Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

201: Key Fundraising Trends Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (Matt Nash)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, are you aware of the unique motivations many Donor Advise Fund (DAF) givers share? Do you target stewardship efforts to this group of individuals specifically? In episode #201 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Matt Nash, who has been on the cutting edge of recent key fundraising trends in the philanthropic sector shares his extensive knowledge about the rise of this donor group. Learn more about the psychology and intent behind these donors and how best to steward them. Matt discusses top trends such as strategy, digital platforms, relationships, and the rise of crypto that are affecting fundraising in 2023 and how nonprofit leaders should address each.  ABOUT MATTMatthew Nash is the Executive Director of the Blackbaud Giving Fund, leading the organization’s mission to unleash generosity by connecting people to causes they care about around the world. An experienced executive with a focus on customer relationships, he previously served as the Executive Director of the Generosity Commission Working Group, where he continues to volunteer, focusing on implementing a research agenda aimed at more deeply understanding generosity in America. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Donor Experience at Fidelity Charitable, one of the largest grant-makers in the United States, where he studied donor behavior and worked to make giving accessible, simple, and effective. An expert in donor-advised funds and philanthropy, Matt is an advocate for local public education, having served as a foundation president funding innovative educational programs and on the board of advisors for District C, a nonprofit that brings students together across schools to solve real problems of local businesses. He received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Good Boss: 9 Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work by Kate Eberle WalkerLearn more about Matt and The Blackbaud Giving Fund hereWant to read Matt’s full list of Fundraising Trends you need to know?Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

200: Nonprofit Leaders: Which Trends Should You Follow? (Becky Endicott & Jon McCoy)SUMMARYWhat key trends are you following as a leader in 2023? For the enterprising nonprofit executive, one of the best sources of cutting-edge information on hot topics in the sector is We Are For Good, and that’s why we waited until the  #200th episode of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership to speak with Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy, two thought leaders in our sector who will zero in on some of the key trends that will help you steer your nonprofit in the right direction this year.  ABOUT JONAfter a career of 15 years serving within the nonprofit sector - leading teams in marketing, design and annual giving - I left my job to create what I wanted to see in the world. An open table and place to connect this generation of nonprofit leaders with the best tools, guides and inspiration to take their impact further. We Are For Good was taken full time in 2020 - co-founded alongside my career-long dear friend Becky Endicott. The first phase of bringing our vision to life is the We Are For Good Podcast - which debuted in August 2020 as the #1 nonprofit podcast on Apple iTunes. Now counting more than 250 episodes, we regularly welcome some of the industry’s most respected thought leaders as guests, and We Are For Good consistently ranks among the top downloaded nonprofit podcasts in the US and charts in more than a dozen countries worldwide.ABOUT BECKYWe Are For Good, a digital kindness and social impact community, is revolutionizing the nonprofit industry through profound compassion, best-in-class education/training, authentic storytelling and crazy good marketing all leading to an #ImpactUprising. Its podcast of the same name debuted at #1 in the nonprofit category and is frequented by nonprofit colleagues around the world as well as Do Gooders who are simply looking for a reason to smile or celebrate humanity. The company’s ethos stems from the core belief that everyone matters, and our passion is to bring innovation, social impact, and, well - a little bit of good - into the world. You matter here. Come join our community or learn more at weareforgood.com or @weareforgood on most social platforms.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges by Bryan Crimmins et al.Learn more about Jon & Becky and We Are for Good hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

