Agents of Nonprofit

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Khalid Cannon to discuss how sports and community mentorship can help children of incarcerated parents break free from societal stigma. Through long-term mentorship, structured funding, and a business-minded approach, the organization ensures kids have the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances.Topics We Cover:Khalid Cannon’s personal journey from Alabama to Yale and how his upbringing influenced his passion for giving backThe impact of incarceration stigma on children and how it affects their opportunities and future prospectsHow Put Me In provides financial support to young athletes to cover sports-related expensesThe importance of long-term mentorship in shaping the success of children from underserved communitiesThe emotional and measurable success stories that highlight the deep impact of the programTo Learn More and Connect with Khalid:PutMeIn.orgPut Me In! on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Carmen Reis to explore the critical role of training in nonprofit success. The conversation also delves into AI’s growing influence in nonprofit education and the long-term benefits of investing in professional development.Topics We Cover:Why specialized training is essential for nonprofit professionalsThe best approach to training employees: onboarding vs. ongoing learningHow investing in training can actually improve employee retentionThe role of volunteers and board members in nonprofit trainingCertifications vs. real-world experience: Which matters more?How Pharo Academy is bridging the nonprofit knowledge gap with over 100 coursesMaking training accessible across Canada and the U.S.The future of AI in nonprofit training and educationTo Learn More and Connect with Carmen:Pharo Academy WebsiteHello@PharoNonprofit.comSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we welcome Maria Rio to explore Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF)—a fresh, equity-driven approach to fundraising that prioritizes the needs of the community over individual donors. Maria breaks down the ten principles of CCF, compares it to traditional donor-centric models, and shares actionable insights for nonprofits looking to make the shift.Topics We Cover:Maria’s journey into the nonprofit worldWhat Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) means and why it mattersThe key differences between donor-centric and community-centric modelsThe ten principles of CCF and how nonprofits can apply themThe origins of CCF and its evolution over the past eight yearsThe benefits of adopting a community-driven approach to fundraisingChallenges and misconceptions about transitioning to CCFThe future of nonprofit fundraising and where CCF is headedTo Learn More and Connect with Maria:Maria Rio on LinkedInThe Small Nonprofit PodcastGoFurtherTogether.caNonprofit AF BlogThe ten principles of Community-Centric FundraisingSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, host Alexander Lapa speaks with Nagi Alsubai, founder of Peer Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health in the Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian (MENASA) communities. Nagi shares his personal journey, from struggling with mental health stigma to creating a peer mentorship program that fosters open conversations and real change. Tune in to hear how mentorship, lived experience, and strategic partnerships are shaping a new approach to mental wellness.Topics We Cover:The inspiration behind Peer Minds and the need for culturally specific mental health supportHow stigma and cultural expectations impact mental health in MENASA communitiesThe power of mentorship and lived experience in overcoming mental health strugglesThe role of pop culture, including Avatar: The Last Airbender and Boy Meets World, in shaping mentorship modelsHow Peer Minds is creating safe spaces for Arab and South Asian men to discuss mental healthThe challenges and rewards of running a grassroots nonprofit organizationStrategies for building partnerships and expanding reach in the nonprofit sectorThe evolving role of virtual and in-person mentorship in supporting mental wellnessTo Learn More and Connect with Nagi:PeerMinds.org@PeerMindsMentors on Instagram@Peer-Minds on LinkedInE-Mail Nagi@PeerMinds.orgAvatar: The Last Airbender (TV series)Boy Meets World (TV series)Support the show

How can nonprofits build stronger, long-term donor relationships? In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Leigh Sandison, founder of Real Path, to discuss the importance of modernizing donor engagement strategies. Leigh shares insights from her journey in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, highlighting the gaps she noticed in fundraising approaches. She explains why many organizations struggle with donor retention, how outdated assumptions hinder fundraising success, and what nonprofits can do to build more effective, data-driven donor relationships.Topics We Cover:Leigh Sandison’s career journey from Macmillan Cancer Support to founding Real PathThe common mistakes nonprofits make when mapping the donor journeyWhy many fundraising strategies are based on internal assumptions rather than real donor insightsHow qualitative research, like donor interviews, can reshape engagement strategiesThe challenges of donor segmentation and why nonprofits often attract the same demographicsThe cost of acquiring new donors vs. retaining existing ones – and why retention is keyStrategies for calculating and increasing donor lifetime value (LTV)Hidden costs of donor acquisition and why nonprofits need to track their true fundraising expensesTo Learn More and Connect with Leigh:Email Leigh@RealPath.caRealPath.caLeigh Sandison on LinkedInSupport the show

