Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Have you heard of human-centered design? It is built on the idea that people who experience a challenge are best suited to solve it. More recently, human-centered design has been adapted to solve problems that have nothing to do with technology. For example, school districts often use variations of the approach to redesign schools, engaging students, parents, and teachers as the “expert users” who know what’s needed for an optimal learning environment. Social entrepreneurs use it to design ways to alleviate poverty.My guest today is Vichi Jagannathan, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Rural Opportunity Institute. Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI), one of eight organizations in New Profit’s first Health Equity Cohort, supports youth, organizations, and communities in rural North Carolina to help them interrupt the cycle of generational trauma and design innovative solutions for healing and resilience. ROI builds new tools and is open-source, freely sharing what works. ROI works to turn wisdom and the newest science into common practice.In this episode, Vichi shares the path that led her to start the organization and how, when properly resourced, a rural community can become a hotbed of innovative practice.We discuss: How to apply Design Thinking and Systems Thinking in rural communitiesHow to center equity and inclusion in organizational leadershipHow to center communities in social changeDoes cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!About Vichi Jagannathan: Entrepreneur, strategist and social change leader who applies innovative ideas in unlikely settings to catalyze impact and community transformation. Vichi began her career as a high school science teacher in Northampton County, NC through Teach For America. She then spent two years on the West Coast leading the expansion of Microsoft’s TEALS computer science education program into California. In 2016, Vichi participated in the Innovation Next accelerator, where she received coaching from IDEO in human-centered design to develop a mobile sex education app called Real Talk, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times in over 100 countries. She also interned with SelfHelp Credit Union in Durham, NC where she created the strategy for Self Help’s branch expansion into Eastern North Carolina. In 2017, Vichi co-founded Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI). ROI builds the capacity of rural communities to support people’s healing from generational trauma to achieve health, safety, connection, and self-determination.Connect with Vichi on LinkedInResources:ruralopportunity.orgvichi@ruralopportunity.org@ruralopportunity on InstagramTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Kim Snyder, VP of Data Strategy at RoundTable Technology, dives into the crucial role of AI use policies for nonprofits. She discusses the ethical implications and privacy concerns surrounding generative AI. Kim highlights the importance of informed policies, addressing risks like biases and copyright issues. Listeners learn how to create a solid AI Acceptable Use Policy and the need for training staff to harness AI effectively. The conversation fosters optimism about integrating technology while ensuring it aligns with nonprofit missions.

In this episode, Julia Campbell sits down with Wendy Mercurio, the Content and Education Specialist at Qgiv, to discuss the top fundraising trends to watch for in 2024. They cover five exciting emerging trends, including AI in fundraising, recurring donors and giving flexibility, peer-to-peer fundraising, unconventional donors, and digital wallets for easy payments. Wendy shares insights and practical tips on how nonprofits can leverage these trends to create more impact and improve their fundraising efforts.Key Takeaways:AI in fundraising can make the lives of fundraisers easier by automating tasks like thank-you emails and donor notifications.Recurring donors and giving flexibility are essential for meeting donors where they are financially and increasing donor retention.Peer-to-peer fundraising is an effective acquisition tool that can attract new donors and increase brand awareness.Unconventional donors, such as local celebrities and Gen Z, can have a significant impact on fundraising efforts and should not be overlooked.Digital wallets offer convenience and ease of use for donors, and nonprofits should accept digital wallet payments to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates.Awesome Quotes:"AI in fundraising is super exciting. We can implement simple tools to make the lives of fundraisers a little bit easier." - Wendy Mercurio"Recurring giving is an amazing way to meet donors where they are financially and increase donor retention." - Wendy Mercurio"Peer-to-peer fundraising can expand our organization's outreach and attract new donors." - Wendy Mercurio"Unconventional donors, like local celebrities and Gen Z, can increase brand awareness and have a significant impact on fundraising efforts." - Wendy Mercurio"Digital wallets for nonprofits are quickly becoming a necessity to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates." - Wendy MercurioAre you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.Learn more from QGiv: https://go.qgiv.com/research-study-subscription  Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Video is a critical tool in a nonprofit fundraising and marketing plan. Video storytelling can bring a nonprofit mission to life, fostering emotional connections. Visual narratives engage audiences, making complex issues relatable, driving empathy, and compelling action. Video's shareability amplifies impact, reaching wider audiences and enhancing donor engagement.My guest this week is Rachel Jellinek, the President of Reflection Films, Inc., a WBENC-certified woman-owned video production company.  Rachel gives tips on how to start the video process, how to ensure participant understanding and agency during unscripted film shoots, and valuable advice for anyone looking to embark on their video storytelling journey. She also shares her innovative three P's framework—pride, possibility, and purpose—that guides organizations to depict their narratives with authenticity and impact.About Rachel JellinekRachel Jellinek (she/her) is the President of Reflection Films, Inc., a WBENC-certified woman-owned video production company.  Reflection Films does video storytelling and content creation for a variety of mission-driven organizations.  They do filming and animation, typically for a fundraising, marketing, training or tribute purpose.  Reflection Films is based in Boston and films in other places as well.Prior to Reflection Films, Rachel worked at several nonprofits focused on public health and education. She has served as a health educator for youth and adults and as a director of a literacy program. Rachel holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MA from Harvard University.  In her free time, she enjoys bird watching and playing the banjo.Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.Resources:https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id#https://r-films.comAre you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Today, we're diving deep into the intersection of nonprofits and the digital influence world. Joining us is the innovative Ashwath Narayanan, CEO of Social Currant, who is championing a groundbreaking approach to amplifying social causes. Ashwath recognized a crucial gap in the way nonprofits connect with digital-savvy youth and decided to bridge it with an incredible platform that teams up nonprofit missions with the dynamic power of content creators and influencers.About Ashwath NarayananAshwath is the founder and CEO of Social Currant, an emerging platform that aims to help passionate creators pair with nonprofits to help spread awareness and impact. They specialize in connecting nonprofit groups to influencers on TikTok, Instagram (focusing on its TikTok-like Reels video feature) and other social media platforms.About Social CurrantMatching nonprofits, impact organizations (b-corps, startups) & CSR initiatives with the right creators to run influencer marketing campaigns. Their platform analyzes creators and ensures organizations work with the right fit. Read article: On Tiktok, Knitting, Rapping, and Promoting the Child Tax CreditAre you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, a Queer Latinx Millennial nonprofit strategist, shares valuable insights into nonprofit staffing challenges. He argues that many organizations overlook internal assessments while blaming external factors for high turnover. Jonathan candidly discusses his experiences with racism and discrimination, linking these issues to systemic oppression within the sector. He emphasizes the crucial need for open dialogue and the importance of diverse perspectives to foster an inclusive workplace and enhance staff retention.