199: Finding Your Passion as a Nonprofit Leader (Helena Scott)SUMMARYHow do you find – and keep - your passion as a nonprofit leader? In episode #199 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Helena Scott shares her remarkable two-decade journey with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and what sustains her energy and motivation. She discusses challenges, benefits and unique opportunities inherent to being a part of a national chapter organization and her leadership approach to such things as fundraising, board engagement, and talent acquisition and retention. Helena also shares her best advice for finding that proverbial work-life balance.ABOUT HELENAHelena Scott is a Regional Advancement Director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), covering North Carolina and Virginia. She has been with LLS in a variety of roles over the past 22 years and has worked in the oncology field since graduating from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999. Helena began her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering working in business management before accepting her first position at LLS in its New York office in 2001. During her tenure in NY, Helena oversaw the largest fundraising campaign and market in the country, generating over $8MM in a single year through LLS's flagship sports endurance program Team in Training. In 2011, shortly after the birth of her first son, Helena co-founded LLS’s Moms In Training program, a unique initiative bringing like-minded moms together to achieve their fitness and philanthropic goals. In 2015, Helena accepted a position as the Director of the Charlotte office where she quickly transformed the languishing market. Under her leadership, the Charlotte team increased its flagship campaigns from $900,000 to $5,500,000 in just 4 years, breaking LLS fundraising records, and elevating Charlotte to one of the fastest markets nationally. During her time running the Charlotte office, Helena oversaw the first Man & Woman of the Year campaign to ever break $3 million nationally, and also initiated a multi-million-dollar Students of the Year campaign in Charlotte. She has been a top national fundraiser for the past decade, raising just shy of $1,000,000, a milestone she hopes to break this year.  EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman & Paul WhiteLearn more about Helena and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

198: Dirty Little Secrets of Direct Response Fundraising (Andrew Olsen)SUMMARYWhat is direct response fundraising? Is it part of your overall fundraising plan and are you getting the returns you expect? In episode #198 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Andrew Olsen returns to the podcast and explains why you need a better way to fundraise. Many nonprofits coming out of Covid are achieving their highest levels in giving. However, Andrew explains why giving patterns over the last decades don’t match the trends of giving today. Learn the dangers of approaching fundraising with a mass volume strategy. Andrew shows why relationships are the key to long-term giving that will sustain your organization throughout the years. Would your organization benefit from outsourcing their direct response fundraising? Do you truly understand what it means to be a good steward to your donors? Andrew has the answers.ABOUT ANDREWAndrew Olsen is on a mission to help leaders increase mission impact by developing healthy cultures that accelerate revenue growth. Throughout his career, he’s helped over 500 ministries and other nonprofits raise more than half a billion dollars. Andrew has built and led fundraising programs on behalf of organizations like Covenant House International, Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, The Salvation Army California South Division, Jews for Jesus, CARE USA, Save the Children, Best Friends Animal Society, and dozens of Rescue Missions and Food Banks across the U.S. and Canada. Andrew is a two-time best-selling author and host of the top-ranked show, The Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast. Andrew recently joined DickersonBakker & Associates as Senior Vice President of Fundraising Solutions, where he’ll lead the firm’s major gift consulting practice as well as oversee the Impact Messaging division that provides communication vehicles to support our clients’ major gift and capital campaign efforts. Andrew will also be responsible for developing and launching new products and services for the firm.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESInbound Organization: How to Build and Strengthen Your Company’s Future Using Inbound Principles by Dan Tyre and Todd HockenberryLearn more about Andrew Olsen hereRainmaking: The Fundraiser’s Guide to Landing Big Gifts by Andrew Olsen & Roy JonesCheck out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

197: Building a New Community as a Nonprofit Leader (Sherri Chisholm)SUMMARYStepping into a new leadership role is an exciting challenge, but doing it in a new community can create new complexities. In episode #197 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, seasoned nonprofit leader Sherri Chisholm shares how she navigated a new community while maintaining her personal and professional connection to the cause. She shares the steps she took to hone the organization's vision and message, and how each of her colleagues plays a role in advancing it. Traversing the nuances and politics of any community presents its own set of opportunities, and Sherri gives practical examples about how she established and developed these relationships. We also take a deep dive into economic mobility and the methods and resources available to individuals and organizations to increase the outcomes for all children.  ABOUT SHERRISherri Chisholm joined Leading on Opportunity as its new director in September of 2020, bringing nearly a decade of experience as an educational and nonprofit strategist to the role. She has worked in senior leadership at national nonprofits and major school districts across the country, where she drove transformation through strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development. Prior to joining Leading on Opportunity, Sherri served as the founding Executive Director of Urban Alliance Detroit, a national youth workforce development nonprofit that aims to expand access to economic opportunity for youth from under-resourced neighborhoods through paid internships, job skills training, and mentoring. She is also the founder and CEO of FreeSpace Consulting Group where she has worked to guide and support districts and nonprofit organizations across the country seeking to effect positive change in public education. Sherri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Studies and Spanish from the University of Michigan; a Master of Arts degree in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education; and a Master of Arts degree in Education Leadership from the Los Angeles-based Broad Center for the Management of School Systems.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, and Live the Life of Your Dreams by Paris WoodsLearn more about Sherri and Leading on Opportunity hereCheck out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector 

196: Key Strategies for Becoming an Exceptional Nonprofit Leader (Denver Frederick)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, you’re committed to achieving greater impact, yet recent challenges could hinder the effective implementation of your mission. In episode #196 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we’re joined by Denver Frederick, a pioneer in the philanthropic sector who has been on the cutting edge of many fundraising principles used today. As someone who created the model for corporate sponsorships, he shares his opinions on the state of corporate giving today. Denver also addresses scaling for impact and how organizations can grow and replicate ideas to increase impact. He defines systems change and breaks down how nonprofit leaders can live up to their potential to advance true systemic change. He advocates for decision-making velocity and the benefits nonprofit organizations experience when they embrace the urgency. Denver discusses the shift in unrestricted giving and the balance of power in our sector.    ABOUT DENVERDenver Frederick is a trusted advisor and executive coach to nonprofit CEOs, acting as a comprehensive resource, confidante, and consultant. In his 40-plus years in the nonprofit sector, he has served as a CEO, led the fundraising campaign to restore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and assisted renowned actor Michael J. Fox in launching his Parkinson’s Foundation, and pioneered the movement of peer-to-peer fundraising. For the past ten years, Denver has hosted The Business of Giving, a nationally syndicated radio show-turned-podcast. In nearly 1,000 interviews with nonprofit CEOs and subject experts, he’s revealed their challenges and the innovative solutions comprising “new best practices” for charitable organizations. He’s also conducted over 150 team focus groups to surface the “secret sauce” of organizational cultures that makes them irresistible places to work. Denver has taught at the NYU School of Fundraising Management and is a Certified Professional Executive Coach. He is a sought-after speaker who has appeared at forums such as the Harvard Social Enterprise Conference and the Citi Foundation Annual Convening of Grantees and Partners.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Business of Giving: New Best Practices for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leaders in an Uncertain World by Denver FrederickLearn more about Denver hereCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post Pandemic Working Environment (Katherine Lambert)SUMMARYThe pandemic put a unique pressure on nonprofit organizations and its leaders to do more with less, and adapt to new technologies and structures. As we usher in a post Covid-19 future, what will the new normal in the nonprofit sector look like? In episode #195 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we speak with veteran philanthropic leader, Katherine Lambert, about finding balance post-pandemic and moving from surviving to thriving. While the sector sometimes lags in innovation, the pandemic has forced organizations to adapt which has brought positive transformation to how they communicate, engage donors and volunteers, and raise funds. A philanthropic organization’s work is as effective as the people who perform it, and Katherine shares how they have revamped work culture, hours and practices to find and retain quality talent. ABOUT KATHERINEKatherine Lambert joined the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter in April, 2014 as its Chief Executive Officer. She works with a volunteer and staff team across the 49 counties in Central and Western North Carolina to achieve the Association’s mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. In January, 2017 Katherine’s role with the Association expanded to serving as the Regional Leader for all chapters in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Prior to leading the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Katherine served as Executive Vice President for Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council for five years and as Chief Development Officer for an additional three years. She also founded and led The Lambert Group for four years providing strategic planning, fund development and training resources for non-profit organizations. Preceding her non-profit career, Katherine spent six years in the financial services and headhunting industries. A native of Charlotte, Katherine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Certificate in Marketing and Management from Duke University and has achieved her CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation. Currently, she is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Women Executives. She has served on the Board of Directors and as chair for two non-profit organizations, Sharon Towers and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESYour Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector by Patton McDowell Katherine's previous guest appearance on the Path, Episode #17Learn more about the Alzheimer's Association hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!