The nonprofit sector is facing a major HR crisis, with high turnover rates and a shortage of experienced professionals. In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit I speak with Cindy Wagman about the root causes of these challenges and explores innovative solutions like fractional fundraising. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, consultant, or industry professional, this episode provides actionable strategies to strengthen your organization and retain top talent.Topics We Cover:Cindy's journey from volunteering to nonprofit consultingWhy nonprofits struggle to hire and retain skilled professionalsThe hidden costs of hiring underqualified staff for key rolesHow leadership gaps contribute to high turnover ratesThe impact of poor mentorship and training on nonprofit employeesWhat fractional fundraising is and how it benefits small organizationsThe difference between fractional consulting and traditional consultingTips for managing workload, setting boundaries, and choosing the right clients as a consultantTo Learn More and Connect with Cindy:FractionalFundraising.coNonprofitFractionals.comCindy Wagman on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I'm joined by Sharon Lee, a nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience. With the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Sharon challenges outdated industry practices and embraces innovative strategies to increase engagement and funding. Topics We Cover:How Sharon’s unexpected career shift led her to nonprofit workThe importance of questioning outdated practices in nonprofit organizationsInnovative fundraising strategies that move beyond traditional methodsThe power of storytelling and advocacy in driving systemic changeOvercoming resistance when introducing new ideas in nonprofitsSustainable community projects and how they empower local populationsServant leadership and its role in creating lasting impactThe future of nonprofit leadership and the importance of ongoing developmentTo Learn More and Connect with Sharon:CPFF.caInfo@CPFF.caSharon Lee on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with fundraising expert Jessie Katz to uncover the secrets of quick wins in nonprofit fundraising. From high-ROI fundraising events to long-term donor engagement tactics, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that can transform any nonprofit’s fundraising approach.Topics We Cover:Jesse Katz’s journey from social work to nonprofit fundraisingWhy traditional fundraising methods may not be as effective as you thinkWhat constitutes a "quick win" and how to identify them in your nonprofitReal-life example: Turning a $3,000 event into $250,000 in pledgesThe importance of systematizing and replicating successful fundraising modelsHow board members can use their networks to strengthen donor relationshipsCrafting a compelling case for support to drive donor engagementMoving beyond one-time donations: Building a culture of ongoing donor involvementTo Learn More and Connect with Jessie:Jessie@zivphilanthropy.comZivPhilanthropy.comSupport the show

 In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Jennifer Gardner, a former trial lawyer turned leadership coach, to discuss the vital role of emotional intelligence, empathy, and storytelling in effective leadership. Jennifer shares her journey from the courtroom to coaching, revealing how neuroscience and persuasion techniques can help nonprofit leaders engage stakeholders, influence change, and drive impact. Through real-world examples and research-backed insights, she explains why emotional intelligence isn’t just a soft skill—it’s the foundation of true leadership.Topics We Cover:How Jennifer Gardner transitioned from law to leadership coachingThe science behind empathy, mirror neurons, and human connectionWhy sensitivity and emotional awareness are key to persuasionThe role of emotional contagion in political and nonprofit leadershipBalancing logic and emotion for effective persuasionUsing storytelling, case studies, and data to inspire actionEthical influence: using persuasion for positive changeHow nonprofit leaders can develop emotional intelligence for greater impactTo Learn More & Connect with Jennifer:JenniferBGardner.comJennifer B Gardner on LinkedIn@iamjenniferbgardner on InstagramEmpathy, mirror neurons and SYNC articleEmotional Intelligence book by Daniel GolemanSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Katelyn Baughan, founder of KB Digital, to explore the untapped potential of email marketing for nonprofits. Katelyn shares her journey from the tech world to nonprofit marketing and dives deep into strategies that drive engagement, retain donors, and boost fundraising success. Topics We Cover:Katelyn's journey from tech to nonprofit marketing and her passion for email communicationWhy email marketing outperforms other channels with a 36:1 ROI for nonprofitsHow A/B testing can improve engagement and reveal audience preferencesKey email metrics to track: click-through rates, reply rates, and conversion ratesThe importance of maintaining a clean email list to optimize engagement and performanceStrategies for balancing value-driven content with direct fundraising asks (the 80/20 rule)How segmentation and targeted newsletters can boost engagement with specific audience groupsTips for creating effective fundraising emails during critical periods like year-end campaignsTo Learn More and Connect with Katelyn:KatelynBaughan.comKatelyn Baughan on LinkedInSupport the show