Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Just like the US, Brazil was hit really hard with COVID, and the Lemann Foundation was instrumental in forming a coalition of leaders to figure out how they could develop and distribute, what became the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine that now has been deployed throughout the country. This foundation has been particularly successful at building coalitions of leaders from a wide range of sectors, including the government, for-profit and nonprofit sectors in order to address some of Brazil’s biggest challenges. They were also deeply involved in Brazil’s COVID response. Lemann Foundation Rob’s guest today is the first nonprofit leader from the country of Brazil to be on the show. Denis Mizne is the CEO of the Lemann Foundation, which is one of Brazil’s leading nonprofit foundations that led the way in transforming educational opportunities in Brazil. The Lemann Foundation’s mission is to make Brazil a more just and equitable place by guaranteeing access to high quality public education for Brazilians of all backgrounds, while supporting the development of leaders committed to the social transformation of Brazil. Denis explains how the coalition was built and what led to its success, along with the role of nonprofits when it comes to solving complex problems and why facilitating dialogue is crucial, especially in a polarized political environment. He shares advice for other NGOs and nonprofits to leverage existing resources to tackle big issues by creating a plan, engaging stakeholders and monitoring where support is needed to help shift policies. Finally, Denis sheds light on the emotional and long term impacts of COVID, particularly for Brazil’s school-aged children, why it was vital to establish a national learning standard and the importance of improving school connectivity for the future of Brazil.     Links to Resources: Lemann Foundation: Website | Twitter | Linkedin |  Denis Mizne: Linkedin If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Every little swimmers’ goal is to stand on that podium at the Olympics, but it all starts with that first jump in the water and someone to show you how. Elizabeth Beisel, three-time olympian swimmer and 2016 USA swim team captain Rob’s guest is Elizabeth Beisel, a three-time olympian swimmer and the 2016 USA swim team captain. During her career, she won two Olympic medals and multiple world championships. Jumping into the pool for the first time at the age of five, it only took Elizabeth ten years to become an olympian. Over her grueling career, she learned that once you step on the blocks, it’s all about your mentality when you want to take it to that next level. Since retiring, she has turned her attention towards the nonprofit sector while continuing to keep her focus on swimming. Elizabeth was recently selected to serve on the USA Swimming Foundation board of directors.  The USA Swimming Foundation provides grants to local clubs, and has donated $3 million in the past several years. Their hope is that they can remove the financial barrier that might stand between low-income families and learning how to swim. To do this, they must fundraise, which mostly consists of donors who are in or around the sport. Elizabeth knows that maintaining their donor and volunteer base is vital to maintaining a successful and stable nonprofit. Links to Resources:Check out the USA Swimming Foundation to make a difference! If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at: rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ *Repost of a previous podcast.

You may have noticed a slow return to normal occurring, and with that return comes the opportunity to reflect back on this past year to see what we’ve learned from it. As you reflect, consider this question: What was one weakness in your organization that the COVID pandemic exposed? Or, on the flip side of that question—what was one strength that really stood out about your organization during the pandemic?  Mark Hrywna, Senior Editor for The NonProfit Times Rob’s guest today is Mark Hrywna, the Senior Editor for The NonProfit Times, who is constantly researching and writing about all things nonprofit. The NonProfit Times was established in 1987 in response to anything related to the business of running nonprofits, from human resources to fundraising.  Mark understands the challenges so many nonprofits have endured due to COVID, and shares the welcomed trends that developed over the past year such as an increase in online donations and successful online and hybrid events, and whether these trends will continue. However, he also addresses the uncertainty some nonprofits, especially smaller regional organizations, face when it comes to financial stability and survival. Mark breaks down what’s in store for nonprofits if and when COVID subsides, and how the new normal will impact donations, hybrid work environments, and employee relations. He draws attention to how COVID actually highlighted strengths of nonprofits most people aren’t aware of, and why nonprofit leaders must consistently communicate and be visible to remain authentic with employees and keep them engaged. Finally, Mark describes what gives him hope for the nonprofit sector and the surprising impact nonprofits have on the economy.    