Nonprofit Everything

This week, co-hosts Andy Schuricht and Stacey Wedding have some juicy topics for you: How to say yes to an honorarium without saying no to your nonprofit’s values, how to ace your first capital campaign without breaking a sweat, and how Andy and Stacey got into the nonprofit world and what they wish they knew then. We’ll also spill some tea and drop some gems from our own nonprofit adventures. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro in the sector, we guarantee you’ll learn something new and have some fun with us. So don’t touch that dial, stay tuned for Nonprofit Everything! (Today’s blurb was written by an AI, who’s definitely not coming for your nonprofit job.)

Is it possible to get volunteers to pay you for the privilege of volunteering? Stacey has some opinions! Also this week, we tackle a really ugly scenario where the board and staff don't trust each other, and Andy gets to completely geek out on negotiating indirect cost rates on federal grant agreements. If that's not your cup of tea, it was a really windy day when we were recording this, so if the questions aren't interesting at least you can enjoy the manic windchimes in the background.

There's just one question this week, and it's a fascinating one! What do nonprofits need to know about social media influencer campaigns? We asked Guest Expert Nick Lynch, CEO of Collidescope.io and got an incredibly complete answer.

It's a four-question episode! This week, Andy shares the secret to developing an good nonprofit investment policy, and Stacey has some thoughts on how to keep a partnership from going wrong. Also, we talk about how to get verbal messages to stick with donors, and tackle one potentially expensive question: Is it worth it to get a graduate degree in nonprofit management? (And before you listen to the episode, try to guess what Andy and Stacey will say...) Thanks for joining us!

This week's question gets an unexpected and inspiring answer from Guest Expert Margo Walsh, Founder and CEO of MaineWorks. MaineWorks is an innovative employment company with a social mission: to dignify the experience for people who face real barriers to workforce reentry, including people recovering from substance use disorder and people with felony convictions. Join us for a fascinating discussion that covers inclusive hiring, retention, and promoting from within.

Now that hybrid work environments are everywhere, is it possible to regain some of our pre-Covid culture? We have a few ideas. Also this week, Stacey talks about checking references for joining your development committee, and remarkably, Andy and Stacey agree on how to respond to an unusual donor communication!

Raiser's Edge or Salesforce? Or something else? This week, Stacey is joined by Guest Expert Peter Schiano, Senior Consultant at Tech Impact. Not only does Peter address how to select a CRM solution, he provides some great insights on software acquisition, customization, pitfalls, and a drops a mean mythology metaphor. Other topics include: How do I right size my solution for my growing nonprofit? Is there any unbiased analysis available? And where can I get some free stuff?

What is it about donors that make them want to give you the stuff in their garage instead of the sweet, sweet cash that we desperately need? We've got some ideas! (Spoiler: Andy mentions agency theory again.) Also this week, we delve into the Byzantine hellscape that is municipal code to determine exactly what to put on a single line of a required form. And Stacey provides some clarity on a technical board question about majorities.

Every once in a while we get a question that just warms our little hearts. And this week, a new nonprofit is already thinking about avoiding founder's syndrome! Also, we talk about whether or not passthrough grants are allowed to be anonymous, and Stacey has some thoughts about how to avoid going after grants you really shouldn't be going after.

A couple of weeks ago we talked about accidentally restricting donations with an appeal, and this week week we continue the theme! Stacey talks to Guest Expert Barbara O'Reilly, CFRE, Founder and Principal of Windmill Hill Consulting, LLC about how to write specific fundraising appeals while still keeping contributions undesignated. Also this week, Stacey stumps Andy with a question about non-financial conflict of interest policies.