Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast (Brooke Richie-Babbage)
Explore every episode of Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Feb 2022 | The "Why" and "How" of Creating Your Own Mastermind Group | 00:42:43 | |
In this episode, I'm talking about Mastermind Groups - or more generally, the why and how of building a structured network of support and accountability. I feel really strongly about this topic. Creating intentional systems of support may feel like a "nice to have" for so many people, but it’s actually so, so deeply important and impactful. So often, when I talk to the Executive Directors and CEOs that I work with, and the topic of leadership comes up, I find myself in a conversation about how lonely it all can be. Even for people who have a great relationship with their team and a strong board of directors, so much of what we do as leaders requires us to be out on the proverbial limb, alone. This also feels like a really timely topic… This feeling of - and in many ways, actual - isolation has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. So today I want to share what turned out to be one of the most impactful leadership strategies I’ve ever deployed - and I don’t say that lightly. The ED Collective that I was part of for more than half my time as an ED changed almost everything about how I lead. You can also get a copy of a toolkit for building your own mastermind when you download the Architecture of Impact toolkit at https://richiebabbage.com/ArchitectureofImpactToolkit Want to work together? | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | The Practice of Liberatory Leadership, with Trish Tchume and Ericka Stallings | 01:00:59 | |
Trish Tchume is the Director of Liberatory Leadership Practice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Ericka Stallings is the co-ED of the Leadership Learning Community. Together, they co-facilitate the Liberatory Leadership Project, which works to explore, define, and support approaches to leadership development and organizational capacity building that prefigure a world where all of us can thrive. In this wonderful conversation, Trish and Ericka talk about what it actually means to practice liberation… We talk about so many things - the theory, the practice, and how to bridge to two. It’s a conversation with such depth, and exactly why I love doing and sharing this podcast with other leaders. Want to work together? | |||
| 22 Feb 2022 | How To Inspire and Motivate People To Take Positive Action, with Abigail Ahoude and Adriana Dakin | 00:49:11 | |
For this week’s episode, I reconnected with an old friend from graduate school, Adriana Dakin, and her business partner, Abigail Ahoude. I’ve been excited to talk with them about ImaginePod, the company that they co-founded to help social impact organizations and movements use cutting-edge marketing strategies and tactics to drive more impact. Anyone who does social impact work knows that in order to truly have impact - to bring about the change we wish to see in the world - we need to move in concert with others - we need others to take positive action. Whether it’s signing up for one of our programs, partnering with us to work in a community, signing a piece of legislation, or donating money, joining our board, anything that we do or create is - at its core - rooted in our ability to move people to action. It’s a critical organizational growth skill and capacity. That’s what Abigail and Adriana do with the organizations that they coach, train and support through Imagine Pod. Resources Referenced Want to work together? | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | How To Design & Grow A Nonprofit That You're Proud Of | 00:44:33 | |
At its core, organizational design is about the intentional choices you make in designing your organization’s structure, culture, and processes. You can organize the building blocks in different ways to address different challenges, ask different questions, and position yourself for growth and stability in the future. The idea is that we don’t build our organizations at 30,000 feet. Instead, we design them by being intentional about what’s happening on the ground and then building up from there. We make decisions as we move along about each of the building blocks, and they add up to an organization that we are proud of. So why am I talking about this topic? Because running an organization can feel scary and overwhelming sometimes - like a massive undertaking. How do we create and nurture the culture that feels right? How do we get our board to work together? How do we address issues of power and authority as roles shift on our team? You address these questions by notching down - by examining and thinking about the more basic elements of your organization’s design on a more granular level. So I’m going to walk through the building blocks and then share a resource to help you use them as a tool in your organization. Want to work together? | |||
| 08 Mar 2022 | Using The Power of Video To Make Complex Legal Issues Simple, with Adam Stofsky | 00:46:49 | |
Recently, there’s been an increased focus - in earnest not just talk - on the importance of making sure that people who are most directly impacted by experiences and issues are an authentic and meaningful part of addressing those issues. There are so many ways to go about that, and one of the most powerful is actually also one of the simplest -- make sure that people have the information they need to participate in the process of advocating for themselves, to make informed and smart choices, and to tell their own stories. At its core, that is what Briefly helps nonprofits do. I’ll let Adam get into the details, but suffice it to say, Briefly gives nonprofits and legal service providers the tools to make the complex legal issues facing their constituents and their own staff simple - from helping organizations break down the intricacies of domestic violence law for their community members to helping nonprofit lawyers translate arcane areas of the law for their clients to helping social enterprise founders understand and explain to their staff, the laws surrounding hiring and HR and contracts. And it does it using the power of video . Want to work together? | |||
| 13 Mar 2022 | Build Your Personal Board of Directors, with Lakimja Mattocks | 00:22:19 | |
This week I’m talking with Lakimja Mattocks, Chief Equity and Learnig Officer at Non[profit NY, Fundraising Consultant at Cause Effective, and visionary, powerful leadership coach. This conversation has a different origin than some of the others on this podcast - I was inspired by a very specific event. Lakimja posted on LinkedIn about what she calls her personal board of directors. We talk a bunch about this in the conversation, so I won’t go too deeply into that here, but what I will say is that she wrote with such passion and joy about having this network of people to support and sustain her along her professional journey, that I was moved, inspired, and really interested in pulling back the curtain on the how. As many of you may have heard me speak or write about in the past, I often reference how important I think it is to build structured networks of support and accountability as professionals. I’ve talked about peer coaching and Masterminds, and Lakimja talks about a related but subtly different - and more expansive - strategy for structuring a network of professional and personal support. This is exactly the kind of conversation that the Virgo in me loves - a great mix of personal and practical! Want to work together? | |||
| 05 Apr 2022 | Building a Truly Engaged Board, with Christal Cherry | 00:44:46 | |
Christal Cherry is a board whisperer, founder and CEO of The BoardPro, and a children’s book author! And she breaks it all down for you all today! You get just a glimpse of what makes her such a powerful and effective board coaching and trainer. Want to work together? | |||
| 07 Apr 2022 | MASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: STEM From Dance | 00:30:23 | |
Welcome to our first Mastermind Spotlight! In this series, I’ll be showcasing and celebrating organizations in my Accelerator program - lifting up their mission, their work, and their personal stories of leadership. It means a lot to me to kick off this new part of the podcast by shining a light on a truly phenomenal organization - STEM From Dance, and a truly inspirational leader - Yamilee Tousaint-Beach. STEM From Dance works to get girls of color excited about STEM through dance by fusing STEMs spirit of innovation and experimentation with the creativity and fluidy of dance. Their programs aim to amplify young girls confidence and voices as artists, and to show them how they can use their ingenuity and passion as innovators, engineers, scientists and techies. In this conversation, Yamilee, the founder and current CEO, shares her founding story -- how deeply she has been inspired by her father, and how she drew on her experiences as a dancer, as a student at MIT, and as a middle-school teacher to start STEM from dance. She talk about its vision of increasing the representation of black and brown girls in STEM fields, and their plans for explosive growth as then head into their second decade. It’s a great conversation and I hope you enjoy it! Want to work together? | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | How To Use Your Digital Assets To Attract - Not Chase - New Supporters & Fans, with Christina Edwards | 00:48:46 | |