Links to Resources: The NonProfit Times: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin   If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.orgTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Social enterprises are surging, more B Corps are being formed and many large corporations now have a social impact arm. All of this has had a lot of nonprofits wondering, “What is the long term impact on nonprofits going to be with all this new ‘competition’?” Rob’s guest has started a network of leaders from across sectors that includes for-profit, nonprofit and cultural organizations, all with a perspective that has come from years of working with some of today’s largest companies with the goal of how they together can better collaborate with today’s nonprofits. Ian Schafer, CEO and co-founder of Kindred Rob’s guest today is Ian Schafer, the CEO and co-founder of Kindred, which is a membership network that provides opportunities for peer to peer collaboration and access to research data. Kindred also provides experts who can help business leaders make better informed decisions about company policies and actions, and at the end of the day, work with nonprofits better. Members include more than 200 C-suite executives from Fortune 500 companies which include Facebook, Chobani, Nike and well known nonprofit organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.  Ian explains why he believes more companies are facing accountability like never before and why more leaders need confidence and support to turn their intent to do good, into action. He shares why it’s okay to celebrate incremental small steps when implementing change and the difference between holding leadership responsible versus holding the company responsible. Finally, Ian describes Kindred’s vision for the future and how he hopes to amplify action, build a community of quality connections and scale to have a global impact.   Links to Resources: Kindred: Website | Twitter | Linkedin |  Ian Schafer: Twitter If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

2020 skyrocketed the move to online giving for all donors who give to nonprofits. Organizations who already had a clear and robust process for donors to give online really  benefited—those who didn’t, really struggled. They struggled to keep their giving on par with  previous years. Now, the question for all nonprofits of how to “future-proof” fundraising is constantly on our collective minds. So how does your organization go about doing that? Rob’s guest shares some fascinating data points gleaned from a recent report on the “state of philanthropy” within the nonprofit sector and why an easy and efficient online giving experience for your donors is absolutely essential for your organization’s future success and sustainability. Elizabeth Pun, Manager of Content at Classy Rob’s guest today is Elizabeth Pun, Manager of Content at Classy. Classy is a B-Corp that  focuses on closing the gap between nonprofit and for-profit businesses and Elizabeth is the  primary editor of Classy’s recent report entitled: The State of Modern Philanthropy 2021.  Elizabeth explains how empowering your event attendees to fundraise can organically increase your donations and provide more engagement. She breaks down why recurring giving, subscription services, and donation matching are excellent strategies to drive more funds and donations to your organization. Finally, Elizabeth shares valuable insight about creating a more robust online giving experience, and a powerful reminder that if you want to maximize donations to help safeguard and scale your organization, you must be able and willing to meet donors where they are. Links to Resources: Classy: Website  Read the report here. Collaborative Virtual Sessions Conference If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Ever wondered who makes sure your nonprofit’s website works as it should? Or who makes sure that when someone types in your nonprofit’s web address into Google, that they actually make it to your website and not to a site that explains all of the many languages Tolkien used in the original Lord of the Rings?  Public Interest Registry (PIR) Rob’s guest today is Jon Nevett, President and CEO of the Public Interest Registry or PIR. In short, the PIR is a nonprofit organization created to manage the entire .ORG domain. Their goal is this: “To  empower, through the Internet, those who are dedicated to improving our world.”   Jon breaks down what a registry operator does, why every top level domain has one and what it means to manage a domain. He also shares why PIR supports the nonprofit Internet Society and how nonprofits can benefit from .ORG Impact Awards. Similarly, Jon explains why PIR established an online Learning Center for .ORG nonprofits and how nonprofit leaders can benefit from this amazing resource. Finally, Jon encourages everyone to remember the value of the .ORG brand and that the more nonprofits in this space succeed, the better our world will be. Links to Resources: (Public Interest Registry) .ORG: Awards | Learning Center | Twitter | Stories  If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

