Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

156: Everything You Believe About Small Nonprofit Fundraising is Wrong (Zoot Velasco)SUMMARYIs your small nonprofit still trying to raise money through special events?  Modeling your fundraising plan on what large nonprofits are doing is among several critical mistakes Zoot Velasco will help you avoid. In episode #156 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, he tells us why those special events, big galas, grant writing and even courting major donors are not the most important things on which nonprofit leaders of smaller organizations should be focused. Zoot identifies three sources of earned income streams available to all nonprofit organizations and how strengthening and growing these streams will not only increase your financial stability but will also allow you to be less reliant on the traditional philanthropic dollar.  ABOUT ZOOTZoot Velasco is currently the Executive Director of the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation, Director of the Gianneschi Center for Nonprofit Research at California State University Fullerton’s College of Business & Economics, Professor of Business & Marketing at California State University Fullerton, Professor of Nonprofit Management & Leadership at California Polytechnic Institute Pomona, Host of the nationally-ranked 501(c)3(b)(s) podcast and author of three books. For 23 years, Zoot led cultural programs in prisons and cultural centers. He built four art centers for the City of LA, a Boys & Girls Club, and a Theatre for the City of Long Beach. He has raised more than $32 million for various organizations. During the recession, he led the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton to unprecedented growth, more than tripling programs, budget, patrons, and the endowment while winning awards as Orange County’s first STEAM programs, institutional arts programs, and strategic partnerships. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Small to LARGE: Growing Social Impact Organizations Against All OddsThe First 100 Days: Leading Small Nonprofits Out of the WildernessGet a copy of Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

155: Relationship Building: The Key to Nonprofit Leadership (Siobhan Davenport)SUMMARYAre you advancing your skills to be the kind of strong leader the nonprofit sector needs? In episode #155 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with Siobhan Davenport, a phenomenal industry leader with more than fifteen years of experience serving underserved youth and someone who understands the advantages of these skills. Discover the benefits of developing a personal board of directors and how this foundational network of advisors can support you through the various crossroads faced while navigating your career path. Learn how to authentically communicate your mission to others as Siobhan discusses the vital skills needed to build strong relationships that will guide you throughout your career.  As a busy nonprofit executive herself, Siobhan articulates her best self-care practices and organizational routines others can easily implement into their active daily regimen.ABOUT SIOBHANSiobhan Davenport was named President & CEO by the Crittenton Board of Directors in February 2019, bringing more than fifteen years of experience serving underserved youth. In her previous role as Crittenton’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, she built collaborations between schools, nonprofits, and corporations to better meet Crittenton girls’ challenges and launched the Declare Equity for Girls: It’s Time campaign. As the Executive Director of the Rocksprings Foundation from 2002 to 2018, Ms. Davenport oversaw the foundation’s impact by investing in economic and educational opportunities for low-income families and youth. Prior to that, she served as the Senior Producer and Host for On the Potomac Productions, including the acclaimed series “The New Washington.” She serves as a commissioner for the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism and sits on the Advisory Council for Ascend at the Aspen Institute. Ms. Davenport holds a master’s degree in journalism from American University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene BrownDecolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva Learn more about Crittenton Services of Greater WashingtonGet your copy of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

154: Nonprofit & For-Profit: Creating a Successful Partnership (Shiloh Karshima)SUMMARYDo you communicate a clear message that properly represents the voice of those you serve?  In episode #154 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Shiloh Karshima highlights some of the challenges nonprofit leaders face in trying to make their case more clearly and in an authentic way. Shiloh is a gifted leader with more than two decades experience building philanthropic partnerships in over 14 countries.  Shiloh explains how communication and harmonization are the keys to creating a successful partnership between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.  Learn why the acquisition and implementation of tangible skills will elevate your passion into a dynamic leadership role that others will desire to follow.  Shiloh also gives tangible examples of how nonprofit and for-profit leaders can partner to provide an even greater social impact.  Learn why nonprofit leaders who communicate in a shared language with their for-profit counterparts can bridge the bottom-line principles common to both sectors. ABOUT SHILOHShiloh Karshima co-founded The Leader Team in July 2021, when she and her family sold everything and decided to move to Nigeria.  With over two decades of experience in development and nonprofit work in 14 countries, Shiloh brings a wide range of expertise to the table as Executive Director. She has collaborated with the World Bank MENA, World Vision, University of the Nations, William Jessup University, FGI Finance, Jobs Partnership, Oasis Church Winter Garden, Peace and Justice Institute, Orlando MLK Foundation, Safe Families for Children, Bethany Christian Services, NYU’s Wagner Student Alliance for Africa, HopePark Church, Iris Ministries, River City Community Church, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, and Madonna’s Raising Malawi.  Shiloh was the Panel Discussion Moderator for The United National Female Genital Mutilation Forum in partnership with the not-for-profit Sauti Yetu, Columbia University and NYU.  She was Co-Founder of RISE: Conversations on Race and Unity in Winter Garden, Florida. Shiloh received her Master’s in Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy with a specialization in International Economic Development from New York University.  EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Changing The World Without Losing Your Mind by Alex CountsLearn more about Shiloh and The Leader Team here.Are you ready to be the leader the nonprofit sector needs? Start your journey to nonprofit leadership with Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector 

