Nonprofit Lowdown

Founders: they are among the most amazing and maddening people.  Many founders struggle as sustaining Executive Directors because the skills that helped you to start a nonprofit are different than the skills needed to be an enduring leader.  It takes a lot of reflection, maturity and grace to move from founder to mature ED.  Join me as we chat with Jai Nanda who has gone from a founding ED to a tenured ED of over 20 years.  Along the way, he's built an amazing organization, Urban Dove, and changed his leadership and perspective.  This is a must-listen for founding EDs. For more about Jai, check out: http://urbandove.org/about-us/our-mission/

You guys--this convo BLEW MY MIND.  I usually try not to fangirl, but Susan Scott is so unbelievably amazing.  She shares insights from her top-selling book Fierce Conversations and Fierce Leadership to help you have the fierce and necessary conversations with your employees, your family and your friends.  This conversation is truthful, honest and whole-hearted.  I felt changed afterward and I hope you will too. Some tidbits from our chat: "We are always having conversations and sometimes we include other people."  “Remember that what gets talked about and how it gets talked about determines what will happen. Or won't happen. And that we succeed or fail, gradually then suddenly, one conversation at a time.” For more about Susan, check out her company here: https://fierceinc.com/ To watch Susan's TED talk, check it out here: https://youtu.be/oVKaXUB4EFg

Happy 2020, friends!  Today's podcast is my hope for your 2020.  I hope and wish you good health.  How many of us sacrifice our health and well-being for the cause?  Join me and my friend Liza Baker, recovering nonprofit executive and health coach, to get tips about how to start taking care of yourself through food, exercise and little habits that can make a huge difference.  She provides actionable tips that are not painful.  Start 2020 out with making sure that you are the best you can be. For more about Liza, check her out here: https://simply-healthcoaching.com/

How many of us would love to be funded by Robin Hood?  Ever wondered if you've hit a ceiling with your fundraising efforts?  Today my guest is Suzi Epstein, Managing Director of the Robin Hood Foundation who discusses a free program for nonprofits at Robin Hood to up their game, some of the mistakes that she sees on proposals and what it takes to qualify for Robin Hood funding.  Please note that the deadline for the Robin Hood GRIT program is January 17, 2020 so get it while the getting is good! To apply, visit: https://www.robinhood.org/programs/special-initiatives/grit/

This episode is coming in HOT!  As we head into end-of-year fundraising, Kara breaks down how we need to flip the switch in our own minds about fundraising.  We talk about the mindset and psychology of an effective fundraiser, how to shake it off (hint: it's not about YOU), the power dynamics for fundraisers of color and how to retain our fundraisers.  Kara is funny, direct and an expert in her field.  It's a fundraising masterclass! For more about Kara's firm, check her out here: http://harvestklb.com/ Also, check out her super-awesome TED talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvoBzjZv7E

For the busy nonprofit executive, it just feels like social media falls to the bottom of your very long to-do list, amirite?  It's all so overwhelming--so many platforms, not enough time.  Join me and my guest Julia Campbell to talk about how to leverage social media effectively to build community for your cause, how to stop using it like a billboard and how to avoid common mistakes (spoiler alert: answer your comments!)  For the forward-thinking nonprofit, it's time to get on the social media bus or get left behind.  Julia is smart, insightful and realistic about how much the average nonprofit can really do on social. For more about Julia, check out her website: https://jcsocialmarketing.com/

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!  It's particularly fitting that today's post is with my friend Kishshana: truth-teller, inspo and fundraiser extraordinaire.  I'm thankful to have people like Ms. Kishshana in my life.  Join today's no-holds-barred convo about the unique challenges that women of color (especially Black women) face in major gift fundraising, what happens behind closed doors and how to get that DEI party started at your organization.  Ms. K drops ALL the truth bombs like it's hot and she's funny as hell.  We're speaking truth to power and making #noapologies! To find out more about this diva: https://kishshanaco.com/ To read Kishshana's latest piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, check it out here: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/How-to-Keep-Women-of-Color/247544

Today I'm chilling with the Big Poppa of the New York nonprofit world, Rich Berlin.  Rich walks us through the quick history of Harlem RBI that has since become multi-service wraparound school called Dream.  Rich tells us how his organization went from almost closing to its current $40M a year budget.  He shares his thoughts about board recruitment, board management and how to prepare a board to punch above its weight.  One day, I would like to be able to say "We're not talking to you for less than a seven figure gift."  Listen, learn and LOVE it.  This has got to be one of my very favorite podcast episodes (I love them all like my children.) For more about Rich, check out their website: https://www.wearedream.org/

As we careen towards year-end, we know all you fundraisers are out burning the midnight oil.  Annual appeal, Giving Tuesday, making budget, oh my!  My guest Patrick Kirby FEELS YOU.  Take a quick 30 minutes to take a listen to this fun episode.  Patrick and I talk about why people dread fundraising, what happens when boards and executives don't know how to fundraise (spoiler alert: unreasonable much?) and how to create a culture of philanthropy in your org.  Patrick is fun, caffeinated and HERE FOR YOU. For more about Patrick, check him out: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/

This month, as we head into the holiday giving season, we're featuring podcasts about fundraising!  This week, I'm chatting with Crystal Leochko Johnston, Founder of Eclipse Research to talk about how to identify and validate donor prospects.  Do you ever feel like fundraising is trying to find your way in the dark?  Ever hear your board tell you that they don't know anyone wealthy?  Think that you could target your current donor list for bigger gifts?  Don't miss this episode.  Today's $100 donor could be tomorrow's $100,000 donor if you have the right data. For more about Crystal click here: www.eclipseresearchgroup.com/ Free prospect research sources: NOZA Search - listing of Canadian and U.S. donation records (paid subscription) - www.nozasearch.com Newspaperarchive - newspapers from Canada, U.S. and 27 other countries (paid subscription) - www.newspaperarchive.com U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - U.S. Securities information (free) - www.sec.gov SEDI (System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders) - information on Canadian insiders (free) - www.sedi.ca SEDAR (The System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval) - Canadian securities documents (free) - www.sedar.com Federal Election Commission - U.S. political donations (free) - www.fec.gov