Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Financial sustainability is crucial, but social impact is the heart of nonprofits. With the social enterprise model, how can we ensure that our organization prioritizes its social mission while maintaining a viable business? My guests today are Quilen and Hannah Blackwell, the co-founders of Southside Blooms, an off-grid flower farm youth social enterprise where participants convert vacant lots into commercial flower farms using solar powered rainwater irrigation. This creates jobs for young people on the south and west sides of Chicago.Hannah and Quilen were married in 2015, and immediately set up the Chicago Eco House, a rehabbed two flat greystone property in the heart of Englewood and got to work getting to know the community. Soon they were farming several vacant lots close to their house, constantly researching what would fulfill their mission of using sustainability to alleviate poverty. It became clear that flowers would be the avenue to do this and Southside Blooms was born.In this episode, we discuss:How Southside Blooms empowers at-risk youth through urban flower farming.The benefits of the social enterprise model for long-term financial sustainability in nonprofits.Balancing earned income with maintaining a charitable mission.Real-life examples of how Southside Blooms has transformed lives.This episode is sponsored by RSVPify. At RSVPify, you can host ticketed events for free - no subscription required. Host any free event with a monthly or annual subscription. Use the code NONPROFITNATION50 at checkout for an 50% off any annual subscription (discount applied for first year only) - or 50% off any monthly subscription for three months (billed at full rate subsequently).Guest Bios: Quilen and Hannah Blackwell are the co-founders of Southside Blooms, an off-grid flower farm youth social enterprise where participants convert vacant lots into commercial flower farms using solar powered rainwater irrigation. This creates jobs for young people on the south and west sides of Chicago.Check out Southside BloomsTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Nearly half of fundraisers say they did not meet pipeline goals in the last fiscal year. ‘Staff turnover,’ ‘manual processes,’ and ‘donor discovery and pipeline management’ were cited by respondents as key challenges faced in 2023, according to a new report by Gravyty, a leader in engagement and fundraising technology.  The report breaks down findings from Gravyty’s Donor Engagement and Pipeline Survey, which solicited feedback from leaders representing 160+ fundraising departments, including higher education, K12 and nonprofit organizations.In this episode, Josh Robertson, Global VP of Product at Gravyty, breaks down the findings of this report, as well as recommendations and takeaways for nonprofits of all sizes.This episode is sponsored by RSVPify. At RSVPify, you can host ticketed events for free - no subscription required. Host any free event with a monthly or annual subscription. Use the code NONPROFITNATION50 at checkout for an 50% off any annual subscription (discount applied for first year only) - or 50% off any monthly subscription for three months (billed at full rate subsequently).About Josh RobertsonJosh Robertson is the Global VP of Product at Gravyty. With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, Josh has a proven track record of developing data-driven strategies based on cross-channel analysis of client performance and building successful product roadmaps. He is enthusiastic about helping fundraisers realize the opportunities which exist when you recognize and act on strategic changes that lead to big results.Connect with Josh on LinkedInEmail: josh.robertson@gravyty.comTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell sits down with Candie Fredritz, the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Kent School, a prestigious 9-12 boarding school in Kent, Connecticut. Candie shares her journey from a young worker in the school's stables to her current role, where she plays a pivotal role in fostering strong connections between the school's past and present.We discuss: How Kent School leveraged Zoom and other digital platforms to stay connected with alumni and parents during the pandemic.Overcoming significant challenges such as finding a new registration platform under tight deadlines and re-engaging alumni from different decades.Candie’s goals for the future of alumni and parent engagement at Kent School.Tips for other schools and organizations on engaging alumni and parents, and using technology effectively.This episode is sponsored by RSVPify. At RSVPify, you can host ticketed events for free - no subscription required. Host any free event with a monthly or annual subscription. Use the code NONPROFITNATION50 at checkout for an 50% off any annual subscription (discount applied for first year only) - or 50% off any monthly subscription for three months (billed at full rate subsequently).About Candie FredritzCandie Fredritz serves as the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Kent School, a 9-12 boarding school nestled in the picturesque landscape of Kent, Connecticut. With a keen understanding of the evolving needs of both alumni and parents, Candie is dedicated to bridging the gap between the school's rich history and its vibrant present by connecting alumni and current students in meaningful ways.Drawing upon her experience in community outreach and relationship building, Candie's primary mission is to ensure that today's Kent resonates deeply with alumni and parents, both past and present, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among its diverse stakeholders. She is committed to meeting them where they are, whether it's through innovative digital platforms, engaging events, or personalized interactions. Candie continues to strengthen the bonds that unite Kent's past, present, and future.In her free time, Candie enjoys time with her two sons and three dogs. She is also involved with her local community and currently serves as Vice-President of Hope Rising Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, LLC in Amenia, NY.Connect with Candie on LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