I have so many conversations with organizational leaders about how social media strategy - especially when it comes to fundraising - can feel opaque - at best. At worst, it can feel like a time suck or even a waste of time - a misuse of limited capacity. The truth is, not getting smart and savvy about your digital footprint means that you’re leaving money on the table. And when we’re talking about fueling our social impact, we don’t want to leave money on the table. More importantly, it’s critical to find high-leverage ways of bringing new people into your orbit and activating them as supporters and ambassadors for your cause. So that is what I’m thrilled to talk with today’s guest about. Christina Edwards is the founder of Splendid Consulting, and she spends her days helping social impact leaders use your digital assets - your website, social media platforms - to add fuel to your fundraising. There is a hard way to fundraise - constantly searching and scratching for each new donor, and then there is the type of fundraising flywheel that you want to set up in which you’re using the assets you have to do some of the heavy lifting for you. You can chase or you can attract. That’s what Christina and I talk about - how to think strategically about using digital assets to attract people to your cause and get them excited. We talk strategy, we talk tactics - this episode is super juicy and concrete. So grab a notebook and a pen - I hope you enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 14 Apr 2022 | MASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: The New Harmony Project | 00:38:53 | |
This week, I’m thrilled to shine a light on an organization that is truly walking the walk when it comes to living its values. The New Harmony Project - led by Lori Wolter Hudson and David Hudson cares for and nurtures writers to give them the space, time, energy, and inspiration to create works that change our world by interrogating the complexities of hope. There’s a lot there -- what it means to care for and nurture writers, the role of hope in helping to forge a more just and equitable world, and what it looks like in practice to translate a bold and beautiful mission into organizational practices that can actually be used to guide the institution. In this conversation, David and Lori share how their recent strategic planning process has helped them answer these critical questions, and how it has helped them actually translate their mission and operationalize their values. It’s a great look into how powerful a good strategic planning process can be, and into how intertwined personal inspiration, strategy, organizational values, and day-to-day operations truly are when leading an organization. Want to work together? | |||
| 21 Apr 2022 | MASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: South Asian SOAR | 00:29:15 | |
This week, I get to introduce and celebrate South Asian SOAR, an organization working to build a national movement to end gender-based violence in the South Asian diaspora. In this conversation, we talk about Amrita’s experience as a founder, the intersection of the personal and political, and what it feels and looks like to co-create a movement from the ground up. Want to work together? | |||
| 10 May 2022 | A Tribute: The Art & Science of Building Trust, with Darcy Richie | 00:45:03 | |
This week’s episode is very very special to me. It is a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie, who passed away at the age of 40 in April of this year. Darcy spent her career building and sustaining high-impact teams, starting when she was the founding principal of a charter school at the age of 25. She built and managed national teams, and remote teams; Small intimate teams and sprawling layered teams… At the root of it, she was simply excellent at communicating, and at helping build the capacity of those around her to do so effectively as well. Want to work together? | |||
| 17 May 2022 | Strategy Quick Hit: How To Hire To Fuel Growth | 00:21:34 | |
I talk in my workshops and trainings, and in my Accelerator program, about how important it is to be intentional about building your organization's internal capacity if you want to grow in a way that is sustainable. By this I mean having the right people in the right roles within your ecosystem. But what does that look like in practice? Want to work together? | |||
| 19 May 2022 | SPOTLIGHT: Willie Mae Rock Camp | 00:45:15 | |
This week’s conversation is with LaFrae Sci, a friend, colleague, and superstar in my Impact Accelerator! LaFrae is an accomplished musician, imaginationist, and Executive Director at Willie Mae Rock Camp, where she created the innovative and transformational Willie Mae Future Sounds STEAM-based curriculum. I’ve been excited to talk with LaFrae on the podcast for a number of reasons. First, I think that her story of stepping into the ED role at Willie Mae at a time of flux and stewarding the organization's growth through a pandemic is instructive and inspirational for other leaders. As I reference in our conversation, the org has grown in budget and impact in the under 2 years that she’s been at the helm, and I’ve wanted to shine a light on her journey and experience as part of a broader dialog opening up and creating transparency about what leadership looks like in practice. The second reason I’ve been excited to talk to LaFrae is more personal. She and I vibe out via email and on some of our coaching calls, about the role that having intentional abundance and gratitude practices have played in our lives. She leads from a place of abundance and gratitude, and I’ve wanted for a long time to invite her to share what that means in practice, and how those practices have helped her stay grounded and avoid overwhelm during the craziness of these past years. Finally, I just love shedding light on incredible leaders as part of this podcast, and LaFrae is an incredible leader. This is a great conversation, I hope you enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 31 May 2022 | How To Get Your Finance House In Order, with Germeen Guillaume | 00:43:04 | |
Let’s face it - numbers can be scary. As nonprofit leaders, how often do you hear how important it is to “know your numbers”? But most of you didn’t get into the nonprofit leadership game with a background in accounting. So instead, you make sure you have a bookkeeper, make sure your books get closed and you track your spending, and MAYBE you get monthly financial reports to review. But you’re secretly faking it until you make it -- you don’t really know what it means to build a strong financial infrastructure - who to hire, what to talk to them about, and how to use your finances as a strategic decision-making tool. Enter Germeen. She’s taken her expertise and passion for accounting and merged it with her passion for social impact organizations and the result is both an incredible company - Virtual Accounting Group (which you’ll hear about) - and a great conversation today. Germeen talks with us about how to know when to move beyond the bookkeeper, how (and who) to think about hiring, the often unrecognized relationship between fundraising and financial infrastructure - she breaks it all down! So grab a notebook and pen and settle in with your beverage of choice and enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 02 Jun 2022 | SPOTLIGHT: Flex Dance Program | 00:28:43 | |
In today’s conversation, I’m talking with the co-leaders of an organization that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for a number of years: Ragz Bruland and Michael Aryee of Flex Dance Program. Ragz and Michael founded Flex Dance as a response to the problem of mass incarceration. They wanted to tap into the expansiveness and movement of dance as a way to help young people especially see beyond a system that can sometimes feel stuck. Their organization - through programs and community partnerships - provides young people not just with safe and engaging ways to spend their time - they are also creating a powerful and inclusive community that embraces young people and gives them a cultural home rooted in self-expression and joy. In this conversation, we talk about their own personal relationship to dance - and to flex dance in particular - and about how that deep personal connection helped them see dance as a vehicle for wider impact and broader social change. It’s a beautiful and powerful origin story, and a beautiful and powerful vision for change. Want to work together? | |||
| 07 Jun 2022 | How To Think About Thought Leadership, And Why It's So Important | 00:16:53 | |
I’m very excited about this episode because this is something that I’ve been thinking and talking a lot about recently. So often when we hear the term “thought leadership” and our mind goes fuzzy. The term is wonky and opaque and no one really ever says what it means or how to do it. But here’s the thing: having a strong thought leadership strategy is a critical aspect of growing and sustaining your budget and impact. So I’m doing a 2-parter about thought leadership. Next week’s episode we'll get into the structure and components of an effective thought leadership plan. Want to work together? | |||
| 08 Jun 2022 | SPOTLIGHT: RaisedByUs, with Jessica Sloan | 00:33:10 | |
