The Nonprofit Show

Strategic advisor and leadership consultant, Jarrod Williams, sheds light on the crucial intersection between the arts and social justice. Williams, also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Director of Leadership Giving at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, brings his passion and expertise to the conversation, addressing the challenges and opportunities in connecting the arts to diverse communities. Williams, alongside the show's hosts, Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick, delved into the deep-rooted issues faced by performing arts organizations in promoting diversity and inclusion. He emphasizes that the performing arts have long grappled with the struggle between producing risk-taking artistic works and those that merely sell tickets. Performances that are considered "risky" or showcase diversity, often centered around African American or marginalized experiences, face significant barriers in the performing arts community. This interview reveals how social justice is inextricably linked to the arts, providing a powerful platform for human expression, offering everyone the opportunity to convey emotions and stories that build empathy and create meaningful connections. Consequently, the arts play a crucial role in addressing social issues like systematic racism, voter suppression, and inequity. One of the most pressing concerns highlighted by Williams was the lack of representation in both the audience and on the stage. For the performing arts to thrive and adapt to the post-COVID world, it is essential to nurture the next generation of artists and audiences by ensuring diversity and inclusion. Williams stressed that seeing role models and representations of oneself on stage fosters inspiration and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the arts. Addressing the root of the problem, Williams called for a transformative shift in the arts sector, where boards and leadership are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He emphasizes the need for boards to move beyond mere rhetoric and actively promote diversity at all levels of their organizations, including programming and donor engagement. Williams shares successful initiatives from Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, such as their $5 ticket program, which eliminates financial barriers to attendance. Additionally, the organization engages communities through workshops, dialogues, and educational sessions, fostering a deeper understanding of the performances and building a sense of belonging. Watch on video https://bit.ly/3q0NtTcFind 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

Beth Napleton, CEO of Beth Napleton Consulting, joins The Nonprofit Show to discuss the crucial topic of self-care for nonprofit teams, highlighting the significance of self-care within nonprofit organizations and the need for leaders to be proactive in fostering a supportive and healthy work environment for their teams. The discussion revolves around recognizing stress within oneself and the team, and the importance of understanding warning signs to address burnout before it escalates. Beth emphasizes the need for leaders to be more observant and proactive in fostering a culture that supports well-being.The conversation touches on the gender dynamics of discussing self-care. Beth notes that women may talk more openly about their stress and well-being, while men may be less vocal about it. However, the landscape is evolving, and more male leaders are becoming open about their mental health and self-care.Beth introduces the idea of defining self-care within the organization and discusses its importance in promoting well-being. It involves understanding what activities rejuvenate each team member and finding cost-effective ways to support those activities. Budgeting for self-care need not be expensive, and simple gestures like giving time off or checking in with team members can make a significant difference.Beth also talks about her self-care calendar available on her website for those interested in implementing a practical tool to track and prioritize self-care.Watch on video https://bit.ly/44GsnZnFind 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

Need advice on Federal Grants? Denzel Blount, a CPA and manager at the nonprofit accounting firm "Your Part Time Controller" (YPTC), shares his expertise on federal grants and awards. Hosts Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick engage Denzel in a rapid-fire discussion about effective communication with federal agencies and grantors, the importance of monthly grant spending reviews, and the benefits of negotiating federally approved indirect cost rates.Denzel emphasizes the significance of establishing communication with federal grant agencies as soon as an award is received. He suggests building rapport with the grant officer to create a more supportive and collaborative environment, stressing that agencies are willing to help nonprofits navigate compliance issues and provide specific answers to grant-related questions.The hosts inquire about the hesitancy some organizations have in contacting federal agencies. Denzel believes this reluctance may stem from the misconception that the federal government is an overwhelming compliance entity that penalizes mistakes. However, he reiterates that agencies aim to support nonprofits in their community programs and encourage open communication.The conversation also covers the topic of monthly grant spending reviews, where Denzel advises organizations to regularly track financial and non-financial requirements, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about spending to avoid compliance issues. Denzel suggests involving accounting, finance, operations, and program teams in the review process to ensure comprehensive understanding and collaboration.The discussion moves to negotiating federally approved indirect cost rates. Denzel explains that the federal government assumes a 10% indirect rate on all grants but encourages nonprofits to negotiate their rates to recoup more indirect costs. By submitting a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA), organizations can present their rate calculation to the agency and potentially receive approval for a higher reimbursement rate. Having a NICRA also enhances negotiating power with other agencies.Denzel's expertise on federal grants and his emphasis on effective communication will provide you with valuable guidance for your organization as you seek financial support and compliance toward your mission.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3rF8u6dFind 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 co-hosts engage in a conversation with Hathaway Maranda, a strategic advisor and national leadership consultant to nonprofits, exploring the importance of philanthropy in all types of nonprofits, how to lead the way to a more philanthropic culture, and its impact on fundraising efforts.Hathaway defines a culture of philanthropy as a community of people committed to supporting relevant stories to enhance each other's well-being. The discussion identifies the misconceptions surrounding fundraising, with people often assuming it is solely the responsibility of the development department. Hathaway stressed the significance of every staff member's involvement in creating a culture of philanthropy, suggesting incorporating development goals in individual performance reviews and including it in the employee handbook to reinforce the culture.The fast-paced episode also touched upon the potential benefits of cross-departmental experiences, where staff members could volunteer at other organizations to gain a deeper understanding of philanthropy beyond their immediate roles.  The hosts and Hathaway end by describing how a successful culture of philanthropy should lead to measurable growth in fundraising efforts, but acknowledging that sustaining this culture requires ongoing effort, including refreshing strategies and ensuring alignment with the organization's mission.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3rGIgAeFind 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

Co-hosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall engage in "Asked and Answered"--  responding to questions from Show viewers from this week. Starting with a question from a viewer ‘frustrated in Fresno’ (sic) regarding the lack of proper information being entered in their donor database system by fellow team members in the fundraising department, Tony suggests how to bring the team together to discuss the database system and its value. A viewer from Los Angeles asks about the protocol for a major gifts officer to communicate to existing donors when they are leaving and moving to another nonprofit. The hosts emphasize the need for transparency and clear communication, suggesting different approaches based on individual donors' relationships and preferences.Another question addressed is regarding the time it takes to find a qualified interim CEO for a retiring CEO. Finally, a viewer from Memphis asked about the ideal dollar amount for the average nonprofit board member's annual give or get. Tony amplifies how creating a culture of giving within the board, recognizing different financial circumstances, and even considering a sliding scale based on board members' years of service, can be solutions. They also discuss the keys of being transparent about board member contributions for grant and funder purposes.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3Q87DoOFind 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 Head of Product Management at Bloomerang Volunteer, Melissa Pinard, shared her expertise with some Best Practices for managing nonprofit volunteers, emphasizing the significance of job descriptions, volunteer appreciation, orientation, goal setting, and budgeting. This lively discussion sheds light on the critical aspects of volunteer management, ultimately helping organizations build successful volunteer programs.  Melissa emphasized the importance of creating detailed job descriptions for volunteers, enabling them to self-screen and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This helps eliminate administrative challenges and ensures a strong volunteer fit. She suggested including information such as hours, frequency, qualifications, and reporting structure in the descriptions.Melissa also stressed the significance of valuing volunteers and fostering strong relationships with them. She highlighted the need for continuous appreciation and recognition, which can be done through various strategies such as thank-you notes, public acknowledgments, certificates, tracking and communicating their impact, and hosting appreciation events.This fun episode also covered the importance of providing volunteer orientation, both in-person and digitally. Melissa explained that orientations help volunteers feel more comfortable and prepared for their roles, reduce disorganization, and address important issues such as safety and compliance. Defining goals and measuring success was another key aspect discussed. Melissa emphasized the need to set clear goals and metrics for volunteer programs, which may include volunteer satisfaction ratings, attendance rates, recruitment efforts, retention rates, and turnover analysis. Melissa and the co-hosts explored the importance of creating a budget for managing volunteers, emphasizing that even though they offer their time for free, there are typically costs to consider, such as volunteer management systems, recruitment and training materials, background checks, and even volunteer recognition.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3Q1wBWZFind 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

This fast-paced conversation sheds light on the unique characteristics of Generation Z and provides valuable insights for nonprofit organizations seeking to attract, retain, and effectively engage this generation of workers.  Katie Warnock, the CEO of Staffing Boutique, opens the door on recruiting Generation Z and their unique characteristics and preferences. The conversation revolves around understanding and attracting the Gen Z labor force in the nonprofit sector.Katie highlights the key characteristics of Generation Z, emphasizing their strong affinity for technology and their expectation of instant gratification. She discusses the importance of leveraging social media and digital platforms to capture their attention and engage them effectively.The hosts and Katie delve into the interests of Gen Z in the nonprofit sector. Katie mentions that Gen Z individuals are increasingly drawn to the nonprofit sector due to its branding efforts and the desire to make a social impact. Social justice, education equality, and healthcare are areas that particularly attract Gen Z's interest.The conversation touches on the qualifications and skill sets of Gen Z employees. While they may not have extensive professional experience, their technological proficiency is considered a significant asset. They bring digital skills and knowledge that can benefit organizations, such as content strategy and social media engagement. Retention of those hired is also a topic of discussion. Katie shares insights into Gen Z's priorities and preferences, including work-life balance, professional development, and flexibility. The hosts explore strategies for retaining Gen Z employees, such as job rotation programs, volunteer time off (VTO), and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3pTFKpJFind 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

