What the Fundraising

Kishshana Palmer is an international speaker, trainer, and coach with a 20+ year background in fundraising, marketing, and talent management who helps leaders create high-performing teams. Kishshana is known for calling out toxic mindsets and behaviors so that organizations can actually make their missions come true. This conversation is both a wake-up call and a joyful release as we get into all the nitty gritty around what holds organizations and leaders back, and what allows them to thrive. We also talk about the need to start investing in your personal and professional development, and what both of us rely on to keep us going. If you want to get 2022 off to a great start with your organization on track, then you don’t want to miss this episode.Episode highlights:(03:02) -  Who is Kishshana Palmer? A 20+ year nonprofit professional helping everyday leaders make their missions happen.(09:10) - Humor, lightness, and communications skills in nonprofits + The biggest leadership no-no’s. (16:17) - Helper addiction & Martyritis: The mindset behind this epidemic in the nonprofit sector. (22:12) - “But I suffered so much”: Why we need to break the cycle of abuse and neglect inside organizations. (33:18) - Inner safety vs ego: How to be grounded in yourself and build empathy and knowledge from a place of wellbeing. (37:03) - Finding out what works for you: Understanding what your real capacity is and building from there. (46:24) - Where to find Kishshana + how you can work with her this coming year. 

Are you ready for the second season of What the Fundraising? Before we properly start a new season, we take a look back to highlight some of the most interesting lessons from last season's episodes with my friend and nonprofit game-changer, Vik Harrison. Vik links each one of these favorite moments to her experience being the creative leader of charity: water, a successful nonprofit she co-founded with her (now) husband, Scott Harrison! We examine the value of celebrating small victories, discuss ways to deal with rejection, and we talk about a number of ways to see beyond the limiting beliefs in the nonprofit world.02:05 - Introducing Vik Harrison, a creative storyteller and co-founder of the nonprofit project charity: water.07:40 - Why celebrating small victories makes the work easier: Breaking down the ‘beggar’s mindset’.14:13 - Creating Community through a solid brand culture: Welcome rituals and helping partner organizations to spread your message right.21:13 - Exit the tunnel vision: Negative thought cycles and how to use curiosity and transparency to avoid them.28:50 - How to deal with rejection and negative feedback in a nonprofit: On emotional components, vulnerability, inner safety, sharing stories, deep beliefs and practices.36:06 - The brain rewire: On shame loss, apps for mind and body healing and overcoming limiting beliefs.44:14 - Future winner long-game mindset: What can be learned from political fundraising.

Ryan Erickson is my amazing husband, life partner, friend, counselor, and co-parent. In this episode, Ryan and I discuss his experience being the partner of a busy nonprofit leader, me. While we make a terrific team, it hasn’t always been an easy ride; especially when I became an Executive Director or when I launched this business! Tune in and learn what it is like to be the supporting partner in times of crisis, the hardest parts of our relationship, and how we’ve made it work through the years. Plus, we talk about Ryan’s giving and there are some super interesting takeaways from his lens as a donor!Episode highlights: (02:14) - Who is Ryan Erickson? The story of how Ryan and Mallory met and their super-awkward first date.(11:16) - A rock to hold on to: The ups and downs of being the supportive partner of a super busy nonprofit Executive Director. (17:54) - Launching a business with an 8-month-old: Ryan’s views on supporting Mallory to achieve her professional goals. (21:16) - Boundaries, capacity, and support: The biggest challenges in these types of relationships and some tips to make it work.   (29:41) - From seed to changing society: Ryan’s opinion on the podcast, the nonprofit world, money, and scarcity mindset. (40:29) - Love, impact, and gratitude: Ryan’s giving and what brought him to approach the third sector so wholeheartedly.(45:45) - A shoutout to Ryan’s favorite nonprofit …(or not)!