This week, I’m talking with Jessoica Sloan, ED of RaisedByUs. RaisedByUs has a big hairy audacious goal - one that resonates deeply with me in its power and simplicity: To make the world a better, kinder and more just place. They are literally aiming to raise as many charitable dollars as possible for global causes by mobilizing the power of individual philanthropy. What’s super cool about their model is that they leverage the workplace - and workplace giving - to narrow the gap between wanting to give back and actually doing it. Questions like: How can start ups and emerging companies define the kind of social good footprint they want to have, and then actually build volunteer and giving policies that get them there? What’s the relationship between corporate culture and employee giving? How can you shape one to influence the other? How can companies of all sizes build employee-giving programs that offer authentic and meaningful opportunities for their employees to have an impact on issues they care about? Ultimately, giving feels good. People like giving. How can we leverage the power of the workplace to help make it easier for people to give to the issues and causes and organizations they care about? That’s what RaiseByUs tackles. How to leverage our natural instinct to give, and mobilize dollars for good. In this conversation, Jessica and I talk about the mechanics of partnering with businesses and corporations to do social good, how employee giving can be an important key to helping nonprofits unlock small-dollar donors, and what it really means to be philanthropic. It’s a great conversation - I hope you enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 14 Jun 2022 | What To Think About Thought Leadership, Elements Of A Plan | 00:31:21 | |
This is part two of my two-part mini-training series about thought leadership. Last week, I talked about the “why” -- Why it’s important to have a thought leadership plan, and how precisely thought leadership can move your organization's work forward. Today I’m going to lay out my framework for thought leadership planning. Specifically, the elements of a strong plan. I teach what I call the OATS framework: Objectives, Audiences, Topics, and Strategies. It's a simple yet effective framework for guiding and organizing your thinking about thought leadership. Want to work together? | |||
| 16 Jun 2022 | Spotlight on MoreArt, with Micaela Martegani | 00:31:27 | |
I’m talking with Micaela, the founder, and ED of Moreart. Moreart exists to leverage community and harness the power of art to really address social issues. They bring artists into partnership with community members, organizations, and institutions - like courts and nonprofits, and community leaders - to create space for dialog. Micaela and I talk about the urgency of finding ways for people to work together across difference, about the power of a shared experience of artistic work to bring us together in new ways, and about how ultimately those new ways can open the door for deepened relationships and a chance for meaningful social change. Want to work together? | |||
| 05 Jul 2022 | Healing Leadership, Well-being, & Finding Joy In Work, with Nita Baum | 01:17:19 | |
Today I'm talking with Nita Baum, leadership coach, teacher, and founder of b-free, a collective of freelancers and consultants that work together to re-envision and re-create the Workplace as HealingSpace, where freedom, sustainability, and wellbeing happen for ALL people at and through work, not in spite of it. Nita has spent the past 20+ years stewarding complex organizations and teams through change and growth. Her first business was a strategy and organizational change consultancy to C-level executive leaders in K-16 education across the US and globe. What I find fascinating and compelling about what she does now, is that she takes the ideas of organizational design, team building, and culture change - all of the things that make up the interstitial tissue of a well-functioning organization - to the next level. She is a practitioner of holistic health coaching, yoga as psychosomatic therapy, conflict resolution and mediation, restorative justice facilitation, and psycho-somatic healing + embodied facilitation. In our conversation, she talks about how she draws on these skills and practices to help organizations and teams deepen their ability to work together and to find joy in their work. We talk about what she sees as the deep relationship between well-being and human potential, the strategies she draws on to help people and teams navigate conflict, and how organizations can bake healing leadership into the fabric of their work internally and in the world. Nita is a exciting thinker and creator, and a beautiful person to talk to. Want to work together? | |||
| 07 Jul 2022 | Spotlight on The Kota Alliance, with Jaana Rehnström | 00:18:42 | |
This week, I’m talking with Jaana Rehnström, founder and leader of The Kota Alliance. At its core, Kota is about gender equity and women’s empowerment. They work both locally and globally to create synergies between organizations that serve and support women and girls. Jaana and I talk about how Kota was founded to elevate and expand capacity and impact -- there are so many organizations doing incredible work, and too often they simply don’t know about one another and don’t have the capacity to figure out how to work together in service of the women and girls in their communities. That’s where Kota comes in - they aim to serve as the interstitial tissue between these organizations - creating communities and efficiencies that build capacity and expand impact. Want to work together? | |||
| 12 Jul 2022 | A Powerful (& Underused!) Strategy For Reclaiming Your Time | 00:34:19 | |
In today’s episode, I’m getting laser-focused on how to create the kind of systems that help you claw back your time. One of my secret obsessions has always been about how to best leverage systems to make work more efficient - what systems and tools can simplify my work, how I can move things off my plate to free up my time for bigger-picture thinking and planning… I know so many of you want the same thing - I know because it’s one of the most frequently addressed topics in my Accelerator program! So in this episode, I want to talk about one of the most powerful systems I use to free up time in my own work, and what I recommend to my clients and students to make their workflows smoother, less filled with friction, and less cumbersome. Automation. Want to work together? | |||
| 21 Jul 2022 | Spotlight on Global Health Council, with Elisha Dunn-Georgiou | 00:37:40 | |
Today I'm spotlighting an incredible, high-impact organization -- Global Health Council, a national organization that sits in a really unique intersection within the global health world. They don't just bring together stakeholders around and across specific health issues -- they address cross-cutting issues that really go to the core of strengthening and supporting all of the many individual issues in the space. They make sure the infrastructure, supportive policy, and resources are there to drive consensus, build inquiry and ensure security across the entire global health space - as a whole. Elisha and I talk about the intricacies of operationalizing a complex theory of change, the importance of engaging in system-level work, and how to think about and define meaningful impact in the advocacy space. And we talk about the true meaning of health equity, and where GHC is going in the coming years -- how absolutely critical Elisha and the GHC members recognize it is for people from every part of the globe being at the same decision-making table and shaping policy together. Want to work together? | |||
| 26 Jul 2022 | Replay: The Architecture of Impact Framework | 00:20:54 | |
The Architecture of Impact is the framework around which my teaching is organized. The basic idea is this: We talk about impact in so many ways, and ultimately, this impact is our organization's north star. It is what guides us programmatically and organizationally. If we’re doing it right, it serves as a foundation for our strategic vision, our fundraising, our hiring, who we partner with… My Architecture of Impact framework offers the broad strokes of how to think about, define, and set up whatever that architecture is for your organization. Want to work together? | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | How To Find Untapped Organizational Capacity Hidden In Plain Sight | 00:26:36 | |
Untapped capacity can hide in plain sight. In this case, it’s in the form of our informal networks. The dozens - sometimes hundreds - of people that are floating around in your world that you know but aren’t connected to the organization in any structured or concrete way. These are people you’ve met at conferences, friends of board members with whom you’re loosely acquainted, people you sit on working groups with… This loose network is brimming with untapped capacity. The key is the concept of a leveraged network. A leveraged network is a constellation of structured relationships with micro-groups of people within your broader network that can be leveraged to expand organizational capacity, influence, and impact. When we think about our organizational capacity and the people in our networks that fuel our work, we tend to think about our staff and our board. These are the people “under the tent” so to speak. The concept of leveraged networks invites us to go to the next level, to look at everyone in our ecosystem and ask: is there a way to bring this person under the tent? Do structure their relationship in a way that deepens their connection to our work, and increases our ability to ask them for help? Want to work together? | |||