Lauri Hennessy, the Pacific Northwest Executive Director of One Love, a national foundation focused on promoting healthy relationships, discusses crisis communication and the importance of being prepared for potential crises in the nonprofit sector. She emphasizes the need for preparedness, transparency, and proactive communication to maintain trust and effectively manage crises. With a well-developed crisis communication plan and a focus on building relationships with stakeholders and the media, nonprofits can navigate crises successfully and emerge stronger.Lauri emphasizes that crises are not a matter of "if," but "when." Every organization will face a crisis at some point, and it is crucial to have a plan in place to handle it effectively. She highlights the need for transparency and proactive communication during times of duress, as crises can erode public trust and support for an organization. The primary goal of crisis communication is issuing a sincere and timely apology. Lauri stresses the importance of 1) apologizing quickly, 2) taking accountability, and 3) outlining the steps the organization will take to rectify the situation or prevent it from happening again.The interview also covers the significance of the internal audience in crisis communication. Lauri believes that the internal audience, including staff, board members, and volunteers, is the most critical during a crisis. Their support and advocacy are instrumental in mitigating damage and maintaining public trust.The discussion continues with a focus on key stakeholders, such as funders, donors, government contractors, and elected officials and how to create a matrix that outlines these stakeholders and their priorities, ensuring that communication efforts are targeted and well-coordinated. Lauri recommends developing a detailed plan with different scenarios, including the matrix that maps out the timing and methods of communication for various audiences. She emphasizes the need for fast and accurate responses in the age of social media, where information spreads rapidly.Watch on video https://bit.ly/43wSLDzFind 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 interview, Shawn Olds, co-founder of Boodle.ai, discusses the applicability of artificial intelligence (AI) for nonprofits. The conversation revolves around how AI can revolutionize fundraising efforts and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Shawn emphasizes that AI is not a replacement for human interaction but a powerful tool to support and enhance nonprofit work. He encourages nonprofits to embrace AI and leverage its capabilities to improve their fundraising and engagement efforts.Shawn begins by explaining the genesis of Boodle.ai, highlighting the need to bring data science and machine learning to the nonprofit sector in an easily consumable manner. He emphasizes that AI will primarily take over the time-consuming and mundane tasks in analytics, data collection, and data processing, allowing nonprofits to focus on building relationships and engaging with donors.The conversation touches upon the challenges faced by nonprofits in understanding and utilizing the data they collect. Shawn points out that many organizations seek more data without a clear understanding of how they will use it effectively. Boodle.ai addresses this by providing a platform that can perform identity resolution and enrich nonprofit data with third-party data, enabling organizations to better understand their donors and build effective fundraising strategies.The interview also looks at the importance of personalized outreach and engagement in fundraising. Shawn dispels the misconception that technology, including AI, hampers personalization. Instead, he highlights that AI is a tool that enhances the fundraising process by enabling nonprofits to analyze large amounts of data and generate personalized communications based on donor profiles and past campaign successes.The conversation further explores the role of AI in campaign management and how nonprofits can leverage AI-generated insights to optimize their fundraising efforts, emphasizing the significance of an omnichannel approach, combining various communication channels to reach donors effectively. And Shawn shares amazing examples of how AI is already being successfully used in the nonprofit sector, such as facial recognition technology assisting refugee identification and targeting of fundraising.Watch on video https://bit.ly/3K1UERCFind 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 Cause Selling fundraising program will enhance your fundraising success. The tools provided within the extensive educational resource aim to help nonprofits raise money and advance their fundraising strategies.Jack Alotto, CFRE, highlights the value of following the Cause Selling cycle, consisting of three phases and eight steps. He emphasized that by focusing on each module of the cycle, fundraisers can effectively lead up to the "ASK" phase, making the solicitation process easier and more natural. The key is to invest time and effort in every step, including need discovery, listening, asking open-ended questions, presentation style, and handling objections.When asked about donor’s objections, Jack advised fundraisers not to take it personally. He emphasized the need to broaden the definition of success, attract more donors than necessary, and understand that rejection is a common experience in fundraising. By forgiving oneself, engaging in positive self-talk, and reflecting on missed opportunities, fundraisers can learn and improve their approach. He mentioned the unique strategy of overcoming objections and the concept of donation signals. These tools help fundraisers gauge donor interest and engagement, enabling them to tailor their presentations accordingly.To gain proficiency with the Cause Selling cycle, Jack suggests continuously reviewing the model and understanding each module's purpose. He recommends leveraging the resources available in the free online fundraising portal, which offers blogs, videos, webinars, and training programs.Watch on video https://bit.ly/46LVSdEFind 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