The Nonprofit Show

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 and engagement from both parties. Julia prompts a discussion about the role of women in philanthropy, leading LaShonda to explore shifting dynamics in decision-making within families.  The fun discussion then turns to the value of offering swag to donors and potential donors. LaShonda pushes for meaningful and practical items that align with an organization's brand and cater to donors' daily lives, emphasizing strategic selection to maximize impact and steward resources effectively. Next, LaShonda addresses the choice between hosting a donor cultivation event at a shelter versus a more upscale venue.  Both Julia and LaShonda amplify the power of firsthand experiences in fostering connections with donors, advocating for authenticity over extravagance. The episode concludes with insights into sharing enthusiasm and knowledge gained from conferences with colleagues, explaining the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and involving team members in conference planning to foster buy-in and collaboration.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 course of a military campaign, often resulting in unplanned long-term commitments." She then links this definition to the nonprofit landscape, highlighting the challenges of altering objectives mid-campaign, akin to navigating the ever-changing battlefield of nonprofit work. The interesting interview digs into the root causes of scope creep, with Miriam pinpointing changes in leadership, shifts in board perspectives, and the allure of diversifying revenue streams as common culprits. She points out the need for strategic planning and operationalization, stating, "Having an up-to-date strategic plan that has been operationalized is crucial. It provides teeth to your organization's direction, ensuring everyone moves towards a common goal." Miriam's insights on wrap-around services further illuminated the discussion. She shares a compelling example, illustrating how organizations must tread cautiously when expanding their services beyond their core expertise. "If you're magnifying the voice that's already there, that's the same voice. But if you change your voice, the impact means people may not be able to hear you because that voice is unfamiliar coming from you," she wisely notes. Throughout, Miriam speaks to the importance of maintaining objectivity amidst the passion that drives nonprofit work. "Passion can take us on high highs and low lows. But if we stay objective, knowing that the mission is at the center of what we do, it helps us remain objective without losing our passion," she offers.  Miriam then takes the moment to talk about the significance of regularly evaluating resource utilization and capacity building.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 nonprofit leadership, and the importance of fostering a mission-driven culture and continuous leadership development. John Tiso shared insights into how JMT Consulting supports nonprofits with comprehensive back-office solutions, highlighting their commitment to enhancing leadership skills within these organizations. Reflecting on his personal growth, he shares, "Leadership started off in the classic perspective of it being about title and role, but meeting Dr. John challenged my assumptions and nurtured my development for over six years." Dr. John Davidoff describes his firm's role in helping nonprofits become genuinely mission-driven by integrating continuous leadership development and a drama-free, high-functioning culture into their strategic planning. Dr. Davidoff offers, "Authentic mission-driven organizations value continuous learning, from the CEO to the executive director, throughout the organization." The conversation also explores the idea that effective leadership transcends specific sectors, such as arts and culture or human services. Tiso argues that leadership effectiveness is less about hard skills and more about personal traits that enable leaders to succeed in various roles. Dr. Davidoff supports this by stressing the importance of self-awareness and cultural understanding in leadership, explaining, "Until we even have that exchange, we have two different cultures. We have my culture and we have your culture." A key theme discussed is the notion that everyone has the potential to influence and lead, regardless of their official title or role. Tiso shares, "Leadership is purely the ability to influence somebody, and every single person has the ability to be an influence on someone else." Dr. Davidoff also points to the transformative power of personal development in leadership, underscoring the value of self-appreciation and small, everyday achievements in building a culture of continuous growth and learning. Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Deb Maher, Executive Director of a nonprofit, discusses WOW Hall's journey from near-demolition to a vibrant arts center. Emphasizes community ownership, passion-driven vision, and 'appreciative inquiry' leadership. Highlights include a unique membership model, 600+ volunteers, and fostering a culture of possibility and abundance.

