted a train table in his oncology playroom. Three years later, while working a demanding full-time corporate job, raising two kids, and navigating Max's cancer treatment, she built an organization that has supported over 5,000 children, donated $9,100 directly to families, delivered 8,500 toys, and created 4,064 joy packages for children receiving chemotherapy… and she doubled her fundraising year over year with the support of The SPRINT Method™. In this episode, Dina shares how she got out of her own way, moved from begging friends and family to running peer-to-peer campaigns and securing corporate sponsorships, and shifted her donors from giving physical toys to unrestricted cash donations. We also talk about the identity shift that changed everything, and what she would tell the version of herself who was terrified to ask. 00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Dina Besic 00:27 Max's Diagnosis — How Maxwell's Toy Box Was Born 02:25 Max Today — Done With Treatment 05:50 The Three Programs: Toy Drops, Joy Packages, Family Support 09:08 Seeing the Gaps — How Lived Experience Shaped the Organization 10:31 Why Dina Joined The Purpose & Profit Club® 12:14 The Power of Community — You're Not the Only One 14:04 Doubling Fundraising Year Over Year 16:15 From Friends and Family to Peer-to-Peer and Corporate Sponsorships 17:35 TikTok, Viral Moments, and Moving Viewers to Donors 18:45 Shifting From Toy Giving to Cash Donations — Why It Matters 19:52 Negotiating With Manufacturers — 8,500 Toys Donated in 2025 20:07 The Impact: $9.1K to Families, 4,064 Joy Packages 22:14 The Identity Shift — From Nervous Asker to Mission-First Fundraiser 24:27 What Dina Would Tell Her Past Self 28:41 What's Next: $10 Brave Bag Campaign and Doubling Again 30:10 Where to Connect With Dina and Maxwell's Toy Box 31:00 Thought on Purpose: My Kids Are Watching Me For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here (https://www.splendidatl.com/podcast/s...) Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here (https://christinaedwards.krtra.com/t/...) . Resources: • FREE SIGN UP: $10K in 10 Days: The Campaign Plan You Can Run From Your Laptop - Live Thursday, August 20th at 12 PM ET [details here (https://www.splendidcourses.com/10k)] • Easy Emails For Impact™ - Turn Your Inbox into an Income Stream [details here (https://www.splendidcourses.com/easy) ] • The SPRINT Method™ - for 5 Figure Fundraisers [details here (https://www.splendidcourses.com/sprint) ] • The Purpose & Profit Group Coaching Program (apply here: (https://christinaedwards.krtra.com/t/...) ] #NonprofitFundraising #FundraisingStrategy #NonprofitLeadership #SPRINTMethod #NonprofitGrowth #PurposeAndProfitClub #NonprofitFounder #DonorEngagement #NonprofitPodcast #FundraisingMindset #PeerToPeerFundraising #ChildrensNonprofit