IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders' Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

• Early Start, Mentorship, and Personal Connections: Dolly’s journey began at a young age, with mentorship shaping her path and personal connections enhancing fundraising success.
• Stewardship and Collaboration: Fundraisers act as stewards of donor contributions, and nonprofits thrive by collaborating to amplify their impact, especially during crises.
• Adapting to Challenges with Innovation: COVID-19 prompted nonprofits to reassess strategies and develop innovative solutions to meet emerging needs.
• Cultural Competency in Program Development: Cultural awareness plays a vital role in creating programs that effectively serve diverse communities.
• Community Foundations and Networking: Community foundations drive rapid crisis response, and building strong professional networks is essential for long-term success.

• Measurability has transformed nonprofit marketing, making clear goal-setting essential for effective campaigns.
• LinkedIn and audience targeting offer nonprofits powerful tools for reaching the right people.
• Learning from failures and adapting to digital trends fosters growth and keeps marketing relevant.
• First-party data and conversion pixels are crucial for tracking success in a cookie-less world.
• Budgeting should align with objectives to maximize campaign impact.

• Employee giving is important for creating a philanthropic mindset within nonprofit organizations.
• Understanding the donor experience is crucial for effective donor stewardship.
• Ongoing professional development is essential for nonprofit leaders at all levels.
• Fostering a philanthropic mindset in the next generation requires providing access, pathways, and tools for engagement.
• Diversifying nonprofit revenue streams can be achieved through grant programs, expanding donor bases, major gifts, planned giving, program fees, and earned income.
• Technology can play a significant role in diversifying revenue streams and engaging donors.
• Taking calculated risks is necessary for nonprofit growth and sustainability.

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities for nonprofits, including a significant increase in donors for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
• Adapting systems, operations, and staffing is crucial to effectively engage and steward new donors.
• Storytelling, personalization, and relationship-building are key strategies for donor retention.

In this episode of IMPACTability, The Nonprofit Leaders Podcast, host Josh Hirsch interviews Jessica Cecere, former CEO of Nonprofits First, about nonprofit collaborations. They discuss the importance of partnerships and collaborations in the nonprofit sector, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. They also explore the difference between formal and handshake partnerships and when each is appropriate. Jessica shares a case study of a collaboration between the Edna Runner After School Center and Families First, highlighting the benefits of immediate partnerships in times of need. They also discuss the value of networking with fellow nonprofits to find potential collaborations.

The conversation then shifts to the taboo topic of nonprofit mergers and when it may be necessary for two organizations to come together as one. Jessica emphasizes the importance of assessing board and staff commitment, organizational capacity, and the alignment of strategic plans before considering a merger. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of mergers and the need for professional guidance throughout the process.

The episode concludes with a segment of Coaches Corner, where Stanton Cadow, CFRE, discusses how to assess the feasibility of a capital campaign for a nonprofit, including the importance of board and staff commitment, crafting a compelling narrative, and seeking professional guidance.

• Partnerships and collaborations are crucial in the nonprofit sector, especially during times of crisis.
• Formal partnerships are necessary for long-term collaborations, while handshake partnerships can be suitable for short-term projects.
• Networking with fellow nonprofits is essential for finding potential collaborations and expanding your organization's reach.
• Nonprofit mergers should be considered when there is a financial or operational need, and when the missions of the organizations align.
• Assessing board and staff commitment, organizational capacity, and strategic alignment are key factors in determining the feasibility of a capital campaign.

02:28 Topic: Nonprofit Collaborations

05:20 Formal vs. Handshake Partnerships

08:04 Case Study: Edna Runner After School Center

09:28 Finding Potential Collaborations

12:18 Networking with Fellow Nonprofits

15:07 Taboo Topic: Nonprofit Mergers

21:30 Unsuccessful Collaborations

24:28 Promoting Collaborations

26:10 Coaches Corner: Assessing Feasibility of a Capital Campaign

Jessica Cecere is the Chief Executive Officer of Nonprofits First, Inc. and has over 32 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Ms. Cecere has also been a small business shareholder, a consultant, and an active community volunteer. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University. She is a BoardSource Certified Governance trainer and a Certified True Colors Facilitator. In years past, Jessica was also a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor and a Certified Counselor for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Ms. Cecere is an expert in board governance, nonprofit management, leadership facilitation and personal finance and has appeared in numerous local and national publications. Cecere was a long time local television media source in the area of credit and personal finance, as well as, serving as a frequent guest host on Clear Channel Radio’s WJNO morning news.

Jessica...

In this episode, the host discusses leadership with Dan Blakemore, the vice president of philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They explore the qualities of a good leader, the importance of adapting to change, and the commitment to learning. They also discuss how leaders can motivate their teams and embrace new technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on succession planning and measuring the social impact of nonprofit work.

Takeaways

• A good leader is someone who lives the mission, encourages others, and leads by example.
• Leaders need qualities such as good relationship management, the ability to take direction, strategic thinking, and inclusivity.
• Leaders must be open to new ideas and adapt to changes in the nonprofit sector.
• Succession planning is important for ensuring the continuity of leadership within an organization.
• Measuring the social impact of nonprofit work involves setting smart objectives, distinguishing between outputs and outcomes, and being transparent with stakeholders.

Dan Blakemore, CFRE is Vice President of Philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Throughout his more than 15 years in non-profit fundraising, he has worked in museums, the performing arts and higher education. 

Dan is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where he serves as the U.S. Political Action Committee Vice Chair and a member of the Government Relations Committee. He is a board member and past President of AFP’s Northeast Ohio Chapter.  

Dan serves his community as a Diversity on Board Coach with Leadership Akron, as a Trustee of the African American Archives Auxiliary at Western Reserve Historical Society, and on the boards of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the National Park Friends Alliance. He is a proud graduate of both Howard University and New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

He lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife and three young kids.

Chapters

00:33 Guest Introduction

01:32 Defining a Good Leader

03:09 Adapting to Change

04:03 Commitment to Learning

05:23 Staying Connected in a Pandemic

06:20 Motivating the Team

08:19 Embracing New Technologies

09:37 Succession Planning

16:09 Identifying Future Leaders

35:15 Coaches Corner: “how can we effectively measure the social impact of our nonprofit’s work?“

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Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!

In this episode, host Josh Hirsch discusses the power of AI in nonprofits with guest Cherian Koshy. They explore Cherian's journey into AI and how it can be used to make nonprofits more efficient and effective. They also discuss the steps to getting started with AI and the future of AI integration in the nonprofit sector. They emphasize the importance of responsible use of AI and transparency in its implementation. In the Coaches Corner segment, Jacob Wenge shares insights on building a sustainable volunteer program.

Takeaways

• AI has the power to make nonprofits more efficient and effective.
• Getting started with AI involves aligning values, defining goals, and exploring different tools.
• Responsible use of AI requires transparency and ethical considerations. AI Usage Policy: https://resources.workable.com/ai-tool-usage-policy
• Building a sustainable volunteer program involves defining goals, aligning expectations, and empowering volunteers.

Chapters

00:34 The Power of AI in Nonprofits

05:25 The Impact of AI on Jobs

07:50 Using AI for Efficiency and Effectiveness

08:18 Steps to Getting Started with AI

09:45 Building Trust and Aligning Values

10:37 The Future of AI Integration

13:29 Responsible Use of AI

14:55 Transparency and Disclosure

37:55 Coaches Corner: “What are the Best approaches on building a sustainable volunteer program?” 

Guest Bio

Cherian Koshy is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), & AFP Master Trainer. He founded the NonprofitOS, a generative AI platform designed to help organizations maximize their impact, which was acquired by iWave. Before starting NonprofitOS, Cherian spent more than 25 years working in the nonprofit sector, working with thousands of donors and raising more than 100 million for various organizations and causes. He proudly serves as the Vice Chair of Professional Development on the AFP Global Board. He is a sought-after trainer and keynote speaker, and his thought leadership has been featured in several publications.

Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app. 

Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.

Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!

In this episode, host Josh Hirsch interviews Meredith Rae Feder, Deputy Director for the Museum of Discovery and Science, about vision and action in nonprofit leadership. They discuss starting and completing capital campaigns, building a high-performing team, balancing long-term goals and short-term needs, building a professional network, and hiring team members with complementary skills.

Takeaways

• Believing in the mission and having a passion for the work are critical for success in nonprofit management.
• Building a high-performing team is essential for completing successful campaigns and achieving organizational goals.
• Striking a balance between long-term goals and short-term needs requires setting aside time for strategic thinking and seeking input from trusted colleagues.
• Building a professional network and seeking out resources and mentorship opportunities are important for personal and professional growth in nonprofit leadership.

Chapters

05:06 Starting and Completing Capital Campaigns

07:16 Building a High-Performing Team

08:57 Hiring Team Members with Complementary Skills

20:00 Building a Professional Network

24:30 Coaches Corner: How can we engage corporate partners in a mutually beneficial way

Guest Bio

Meredith Ray Feder serves as the Deputy Director for the Museum of Discovery and Science. As a member of the executive team, Feder is responsible for setting departmental goals, generating $12M in earned revenue and philanthropic support annually. During her tenure at MODS, she has also overseen two capital campaigns. By connecting advancement and engagement elements to the mission of the institution, Feder and her team have been successful in enhancing the reputation, relationships and resources of the organization, emphasizing partnerships, outcomes and impact.

Feder is a leader in nonprofit management and brings over 20 years of strategic advancement, operational, marketing and communications experience to the Museum of Discovery and Science. Prior to joining the museum, she was senior director of advancement for Gulliver Schools, one of largest private schools in South Florida. In this role, Feder oversaw development, marketing, branding, publications, web content management, public and community relations, divisional operations, government and community relations, alumni relations, social media and strategic partnerships. 

