AI promised to save us time. Instead, we used that time to drown ourselves in more paperwork.

In this episode, we look at the 'Volume Trap'—the dangerous assumption that because we can produce ten times more grant narratives or program reports, we should. We explore the Temporal Mismatch between AI-generated output and biological decision-making.

The question for leadership has shifted. It's no longer 'How do we do this faster?' It's 'What should we stop doing entirely now that the machine can do the busywork?' If you're using AI to fill your desk faster than you can clear it, you aren't being efficient—you're being buried.

If you want to see the full video you can watch it here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/c9TDRwdB7Qw

Other relevant links:

Substack: https://brightnonprofit.substack.com/

Website: https://brightnonprofit.org

Your AI just gave you a "recommendation." If you follow it blindly, you aren't being efficient—you're being replaced.

In this episode, we look at the critical failure point in nonprofit AI adoption: the moment pattern recognition is mistaken for understanding. We walk through a common donor data scenario where the AI identifies a trend but misses the underlying cause. Following the tool would have been a disaster; ignoring it required a level of judgment the model simply doesn't possess.

We discuss:

• Why "looks right" is the most dangerous phrase in your office.
• The difference between a statistical pattern and a strategic insight.
• How over-reliance on AI outputs creates an authority vacuum in your leadership team.

AI can provide the map, but it cannot drive the organization. If you've been treating AI reports as a shortcut to clarity, this conversation is the wake-up call you need.

If you want to see the full video you can watch it here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/iG98-cZdS0w

Other relevant links:

Substack: https://brightnonprofit.substack.com/
Website: https://brightnonprofit.org

• Get the AI Readiness Memo: https://open.substack.com/pub/brightnonprofit/p/the-work-you-can-no-longer-see
• Substack: https://brightnonprofit.substack.com/
• iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bright-nonprofit/id734475785
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BtfqVBnNtA9eh5NK5wnQ6?si=c7fc98ed955e4742
• Website: https://brightnonprofit.org

"AI readiness" is often framed as a technology milestone — something to purchase, install, or train around. But in this episode, the focus shifts to a more uncomfortable question: can your governance structure remain accountable as organizational capacity increases?

For executive directors, board members, and operations leaders, this conversation reframes readiness as a structural issue. It explores how data trust, process clarity, systems coherence, and governance boundaries determine whether AI increases effectiveness or simply accelerates fragility. The core tension is not about tools. It is about whether oversight can keep pace with velocity.

This episode is particularly relevant for leaders responsible for outcomes, compliance, and long-term resilience. It clarifies what "good enough" readiness looks like and why waiting to prepare carries quiet but compounding risk.

If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/tuA4pYY7Ipg

Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

If you are trying to tell a story about your nonprofit using video you probably have a few questions. How long should the video be? Who should be in it? Should you make a script? What's the best way to tell your story? What equipment do you need?

Well, in this podcast I talk with Mauricio Belgrano from Name Sake Pictures and he guides us through the video story telling process. He talks with us about telling a story that makes you more personable and credible, and helps you build a relationship with your supporters. He also talks about how to "find" the story that will help you connect with your audience.

Mauricio also talks to us about what three goals (not including fundraising) that you should try to accomplish with your video.

Connect with Mauricio at: Name Sake Pictures Email Mauricio at: namesakepictures@gmail.com

Asking for money is tough. Let’s face it, not many of us enjoy the prospect of approaching somebody and asking them for a donation. But what it the person your asking is a corporation (they are people, you know). Talk about being nervous…

Sitting in a board room and asking for money from a business can be intimidating. But this is just what our guest, Carolyn Appleton, does for a living. Carolyn shares with us her experiences working with nonprofits and how she helps them find donations from businesses.

Also, I announce the upcoming “Ultimate Crowdfunding Course”. It’s a four part webinar course that will help you set up your next crowdfunding campaign from start to finish. You can learn more about the course on the Ultimate Crowdfunding Course page.

Carolyn Appleton's website: carolynmappleton.com

Carolyn's Twitter page: twitter.com/carolynappleton

Guidestar: guidestar.org

Asking Matter website: askingmatters.com

Nonprofit Technology Network: nten.org

Make a Good Impression: Nonprofit First Impressions

Getting your 501.c.3 just got faster, easier and cheaper. In this podcast we talk about the new form 1023 EZ with Nonprofit Ally contributor James Gilmore.

But once you get that 501.c.3, then what do you do?

Well, that is just what Becky Straw, co-founder of The Adventure Project, talks to us about. The Adventure Project helps people in developing countries acquire the skills necessary to find jobs that meet specific needs in their local communities. In just over three years they have become a sustainable nonprofit with over 5,000 donors and have helped nearly 600 people find jobs in their local communities. Becky talks with us about the start-up process and what it took for them to achieve such a high level of success in such a short time.

Jame Gilmores (New Ally) article: "Get your 501c3 Fast – Tax Exempt Status Just Got EZ-ier"

1023 EZ Qualification Requirements

The Adventure Project Website

Becky's blog: BeckyStraw.com

Imagine having to raise $6.5M, find 2,700 volunteers, hire 12 staff members, get corporate sponsors and host, house and feed 2,000 visitors from nine countries - all in a two year time span. This is what Karen Lane, general manager of the Fairbanks 2014 Arctic Winter Games, was tasked to do - and she pulled it off.

In this interview Karen talks with us about how she undertook managing such a massive project. Here are some highlights from her interview.

• Keys to hiring staff: must have necessary skill set, must be team players, must handle stress well, must have "can-do" attitude. Karen also notes that is it important to have regular staff meetings to keep everyone on the same page and enhance communication for the organization as a whole.
• Getting sponsors: go for the big bucks first - they need the most lead time for the budgets, find a person who is not afraid to "ask", over different levels of sponsorship
• Recruiting volunteers: offer incentives(shirts, tickets, dvds), keep training's short and to the point, offer a flexible schedule of training opportunities, say thank you, keep them informed
• Planning: have contingency plans for EVERYTHING, plan early, delegate to committees and staff.
• Marketing: Be everywhere. Not everyone is on Facebook. Some people only use Facebook. Others just read emails. While others want to see info on your website. Have booths at fairs, Be in parades. Visit the schools.
• Fundraising: in kind donations can provide a lot of resources, offer donors perks (tickets, shirts, recognition), make donating easy
• It's hard to summarize everything Karen had to offer in this interview. In fact even the interview doesn't summarize the massive accomplishment of pulling of such a large and successful event.