| 09 Aug 2022 | A Fun (& Powerful) Cultivation and Network Expansion Activity | 00:21:27 | |
Today I talk about a fun cultivation activity that’s easy to pull together and can be done in the waning days of summer to set the stage for deeper engagement and activation this fall. What is this magical activity? It's called a Brain Trust. They’re a low-hanging fruit chance to bring together people who are either experts in their field, people who have a unique perspective on a topic, or just great and creative problem-solvers and strategic thinkers You get to bring these people into your organization’s eco-system in a structured way, and provide a starting-point for deeper connection and engagement in the future. I have loved these since I first learned about them 15 years ago! Throughout my leadership - and even as a board member - they have proven to be an exciting and powerful strategic tool - network building, cultivation, and deepening engagement among existing stakeholders (esp. board members, advisors, and major donors). Want to work together? | |||
| 16 Aug 2022 | Navigating Periods of Organizational Change & Transition | 00:21:49 | |
A gear shift moment is what I call that phase of your org when you’re between where you were and that next impact horizon for your organization. You’ve reached the end of one growth stage but you haven’t settled into another one. It’s like when you’re riding a bike and you shift gears -- everything feels just a little chaotic for a few moments before the new gear catches. Nonprofit growth is just like that. In each stage of growth, organizations hit a point where they can’t grow any further using their existing set of skills and knowledge, and systems. They have to shift gears if they want to keep growing. It happens time and time again, in every stage of growth. Want to work together? | |||
| 18 Aug 2022 | Spotlight on True Star Foundation, with DeAnna McLeary-Sherman | 00:33:10 | |
Today I’m showcasing the True Star Foundation, based in Chicago. It’s the brain child of an incredible duo - DeAnna Sherman and Na Tae Thompson. True Star Foundation’ brings young people deep into the world and business of media production, using media as a platform for giving young people a creative outlet, a belief that their voice matters, and a professional toolbox that can be leveraged their entire lives. Teens not only produce actual high-quality media, including two magazines, a tv show, blog and radio show, as well as media for businesses and corporations, they also they advise and execute business strategy, conduct market research, develop marketing campaigns, and are the ultimate decision makers of the brand and direction of the organization itself. In our conversation, we talk about how these two ladies came together quite by accident and cofounded TrueStar close to 2 decades ago. We talk about the lessons they’ve learned from founding and building an organization from the ground up, and how they continue to innovate and remain responsive to the changing media sector, and the evolving needs of young people over decades. Want to work together? | |||
| 25 Aug 2022 | Spotlight on Drama Club, with Josie Whittlesey | 00:40:39 | |
This week I’m sharing a wonderful conversation with Josie Whittlesey, founder, and leader of Drama Club. Drama Club is one of those truly transformational organizations that when you learn what they do, and the real and lasting changes they bring about in the lives of young people, you feel inspired in the true sense of the word. Drama Club goes deep into the worlds and lives of young people in the NYC prison industrial complex. And uses drama and personal storytelling to unlock and nurture a connection to some bigger vision of what is possible for them and for their lives. Josie and I talk about her founding story, being compelled to do the work that she does, and the powerful impact that committing to the vision of an organization, and following through on that vision, can have on the people and communities we work with and serve. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Want to work together? | |||
| 01 Sep 2022 | Spotlight on Charleston Legal Access, with Lana Kleinman | 00:40:04 | |
This week I’m sharing a wonderful conversation with Lana Kleinman, the ED of Charleston Legal Access. I have a special place in my heart for this conversation because Lana and I got to bond a bit over the mission of her organization - expanding access to legal advocacy and justice to those who can't afford it. They are a nonprofit law firm and, as Lana describes, their unique and powerful focus is on people who don’t qualify for legal aid or legal services, but who can’t afford access to a private attorney. Lana and I talk big picture about what it really means o run an organization that operationalizes access to justice, and more personally, about her experience stepping into the ED role in a new city, and navigating COVID. This conversation bridges the personal and practical, and I hope you enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 23 Aug 2022 | How To Actually Implement Your Plan For Nonprofit Growth | 00:16:05 | |
This week, I’m doing a quick strategy hit about something that is the underpinning of your growth - organizational playbooks. Want to work together? | |||
| 06 Sep 2022 | The Powerful Myth That Could Be Stalling Your Nonprofit Growth | 00:21:51 | |
There is a common and pervasive myth about what fuels the sustainable, non-overwhelming expansion of impact and budget. So many of our decisions and priorities and actions as we grow are driven by this myth: That the key to growing to $1M+ is simply more and better fundraising. In this episode, I work to dispel this pernicious myth by showing that once you hit the mid-six figures, growing your organization in a way that doesn’t lead to implosion and burnout is not just about raising more money. In this episode, you will learn:
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 13 Sep 2022 | What Your Nonprofit Staffing Challenges Are *Really* About | 00:59:41 | |
In this week’s episode, I talk about one of the deep underlying beliefs (or hopes) that lies at the core of so many of the staffing challenges and frustrations leaders find themselves navigating. I offer a concrete framework leaders can apply to get to the heart of what’s really going on with their staff, and to begin to craft solutions that will last. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast Links Mentioned Previous Episode: The Powerful Myth That Could Be Stalling Your Growth Architecture of Impact Toolkit: richiebabbage.com/architectureofimpacttoolkit HR Policy & Document Bundle: richiebabbage.com/hrbundle
Other Ways To Enjoy This Podcast Want to work together? | |||
| 20 Sep 2022 | The Practice of Liberatory Governance, with Natalie Bamdad and Ananda Valenzuela | 00:54:07 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about an important - and top-of-mind - question for so many people: The what, why, and how of Liberatory Governance. I got to have a thoroughly enjoyable and meaty conversation with Natalie Bamdad and Ananda Valenzuela, of Change Elemental, an organization that partners across sectors to disrupt and transform systems of inequity and create powerful vehicles for justice. At Change Elemental, Natalie supports racial equity transformation processes, governance and decision-making structures, practices, and strategy-setting to build a world where power and resources are shared in just ways. She has written about shared leadership, experimentation in governance and decision-making, and the relationship between systems change and racial equity. Ananda is the Co-Chair of Change Elemental’s Governance Team. They are an independent consultant engaged in professional interim executive director work and organizational development facilitation, with a particular focus on equitable self-management and liberatory practices. In this episode, we talk about:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast Links Mentioned Previous Episode: How to think about and practice liberatory leadership, with Trish Tchume and Erika Stallings The Architecture of Impact Toolkit: richiebabbage.com/architectureofimpacttoolkit Change Elemental: https://changeelemental.org/ Ananda Valenzuela: https://anandavalenzuela.org/about/
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| 27 Sep 2022 | Strategy Quick Hit: How To Get Your Time Back | 00:21:52 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m walking through a simple yet powerful activity that’s designed to create clarity about where and how to get more time in your leadership. I’ll walk through each step, but pay close attention to the last one - that’s where the greatest leverage is hidden. We talk about why and how to remove yourself as a bottleneck in your organization, and how to begin to see where you can find lost hours. This is a valuable exercise that has saved me HOURS of time, and helped me refocus on the right direction for growth. I can’t recommend it enough! In this episode, you will learn:
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast Links Mentioned Virtual Freedom, by Chris Ducker Previous Episodes: Strategy Quick Hit: How To Hire To Fuel Growth How To Find Untapped Organizational Capacity Hidden In Plain Sight Architecture of Impact Toolkit: richiebabbage.com/architectureofimpacttoolkit Next Level Nonprofit: richiebabbage.com/nextlevelnonprofit
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| 04 Oct 2022 | 3 Infrastructure Shifts That Ensure Your Sustainable Impact | 00:24:23 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about 3 courageous infrastructure shifts to make if you want to set yourself up for sustainable impact in 2023. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
> Focus on Growth Training bundle: richiebabbage.com/focusongrowthbundle > Next Level Nonprofit: richiebabbage.com/nextlevelnonprofit > Architecture of Impact Toolkit: richiebabbage.com/architectureofimpacttoolkit
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| 11 Oct 2022 | What I Learned About Leadership and Mental Health From Hamilton | 00:14:36 | |
This is Mental Health Week. So in this week’s episode, I’m talking about one of the most important and transformative lessons about leadership and mental health that I ever learned, and how it came from listening to one of - if not the - shortest songs on the Hamilton soundtrack.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
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| 25 Oct 2022 | The Curse of Perfectionism Holding Your Nonprofit Back | 00:18:10 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m highlighting one common - and dangerous - challenge that may be hiding in plain sight in your organization. Like a shape-shifting snake in the grass, it can hold us back and we don’t even recognize that it’s happening. So I’m highlighting some of the ways that it shows up so that you can spot the snake and build systems to stop it once and for all. In this episode, you will learn:
Links Mentioned
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast Other Ways To Enjoy This Podcast Want to work together? | |||
| 01 Nov 2022 | The Power of The CEO Day | 00:28:42 | |
In this week’s episode, I talk about a powerful strategy for getting out of the weeds in your organization: The CEO Day (also known as the personal leadership retreat). In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Other Ways To Enjoy This Podcast Want to work together? | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | Nonprofit Strategic Planning Mini-Series | Creating a Clear Vision | 00:27:20 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m starting a short series on the architecture of a powerful strategic plan. Why it’s so important to have an effective plan, and how to build that plan from the ground up, starting with having a clear and compelling strategic vision. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 14 Nov 2022 | Nonprofit Strategic Planning Mini-Series | Creating Priorities | 00:18:00 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m continuing my short series on the architecture of a powerful strategic plan by zeroing in on the why, what, and how of strategic priorities.
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 29 Nov 2022 | Nonprofit Strategic Planning Mini-Series | Setting Goals | 00:27:29 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m wrapping up my short series on the architecture of a powerful annual strategic plan. I’m focusing on goal setting - a simple framework for setting goals that will serve as the powerful link between your vision for impact and what you actually do every month and week and day. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!I” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 03 Jan 2023 | Lessons From The Field: What’s Working in Small Shop Nonprofit Leadership & Growth in 2023 - Relationships | 00:18:26 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m kicking off my new year series about setting intentions as a way to guide your leadership and growth in the new year. Goals are important, but I argue that intentions are often over looked and in some ways more foundational. While your goals are a commitment to an outcome, your intentions are a commitment to a process - they are an orientation to your work: How you want to approach your leadership, actions and decisions. One of the most important intentions you can set is to adopt a relationship orientation. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Podcast episode about Leveraged Networks Access the full toolkit inside the Nonprofit Leadership Resource Hub
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| 10 Jan 2023 | Lessons From The Field: What’s Working in Small Shop Nonprofit Leadership & Growth in 2023- Leverage | 00:19:48 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m continuing my new year series about setting intentions to guide your leadership and growth in the new year. Goals are important, but I argue that intentions are perhaps even more foundational and important. While your goals are a commitment to an outcome, your intentions are a commitment to a process - they are an orientation to your work: How you want to approach your leadership, actions, and decisions. The second intention that you should set in 2023 is to leverage your time. In this episode, you will learn:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Lessons From The Field: What’s Working in Small Shop Nonprofit Leadership & Growth in 2023- Purpose & Mindset | 00:16:09 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m finishing my new year series about setting intentions to guide your leadership and growth in the new year. In this episode, I’m sharing two final intentions to guide your year: Intention #3: Let Form Follow Function Intention # 4: Master Your Mindset In this episode, you’ll learn:
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | How To Diagnose Root Causes of Problems In Your Nonprofit | 00:20:30 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about nonprofit problem-solving and root causes. We’ve all experienced challenges in our organizations. It can be hard to get to the actual root of the problem and figure out what’s causing it, much less determine how to resolve it. In this episode, you’ll learn:
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | How To Create The Magic of A High-impact Nonprofit Board | 00:18:01 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m getting to the root of what’s a play with a truly high-impact nonprofit board. How to answer perennial questions like: How should my board be working together? What “should” my board be doing? How do I know if they’re a “good board”? The answer is not what people necessarily always think. It’s not about having wealthy people on your board, or people who know “the right people.” It’s deeper than that. It’s about a special form of trust that every single high-functioning team has. In this episode, I'll talk about:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 08 Feb 2023 | Growth is a juggling act: fundraising, avoiding burnout, and growing impact -- Behind the scenes of my Accelerator | 00:20:21 | |
How to scale without losing the secret sauce that can be created with a tiny staff How to be an effective leader when you are also in the weeds of the org, doing so much of the operations, admin, fundraising, financial management, and HR because you don't have enough staff to fill all these roles? How to effectively grow as an organization and continue expanding the scope and reach of our programs, while maintaining a high personal touch with our community members and volunteers, and the tight-bonded community that is part of our uniqueness? Want to work together? | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | How To Figure Out Your Next Right Hire | 00:24:37 | |
In this episode, you will learn a simple 4-part framework for identifying your next best hire. I’ll cover:
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 21 Feb 2023 | How to Attract New Funders & Donors To Fuel Your Growth | 00:25:44 | |
In this episode, you will learn a 4-part framework for bringing new donors and funders into your organization, without constantly having to find and chase new resources. The most efficient and effective way to attract new funders and donors is to find the watering holes of the people who would have an affinity for your mission, share what you’re doing, and get them to have the thought: “I want to hear more/ learn more about this organization…” This framework offers 4 strategies for doing just that.
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Grateful!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends!
Want to work together? | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | Mastermind Hot Seat: How Do I Actually Start A Mastermind Group?? | 00:28:33 | |
In this episode, you will learn the why and how of forming your own personal mastermind group. I’ll talk about:
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 07 Mar 2023 | A Simple, Powerful Tool For Maintaining Board Engagement | 00:24:17 | |
A Simple, Powerful Tool For Maintaining Board Engagement Want to work together? | |||
| 21 Mar 2023 | How To "Get Out Of The Weeds" Of Your Organization | 00:25:26 | |
Finding time to get out of the weeds of the organization is by far the biggest challenge the EDs I work with deal with. There is so much work to do in the organization, it can feel impossible to find time to work ON the organization -- to think about the organization as a whole.
