Agents of Nonprofit

In this powerful episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Ken Miller, whose life journey is nothing short of transformative. After overcoming a tumultuous childhood, addiction, and time in prison, Ken turned his life around to become a mentor and advocate for young Black men facing similar challenges. Ken’s story highlights the importance of self-belief, mentorship, and breaking through mental roadblocks to achieve personal growth.Topics We Cover:Ken Miller’s early life struggles and transformation from foster care to Dartmouth College.The impact of addiction and incarceration on Ken’s life and his eventual turning point.The pivotal moments that led to Ken’s recovery and new sense of purpose.The significance of mentorship, particularly within the Black male community.Challenges faced by young Black men, including the absence of father figures and societal pressures.The impact of gang violence and how respect and recognition play a role in youth behavior.Ken’s approach to mentoring, starting with the question, "What is your dream?"Key books and concepts used in Ken’s mentorship practice to foster self-esteem and trust.To Learn More and Connect with Ken:KenMillerSpeaks.comKen Miller on LinkedInThe Speed of Trust by Stephen CoveyThe Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel BrandenSupport the show

In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I'm joined by Lacey Kempinski, a former fundraiser turned entrepreneur, to explore the evolving concept of work-life balance in the nonprofit sector. Lacey shares her personal journey of navigating motherhood while maintaining her career and the founding of Balanced Good, a company that supports nonprofit leaders, particularly women, with parental leave solutions. Topics We Cover:The challenges of balancing work and parenthood in the nonprofit sectorWork-life integration: Why it’s a more sustainable solution than work-life balanceHow nonprofit leaders can manage parental leave without causing burnout or resentmentThe importance of offering flexible work environments to reduce burnoutDifferences between parental leave policies in Canada vs. the U.S.The difficulties of filling senior roles temporarily during parental leaveThe importance of grassroots advocacy and systemic changes for better parental leave policiesCollaborating with organizations and policymakers to improve parental leave benefitsTo Learn More and Connect with Lacey:Lacey Kempinski on LinkedInBalanced Good on LinkedInBalancedGood.com@BalancedGood on InstagramSupport the show

In this special New Year episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I'm joined by my niece Ruby for a refreshingly candid conversation about artificial intelligence, technology’s impact on jobs, and the possibilities of a utopian future.Ruby, a bright and curious sixth-grader, shares her concerns about robots replacing humans in the workforce and discusses her hopes for a world where people can pursue their passions without financial worries. Together, they dive into topics like Universal Basic Income, the ethics of AI-generated art, and what it might mean to live in a society without money.This engaging special episode blends thoughtful musings with a dash of youthful imagination - and next week we continue with our regularly scheduled episodes with the regularly scheduled format. Support the show

 In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Puneet Luthra, a government relations expert with a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector. Puneet discusses the critical role these relationships play in influencing policy, securing funding, and driving change on social issues. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Puneet provides practical advice on building strategic partnerships with government bodies, aligning nonprofit goals with public priorities, and fostering long-term, collaborative efforts to create lasting societal impact.Topics We Cover:Puneet’s journey into nonprofit-focused government relations and his early experiences with Big Brothers Big Sisters of CanadaThe importance of aligning nonprofit goals with government prioritiesHow nonprofits can influence public policy and secure funding through strategic government relationsNavigating the complex dynamics between nonprofits and government entitiesUnderstanding the motivations of high-net-worth individuals and government bodies to foster better relationshipsReal-world examples of nonprofit persistence in addressing long-standing societal issuesThe value of maintaining neutrality and avoiding partisan stances when engaging with the governmentPractical steps for nonprofits starting their government relations efforts, including identifying key stakeholders and reaching out to local representativesTo Learn More and Connect with Puneet:GovernmentRelations.caPuneet.Luthra@gmail.comSupport the show