Website, 2014 games: www.awg2014.org

Website, Arctic Winter Games: www.arcticwintergames.org

Email Karen: Contact Karen

In this episode I talk with Thomas Wrobel from the Nonprofit Legal Center (nonprofitlegalcenter.com). Tom is a lawyer with 17 years of experience. He specializes in nonprofit law. Tom answers some basic legal questions you need to ask yourself when you apply for 501.c.3 tax exempt status. His advice will help you prepare your IRS form 1023, so you can get your 501.c.3 tax exempt status for your nonprofit. Here are some of the questions he answers in this interview:

Check the IRS website to see if you fall within their guidelines. You can do that here: http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations You can also do a Google search and see if there are other organizations that provide similar services to yours that already have their 501.c.3.

You do not have to be a 501.c.3 until you reach an annual revenue of $7,500/year. If you exceed this threshold you can find a fiscal sponsor. Basically, you would operate under the umbrella of an already existing 501.c.3 nonprofit. It is recommended you start the 501.c.3 application process as soon as you can.

Churches, synagogues and mosques are organizations that have weekly services and have a congregation. Churches are automatically tax exempt (even without their 501.c.3). But, if you get your 501.c.3 you can be a tax deduction for your donors AND you do not have to file an annual form 990. Let’s repeat that. A church that is recognized as a 501.c.3 does not have to file tax form 990! Ministry or afterschool religious based programs become tax exempt once they have their 501.c.3 status. Religious organization (not churches) will still have to file IRS tax from 990.

Recruit members that are assets to your organization. Look to community members that have skills that meet your needs (fundraisers, grant writers, marketers, laywers, etc). Avoid having relatives on your board. It is technically OK to have a relative on your board but it can raise a red flag with the IRS - best to avoid this.

Your budget is your best guess. Include your expected fundraising revenue, any program fees you expect to collect and figure in your office expenses (phone, computer, copier). Be sure your revenues and expenses balance out. It is OK to carry over a little revenue into the next fiscal year. But if you carry over to much profit – or run to large a deficit – this will raise a red flag with the IRS. Your budget is a “guess-timate”. Do your best to balance your revenue and expenses for each fiscal year.  

Thomas Wrobel: Mr. Wrobel has assisted hundreds of organizations, across the country and internationally, in successfully attaining nonprofit tax exempt status with their state and the IRS.  He is committed to making life easier for people who are doing good work in the world. You can reach Tom through his website at: www.nonprofitlegalcenter.com In this episode we mentioned the NOLO guide to starting a nonprofit. You can learn more about this book using the link below:

Many nonprofits will host an event of some type over the course of the next year. It may be as simple as a member meeting or more complex like a multi-day music festival. In either case, a successful event entails planning, coordinating, outreach and management. In this episode I talk with Jessica Edwards, the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska State Fair, who talks with us about how she and her team pull-off hosting and average of one event per month. This includes a four day state fair, a two day beer festival and a one night film festival. Jessica walks us through the process of organizing a large event. This includes planning/preparation, marketing, hosting, contingency planning, and post event wrap up.

• If you hold more than one event each year, it is a good idea to cross-market upcoming events with the current events your are advertising. This way you can introduce other events you host when people sign-up or order tickets for your current event.
• Be sure that you are branding your events with your logo, the event logo and any original art that you may use.
• Be sure to advertise on all available mediums. This include: social media, posters, newspapers, radio station, flyers, pamphlets, website and word of mouth. Be all everywhere.
• Use scarcity! If your event has limited tickets available, then use that to your advantage. Jessica tells us that their beer festival has 1400 tickets available and they sell out in hours.
• What is "special" about your event? Location? Guest speaker? Art? Entertainment?

• Start early. Very Early.
• Make a list of your needs (credit card processor, poster art, hall rental, guest speakers, sponsors, etc) and put them on a timeline for completion.
• What is your budget?
• Do you have to build or order anything? These things typically take more time than you think. Plan early.
• Line up and lock-in your speakers, entertainment, etc early and make sure they are available for your event.
• Identify the needs you will have during the event and start lining up volunteers. Be sure to match a volunteers skills to their duties. This will help volunteers feel more like they contributed.

• Meet often with staff and volunteers. This will keep everyone on the same page and help you prioritize any last minute needs. This also works as a team building exercise.
• Keep a list(s) and visit it often. Keep it updated.
• Set up a communication system. Are you going to use handheld radios, cellphones, email, etc?
• Have a contingency plan. What happens if the power goes out? Are you prepared for a medical emergency? What is a volunteer or staff member is sick and can't show up?
• If you are the one running the event, then do not get caught up in taking care of things your self. Find a volunteer and delegate this responsibility. Keep your eye on the big picture
• Know who your "go to" people are. Who is the tech person, the medical person, the maintenance person, etc?

• Have a plan for what needs to be done once your event is over. This may include clean up, thank you cards, returning of rental equipment, etc.
• Post event activities can effect whether someone returns next year to help again.
• Be sure to celebrate.
• Thank everyone - volunteers, sponsors, staff, board members, guest, speakers, entertainment, etc. Do your best to personalize these thank yous. A sponsor thank you should be different that a volunteer thank you.
• Plan post event needs by thinking through the entire event. Do you need to track who attended the event? Do you need to track money? Do you need to transport anyone or anything?

By being prepared and having a plan you can reduce the stress on your team and help ensure the enjoyment of those who attend your event.

Jessica Edwards is the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska State Fair. You can learn more about the fair at: Website: www.seakfair.org Phone: 907-766-2476

In this episode we talk with Julia Campbell from jcsocialmarketing.com about how to prepare and implement a social marketing campaign that helps tell your story using social media. Julia is a trainer and coach who helps nonprofits reach their goals using digital marketing and social media. She has been recognized as a Top Nonprofit 150 Blog from topnonprofits.com and a Top 40+ Digital Strategists in Marketing for 2014 by Online Marketing Institute. Here is an outline of some of the topics we talked about. Social media is not a silver bullet. You need an infrastructure underneath your social marketing. This includes:

• A website is a must. Once someone learns of your organization they are going to look for your website.
• A mailing list that allows you to divide your contacts into groups (board, voluteers, staff, etc).
• A database to track your constituents, volunteers, donors and staff.
• A functional infrastructure which includes your computer, a secure internet connection, computer networks, mission based software, etc.

Here is the Technology Pyramid from Nonprofit Technology:

If you would like to learn more about Julia Campbell you can visit her at:

• Her website: jcsocialmarketing.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/jcsocialmarketing
• Twitter: twitter.com/juliacsocial
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/juliacampbell
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/juliagulia77

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in this podcast:

• Social Media Workflow Infographic
• Nonprofit Technology Pyramid (from Idealware)
• Why Nonprofits need to be Storytellers - Andy Goodman
• Hootsuite - Social Media Scheduler

Finding donors for your nonprofit can be a daunting task. But using some simple nonprofit story telling techniques can help you find new donors and retain them for years to come. In this podcast I talk with Sierra Jimenez, Development Director at Southeast Alaska Independent Living (S.A.I.L. ). Sierra built a 500 person donor base, using nonprofit story telling techniques, in just seven years. Donations to S.A.I.L, which started at zero, now bring in over $110K annual. Sierra shares with us some of the techniques she used to bring in new long-term donors. Here are some of the simplest ways to get started:

•  Use Social Media
  • Telling your Story Through Photo's on Facebook
• Hold events for public relations and awareness raising, not just to raise money.
  • Use events to share and show your mission
• Send newsletters
  • Easy way to share your story and keeps your organization fresh in people’s minds

Nonprofit Ally is looking for authors to post relevant and informative blog post on this website. You'll get your own login and author page. You can hear more about this during the last ten minutes of this podcast. Learn more at nonprofitally.com/ally.

Southeast Alaska Independent Living: sailinc.org

Brock Warner, Warchild - Nonprofit Ally Podcast 006: Nonprofit Fundraising and Donor Retention

Dealing with a rogue board member creates turmoil and dysfunction within an organization and can be a tricky situation to resolve. In this podcast I talk with Laurie Wolf, MNPL, CFRE – the Vice President/COO of The Foraker Group - about how to identify, deal with and prevent rogue board members. Laurie gives training's on nonprofit governance, strategic planning and resource development. She was selected as one of the "Top 40 under 40" leaders in Alaska by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005.

A rogue board member is a board member who uses their authority outside the jurisdiction of the board as a whole. Often their actions are no longer serving the better good of the organization but instead our based on a personal agenda and what they feel is "right" for the organization. Rogue board member behavior can manifest in many ways but commonly targets the organizations Executive Director. This can result in staff feeling bullied and/or abused by the rogue member.

Micro-managing staff, board meetings become full of surprises, adversarial behavior (including playing devil’s advocate), knit-picking executive director decisions, often loudest board member, member yields more power than other members (remember all board members should have equal power), executive director (and other board members) begin feeling bullied.

Talking directly with someone that demonstrates hostility and unpredictability is challenging. But not addressing the situation can lead to a passive-aggressive situation where some type of "explosion" can happen at an inappropriate time and/or location. Do your best to deal with a rogue board situations as soon as possible. Here are some suggested steps to take:

1. Talk to the Member: Directly communicate with the board member. This should be a non-confrontational conversation focused on listening and relationship building.
2. Involve the Board Chair: Go to your board chair (unless your chair is the rogue member) and let them know about the situation. The board chair should then have a peer-to-peer discussion with the rogue member to determine the nature of the behavior and possibly help the rogue member adjust their behavior in accordance with proper board governance
3. Have a Conference Meeting: If behavior continues, again inform the board chair and request the three of you (the rogue member, the board chair and your self) meet to discuss the situation and how to resolve the conflict. This is a good time to brush up on "I statements". Note: This is not a "secret meeting". The board president should keep the other board members informed of the situation as it develops.
4. Hold an Executive Session: By this time, it is likely the entire board is aware of the situation. The board should an executive session (including the rogue member and possible the executive director) to discuss the situation and try to remedy it
5. Removal of Board Member: This is a tough situation, but the board has to do what is best for the health, and in some cases the survival, of the organization. Be sure that your organizations bylaws are followed to the letter.

• Not longer fulfilling mission
• Lose board members
• Lose your executive director and other staff member
• Lose credibility as an organization within your community
• Legal issue (depending on extent of abuse)

• Have a strategic plan and stay focused on mission
• Create board member job descriptions
• Be sure to govern in accordance with your by-laws
• Have a strong Board Development committee focusing on training, recruitment, mentoring

"Board Bullies", an article by The Foraker Group CEO/President, Dennis G. McMillian The Foraker Group Newsletter The Foraker Group Webpage: www.forakergroup.org Contact the Foraker Group: www.forakergroup.org/index.cfm/contactformontact

In this episode of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast I talk with Kim Skildum-Reid who is the Director and Owner of Power Sponsorship (PowerSponsorship.com). Kim offers a wealth of information on how to attract corporate sponsor partners for your nonprofit. She is the author of the The Sponsorship Seeker's Toolkit, Fourth Edition.

Kim Skildum-Reid is the Director and Owner of Power Sponsorship. Website: Power Sponsorship Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kimskildumreid YouTube: youtube.com/PowerSponsorship

What You Need Before You Seek Sponsorship Sponsorship Pricing Basics Can We Target Multiple Sponsors? Best of the Power Sponsorship Blog 10-minute Sponsorship Tutorials

Nonprofits are being urged to adopt AI quickly, often with the same playbook used for past technology shifts: select tools, train staff, and adapt over time. This episode explores why that approach breaks down under AI—and why the risks aren't about staff readiness or technical skill.

The conversation examines how AI alters decision-making, accountability, and oversight inside nonprofit organizations. Rather than behaving like traditional software, AI reshapes who makes judgments, how consistency is maintained, and where responsibility ultimately sits. When these changes go unaddressed, governance legitimacy, operational coherence, and mission alignment quietly erode.

This episode is for executive directors, board members, and nonprofit leaders responsible for outcomes who are sensing that AI adoption feels different—but haven't yet had a clear framework for understanding why. It focuses on governance as the starting point, not tools or training.

> If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/0ka9hVA3jP8

Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

In this podcast I talk with Ann Myren from Resources and Results Consulting LLC. She is a nonprofit consultant specializing in grant writing and strategic planning. In this episode she talks about planning to write a grant, how to find grants, grant writing best practices and gives us a “grant writing check list” you should use before you submit your grant application.