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 their roles. "I think both sides actually complement each other," Patricia explains, "When you think about it, you know you have the perspective of the left brain, right brain and your right brain is you're creative, you're spontaneous, you're emotional. That's your Rd. You need them." Patricia sharespractical strategies for bridging the gap between accounting and development, such as implementing standing meetings, fostering a culture of shared knowledge, and leveraging external resources like grant opportunities and training programs. She goes on to address the challenge of resource allocation for smaller nonprofits, offering guidance on when to consider outsourcing financial tasks and the optimal timing for bringing in external support. Throughout the discussion, Patricia reminds us of the key significance of financial stability and transparency in attracting funders and sustaining nonprofit operations. "It's such a collaborative effort... Everyone understands the overall mission of the organization," Patricia adds, "You just bring it back home, bring it to why you're there and all that other junk, it goes away." By aligning financial management with organizational objectives and involving both accounting and development teams in the process, nonprofits can enhance their effectiveness and achieve their mission-driven goals. Watch and learn more!! Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 pipeline value. We learn about it all from fundraising expert Larry Ruff. "We all know you can collect all this information and you never have it all, and then you have to figure out, OK, what are we going to ask this couple for? How much? Well, Abacus, in 21 questions, is the easy online way to get to those numbers..." says Larry. It streamlines the donation solicitation process. Digging deeper, Larry dismantles the pervasive myth of gut instincts in fundraising, highlighting the negative impact of subjective biases on gift conversations. Through extensive research and case studies, he points to the critical need for objective valuation tools that will arm fundraisers with data-driven insights to navigate donor interactions with more confidence and professionalism. With host Julia Patrick, they talk about the importance of post-pledge stewardship in fostering long-term donor relationships and ensuring pledge fulfillment. "It's easier to get the pledge than to get the pledge payment. And you need to steward them once they make a pledge. That's when the work starts, because you need to keep them engaged," Larry offers. Related, Larry speaks about the inherent challenges of fundraising headwinds, from shrinking donor pools to volatile philanthropic landscapes. By demystifying the concept of money bias and advocating for more transparent, simple language-oriented approaches to gift conversations, he is pushing for a shift towards strategic stewardship and donor-centric engagement. The Donor Abacus presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional wealth assessment services, grounded in data-driven insights, transparent communication, and poised to democratize fundraising capabilities for large and small NPO’s across the sector.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 is foundational to effective fundraising. She emphasizes the importance of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with donors' values and interests. She states, "We have to share the story in a meaningful way...so that it really resonates with what is meaningful to the individual." This is key for understanding donors on a deeper level and tailoring communications accordingly. One of the key strategies discussed is the imperative of meeting donors where they are, especially in the realm of digital giving. Katie highlights the potential of digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay in facilitating seamless donations. She notes, "By simply turning on things like Apple Pay and Google Pay, you can increase your donation page conversion rate by 8%." This statistic speaks to the immense impact of integrating user-friendly payment options to enhance donor engagement and conversion. Continuing, Katie elaborates on the untapped potential of volunteers as donors. Contrary to common apprehensions, she advocates for actively engaging volunteers in fundraising efforts, citing research indicating that 92% of volunteers are likely to donate to the organizations they serve. She says, "Cultivating them and seeing them as potential donors is a massively missed opportunity." , highlighting the importance of recognizing volunteers not only for their time but also for their potential as valuable supporters and donors. Katie adds her thoughts on donor research, as an advocate for a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, she recommends regular donor research, both qualitative and quantitative, to stay attuned to shifting donor preferences and behaviors. She urges NPO’s to leverage tools like wealth insights and volunteer management systems, enabling more targeted and effective fundraising strategies.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 to the significance of empowering individuals to pursue their passions and unlock their potential from an early age, citing the lack of resources in elementary and middle schools as a driving force behind his nonprofit's mission. Arjun explains, "It's especially important in this generation that we help people who have creativity, who have passion and help empower them to make businesses and to do stuff at an early age because we are called creative people when we are young." This encapsulates his motivation to bridge the gap between youthful enthusiasm and practical skill development, laying the foundation for future innovation. Show Host, Julia Patrick, commends Arjun’s initiative in reaching out and lauds the uniqueness of the American nonprofit structure. She engages in a profound discussion with Arjun about Tleem's mission, its expansion through chapter structures, and the challenges he faces as both a student and executive director. Arjun leads us through the evolution of Tleem.org from a local school club to a global movement, emphasizing the importance of providing resources and guidance to aspiring change-makers worldwide. He shares his aspirations for Tleem.org to be a household name, akin to renowned nonprofits, catalyzing transformative education and innovation. Throughout the conversation, Arjun navigates through the intricacies of nonprofit management, from fundraising strategies to maintaining a work-life balance. He highlights the significance of continuous learning and adaptation, leveraging platforms like YouTube and analysis to refine Tleem.org's approach. As the interview draws to a close, the host acknowledges Arjun’s exceptional foresight and determination, expressing confidence in his ability to navigate the challenges ahead.  Arjun adds an invitation at the end, inviting viewers to reflect on their own motivations, igniting a sense of purpose and resilience in the nonprofit community. Watch on Video! Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 points to the importance of understanding donor attitudes beyond transactional perspectives, encouraging nonprofits to rethink how they approach fundraising, marketing, and storytelling. She offers actionable advice on identifying and engaging with different supporter segments within donor databases and events.This new research underscores the transformative potential of understanding donor attitudes and behaviors, challenging nonprofits to adopt a more nuanced and empathetic approach in their interactions with supporters.Host Julia Patrick acknowledges the need for a paradigm shift in nonprofit marketing and communication strategies. Jane encourages organizations to explore Field Trip's research findings and consider integrating them into their decision-making processes to foster more meaningful connections with supporters.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

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 seeking pro bono services from local law firms to address legal questions effectively. Muhi emphasizes the importance of transparency and seeking assistance when needed, stating, "Don't ever fear... I'll get back to you." Speaking to the intricacies of fundraising strategies, Muhi clarifies the concept of cause selling, emphasizing its focus on relationship-driven approaches to cultivation and stewardship. He encourages nonprofits to leverage resources available through platforms like Fundraising Academy to educate board members and gain their buy-in to the process. The conversation transitions to board management, where Muhi offers insights into determining the frequency of board meetings. He advocates for aligning meeting schedules with the capacity and commitment of board members, suggesting that quarterly meetings may suffice for certain organizations. However, he highlights the importance of regular committee meetings to ensure effective governance. Addressing a question about the nuances between board dues and give-or-get policies, Muhi proposes a unique approach of assigning board members their own donor portfolios. This proactive strategy not only engages board members in fundraising activities but also fosters a deeper understanding of organizational goals and donor relationships.Watch on Video!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show