153: Why Diversification is Vital to Your Fundraising Plan (Holly Rustick)SUMMARYIs your nonprofit organization writing competitive grants that grow your funding capacity?  In episode #153 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership we speak with Holly Rustick, a grant writing expert with over 15 years of winning more than $30 million in grant funding, on how nonprofit leaders can enhance their grant writing skills and increase funding to advance their organization’s mission.  Holly shares practical takeaways and processes to increase and diversify funding for better overall stability of your nonprofit and its programs. To truly comprehend that grant writing is the connection of money to mission, nonprofit leaders must not only diligently research and understand the funder, but more importantly, they must first have a fully developed program to present. Holly discusses proper relationship-building techniques because, like all your donors, proper stewardship is vital to the foundations with which your organization interacts.  Learn how to best position your organization for funding with Holly’s 10 Step Checklist and her Nonprofit Wellness Audit.  Holly also shares her perspective to help more women in the nonprofit sector ascend into senior leadership positions.ABOUT HOLLYWorld-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick coaches thousands of people every week through her top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and via the Hub Haven on taking actionable steps in grant writing. Having secured millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations around the world throughout the past 16+ years, Holly has a mission to train grant writers to simplify the process, grow capacity, and advance mission.  Holly has an MA in International Political Economy, is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and is an unapologetic feminist. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.  If you are interested in advancing your grant writing skills or transitioning into freelance grant writing, be sure to check out Holly’s articles, books, and podcasts at www.grantwritingandfunding.com.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillLearn more about Holly Rustic and Grant Writing & Funding hereThe Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing by Holly RustickCheck out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector 

152: Building A Pipeline for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders (Nick Azulay)SUMMARYDoes your organization attract the next generation of dynamic nonprofit leaders? In episode #152 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with Nick Azulay, a Fulbright Scholar, who struggled to convert his education and desire for a meaningful career with the practical skills needed to land a job in the nonprofit sector.  Nick divulges specific tools he used to navigate his path into the nonprofit sector and ultimately a leadership position.  By strengthening your pipeline of quality talent with a well-developed internship program, you will also attract and develop young professionals ready to seamlessly transition into any role.  Nick shares his experiences as one such intern, his transition to a full-time position and now, as a senior leader himself, how best to scale and utilize an intern program to onboard, train, evaluate and retain today's emerging leaders. ABOUT NICKNick enthusiastically supports B Corps Digital Agency Whole Whale as a Senior Strategist with a focus on digital advocacy. In this role, Nick is committed to helping nonprofits and social impact organizations expand their impact to drive meaningful and measurable change. At Whole Whale, Nick emphasizes the role of digital political advocacy in the company’s work and has contributed to projects that include both political and human rights advocacy objectives. Nick has spoken on topics like Realtime Campaign Monitoring at NTC (Nonprofit Technology Conference), Digital Organizing at NETROOTS, and has worked with Whole Whale clients like Swing Left, PRX, Donate Life America, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and many more. Nick earned his B.A. in Political Science with a focus on comparative politics and international development from Villanova University. Throughout his undergraduate career, he interned with several different nonprofit organizations where he saw firsthand how successful communication and marketing strategies can increase impact. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Nonprofit Management 101: A Complete Practical Guide for Leaders and Professionals by Laila Brenner and Darian Rodriguez Heyman Learn more about the Whole Whale and Whole Whale UniversityGet your copy of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