To start the podcast we played a quick game of “Fact or Myth”. Spoiler alert… they all turn out to be myths:

1. Start ups can’t get grants. MYTH
2. We must have matching grants to get funds. MYTH (but good idea)
3. We must be a 501.c.3 to get a grant. MYTH (funding criteria could allow for partnering with another nonprofit)
4. Grant writing is complicated and takes specialized skills. MYTH
5. We can’t ask for a lot of money. MYTH
6. We already got a grant from Agency “A”, we can’t ask them again. MYTH
7. There are no grants for the services we provide. MYTH
8. Grants won’t cover our operating expenses. MYTH
9. We can function on grants alone. MYTH

• Get a strategic plan. Show how you are going to do what you say you are going to do. A strategic plan is your blue print and demonstrates to the grantor that you have your act together.
• Go for smaller grants first. Not necessary but good to build off of for next grant.
• Research granting agency. Who have they given to in the past, do you meet their requirements, can they fund the amount you need.
• Contact the funder. Read their website to see who to contact and if it is encouraged.
• Get letters of support from other organizations.
• Have a budget - not just for project but for entire year.

Ask Yourself

• Did you repeat yourself? Do you say the same thing in multiple sections?
• Did you put supporting information in the grant? Did you compare it to other successful projects? Did you use quotes that substantiate your statements?
• Did you answer all the questions completely?

Other Checks

• Check spelling and grammar.
• Check your math. Is the budget laid our correctly? Does it add up?
• Be sure to have someone proof read your grant prior to submission.
• Keep all final documents organized in a way you can find them again on your computer. If you can’t find it you can’t repurpose for another purpose. (See organizing files here).

Ann Myren can be contacted in at:
Website: myrenandstern.com
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/annmyren

foundationcenter.org
grantstation.com

In this podcast I talk about what you need to have prepared before you start crowdfunding. I also talk about why we only got five new likes on our page after being featured on a page with 15,000+ followers.

Here is an outline of the crowdfunding portion of this podcast.

PLANNING

Here are the questions you will want to answer when you meet with your fundraising team.

WHY are we fundraising?

HOW much money do we need to raise?

WHAT kind of fundraiser are we going to have?

• Peer to peer, crowd funding, event?
• What is our budget?

WHEN:

• Will we kick off the fundraiser?
• When does the fundraiser end?

WHO is going to:

• Create content on the campaign page
• Send thank yous
• Post to social media
• Deposit check in the bank
• Post posters/flyers
• Make phone calls
• Track donors

WHO are you going to ask?

• Demographics
• Who will contact who and when

CREATE CAMPAIGN CONTENT

Make a campaign page (your fundraiser home page) – don’t expect people to click through your site to find your website. Include details on:

• What you need the money for
• Why you need it
• How much it will cost

Use a visual at the top of the page:

• Video are all the rage now
• At least picture or slideshow. Preferably with a person or animal in it

MARKETING AND OUTREACH MATERIAL

Much of you campaign marketing/outreach material can be pre-made.

• “Asking” emails and letters
• Premade postcards, rackcards, business cards and brochures
• Social media campaign content
• Benchmark materials (e.g. email announcing you have reach 30% of your goal)
• Incentives/perks

PTAT - Facebook Engagement

Fundly Crowdfunding Overview

Nonprofit Elevator Pitch

The Mini Facebook Campaign

In this podcast I talk with Brock Warner who is the fundraising manager at War Child. Brock just finished a big fundraising campaign and he fills us in on some of the strategies he used that helped them realize a 30% increase in donations. We also discuss ways to increase donor retention from year to year.

Brock Warneris a fundraiser at War Child and a blogger at iamafundraiser.com. You can also follow him on Twitter as @BrockWarner.

• Website: www.warchild.ca
• Blog: www.iamafundraiser.com
• Twitter: @BrockWarner

In this episode I talk with Kay Clements who help found a new radio station in northern California (KWMR). She became the general manager and after 12 years started expereincing the full effects of founders syndrome. 

In this episode I speak with Cecily Stern from Word Craft Consulting. Cecily is an expert in nonprofit board development and stategic planning. We discuss how to build a strong board of directors and plan for the future. Topics include:

• Board Development
• Board Recruitment
• Board Member Responsibilities
• Strategic Planning

Also in this episode I talk about the FaceBook PTAT... that is "People Talking About This" and why it is more important than "likes".

Cecily Stern
Word Craft Consulting
Website: www.myrenandstern.com

Social Media Minute
nonprofitally.com/ptat

In this episode of the Nonprofit Ally podcast I talk with Shannon Donohue who is the Executive Director of the Great Bear Foundation. Their organization is expanding into a new state and we discuss how to implement such a transition as well as how to reach out to a new community. Topics include:

• Community Outreach
• Board and Member Communication
• Becoming a Foreign Entity
• IRS Group Exemption
• Forming a Local Chapter

Also in the episode, I introduce a free online accounting app for nonprofits as well as tips on "when" to post to your social media page.

Shannon Donohue
Website: GreatBear.org
Social Media: Facebook Page

Nonprofit Accounting Resource: WaveApp

Note: This is a pre-release podcast. This episode has not been published on itunes just yet. Nonprofit Ally is still in launch phase. I am excited to be sharing all this initial content with you early. Thanks for visiting and please feel free to leave comments.

In this episode of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast, I talk with Autumn Berstein about how she built a statewide nonprofit coalition, with nearly 60 members, in California. I also go over some Facebook tips that will help you get more "likes" at on your page.

Nonprofits are feeling intense pressure to "do something" about AI - often before there's clarity about what that action is meant to accomplish or protect.

In this episode, we examine where that urgency comes from, why it feels so pervasive inside nonprofits, and how speed is often mistaken for readiness. We unpack how AI accelerates decision pressure before accountability, governance, and responsibility are fully oriented — and why that sequencing problem creates unnecessary risk.

Rather than framing caution as resistance or delay, this conversation reframes restraint as judgment. For nonprofits operating under real constraints, learning often has to happen before implementation, not after. When urgency gets ahead of clarity, the result isn't innovation — it's quiet erosion through staff burden, hidden work, and fragile trust.

This episode is not about tools or adoption tactics. It's about pacing, stewardship, and why orientation comes before action when accountability actually matters.

Watch the original video:
https://youtu.be/FTDGzSB5Kjk

Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video

Nonprofit leaders are being told they need to start using AI.

That it will save time, increase efficiency, and reduce workload. At the same time, many leaders feel confused, anxious, and unsure where to begin. This episode explores why that contradiction exists and why urgency is showing up before clarity.

The conversation unpacks a core idea: AI is not a technology problem first. It is a thinking and governance problem. Before choosing tools or taking action, nonprofits need orientation around how AI-driven change affects systems, decisions, accountability, and responsibility.

Rather than pushing adoption or resisting change, this episode focuses on what it means to respond with judgment. It examines why orientation needs to come before action, how pressure can distort decision-making, and why clarity is a leadership responsibility in moments of structural change.

This episode is for executive directors, operations and development leaders, board members, and anyone responsible for outcomes in a nonprofit organization. It is also for those who want to understand how AI is reshaping the nonprofit landscape without chasing trends or shortcuts.

If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/UVodIx_fEAo

Bright Nonprofit exists to help nonprofit leaders think clearly, understand tradeoffs, and act with confidence when the time is right.

Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

Keep track of your nonprofits funds can be tricky. Tracking grants, donations, program expenses and other revenue means organizing your dollars into trackable categories. Have you ever wondered if there was a system that made this all easier? What is the "right" way to track grants? Should I track each fundraiser separately? If so, how?

In this podcast, I talk with Chyla Graham from CNRG Accounting Advisory. If you want to learn how to track grants, donations and program revenue then this is the podcast to listen to. Chyla talks about hands-on booking keeping practices that you can start using today.

Check out Chyla's website at: cnrgaccountingadvisory.com

Are you scared of video? No, really... if I told you to make a video for your Facebook page, would you panic?

In this podcast, I talk with Katie Prentiss Onsager from SmallForces.org. They offer professional video services and impact tracking for people and organizations making a difference in their communities at no cost to them.

She walks us through -

1. How to find your story
2. How to tell your story
3. How to use and promote your video

Katie typically produces documentary-style videos that amplify the voices of people working to solve creative problems. These videos are great for gala events, social media platforms and donor meetings.

If you want to tell a better story using video then this podcast is a great listen.

Website: SmallForces.org

Everything is "video, video, video". Really - 80% of all internet consumption is video. So, if you are not using video you are behind the game.

The problem is video can be a technical and creative hurdle. And hiring an expert can be a financial hurdle. That is where my guest, Harry McAlister, from AmpleEarth.com comes in. Harry helps nonprofits connect with video producers for an affordable price. Here is how it works.

There are 63,000 video producers on the internet, and millions more freelancers. If you want the perfect video, you have to find the perfect team, right?

The problem is each producer has their own prices, styles, speed, quality and value for money. So how do you find the best people when there's so many to choose from?

Expert video-makers often have the spare time, money and energy to work on low budget projects – but only if it's a cause they feel inspired to help. This means people making positive change in the world can expect a higher quality final video.

Simply put: the greater your impact, the greater your video.

How does this work? Just listen to this podcast for more information.

Everything you need is at: AmpleEarth.com

Also mentioned in this podcast: StartSomeGood.com

In this episode I talk with Adam Capes from GetAway2Give about how he helps nonprofit raise $10,000's with auctions. Adam Capes is the Co-Founder and President of Getaway2Give, a company changing the way non-profits raise money and people think about vacations. Their mission is to be the best in the country at helping charities and schools raise money, and they've helped raise over $10M so far.

Adam began his journey to being a Social Entrepreneur as co-founder and president of a luxury residence fund called Equity Estates. This fund was one of many playing in the crowded destination club space and one of the few that survived the economic downturn. Adam helped raise $60M for this unique equity-based fund where members own the homes they vacation in. At one prestigious gala in Aspen, Colorado, Adam had an "Aha" moment and decided to start Getaway2Give to help change the worlds of fundraising and vacations.

Adam says, "At Getaway2Give, we're incredibly passionate about two things – helping charities raise significant money and the lasting importance and memories made from meaningful vacation experiences."

Just for NP Ally Listeners: getaway2give.net/Nonprofit

Main Website: www.getaway2give.net

In this episode, we talk about how to obtain emergency funding for your existing programs. I talk with Caroline Bressan from Open Road Alliance. They are a private philanthropic initiative that serves the social sector by keeping impact on track in an unpredictable world.

Open Road Alliance provides short- and long-term solutions to unexpected challenges that arise during project implementation, so that impact and finite resources can be maximized across the social sector.

To meet immediate needs, we offer fast, flexible funding to nonprofits and social enterprises facing discrete, unexpected roadblocks during project implementation. We fund via two portfolios, Charitable Grants and Loans. Open Road Loans are below market-rate and disbursed via our loan fund, Open Road Ventures.

Open Road sees every grant and loan it makes as an investment for social impact. Our funding model is based on speed and financial leverage.

In addition to our investment portfolio, Open Road promotes the long-term, sector-wide adoption of better risk management practices. In collaboration with peers, we conduct research, develop tools, and generate data on approaches to financial and non-financial risk management. By disseminating learnings and advocating for the adoption of best practices, Open Road is working to make risk management as commonplace in philanthropy as monitoring and evaluation; ultimately, preserving finite resources and social impact in our sector.

Website: openroadalliance.org

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/open-road-alliance

Risk Management Resources: openroadalliance.org/advocacy

My guest on this podcast is Jesse Lane with Pure Charity. Jesse talks with us about nonprofit "innovation" and how it can be used to spark new ideas and build sustainable programs that grow through changing times.

Pure Charity works with thousands of nonprofit organizations who are working on challenging global and local problems. They exist to help these world-changers fulfill their mission.

They focus on two areas, technology & strategy.

1. Their software provides the technological support to save nonprofits time and money, fundraise faster, and focus more time on what matters most.
2. Their team of experts provides constant support, helpful resources, and strategic consulting to empower nonprofit leaders.

Jesse also talks with about the "State of Good" report that Pure Charity published. It is an in-depth report focusing on how nonprofits view their own place within the nonprofit sector.

In this episode, we examine the structural wreckage of the "Responsible AI Policy." Most nonprofit leadership teams are currently celebrating the completion of a static PDF that outlines disclosure and human review. They are celebrating a "success" that is actually a catastrophic misdiagnosis. The friction we are seeing today isn't caused by "rogue" employees using unapproved tools; it is caused by the Sovereignty Gap—the space where AI makes autonomous inferences about intake criteria, data sets, and outcomes that no human ever vetted.

The old way of governing—writing a rule and expecting compliance—stopped working because AI is a dynamic decision-maker. We analyze how organizations are accidentally "embalming" informal shortcuts into permanent logic and why the board is currently acting on statistics that don't actually exist. This is a post-mortem on the illusion of control: your policy tells the world you're paying attention, but it hides the fact that you've already lost the right to your own conclusions.

Key Concepts:

• The Sovereignty Gap: The loss of authorized decision-making.
• Temporal Mismatch: The failure of static rules in a dynamic environment.
• The Embalmed Record: When AI turns a "one-time guess" into institutional doctrine.

