The Nonprofit Podcast

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our two-part Summer Inspiration Special with Rachel Sumekh of Swipe Out Hunger, a little something to help you set your strategy wheels spinning over the July 4th weekend, we follow up with an in-depth discussion of Rachel’s decision to step down as Founder.  Honest, emotional and evocative these are two episodes that will remind you why you chose the nonprofit path, and when and why the time comes for Founders to move on.In this Episode, You Will LearnWhy Rachel is leaving her leadership role after a decade of service.Self-care methods for coping with stress, overwhelm, etc. How to find your focus, purpose or mission.Why it’s ok to be vulnerable in the workplace. The importance of storytelling as a leader. How Rachel values herself based on bringing joy and healing into the world instead of basing her value on accruing material wealth.The importance of being present and natural as a leader instead of overly polished.How Rachel is aware of “performing vulnerability ”in a strategic way and that she is on a journey to get back to a state of natural vulnerability and authenticity. “Mission before ego” as a framework for decision making.How tribalism (and identity based community) can be great AND when it needs to be checked. The pressures of coming from an immigrant family.How Los Angeles is a relationship economy and the power of a warm introduction.Rachel has a "no asshole" policy but with the caveat: if we can end hunger faster (Mission before ego) it might be ok to work with or partner with an asshole. “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” — The bonds that you've made by choice are more important than the bonds that you are born into (family, a religious tribe, secret society, etc. ).Links and ResourcesPleasure ActivismEmergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds Ego is the EnemyStillness is the KeyTribalismSwipe Out Hunger Campus Partners / LocationsRachel Sumekh on LinkedInSupport the show

Send us a textOur Nonprofit Podcast field reporter, Jared Polivka, sits down with Rachel Sumekh CEO and founder of Swipe Out Hunger.  As the catalyst behind this US-based national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger, Rachel is the epitome of driving the change you want to see. The organization works with colleges and universities to design and implement a range of anti-hunger programs, including “The Swipe Drive” which enables students to donate meals to their peers facing food insecurity on campus.This is Part 1 of a two-part Summer Inspiration Special, a little something to help you set your strategy wheels spinning over the July 4th weekend, that will be followed on 1 July with an in-depth discussion on Rachel’s decision to step down as Founder.  Honest, emotional and evocative these are two episodes that will remind you why you chose the nonprofit path, and when and why the time comes for Founders to move on.In this Episode, You Will LearnAbout food insecurity at college campusesAsset based framing and the importance of language / how we talk about things.How putting the word “the” before a population objectifies themHow 1 out of 3 college students are hungry, according to Rachel SumekhHow to normalize talking about food insecurityHow to market programs to in-need students so they can receive helpHow Swipe Out Hunger approaches solving college student hunger - meal swipe donations, advocacy, partnershipsHow Swipe Out Hunger measures successWho Swipe Out Hunger partners withHow ramen distracted us from hungry college students for a long timeIf you’d like to help an in need student, go to https://www.swipehunger.org/Links and ResourcesSwipe Out Hunger Campus Partners / LocationsBring Swipe Out Hunger to Your CampusSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)“Charity is about the redemption of the giver, not the liberation of the receiver.” - Robert Eggers“You make love over food; you make peace over food. Food is the most important connection in the community.” - Jamil KadouraThe legendary Mediterranean Deli, a must-visit if you travel to North Carolina.“Wasting food is a tragedy, but the real tragedy is that we’re wasting people.” - Robert EggersSwipe Out HungerSwipe Out Hunger - Student-Led Solutions to College Food InsecurityOne in three college students experience food insecurity. We work with colleges and universities to address hunger on campus.Est. reading time: 2 minutes   https://www.swipehunger.org/Campus Partners - Swipe Out HungerOne in three college students faces food insecurity. We partner with colleges on student-led anti-hunger programs.Est. reading time: 1 minuteGet Started - Swipe Out HungerOne in three college students faces food insecurity. We partner with colleges on student-led anti-hunger programs.Est. reading time: Support the show

Send us a textBig programs can cause big problems with capacity and resourcing, no matter the size of your organization.   Cara chats with Shawn Collinsworth, CFRE,  President of Damar Services Foundation about overcoming the challenges of being a leading American provider of services to people with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities, in a time of growing need and shrinking funding.Like many organizations, Damar was at a crossroads when it came to the ability to offer life-changing support and services to a diverse group of people ranging from toddlers to senior citizens from initial diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The choice was stark, decrease the level of care and innovation, or increase support from philanthropic sources.  The 50-year-old organization buckled-up, bit the bullet and rode the fundraising bronco, and today Shawn shares how they tackled the challenge.  From new fundraising events to diversifying revenue streams, Cara and Shawn look at fundraising that really supports your mission in a post-Covid world.  You can find out more about the remarkable work Damar is doing here: Homepage - Damar Services, IncIf you have any questions, or a story to share reach out to Cara at Spotlights@Donorbox.org, or find out more at DonorboxSupport the show

Send us a textWhy am I losing donors?  If you are asking yourself this question more often than you like, today Cara has some answers that could turn the trend around for you.  If you are a fundraiser, founder or volunteer, donor relationship management is a vital component of keeping your mission moving toward your goal, and strong communication sits at the heart of all good relationships.  Find out how Cara’s top three easily actioned donor communication best practices can help your organization retain and engage hard-won supporters, and win over some new ones.Click here to download a Free Valuable Resource: Donorbox - Donor Communication Tips.pdfSupport the show

