The PM Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Paul Clolery, Vice President and Editorial Director of NPT Publishing Group and The Nonprofit Times, the leading publication for America's charitable sector. A lifelong journalist, Paul began his career on his high school and college papers, then worked at leading papers like the Fort Worth Star Telegram and later as an editor of publications including The Practical Accountant before taking the helm of The Nonprofit Times in 1994. Over the last three decades, he and his team have covered every conceivable story in the charitable sector. He has been recognized repeatedly for excellence in reporting, including an Associated Press Managing Editors Award and citations from the Society of Professional Journalists. We spoke with Paul about his journalistic journey, some of the most significant stories he has covered, and the challenges and opportunities that remain on the road ahead.

Ken Phillips was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024, the organization's highest honor. Since his career began in 1961, ken has served in leadership roles at the Institute for International Education, Save the Children, and Plan International, where he revolutionized marketing and donor outreach, dramatically increasing public awareness and revenues. He founded his consultancy, NGO Futures, in 1995 and has since provided hundreds of training courses in 35 countries and his books and articles on fundraising, leadership, and strategic planning have reached audiences around the world. We spoke with Ken in April at AFP ICON in Toronto.

In this episode, we speak with Ryan Zapolski, one of four individuals honored with the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Ryan serves as Senior Manager of Development at Smile Train, a nonprofit dedicated to comprehensive cleft care now celebrating its 25th anniversary. There, he oversees the mid-level giving and stewardship team and his expertise in donor research has led to numerous major gifts, including a million-dollar donation. We caught up with Ryan in Toronto at AFP ICON, the fundraising association's annual international gathering. 

In this episode, we speak with Stacey Buckner, one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023 and recipient of the North Carolina Governor's Medallion Award. After surviving a nearly fatal stroke and traumatic brain injury, Stacey turned her journey of recovery into a mission to serve others. She founded Off-Road Outreach, an organization which provides meals, mobile showers, laundry services, and much, much more to the large homeless veteran community in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We spoke with her about her work, what inspired it, and what keeps her fulfilled today. 

In this episode, we speak with William Cabaniss, a high school student from Knoxville, Tennessee, and founder of Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow, recipient of the 2024 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, sponsored by Carter through the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. Recognized for his dedication to combating hunger and food insecurity, William's nonprofit sells homemade vanilla extract and donates the proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. His efforts have provided over 631,000 meals. We caught up with William at AFP ICON in Toronto. 

Lois Buntz is the author of "Generosity and Gender: Philanthropic Models for Women Donors and the Fund Development Professionals Who Support Them," recipient of the prestigious AFP/Skystone Partners Prize. A career veteran who has served on over 20 boards, raised more than $125 million, and been the first woman to serve as CEO of United Way of East Central Iowa, Lois draws from extensive personal and professional experience in addition to new research and insights from 70 interviews with leading women in philanthropy to bring us a rare and profound view of the new fourth wave of philanthropy by women. This interview was recorded live at AFP ICON in Toronto.

In this episode, we speak with Dimetri O'Brien, Development and Communications Manager at New Endeavors by Women and a recipient of the Outstanding Young Professionals Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Dimetri has raised significant sums across several roles and organizations, including over $250,000 for HIV/AIDS Programs, upwards of $500,000 for the first national STI testing campaign, playing a key role in securing $1 million for St. Coletta of Greater Washington, and a 30% increase in online support in his current position. We caught up with Dimetri at AFP ICON in Toronto.

Santana Febrey is one of four individuals honored with the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Association for Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Santana serves as Development Officer at Autism Edmonton where she has spearheaded the organization's first fund development strategic plan and been instrumental in building partnerships leading to corporate support nearly 300% over projections. We caught up with Santana at AFP ICON, the fundraising association's international conference.

Madeleine Durante is one of four individuals honored with the Outstandig Young Professional Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Madeleine serves as Director for Donor Retention and Direct Response at MoveOn with responsibility for maintaining relationships with over 100,000 of the organization's grassroots sustainers. She is also a board member for the New York Abortion Access Fund, co-leading the organization to 750% revenue growth over the last three years. We spoke at AFP ICON, the fundraising associations annual international conference. 

Pamela R. Clay has been at the helm of Living Advantage Inc. for nearly three decades, working tirelessly to uplift at-risk youth in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Building on her mother's legacy, she has broadened the nonprofit's scope, enhancing education, technology, access, and career readiness to disrupt cycles of adversity. As the number and needs of foster youth grow and expand, Living Advantage's work is more critical than ever. Today, Pamela Clay and her team are providing a broad range of essential services to reduce the number of youth who face homelessness, joblessness, and incarceration as they transition out of the foster care system and into successful, independent lives that defy the odds.