The positive impact of adoption-friendly workplace policies for nonprofits, with insights from Mary Ellen Smalley, Director of Brand and Cause Awareness at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This fast-paced learning episode explores the Foundation's Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace list for 2024, showcasing organizations leading the charge in supporting adoptive and foster parents through robust benefits and inclusive environments. You’ll hear about resources and guidance for im...

The Cultivate 2024 conference for nonprofits, from San Diego, proved to be an electrifying and insightful event, showcasing the passion and dedication of professionals in the nonprofit sector. The two-day gathering of nonprofit professionals from around the country, hosted by Fundraising Academy, boasted a packed schedule of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. The conference, now in its second year, witnessed significant growth and interest. Keynote speaker Jason Champion set t...

The founder of Sara's Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption, Tracy Frank, shares her inspiring journey of dedication and compassion spanning nearly three decades, with Show host Mitch Stein. SaraSanctuary.org, located in Seguin, TX, stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to saving animals from abandonment and providing them with a loving sanctuary. She reflects, "No matter how hard this is on its worst day, it's still the best thing I've ever experienced. Starting this...

The topic of nurturing and advancing Superstar talent within nonprofit organizations, featuring Miriam Dicks from 180 Management Group. Miriam describes the challenges and strategies surrounding nonprofit’s talent management, particularly in mission-driven spaces like nonprofits. With a decade of experience, Miriam starts with the importance of recognizing and stewarding hidden gems within organizations, ensuring that talent is retained and supported effectively. She points to the necessity o...

Exploring a whole new dimension of nonprofit storytelling. The potential of nonprofit organizations writing books. We uncover the transformative power of storytelling through the lens of publishing, with host Julia Patrick and guest, Ben Gioia, author of "Influence With A Heart". Ben's journey, from facing mortality in India to a galvanized commitment to serve, forms the backdrop of his message. As he shares, "Influence With A Heart is the ongoing invitation to offer someone to say yes to you...

Insights into the complexities of labor and executive recruitment (aka headhunting or poaching) within the nonprofit sector. Led by Katie Warnock, CEO and founder of Staffing Boutique. Host Julia Patrick sets the stage by reflecting on the tumultuous changes the nonprofit workforce is witnessing, describing it as "incredibly diverse" and almost "schizophrenic." Katie echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the drastic transformation from the past to the present, wondering if the nonprofit labor fo...

Discover key insights from "10 Epic Fundraising Fails – Part 2". Unpacking the most common mistakes in nonprofit fundraising. Practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls in fundraising, ensuring your nonprofit can engage donors effectively and secure essential funding. Host Julia Patrick and fundraising expert Jack Alotto discuss donor presentations, the importance of making the ask, mastering donor stewardship, maintaining ethical standards, and developing a personal fundrai...

Are you ready to dig into the world of nonprofit fundraising failure? We uncover the top ten fundraising failures and how to sidestep them. We're joined by the brilliant Jack Alotto CFRE, a seasoned expert from the Fundraising Academy at National University. In this part one of a two-part series, we explore embracing strategic planning, crafting compelling narratives, understanding donor motivations, and prioritizing stewardship. Jack begins with comments on the importance of strategic...

Five years ago, Derrick Young, Jr. embarked on a mission to address the lack of diversity in advanced education, particularly in fields like law, medicine, and STEM. Despite facing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in corporate support, the nonprofit he founded, Leadership Brainery , has emerged as a beacon of hope for underrepresented communities seeking access to higher education. Co-hosts Julia Patrick and Mitch Stein welcome back Derrick for an insightful discussion o...

From including both spouses on nonprofit’s campus tours to the effectiveness of donor swag and the choice between upscale venues and authentic experiences for wealthy donors, LaShonda Williams and Julia Patrick share actionable insights on questions from viewers. When a viewer asks about including both spouses on a campus tour for potential major donors, LaShonda points to the importance of involving both individuals in the relationship-building process. She stresses the need for alignment an...

In the fast-changing world of nonprofits, staying true to mission while resisting the allure of scope creep can be a challenging dance. Miriam Dicks, founder and CEO of 180 Management Group, recently shed light on this topic during a riveting chat with hosts Mitch Stein and Sherry Quam Taylor. Miriam begins by defining scope creep, drawing parallels to its militaristic synonym, mission creep. She shares the webster definition, "Mission creep is a gradual shift in objectives during the c...

The role of leadership development in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the need for leaders to be adaptable, self-aware, and mission-focused to effectively guide their organizations through challenging times, shared in a compelling dialogue with two notable experts in nonprofit leadership development, John Tiso, Director of Client Services at JMT Consulting, and Dr. John Davidoff, founder and Chief Mission Officer of Davidoff Mission-Driven Business Strategy. This dynamic interview explores...

The historic venue, WOW Hall, a cherished cultural anchor in Eugene, Oregon, stands as a testament to community resilience and collaboration.  Executive Director of the nonprofit, Deb Maher, shared their story, which embodies a vision-driven approach, emphasizing the power of positivity and collective action in transforming communities. WOW Hall, originally established in 1932 as a fraternity for woodworkers, faced near-demolition in 1975. However, a swift community effort saved the...

Navigating the relationship between nonprofit accounting and development departments. With a focus on collaboration and understanding, how these two essential facets of nonprofit organizations can work harmoniously for success, with our guest, Patricia Withington, Director at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC.com). Patricia emphasizes the necessity for alignment between the accounting and development departments, debunking  some common misconceptions and highlighting the symbiotic nature of...

Groundbreaking insights behind understanding major nonprofit donors, with a donor research tool that determines how much a donor might give. Donor Abacus operationalizes donor research, providing an objective, bias-free approach to determining the ideal donation amount for major gifts. By analyzing key data points and leveraging subscriber insights, Donor Abacus boasts predictive accuracy within 5% of actual pledges, empowering fundraisers to confidently navigate gift conversations and assess...

The transformative potential of strategic fundraising approaches grounded in donor-centricity, digital innovation, and proactive volunteer engagement in 2024.  We are led by Katie Gaston, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Bloomerang, and she talks about meeting donors where they are, leveraging technology, and cultivating volunteer support.  By embracing these principles, nonprofits can unlock new avenues for growth, sustainability, and mission impact. As Katie begins, being a storyteller...

12-year-old Arjun Sharda, founder, and executive director of Tleem.org, shares his remarkable nonprofit journey towards empowering individuals through education and technology. We hear how he formed Tleem.org at such a young age. With its mission to foster creativity and entrepreneurship among youth, Arjun’s insights demonstrate the power of purpose and persistence. He’s a “Student by day and Executive Director at night”! Arjun Sharda reflects on his youthful passionate journey by pointing...

New research in understanding nonprofit donor’s, helping guide nonprofits towards better communications with donors, with Jane Pfeiffer, founder of FieldTrip. Jane's research reveals three distinct nonprofit supporter segments: empathetic, skeptical, and disconnected, which are not solely defined by demographics but by their beliefs, motivations, and views on nonprofit missions. Each segment requires tailored storytelling approaches to effectively engage and maintain support. Moreover, Jane...

From dealing with large nonprofit donors and trust advisors, sorting nonprofit board member financial obligations, to explaining concepts like nonprofit cause selling and board dynamics, hosts Julia Patrick and Muhi Khwaja answer questions from nonprofits. When faced with the dilemma of whether to bring someone else to a meeting with a large donor and their trust advisor, Muhi advises diversifying the skill set within the organization. He suggests involving estate planning lawyers or...

Mental and physical burnout in the nonprofit sector is an unfortunate reality, but there are ways to address it constructively. Meico Whitlock, founder of Mindful Techie, shares insights on how to protect ourselves from the ravages of nonprofit work.  Meico introduces a refreshing perspective on navigating burnout, urging us to change the conversation, with guidance that begins with, "We're not chasing dollars or titles; we're driven by a personal mission to leave the world better than we...

The role of a fundraiser extends far beyond mere solicitation; it's about fostering a culture of philanthropy, building trust, and creating lasting impacts. Ken Phillips, named the Association of Fundraising Professional’s “2024 Fundraiser of the Year”, embodies these principles with remarkable distinction. In an insightful conversation with host Julia Patrick, Ken shares invaluable perspectives on the evolving landscape of fundraising and its profound significance in shaping a better world....

The transformative power of technology in leveling the playing field in nonprofit finance. Jackie Tiso, CEO of JMT Consulting, discusses finding answers to finance-tech questions for nonprofits. Jackie shares JMT Consulting's remarkable journey as a remote company serving nonprofits for over 30 years and elaborates on the evolution of technology and its impact on nonprofit operations, stressing the importance of financial management over traditional accounting practices. She speaks to the...

Preventing fraud in nonprofit organizations, with key strategies and actionable tips, for organizations to mitigate risks and maintain financial integrity. In today's digital age, nonprofit organizations face an array of challenges, including the looming threat of fraud. Jennifer Alleva, CEO of Your Part-Time Controller, sheds light on implementing robust strategies to safeguard against fraudulent activities, outlining the role of internal controls, proper oversight, and proactive measures in...

Nonprofit’s asked; Are donors always right?  Why don’t nonprofit’s pay commissions? How should fundraisers cover expenses? Should nonprofits apply for as many grants as possible? The host, with guest host LaShonda Williams, from Fundraising Academy, addressed these topics with expert insightful responses, focused on strategic thinking in nonprofit fundraising. They emphasize the need for alignment between grant applications and an organization's existing programs, highlighting the potential...

The role of a Board Treasurer in a nonprofit extends beyond accounting tasks to encompass strategic financial oversight, transparency, and accountability. By prioritizing timely financial reporting, active engagement in budget discussions, and promoting transparency, treasurers play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nonprofit’s financial stability and mission fulfillment. Jackie McLaughlin, a CPA with Chazin and Company, begins by dispelling the myth that only finance professionals can...