Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Michelle Boggs, Executive Nonprofit Industry Advisor, Classy What are the current trends facing the nonprofit sector when it comes to giving? What can we do as nonprofit leaders to adjust our fundraising strategies? Today’s guest, Michelle Boggs, shares some fascinating pieces of data from a 2022 report that we can use to improve our fundraising efforts and grow donations. Michelle is the Executive Nonprofit Industry Advisor of Classy. Classy, a GoFundMe company, is a Public Benefit Corporation and giving platform that enables nonprofits to connect supporters with the causes they care about. Through technology, they empower nonprofits to unlock the generosity of their supporters and help them advance their missions. Michelle explains the reasons why Gen Z and Millennials give to specific causes over others. She also shares that 80% of Gen Z individuals are discovering social causes via social media, and that 65% of them are donating to urgent causes. Because the nonprofit space is so competitive it is important to stay front of mind with their donors by being strategic with communication efforts. Michelle lists out what successful organizations are doing, in order to stay competitive and keep the attention of their donors. She describes the benefits of subscription based giving and how nonprofits should go about implementing a recurring giving program. Finally, Michelle believes nonprofits need to have a multi-channel approach, which includes using various social media platforms as a tool in their fundraising efforts. Mentioned:Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn This Episode is sponsored by: Links to Resources: If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Nonprofit. It’s a word we all use to describe our organizations, but are we inadvertently hurting ourselves by using that word? When you hear the name “nonprofit” what comes to mind? Perhaps scarcity, or the opposite of something, or work that we shouldn’t get paid to do? Why do we call this sector by its tax exempt status rather than for what we do? Shouldn’t we be known for the impact and change we bring to the world? Today, we are honored to welcome back four, successful leaders from the nonprofit sector to discuss why we need to re-brand the sector and ways we can start doing so. Rob’s guests are Gayle Smith, Joan Garry, Tony Martignetti, and Sara Lomelin. Gayle is the CEO of The ONE Campaign. Joan is the founder of Nonprofit Leadership Lab. Tony is the host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio. Sara is the CEO of Philanthropy Together. All five of these leaders are not only passionate about the specific work they do, but they are also passionate about changing and improving the sector as a whole. The panel opens the discussion talking about the word “nonprofit” and why using this term to describe our work is a problem. Joan believes nonprofit leaders get so caught up in doing good work, that they don’t invest time in showing the world that they are more than just their “tax exempt” status. Gayle thinks using terms like “nonprofit” to describe the work organizations do, makes them sound like failed businesses. Sara believes it makes organizations sound weak and limits their impact. Tony believes that the term “nonprofit” doesn’t grab the attention of media outlets, and thus organizations fail to get in front of more people. When it comes to how the sector can start to rebrand itself, all four leaders agree that changing the reputation comes from the collective work of each organization. They agree that organizations in the sector must start using different language to describe the work they do, and start incorporating words such as “impact” and “change” in their storytelling. They also strongly agree that in order to rebrand the sector, organizations need to improve on collaborating, emanating confidence, and storytelling.  Mentioned: Gayle Smithhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-e-smith/ Joan Garryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joangarry/ Tony Martinettihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/ Sara Lomelinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/saralomelin/  This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox Links to Resources: If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ 

Too often, nonprofits think they’re the cause that the community wants to support. But nonprofits are not the cause. They’re the conduit for the cause. Rob’s guest today is Bill McKendry, a marketing expert who’s spent 35 years successfully doing marketing for many for-profit companies. He pivoted out of the for-profit world to not only start a nonprofit, but is now an author of a book focused on helping nonprofit professionals build better brand awareness and increase their impact, while at the same time building donor’s support and community involvement.       Bill McKendry Bill shares his experience of leaving the for-profit sector and how his new book has been 25 years in the making. He explains why nonprofits should focus on finding strength in their voice by investing in their marketing and messaging. He dives into how the biggest competition nonprofits face are the best marketers in the world. He also points out how many businesses are creating causes to support instead of partner with nonprofits. He discusses how nonprofits can provide a “triple win” by partnering with businesses that need the trust and good stewardship a nonprofit organization offers. He also shares the top three things that nonprofit leaders need to know in order to build their brand. Bill also explains why nonprofits must understand the three categories of brands: “candy, vitamin, and painkiller”. Finally he points out the evidence that “frequency wins”, when it comes to marketing. It is not necessarily about waiting to find the perfect marketing or the best video, or the most expensive advertising. It is all about frequency. #FromTheArchives This episode is sponsored by Donorbox – https://donorbox.org Links to Resources: Do More Good – https://domoregood.org/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons As nonprofit leaders, we often find we are filling a gap in society by resolving specific needs the government is not addressing. Rob’s guest, Lynn Margherio, explains how her twenty year organization has been filling a large gap that affects approximately 1 in 5 children across the United States. Lynn is the founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play—for free. Cradles to Crayons collects and distributes new and high-quality used children’s goods by engaging and connecting communities.  Lynn shares why she originally started Cradles to Crayons twenty years ago. She defines what “clothing insecurity” is and why it is such a big problem across the country. Lynn explains how her organization has been able to avoid mission drift and that their collaborative approach to their mission is what keeps them moving in the right direction. She shares some light bulb moments of realization she had, that has helped the organization grow into what it is today. Lynn explains what her organization does in order to maintain growth and retention when it comes to staff and volunteers. Finally, Lynn shares some of the biggest challenges she is facing as nonprofit leader and their goals to end clothing insecurity on a larger scale, as they move forward. Mentioned: Connect with Lynn on LinkedIn Cradles to Crayons website Follow Cradles to Crayons on Instagram This Episode is sponsored by: Donorbox Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/rob Links to Resources: If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Jasper van Brakel, CEO of RSF Social Finance Funding is absolutely critical for all nonprofits and there’s a growing group of investors who want to invest in organizations and people who are really changing the world for the better. Is it possible to both fund the mission of a nonprofit, but also give a return to investors at the same time? On the surface, this seems to be two very different and contrary purposes. However, there is one organization, a nonprofit no less, whose sole mission is to both fund social changemakers while simultaneously providing a return on their donors’ investment through an innovative funding model. Rob’s guest is Jasper Van Brakel and explains how his organization is dedicated to funding nonprofits while providing a return on the donor’s investment. Jasper is the CEO of RSF Social Finance. RSF Social Finance seeks to revolutionize how people relate to and work with money. RSF is a financial services organization that has formed a growing community of motivated, values-driven investors, donors, and entrepreneurs. Jasper explains how RSF works with for profit and nonprofit organizations who have a social or environmental mission, and the way they help fund these enterprises. Jasper shares how RSF has worked with both nonprofits and forprofits since 1984, and explains the similarities and differences between the two types of business structures. Jasper explains why RSF allows investors and borrowers to decide on interest rates and rate of return, versus going off market rates. He also shares how RSF decides which projects to invest in and what they do if they notice an organization experiencing mission drift. Finally, Jasper explains that when it comes to funding organizations, it isn’t just about what is being funded, but who is part of the leadership team of the organization.  #FromTheArchives Mentioned: RSF Social Finance Connect with Jasper This Episode is sponsored by: Donorbox: www.donorbox.org  Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/rob Links to Resources: If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ 

Paul Falcone Right now we are living in a time when the challenges facing management is at an all time high, especially when it comes to managing crises. The combination of advancements in technology, economic uncertainty and volatility of the marketplace all have put unique pressure on not only nonprofit leaders but for-profit leaders as well. Perhaps you as a nonprofit leader feel like every week, you are facing a new crisis in your organization. And these crises are becoming more complex. You may be surprised to learn that a 2022 study by IBM pointed out that managing disruption is a top concern for CEO’s. Today’s guest, Paul Falcone, explains what leaders in management positions can do to build resiliency and effectively manage disruptions in their organization.  