When you hear the phrase “healthy work-life balance”, what goes through your mind? That it’s impossible or possibly just a myth? Or perhaps you know first hand how the pain of your work has negatively impacted your marriage, your family or your personal life. This topic is certainly not new, and with our new “work from home,  zoom-calls, always online world” that we are living in now, the hard edges between work and home have become even more difficult to define.  Megan Hyatt Miller, Author of Win at Work and Succeed at Life Rob’s guest today is Megan Hyatt Miller, who has written a book about work-life balance. Her new book is entitled: Win at Work and Succeed at Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself From the Cult of Overwork. Megan believes understanding the impact of work-life balance is a conversation that both nonprofit and for-profit leaders must continue to have.    Megan describes the innovative way her company introduced a 6-hour workday, the surprising results of this change while debunking the myth that overworking improves productivity. She explains why more leaders need to embrace work-life balance as a performance strategy, not just a philosophical discussion. She also defines what a “double-win” means and why getting clear on non-negotiables for self care, relational priorities, and professional results is mission critical. Finally, Megan talks about how COVID has allowed leaders to view their people more holistically. Links to Resources: Win and Succeed: Book | Bonuses | If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

There is no doubt today, especially after this last year, that the first place people find out about your organization is through your website. Unfortunately, many smaller nonprofits often don’t have the budget to create and maintain a quality website which then directly impacts their ability to both fundraise and get more volunteers to support their work. This is where 48in48 comes in. Sima Parekh of 48in48 Rob’s guest today is Sima Parekh, who currently has a full time job in the for-profit world, while at the same time helps lead the nonprofit organization 48in48. Established in 2015, 48in48’s mission is to provide skilled professionals to help build quality websites for nonprofits that otherwise couldn’t afford one.    Sima shares how 48in48 supports over 1000 nonprofits across the world and helps address gaps in equity, equality, and social justice by bringing volunteers and communities together through education and awareness. She discusses details about the different initiative-based special events 48in48 hosts, and why the goal is always to get volunteers to take action and improve the digital footprint of nonprofits. On the same note, Sima explains the most effective way to recruit volunteers, her vision for the future of 48in48 and how you can get involved today!    Links to Resources: 48in48: Website | Special Events |  If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Ever wondered how philanthropy and charity first began? The answer may surprise you! The Greek roots for the word “philanthropy” refer to the “love of humankind”. Rob’s guest today is author Paul Vallely who has written a new book that serves as an encyclopedic review of the origins and history of philanthropy and charity over the centuries. Paul argues that today, too many people and organizations have lost the true purpose of charity and he offers a way back to the roots of good philanthropy.    Paul Vallely, author of “Philanthropy: from Aristotle to Zuckerberg” Paul shares what led him to research the history of philanthropy, what surprised him most about how money moves through philanthropic organizations and who really benefits from donations. He also talks about how organizations can help recapture the missing element in philanthropy, particularly as it relates to the relationship between the rich and the poor. In short, Paul argues for having a more human and holistic vision of philanthropy that marries the head and the heart. Finally, Paul digs into why more nonprofit leaders need to focus on building partnerships by listening to and respecting the people they are trying to help and how the pandemic has actually strengthened philanthropy as a third pillar in society alongside government and the market.  Learn more about Paul’s book here: Paul Vallely: Website | Twitter |   If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Ursula Price, Executive Director of the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice (NOWCRJ) Although racial injustice and social equity issues have existed in our country for years, it seems as if 2020 was the year where we as an entire country started having these urgent conversations and discussions about racial injustice and inequality like never before.  Rob’s guest today is Ursula Price, Executive Director of the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice (NOWCRJ) and she will explore how these issues of racial equity and social justice have impacted New Orleans and what her nonprofit is doing about it. Ursula is an accomplished criminal justice reform champion with deep roots in community organizing. Born and raised in rural Mississippi, Ursula has been organizing for criminal justice reform in New Orleans since 2001. Ursula breaks down NOWCRJ’s multi-pronged approach and how they seek to be a voice for those who don’t think they have one. For smaller nonprofits that have much less than a million dollar budget, she shares the importance of preparation and strategies that help adjust to funding challenges, and the value of creating sustainable relationships that are true partnerships between nonprofits and donors. Ursula also discusses how to choose campaigns that are meaningful to your mission and how to build your credibility and expand your impact both at the local and national level. Links to Resources: New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   Accomplish more. Juggle less: BELAY If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/