Agents of Nonprofit

Welcome to a special holiday episode of Agents of Nonprofit! I sit down with a true superhero, my dad, George Lapa. Join the heartwarming conversation as George shares his unique life story, from escaping war-torn Latvia to a career shift from engineering to a fulfilling retirement as a tech-savvy volunteer.Join this festive episode for a delightful blend of family anecdotes, tech tales, and the genuine joy that comes from making a difference in the nonprofit world.Happy New Year and we look forward to speaking with more nonprofit superheroes in 2024!Support the show

Today we're joined by Derek Kessen for an insightful exploration into the world of building thriving teams and making impactful decisions in the nonprofit landscape. Delve into Derek's journey from financial markets to the nonprofit world, driven by a mission to infuse business acumen into the heart of nonprofits. Explore a four-pillar formula for long-term organizational success and uncover the power of wise decision-making in nonprofit leadership.Topics We Cover:Derek's journey and the motivations behind transitioning from financial markets to the nonprofit sectorBusiness Principles for NonprofitsThe significance of a clear organizational purpose and leveraging data for impactful decision-makingUnderstanding that decisions aren't set in stone and the vital role of revisiting and adjusting for organizational growthDerek's insights on aligning teams with decisions and fostering a collaborative cultureThe importance of cultivating a unified direction within the organization for amplified impactPractical tips for overcoming common challenges and creating a thriving nonprofit ecosystemTo Learn More and Connect with Derek:Derek on LinkedInOnCenter WebsiteOnCenter Consulting on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we have a captivating conversation with Lindsay McGuire, a seasoned board member with a passion for diverse causes. We unravel the world of board membership, its profound impact on personal growth, and it's significance in the nonprofit sector. Lindsay shares her journey from a local food bank intern to contributing to boards like Make-A-Wish and Junior League of Indianapolis. This episode provides valuable insights into the multifaceted world of nonprofit board membership, offering a compelling narrative that encourages personal growth, community building, and impactful service.Topics We Cover:Lindsay's personal journey rooted in her mother's influence, sparking her love for service and communityThe motivations behind becoming a board member, emphasizing the opportunity to align with passion areas and contribute to causes beyond one's daily careersThe self-development aspect of board serviceSense of community and connection that board service fosters, uniting like-minded individuals to work toward shared goalsSetting clear expectations for board members, advising potential candidates to seek clarity on time commitments, financial contributions, and specific roles within the organizationRepresentation of the audience being served, diversity of age on the board, and overall board diversityThe need for boards to modernize their approach, making meetings more accessible and efficientTo Learn More and Connect with Lindsay:Lindsay McGuire on LinkedInJunior LeagueFurther Listening: Lindsay on Unpopular Opinion PodcastSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit we sit down with the insightful Sabrina Walker Hernandez to delve into the art of building and growing a dynamic board of directors for nonprofits. From superhero origin stories to the nitty-gritty of strategic decision-making, this episode is a treasure trove of advice for those navigating the complexities of the nonprofit sector.Topics We Cover:Sabrina's unique journey from a church upbringing to becoming a key player in the nonprofit sectorThe crucial roles of a board: trusteeship, oversight, and ensuring necessary resourcesInsights into the art of strategic decision-making and the pitfalls of micromanagementUncover the essential steps in starting and strategically growing a boardThe significance of assembling a diverse and skilled dream team to achieve nonprofit goalsIdentifying expertise gaps within the boardPractical advice on finding potential board members through community involvementRecommended expertise areas for effective board members, including marketing, finance, and legal knowledgeHow a board with diverse skill sets can contribute to the overall success of a nonprofit organizationTo Learn Moree and Connect with Sabrina Walker Hernandez:SupportingWorldHope.comSupport the show

We're joined in this episode by Lori Zoss Kraska, a seasoned expert in corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. Lori shares her journey from PBS and NPR to diverse nonprofits, offering valuable insights into the world of corporate partnerships. From effective outreach strategies to understanding corporate giving trends, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the nonprofit industry.Topics We Cover:Distinguishing between corporate sponsorships, major gifts, and general fundraising, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of corporate support for nonprofitsAligning nonprofit goals with corporate values, with a focus on well-defined initiatives The strategic communication techniques, combining brevity and gratitude in initial messages to capture corporate interest effectivelyStages of corporate partnerships, from introductory outreach and get-to-know-you meetings to the careful timing of proposal presentationsWaiting after making sponsorship requests, understanding corporate timelines, and employing strategic follow-up techniques to maintain engagementTech Tools in Sponsorship EffortsFuture Trends in Corporate PhilanthropyTo Learn More and Connect with Lori:Lori on LinkedInGrowth Owl WebsiteSupport the show

Chris Miano, from an Italian storytelling household to military service, discusses the transformative power of narratives. MemoryFox evolved into a tool for nonprofits, collecting impactful stories for fundraising. Ethical storytelling and respecting storytellers' preferences is crucial. User-generated content's impact, AI's integration in content planning, tagging, and video creation is envisioned for nonprofits.