You may enjoy the work you do, but you wish more than anything you had more time to simply sit, think, and hear your own thoughts. The truth is - if you really want to make a difference, you must start by taking time for yourself right now because you can’t “change the world” if you’re not around long enough to make that happen.My guest on this episode can relate. Meico Whitlock was on the verge of complete burnout, until he had “a breakdown that led to a breakthrough.” He’s now a recovering workaholic and a certified mindfulness teacher. Meico founded his company, Mindful Techie™ to help overworked professionals take an intentional, mindful, and trauma-informed approach to enhancing wellbeing and productivity by improving relationships with work, life, and technology. Meico is a former triathlete, loves salsa dancing, and makes the world’s best vegan chili!Today we discuss the themes in his new book How to Thrive When Work Doesn’t Love You Back: A Practical Guide for Taking Care of Yourself While Changing The World (foreword by Beth Kanter)This episode is sponsored by RSVPify. At RSVPify, you can host ticketed events for free - no subscription required. Host any free event with a monthly or annual subscription. Use the code NONPROFITNATION50 at checkout for an 50% off any annual subscription (discount applied for first year only) - or 50% off any monthly subscription for three months (billed at full rate subsequently).About Meico WhitlockMeico is The Mindful Changemaker and The Mindful Techie. He works with changemakers who want to improve their well-being so they can sustainably increase their well-doing in changing the world. He is the author of the Amazon bestseller How to Thrive When Work Doesn’t Love You Back: A Practical Guide for Taking Care of Yourself While Changing the World and The Intention Planner.Meico is a former triathlete, loves salsa dancing, and makes the world’s best vegan chili!He has worked for more than two decades across the non-profit, public, and private sectors leveraging information and communications technology to improve well-being in underserved communities as a software and web developer, communications director, trainer and facilitator, and mindfulness teacher.As a transformational speaker, trainer, and coach, he facilitates transformative experiences that foster well-being in a hybrid world. He has worked with organizations such as the U.S. Federal Government, Cigna, and the World Wildlife Fund, and has been a featured speaker on ABC News, Fox 5, and Radio One. He holds an M.S. in Information Science from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Morehouse College. He is also a certified trauma-informed mindfulness teacher.Connect with Meico on LinkedInJoin the Mindful Techie mailing listThe Mindful Techie PodcastTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Economic instability, wars, climate change, and a changing labor landscape have left businesses, organizations, and individuals feeling helpless and defeated. In actuality, too many people and organizations are lacking clarity and purpose. Maybe “outrageous kindness” is the change catalyst we need.My guest is Kristina Joy Carlson, CFRE, renowned philanthropy expert, entrepreneur, and speaker. A sought-after speaker and co-author of the best-selling Essential Principles for Fundraising Success, Kristina doesn’t just help institutions raise money; she facilitates the transformation of people’s lives, organizations, and the world through outrageous kindness.We discuss Kristina’s signature KIND Method—a roadmap to a better life and a triple bottom line for businesses and nonprofits.About Kristina Joy CarlsonA sought-after speaker and co-author of the best-selling Essential Principles for Fundraising Success, Kristina Joy Carlson doesn’t just help organizations raise money; she facilitates the transformation of people’s lives, organizations, and the world through a practice of outrageous kindness. Three decades in fundraising and entrepreneurship and an almost decade-long gauntlet of personal loss have taught Kristina she always has control over her purpose, perspective, and actions. Leveraging that wisdom, she helps nonprofit institutions across the globe secure the philanthropic resources they need to maximize their impact, including Habitat for Humanity International, World Vision International, and Susan Komen. Founder of the KIND Method and Managing Director of Global Philanthropy at Carter, Kristina guides transformational capital campaigns, advises on 8-figure gifts and grants, creates bespoke training programs, and develops innovative technologies for some of the world’s largest nonprofit organizations. She also helps maximize the philanthropic engagement of former US Presidents and other heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, Forbes 400 individuals, faith leaders, celebrities, and everyday people. Through her roles at Carter Global, Ketchum, and FundraisingINFO.com, Kristina has supported thousands of organizations worldwide, providing counsel on major campaigns in healthcare, education, the arts, youth organizations, national and international organizations, and smaller grassroots organizations. Her mission is to inspire leaders, philanthropists, and professionals to practice outrageous kindness as they define and take mission-critical actions, create accountability systems, and experience the magic of philanthropy. With a master’s degree in Community Economic Development from New Hampshire College, Kristina lives in Oxford, Mississippi, where she starts each morning with Tazo Awake black tea and a quick round of Plants vs. Zombies.Connect with Kristina on LinkedInVisit the OutrageousKindness WebsiteCarter Global | Kristina Joy CarlsonTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

From its potential in donor engagement and fundraising to enhancing program effectiveness, AI has shown that it can amplify the impact of nonprofits. How can we peel back the layers of AI's transformative potential in the nonprofit sector to go beyond the hype to see what’s really working and how it can help us in the trenches? In this conversation, Julia Campbell interviews Justin L. Spelhaug, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, and Nathaniel Cook, Chief Information Technology Officer of Special Olympics International. They discuss the transformative potential of AI in the nonprofit sector, focusing on inclusivity and productivity.  