Nonprofit Lowdown

Hey friends and fellow nonprofit nerds! Get ready for a super fun and informative chat with my buddy Raj Thakkar.

You may know Raj as the founding genius behind FOREsight Financial Services for Good. But did you also know he's the author of a brand-new book called Fiscally Secure?! Raj knows his stuff when it comes to helping nonprofits get their financial ducks in a row. And let me tell you, it is WAY more interesting than it sounds. Who knew analytics could be so uplifting?

In this episode, we're talking all things budgeting, fundraising, and shaking that scarcity mindset! Raj shares his 10-step framework for getting – and staying – fiscally fit. I know it sounds intimidating but I promise it’s way more empowering than it is scary.

We also dive into creative ways to build revenue that don’t involve emptying your bank account. Hint: the answer isn’t always hiring expensive development pros! Sometimes the best solutions are right under our quirky nonprofit noses.

So pour yourself something fun (I’m drinking sparkling water with lime today!) and get ready to geek out on numbers. I promise you’ll be feeling inspired, not stressed, by the time our chat is done.

Sound like your kind of episode? Then click play! Let’s get fiscally secure together, friends.

“What I realized was there was actually a method to our madness and ended up calling it “The Fiscal Responsibility Method” where there's ten components to responsible financial management in the way we define it.” - Raj Thakkar

We all know storytelling is a powerful way to move people and effect change on the important issues of today. But in the fundraising world, storytelling has gotten a bad rap. Poverty porn, sensationalism, and negative storytelling practices have left a bad taste in our mouths and, at times, exposed the very people we want to help.

So how can we use the powerful language of storytelling to unify and empower communities rather than divide and conquer? 

Join me today as I talk to Tara Dorabji, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for The Center for Cultural Power! 

We talk about the need for value-aligned storytelling that is rooted in authenticity and how we can choose, gather, and elevate stories and storytellers to amplify and elevate diverse voices that can accelerate systemic cultural change. 

We also dive into how to test and measure the impact of our influence so that our efforts don’t fall on deaf ears. 

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that just might put the joy back into your storytelling!

“It's not just about one messenger. … [D]ifferent Messengers speak to different groups, so it's important to have a multitude of stories and to continue to test and … learn. And as culture shifts and people shift, the storytelling will change too.” - Tara Dorabji, Vice President of The Center for Cultural Power

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Social media is a modern-day jungle. If you don’t know who you are and what you want to say; the algorithms will eat you for breakfast. So what choice do non-profit folks have if we want to be heard above all the noise? Please, don’t tell me I have to dance... PLEASE don’t tell me I have to dance… 

Not even a little, my non-profit fam! 

For your sake and mine, today I’m joined by the marvelous Tania Bhattacharyya, founder of Lumos Marketing Co and host of Campfire Circle Podcast. She’ll tell us all about her experience in the non-profit world and her unmatched storytelling prowess on LinkedIn. Tania teaches underrecognized social impact leaders - coaches, consultants, service providers, and nonprofit execs - to build top of mind trust and community by sharing their stories on LinkedIn. 

 “What's beautiful about building a personal brand as a non-profit leader is you get to pick the audience that … lights you up and that you were put on this planet to make a difference for. And so often it is the person that you once were or still are. It's the person that you can become a guide for because you have trudged through that journey yourself and now you have some nuggets of expertise and advice and wisdom to pass on.” - Tania Bhattacharyya

Tania champions the idea that you can be consistent and “lazy on LinkedIn” and still gain traction with people you want to meet. It’s all about resonance versus reach, and I can’t wait for you to soak it all in!  

Get ready to hear practical tips for building your brand and cultivating legit relationships on LinkedIn through thought leadership–without doing a song and dance or an endless stream of meaningless content. 
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Succession planning. We all know it’s a possibility, but none of us wants to think about it. What processes do you have in place to protect your organization from losing funding? How will you manage the optics and let funders know your organization’s values and vision won’t change just because one person steps down?

Hint: Don’t make it all about you!

Join me today as I talk to Cassie Haynes and Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, the powerhouse co-founders of Resolve Philly, to get the lowdown on how they emerged from a leadership transition after Cassie, a black co-founder, stepped down from her position to be closer to her newly widowed mother.

Find out what strategies they used to mitigate damages, disperse responsibilities, and elevate staff members to positions of higher visibility so that the organization could continue affecting change to make Philidelphia’s journalism scene a more equitable and diverse playing field.

“We have always prioritized the storytelling around our work coming from those who are carrying out the work. More and more folks on our team are… showing up at conferences to talk about the work. […] When our funders think about who Resolve is, they should think about 25 people.” - Cassie Haynes, Resolve Philly Cofounder

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I’ve said it before; if you want to get big contributions, you have to make big asks. But, for so many of us, our scarcity mindset holds us back. We wonder, can we really make big asks in an economic downturn? Does generosity still exist in America in 2023? Do donors of color give monetarily to the causes they care about?

The numbers say, yes, to all of the above! Data for the win! 

Nerd out on numbers with me on today’s podcast as I get Dr. Una Osili’s thoughts on global philanthropy and giving trends in our complex philanthropic ecosystem.

Dr. Una Osili is the Director of Research at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. 

Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more data-based tips and tricks that will transform your mindset and help you niche down to find large givers and build trust as you can form a community of givers united under a common mission and vision.  

“So donors now know that it's possible to give in an unrestricted way. This is not just a good time to be engaging donors, but it's also an important time to bring innovative and transformational opportunities to those donors and to ask for those transformational gifts because more donors are aware of the needs.” - Dr. Una Osili

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In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring voices of Alison Overseth, Gisele Castro, and Erica Hamilton at The Women's Leadership Council. Our discussion centers around the dynamic landscape of leadership, highlighting our personal experiences, insights, and the ever-important journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

We’ll dive into topics that are pertinent for any woman pursuing a career in leadership, specifically current and future CEOs and EDs. Join us as we get answers to the following questions:

• What’s the importance of defining a North Star to guide your decisions and actions?

• How do you maintain and balance your peace and well-being in such a demanding job? 

• What mental shifts and practices are necessary for leading an organization? 

• What bright spots and challenges will we see as the next generation enters the workforce? 

• What are some hard-earned tips for recruiting, managing, and changing your board?

• And how can we drive authentic change through cultural shifts and ongoing DEI efforts?
  

“[H]ow much are we pursuing excellence and how are we passing on what we have learned to another group of people? [...] As an organization that at one point was not so visible and now it is, it comes with different pressure points… I didn't know I signed up for that. I did, I actually did by being a women leader.” Gisele Castro, CEO of exalt

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Meet my friend and homegirl, the amazing Rachel Bearbower. She is the Founder of Small Shop Strategies, a nonprofit consultancy focused on teaching Executive Directors how to detangle their systems so they can focus their time + energy on building relationships and raising more for their causes.

This episode is perfect for those Executive Directors and fundraisers who are neurospicy, who struggle with consistent, boring action, and who need help prioritizing tasks that drive results.

Are you awkward when you’re fundraising? So are we! We talk about the importance of being a real human and not taking things personally when you hear the word “no.”

Hear our personal experiences and mistakes in fundraising as we discuss nurturing donor relationships, managing board expectations, capitalizing on your board member’s genius, and upgrading yourself, your systems, and your software for sustainable success.

“You can create all the systems, but at the end of the day, it’s just doing the damn thing. There’s not a silver bullet. It’s the consistent reps over and over and over that are going to get you the result that you want... It’s those little things, building in those little habits that are going to help you raise that million dollars… two million… five million.” -Rachel Bearbower

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In this episode, we’re joined by the mind-bending Dr. Emily Bennet, ND, CEO of Kindling who answers the question, “How can we take better personal responsibility for our own well-being in the midst of being devoted to this purpose-driven work?” 

We talk about our personal experiences with workplace burnout and explore the internal and external pressures of wanting to “do more for the cause” at the expense of our mental and physical health. We dive into potential factors influencing our decisions to muscle through it despite all the warning signs. Are we influenced by hustle culture? Do we have generational baggage on board? Do Gen Zers have the answer to all our workplace woes? Join us to learn the three facets of burnout, practical tips for managers and execs to protect their teams and some of the common triggers of burnout. Spoiler alert! Your loneliness just might be killing you.  

Also, listen for a quick self-evaluation to determine if you or your team are at risk for or are currently experiencing burnout.

“There are these structural pieces that play a part in influencing somebody to set themselves aside entirely and give too much, such that the energy they’re putting toward the cause is not going to be sustainable.” - Emily

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In this episode, we're joined by the fierce Therese Shechter, the brain behind "My So-Called Selfish Life," who's flipping the script on pronatalism and societal norms.

From tearing apart the underpinnings of pronatalism to exposing its ties with white supremacy and racism, we're setting the stage for an eye-opening conversation. We deep-dive into how our policies, driven by hidden pronatalist forces, shape our society and what it means to be a woman.

Next, we explore powerful real-world scenarios where pronatalist policies are taking center stage.

As we advocate for equitable policies, join us for a conversation about childfree living as a choice, and a right.

"I think that being able to make the decision that you don't want to be pregnant and then having a procedure where you're no longer pregnant is a basic human right." - Therese

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In this insightful episode, I engage in a profound discussion with the esteemed Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director of Global Fund for Women, and author of 'The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact - Driving Movements We Need Now More than Ever'.

Fun fact: Latanya was my boss over 20 years ago when I interned at UNICEF and we’re reconnecting!

We delve into the heart of influential feminist social movements, examining the leaders, art, and narratives that have propelled them to success. Mapp Frett shares her expertise, offering practical steps that organizations and individuals can implement to further their impact.

We discuss the significance of feminist funds, the role of men and boys in advancing a feminist future, and provide actionable advice to enact change globally.

My friend and repeat guest Darren Isom is down to speak some truth. In this fun episode, we talk about the generational and cultural shifts in the workplace as Boomers retire and millennials are taking up the mantle of leadership. We discuss the challenge of Gen X’ers being the sandwich generation, how we’re not setting BIPOC leaders up for success and why tights are not pants.

This episode is perfect for anyone who has felt confounded and whipsawed by the rapidly changing norms and shifting expectations of the workplace at the nexus of generational, cultural, racial, political and pandemic shifts. TL:DR: I’m tired, y’all and maybe you are too.

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with Darren on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, "Dreaming in Color," for more inspiring conversations.

Welcome to a captivating conversation with Joey Goone, an expert in creating connective fundraising events for nonprofits. With a unique blend of event planning and neuroscience, Joey reveals the remarkable role our brains play in designing transformative experiences. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the power of emotional connections and the art of crafting unforgettable events.

Key Points:

1. Power of Connective Fundraising Events:
   Unleash the potential of fundraising events that go beyond raising funds. Joey Goone emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of community and emotional bonding. These events create lasting connections and drive increased donor retention and support.
2. Neuroscience and Event Design:
   Discover the science behind impactful event design. Joey Goone leverages neuroscience to elicit positive emotions, shaping experiences that resonate deeply with attendees. Through storytelling, sensory engagement, and personalization, events become transformative moments.
3. Storytelling and Emotional Engagement:
   Stories have the power to inspire empathy and forge strong emotional connections. Joey emphasizes authentic storytelling, sharing personal narratives of beneficiaries and supporters. Crafting a narrative arc ensures active engagement and emotional investment.
4. Sensory Engagement and Memory:
   Immerse attendees in a world of sensory richness. Joey reveals how engaging multiple senses creates unforgettable experiences. By incorporating music, lighting, and interactive elements, events leave a lasting imprint on memory and emotion.

Joey Goone's expertise in connective fundraising events is a game-changer. Neuroscience-driven design creates events that ignite deep connections and drive support. Join us as we explore the transformative potential of events that leave a lasting impact.

 Join me and Brooke Richie-Babbage on an electrifying podcast episode as we spill the beans on how to discover  new donors, create ideal donor avatars , unleash the power of your board in fundraising , and craft a compelling donor message! 

We share insider tips and tricks for unlocking the secret to finding passionate supporters who align with your mission  and are ready to fuel your organization's success . From donor profiling to engaging your board, we got you covered! 

Join me and my biz bestie Brooke Richie-Babbage 🤝 in a transformative episode as we reveal the secret connection between leader 🌟 and money 💸 mindsets. ⏳ This is the first of a special three part series on scaling

How many times have you asked where to find new donors?

Maybe that’s the wrong question.

Today, Andrew Olsen joins us to discuss acquiring donors through inbound strategies. Did you know your potential donor's attention span is only 8 seconds? Let's make those seconds count!

🎯 Inbound Strategies: Create valuable content, optimize your website, and engage on social media to attract donors organically.

⚡ The 8-Second Challenge: Capture attention with captivating headlines, visuals, and concise messaging.

💡 Crafting Irresistible Content: Use storytelling to connect with donors' emotions and motivations.

🌐 Optimizing Your Online Presence: Optimize your website and ensure it's mobile-friendly.

📣 Social Media Magic: Leverage social media platforms for authentic connections and storytelling.

Friends, join me and my brother from another mother Ron Rapatalo to talk all about the Asian things.

In honor of AAPI Heritage month, I’m replaying some of my favorite episodes from AAPI leaders. This episode with North Star Fund’s Jennifer Ching is a personal fave. Enjoy!

Join me and Northstar Fund's Executive Director Jennifer Ching to discuss decolonizing philanthropy.  In this hugely important conversation, Jen shares how the work of the Northstar Fund is actively working towards dismantling white supremacy and power and centering the work and decision-making of BIPOC activists.  By recasting our own relationship and assumptions about money, we can engage in becoming resource mobilizers, not "fundraisers."  We also touch on the nonprofit and philanthropic industrial complex that is predicated on power, control and lack of transparency.  What does it mean to be a community-led, community-centered philanthropist?  How can we meet this moment at the intersection of race, power, money and action in our own lives and as leaders of organizations?  This is a thought-provoking and high-octane conversation with one of my faves!

Friends, I am OBSESSED with this episode with Yulin Ling. As a long-time nonprofit executive and social change warrior, we talk about the importance of money mindset in raising money for the cause. Yulin discusses her own background as a daughter of immigrants and how we tune into what is possible and how to flood ourselves with the messages that we want. In a world that feels like it’s full of despair, Yulin teaches us how to harness the power of our minds and mindsets to be the light and the bridges that the world needs. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one a few times!

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Join us for a fascinating conversation with Stephen Powers, co-founder of Open Impact Real Estate, and Amy Lawrence, managing director, as they share their expertise on the intersection of real estate and social impact. 

In today’s turbulent real estate market, it can be hard to know what to do, especially with big-ticket real estate decisions.  Join me, Stephen Powers and Amy Lawrence to learn how nonprofits can be opportunistic with commercial real estate, how to take advantage of this moment and how to access special financing. This is a fascinating conversation about an intimidating topic.

In our chat with Dana Snyder, she shared four paid ads that nonprofits should run. Here they are: Reach, Video Views, Lead Generation, and Conversions.

Reach is all about getting more eyes on your cause. Video Views means creating great video content to engage supporters. Lead Generation is for collecting contact information from potential donors, and Conversions is all about getting people to take specific actions, like donating or volunteering.

Want to learn more about these ad types? Check out Dana's website at 

In this episode, we chat with Tony Martignetti, an expert in planned giving programs. Planned giving is a way for everyday people to make a big impact on their favorite nonprofits by giving a gift through their will or estate. Tony shares his insights on what makes a successful planned giving program and how organizations can get started without a lot of resources or technical expertise. He also recommends the Planned Giving Accelerator, an online course that offers a step-by-step guide to creating a successful program.

In this episode, we are joined by Britt Savage, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant who shares insights on the report "Unlocking Social Progress by Addressing Structural Racism" by Bridgespan Group. We discuss the findings of the report, its implications, and how organizations can address structural racism to unlock social progress.

Key Takeaways:

-The report identifies how structural racism hinders social progress and the need to address it.
-Structural racism operates within systems and institutions and can be invisible to those who are not directly impacted by it.
-Organizations need to acknowledge their role in perpetuating structural racism and take steps to address it.
-The report highlights specific actions organizations can take to address structural racism, including hiring practices, organizational culture, and community engagement.
-Organizations need to commit to long-term, sustained efforts to address structural racism and create meaningful change.

Welcome to the podcast where we talk to successful consultants in various industries. Today we are joined by Tom Pyun, a former nonprofit leader who transitioned to consulting. Tom is here to share his experience on why he decided to become a consultant, how he got his clients, and how he dealt with imposter syndrome.

He shares his strategies for getting clients, including networking, leveraging social media, and creating a personal brand. He shares his thoughts on who is best suited to consulting, highlighting the importance of diverse skills, adaptability, communication, and a strong work ethic.

In this episode, we talk to Miranda Ling, Director of Advancement for 826 Valencia, about how they use Afrofuturism to help raise funds. Miranda explains what Afrofuturism is and how it can be used as a tool to challenge mainstream narratives and inspire new ways of thinking about the future. They share their experiences incorporating Afrofuturism into their fundraising strategies and how it has helped them engage with donors in a meaningful way. If you're interested in innovative fundraising techniques and the power of Afrofuturism, this episode is a must-listen!

Join me and one of my favorite repeat guests Greg Warner, CEO of Marketsmart. In this episode, we unpack so much of what is wrong with so-called "best practices" in fundraising and why administrators make fundraisers' lives so difficult. We talk about ways to talk with donors when they are ready and have indicated their willingness to talk to us and how to structure investment-level conversations. Get your pens out to take some serious notes.

Today, we're talking about a really cool topic - using hostage negotiation tactics in fundraising. Our guest today is none other than Troy Smith, a seasoned hostage negotiator who's going to share his expertise with us.

We'll dive into what hostage negotiation is, how the principles of it can be applied to fundraising, and the key takeaways that fundraisers need to keep in mind when using these techniques. Troy even gives us some practical tips to get started, so you won't want to miss this one!