Paul is an expert in crisis management, a best-selling author and the principal of Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting LLC, which specializes in leadership training, executive coaching, and HR advisory services. He was also the former Chief Human Resources Officer at Nickelodeon.  Paul explains that in order to build resilience in an organization, leaders need to open up opportunities for honest conversations. He compares it to sitting around a campfire where people can connect on a deeper level, about the challenges their organization may be facing. He believes leaders must practice this skill of constructive communication in order to proactively tackle problems. Paul also shares what leaders need to do in order to prevent employee burnout and turnover. When it comes to layoffs and terminations that must happen at times, he explains the right way and wrong way to approach it. Finally, Paul describes qualities of the best type of leader and how one can become a boss everyone will want to work for.  This Episode is sponsored by: HarperCollins Leadership Other Resources: Paul’s website Connect with Paul on LinkedIn This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding Links to Resources: If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comFor more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Jakada Imani, CEO of The Management Center Recruitment and retention are hot topics on the minds of many nonprofit leaders right now. Today’s guest, Jakada Imani argues that if you want to recruit and retain a diverse staff, then the organization’s leaders must create an honest culture where people feel like they actually belong.  Jakada is the CEO of The Management Center. The Management Center (TMC) is a consulting firm that is dedicated to helping social justice leaders build and run equitable, sustainable, and results-driven organizations. They provide resources for effective management for social justice and education equity organizations.  Jakada shares how he first got connected to The Management Center in 2017 after working in the social justice sphere for over 20 years. He describes the primary focus of TMC is to give organizations the basic skills to be an effective manager, since being a manager takes very different set of skills compared to other roles in organizations. Jakada shares the three things that make up TMC’s “secret sauce” as well as describes the type of lessons they train managers on improving. When it comes to immersing staff into an organization’s goals, he points out the importance of building alignment on the front end and how that is the responsibility of the managers. Jakada believes that while it is important to have a clear dream, leaders must also be honest about where gaps are and have a rigorous plan of how to close the gaps. Finally, he shares how the work we do is not just about social justice, but it spiritual, like a sacred calling that one must be passionate about. This episode is sponsored by The Management Center Mentioned:Connect with Jakada on LinkedIn This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding Links to Resources:If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comFor more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Leading and motivating staff is a difficult job for every leader, especially the CEO or Executive Director of an organization. Staff communication, staff conflict and staff competition are very real issues that all leaders have to navigate through as they seek to move the organization towards a common mission. Could you imagine having two staff members who are literally working side by side who are from rival gangs? What kind of potential conflict and competition would this create? This is exactly the scenario that Rob’s guest faces every day at his organization. Rob’s guest today is Thomas Vozzo, the first ever CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program in the world that helps former gang members redirect their lives and become contributing members of their community. Thomas also has a new book coming out called The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life. In it, he outlines how he went from generating billion dollar revenues and making million dollar profits to becoming a voluntary, unpaid CEO of a nonprofit built on compassion, empathy, and social justice.    Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries In this episode, Thomas provides an overview of Homeboy Industries’ beginnings and their mission of working to get young men out of gang life. He shares about the “secret sauce” of Homeboy Industries which is its unique community. He also shares what led him to leave a successful corporate career to become the organization’s CEO. Further, Thomas walks us through his leadership journey; how he built trust, cast his vision, and successfully moved the organization forward by doubling its size and impact. He explains how he has navigated the challenges of employing former clients while emphasizing the importance of understanding the long term commitment required to invest in people and help them find positions where they’ll thrive. He also discusses the challenge of being a mission-driven organization that needs to run like a for-profit business. As he gives his perspective, he shares what it’s like working with rival gang members who have been victims of racial, economic, and system-wide injustice. Thomas will also share three important lessons he learned while writing his book and the key principles of finding joy, balance, and your personal beliefs. Finally, he addresses the heavy burden of helping former gang members and prisoners heal from their pain. #FromTheArchives Links to Resources: The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life Homeboy Industries This Episode is sponsored by: Donorbox Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Sienna Nazarian Being young doesn’t mean one can’t make a difference. In fact, there is a lot we in the nonprofit space can learn from Gen Z leaders who have already made a big impact in their communities. Today’s guests; Sienna Nazarian, Robbie Khazan, and Dylan Zajac are exactly those kinds of leaders. These three are great examples of emerging leaders who are making their world better.  Dylan Zajac Sienna, Robbie, and Dylan were each recipients of The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards in 2023. The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize young changemakers who have made a significant impact in leading initiatives that embody the values of “tikkun olam,” which means “repairing the world” in the Hebrew language.  These three Gen Z leaders describe the mission behind their respective nonprofit organizations and what the biggest challenges have been in starting a nonprofit at such a young age. Robbie, founder of Kiddo Byte, shares how his biggest challenge has been to find quality instructors who can teach computer science in a fun and exciting way. Sienna, founder of the Refugee Empowerment Project, explains that her biggest challenge when starting was establishing credibility as a high-schooler and trying to convince larger organizations to partner with her. Dylan, founder of Computers 4 People, believes that the biggest challenge when starting is taking an idea and turning it into a sustainable nonprofit. Robbie Khazan Each leader also addresses the misconception that Generation Z is full of coddled individuals who struggle with attention and resilience. They believe the misconception stems from the fact that this generation grew up in the digital age and thus, is the largest consumers of social media content. They also share great advice for other nonprofit leaders on how to recruit and retain Gen Z staff and volunteers. Finally, Sienna, Robbie, and Dylan share what they believe are the biggest challenges facing their generation today and their hopes for the future.  Mentioned: Connect with Sienna Nazarian https://www.linkedin.com/in/sienna-nazarian/ https://www.refugeeempowermentproject.org/ https://www.instagram.com/refugeeempowermentproject/ Connect with Robbie Khan https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-khazan/ https://kiddobyte.org/ https://www.instagram.com/kiddobyte/ Connect with Dylan Zajac https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanzajac/ https://www.computers4people.org/ https://www.instagram.com/computers4people/ This Episode is sponsored by: Donorbox Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding Links to Resources:If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Did you know that we’re heading into an unprecedented wealth transfer? It’s been said that within the next few decades, as much as 68 trillion in wealth will pass from the Baby Boomers to the next generation, specifically Gen-xers and Millennials. This is a critical moment for nonprofits to connect meaningfully with their potential donors. So how can you best connect with donors in a truly meaningful way?  Rob’s guest on this episode is Lisa Greer, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, a convener and an author as of 2021. She’s the commissioner of the California State Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the chair of the Giving Back Fund, and also has a new book called Philanthropy Revolution: How Inspired Donors Build Relationships and Make a Difference. Lisa Greer, philanthropist and entrepreneur Lisa addresses the potential transfer of massive wealth and what that means for nonprofits. She also shares why more nonprofits need to understand and accept donor-advised funds. One of the things she emphasizes is the need for fundraisers to treat donors as human beings and improve relationships and communication with potential donors. She discusses why nonprofit leaders must protect their organization’s brand, business and staff, and common mistakes to avoid manipulating donors when messaging about funding needs. She also explains the drawbacks of competition in the nonprofit sector as well as the huge opportunity in working with millennials both as potential donors and board members. Lisa shares why she believes nonprofits need to overhaul how they fundraise and how to maintain relationships with donors by treating them with the same care they show the communities they serve. Finally, she gives simple ways organizations can make donors feel valued and appreciated as a person instead of a dollar sign.         Links to Resources: Lisa Greer: https://www.lisagreer.com/ Philanthropy Revolution Book: https://www.philanthropyrevolution.com/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ Donorbox  Holly Rustick Grant Writing & Funding