Send us a textBranding can be a major pain point for nonprofits, but a strong nonprofit brand can help you raise more money, increase social awareness and build a solid reputation, which is why Cara and Jena are tackling the basics of brand building today. Joined by Ronald Pillay, Donorbox Director of Brand Communication, they unpack the basics of getting your brand on point and working for you, no matter how big or small your organization, or budget is.  Ronald’s background in creative direction and social sciences adds a visual storytelling layer that takes a brand from bland to beckoning beacon, building out from your mission basics to create a clear, credible and authentic identity without breaking your budget. You can find more about this on our Donorbox Nonprofit Blog, with resources to help you create a useful strategy for building or boosting your organization’s brand here: https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/building-a-strong-nonprofit-brand or reach out for additional support at Spotlights@donorbox.orgSupport the show

Send us a textIn this episode, Cara is joined by Donorbox Brand Ambassador, Jena Lynch, unpacking the hard work that goes into developing- and sustaining - productive and effective donor relationships.  Jena’s heart for helping others drives the incisive, and profoundly practical, insights she shares.  From her time on the frontlines of fundraising to her daily engagement with nonprofits of all sizes across the globe as a brand ambassador, Jena has a wealth of proven tips for making the most of your donor relationships.  Together with Cara’s passion for fundraising practices and fundamentals, this is an actionable episode from start to end.If you would like to hear (and see) more of Jena, she can be found, along with all of The Nonprofit Podcast and a selection of webinars on some of the topics covered on this episode, here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DonorboxOr Spotlights@Donorbox.org  to reach out,  or share your opinions and experiences with Cara and Jena. Support the show

Send us a textHope is a mighty emotion that can make even the most dire circumstances bearable!  Founder of Maya’s Hope,  Maya Crauderueff, recognized this after the death of her mother and took the decision to be the bringer of hope to orphaned, impoverished, and special-needs children everywhere, so they would know that they were loved, cared for, and were not alone.Cara and Maya dig deep into the journey, from one woman on a mission to delivering hope globally, touching on the role of volunteers, especially focused on program delivery in conflict areas, and the challenges of fundraising as the world’s attention shifts away from the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Ukraine, a key focus area for the organization, and how online fundraising tools can make all the difference to sustaining support for both crises and ongoing causes.Today Maya’s Hope provides Emergency Surgeries to children who otherwise would not be able to receive medical care due to poverty and lack of support.  They cover immediate needs such as diapers, wipes, formula, medicines and medical equipment or therapy for impoverished children with special needs.   Whether providing funding for loving caregivers, vitamin-rich formula, or access to quality medical care, Maya’s Hope improves lives, one child at a time!  You can support them here: Maya's Hope (mayashope.org)  or https://www.facebook.com/MayasHopeSupport the show

Send us a textIt’s all about our furry friends today as Cara sits down with Austin Meadows, Executive Director of “For the Love of Alex”.  Providing emergency funding for life-saving veterinary care of pets of low-income families For the Love of Alex has been the difference between life and death for many pets since starting in 2013.  Started by Elizabeth Hedges, who sadly passed away in February of 2018, For the love of Alex is named after her cat, Alex, who went to join Elizabeth in early May this year, after bringing an opportunity for healing to many domestic pets and families. Cara and Austin follow the story of how For the Love of Alex began when Alex had a medical emergency and required surgery.  The experience made Elizabeth wonder what would happen if she was not in a position to afford Alex’s surgery. And so, For the Love of Alex was started with the mission to provide emergency funding to save the lives of pets in need. By the 3rd year, the dedicated founder was able to raise $1M in online donations.  Today the organization remains committed to saving lives and bringing hope to low-income pet owners and families and you can support them, or apply for services for your pet here: https://www.fortheloveofalex.org/Support the show

Send us a textIn this crossover podcast with Neighbors With No Doors, Cara interviews Josiah Haken about his journey from kitchen salesman, to Starbucks barista, to outreach worker, to CEO. We discuss the root causes of homelessness and the impact of holistic engagement and care coordination.Founded in 1989, City Relief has mobilized thousands of volunteers to compassionately serve those struggling with homelessness by providing hope and resources that lead towards life transformation. Josiah leads a team of volunteers delivering a model of volunteering that enriches the lives of all who participate in the program.  He is widely recognized as the “go-to person” in New York City when it comes to teaching others how to engage with the homeless. He leads workshops with many of NYC’s major organizations that deal with homelessness, as well as with many faith communities in NYC, NJ and across the US.Josiah is the host of Neighbors With No Doors, a remarkable long-form podcast that really gets to grips with meeting the challenges of homelessness with dignity, support and respect.   You can find out more about City Relief, Josiah and his committed team here:City Relief: https://cityrelief.org/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neighbors-with-no-doors/id1617288086YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0_F9YMtjVM7wVd-70fQxwTwitter: https://twitter.com/withnodoorsDonorbox, helping you help others.Free Donate Button - Donorbox Nonprofit Fundraising SoftwareSupport the show

Send us a textBelieving in yourself is very difficult to do when your society sees you as “less than” because you’re a girl. It’s nearly impossible without support. Global Sojourns Giving Circle, in partnership with local changemakers, provides this support to girls and young women across the southern African region.Cara sits down with founder Priscilla Plummer, and Zambia-based Mentor Gloria Mubita, to unpack how GSGC provides grants to community-based organizations run by dynamic changemakers.  By providing mentorship to youth, with a focus on empowering girls and the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of deep poverty, GSGC illustrates how investing in girls is one of the most effective ways to both uplift families and communities. Since its inception, GSGC has been committed to a focus on girls and local leadership. Influenced by the many benefits Priscilla herself received from supportive mentors in her youth, and her commitment to “going deeper” in understanding, she recognized the importance of empowering local mentors for local youth and providing an educational component for donors. The results of this work show us, on a daily basis, that empowering local people leads to more meaningful and sustainable impact.Find out more about Global Sojourns Giving Circle’s work and donate here: Global Sojourns Giving Circle (gsgivingcircle.org)Support the show