Karen E. Osborne, an expert in strategic thinking and fundraising, shares her journey in the nonprofit sector and the importance of building networks. She discusses how curiosity and information gathering enhance strategic thinking and warns against the pitfalls of silos within organizations. Karen also highlights the need to discard outdated digital marketing practices in favor of innovative strategies. Additionally, she balances her consultancy with her passion for writing suspense novels, revealing her creative process and the challenges she faces.

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!Building a culture of philanthropy is crucial for the success and sustainability of a nonprofit organization. With an impressive 14 years in campaign development, brand awareness, and data analysis, Maria Shanley shares invaluable insights about building a culture of philanthropy, teamwork, marketing and fundraising, and donor communications in the pursuit of campaign success.Maria reflects on her journey from starting as a social media manager to leading two teams at Second Harvest Food Bank. She shares her experiences dealing with unexpected disasters and their impact on fundraising, debunking the myth of donor fatigue, and success stories from the "This is Food" campaign.Connect with Maria Shanley on LinkedInFeatured article: Maria Shanley of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida On The Book That Changed Her LifeTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Do you want to raise more money and connect with more supporters this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the entire giving season? Then check out Givebutter! Givebutter is ranked as the #1 software for fundraising, donor management, and auctions on G2, the largest independent software review site. And the best part? Givebutter's all-in-one fundraising platform is completely free to use—forever! Just go to jcsocialmarketing.com/givebutter to create your account and you could win a free campaign marketing review session with me and the Givebutter team!You have a hunch that your donors are on LinkedIn … but you feel like a best-kept secret on the platform. Tania Bhattacharyya knows how frustrating that can be. But growing your brand as a thought leader on LinkedIn will position you as a go-to, trusted voice.  The problem is, “LinkedIn” often falls to the end of our to-do lists after taking care of all of the other tasks on our to-do list. That means the people who need the transformation we provide can’t find us.But what if you could spend an hour on LinkedIn each week to attract the people you want to work with?In this episode, Tania shares her secrets to being “Lazy on LinkedIn” – or spending one intentional hour per week to create a sustainable stream of leads and visibility opportunities. Tania is a LinkedIn Thought Leadership Strategist and fellow storytelling enthusiast. In her own words: your work doesn't speak for itself. We'll discuss how to use the power of your story to move your mission and use your personal LinkedIn to facilitate thought leadership.Connect with Tania on LinkedInOther resources:14 LinkedIn Content PromptsLumos MarketingTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Floyd Jones, a fundraising expert specializing in nonprofit strategies, shares invaluable insights on maximizing year-end fundraising efforts. He emphasizes the importance of making giving seamless and the impact of social media during Giving Tuesday. Jones encourages nonprofits to foster strong relationships with donors and shift towards an abundance mindset. He discusses innovative campaigns like Give Butter Gives Back, aiming to create community engagement and optimize donor connections, ensuring organizations thrive during the giving season.