Welcome to The NonProfit Nook — the podcast for nonprofit leaders, board members, staff, and community champions who want to strengthen their organizations and make a bigger impact... without burning out in the process.
I’m Wendy Kidd—business owner for over 20 years and nonprofit leader for just as long. I created this show because I know how overwhelming it can be to lead a nonprofit. Most of us didn’t get into this work thinking we’d be running a business—we just wanted to help people. But the truth is, running a nonprofit *is* running a business, and I’m here to help make that part easier.
Each week on The NonProfit Nook, you’ll get real talk and real tools.
We’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of nonprofit management—strategic planning, budgeting, board engagement, donor communication, volunteer recruitment, and more. No fluff—just practical advice and conversations that help you work smarter and lead with confidence.
You’ll also hear:
- Stories from inspiring North Texas nonprofits and the local heroes behind them
- Tips from experts on marketing, digital tools, DEI, nonprofit culture, and sustainable leadership
- Real conversations about burnout, boundaries, time management, and self-care—because leadership shouldn’t feel lonely
Whether you're leading a nonprofit, supporting one, or just passionate about the mission, The NonProfit Nook will give you the tools, encouragement, and inspiration you need to thrive.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review to support the show, and follow us on social media @thenonprofitnook for more nonprofit insights, stories, and resources.
Let’s make nonprofit life a little easier—and a lot more impactful.
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Welcome to The NonProfit Nook, the go-to podcast for nonprofit leaders, board members, staff, and community champions who want to build stronger, smarter organizations and make a real impact. Hosted by Wendy Kidd, a business owner and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience, this show is your resource for honest conversations and practical advice.
What to Expect:
Practical tips, real stories, and expert advice on nonprofit leadership
Topics including board engagement, donor communication, budgeting, digital tools, and sustainable leadership
Spotlights on amazing nonprofits in North Texas
Inspiration and connection with local heroes making a difference
Who Should Listen:
Executive Directors
Board Members
Nonprofit Staff
Community Members interested in nonprofit leadership
Listen & Connect:
Episodes available on your preferred podcast platform starting August 26th, 2025.
Subscribe now and join our community of changemakers building better nonprofits, one episode at a time!
Creating a Feedback-Friendly Environment: Tools for Team Success and Retention
Episode 4
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 • Duration 38:13
In this episode of 'The NonProfit Nook,' host Wendy Kidd and guest Kendria Taylor, a learning and development expert, delve into the importance of creating a culture of feedback within nonprofit organizations. They discuss the definition and the significance of providing various types of feedback: reinforcing, redirecting, impact, and reflective. Kendria shares practical models such as the 'GOOD' model for effective feedback and provides strategies for personalizing feedback based on communication styles. The episode emphasizes that consistent, thoughtful feedback can build trust, enhance morale, and boost organizational performance. Kendria also offers listeners free tools to improve their feedback approaches, making this episode an invaluable resource for nonprofit leaders aiming to strengthen their teams and retain top talent.
Building Bridges in the Community: Kim Sanchez's Mission with Collin County NeighborHUB at McKinney and McKinney Little Free Pantry
Episode 3
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 • Duration 26:44
Spotlight on Community Champions: Kim Sanchez and the Impact of McKinney Little Free Pantry and Collin County NeighborHUB
In this episode of The NonProfit Nook, host Wendy Kidd welcomes Kim Sanchez, a philanthropist and founder of McKinney Little Free Pantry and Collin County NeighborHUB. Kim shares her journey from starting her businesses in 2005 to creating impactful community initiatives that aim to serve neighbors in need. Learn about the inspiration behind these projects, the challenges they face, and the unique solutions they offer, such as the anonymous food pantries and a future social services advocacy center. This episode delves into the importance of dignity and human interaction in social services, and highlights how Kim blends professional expertise with a passion for service to create real change in Collin County.
Spotlight: Communities Foundation of Texas & North Texas Giving Day
Episode 5
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 • Duration 28:44
Maximizing Impact: Inside the Communities Foundation of Texas and North Texas Giving Day
In this episode of The NonProfit Nook, host Wendy Kidd converses with Heather Lothes, Donor Relations Officer at the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT). The discussion focuses on the role and impact of CFT in North Texas, emphasizing its efforts to support local nonprofits and philanthropic activities. They delve into the details of North Texas Giving Day, a significant regional initiative designed to boost donations and awareness for local nonprofits. Heather shares insights on how nonprofits can maximize their success on this day and the ongoing support CFT provides throughout the year. Listeners are encouraged to participate and spread the word to enhance community support and philanthropy.
02:43 Understanding Communities Foundation of Texas
05:18 North Texas Giving Day: Origins and Impact
Initiating Change: Strategic Planning for Nonprofits with Expert Dr. Collette Portis, Episode 1 of 3
Episode 9
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 • Duration 43:44
Today's episode features Dr. Collette Portis, an award-winning business strategist, who joins Wendy to discuss the fundamentals of strategic planning in the nonprofit sector. They cover the importance of not trying to handle everything in-house, the roles and responsibilities of key participants, the necessity of hiring an outside expert, and essential preparatory steps before the first strategic planning meeting. This episode is the first of a three-part series on strategic planning, focusing on actionable steps and effective implementation.
Spotlight on Grace to Change: Transforming Lives Through Recovery
Episode 8
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • Duration 25:52
In this episode of The NonProfit Nook, host Wendy Kidd talks with Shannon White, Founder and Executive Director, and Kim Hughes, Administrative Director of Grace to Change, a nonprofit outpatient treatment center in Collin County. Shannon and Kim share their inspiring personal stories and discuss the vital work their organization does to support individuals struggling with addiction. They highlight the services provided, such as intensive and supportive outpatient programs, free lifelong aftercare, substance abuse evaluations, and individual and family counseling. The conversation also touches on the challenges of running a nonprofit, the importance of community support, and ways for people to get involved, including meal donations, drives, and attending their annual gala.
01:11 Meet Shannon White: Founder of Grace to Change
02:10 Meet Kim Hughes: Administrative Director of Grace to Change
Decoding Nonprofit Finances: Hiring a Bookkeeper, Collaborating and Key Metrics
Episode 7
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 • Duration 33:24
Navigating Bookkeeping for Nonprofits: Tips, Tools, and Best Practices
In this episode of The NonProfit Nook, host Wendy Kidd is joined by Kelsey Gleason, co-owner of Educated Bookkeeping, to explore the distinct challenges and strategies of bookkeeping for nonprofits versus for-profit businesses. They discuss the importance of understanding financial reports, customizing chart of accounts, and the significance of training and quality control for volunteer bookkeepers. They also cover practical tips on selecting a professional bookkeeper, using QuickBooks features like classes and projects, and highlight a crucial financial metric every nonprofit board should monitor. The episode aims to provide real tools and strategies to help nonprofit leaders and boards manage their finances more effectively.
01:28 Meet Kelsey Gleason: From Teacher to Bookkeeper
02:05 Challenges of Nonprofit Bookkeeping
05:03 Advice for Small Nonprofits Without a Bookkeeper
Service, Community, and Connection: Inside the McKinney Rotary Club
Episode 6
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 • Duration 20:18
Spotlight on McKinney Rotary Club: Service, Community, and Leadership
In this episode of 'The NonProfit Nook,' host Wendy Kidd interviews Stephanie Talley, the 2025-2026 President of the Rotary Club of McKinney. Stephanie shares her experiences and the impactful work of the Rotary Club, highlighting their community service projects, international aid, and commitment to diversity and growth. The discussion covers the Rotary Club's history, successful projects like the Bonnie Wenk Park All Abilities Playground and Direction 61:3 partnership, and ways people can get involved. Listeners will gain insights into the vital role of Rotary in community service and learn practical strategies to enhance nonprofit work.
02:45 The McKinney Rotary Club: History and Impact
04:31 Stephanie's Journey to Rotary
05:51 Rotary's Community Involvement
07:28 Success Stories and Achievements
Beyond the Overwhelm: Simplifying Strategies for Nonprofit Marketing with Tayler Cusick Hollman
Episode 13
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 • Duration 42:18
In this episode, host Wendy is joined by Tayler Cusick Hollman, a marketing consultant and founder of Enji, a user-friendly marketing tool designed for small businesses and nonprofits. Tayler shares her decade-long experience in helping small businesses and nonprofits, diving into the unique marketing challenges nonprofits face. The conversation covers the importance of marketing for nonprofits, debunking myths about marketing, and how to shift mindsets to be more confident in marketing efforts. Tayler provides actionable steps to reduce overwhelm, including setting content pillars, choosing appropriate marketing channels, and maintaining consistency. They discuss the role of Enji in simplifying marketing tasks through planning, content creation, and analytics. Listeners are encouraged to try Enji with a special discount code provided, NPNook, which gives $61 off the annual subscription.
Spotlight on Young Minds, Big Impact: Inside the Letters of Light Foundation
Episode 12
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • Duration 23:50
In this episode of The NonProfit Nook, host Wendy Kidd interviews Ananya Nagendra, the young founder and CEO of the Letters of Light Foundation. Inspired by her mother's journey with chemotherapy, Ananya started the organization to provide cancer patients with handwritten letters of encouragement, preventive health workshops, and resources on mental wellness. With chapters across various schools and over 850 youth volunteers, the foundation partners with oncology centers to support cancer patients both mentally and emotionally. Ananya details the foundation's operations, her involvement with social workers, and the importance of mental health in cancer care. She also discusses the newly launched Books of Light program, offering literary resources to newly diagnosed patients and oncology centers. Learn how you can get involved, start a chapter, or contribute to this impactful cause.
00:00 Introduction to The NonProfit Nook
00:48 Meet Ananya Nagendra: Founder of Letters of Light