In this episode, I talk with Michael Rivera from Jee Foods. Michael is part of a group of high school students who started a nonprofit to help the hungry in their area. The program is an initiative to discover new models for alleviating hunger throughout the world.

Website: www.jeefoods.com

Facebook: facebook.com/jeefoods

Twitter: twitter.com/JeeFoods

In this episode, I talk with Kate Hayes from Echoing Green. We talk about the importance of creating diversity on your board as well as how to help your board work better as a team.

According to a survey by BoardSource, a research and support organization for nonprofit boards, 25 percent of boards are all white, and only 20% of board members are people of color. Yet, most nonprofit leaders and board chairs desire to have boards that are more diverse--not only racially, but in terms of gender, socioeconomic status, age, experience, and so on. In order to reconcile this desire with reality, creating intentional plans for diversifying nonprofit boards is essential. Further, we know that boards - and teams - that are more diverse actually perform better.

About Kate

Kate oversees programming for a dynamic group of emerging business leaders who are dedicated to realizing their full potential as agents of social change. Prior to joining Echoing Green, she worked as Director of Evaluation and Program Impact in the national office of Minds Matter, where she developed new systems and methods for evaluating organizational success. While at Minds Matter, she led several new initiatives for engaging alumni, scaling the organization, and training 1,700 skills-based volunteers across the United States. Kate currently sits on the Executive Committee at the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where she also serves as Chair of the Young Alumni Committee. She holds a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University.

Website: https://www.echoinggreen.org/

Email: kate@echoinggreen.org

In this episode I speak with Rosenna Bakari from Talking Trees. It is a nonprofit she started back in 2010 and just recently devoted full-time hours to help the organization become sustainable.

We talk about her journey starting the nonprofit, where she is now and her plans to grow her organization. We also, talk about her new book and how that new book is helping raise awareness about Talking Trees.

Here is more info on Rosenna:

Rosenna Bakari is a scholar, motivational speaker, and social advocate. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000. She earned her Master's degree in Counseling from the State University of New York and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Cornell University.

Dr. Bakari is the founder and executive director of Talking Trees, an empowerment organization for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is also launching a new "We2" movement to bring survivor and listeners together to break the silence of sexual abuse.

In addition to her organization work, she hosts a monthly open mic to share her transformational poetry and offer a platform for community members to share their passion and pain.

Her new book - Too Much Love is Not Enough

Website - rosennabakari.com

Website - talkingtreessurvivors.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/1roguescholar

Twitter - twitter.com/RosennaBakari

YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel

The reason most people hate fundraising is because they hate asking people for money. But this assumes that "asking" is all we do when we fundraising. And this is where the problem lies. It's not so much that we hate asking for money... it is that we think that asking for money is what funding raising is about. And this is just not true.

In fact, if you want to be a really good fundraiser, then "asking" for money should only be 10% of what you do. Hmmm... gotcha you thinking yet?

Successful fundraising requires strategy, timing, planning, data and relationship building. Here is how our guest, Laurie Wolf, lays it out. Fundraising is:

• 30% internal work and research
• 30% relationship building
• 10% asking for money
• 30% recognition

This podcast goes into detail on how to be successful at fundraising without having to always be asking for money.

ABOUT LAURIE

Laurie Wolf, MNPL, CFRE is the President and CEO of The Foraker Group. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 30 years and with Foraker for 17 years. She has been instrumental in creating many of Foraker's services and philosophy. Laurie holds a BA in English from Scripps College and an Executive Master's degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University. She has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2003. She has served on a variety of boards and worked as a volunteer in arts, environmental and human services organizations.

Gift Chart Download

Example Gift Chart for $25K

Website: forakergroup.org

Awesome Article: Where's the Magic Wand for Fundraising

Getting found in Google doesn't happen by accident. Your website doesn't magically appear in the search engines for the right search terms. Well... that isn't totally accurate. It sorta does. But it may not rank well and the search results may not be accurate or consistent.

But there is a way to get your website ranked for the correct terms and that is by using SEO (search engine optimization). SEO has become a sophisticated field that is separate from your typical web design practices.

In this episode, I talk with Kris Reid from Ardor SEO. Kris talks about what it takes to get your website indexed in the search engines and how to rank higher than your competition.

Kris began doing SEO work after he developed an online game called Mob Warrior. Like many people with new products, he needed to get it found in Google. This is when he started researching and practising SEO. And ultimately lead him to found Ardor SEO.

If you want to learn a bit about the inner workings of search engines and get some tips on how to rank your website better, then this is a great listen.

RESOURCES

Website: https://ardorseo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ardorseocom/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ardorfactory

In this podcast, I talk with Jenna Benn Shersher. She shares with us her story on overcoming a rare form of cancer and how it inspired her to start a nonprofit.

Jenna is the Founder and Executive Director of Twist Out Cancer, a non-profit organization she founded after surviving Grey Zone Lymphoma in 2011. Jenna saw firsthand how young adults with cancer have a unique set of needs that are not being addressed or talked about. She found that one way of fulfilling this need is through creative arts, which could be used as a mechanism for coping and healing. Twist Out Cancer was founded on the principle that when you share, the world opens up.

Since Twist Out Cancer was founded in 2011, over 100,000 people worldwide have been touched by its programs and events. Over 700 people attended the fifth annual Brushes With Cancer Gala and Exhibition in Chicago on September 9, 2017. Other upcoming events are planned in Philadelphia, Montreal, and Tel Aviv.

Brushes With Cancer is a unique celebration of survivorship and hope that pairs those touched by cancer (previvors, survivors and caregivers) with talented artists working in a variety of mediums. Those touched by cancer share their 'twist on cancer' – their stories, feelings and experiences – with the artist, which serves as the inspiration for a unique piece of artwork created in their honor. The program culminates with a celebratory annual event and fundraiser in which the pairs connect in person and the artwork is revealed for the first time.

RESOURCES

Website: http://twistoutcancer.org/

Have you wondered what is the best way to get information in front of your followers and supporters? Most people think social media is the end-all/be-all of communication. But I want to assure you - it is not.

In this podcast, I talk with Kathryn Calhoun from kathryncalhouncoaching.com. Kathryn discusses some of the myths about social media, what it should be used for and how to maximize its effective reach.

But most importantly, Kathyrn shares with us some of her best tips on using your mailing list to reach your audience.