In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Jarrett Ransom, affectionately known as "The Nonprofit Nerd," to discuss her passion for nonprofit work, her unique journey, and her philosophy on fostering wellness and abundance within the sector. Together, we explore the importance of moving away from scarcity-driven mindsets, embracing wellness in nonprofit organizations, and creating sustainable systems to support employees and communities alike.Topics We Cover:How Jarrett Ransom earned the title "The Nonprofit Nerd" and what it means to herThe early life experiences that shaped Jarrett’s passion for philanthropyWhy involving children in community service fosters lifelong habits of givingUnderstanding scarcity vs. abundance mindsets in nonprofit organizationsHow shifting to an abundance mindset impacts organizational culture and effectivenessThe connection between giving and personal well-being for individuals and teamsPractical ways to incorporate wellness initiatives into nonprofit workplacesTackling financial challenges and ensuring fair compensation for nonprofit employeesTo Learn More and Connect with Jarrett:Jarrett Ransom on LinkedIn@nonprofit_nerd on InstagramSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I chat with Caroline Griffin about the transformative power of donor-centric messaging. Caroline shares her unique journey from aspiring Broadway performer to nonprofit professional, weaving together her passion for communication and storytelling. This conversation offers actionable tips for strengthening donor retention and deepening connections through thoughtful messaging.Topics We Cover:Caroline Griffin’s inspiring pivot from theater to nonprofit workWhat "donor-centric messaging" really means and how it goes beyond just using names in emailsThe 7:1 ratio of value-based communication to fundraising asks—and why it worksHow timing and planning can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy.The power of open-ended questions like “Why did you donate?” in uncovering donor motivationsLeveraging AI tools to analyze donor data and draft impactful communicationsBalancing personalization with scalability as nonprofit donor lists growPractical tactics for engaging donors on social media, via SMS, and through emailTo Learn More and Connect with Caroline:Caroline Griffin on LinkedInE-Mail Caroline GriffinSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we welcome Emma Cotner, co-founder of Learn and Earn, an inspiring initiative providing essential online education resources to Ukrainian refugee students affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Emma discusses the program’s unique approach to supporting students aged 9-16 with critical resources like Chromebooks and internet access, the challenges of scaling, and plans for sustainable growth.Topics We Cover:The origin story of the Learn and Earn program and its mission to support Ukrainian refugeesHow Emma and her classmates identified a gap in educational resources for displaced studentsThe role of social media and Ukrainian influencers in scaling the program's outreachKey challenges in providing Chromebooks and internet access to refugee students in needThe significance of launch events in building community and teaching tech skillsFunding efforts, including an annual gala and individual donor contributionsScaling issues and the impact of a growing waitlist on program sustainabilityPlans for future expansion, including corporate partnerships and streamlined logisticsTo Learn More and Connect with Emma:Learn and Earn WebsiteContact Learn and EarnSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Ben Freda, a former corporate lawyer turned nonprofit leader, to discuss his transformative journey into mission-driven work. We dive into the potential of AI in nonprofits, the ethical implications of advanced AI, and the steps organizations can take to harness technology for meaningful impact.Topics We Cover:Ben’s journey from corporate law to nonprofit consulting, and what fueled his decision to change careersHow an unexpected volunteer role inspired Ben’s passion for community-focused workThe current impact of AI on nonprofit operations, from automating tasks to boosting productivityWhy generative AI, like ChatGPT, is especially useful for small to medium-sized nonprofitsThe potential of predictive AI to improve donor management and fundraising strategiesChallenges that nonprofits face in adopting AI, particularly around data organization and costEthical considerations surrounding AI, including the potential risks of advanced general intelligence (AGI)A hopeful vision for the future, where AI enables nonprofits to focus on tasks requiring human connection and creativityTo Learn More and Connect with Ben:AI ConsultingBFCDigital.comEmail Ben@BFCDigital.comSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I dive into an insightful conversation with Christina Edwards, a seasoned consultant specializing in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Christina challenges nonprofits to embrace agility, risk-taking, and genuine connection to better reach and resonate with today's audiences.Topics We Cover: Christina’s journey from creative entrepreneur to nonprofit consultantWhy nonprofits often lag behind in digital marketing—and how to change thatIntegrating marketing and fundraising efforts to maximize impactUsing storytelling as a tool for effective donor engagementUnderstanding modern audience behaviors and adapting to their expectationsOvercoming organizational resistance to digital marketing innovationPractical tips for writing authentic, relatable nonprofit emailsFinding a balance between professionalism and personality in communicationTo Learn More and Connect with Christina:Purpose & Profit Club PodcastSplendid Consulting WebsiteSplendid Consulting on InstagramSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Sheri Chaney Jones, a leader in impact measurement for nonprofits, to discuss how data-driven strategies can strengthen nonprofit credibility, improve program effectiveness, and increase funding opportunities. Sheri shares her "renaissance of relevance" framework, highlighting why nonprofits must embrace data not only for accountability but also for continuous improvement in serving their communities.Topics We Cover:Sheri's journey into data analytics and her passion for measuring nonprofit impactWhy the "renaissance of relevance" is essential for nonprofit credibilityHow nonprofits can benefit from data-driven decision-making, especially during economic downturnsExamples of how data exposed unexpected program outcomes, leading to crucial changesTechniques for measuring intangible outcomes like confidence and self-sufficiencyUsing dashboards and data visualizations to build a data-centric cultureCommunicating impact through a three-point story: activity, quality, and benefitsThe importance of leadership commitment to foster a culture of continuous improvement and transparencyTo Learn More and Connect with Sheri:SureImpact.comSheri Chaney Jones on LinkedInSupport the show