Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

51: Is a Merger Right for Your Nonprofit? (Laura Belcher)SUMMARYAs uncertain conditions continue to challenge nonprofit leaders and their ability to plan strategically, the need for effective collaboration is greater than ever.  While effective partnerships and collaborative opportunities exist without an actual merger taking place, many nonprofit leaders are contemplating what an actual merger might do for their organization.  In episode #51 of the Path Podcast, Laura Belcher, the President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, and I had a great discussion about all three phases of a nonprofit merger.  What should you be looking for in a potential merger partner?  How do you effectively plan for the merger to take place?  How do you implement the merger once the decision has been made?  These are just a few of the strategic topics Laura and I discussed, and she offers a wealth of ideas and advice based on her journey that will help anyone on the path to nonprofit leadership. ABOUT LAURALaura joined Habitat Charlotte in 2014. The organization’s mission is to remove barriers to affordable housing by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. During her tenure, Laura has overseen a 30% growth in production, led the effort in the creation and implementation of the 2016-2020 strategic plan, and in February of this year, managed the merger between Habitat Charlotte and Our Towns Habitat, creating Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. Over the last two years, she has been instrumental in the affiliate’s offering more diverse housing solutions and an expansion in financial literacy offerings. Laura has served on numerous committees of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI); she currently co-chairs the Collaborative Operating Model Executive Task Force and was elected to a 3-year term on the HFHI US Council. She spent the first 20 years of her career in corporate roles with Arthur Andersen, Wachovia Securities and Transamerica. Laura is a CPA, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and spent 9 years in nonprofit work as CFO/COO of the Arts & Sciences Council prior to joining Habitat. She attributes her passion for Habitat to her church where she started volunteering and building houses over 20 years ago. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHabitat for Humanity InternationalGino Wickman’s book Traction

50: Elevating A Cause Through Nonprofit Leadership (Curtis Drafton)SUMMARYNot many nonprofit leaders have actually experienced the personal and professional challenges facing the individuals their organization serves.  After two Army tours in the Middle East left him injured, Curtis Drafton then had to overcome the tragic loss of his fiancé to cancer.  In his words, he was “mentally broken and confused,” but also realized he was not alone in his struggle.  Few would have blamed him for taking years to get his life and career in order, but Curtis realized many of the challenges he faced were not dissimilar from thousands of other veterans who had selflessly served this country. From that point on, Curtis found his calling, and helped found the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame.  In episode #50 of the Path Podcast, Curtis and I had a great conversation in which he shares practical insight for nonprofit leaders trying to turn a cause into a successful organization.  What resources were most helpful to Curtis?  How did he approach fundraising on a local, regional and national level?  How did he identify the volunteers, partners, and resources necessary to make the concept of a Hall of Fame much more than a building?  Answers to these questions and much more in this episode! ABOUT CURTISAfter an all-state high school track and field career in Ohio, Curtis enrolled at Columbus State Community College with dreams of transferring to Ohio State and eventually training for the Olympics. Two nagging knee injuries ended his athletic career, however, and an enlistment in the Army followed.  After getting his degree in kinesiology, he completed a four-year military contract, and then took a year to care for his ailing fiancé who was diagnosed with ​acute lymphocytic leukemia​. After she passed away, he re-enlisted for an additional two-year commitment. Following his military service, he took on several positions in corporate America, bringing passion to each, but not finding the calling he was looking for. He then launched a volunteer rescue team to help veterans affected by natural disasters, and knew he had found his purpose.  It was then he also became a Chaplain, and heard God’s calling for the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame.  Curtis is also a Minister on staff at Uplift Christian Ministries in Charlotte, NC, a collegiate athletics mentor, a veterans' needs advocate, a Search & Rescue Team Leader and an avid gardener.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESJamel Jackson’s book The Value of RelationshipsMark Batterson’s book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day

049:  4 Tips for Effective & Efficient Fundraising (Patton McDowell)SUMMARY Patton had an opportunity to be a guest on Dolph Goldenburg’s great podcast and discuss four key tips he’s found to help nonprofit organizations organize their fundraising efforts.  This was also our first opportunity to participate in a “reverse podcast,” as this episode first appeared on Dolph’s feed on July 16, 2020, and now is included on our feed as well.  Description from The Successful Nonprofits Podcast: Small and medium-sized nonprofits face unique fundraising challenges and all too often overcompensate in ways that can cause lasting damage. Today’s guest, Patton McDowell, is not only a nonprofit podcast sensation himself, but a fundraising expert. Patton shares 4 simple tips to accomplish efficient and effective fundraising: adopt an achievable fundraising strategy, use positive messaging, properly engage your board and executive director, and keep your development staff happy. Listen in for details on how you and your nonprofit can achieve each of these and improve your fundraising outcome!ABOUT PATTONPatton has spent his entire 30-year career helping talented individuals raise more funds and effectively lead their nonprofit organizations. After starting his consulting practice in 2009, he and his colleagues have worked with the leaders of more than 230 nonprofit organizations.  Before starting PMA Consulting, he spent a decade in higher education as Vice President for Advancement at Queens University after serving in the same role at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the UNC system. Prior to his tenure in higher education, he worked with volunteers from 85 different counties as the state Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina and as an Assistant for Education & Training for Special Olympics International in Washington DC. Patton grew up in Elizabeth City, NC, and went to UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar where he received a BA in English Education. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business while working at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change & Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a Master Trainer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International. He also serves as the Lead Faculty Member for the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership in Charlotte. Patton is the host of the weekly podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership.EPISODE RESOURCESListen: Dolph Goldenburg’s episode #44 Building A Supercharged Nonprofit BoardListen: Patton’s episode #165 on the Successful Nonprofits Podcast

48: Agile Arts Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector (Devlin McNeil)SUMMARYHow do you manage an Arts organization when every aspect of your program is disrupted? Perhaps no nonprofit sector has more challenges right now than Arts & Culture organizations, given the limitations to programming, performances and gatherings.  And with the philanthropic community understandably focused on health and human services, the Arts sector faces even greater needs for agile leadership.  Fortunately, Devlin McNeil, the President & Executive Director of Arts+, provides great insight as to how any organization can adapt and change despite challenges from every direction in episode #48 of the Path Podcast.  In addition to her change management strategies, Devlin and I discussed how she’s attracted and retained a very talented team of staff leaders, as well as built an incredibly dynamic board of directors.  She also provides great insight about evaluating and ultimately choosing the right nonprofit leadership role to fit your personal mission and career goals.   ABOUT DEVLINDevlin joined Community School of the Arts (CSA), now Arts+, in June 2013. As President & Executive Director, she is responsible for the leadership and management of the organization, facilitates programs and key partnerships, and directs efforts to ensure sustainable funding. Devlin received her BFA, as a non-traditional student, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) with concentrations in Photography and Art History and has completed coursework for the Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA) program at Winthrop University. Prior to her role at Arts+, she worked for McColl Center for Visual Art for 10 1⁄2 years – with a brief hiatus of 10 months to work with the Public Art Program of the Charlotte Area Transit System. Her roles at McColl Center included Marketing, Education Director, Program Director, and before leaving her tenure there, Chief Operating Officer. Devlin began her career in non-profit arts management after formerly working for First Union National Bank (now Wells Fargo) and brings a complementary blend of non-profit and corporate experience to her role as Executive Director. She has been a presenter at the North Carolina Arts Education Conference, a panelist for the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro and the Charlotte Area Transit System—where she also served as a curator, and a juror for many art competitions including UNC Charlotte and Scholastics. She has associations with NAEA – National Art Education Association, National Guild for Community Arts Education, Charlotte Symphony Guild, Women Executives, and serves on the board of the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESArts+ Programs & ClassesPaulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist

47: Millennials & Corporate Partners: What Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (Derrick Feldmann)SUMMARYHow do you get the millennial generation to engage in your nonprofit’s cause?  That’s the first question Derrick Feldmann and I explored during our conversation on episode #47 of the Path Podcast.  There is no one more qualified to answer that question, given his decade-long research on the millennial generation.  While Derrick provided a fascinating look at that demographic, we were also able to follow his research journey into two other specialty areas as well.  His work around Social Movements for Good explored what makes some causes not only go viral, but truly engage their constituencies.  Finally, we delved into the findings published in his latest book, The Corporate Social Mind, which provides invaluable insight about what companies are looking for ion their nonprofit and community partnerships.  All of these topics certainly should be ingrained in the minds of nonprofit leaders as they strengthen their organizations as well as engage critical support from community and corporate leaders.  Not only are Derrick’s books ones to add to your collection, but he also adds four others to your wish list!ABOUTDerrick Feldmann is a sought-after speaker, researcher and advisor for causes and companies on social movements and issue engagement and is the author of three books, Social Movements For Good: How Companies and Causes Create Viral Change andCause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit MillennialEngagement and The Corporate Social Mind. He has been recognized as a leading researcher in cause engagement for more than a decade and his work is regularly cited by such outlets as Forbes, Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal and as a reliable source of data on today’s cause engagement. During the prior 10 years, he led the research team for the Millennial Impact Project, producing the comprehensive study on how the generation has engaged with causes from varying perspectives. Derrick currently splits his time between INFLUENCE|SG and the Ad Council Edge, the Ad Council’s strategic consulting division that advises during the formative stages of public engagement programs. EPISODE RESOURCESDerrick’s study on Influencing Young America to ActMark & Paul Engler’s book This is an Uprising Robert Shiller's book Narrative Economics Walter Isaacson's Leonardo Da Vinci Samantha Power's The Education of an Idealist 

