Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Nonprofit Curious Podcast For nonprofit founders, startups, and mission-centered do-good-ers!
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #4 Forming Fantastic Boards | 16 May 2025 | 00:22:09 | |
Episode 4 🎙️ Welcome to Nonprofit Curious — Episode: Forming Fantastic Boards Building a nonprofit board that’s engaged, aligned, and ready to lead doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode of Nonprofit Curious, we’re diving into what it really takes to form a fantastic board — whether you're just starting out or rethinking your current structure. I’ll share:✔️ How to identify the right board members for your mission✔️ Common mistakes to avoid in early board formation✔️ The importance of diversity, skill sets, and lived experience✔️ Tips for setting expectations from day one If you're a founder, executive director, or nonprofit leader trying to build a board that actually works — this episode is for you. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on building impactful nonprofits.🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Nonprofit Curious! #NonprofitCurious #BoardDevelopment #NonprofitLeadership #FantasticBoards #DoGoodBetter #NonprofitStrategy #BoardGovernance Tune in now and start your journey towards creating positive change! #nonprofit #nonprofitstartup #501c3 #socialimpact #pursuitofpurpose #nonprofitconsulting #charity #makingadifference Top Resources: $97 Start a Nonprofit Launchpad, with templates for legal documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws, board agreements) and helpful worksheets! linked below! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/EdL2eEG4 Grant Writing Course, with 6 videos that walk the nonprofit beginner on the process of grant writing, from researching to reporting! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/X76Xeu7S Connect with me! Facebook Group Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/successfulnonprofitscommunityresourcehub/ Calendly Link(s) https://calendly.com/pursuitofpurpose Instagram Link https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/ Join Email List https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/joinus-f535da3b-2ca2-42b0-b0f4-3d24ad6463d0 Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| #3 What is your Board of Directors | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:28:26 | |
Confused About Your Nonprofit Board? We've Got Answers. For founders and leaders of young nonprofits, understanding your board of directors is essential. This podcast tackles your burning questions about board roles, responsibilities, legal obligations, and how to foster a productive partnership. Tune in for clear, actionable advice to build a powerful governing body. | |||
| S1 EP2: Mission & Vision | 07 Mar 2025 | 00:19:07 | |
* Our $97 Start a Nonprofit Launchpad with templates for legal documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws, board agreements) and helpful worksheets! linked below! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/EdL2eEG4 * USPTO Name Search: [https://www.uspto.gov/](https://www.uspto.gov/) Grant Writing Course https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/X76Xeu7S Tune in now and start your journey towards creating positive change! #nonprofit #nonprofitstartup #501c3 #socialimpact #pursuitofpurpose #nonprofitconsulting #charity #makingadifference Connect with me! Facebook Group Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/successfulnonprofitscommunityresourcehub/ Calendly Link(s) https://calendly.com/pursuitofpurpose Instagram Link https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/ Join Email List https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/joinus-f535da3b-2ca2-42b0-b0f4-3d24ad6463d0 Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| The POP Podcast S1E1: Filing A Nonprofit 101 | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:32:13 | |
Hi my name is Melissa, and I am here to encourage and teach you how to run the nonprofit of your dreams! Your purpose may be to start a nonprofit, but my purpose is to empower and equip you to set up your nonprofit to run with compliance, integrity, & sustainability. I bring my years of experience running a board, working with nonprofits as an employee, manager and consultant so that you can avoid the pitfalls I have witnessed firsthand. I created Pursuit of Purpose with a powerful mission to connect people to their purpose. I believe that you were given a people group or cause that matters to you- and you are one of the passionate people on this planet who has a committed desire to do something about it! My goal is to help people like you by starting, improving, and sustaining their nonprofit through my experiences, resources and consultations. My hope is that you and all of our nonprofit champions listening can all make each of our corners of the world a better place. So let’s turn your passion into action. If you’re wanting to have honest, relatable and informative conversations around what it really takes to run a nonprofit, you’ve come to the right place! * Our $97 Start a Nonprofit Launchpad with templates for legal documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws, board agreements) and helpful worksheets! linked below! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/EdL2eEG4 * USPTO Name Search: [https://www.uspto.gov/](https://www.uspto.gov/) * FinCEN BOI Reporting: [https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/](https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/) Grant Writing Course https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/X76Xeu7S Tune in now and start your journey towards creating positive change! #nonprofit #nonprofitstartup #501c3 #socialimpact #pursuitofpurpose #nonprofitconsulting #charity #makingadifference Connect with me! Facebook Group Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/successfulnonprofitscommunityresourcehub/ Calendly Link(s) https://calendly.com/pursuitofpurpose Instagram Link https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/ Join Email List https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/joinus-f535da3b-2ca2-42b0-b0f4-3d24ad6463d0 Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| Introduction to The POP Podcast | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:01:09 | |
Hello and welcome! I am truly and utterly thrilled to connect with you and your purpose. Please email me anytime at Melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with any questions you might have or topics you would like me to discuss! Rooting for you, Melissa Rivera CEO and Founder of Pursuit of Purpose Nonprofit Consulting, LLC. | |||
| #6 The Power Of Purpose Featuring Damaris Taylor | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:24:48 | |
Here's an updated podcast description for your episode with Damaris Taylor, now including all the valuable resources and connection links: Are you seeking to align your passions with meaningful action? In this powerful episode of The Nonprofit Curious, we sit down with the inspiring Damaris Taylor to explore what it truly means to chase our purpose, establish our core values, and live them out vibrantly. Recorded at the fantastic Common Good Co., this conversation delves into the transformative impact of engaging with nonprofit work. Whether you're considering volunteering or stepping into a board role, Damaris shares how serving your community can not only create profound change in the world, but also make you feel more alive and deeply connected to your own sense of self. We discuss "The Power of Purpose"—not as individual ambition, but as the incredible synergy that emerges when our personal calling intersects with the needs of our community. Damaris embodies servant leadership, highlighting the vital work of humble, community-focused nonprofits and demonstrating how everyone has a unique place to contribute. If you're ready to discover how you can make a tangible difference and experience the profound personal rewards of giving back, this episode is a must-listen. Join us to be encouraged, equipped, and inspired to serve your community, no matter how big or small your contribution may seem.
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| #5 Board Member Retention & Agreements | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:28:25 | |
Let's be real: finding great board members is tough, but keeping them? That's a whole other ball game. In this episode, I'm [Your Name], and I'm pulling back the curtain on how to foster true board member loyalty and effectiveness. Drawing from my personal experience on various nonprofit boards and my connections across the sector in places like Waltham, I'm sharing my best insights on board retention. We'll talk about why it matters, what works (hello, Board Member Agreements!), and I've got 5 must-try communication tips for every Executive Director out there. If you're ready to transform your board from a challenge into your greatest asset, hit play! Top Resources: $97 Start a Nonprofit Launchpad, with templates for legal documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws, board agreements) and helpful worksheets! linked below! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/EdL2eEG4 Grant Writing Course, with 6 videos that walk the nonprofit beginner on the process of grant writing, from researching to reporting! https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/offers/X76Xeu7S Connect with me! Facebook Group Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/successfulnonprofitscommunityresourcehub/ Calendly Link(s) https://calendly.com/pursuitofpurpose Instagram Link https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/ Join Email List https://shannongraycecoaching.mykajabi.com/joinus-f535da3b-2ca2-42b0-b0f4-3d24ad6463d0 Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| #8 Bonus Episode On Planning + SEO w/Dr. Tonya Lawson | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:21:14 | |
Dr. Tonya’s Upcoming Quarterly Planning Session on Sept. 20, 2025: https://drtonyalawson.com/payments?am_id=melissa3618 Use code PURSUIT to save 10% Connect with Dr. Tonya Lawson! https://www.instagram.com/dr.tonyalawson/ https://www.youtube.com/@dr.tonyalawson Connect with me! https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose Book A Free Call https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VPWF4U1m5/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-purpose-nonprofit-consulting/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nonprofitcurious?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Join Email List https://mailchi.mp/0596e9747e99/subscribe-to-emails UPCOMING MASTERCLASS https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/donor-advised-funds-masterclass Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| Episode 7: Summer Strategy Sessions | 24 Aug 2025 | 00:14:11 | |
To close out the end of summer, here are some ideas to get you back into the swing of things before peak fundraising season comes about! Listen for less than 15 minutes for a short refresher on nonprofit basics for new nonprofit founders!Connect with me!https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurposeBook A Free Call https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VPWF4U1m5/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofpurposeconsulting/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-purpose-nonprofit-consulting/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nonprofitcurious?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Join Email List https://mailchi.mp/0596e9747e99/subscribe-to-emails UPCOMING MASTERCLASS https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/nonprofit-accounting-masterclass-with-castaldi-cpa-inc Or email melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com with questions! | |||
| #9 Welcome to 2026 | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:08:38 | |
Well, welcome to 2026! Our podcast is shifting from educational to more storytelling. I want to promote YOUR NONPROFIT!!! Let's get excited to learn and grow with my clients and nonprofit friends. If you have a nonprofit or a company that wants to do more good in your neighborhood or around the globe, let's connect. Email at melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com to join! | |||
| #10 The Hoop Academy: Kingston's Journey! | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:37:42 | |
Empowering Youth Through Basketball and Leadership: The Story of Kingston Handley and Hoop Academy In this episode, Kingston Handley shares his inspiring journey from growing up at the Boys and Girls Club to founding Hoop Academy, a youth organization dedicated to leadership development through basketball. Discover how community, faith, perseverance, and strategic partnerships fuel his mission to create lasting impact.This episode highlights the transformative power of youth programs, leadership development, and authentic community impact. Whether you’re building a nonprofit, social enterprise, or simply seeking inspiration to pursue your purpose, Kingston’s story encourages persistence, faith, and a heart for service. Connect with Kingston Handley & The Hoop Academy: Email: thehoopacademyllc@outlook.com Social: The Hoop Academy INSTA https://www.instagram.com/thehoopacademy_/ FB https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577368660947 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingston-handley-6ab92518a/ Work With Pursuit of Purpose Nonprofit Consulting Ready to launch your own Nonprofit? Book a discovery call here: https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting Join the Community: Sign up for our newsletter for more insights +_ podcast announcements: https://substack.com/@nonprofitcurious Support the Show If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps us reach more listeners like you! | |||
| #11 Spotlight w/Layton Harris | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:24:20 | |
Feeling overwhelmed by finance? You're not alone — but here's why starting now can change everything. Tune into Layton Harris’ story and learn how he helps nonprofits thrive financially. Drop a 🔥 if you’ve ever hesitated to dive into your financial future! A quote from our guest, Layton of For A Purpose Financial: "I used to think I needed the perfect plan before I even began. Then I saw my dad’s story, how lack of planning almost cost us everything. It taught me that the foundation is often unsexy but vital — just like a house’s concrete slab. Without it, storms ruin everything. Waiting for the ‘right time’ is a myth—your future depends on what you do today. Starting early isn’t just smart; it’s lifesaving." In our chat, we lay down how finance, financial planning, and your organization's purpose all intersect and I bring it home with a nonprofit lens! Caring for your organization’s staff includes helping set up the nonprofit organization’s workers for financial success. I really believe that each person’s role should be compensated and supported- not just sacrificed in the name of purpose. Layton Harris’ bio: “I run a financial planning firm called 4 A Purpose Financial, we help clients with various aspects of their money management: from investments, to retirement, insurance, taxes, estate planning, various tax strategies, charitable giving strategies, and certainly more than just what we listed here! Ultimately, I find myself specifically working with highly driven Christian professionals! Most of my clients tend to be business owners, medical professionals, or high-level sales professionals. However, I don’t turn away people outside of these occupations if they have a Kingdom mindset, and a strong desire to be the best financial version of themselves in a way that gives God glory! Our mission at 4 A Purpose Financial is to create abundance for others, so they can pursue their dreams fearlessly, and give God all the glory through the entire process.” #FinancialFreedom #PurposeDriven #StartNow #NonprofitFoundation #PlanForTomorrow Connect with Layton: layton.harris@nm.com Connect with Melissa: melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com Book an intro call with Melissa: https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting | |||
| #15 Inclusive Fundraising With Roger Devine | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:33:16 | |
Diving into stories, software and strategies for inclusive fundraising! Join me with another guest episode!
He covers actionable strategies for making event-based fundraising equitable and accessible to supporters outside of the traditional top-tier donors, focusing on how organizations can build a broader base and ensure financial stability through challenging times like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. About Roger: Roger currently lives in Portland, Oregon, and loves all dogs on the planet. (Green flag in my book!) Roger is a co-founder of Northworld, the developer and distributor of the award-winning SchoolAuction.net auction management software. Roger has 30+ years of experience working in software, website development, and publishing. He has chaired at least 30 auctions over the past 20 years and has served on the boards of several area nonprofits, including K9 Kavalry and the Golden Leaf Education Foundation. In our chat, we uncover bits of his software background and his viewpoints on inclusive fundraising. I enjoyed reflecting together on how nonprofit fundraising has both changed and what’s stayed the same over the years. Around minute 17, he walks you through what using School Auction software and support looks like (feel free to jump there and listen if you want to get straight to it). If you haven’t run an auction for a fundraising event, even if you aren’t ready to run one yet, it’s a helpful listen to learn some of the key pieces and ideas that go into a successful fundraising event. I hope you enjoy this episode. I loved recording it and will likely reinvite Roger to come back to the podcast! (So leave questions below or send me a message at melissa.pursuitofpurpose@gmail.com) Lastly, don’t wait to analyze and plan for your fall/winter fundraising strategy now! Summer can be a time for potent reflection and strategic realignment. Listen and let me know what you think! To support this podcast please like, share, subscribe! #InclusiveFundraising #CommunityFirst #NonprofitGrowth #FundraisingTips #NonprofitSuccess