151:  Engaging Volunteers to Make Your Nonprofit Vision A Reality (Diana Zhang)SUMMARYDo you consider your nonprofit leadership a calling? Perhaps you saw individuals on the precipice during the pandemic, and simply had to do something. Like other talented professionals who have joined our ranks as a “lateral entry”, Diana Zhang recognized this crisis as a call to action and left her successful 15-year hedge fund career to co-found the nonprofit organization called NeighborShare. In episode #151 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we discuss what it takes to pivot mid-career and launch a successful nonprofit startup.  Diana shares the challenges she faced, the lessons learned and the humility required to seek and accept strategic partners for assistance. She has valuable lessons for every nonprofit leader regardless of where your nonprofit is in its life-cycle, and other potential lateral entries will get great advice about understanding the skills they’ll need to transfer from for-profit to the nonprofit sector.  As the head of an almost exclusively volunteer organization that now operates in 26 states nationally, Diana discusses the three key elements of their value proposition and how this structure engages and retains excellent volunteers.ABOUT DIANADiana Zhang is the CEO and Co-Founder of NeighborShare, a rapidly-growing direct giving approach that empowers our communities’ frontline heroes to help families through critical moments of need of $400 or less. Prior to that, she spent 15 years in strategy and operations as an executive at Bridgewater Associates, a premier asset management firm with $150 billion AUM. Outside of work, Diana is passionate about food and advocating on behalf of those who lack access to it. She serves on the Board of the Connecticut Food Bank / Foodshare.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Business by Eric Ries Learn more about NeighborShare Get your copy today of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector 

150: Developing the Right Mindset to be an Effective Fundraiser (Rhea Wong)SUMMARYDo you struggle with fundraising? Have you truly reflected on why?  In honor of our 150th episode of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we discuss what it takes to maximize your fundraising with a leading expert, Rhea Wong.  If your fundraising isn’t a strategy as much as it’s a mix of tactics and tools cobbled together, then listen as Rhea introduces her unique and innovative program called The Fundraising Accelerator. Learn how to motivate your board to engage in fundraising so you never again have to ask, beg or demand their participation.  Before you can execute on even the best strategic plan, nonprofit leaders must first have the right money mindset.  You’ll hear clearly articulated examples of deepening your relationships with donors and beneficial insight into the many variations of the fundraising cycle. As someone who recently released his debut book, Patton enthusiastically explores Rhea’s new book, Get That Money Honey: The No BS Guide to Raising Money for Your Nonprofit.ABOUT RHEARhea helps nonprofits raise more money. Though she has deep experience with institutional, corporate and event fund-raising, she is passionate about major individual donors and helping organizations to establish individual giving programs.  She has raised millions of dollars in private philanthropy and is passionate about building the next generation of fundraising leaders. She has become a leader in the New York nonprofit community and is a frequent educational commentator in the media.  She has been recognized with the SmartCEO Brava Award in 2015 and NY Nonprofit Media’s 40 under 40 in 2017.  For more information about Rhea, please see her LinkedIn Profile here. Rhea lives in Brooklyn with her husband and the World's Most Spoiled Dog Stevie Wonderdog.  When she is not raising money for causes she loves, she can be found hosting her podcast Nonprofit Lowdown, promoting her newest book Get that Money, Honey! or onstage as a newbie stand-up comedian in downtown Brooklyn.  For more information, check out rheawong.comEPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearLearn more about Rhea and the Fundraising Accelerator hereRhea’s book Get That Money Honey

149: Navigating Data for Nonprofit Leaders (Stu Manewith)SUMMARYIs your organization overwhelmed by data?  Do you have fresh, error free, current and comprehensive data in one easy to access system or has confidence in your communications faltered because you recently noticed something simple like a donor’s name misspelled? Today’s guest, Stu Manewith discusses why nonprofit leaders should be paying more attention to their data. In episode #149 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Stu defines his 5 Keys to Data Quality and Management because when your data is not cared for, the processes based on that data become ineffective and lead to breakdowns in communication at all levels.  Is your current CRM about to sunset and lose its functionality?  A digital transformation may be required, and regardless of your nonprofit’s size, scope or budget, you will learn ways to more effectively manage and thus capitalize on your organization’s data.ABOUT STUStu Manewith is considered one of the top thought-leaders in the non-profit sector. He is the Director of Thought Leadership and Advocacy for Omatic Software, a data-integration software for non-profits that allows them a complete view of their donors, promoting data-driven decision making.  With over 30 years’ experience in the non-profit sector, Stu has implemented data and integration solutions at hundreds of non-profits across all subsectors - and been published by Blackbaud and Salesforce.  He is a seasoned nonprofit authority, advocate, and consulting services leader, with deep experience serving the nonprofit sector, both as a nonprofit executive and as a technology consulting professional. He’s a Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE) with a special passion for best practices surrounding the healthy ‘marriage’ of fundraising and other nonprofit revenue streams with the general ledger.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Data Driven Nonprofits by Steve McLaughlinLearn more about Stu hereLearn more about Omatic SoftwareReady for a Mastermind?  Apply now for the Summer & Fall 2022 CohortsHave you picked up Patton’s new book? Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

148: How to Navigate Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership SUMMARYHow can Patton’s new book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector, help you on your journey to senior leadership?  In episode #148 of the Path Podcast, guest host Ken Fuquay explores that exact question by turning the tables on Patton and asking why everyone in - or pondering - nonprofit leadership will benefit from reading it.  One thing becomes clear: Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership will help you become the kind of leader every nonprofit organization needs to make an even greater impact on the communities they serve.ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell is a nonprofit expert, author, speaker and coach. He’s the President of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, a consulting practice he founded after a successful twenty-year career in the nonprofit sector. His leadership experience includes work at Special Olympics International and Special Olympics North Carolina, and he led fundraising teams for UNC Wilmington and Queens University of Charlotte. He’s a sought-after consultant on nonprofit issues of strategic planning, organizational development and staff & board leadership. Patton received a BA from UNC Chapel Hill, an MBA from Queens University, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California. ABOUT KENKen Fuquay is a son, a brother, a husband and friend who also happens to be an educator, business owner, ordained pastor, nonprofit CEO and someone learning to live in the unforced rhythm of grace.  Ken earned a music degree at Emmanuel College, a Digital Media Certificate from Carolina School of Broadcasting and Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary.  He is the planting pastor at M2M Charlotte and CEO of LIFESPAN Services, Inc., a NC nonprofit that serves more than 1,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 23 NC counties.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Get your copy of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership available now at all retailers!Learn more about PMA Consulting and Patton’s new bookListen to Episode #121 New Nonprofit CEO? 5 Keys to Success with Ken FuquayReady for a Mastermind in 2022? Apply today!

147: Creating A People First Environment at Your Nonprofit (Stamie Despo & Tom Lafalce)SUMMARYWhat are you doing to create a people first environment at your nonprofit? More than ever, nonprofit leaders must create a culture that attracts, orients, develops and retains talent.  Two leaders in the higher education sector who have traveled varying career paths now find themselves leading together. In episode #147 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Stamie Despo and Tom Lafalce delineate four aspects of creating a people first environment. They discuss how communicating your “why” properly will attract passionate talent. Successfully onboarding new hires lays the foundation for future success, as well as presenting a series of professional development opportunities allows for their growth. They explore conversations that focus on racial equity, diversity and inclusion, which they acknowledge can be difficult, but “you get better with practice,” Together they demonstrate methods everyone can implement to encourage an open dialogue and better understanding of these vital topics. ABOUT STAMIEStamie brings over 20 years of experience in philanthropy with her to Cornell University. Her most recent venture before Cornell was as the Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the greater Charlotte, NC, area. Stamie was a 2019 honoree for the Charlotte Athena Leadership Award for Service. Her focus in philanthropy is engaging donors in a meaningful and authentic way, creating a culture of philanthropy, building relationships and providing strategic leadership. Stamie holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics, Cum Laude, from Smith College, a Masters in Teaching degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Monmouth University, a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Duke University, and an Event Planning Certificate from UNC Charlotte. ABOUT TOMTom is a 1994 graduate of Cornell’s College of Human Ecology, he joined the Annual Giving Program’s team in 2004. In 2016, he began to focus more broadly on Annual Fund Leadership Giving. In this role, he partners with Alumni Affairs and Development staff to ensure the successful annual solicitation of donors of $1,000 or more, works with College and Unit staff to set Annual Fund Goals, serves on Cornell’s Giving Day Steering Committee and supports the development committees of the Cornell University Council and the President’s Council of Cornell Women (PCCW).  In addition, Tom has served as the Acting Director of Annual Giving Programs on two occasions, in 2015 and from 2018 to 2020.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The New One Minute to Manager by Ken Blanchard & Mindset by Carol S. DweckCheck out Stamie’s previous episode: Building a Culture of Philanthropy at Your Nonprofit