In this episode of *Agents of Nonprofit*, your host Alexander Lapa sits down with James Goalder from Bloomerang. As they embark on a conversation about nonprofit CRM systems, they uncover the unique qualities of Bloomerang, a valuable alternative to Salesforce. James shares his captivating journey from photographer to nonprofit work, leading to his role at Bloomerang. Explore the wealth of resources and information Bloomerang offers to the nonprofit community, and learn how it's changing the game in the sector. Whether you're new to CRM or a seasoned pro, this episode provides valuable insights and a fresh perspective on nonprofit software.Topics We Cover:Why Bloomerang is a compelling alternative to Salesforce CRM for nonprofits with unique needsJames's transition from a photographer to his role in the nonprofit sector and how he arrived at BloomerangBloomerang's emphasis on user experience, ease of use, and incorporating fundraising best practices into the systemHow features like thank-you phone calls to first-time donors contribute to a positive donor experience  Bloomerang's flexible evaluation process tailored to individual organizational needs and evaluation styles.The wealth of guides, reports, and research on nonprofit best practices provided by Bloomerang and their commitment to sharing knowledge with the nonprofit communityExpanding integrations and partnerships to better serve nonprofitsTo Learn More and Connect with James:James on LinkedInBloomerang WebsiteBloomerang on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of "Agents of Nonprofit," we have a dynamic conversation with fundraising expert Julie Ordoñez. Julie shares her captivating journey into the world of nonprofit fundraising and offers valuable insights into the art of asking for more in the nonprofit sector. From building meaningful donor relationships to the strategic use of technology, this episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of major gift fundraising.Topics We Cover:Julie's remarkable entry into nonprofit fundraising and how a friend recognized her potential in the fieldThe Power of Clarity in FundraisingExploring the significance of personal interactions with donors, whether in person or virtuallyCourage Lab: Julie's program to help fundraisers build confidence and gradually ask for larger donationsThe need for fundraisers to be direct and ask for larger gifts, even from donors capable of giving more Focusing on donors who are passionate about the cause and generous, rather than just their wealth Insights into using CRM systems, mail tracking, and wealth engines for prospect research, and the importance of leveraging technology as a tool, not a crutchTo Learn More and Connect with Julie:Julie's WebsiteCourage LabJulie Ordoñez on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of "Agents of Nonprofit," with guest Cyndi Meuchel, we explore the changing landscape of volunteering. We discuss Cyndi's journey from childhood volunteerism to co-creating software for nonprofits, the decline in volunteerism, the impact of technology, and the concept of micro-volunteering. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting to new generations' preferences while emphasizing the inherent benefits of giving back to society.Topics We Cover:Cyndi's lifelong commitment to volunteeringCo-creating Money Minder, a software solution for nonprofitsThe concerning trend of declining volunteerism in the United States, including the factors contributing to this shiftHow technology has reshaped volunteerism, both by bringing people together and creating potential barriers, especially for younger generationsMicro-volunteering: where individuals contribute in smaller, specific ways, aligning with modern lifestyles and preferencesHelping younger generations appreciate the value of volunteerism and its impact on society and personal fulfillmentThe need to adapt to changing expectations and the role of technology in nonprofit organizations, while maintaining a balance between traditional and innovative approaches to volunteeringTo Learn More and Connect with Cyndi:MoneyMinder WebsiteContact MoneyMinder TeamCyndi Meuchel on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of "Agents of Nonprofit," we speak with guest Matthew Reynolds, a seasoned professional in video production for nonprofits. Matthew shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise, discussing the intricacies of creating impactful videos for nonprofit organizations. From the art of storytelling to the practical aspects of production, this masterclass in nonprofit video production offers valuable insights for professionals in the nonprofit industry.Topics We Cover:The importance of collaboration between nonprofit organizations and video production teams to align the video with the organization's missionA step-by-step process of creating a compelling video, from defining project goals to post-production editingCapturing the essence of an organization's work, including A-roll (interviews) and B-roll footageUnderstanding the critical role of video editing in crafting a compelling narrative, and discover how organizations collaborate to refine the final productThe potential for geographic expansion in nonprofit video production, facilitated by advancements in portable equipment and virtual filmingEmotional storytelling in informational videos and how it resonates with viewersUsing AI in generating ideas, automating tasks, and handling translations in video production, and its potential to make the process more efficientTo Learn More and Connect with Matthew:Rustic Roots WebsiteMatthew Reynolds on LinkedInSupport the show