Nicole Parker is a social innovator that knows how to create strategies that lead to transformation. With her sisters, she founded the project Sisters in Business, which has the mission to create a space for women of color to connect, collaborate, and build community to sustain, grow and maximize their vision. In this episode, Nicole talks about her journey through community development, from her lived experience and years as a student in social enterprise to becoming the social innovator and disruptor that she is now. Join us while we discuss the many ways in which we can shift the system and break the barriers that still exist today.Episode highlights: (02:16) - Who is Nicole Parker? A social innovator and disruptor supporting black and brown women in entrepreneurship. (04:21) - Removing barriers for innovators: Nicole’s journey building a nonprofit and the challenges she faced as a student.(14:32) - What’s economic justice about: Analyzing the historical patterns around social segregation to shift the system in a new direction(16:38) - On big companies trying to support black-owned businesses: Conscious actions or just following the trend? (23:02) - Getting swiped by the big guys: Trust issues and systemic injustice in the philanthropic foundation space.(31:32) - Questioning the concept of authenticity: Sisters in Business leading black and brown women through the journey of self-reflection.(46:39) - Episode’s conclusions + Contact information to know more about Sisters in Business and Charlie’s Place.

Heather Segar is a coach, speaker, trainer, and host of The Heather Sager Show. Through her years in the business, she’s learned something: success is limited by your ability to articulate a vision and inspire others to take action. In this episode, Heather shares her wisdom around how we need to be showing up to one-on-one conversations, fundraising events, and any other presentation to have a real impact. Hop into this conversation now! This one is more than tips and tricks, it’s about who you become when you are making that ask or giving that presentation. I promise you won’t want to miss out on Heather’s knowledge!Episode highlights: (01:50) - Who is Heather Segar? Teaching online entrepreneurs to articulate their ideas for success!(03:35) - Turning the conversation into money talk: What we need to understand around speaking skills and communication!(10:48) - Bringing the right kind of energy: The three parts of communication you need to master.(17:54) - Find the perfect balance and language!: Blending your authentic personality with your organization’s brand.(29:14) - Money mindset & our relationship with spending: Why our prejudice may not be accurate when asking for dollars. (36:01) - Some strategies to confidently talk with donors: Asking yes-yes questions, focusing on alignment, and reading the signs. (44:25) - The 7% rule: Why the way you spread your message and your body language is more important than your actual words. (49:42) - Where you can find Heather + A shoutout to her favorite nonprofit, The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes.

Philippa White is the founder, and CEO of The International Exchange, and a true believer in the power of business and leadership to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. In this episode, Philippa shares some of her experiences with building partnerships through TIE and how for 15 years they’ve made successful collaboration between sectors possible. Join in and listen to this expert’s experience changing things up and challenging both sectors to be better and bolder! Episode highlights : 02:09 - Who is Philippa White? Her family background in the business of helping and how she landed in the third sector after experiencing the advertising world. 7:10 - The story behind TIE: Why the private sector needs leaders capable of meaningful change and how to get there (especially during COVID).15:07 - Is this what organizations need?: Recognizing mutual benefit and win-win dynamics between companies and organizations.22:50 - Changing our perception around organizations: How to be an accelerator of change and impact in the real world. 29:48 - Stigma around NGOs: Inefficiency, money, and some of the obstacles of nonprofit organizations.37:36 - Where to find TIE and Philippa + A shoutout to CCC, Philippa’s favorite nonprofit at the moment!

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast…I talk to my long-time friend, and talent and human potential aficionado with over a decade of experience within Career Coaching and Human Resources, A.J. Mizes. He is my go-to resource when it comes to how to build a strong, healthy, and balanced culture for organizations.AJ and I get to nerd out and go deep on the nuances and strategies behind building a great team while aligning to your mission and hitting your goals. In strong cultures, there are healthy boundaries and psychological safety, and people are not afraid to receive direct and professional feedback. Listen now and learn AJ’s tips and tricks on how to promote a safe, healthy, and productive environment at work. Plus, AJ gives advice on how to get you in front of the right people and find the perfect fit for you when it comes to job searching. Episode highlights: (02:00) - Who is AJ Mizes? A talent aficionado with an unconventional approach to HR work.(05:21) - Maintaining a healthy balance: How HR can make or break a company, plus what is behavior you can tolerate and what isn’t? (10:45) - Are you fearful of giving feedback?: AJ’s tips and tricks on giving amazing feedback and how to build fruitful one-on-one relationships. (14:01) - Psychological safety and transparency: Modeling authenticity and vulnerability with your team.(22:45) - How to navigate with resentful leaders: Why grounding in your mission with clarity is absolutely critical to provide stability for your team. (29:42) - The characteristics of successful teamwork: Hiring diverse perspectives and how to find complementary skills for your team. (36:48) - What is the right cultural fit for you?: AJ’s best advice for job searching + Some questions to ask during a job interview.(40:56) - Where to find AJ + A shoutout to AJ's favorite nonprofit, Town Hall Theater Lafayette!

Taylor Stewart is the Vice President of Organizing Leadership at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE). Her work centers on developing the leadership of LEE members to build powerful ecosystems in their communities filled with elected officials, policymakers, advocacy leaders, and organized constituencies. In this conversation Taylor talks about what organizing really means, finding that sweet spot between self-interest and community advocacy, and the ways we as a society can become more anti-racist from our office to our policies.Join this conversation on the intricacies of how to utilize people power to support diverse candidates in the political arena and the strategies to find support and funding for their campaigns.Episode highlights: (01:48) - Who is Taylor Stewart? Her background as an educator, a fundraiser, and what brought her to work in Educational Equity.(06:01) - What does “organizing” really mean?: Giving and shifting the power in communities with intentionality.(10:08) - Representing diversity in mutual benefit: Finding that sweet spot between self-interest and advocating for a community.(18:07) - An anti-racist framework: Understanding bias from an internalized personal level to systemic racism. (23:26) - Is a white savior complex at play?: How to stop perpetuating harmful systems and actually give power to leaders inside communities.  (32:39) - Resources, support, and alignment: The biggest barriers and systemic issues keeping diversity from positions of power. (38:37) - Vulnerability and the importance of community: Why we need a shift in our mindset and an emotional support system for fundraising.(44:54) - How to get in touch with Taylor + A shoutout to her favorite nonprofit, Strong Schools Maryland.

Josie Raymond is the State Representative for Kentucky's 31st District, the Director of Elected Leadership Fellowships at Leadership for Educational Equity, and a mom of three. In this episode, Josie shares her experience running for office with no political background. She talks about what it was like to run in her hometown of Louisville, the process of fundraising for her campaign (it’s not what you think!), and why we need more women in their twenties and thirties serving in elected positions. Josie sets an example in so many ways and there is so much nonprofits can learn about fundraising from this episode, you really don’t want to miss it!Episode highlights: (02:41) - Who is Josie Raymond?: Her background as a journalist and her entry into the political scene to tackle poverty from elected office.(09:19) - Fundraising for a political campaign: Josie’s experience raising money and her 18-month run for the Kentucky office.(17:43) - “Yard signs cost $6.30”: The importance of building a transparent relationship with donors and speaking bluntly about money and policy-making.(21:53) - Opening the space for diverse people to run for office: Should candidates receive a living wage?(25:07) - Being a mother of 3 while in office: Why we need more women in their twenties and thirties as representatives and how we can make it happen. (31:16) - Playing the long game vs living in urgency: How political fundraising breaks all the nonprofit rules. (40:13) - Mechanisms and strategies: How campaigns are always evolving and why people are hungrier than ever for connection!  (45:54) - Where you can find Josie + An invitation and some useful resources to get to know your state representatives.

Tanya St. Julien is a community leader, advocate for educational equity, and Chief of Staff at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE). In this episode, Tanya talks about her experience in the political space and how her organization promotes and supports civic leaders in their run for office. There is a lot that the nonprofit sector can learn from the faithful long game this organization plays for each of its candidates. Tanya teaches us so much about how to be buoyed by wins and think of everyone as ‘future winners’.Episode highlights: 02:12 - Who is Tanya St. Julien? A black woman trained in policy constructing hope for people and the inspiration behind her work.08:10 - Deep faith & religiosity: How to begin on a journey of hope and cultivate a belief in humans. 13:39 - School boards as a gateway to civic leadership: Resilience in the political space and the impact of members in school districts. 20:53 - A change in perspective: What political fundraising can teach organizations about the value in the process and iteration.27:32 - Tanya’s experience fundraising: The networks of influential people and how their funding shapes American politics. 34:18 - Playing the long game: How the political machine thinks about investing in the long run.40:34 - Self-worth and fundraising: Why class, race, and gender intersect with access to support and how Spark levels the ground for underrepresented groups.