She has also held positions with Pensacola Museum of Art, Northwest Florida Ballet, and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Feder graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in art history and studio arts from the University of West Florida, a certificate in fine and decorative art appraisal from New York University and a master’s in arts administration from Florida State University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) professional and a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute program for museum professionals.

Her industry contributions have earned the Broward Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals the Ten Star designation for accomplishments toward the association’s strategic plan and have earned institutions various Hermes Creative Awards, Muse Awards, Audio Visual Arts Awards, Communicator Awards and National Medallion by the Institute for Museum and Library Services for excellence in the industry. In addition, Feder was recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Broward Chapter of AFP, as the Mother of the Year by Health Mothers Healthy Babies and a Distinguished Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global.

She is a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Broward Chapter as well as the Greater Florida Caucus, a professional mentor in the...

In this episode, Dave Tinker discusses the importance of accessibility in fundraising. He shares his personal connection to the disability community and explains why making the world more inclusive is his passion. Dave provides practical tips for interacting with constituents with disabilities and highlights the curb cut effect in fundraising. He also discusses the importance of incorporating accessibility features on websites and social media platforms. Dave emphasizes the ethical and strategic importance of accessibility, and encourages organizations to stand out by prioritizing accessibility in their communications. He concludes by providing his contact information for further discussion.

Takeaways

• Incorporating accessibility in fundraising is important to ensure inclusivity for all potential donors.
• Interacting with constituents with disabilities should be done in a way that is accessible and accommodating.
• Websites and donation pages should include accessibility features such as alt tags and high contrast colors.
• Direct mail should also consider accessibility through large fonts and clear layouts.
• Tracking data, on donors with accessibility needs, can help organizations better understand and serve this audience.
• Building websites and communications with accessibility in mind is both ethical and strategic.
• There are various tools and resources available to help organizations improve website accessibility.

Guest Bio

Dave is Vice President of Advancement at Achieva and a consultant with GoalBusters Consulting. In these roles he raises funds and helps nonprofits with their communications. He was also an adjunct professor of informatics at Muskingum University for over a decade. 

A certified Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Master Trainer, Dave received the Outstanding Fund Raising Executive Award from the AFP Western PA chapter in 2013. In October 2016, he was honored by AFP International as one of six in the inaugural class of Distinguished Fellows. Dave has published numerous articles in professional journals and has written fundraising curriculum for The Fund Raising School® at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.

Dave is a past president of the AFP Western PA chapter and has served in many volunteer roles for AFP International and his own chapter. 

In addition to AFP, Dave has served as a member of the Ethics Committee for the Grant Professionals Association where is also an approved trainer. 

Dave received a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and English and a Master of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology from Muskingum University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Works - Indianapolis, Class III and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware, Class 44.

Chapters

02:03 Dave's Passion for Accessibility in Fundraising

03:26 Incorporating Accessibility in Daily Interactions

04:53 The Curb Cut Effect in Fundraising

05:56 Interacting with Constituents with Disabilities

06:04 Technological Considerations for Website Donation Pages

07:36 Using Alt Tags on Social Media Platforms

08:32 The Future of Accessibility in Fundraising

10:45 Tips for Creating Accessible Websites and Donation Pages

12:56 Considerations for Direct Mail Accessibility

17:37 Tracking Data on Donors with Accessibility...

On this week’s episode of IMPACTability® we are joined by James Woller, the International Executive Director for Thrive For Good. James discusses partnerships in the nonprofit sector, giving expert testimony on how to find the right partners, the challenges you may face, and the benefits you can gain. By the end of this episode, you'll learn how to change your organization's culture in order to strategically find beneficial partnerships that will grow your nonprofit to a higher level of impact!

Thrive For Good empowers people with the training and simple tools they need to grow an abundance of healthy, organic, disease-fighting foods for life — sustainably. He started his first partnership when he was nine years old, using the money he made from cutting lawns. His experience over the years has helped him take small organizations and scale up, and his work at Thrive is impacting hundreds of thousands of people.

Highlights 

• Introductions 00:30
• James Woller - Background info 02:40
• First steps of finding the right partner 04:50
• James' 5 signifiers of a successful partnership 07:00
• Example of how two nonprofits can work together and grow from a partnership 08:40
• Why are nonprofit organizations hesitant to partner with other organizations? 10:50
• How can your nonprofit organization be optimized for working with others? 17:00
• Forecast for the future of nonprofits, will partnerships change the game? 20:10
• Wanna get started today? Here's what you need to know 21:15
• Coaches Corner - "Given the recent hurricane, what tips do you have for emergency preparedness?" 24:40

Got a question that you'd like to ask a nonprofit professional? Check out the Coaches Corner in every episode, where our Impact Coaches answer your questions regarding your nonprofit. Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next week’s episode to see if your question gets answered! 

Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app. 

Leave a review: Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.