Trust us, this episode 🎙 is packed with actionable advice and insider knowledge from someone who knows how to get what they want in high-pressure situations. So, grab a pen and paper and get ready to take some notes.

In this interview, I talk about Donor-Advised Funds or DAFs and crypto donations with Alexis Miller, who is the donor engagement and strategic partnerships lead at Endaoment.  

Listen to this entire podcast episode if you want to know more about NFTs, DAOs, and a lot more interesting topics of cryptocurrencies in the nonprofit space. Alexis will help everyone understand these concepts related to crypto, how they work, and how you can help those who are interested in crypto to get involved in supporting what you do in the nonprofit community. On top of that, Alexis also shares her thoughts about the controversy of DAFs and payouts.

A lot more of this in this episode, so tune in!

In this episode, Adam Michael Royston and Marvin Vilma are back and they're diving into the hot topic of East Coast vs. West Coast fundraising. These two fundraising experts have a wealth of experience between them, and they're bringing their unique perspectives to the table to give listeners a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities between fundraising on opposite coasts. 

From the fast-paced hustle of New York City to the tech-heavy vibe of San Francisco, Adam Michael and Marvin will take listeners on a journey through the fundraising landscape of the East and West Coasts. They'll share their own personal experiences, as well as insights and actionable tips for listeners looking to raise money in either region. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of fundraising and all its vagaries.

In this delightful podcast episode, Yamilee Toussaint Beach shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in scaling up her nonprofit STEM from Dance. She explains how having a clear mission and vision, strong leadership, and a dedicated team are essential for any nonprofit looking to grow.

One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of investment in skills building for leaders.

Yamilee's personal experience of scaling up STEM from Dance will help you to think about how to invest your resources, how to manage your time and what not to sacrifice as you grow.

To learn more about STEM from Dance, visit: https://stemfromdance.org/

Join me and my guests Christal Cherry and Renee Rubin Ross to talk about doing DEIAB work right. Often our boards lag behind the efforts of the staff and this dynamic duo helps to bring your board up to speed on issues of equity and inclusion. We talk about the myth of diversity vs. wealth, how to work with folks who don't think they have a problem and their tactics to start boards on this work. We get into the nitty gritty of time commitment, cost and eventual transformation. We left no stone unturned!

Join me and co-founder of Pond, Mitch Stein, to talk about the power of community building, the role of trust in doing business with nonprofits and what pink sherbert has to do with marketing.

Mitch is the founder of the online platform Pond that helps nonprofits and consultants connect. Part of his journey was building trusting and authentic relationships when trust was not a given. Join us to hear what he's learned about building community and how you can apply it to your work.

When I get depressed about the future and the state of the world, I want you to listen to this podcast episode. Meghana Gunturi is an enterprising 16-year-old who runs four clubs, is a full-time student, and has successfully launched an international nonprofit. Join me and Meghana as we talk about how to leverage the power of Gen Z, how nonprofits can start to work with Gen Z, and what the heck you do with influencers.

This was a delightful episode and it made me a little less anxious if the future is in the hand of Meghana and her generation.

Man oh man, do I love a good quiz. Chalk it up to my being of the YM generation 📣 (shout out to my Gen X'ers!)

Join me and Brian Saber to deconstruct your Asking Style. Did you know that there are four kinds and that you have a primary and secondary style? Learn more about your strengths and how to partner with others to compensate for your weaknesses. This is a really fun conversation that helps to demystify some of the dynamics of asking.

Join me and my friend Erika Carley, AKA Queen of Monthly Giving to learn about Chive Charities and their incredible monthly giving program. 4K monthly donors, 98% month-over-month retention rate. Need I say more?

Erika shares how to design, manage and grow a monthly giving program. We talk about her best strategies, what she's learned, and how there is no silver bullet to making people feel cared for.

The world of obtaining funds through grants can be so confusing and time-consuming. Between prospect research, developing relationships, grant writing, and stewardship, it can feel overwhelming. Join me in today's session with Gauri Manglik, Co-Founder of Instrumentl, to discuss trends she's seeing, how to be grant-ready and how her platform might help streamline the process.

For all my peeps in the nonprofit world, leadership in the last few years has been...a lot.

Between the pandemic, national racial reckoning, economic turbulence, remote working, and staff feelings, it ain't easy out here in these streets.

Join me and organizational consultant and healer Emily Frieze-Kemeny to talk about how we progress without losing our minds and our well-being. We discuss the challenges of leading in the last couple of years, how to draw healthy boundaries with our teams, and simple strategies to ground yourselves. 

This interview 🎙 is like a therapy session for the soul.