TakeawaysInvolving the community in the development and implementation of AI tools is crucial for ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness.Ethical considerations, such as fairness and bias, are important when deploying AI in the nonprofit sector.AI tools can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, allowing nonprofit staff to focus on impactful work.Measuring the success and outcomes of using AI tools can be done through surveys, time savings estimation, and tracking productivity gains.Nonprofits can start incorporating AI by using free resources like Microsoft Co-Pilot and taking advantage of training programs and learning pathways.About Nathan Cook, CIO of the Special Olympics InternationalNathaniel Cook is the Chief Information and Technology Officer of Special Olympics, a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. He leads the strategic vision, direction, and execution of the organization’s information and technology initiatives across more than 220 countries and territories. He develops, integrates, and optimizes the Special Olympics information systems and technology platforms, ensuring their alignment with the organization’s goals, values, and standards. He also fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Special Olympics network, leveraging technology to enhance the quality and impact of the programs and services offered to more than six million athletes and their families. About Justin Spelhaug, Vice President & Global Head – Tech for Social ImpactAs the leader for the Tech for Social Impact in Microsoft, Justin brings together 25 years of experience spanning commercial and social businesses.  Prior to his current role, Justin served as the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer for Microsoft Asia Pacific spending over 7 years of his career working across developed and emerging Asian markets.  Justin also helped to launch the Unlimited Potential organization within Microsoft, with a focus on developing new and more affordable computing solutions to close the digital divide for lower income societies globally.Resources:www.SpecialOlympics.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/career-essentials-in-generative-ai-by-microsoft-and-linkedinMicrosoft for Nonprofits LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, I sit down with Seth Godin to discuss the future of nonprofit fundraising, how to reach more donors with your message, and how his new venture GOODBIDS is turning charity auctions and fundraising upside down and inside out.Seth is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he's written 21 best selling books, including the Dip Linchpin, Purple Cow Tribes, and what to do when it's your turn. And it's always your turn. His book and my favorite of his "This is Marketing" was an instant bestseller in countries around the world.Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yo Yodine, acquired by Yahoo. By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world.Visit Seth's blogTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

As a nonprofit professional, you understand the importance of making the most of every dollar you spend on your mission. Nonprofits operate with limited budgets, so professionals in the sector constantly look for ways to maximize impact without overspending.If you’ve encountered the Google Ad Grant program, you probably recognize that the program’s valuable. Free advertising money is a clear win for any organization. Since 2003, Google Ad Grants has given over $9 billion in free advertising to over 115,000 nonprofits in more than 50 countries.But what are the exact benefits? How can you calculate what the Google Ad Grant is actually worth to your nonprofit?To help demystify the Google Ad Grant and show us how to find success on the platform, I invited Jessica King to the podcast. Jessica is the business lead at Getting Attention, where she helps nonprofits acquire and manage the Google Ad Grant to expand their impact. Prior to her work at Getting Attention, Jessica worked at nonprofits and higher education organizations where she focused on communication and digital marketing. Most recently, she worked in search engine optimization in the mission-driven sector.Jessica holds a master's degree in communication from Virginia Tech. In her free time, you can find her reading, building furniture, and hanging out with her cats, Benny and Olive.Connect with Jessica on LinkedInTools mentioned in this episode:Google for NonprofitsMozSEMRushList of requirements for Google for Nonprofits by countryPercent Charity LookupTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

There are five stories about your nonprofit that form the cornerstones of your organization. Investing in turning these stories into evergreen videos will help maximize your impact for years, because they are always relevant and fresh for your audience.But how to find these stories, collect them, and share them far and wide? My guest on this episode is Danami-Maurice Champion, a Story Director who helps nonprofits elevate empathy, community, and funding through emotive storytelling.Danami is the Co-Founder of BairStories. An award-winning Hip-Hop and soul artist, his music has been featured in a video game and the CW show All American.   In this episode, we discuss: Understanding the role storytelling plays in trust-building.Effective techniques to captivate and resonate with donors.Practical advice for investing in video storytelling that works for them.Blog: Top 5 Evergreen Video Content for NonprofitsConnect with Danami on LinkedIn Check out the BairStories websiteTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Are you a nonprofit leader who feels stuck despite completing a strategic plan and hiring consultants?It can be frustrating when you’ve “done the strategy” and still feel like you’re drowning in names and numbers to build a prospect list, complete a grant application or find Board candidates. You need to make your strategic plan actionable. You need genuine, lasting engagement to power up your mission and increase your impact.My guest is Beth Saunders, a strategic consultant who helps nonprofits connect people and programs to mission and goals by harnessing their expertise and tapping their data. We discuss her MapMoveMeasure™ framework -- a guide for elevating stewardship and developing longer-term relationships with supporters – donors, volunteers, advocates, board members. This is a strategy for centering donor communication around goals and creating personalized journeys that move them to support your mission in more and bigger ways. It’s how you make your strategic plan actionable.About Beth SaundersBeth Saunders is passionate about making missions happen and believes meaningful human connection is the key to achieving positive change in the world.She helps nonprofit leaders connect people and programs to mission and goals by harnessing their expertise and tapping their data. Her MapMoveMeasure™ framework is a guide for elevating stewardship and developing longer-term relationships with supporters – donors, volunteers, advocates, board members.Connect with Beth on LinkedIn Check out Beth's WebsiteTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts