The Nonprofit Show

In this timely interview, Zac Brown, CEO of Nonprofits HQ, sheds light on how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the nonprofit sector, supercharging its efforts to make a positive impact. Zac, a tech expert with a deep commitment to doing good, paints a vivid picture of the potential AI holds for nonprofit organizations, stating "As a tool that we can employ in various industries to streamline processes, AI has already made waves in big tech and for-profit sectors. However, there's a wealth of untapped potential within the nonprofit realm. AI equips nonprofits with an invaluable edge, enabling them to enhance efficiency, achieve more with limited resources, and make well-informed, data-driven decisions." Zac emphasizes that AI isn't exclusive to large corporations; it holds immense promise for nonprofits seeking to optimize their operations, overcome challenges like resource constraints, and meet growing demands. Furthermore, he provides valuable guidance on how nonprofits can embark on their AI journey, saying "Beginning with modest AI implementations and gradually expanding is the prudent approach. Rather than attempting a full-scale AI overhaul from the outset, start small and learn as you go. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are fundamental. By pooling our collective experiences in AI adoption, we can ensure responsible and ethical utilization of this technology." Zac and NonprofitsHQ’s insights underscore the importance of accessibility and responsible AI adoption within the nonprofit sector. They are paving the way for nonprofits to harness the potential of AI effectively, offering a brighter future where technology and compassion harmonize to drive meaningful change. The possibilities for amplifying nonprofit’s impact appear limitless. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3v2B6bhFind 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 a thought-provoking conversation, Jennifer Alleva, CEO and Managing Partner of Your Part-Time Controller, reflects back on the ever-evolving nonprofit sector of 2023. Jennifer unveils the transformative changes taking place within nonprofit organizations, exploring the significance of technology, transparency, and internal controls as nonprofits navigate present and future challenges. Jennifer outlines the pivotal role that technology, particularly generative AI, is playing in reshaping the nonprofit landscape. She discusses the profound impact of ChatGPT and other generative AI products, emphasizing their ability to enhance donor interactions, boost website engagement, and facilitate data analysis. Jennifer passionately encourages nonprofits to embrace these cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize their operations. A central theme that emerges is the imperative for greater transparency within the nonprofit sector. Jennifer points out that many donors harbor reservations about trusting charities, which is why nonprofits should proactively provide comprehensive information regarding their financial management and programmatic activities. She passionately states, "Transparency is key. It's all about building trust." Jennifer also digs into the pressing issue of staffing shortages within the nonprofit sector, particularly in the realm of financial management. She suggests that nonprofits can tackle this challenge by investing in technology and utilizing fractional team members to fill the gaps. As the conversation unfolds, Jennifer shares a compelling story about the Brett Favre case in Mississippi, underscoring the critical importance of internal controls and proper segregation of duties in financial management. She emphasizes the need for vigilance, stating, "Internal controls are crucial to prevent such situations." When asked by host Jarrett Ransom of changes for their firm in 2024, Jennifer expresses her enthusiasm about the ongoing growth and innovation at Your Part-Time Controller, highlighting their unwavering commitment to serving nonprofits and providing innovative solutions. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/4akBUIDFind 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

Enjoy this compelling discussion about the inner workings of foundations, as host Jarrett Ransom welcomes Steve Smith, the executive director at the TW Lewis Foundation. Steve sheds light on the TW Lewis Foundation's mission, values, and commitment to making a positive impact on the community. He begins by explaining how his path led him to the TW Lewis Foundation through his involvement in education advocacy and school choice initiatives. Tom Lewis, the founder of the TW Lewis Foundation, created the organization in 2000 with a focus on providing scholarships to students going to college. Over time, the foundation has expanded its scope, supporting various nonprofit organizations locally and nationally. The primary mission of the foundation is to assist children and families in need, with a strong emphasis on Christian education, civic-minded causes, and strengthening America. When asked about the grant cycle, Steve Smith explains that they work closely with their grantees to ensure alignment with their mission and values. The foundation seeks to help organizations become self-sustaining, not just provide one-time financial assistance. Steve emphasizes the foundation's nationwide reach, with a focus on both local and national causes. They partner with various organizations and carefully evaluate grant requests to make impactful decisions. The foundation has maintained a very positive image, driven by its founder's strong reputation and commitment to helping the community. They leverage social media and traditional media platforms to raise awareness about their initiatives and encourage others to get involved. Looking ahead to 2024, Steve’s crystal ball reveals the growing importance of K12 education initiatives and alternative learning options. The foundation plans to focus on K12 education efforts, including Christian education, to address the evolving needs of families and children. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/470LZHQFind 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

Show host Julia Patrick is joined by Guest Host Muhi Khwaja, a trainer at Fundraising Academy and the co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation. They answer questions sent in by viewers this week. One of the key questions discussed in this episode is the importance of starting a board meeting with a "mission moment." Muhi explains that a mission moment is a way to share when a board member or staff member witnessed the organization's mission in action, like volunteering at a food bank or participating in a community project. He suggests that mission moments can be valuable for both board and staff meetings as they boost morale and help people connect with the organization's mission. Another question is about recruiting talent from other nonprofits. Muhi advises that offering competitive compensation and benefits is important when trying to persuade someone to join your organization. He emphasizes keeping the door open for potential candidates who might be a good fit and highlights the value of networking and referrals. The final question discusses whether someone from the programming side of a nonprofit can successfully transition into a fundraising role. Muhi believes that having a deep understanding of the organization's programs can make a fundraiser successful. He emphasizes that success in fundraising is more about personality and relationship-building skills rather than just experience. He also suggests introducing programmatic staff to donors during various stages of the donor relationship to deepen the connection. The episode concludes with a humorous anecdote about a fundraising event involving a mistaken $250,000 donation made through a mobile app. Muhi discusses the importance of event management and technology oversight to avoid such errors and ensure proper stewardship. Muhi Khwaja's insights and expertise add value to the discussion, addressing various aspects of nonprofit operations and fundraising. 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

Listen to this energizing discussion on increasing the impact of giving to nonprofits with two remarkable guests: Kim Tarnopolski and Laurie Richter, who share insights into the world of giving circles and group philanthropy. Kim Tarnopolski, the Chief Community Builder of 100 Plus Women Who Care Valley of the Sun, shares her inspirational journey from a 20-year career as an HR executive to becoming deeply involved in philanthropy. She emphasizes the inclusivity of giving circles, saying, "Anybody can be a philanthropist. You don't have to give $1,000,000 to be a philanthropist." Laurie Richter, Co-founder of 100 Who Care Alliance, hailing from Chicago, reflects on her transition into philanthropy after retirement and her role in founding a giving circle in North Suburban Chicago, now in its 11th year. She adds, "It's just a way of collecting resources and pooling resources to have a bigger impact." The conversation centers on demystifying the concept of giving circles. Kim shares that giving circles bring proactive giving into focus by empowering members to collectively decide where to allocate funds. Laurie describes giving circles as "getting a group of people together so that they can pull their resources to have a bigger impact than they could have on their own." Both highlight the transformative effect of turning reactive giving into a more intentional and impactful process. Kim and Laurie share the remarkable results achieved by their giving circles. Kim's group in Phoenix, with three sister groups, donated close to $1.2 million to local charities over nine years. Laurie's suburban Chicago circle raises around $17,000 to $18,000 each quarter, making a significant difference for local nonprofits. Kim points out, "We're delivering $10,000 plus every quarter, and the beauty of it is we do that in one hour." Laurie adds, "It's a way of collecting resources and pooling resources to have a bigger impact." When discussing ways to increase membership and attendance in giving circles, Laurie suggests hosting separate happy hour events to foster social connections and engage potential members outside official meetings. Kim emphasizes the importance of creating an energetic atmosphere at events and leveraging the enthusiasm of existing members to attract new participants. She says, "It's the energy that you create at your event." To find or start giving circles, Kim and Laurie recommend visiting the websites of organizations like 100 Who Care Alliance or Philanthropy Together. They encourage individuals to start their own circles if none exist in their area, offering resources and support to newcomers. Laurie emphasizes, "You can play with this model 100 different ways and make it work for the universe that you're in." Their passion for community-led giving is evident throughout the episode and will inspire you to explore and join the world of giving circles. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/41eMdtvFind 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

Leadership coach, Derek Mulhern, discusses leadership issues in the nonprofit sector. This sparkling discussion portray’s the need for leaders to inspire their teams on a deeper and more humane level. Derek’s insights highlight the importance of authentic leadership, transparent communication, and personal growth in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on the evolving dynamics and challenges faced by nonprofit organizations and their leaders. Derek begins with, "I just see a huge need within the nonprofit space for us to really develop leaders that have the capacity to show up in a way that inspires other people on a deeper level on a more humane level because we're doing all this humane work right, we're all trying to create bigger change." He also addresses the misconception of creating a "family culture" within nonprofits and how it often leads to caretaking rather than empowering employees. Derek advocates for transparency, communication, and allowing employees to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. Another important point he discusses is the evolving expectations of leaders in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the need for leaders to be empathetic and coach-like. He relates this to the impact of personal life experiences on leadership style and how individuals' unique backgrounds shape their leadership approaches. This discussion is sure to spark your thinking on your own leadership style. Learn more at DerekMulhern.com Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3RtgnWSFind 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

Enjoy this lively discussion as Dana Scurlock, Director of Recruitment at Staffing Boutique, joins the hosts to explore creative ways to enhance employee retention and satisfaction at nonprofits during the holiday season. They discuss some low-cost holiday ideas that can bring joy and camaraderie to the workplace. The ultimate goal is to create a supportive and engaging work environment that encourages employees to stay committed to their organizations, particularly during the holiday season and beyond. Dana begins by emphasizing the significance of employee retention, considering the substantial costs and resource investments involved in hiring and training new staff. She suggests that organizations take steps to make their office environments more appealing, starting with some of these simple but effective ideas. One suggestion is to offer employees extra break time for shopping and holiday preparations. This not only eases their stress but also allows coworkers to bond while planning their holiday activities. Another idea is to introduce an internal lottery or game, where employees have the chance to win cash prizes during the holiday season. This adds an element of excitement and festivity to the workplace, boosting morale. Dana also encourages organizations to consider the power of live music during the holiday season. Whether it's hosting a choir or hiring musicians to perform festive tunes, live music can transform the atmosphere and create a joyful ambiance in the office. To foster teamwork and participation, Dana proposes organizing a fun cookie exchange and decorating party. Employees can come together to decorate cookies, fostering a sense of togetherness and adding a festive touch to the workplace. Recognizing and emphasizing the value of personal touch, Dana suggests personalized gift cards with heartfelt notes from board members. This practice helps bridge the gap between board members and staff, making employees feel valued and appreciated. Lastly, Dana advocates for volunteer activities at other nonprofits as a meaningful way for staff to give back to the community. Such activities not only benefit the community but also strengthen team bonds and provide a sense of purpose to employees. 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 founder of Susan Kramer Consulting shares her profound insights, introducing the concept of "transactional versus transformational" philanthropy, and elaborating on the keys of understanding donors' motivations and stories. Susan Kramer's perspective on fundraising goes beyond tactics; it's about creating genuine connections and aligning donors' passions with the nonprofit's mission. She highlights that fundraising isn't about being transactional but building transformational relationships based on understanding and authenticity: "We are not sell, tell, and convince the donors. If you're going to try to sell, tell, and convince, you're going to live in transactional." Susan's shares her seven-letter formula for fundraising, starting with turning individuals into a community, engaging and educating them, leading to donors, investors, leaders, and advocates. She illustrates this journey with a fun kickball field example--showing how engagement gradually leads to deeper involvement. Susan challenges the idea that wealthy individuals are automatically the best donors, emphasizing that the most valuable donors may already be engaged with the nonprofit, hiding in plain sight. She encourages fundraisers to understand their donors' capacity, affinity, and propensity to give and to engage them further through stewardship. The conversation also taps into the role of board members, suggesting that their engagement should be rooted in authentic storytelling. Board members should be encouraged to understand their "why" for being part of the organization and share their personal stories. Susan message in this fast-paced episode is one of inspiration and a reminder that fundraising can be a magical journey when it's grounded in authentic connections and the stories that drive philanthropy. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3uHsPcCFind 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

Julia Patrick, and Meredith Terrian from Fundraising Academy, address this week’s questions related to board recruitment, fundraising benchmarks, and internal office privacy at nonprofits. The cohosts provide valuable guidance on these nonprofit management challenges, underlining the importance of diversity, clear goal-setting, and sensitive communication within the organization. Julia opens the discussion by introducing their first question, which is about recruiting younger board members to enhance diversity. Meredith responds thoughtfully, acknowledging the organization's proactive approach in recognizing the need for diversity. She emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach to recruiting younger board members. "A board can make or break an organization," Meredith says. "Being methodical and strategic about how you recruit, train, and engage board members is essential." Meredith provides specific recruitment strategies, such as reaching out to local universities, community organizations, and online platforms where young professionals network. She highlights the benefits of board involvement, like skill development and networking, and suggests matching potential members with roles that align with their skills and interests. The cohosts also discuss the significance of setting fundraising goals, with Meredith clarifiying the difference between goals and benchmarks, advising a clear and realistic primary goal with benchmarks used to track progress in various fundraising categories. Lastly, the cohosts address a viewer's concern about a C-Suite member of their nonprofit publicly expressing interest in a new job on social media. Meredith encourages approaching the situation with sensitivity and understanding the context of the post. She suggests engaging in a private and casual conversation with the individual to inquire about their intentions while respecting their privacy and the decision not to discuss the matter further. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3Te8KoiFind 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 this lively episode, Micah James, Manager of Professional Services at Bloomerang.co, shares insights on how nonprofits can enhance their year-end fundraising efforts. Micah starts with the importance of authenticity in nonprofit messaging during this busy season, advising organizations to avoid cookie-cutter approaches and instead showcase their unique missions and impact. Micah encourages nonprofits to communicate authentically, connecting with their local communities and highlighting their specific contributions to solving community problems. She points out that unique approaches tend to resonate more with donors, stating, "It's really about connecting not only with your community—where are you located? What's your context? —but also, what do you do in that community to solve that community's problems?" The conversation also covers the use of video in nonprofit communications. Micah recommends short (90-second or less) videos to provide a distinctive touch and make supporters feel connected to the organization's work. Authenticity was key, and she advised against over-editing, encouraging nonprofits to showcase their day-to-day operations and impact. Micah urges, "90 seconds or less is like that perfect sauce. So it's not too long, not too short—just letting me say, 'Hey, how are you? This is us. Come on in. Don't you want to be a part of this?'" The hosts asked about the challenge of nonprofits operating remotely or without a physical presence to showcase. Micah digs into storytelling and capturing the essence of the organization through conversations, even if it's a virtual tour or discussion among team members. This episode also describes the importance of maintaining a consistent brand image throughout the donation process, including on landing pages. Micah stresses the need to minimize friction in the donation process, ensuring that donors feel safe and comfortable, advising nonprofits to test their own donation experiences, stating, "If you haven't gone through your own donor experience yourself, do it today, like before the end of the day, donate a dollar and see how it feels all the way through so you know what your donors." Watch the entire episode and you will gain practical advice for your NPO to optimize year-end fundraising efforts, focusing on authenticity, effective use of video, and maintaining brand consistency to create a compelling donor experience. Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3GoOl8IFind 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