Want to work together? | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | 5 Questions To Guide Quarterly Reflection & Planning | 00:16:15 | |
When it comes to leading or growing an institution, a habit of reflection, assessment, and planning is really important. It’s an opportunity to take stock and make sense of the previous quarter, and to use that insight to make plans - or reset existing plans - for the coming quarter. In today's episode, I'm sharing the quarterly check-in process that I've used for 15 years to help me stay on track, and reset when necessary.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | Mastermind Hot Seat: What Do I Do To Improve My Board | 00:16:11 | |
I’ve loved getting questions from folks. It’s honestly one of my favorite things. This month’s Mastermind Hotseat question is a great one: My board has identified as a goal for itself wanting to be better as a board. My board members are open to trainings but we don’t know what to focus on. Honestly, it’s a little overwhelming. What would you recommend we focus on first if we want to level up our work as a board? In this episode, I walk through 3 core areas of focus that can guide your work in strengthening your board. Want to work together? | |||
| 11 Apr 2023 | Budget-friendly Nonprofit Fundraising Staffing, with Cindy Wagman | 00:33:11 | |
I'm joined today by Cindy Wagman, Founder and President of The Good Partnership, best-selling author of Raise It! The Reluctant Fundraiser’s Guide to Raising Money Without Selling Your Soul, and host of the top-rated podcast, The Small Nonprofit.
Plus, Cindy breaks down how to know when you’re ready to build your team, what to look for in a fractional fundraiser, and how to integrate external development support into your team for maximum impact.
Want to work together? | |||
| 19 Apr 2023 | Revolutionize Your Nonprofit Workflow with Chat GPT | 00:31:58 | |
In this podcast, Brooke dives into the world of Chat GPT and how it can benefit nonprofit organizations in various aspects of their workflow. Learn how this AI-powered tool can save time, spark creativity, and increase engagement through a range of practical applications. Listen now to revolutionize your organization's productivity! Want to work together? | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | Nonprofit Growth Mini-Series | The Start-Up Phase | 00:27:41 | |
In this podcast episode, I discuss the significance of understanding a nonprofit organization's development stage, and the importance of taking a strategic approach to growth. If you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 02 May 2023 | Nonprofit Growth Mini-Series | The Childhood Stage | 00:22:24 | |
Nonprofit growth isn't linear. It's messy and winding and full of stops and starts. That's why knowing where you are in the process is absolutely critical. Being able to anchor yourself to the right milestones... to face the right challenges... and to take the right next step is how you navigate the chaos of the childhood phase. Nonprofit Launch Plan Template
Want to work together? | |||
| 09 May 2023 | Nonprofit Growth Mini-Series | Early & Late Growth | 00:28:54 | |
In this episode, we explore the exciting world of nonprofit growth and development with our guest, Brooke. Want to work together? | |||
| 24 May 2023 | Nonprofit Growth Mini-Series | A Healthy “Mature” Nonprofit | 00:28:38 | |
Throughout this series, I’ve been making the argument that the best way to grow your organization is not to focus on budget or staff or board size as the key metric, but instead, to notch down and focus on the stage of development -- the specific characteristics and goals of each stage, and the clarity, capacity, and capital milestones that are aligned with where you are. In this final series episode, I’m going to paint the picture of an adult organization. You'll learn:
You can also do a deeper dive with my 4-part webinar series: Focus on Growth -- richiebabbage.com/focusongrowth Want to work together? | |||
| 31 May 2023 | How To Build An Intentional Organizational & Team Culture | 00:22:38 | |
Culture eats strategy for breakfast. As important as it is to build your organization intentionally and strategically, everything is held together and animated by the organization's culture. Want to work together? | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | Mindset Mastery: Nonprofit Growth Lessons with Rhea & Brooke | 00:35:04 | |
In this first episode of our 3-part mini series, Rhea and I delev into the critical role of mindset - specifically, money mindset, leadership mindset, and an abundance mindset - in achieving sustainable growth and avoiding burnout. Want to work together? | |||
| 06 Jun 2023 | How To Build Your Nonprofit Capacity With Nontraditional Staff | 00:40:35 | |
One of the toughest things about growing an org is capacity - and more precisely, calibrating the capacity you need with what you actually have the funding to pay for. In this episode, I talk about how to think about hiring Consultants, Fellows, Fractional Support, and Virtual Assistants (VAs) to build out your capacity - for less money. I also mention the following resources: Want to work together? | |||
| 10 Jun 2023 | Systems That Scale: Nonprofit Growth Lessons with Rhea & Brooke | 00:31:26 | |
In this second episode of our 3-part mini-series, Rhea and I break down what the inside of your organization should look like if you want to be ready to scale. We highlight the role of a clear and compelling strategic vision in fundraising, talk about why hiring is not always the immediate solution to building your capacity, and deep dive into the actual meaning of "systems" in the context of organizational growth. ==> If you want more leadership in your life, sign up for my weekly newsletter Leadership Forward 321, and get resources to help you lead your organization more strategically and with less overwhelm -- in 5 minutes or less. Just text IMPACT to 66866 Want to work together? | |||
| 27 Jun 2023 | Strategy Quick Hit: How To Connect With The Right Donors | 00:19:08 | |
Fundraising works best when it’s relational. Everyone says that, but what does it actually mean? It means that the most effective fundraising enters a conversation already happening inside the minds of your ideal donors and attempts to see the world the way they see it. You have to find people who have an affinity for the mission - a deep connection to the outcomes that your organization is working towards… the shared vision of the better world you’re creating. This week's episode shares a quick and powerful strategy for identifying your ideal donor! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 04 Jul 2023 | How To Use ChatGPT To Build Your Nonprofit’s Capacity | 00:22:29 | |
Everyone talks about how nonprofits can use ChatGPT to support their fundraising efforts. In this episode, I go beyond fundraising, and walk through 6 concrete ways that you can use ChatGPT in your organization specifically to build staff capacity! You’ll learn how ChatGPT can:
Links Mentioned Want to work together? | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | Get More Leverage Out of the Lazy Days of Summer | 00:19:29 | |
The days of summer feel slower and lazier than other times of the year. People move more slowly… everything feels lighter and more ephemeal. Despite (or manybe because of) this, summer is the perfect time to think about high-leverage activities! The kind of activities that give you more bang for your buck, but that are more about investment than quick-returns. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 low-lift yet high-leverage activities to help you lay the foundation for increased growth, stability, and fundraising success this Fall! You’ll get:
Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | 3 Trends In How Small Nonprofits Grew To (& Sustained) $2M | 00:33:11 | |
How you think about fundraising and your board and hiring is so different at $1M than at $10M. And trying to do what organizations at different stages of development are doing will lead to frustration, negative self talk and burn out. I’ve found that there was very little information about how a small nonprofit org should think about growth and sustainability, and the guidelines and rules for a larger org may not be appropriate. So about five years ago, I decided to do my own research to discover and distill whether there is logic to the seeming chaos of growth amidst small non-profits. This week I’m sharing some “lessons from the field” -- offering behind-the-curtain insights into what sustainable $2M organizations look like. I’m sharing three specific trends in staffing, fundraising, and board structure for organizations that grew to and sustained $2M:
As you think about your own growth, keep these 3 benchmarks in mind either as lighthouses to aim towards or as gut checks to rethink your own structure. No two organizations are the same, but we can learn from one another so that we shorten the distance and lessen the effort for getting from where we are to the impact we want to have.