I, personally, have been very frustrated lately with the number of nonprofits I follow, who rely on Facebook to communicate with their followers. Here is the issue:

• Facebook is not a website and should not replace your website.
• Facebook has limited reach with barely 5% of your followers ever seeing a post.
• Facebook displays post chronologically forcing people to scroll through your timeline to find information.
• Facebook does not - let me repeat - DOES NOT show all your posts. 
• Facebook is losing popularity. Not many millennials are using Facebook on a daily basis.

So please, STOP using Facebook to communicate important events and information with your followers. Sure, put a post about your upcoming spring Gala on there, but be sure you announce it in your mailing list and have a page on your website about it.

OK, enough of me ranting about Facebook.

Let's talk about the solution. Grow, nurture and use your mailing list. Listing to this awesome podcast to learn how.

 Free Gift: http://kathryncalhouncoaching.com/gift

Risks can be unsettling. It is easier to focus on what's urgent while ignoring what's necessary and important. But if you can create ways to make it easier to see and address threats and opportunities, you can:

• Increase clarity
• Reduce costs
• Simplify tasks
  Streamline processes
• Develop new initiatives, and;
• Increase sustainability and resilience

Knowing your risks can help you increase your awareness of the threats and opportunities faced by your organization. You can identify unnecessary costs and find fixes to unlock additional resources.

"Too much of our knowledge is stuck in the minds of our key personnel. If we lose any of them, we're sunk."
"If we're honest, we move from crisis to crisis and can't get ahead of the curve."
"We want to grow, but we need a repeatable model that doesn't require constant supervision."
"We are on the cusp of great things, but we need to make sure we look and act professional to the outside world. More than that, we actually need to be professional."

Then listen to this podcast and learn how knowing your risks can give you your best insight.

Before founding Risk Alternatives LLC, Ted was a Distinguished Visiting Professor from Practice at Georgetown University Law Center. At Georgetown, his research focused on dispute resolution, complex litigation, preventive law, legal training, risk management, governance, and compliance.

Prior to fulltime teaching, Ted served for more than 20 years in the Washington DC office of the international law firm of Jones Day. At Jones Day, Ted represented clients in successful high-profile lawsuits and investigations and worked closely with parties with divergent interests to craft workable settlements involving businesses, consumers, and government agencies. While at Jones Day, Ted taught at Georgetown for many years as an adjunct professor.

Ted's website is at, https://risk-alternatives.com

In this episode I talk witth Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew about building socail capital and developing asset based based community relationships. Let's start with some definitions.

• Social Capital is a network of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.
• Asset Based Community Development is a methodology for the sustainable development of communities based on their strengths and potentials.

In a nutshell, we talk about how to use existing networks within a comminuty that enables that society to function effectively and thus help communities develop based on their strengths and potentials.

Here's more about our guest.

Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew has an extensive background in nonprofit management, partnership development, training and education. She is currently serving as a catalyst, partnership broker, and capacity builder of an international NGO partners' around the U.S.  This entails facilitating the emergence and strengthening of community-led initiatives to improve and sustain the well-being of children and their families.  She also assists a number of organizations as a consultant, board member, trainer or adviser.  She is the co-host of the web talk show, Social Issues Time.  Froswa' earned her PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University with a focus on relational leadership and social capital.

Froswa's website: froswasrules.com

Froswa's latest book: Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last

Podcast show notes written by Alexandra Black-Paulick. Thank you Alex!

You'd be surprised at how many people adamantly believe that under no circumstances can nonprofits earn revenue. The reality is that the term "nonprofit" has nothing to do with whether an organization can make a profit and everything to do with what they do with that profit. In the instance of a nonprofit, they cannot distribute profits to shareholders like a for-profit company. Instead, the revenue stays within the organization to be used to achieve the nonprofit's mission.

In truth, there are a lot of different rules and regulations around income. The most important one is whether the income is "related" or "unrelated" to their mission.  NOLO dives deeper into the potential tax implications on that here.

But diving into the tax code isn't what today's episode is about.

In today's show, I connect with Alexandra Black-Paulick from Positive Impact Media and co-creator of Nonprofits for the Future on ways that nonprofits are generating revenue. We not only break down some of the ways you can discover opportunities in your organization but we also go through two separate case studies.

Between grants gaining competition and donors starting to disappear after the economic crash of 2008, nonprofits across the nation started funneling their efforts into earned income solutions that aligned with their mission. Below, you'll find a brief synopsis of the two case studies we talk about in the episode as well as tips to help you discover opportunities in your organization.

Our goal with this episode is to help you come up with ideas that align with your mission and opportunities that are viable to implement in your organization.

Enjoy!

Resources Mentioned in the Show

• FREE DOWNLOAD: Three Case Studies on Increasing Nonprofit Funding
• Nonprofits for the Future: Roadmap to New Funding Sources
• NPA 076: Do You Believe these Nonprofit Myths? Let's Bust Them!

Method for Discovering Opportunities in Your Organization

On the episode, Alexandra highlights the strategy that she walks organizations through in her upcoming course. It's really important to use your mission as a metric throughout this process so you develop a related income stream and don't pull resources away from your main goals.

Start with an organizational asset list to find things of value in your organization. This could include everything from curriculum to technology to communities advocating on your behalf. Then you need to look at different needs in the communities you serve or groups near to your cause.

 The Denver Food Rescue realized that they had a valuable technology asset with their software running Fresh Food Connect. Additionally, they realized other hubs or organizations running a similar food program would benefit from it.

This led them to license the app. They charge a nominal annual fee, which then covers all the required maintenance costs.

In the episode, we dive in deeper to how you can use a similar thought pattern to make sure the endeavors you're doing add to your mission. Some of the suggestions both Alex and I recommend to expand could fall into mission creep, which we talk about ways to avoid.

Bikes Together needed a way to sustain their incredibly generous bike giveaway programs, which has given away over 6,000 bikes to date. They also had a complete bicycle workshop and ample volunteers ready and willing to work on bikes.

This led them to start refurbishing bikes to sell.

Tune in to hear how we talk about another really innovative way they built in value to create memberships, and how members love it!

If you want a structured approach and a step by step roadmap to develop earned income solutions for your organization, then check out Alex's new course: Roadmap to New Funding Sources.

This four-week course walks you through everything from exploring different business models, discovering opportunities within your organization, how to vet ideas, and mission-driven marketing strategies to take it to market. To ensure that every organization going through the class comes away with tangible ideas to implement, she and her co-creator are hosting office hours twice a week.

You can check out all the details here.

Hurry though - this course closes on January 30th.

If you listened until the end of the episode, you know that we're giving away one FREE course for Nonprofits for the Future: Roadmap to New Funding Sources.  To enter, you need to comment on the show notes. To really make this powerful, we'd love to hear what you think about earned income for nonprofits, different takeaways you want to apply to your organization, or potential earned income solutions you want to implement.

Comment by January 28th to enter.

After the giveaway, we can move to a different CTA at the bottom.

 Download the Slides from Today's Presentation H-2

Do you want to have the slides from today's presentation? They succinctly go through the two different case studies from mission to asset breakdown to opportunity to earned income solution.

You can snag that presentation here.

If your AI implementation is delivering results, you should be looking for the cracks. Most leaders assume that if output is up and the team is keeping pace, the implementation is a success. They're wrong.

In this episode, we diagnose why AI-driven acceleration is currently colliding with two layers of your organization that weren't built for speed: Authority and Governance.

When a tool produces 500 outputs instead of 50, the informal "who says this is okay" process evaporates. You don't have a volume problem—you have an ownership problem. Meanwhile, boards are still governing budgets and strategies for a version of the organization that no longer exists.

We break down:

• Why "fixing the workflow" is just relocating the pressure instead of solving it.
• The structural collision between execution speed and governance "brakes."
• The hard questions you must ask about approval layers before the tool is even installed.

AI won't break your organization. It will simply reveal the weaknesses that were already there.

If you want to see the full video you can watch it here:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/2Y8TMLni5fU

Other relevant links:

Substack: https://brightnonprofit.substack.com/
Website: https://brightnonprofit.org

In this podcast I talk with Kathleen Kelly-Janus, author of Social Startup Success. In this interview we talk about the different factors involved in building a nonprofit into a sustainable, profitable (yes, you can make money) and affective organization.

Kathleen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, author and lecturer at Stanford University. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Tech Crunch and the San Francisco Chronicle.

In this podcast (and in her book) Kathleen gives real life examples of how successful nonprofits went from start up to sustainable. Examples of this include:

1. Testing ideas by engaging stakeholders and reframing failure as learning, like Aspire Public Schools did to
   devise a creative solution to ineffective preschool education in low-income communities.
2. Measuring impact as you track the positive outcomes of your organization and maximize that data, like At the
   Crossroads did to create stages of progress as they reached out to homeless youth in San Francisco.
3. Funding experimentation to find a funding model true to your goals and effective at raising money, like Hot
   Bread Kitchen did when they both raised money and sold bread to sustain their training program for low-income
   women to find jobs in the food industry.
4. Leading collaboratively by building a team and creating an environment where people feel empowered and
   appreciated, like the crowdfunding platform Kiva did by allowing employees to manage their own success
   metrics.
5. Telling compelling stories to share the work you're doing, like founder of the Center for Youth Wellness
   Nadine Burke Harris did in a TED talk that's been viewed over 2.5 million times.

Get the book, Social Startup Success: How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up and Make a Difference

Her website is at, www.kathleenjanus.com

In this podcast we talk with Zoot Velasco (501c3BS), Jeremy Grandstaff (SGendeavors) and Nicolette Holferty (XOXOHats).

This is a panel discussion about how to grow your nonprofit, build capacity and create a strategic plan. In particular we talk about:

• How to get your first grant.
• When and how to hire your first staff member.
• How to recruit and retain board members.
• The role of your strategic plan in building a sustainable nonprofit.

This podcast is packed full of incredible information for nonprofit experts and those of us with our boots on the ground.

Zoot Velasco
Website: http://www.zootvelasco.com/
Podcast: 501(c)(3)BS

Jeremy Grandstaff
Website: http://sgendeavors.com/
Youtube: http://www.sgeconnections.tv/

Nicolette Holferty
Website: http://xoxohats.org/

The term "emerging nonprofit" is thrown around a lot. But what does it mean? Does mean anything? Well, that is actually not the topic we discuss in this podcast. But, if you want to "emerge", then pay close attention. It's time to build your capacity.

In this podcast I talk with Jeremy Grandstaff from SGEndeavors.com. We talk about building your nonprofit team and helping them define their roles within the organization. This of course leads us into a discussion about holding a better meeting. We then move on to discuss strategic planning and board retreats.

This is a great podcast if you are looking to build your nonprofits capacity. Here are links to what is mentioned in the show.

1. DVF Model: http://www.sgendeavors.com/the-dvf-change-formula/
2. Five Disfunctions of a team: http://www.sgendeavors.com/client-resource-the-five-disfunctions-of-a-team-great-read-and-very-helpful/
3. Engaged Change: http://www.sgendeavors.com/engaged-change-engaging-people-doesnt-have-to-cost-you-travel/

Wanna run a better board meeting? Here is the language Jeremy suggest goes at the top of every agenda. 

To be best prepared, and to help us best use your time, please make sure you have read the attached reports and reviewed the agenda below.

Jeremy's website: http://www.sgendeavors.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/sgendeavors

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sgendeavors

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the top 5 episodes of all time.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the most listened to podcast of all time. It features Ann Myren. The podcast title is, "Grant Writing from Preparation to Submission".

Hear the whole episode at, https://nonprofitally.com/podcast-nonprofit-grant-writing/

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the top 5 episodes of all time.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the second most listened to podcast. It features Chris Ferdinandi. The podcast title is, "Secrets to Getting more Website Visits".

Hear the whole episode at, https://nonprofitally.com/secrets-to-getting-more-visitors-to-you-website/

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the top 5 episodes of all time.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the third most listened to podcast. It features Laurie Wolf. The podcast title is, "Sustainability is Not the Destination".

Hear the whole episode at, https://nonprofitally.com/sustainability-is-not-destination/

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the top 5 episodes of all time.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the fourth most listened to podcast. It features Nick Loper. The podcast title is, "Creating a Nonprofit Coalition - Building Relationships with other Nonprofits".

Hear the whole episode at, https://nonprofitally.com/nonprofit-coalition-building-podcast/

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the top 5 episodes of all time.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the fifth most listened to podcast. It features Nick Loper. The podcast title is, "Starting a Nonprofit as a Side Job".

Hear the whole episode at, https://nonprofitally.com/start-a-nonprofit-as-a-side-job-nick-loper-side-hustle-nation/

In this special edition of the Nonprofit Ally Podcast we count down the
top 5 episodes of 2017.

In this episode, we hear an exerpt from the most popular podcast or 2017. It features Carolyn Appleton. The podcast is title is "Insider Tips from a Professional Grant Writer".