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| #14 Inspired Reflections | 23 May 2026 | 00:27:29 | |
Hi friends, I am so thrilled to bring you this solo episode. I reflect on the lessons learned, ways I am inspired and the actions I am taking after hosting the last 4 guest episodes! First, I talk about the Hoop Academy led by my friend Kingston. His passion and gusto for what he’s doing really ignited a fire in me to feel inspired about using my past and personal story to support more good in this world. Second, Layton from 4 A Purpose Financial shared his story and how he got into a for-profit financial role that his dream is to support individuals who want to do more good with their finances. His goal is to support nonprofit leaders to get their dollars to be supportive of the futures they envision for their lives and their families. If you’ve ever taken a pay cut for the sake of your organization’s purpose, please listen to episode #11! It is an unfortuate reality in the nonprofit space, and something I want to see changed, but until then, let’s be so wise in navigating the dollar to be leveraged with utmost integrity and strategy. Third, I interviewed Ari from Circle of Hope. Ari is such a powerhouse! Go listen to episode #12. Seriously. One of my very favorites! Ari shares how her unconventional path of getting to her executive director role at the nonprofit, Circle of Hope. She shares her passion for aiding people experiencing homelessness to hopefully come out of homelessness and that there are ways for everyday people to get involved with your nonprofit community. Fourth, I interviewed my friends from Resilience Consulting on SROI. Social Return on Investment. It’s how you measure what matters even when the “what” you are doing might feel hard to measure. We discuss and dive into how measuring impact can increase your donor relationships and dollar amounts from individuals and foundations. Listen to episode #13 if you need tactical steps to improve your metrics and learn to measure what matters. Finally, I wanted to say that if you listen to the Nonprofit Curious podcast, please rate and leave a review! Share it with your friends and colleagues. It helps me support great organizations like yours. If you’re interested in being in the inner circle with me, subscribe! Paid substack memebers get a discount this summer with the code SummerSpecial26. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast. I truly value each and every one of you. You’re not just numbers on my dashboard, but I love to see where you are and what your organizations are up to! Rooting for you, Melissa Rivera Host of the Nonprofit Curious Podcast | |||
| #13 SROI - A Game Changer | 16 May 2026 | 00:50:50 | |
Most nonprofit impact assessments overlook a crucial question: How do you effectively measure the real social value of your work? Join me in a very nerdy, deep dive chat with Evelyn and John from Resilience Consultants reveal an innovative approach grounded in the methodology of Social Return on Investment (SROI). We dive right in and then wrap up with their stories which inspire me so much. This episode is for anyone seeking to prove, improve, and communicate the true impact of their programs—whether you’re a small startup or a large organization aiming for more sustainable growth. John and Evelyn break down a complex metric and give you SIMPLE tips to take action. Imagine turning your impact stories into solid, quantifiable data that funders trust—unlocking funding increases of up to 168% and revealing unexpected benefits along the way. Evelyn and John break down how SROI works, speaking directly to nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and social entrepreneurs eager to translate empathy and anecdotal evidence into compelling financial and social metrics. You’ll discover how this approach can refine your program design, expand partnerships, and create powerful feedback loops that continuously inform your strategy.In this conversation, you’ll explore:
Why does this matter? Failing to measure your impact leaves funding and strategy blind spots, risking sustainability and growth. Conversely, mastering impact assessment with SROI offers a competitive edge—empowering your organization with data that drives better decisions, stronger fundraising, and greater community trust. Ready to transform your nonprofit’s story into a compelling, data-backed narrative? This episode equips you with a proven framework to elevate your organization’s effectiveness today. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Evelyn and John provide the essential tools to prove that your work truly makes a difference—and ensure it continues to do so. Visit resilienceconsultants.co to connect with John and Evelyn, or reach out via email at john.mcgah.consultant@gmail.com and evlyn.bagley.consultant@gmail.com. Embrace the power of impact measurement—listen now and start turning your social impact into measurable, actionable results. To support this podcast please like, share, subscribe! And a big thank you to LivBody for the opportunity to be a brand ambassador. We are excited to share and shop your clean products to keep up the good work! Use this link and use discount code Melissa when you shop to support the show! | |||
| #12 Nonprofit Partnerships with Circle of Hope | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:29:02 | |
Listen in on Executive Director, Ari Barbanell's journey into the nonprofit space as she advocates for those experiencing homelessness in the Greater Boston Area! Connect with Ari & Circle of Hope: 1. Circle of Hope’s Website: circleofhopeonline.org 2. Donate: https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/donateonline 3. Volunteer Info: https://www.circleofhopeonline.org/volunteer 4. Social Media FB: https://www.facebook.com/CircleOfHopeNeedham/ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/circleofhopeneedham Work With Melissa Ready to launch your own Nonprofit? Book a discovery call here: https://tidycal.com/melissapursuitofpurpose/15-minute-meeting Join the Community: Sign up for our newsletter for more insights + podcast announcements: https://substack.com/@nonprofitcurious | |||