“This podcast is heaven-sent. Gratefu!!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — build and lead an organization that brings them joy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to share the podcast with friends! You can share this link: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitmastermindpodcast
Want to work together? | |||
| 25 Jul 2023 | ChatGPT Beyond Fundraising: How To Use ChatGPT To Increase Your Organization's Strategic Clarity | 00:33:21 | |
In this episode, I'm doing another deep dive into the ways in which ChatGPT can support your organization - in addition to fundraising.
You can get my entire Nonprofit ChatGPT Quickstart Guide at brookerichiebabbage.com/chatgptguide Want to work together? | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Rules of Donor Psychology | 00:05:40 | |
In this audio version of my 6-Minute Strategy series, you’ll learn how to leverage the rules of donor psychology to activate people in your community to give, how to build stronger relationships with your existing donors, and how to keep supporters active and engaged with your mission and work. Want to work together? | |||
| 01 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Going Beyond Giving Tuesday To Maximize Your Year End Giving | 00:35:59 | |
I’m beyond excited to kick off my Sharpening Your Ax Series: Nonprofit Summer Strategy Sessions with Jess Campbell, a dear friend, and the founder of Out In The Boons, a small shop helping nonprofits discover donors in their email list. Jess has been deep in this work for a LONG time -- she’s been a nonprofit fundraiser for 18 years and has raised over $17M+ working from New York to California in organizations big and small. She is also the founder of The Raise More Together Summit for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers, which is coming up this month, and which she and I talk about in the episode. In this episode, we’re talking about end-of-year giving, and how to think and plan beyond Giving Tuesday to actually set yourself up for the most expansive year-end season you’ve ever had! Jess and I are both practical and tactical, so this episode is heavy on the “how do I actually do this”! Grab a notebook and a pen and get ready to map out an incredible year-end season! Want to work together? | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: The Only Fundraising Strategy You’ll Ever Need, With Suzy Myers Jackson | 00:45:40 | |
Very rarely have I met someone as naturally gifted at resource generation as Suzy Myers-Jackson. I say resource generation, rather than fundraising, because what Suzy has spent the past 18 years doing - first as the ED of Opening Act, and more recently as a strategic consultant and coach, has been more expansive than just raising money. Did she grow her organization from $25K to a multi-million dollar organization? Yes, Did she perfect her Power of 10 campaign strategy to raise over $175K in 10 days through micro-donations, yes? And I’m excited that she shares strategies for how to do this. But at the core of her fundraising prowess is a true gift for thinking expansively about how to define resources - she understands that the relationships that she builds, and the community that she grows, is the resource, and that has translated into money, time, investments, volunteers, raving supporters, advisors, partners, and transformative impact for the youth that she was working on behalf of. In this conversation with Suzy, she breaks down her approach to resource generation, and offers tactical advice and tools - actionable steps you can take to improve your own resource generation. She also provides insight into the way that she thinks about fundraising more deeply, and how that is actually what made her so effective. Want to work together? | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Focus on Growth: Activating Your Board As Partners & Ambassadors | 00:51:46 | |
At its best, your board can be an engaged group of supporters, strategic thought partners, and organizational ambassadors. Want to work together? | |||
| 09 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: 6-Minute Strategy: Increasing Board Engagement | 00:05:23 | |
In this audio version of my 6-minute strategy training on deepening board engagement, you’ll walk away with quick, immediately actionable tactics for getting your board members more connected and engaged with your mission and your work. Want to work together? | |||
| 10 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Understanding & Practicing Liberatory Governance, with Natalie Bamdad and Ananda Valenzuela | 00:54:07 | |
In this episode, I’m talking about an important - and top-of-mind - question for so many people: The what, why, and how of Liberatory Governance. I got to have a thoroughly enjoyable and meaty conversation with Natalie Bamdad and Ananda Valenzuela, of Change Elemental, an organization that partners across sectors to disrupt and transform systems of inequity and create powerful vehicles for justice. Want to work together? | |||
| 15 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: 6-Minute Strategy Finance Metrics | 00:06:01 | |
In this audio version of my 6-minute strategy training gets super concrete. You’ll learn the key metrics you should be tracking and measuring to help you keep your finger on the pulse of your organization’s financial health. Want to work together? | |||
| 16 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Focus on Growth: True Cost Growth Budgeting | 00:26:34 | |
Whatever your vision for growth and increased impact, there are costs associated with it. This training will walk through how to think about your budget not just as a financial document, but as a storytelling tool to actually help you grow. Want to work together? | |||
| 17 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Fundraising Ax: How To Get Your Finance House In Order, with Germeen Guillaume | 00:43:04 | |
Let’s face it - numbers can be scary. As nonprofit leaders, how often do you hear how important it is to “know your numbers”? But most of you didn’t get into the nonprofit leadership game with a background in accounting. So instead, you make sure you have a bookkeeper, make sure your books get closed and you track your spending, and MAYBE you get monthly financial reports to review. But you’re secretly faking it until you make it -- you don’t really know what it means to build a strong financial infrastructure - who to hire, what to talk to them about, and how to use your finances as a strategic decision-making tool. Enter Germeen. She’s taken her expertise and passion for accounting and merged it with her passion for social impact organizations and the result is both an incredible company - Virtual Accounting Group (which you’ll hear about) - and a great conversation today. Germeen talks with us about how to know when to move beyond the bookkeeper, how (and who) to think about hiring, the often unrecognized relationship between fundraising and financial infrastructure - she breaks it all down! So grab a notebook and pen and settle in with your beverage of choice and enjoy! Want to work together? | |||
| 22 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: 6-Minute Strategy: Hiring Tactics | 00:06:13 | |
This 6-minute strategy episode will walk through how to approach hiring to make sure that you’re recruiting and building the right team for your organization’s needs Want to work together? | |||
| 23 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: 6-Minute Strategy: SOPs | 00:06:33 | |
This 6-minute strategy episode walks through one of the most powerful secrets for keeping your team aligned and moving in the same direction: standard operating procedures. Want to work together? | |||
| 24 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: The Art & Science of Building & Leading Teams Fueled By Trust, with Darcy Richie | 00:43:27 | |
This episode is very very special to me. It is a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie, who passed away at the age of 40 in 2021. Darcy Richie was the Chief Program and Impact Officer at Generation Citizen. Last Spring, I invited her to join me to talk about two of her many superpowers: the how and why of communication and team-building. I called Darcy the communication whisperer. She was one of those people who can be in any situation, with any group of people, and find her way to the heart of what they are trying to communicate. She had a unique way of making people feel truly seen and heard - which is really what communication is all about. Most critically for her work, she was able to help others do that for one another. Darcy spent her career building and sustaining high-impact teams, starting when she was the founding principal of a charter school at the age of 25. She built and managed national teams, and remote teams; Small intimate teams and sprawling layered teams… At the root of it, she was simply excellent at communicating, and at helping build the capacity of those around her to do so effectively as well. Want to work together? | |||
| 29 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Focus On Growth: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There | 00:47:54 | |