46: Finding New Opportunities Through Nonprofit Leadership (Cheryl Richards)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, how do you know when it’s the right time to make a change?  That’s exactly where Dr. Cheryl Richards and I started our conversation, as she was only two weeks into her new role as the first female President of Johnson & Wales University’s Charlotte Campus.  After great success in her previous leadership role as the CEO & Founding Regional Dean at Northeastern University, she certainly was not compelled to leave, but continued to follow her strategic career vision.  In sharing her story, she offers a literal resource manual for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders.  Cheryl details her goal-setting and self-assessment activities, her approach to fundraising and board development, and perhaps most importantly, how she has volunteered her time to gain invaluable professional and community experience.  She also provides great advice for leading in a virtual environment, identifying and mentoring young leaders, and also throws in a few good books for us to read as well!ABOUT CHERYLCheryl began her tenure as President of Johnson & Wales University’s Charlotte Campus on June 15, 2020. Since 2011, she served as the Founding CEO and Regional Dean of Northeastern University’s Charlotte Campus. As their chief academic officer, she championed the licensure and growth in academic program offerings from eight to more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. Prior to Northeastern, Cheryl was a campus and academic dean at the Cato Campus of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.  Active in the community, Richards has served on a number of boards, including the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and MeckEd. She currently serves on the boards of Progressive AE, Apparo, the American Heart Association, and Smart Start of Mecklenburg County. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership for Higher Education at Capella University in Minnesota. She has a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication, both from Colorado State University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESMichael Watkins’ book The First 90 DaysTom Rath’s book StrengthsFinder 2.0Lance Secretan’s book Inspire! What Great Leaders Do

45: Navigating the Nonprofit Leadership Journey (David Malloy)SUMMARYMaking a job transition is challenging enough under any circumstance, but how about with the addition of a pandemic, cross-country logistics, and the addition of a new baby in the family?!?! That’s exactly what David Malloy had to maneuver as he assumed his new role as Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation. David and I had great discussion in episode #45 of the Path in which he shares many lessons learned from the national search process as well as the orientation into a senior nonprofit leadership position.  He also highlights crucial networking and life-long learning tactics that paid off right when he needed them to, and offers great take-aways for our listeners.  David also finishes with some great books for that are sure to enhance the collections for those of you interested in similar Executive Director opportunities.ABOUT DAVIDDavid is the newly elected Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation, which serves individuals, local church congregations and conference agencies. He came to the foundation after serving for 10 years in the Office of Development with the General Board of Global Ministries where he worked as the Director of Annual Conference Relationships and helped fundraise for over 900 projects and 350 missionaries in 65 countries. Malloy also coordinated trainings and presentations to equip church leadership with information on giving opportunities, donation data and project impact, including extensive work throughout Africa including Sudan, Uganda, Mozambique and Liberia, as well as for programs in Mexico, China and South Korea. Malloy previously served four years as the Director of Communications for the Greater New Jersey Conference, and before working in New Jersey, he was the fifth recipient of the Judith L. Weidman Fellowship sponsored by United Methodist Communications. Malloy is a fourth generation United Methodist and the product of a North Carolina Conference parsonage where he was taught the value of service in the church.  David is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in communications with a public relations concentration.  In 2015 he received a master’s degree in Fundraising and Non-Profit Management from Columbia University.  David and his wife Summer welcomed their first child in December 2019.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHenry Nouwen’s book The Spirituality of FundraisingWiley Publishing’s Not-for-Profit GAAP 2020Tax Economics of Charitable Giving 2018

44: Building A Supercharged Nonprofit Board (Dolph Goldenburg)SUMMARYHow do you best engage your board members as a nonprofit leader, especially given the challenges the sector is facing right now?  This episode of the Path poses that question to someone who literally wrote a book about the topic, called Successful Nonprofits Build Supercharged Boards.  Dolph Goldenburg and I certainly discuss board development in episode #44 of the podcast, but also talk about specific fundraising tactics you can incorporate into your development plan, as well as two things in which every nonprofit should be investing right now.  He also has some great – and specific – productivity tips that he’s developed during his years as a nonprofit CEO, and also has several online and book resources that you’ll definitely want to check out!ABOUT DOLPHDolph is recognized as a leader within the nonprofit sector who has a track record of guiding organizations through leadership transitions, strategic planning and board development. He started Successful Nonprofits in 2014 to provide consulting, podcasting and publishing services that strengthen the nonprofit sector. His clients have included large nonprofits like Sheltering Arms and HOPE Atlanta and also small but mighty nonprofits like the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and Zebra Coalition. Prior to starting his consulting practice, Goldenburg was a successful nonprofit CEO for 12 years with a demonstrated history of leading organizations to financial stability and growth.  As a CEO, Goldenburg helped organizations transform deficits into healthy surpluses, increase fund balances, dramatically expand services, and increase revenue.  In addition to extensive CEO experience, Goldenburg also has more than a decade of fundraising experience, which includes soliciting six -figure gifts and writing millions of dollars in funded grant proposals. Goldenburg holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Georgia State University. Dolph is the host of the Successful Nonprofits Podcast, and author of the book Successful Nonprofits Build Supercharged BoardsEPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHarvey McKay’s book Dig Your Well Before You're ThirstyCEO Transition: HBR Article After the HandshakeJoe Dominguez and Vicki Robin’s book Your Money or Your Life

43:  What is Your Nonprofit Career Vision? 6 Questions You Need to Answer (Patton McDowell) SUMMARYThese are challenging times for all kinds of reasons, given the isolation of the pandemic, the obvious disparities of race and privilege we’re seeing up close, and the economic uncertainties that affect our personal and professional livelihoods.  These existential questions don’t have easy answers, but nonprofit leaders are looking for guidance as they get their heads around them and evaluate what it means for their career journey.  This episode of the Path includes a framework used in Patton’s coaching on Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, including six specific questions that will help sharpen your goals and design a Vision Framework.  We’ve all had more time to reflect these days, and these questions will give you things to consider and perhaps prompt a writing or journaling exercise. As a result, you’ll better articulate your long-term goals on the Nonprofit Path.ABOUT PATTONAfter starting his consulting practice in 2009, Patton and his colleagues have worked with the leaders of more than 230 nonprofit organizations.  Before starting PMA Consulting, he spent a decade in higher education as Vice President for Advancement at Queens University after serving in the same role at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the UNC system. Prior to his tenure in higher education, he worked as the state Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina and as an Assistant for Education & Training for Special Olympics International in Washington DC. Patton grew up in Elizabeth City, NC, and went to UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar where he received a BA in English Education. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business while working at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change & Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a Master Trainer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International. EPISODE RESOURCESListen:  New to Nonprofit? Five Ways to Hit the Ground Running (Mike Blackwelder)Read:  New to the Nonprofit World? 5 Ways to Hit the Ground RunningListen:  Fortune 500 to Nonprofit Founder & CEO (Tina Admans)Listen:  Making the Jump: Corporate America to Nonprofit Executive (Kristin Beck)

42: Challenging the Nonprofit Status Quo (Tina Postel)SUMMARYWhat should you put in place at your nonprofit organization before you encounter challenges like those we’re facing right now?  That’s one of the many topics Tina Postel and I discuss in episode #42 of the Path podcast, and fortunately you’re not too late to implement many of her great ideas.  Families struggling with food insecurities have enough barriers to overcome, and she knew her organization, Loaves & Fishes, had to be more effective and efficient even before the current coronavirus conditions began to affect her staff, volunteers and the families she serves.  Tina put her leadership skills into play so she could not only maintain the volume of food provided but be nimble enough to expand and to explore other partnerships in her sector.  Tina has always been a student of leadership, and we discussed her early efforts to utilize a professional coach and how she honestly appraised her skills so she could develop a plan to get better.  She also has great insight on effectively hiring talent into the nonprofit sector, how she cultivates her board members, and advice she would offer those considering the nonprofit sector as a career path.  Some good books to consider as well!ABOUT TINATina Postel serves as the Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes, Inc. where she oversees a network of over 40 emergency food pantries in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2019, Loaves & Fishes provided groceries to over 80,000 neighbors in need. Tina previously served as Chief Executive Officer for the Billings Family YMCA. Tina has a BS in Psychology from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership for Nonprofit Management from Lewis University. In addition to her leadership role at Loaves & Fishes, Tina is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer and presents on topics of collaboration, strategic planning, organizational development and servant leadership. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and teaches graduate courses in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising. Tina is an active member of several local and national volunteer organizations and advocacy groups aimed to combat poverty, alleviate food insecurity and achieve social justice for all. She is a professional leader in nonprofit services and philanthropy with over 20 years of experience working and volunteering in the community to promote positive change.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES La Piana ConsultingJon Acuff’s book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of DoneBob Goff’s book Everybody Always