Successful Nonprofits Podcast

Attorneys Michelle Johnson and Rachel Spears discuss how you can be the perfect nonprofit client for your pro bono attorney (and being the perfect client will make them want to help you in the future).

Rob Jackson shares groundbreaking ideas to help you ramp up your organization's volunteer program.

Roger Martin discusses how focusing on efficiency can be counterproductive to your mission, values, and goals.

Rob Acton shares how to find and orient great board members.

Almost every week I get questions from podcast listeners, blog readers, or former clients who want some quick advice. And I am always happy to respond. Today I three real questions that I hear frequently about strategic planning, nonprofit dashboards, and board expectations.

Jessica explains why our brains are hardwired to think every threat, from lions to emails, is dangerous & how you can overcome all that worry and stress to lead the happy, successful life you deserve.

Kari Rosbeck explores how resilient staff set her and her nonprofit up for success when they needed to make big changes after COVID-19 started.

Barbara discusses how to find and use grants in a way that strengthens and sustains your nonprofit.

Scott Hartman shares 4 secrets for a successful media interview plus tips for creating a professional-looking virtual meeting setting at home.

19% of adults claim their mental health worsened in 2020. So join Dolph and Beth as they explore the science behind common stress points and share their favorite ideas for self-care. Whether you decide to walk, read, buy a new fountain pen, or start your own succulent garden, kick off your self-care journey with today's episode!

When I started my podcasting journey back in 2016, I made my fair share of mistakes. I've found that many of those mistakes, and the lessons I learned, also apply to my professional life. So join me for the 12 life lessons I learned from the last 200 episodes.

If you're among the 64% of workers actively looking for a new job or considering starting a job search, today's episode is for you. Kris Holmes is a pro at helping others not just successfully find a new job, but a new job that fits their strengths and career goals. She joins us today to discuss key tips for finding and landing your next dream job. So listen in for ideas about preparing for your interview, negotiating your compensation, and more!

We all have experienced traumatic events. And the nature of nonprofit work ensures that we face not only our own trauma, but others' as well. So with trauma all around us – how is your nonprofit managing it? Today's guest, Rob Collins, is a clinical social worker who specializes in trauma. He joins us to discuss how trauma can inspire us to build resilient nonprofits and confident, thriving staff.

I have met countless individuals who have experienced extreme hardship due to low-pay in the nonprofit sector. This must stop! As nonprofit executives, if our business model doesn't pay workers enough to live, we need to question that business model. Join me for this bonus break and get tips for determining your wage floor and justifying the additional cost to your board and funders.

What stands between you and your goals? Get ready to knock down those barriers and start on the path to accomplishing your goals today with our guest, Peter Chatel! Peter helps individuals and nonprofits get motivated to become high performers. Join us to get the tools you need to increase your focus and effectiveness and ultimately start achieving your personal and professional goals!

A few factors set an exceptional strategic plan apart from an OK plan, and having a Big Bold Goal is one of them. In this episode, we will explore the four dimensions of a Big Bold Goal and discuss three examples of Big Bold Goals.

66% of millennials don't feel they're saving enough for retirement, and they aren't alone! So we invited the Maven of Money, Bobbie Munroe, to discuss personal finance for the nonprofit professional. Bobbie shares practical financial and lifestyle tips to help you plan for the retirement you want without sacrificing quality of life today. This episode will help you get started on your own financial plan and sleep soundly tonight!

Many nonprofits think they are safe from cyberattacks because of their missions and small budgets (at least compared to Fortune 500 companies). But today's guest says that, unfortunately, hackers don't care. They look for low-hanging fruit. And if you aren't taking precautions now, that means you. Spencer Pollock is an attorney who specializes in cybercrime and cyber law. He joins us to share simple precautions you can take to protect your nonprofit and what to do if you experience a data breach. So listen in right now and make sure your organization is high-hanging fruit!

Today's guest, Germeen Guillaume, has over 10 years of accounting experience. She joins us to share common nonprofit accounting mistakes and tips you can take today to make sure your nonprofit never becomes the next site of CSI: Accounting.

It's such a waste of energy to spend a lot of time writing a board report for just one use. Over the years, I've found ways to repurpose my board report so that I can increase the report's overall impact. So pull your last board report out of the archive, remove any confidential information, and see if you can repurpose it in one of these 5 meaningful ways.

Wouldn't it have been nice if your nonprofit had started a planned giving program 5, or even 20, years ago? Imagine where your organization could have been today! In this episode, we are joined by planned giving evangelist and fellow podcast host, Tony Martignetti. We discuss how nonprofits of all sizes can quickly and easily get their planned giving programs jump-started. So listen in now --- your nonprofit's future development team will be grateful!

How do you know if your programs actually result in the impact you want? Alan Mackie has over 25 years' experience evaluating impact. He joins us today with a simple message: you don't have to be a statistician; you just have to know what's important to you and your clients. Listen in and get motivated to go get your data!

2021 is the year to stop spending hours writing boring board reports no one reads! Listen in for tips about ideal length, format, topics to include, and topics to exclude. You'll also get advice on how to craft a board report that keeps your board focused on governance and out of your day-to-day operational details.

There are roughly 45 million people drowning in nearly $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. That's an average debt of more than $35,000 per person! If you are one of those 45 million people, your student loan payment is probably more than a car payment. And it might be as much (or more) than a mortgage. Since student loan debt is a burden for many nonprofit professionals, I invited Meagan Landress to help us better understand how to manage student loans. Megan is a financial planner who specializes in student loan debt, and she shares tips for reducing your monthly payments and maximizing the debt-forgiveness program available to nonprofit staff. So listen in and sleep sounder tonight!

There are more than 1.5 million nonprofits registered in the US. But when we ask board members if they know the 3 fundamental duties of all board members, few know the answer. That's a lot of boards and board members who put themselves, and their organizations, at risk every year! But have no fear! This conversation with seasoned nonprofit attorney, Bruce Hopkins, outlines the 3 fundamental responsibilities of board members and how to perform them effectively. So whether you are a current board member, thinking of becoming a board member, or are a nonprofit executive, today's episode will keep you and your board on track. And make sure to share it with your board!

The nonprofit world is undoubtedly competitive. We compete for donors, grants, volunteers, clients, and even office space. But what do you do when you suddenly realize that you can't succeed alone? That you need your competitors' help? Paedia Mixon and Jim Neal come from two different organizations that serve Georgia's refugee community. Yet they, along with 19 other organizations, work together on the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies in order to effectively and efficiently solve big problems facing Georgia's refugee community. They join us today to share how this remarkable coalition came to be and inspire you to start taking the steps to build effective coalitions.

Over the last four years, our nation has witnessed a case study in toxic leadership. Whether you manage one person or lead a team of 100 people, here are ten toxic Trump traits you should avoid.

Life is complicated. And running a nonprofit sometimes feels like putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle. So why give yourself even more stress with elaborate solutions? Innovative thought leader, Rob Bisceglie, is the Executive Director of Action for Healthy Kids. Rob's leadership has proven that big problems do not need big solutions. Listen in today for the two simple steps he and Action for Healthy Kids have taken to address big problems, from hungry kids to keeping an organization thriving during COVID-19.

Sometimes we all need a boost. Maybe to overcome an impending challenge. Or maybe to finally act on a personal dream. Regardless, maybe it's time to consider hiring a coach. Deb Stallings left a long and successful career as a fundraiser to coach emerging leaders. She joins us to discuss why coaching is important, how to find the perfect coach, and what you can expect from coaching sessions. Join us and get ready to follow your dreams!

Did you know more nonprofits closed in 2009 than in 2008? The second year of recession always hits nonprofits harder. But you can help your nonprofit survive and thrive in the second year of this recession by designing and implementing a recession plan now! In this special Bonus Break episode, Dolph shares 4 steps to help you design the best recession plan for your nonprofit. Listen in and start getting your recession plan in order today!

2020 has been an incredibly tough year. But from great challenge comes great growth. So, in recognition of the New Year, we asked our guests to share what 2020 has taught them. Join us to hear the lessons this incredible group of leaders has learned from 2020.

Many of us identify as allies of people who are transgender and gender nonbinary. If you're an ally and looking for ways to translate your values into policies and practices – then this episode is for you! We speak with Andy Marra, the chief executive of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). Andy is not just the CEO at TLDEF, she has also long been a leader in the fight for transgender rights and equality. She joins us today to discuss 6 steps that even the smallest nonprofit can take to demonstrate their commitment to full inclusion for people who are transgender or gender nonbinary. Listen in and learn about steps you can take to build a more trans-inclusive environment for all your stakeholders.

Our programs often make us feel good - but are we actually helping our clients? Amanda Woomer joins us today to discuss the much (but needlessly) feared monitoring and evaluation. Join us as we explore how M&E can help you advance your mission, impress donors, and ultimately make sure that you are actually doing the good you're setting out to do.

Everyone wants their organization's story told but very few know how to cultivate reporters and pitch stories like a pro. When done well, reporters will actually start coming to you for quotes and stories! Kristen Elworthy uses her career in journalism to help nonprofits craft their message and successfully pitch relevant stories to the media. She joins us today to help you become a media expert. Listen in for proven techniques to choose the right media outlet for you, craft your message in an effective way, and build mutually beneficial relationships with reporters.

If you are experiencing burnout or symptoms of burnout, you are not alone. And you will make it through your burnout and come out stronger on the other side. We know this because we've experienced burnout, too. On this episode, Bethany Planton and Trish Bachman join us to share their own stories. Listen in for a glimpse at life after burnout and inspiring ideas to help you avoid having your own burnout story.

Today's conversation will have English teachers everywhere throwing their hands up in dismay. But that's ok. Because today's episode is not about how to write the perfect essay. It's about how to grab your audience with amazing copy. Because incredible copywriting is essential whether you're trying to reach prospective clients, donors, volunteers, or employees. So toss out your copy of Elements of Style by Strunk & White and listen in on our conversation with Nicki Krawczyk. It might even help you become your nonprofit's first, next, or best in-house copywriter.

Running a nonprofit is stressful. There's managing staff, courting donors, keeping up with reports, and, of course, providing actual services. We often forget to invest the time and money necessary to support the organization's infrastructure. Sean Hale excels at building and strengthening a nonprofit's back office. Sean knows that a strong back office helps the whole organization work smarter and harder. Listen in for tips to find savings, increase efficiency, and put your nonprofit on a path to long-term success.

Today we revisit one of our most popular episodes with Brad Wolff, author of the bestseller, "People Problems? How to Create People Solutions for a Competitive Edge." Brad shares the "aha!" moment that informs his work as a consultant with his firm, PeopleMax, and explains his belief that all professional success is derived from personal development.

People who feel satisfied with their jobs are also healthier and tend to live longer. So how do you find that job satisfaction? Well, you're off to a great start! Nonprofit professionals often experience higher job satisfaction thanks to their organizations' socially-oriented missions. But sometimes the mission just isn't enough. Bea Boccalandro, job satisfaction expert, joins us to discuss 8 steps you can take to increase your fulfillment at work.

COVID, like all crises, has affected the nonprofit real estate market. Some organizations are worried about making rent or mortgage payments. While others are looking to take advantage of new real estate opportunities. Master of nonprofit real estate, Paul Wolf, joins us today to share his experience and wisdom. Regardless of your organization's current real estate situation, Paul has recommendations for you!

Wouldn't it be nice to never lose another file? Or have time for lunch between meetings? Or get home on time? If you feel that way, it's time to get organized! Organizing expert, Susie Hayman, joins us with some tips to get organized, as well as what you can expect if you hire a professional organizer. Listen in to get organized, reduce your stress and increase your efficiency!

Who would think that for-profits and nonprofits could go together like peanut butter and jelly? Today's guest, Angela Hughey, did! Join us as we explore the hybrid organizational model through the case study of ONE Community and see if the hybrid model might work for you!

The Restaurant Worker's Community Foundation is only two years old and already has an annual revenue of $7 million from more than 15,000 donors. That's 250,000% growth! A lot of their success is the result of a great communications strategy. We invited communications thought leader and RWCF board member, Michael Hamill Remaley, to the podcast to discuss the topic. You will definitely pick up tips for your own communications strategy!

Abra Annes tells a tale of two very different development offices. One of the organizations she gives to treats her like she's a major donor. This smaller organization asked for her communication preferences, sent notes and offered a deeply personalized donor experience. The larger organization, however, used the same thank you letter for ten gifts totaling over $180,000! They never sent a personal note, never called, never texted. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the donor's perspective and learn ways your organization can be more nimble and effective at cultivating and stewarding donors.

Here's a commonly held myth in the nonprofit sector: A 501(c)3 cannot take part in advocacy work. In this episode, Tanya Tassi shares how nonprofits can safely and effectively advocate. Listen in and start creating that lasting change you already work so hard for!

Today we have a special reverse episode with Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. Earlier this year, Dolph was featured on the Pro Bono Partnership Atlanta Podcast with Sireesha Ghanta and Robyn Miller. The episode released last week on SoundCloud. Check it out and learn about mission creep: what it is, how to avoid it, and what to do if you want to expand your mission.

Every nonprofit leader dreams of achieving and maintaining financial sustainability, and every good board member knows that fiscal stewardship is one of their sacred duties. To explore the roles your board treasurer and banker play in sustainability and fiscal stewardship, we speak with seasoned board member, nonprofit tech entrepreneur and extraordinary banker, Chad Wolver. In this episode you will discover: What your nonprofit should look for in its next board treasurer The key financials your board should monitor The many ways your banker can help you (beyond depositing your donor checks) And more!

With COVID and a budding recession, people around the world are stressed out about their jobs. If you have a job, you want to make sure you keep it. And if you lost your job, you want to find your next one as quickly as possible. For many people, both can feel beyond your control. Today's guest is extraordinary career coach, Gary Hines. Gary shares actionable tips you can take to keep the job you have or find your next one. Listen in and take control of your career!

Sherry Quam Taylor says it's time to push against common fundraising misconceptions and start telling donors what your nonprofit really needs! Do your staff need raises? Tell your donor! Do you need a technology upgrade? Tell your donor! Do you need to funnel a little extra money into fundraising this year? Tell your donor! Listen in on our conversation with Sherry to learn how actually sharing the nitty-gritty of what you need can help your organization double or even triple its incoming donations. Get tips for building your needs-based budget and how to confidently share it with your donors so that you don't leave any money sitting on the table!

If you Google "workplace stress", a plethora of data appears at your fingertips. The American Institute of Stress notes that job stress is the largest source of anxiety for Americans, and that it is escalating. In fact, job stress and burnout have become so common that the World Health Organization recognized it as an occupational syndrome in 2019! So if you're feeling stressed and burned out, you certainly are not alone. What studies show again and again is that stress and burnout aren't about the individual or about the job itself. So what can leaders do to ensure their organizations are healthy, happy places to work? Natasha Wallace, author of The Conscious Effect: 50 Lessons for Better Organizational Wellbeing, is an expert on training leaders to transform their workplaces. Listen in to hear lessons learned from her own burnout story and get actionable tips to help you create a healthier, less stressful workplace.