In order to grow without overwhelm, you need to focus on the right things at the right time: You need to know your stage of growth. Want to work together? | |||
| 31 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: The Myth of Organizational Sustainability, with Vu Le | 00:17:26 | |
I can't think of a better way to wrap up our August Sharpening Your Ax Series than with this powerful and thought-provoking conversation with Vu Le. Want to work together? | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | Sharpening Your Ax Summer Series: Focus on Growth: Be Intentional About Your Structure, Systems & Culture | 00:38:33 | |
Every organization is made up of the same core building blocks. Focused, sustainable growth means making intentional choices about these building blocks. Want to work together? | |||
| 12 Sep 2023 | The 3 Core Organizational Plans That Will Help You Fight Your Overwhelm | 00:28:39 | |
In this episode, I tackle the all-too-common feeling of overwhelm that comes with leading a small nonprofit. I share a concrete 3-part framework to bring clarity to your decision-making and foster long-term sustainability. You’ll learn:
Other Resources Mentioned Aligned Anchors Strategy Bundle: A curated package of trainings and templates that will walk you through each step of the alignment process. Want to work together? | |||
| 05 Sep 2023 | How To Say No (The Secret Is Saying Yes) | 00:22:14 | |
In today's episode, I explore one of the most difficult yet critical skills that every leader needs to master: the ability to say "no." While it might seem simple on the surface, saying no is an intricate art that can significantly impact your organization's strategy, efficiency, and relationships. Whether it's juggling multiple programs or being swamped with endless meetings, learn why not being able to say no is costing you more than you think. Key Themes:
What You'll Learn:
Want to work together? | |||
| 19 Sep 2023 | The Art & Science Of Delegation On Your Growing Nonprofit Team | 00:22:20 | |
We’ve all heard that delegation is key to effective leadership. But how many of us really nail it? In this episode, Brooke dissects the intricacies of delegation, not just as a task, but as an art. She goes beyond just talking about handing over responsibilities, diving deep into the layers, the thought processes, the challenges, and ultimately, the growth both for leaders and their teams that comes from mastering the art and science of delegation. If you've ever felt overwhelmed with tasks or if you've struggled to empower your team fully, this is the episode for you. Key Takeaways:
Some Key Quotes "Delegation is not just about handing over; it's about leveling up." "Mismatch in delegation levels can create bottlenecks." "Being deliberate about naming the nature and scope of delegation upfront means less friction and more ease." "Every time someone moves up the ladder inside your organization, you shouldn't have to revisit questions of power, authority, and autonomy." "Delegation is as much about trust as it is about efficiency." Brooke’s Advice: In my years of leading teams, one truth stands out - delegation is a dance. It's about balance. It's never merely about offloading tasks; it's a deliberate act of empowering another. Understand each team member, know where they stand on the delegation ladder, and guide them as they climb. Remember, your team's growth is your growth. FAQ:
Want to work together? | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | Audit Your Strategic Plan To Prepare For Annual Planning | 00:32:25 | |
Use this time of the year to do an audit of your long-term plan so that it can be a powerful tool in your annual planning. That’s why, in this episode, as we approach the end of the year, I do a deep dive into the heart of effective annual planning: Your long-term strategic plan. Whether you’re an organization with a 5-year plan or a 3-year plan, your long term plan is your compass for developing a powerful annual plan. You’ll learn:
Want to work together? | |||
| 03 Oct 2023 | Confessions from the Car: Reflections on our Mastermind | 00:32:55 | |
This week, I'm doing something special and a little different. Want to work together? | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Nonprofit Start Ups Demystified: A Preview of A New Private Podcast | 00:13:44 | |
This week, I'm previewing a snippet from the private Q&A style coaching podcast inside my new program for nonprofit founders: Nonprofit StartUps Demystified. Want to work together? | |||
| 24 Oct 2023 | Plan Your Year of Board Engagement in Less Than A Day | 00:24:38 | |
Feeling overwhelmed about keeping your nonprofit board engaged throughout the year? In this episode of Nonprofit Mastermind, Brooke shares the secret of how to plan your board's engagement activities for the whole year— in less than a day! You'll discover how this simple yet robust framework enables you to map out key engagement points like meetings, check-ins, and inspiration moments, saving you tons of decision fatigue.
Want to work together? | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | Fighting Overwhlem & Growing Impact: Behind the scenes of My Next Level Nonprofit Mastermind | 00:21:30 | |
In this relatable and insightful episode of "Nonprofit Mastermind," Brooke shares two personal stories about her leadership journey, focusing on the theme of 'failing forward.' She opens up about her experiences, discussing the vital lessons learned from moments of failure and how these moments can be powerful catalysts for growth and change. This episode is not just about sharing strategies that work, but it's about the raw, honest path of leadership - the mistakes, the missteps, and how they forge stronger, more effective leaders and organizations. What Listeners Will Learn:
Key Takeaways:
Want to work together? | |||
| 14 Nov 2023 | Recognizing & Maximizing Your Moments of "Flow" | 00:11:42 | |
In this episode we delve into a transformative strategy for recognizing and leveraging moments of joy and success in your professional life. Key Learning Points
Key Takeaways
Connect With Me! Want to work together? | |||
| 21 Nov 2023 | How Do You Cultivate Hope? | 00:10:50 | |
In this episode, I delve into a concept that's especially relevant for nonprofit leaders, and especially these days: the relationship between hope and gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
Connect With Me! Want to work together? | |||
| 12 Dec 2023 | 4 Nonprofit Leaders Share What Worked In 2023 | 00:06:26 | |
This week's quick strategy episode is a special one for me! I'm doing something a little different: I'm sharing the insights and experiences of 4 of the incredible leaders inside my Next Level Nonprofit program! Want to work together? | |||
| 02 Jan 2024 | Turn Your Goals Into A Powerful Nonprofit Growth Plan | 00:17:15 | |
Hello and welcome to 2024! I'm still wrapping my head around how fast time flies. As we step into this new year, fresh from our reflective period, I'm excited to dive into leveraging this new year energy. In today's episode, I'll walk you through a 3-part framework to help you and your team focus on what truly matters, avoiding the chaos that often comes by March. This isn’t about adding more to your plate; it's about organizing and moving forward with intention. We'll explore how to use a simple paper-based tool to align our actions with our goals. From understanding our starting point to pinpointing our desired end state and identifying high-leverage actions, this framework is designed to keep us grounded and focused amidst the whirlwind of new challenges and opportunities. Let's embark on this journey to ensure our 2024 is not just busy, but impactful and fulfilling. 3 Bullet Points:
Five Key Takeaways:
Step-by-Step Process:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect With Brooke Want to work together? | |||
| 09 Jan 2024 | How You’ll Grow By Tuning Into the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast | 00:14:04 | |
Just as every organization I work with has a mission and theory of change - a belief about how best to bring about the change in the world that they want to see - so does this show! In this episode, I’ll share our 3 Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast pillars, reveal a little bit about our upcoming episodes, point you in the direction of some past episodes to help you dive into our three key areas of focus, and share some of the things I’m excited about and working on behind the scenes to help you grow your organization and impact this year. You’ll Learn
Podcasts Mentioned
Connect With Brooke Want to work together? | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | Nonprofit Sector Leaders Share Their Predictions for 2024 | 00:13:01 | |
While some people may think that predictions about the state of the world are somewhere between hubris and a distraction, I don’t agree at all. I think that when offered thoughtfully and rooted in real insight, the information can give us more arrows in our impact quill. So grab a notebook and a pen - these predictions are juicy! Want to work together? | |||