194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader looking for specific program funding, are you aware of all your opportunities and what those potential funders are specifically looking for when considering where to invest? In episode #194 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell about key leadership attributes they look for when choosing projects and programs to fund. She shares the projects which can be replicated and the impact they have on both in their community and extended region they look for. Jama discusses their Mission Development Conference, which brings nonprofit leaders together, creating opportunities for collaboration and the four key areas of need they look to fund. Jama shares their key leadership components she looks for in each organization they consider. Learn how to build a better request from one expert.   ABOUT JAMAJama Campbell is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For over twenty-five years, Jama has worked for SECU in various positions throughout the state. Jama served as loan officer, operations auditor, Branch Vice President and later Senior Vice President in the branch network before taking on the role of Executive Director of SECU Foundation in 2015. She brings her experience in serving members to her role as Executive Director of the SECU Foundation and helps guide the Foundation in furthering its commitment to the citizens of North Carolina. Jama states “The member funded SECU Foundation serves as an incredible resource to North Carolina by supporting high impact projects in the areas of education, healthcare, housing and human services. We strive to represent the credit union philosophy of 'People Helping People' and embrace the opportunity to serve the citizenry of our state by ensuring our footprint is felt in all 100 North Carolina counties.”EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHarvard University Leadership CoursesLearn more about Jama and SECU Foundation hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold)SUMMARYMany nonprofit leaders have social impact amongst their chief objectives, but do you know what social impact truly means and how to measure the impact you’re having? In episode #193 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, social change strategist Jacob Harold shares his tools to help you transform your corner of the world. A former GuideStar and Candid executive, Jacob talks about the importance of collaboration, transparency, communication and comprehensive storytelling to assure a nonprofit’s success. He discusses his two laws of nonprofit communication: no story without numbers and no numbers without stories. Jacob shares his book, The Toolbox: Strategies for Crafting Social Impact where he identifies 9 different ways of thinking about social change and the essential lessons of each.ABOUT JACOBJacob Harold is a social change strategist, author, and executive. His story parallels the intellectual arc of The Toolbox: he’s traveled from farm to monastery to jail to laboratory to boardroom, all in search of the best ways to do good. From 2012 to 2021, Harold served as President & CEO of GuideStar and co-founder of Candid. Fast Company called Candid “the definitive nonprofit transparency organization.” Each year, over 20 million people use its data on nonprofits, grants, and social sector practice. The merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center formed candid in 2019. Harold co-led the $45 million capital campaign to launch Candid, wrote Candid’s guiding strategy document, Candid 2030, and served as EVP during post-merger integration. During his tenure leading GuideStar, Harold oversaw a financial turnaround, a tripling of GuideStar’s reach, and major partnerships with organizations ranging from Google to the Gates Foundation. In 2013, Harold launched the Overhead Myth campaign to shift attention from nonprofits’ financial ratios to their programmatic results. Since then, over 200,000 nonprofits have used GuideStar’s Profile Program to tell their full story to the world.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Ministry for the Future: A Novel by Kim Stanley Robinson​​​​​​​Learn more about Jacob, his book, and related Field Guide here​​​​​​​Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez)SUMMARYWhat is the biggest misconception about board development that many nonprofit leaders face? Do you have the right members on your board and do they know exactly why they've been invited to join? Sabrina Walker Hernandez, who has over 25 years’ experience in nonprofit management, answers these questions and more in episode #192 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. She shares key advice for effective board engagement from recruitment and orientation through development and successful management. Sabrina discusses the board and staff partnership and how to motivate your board members to fundraise. Do you have board champions? Learn what they are and why they’re a vital complement to your leadership.  ABOUT SABRINAWith over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and leadership, Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President/CEO of Supporting World Hope (SWH), provides consulting services and project-based leadership in helping organizations in the areas of building and managing development programs, capital campaigns, major gift fundraising, board development, marketing, annual fundraising efforts and public relations. Sabrina has a reputation for transformational leadership through staffing and mission alignment, fundraising, expanding programming and community partnerships. Prior to starting Supporting World Hope (SWH), Sabrina served as the Chief Executive Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV. One of Sabrina’s greatest successes is that she increased operating revenue from $750,000 to 2.5 million over an 8-year period as well, being responsible for the planning and operations of the largest campaign in organization’s history, a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign. In addition to her CEO experience, Sabrina also held the position of Vice President of Operations. She also serves as a master national trainer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which allows her to facilitate workshops and training at clubs across the country. She has served on the Board of Directors for Edinburg Rotary and the Texas Partnership for Out of School Time. She recently earned her Certification of Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School. Sabrina earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES You’re in Charge–Now What? by Thomas Neff & James CitrinLearn more about Sabrina and the work she’s doing hereCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector