Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

This is the second episode of the Emerging Young Leaders Series about young emerging nonprofit leaders who really want to invest their lives into making real change in our world. Rob’s guest shares how they’re making their world better by helping more kids access computers, get coding training and prepare them for the future.   Rob’s guest today is Robbie Khazan. He is 17 years old and started Kiddo Byte, a student-run nonprofit organization based in the Boston area. They offer free computer science classes to children who would not otherwise have access to such classes. Now their mission is to give all children an opportunity to experience the magic of coding, regardless of their ability to pay.  Robbie Khazan, founder of Kiddo Byte Robbie discusses why he specifically wanted to create an organization focused on coding and how Kiddo Byte provides free services through funding from various donors and sponsorship grants. He talks about Kiddo Byte’s recent expansion into other cities and breaks down their marketing approach, class structure and his hopes for Kiddo Byte’s future. Robbie also explains why Kiddo Byte’s mission centers on providing free and equitable access to kids across the country, and how he’s passed his passion and vision to other members to keep Kiddo Byte thriving even after he heads to college. Finally, Robbie shares why he chose to launch underneath the umbrella of another nonprofit organization and why he recommends this structure for those who are thinking about starting their own nonprofit.      Links to Resources: Kiddo Byte: https://kiddobyte.org/ Robbie@kiddobyte.org If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Leadership is hard, period. What can make it even more difficult is when those in leadership positions leave and a new staff person has to follow someone who has been in that role for a long time. If that person was the founder of an organization, it’s an even bigger challenge. In fact, there’s a term for this, it’s called “founder’s syndrome”, which has doomed many nonprofits and for-profit businesses. So how does one make a healthy and effective transition in the CEO, Executive Director role? How does that new Executive Leader go about moving forward with innovation and new ideas, while at the same time preserving the core values that have sustained the organization for years? Atlanta Community Food Bank Staff (staff photo) Rob’s guest today is Kyle Waide, the current president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) is one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the country and has about 170 staff, with a cash budget around $40 million a year. It’s part of the Feeding America network of 200 member food banks that serve every county in the United States and provides food and other essential grocery items to a network of about 600 community partners across 29 counties in metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Through that network of partners, ACFB will provide the equivalent of about 100 million meals worth of food to roughly 750,000 people this year.  Kyle discusses his leadership style and how his predecessor really shaped the values of the company as well as inspired him to not only maintain continuity, but help his team take on new opportunities with more focus and collaboration. He shares why ACFB’s hiring process centers on finding people that embrace the company’s core values, culture and mission. Also, he explains what food insecurity means and how his team gets to the root of the issues causing food insecurity so they can truly be a resource for the community and the people they serve. He goes on to describe the leaders who have impacted him the most and how he’s navigated the challenge of preserving the legacy of leadership that he inherited over the past 6 years. Finally, Kyle sheds light on how ACFB plans to sustain their current level of activity so they can continue distributing food to those in need and keep their organization financially stable and energized. Links to Resources: Atlanta Community Food Bank: https://www.acfb.org/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

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.  Jasper van Brakel, CEO of RSF Social Finance Rob’s guest today is Jasper van Brakel, the CEO of RSF Social Finance. RSF has supported more than 2000 social entrepreneurs since 1984 and provides loans for profit and nonprofit and social enterprises in the United States and Canada, and also works as a donor-advised fund sponsor with individuals on their individual giving strategies.  Jasper sheds light on the differences between for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and why for-profit organizations must be purpose driven. He explains RSF’s involvement in the alternative ownership movement and why they support new ways for for-profit entities to provide shareholders some economic benefit. On the same note, he shares how RSF helps nonprofits with growth capital and why he believes more businesses will focus on aligning with customer values by establishing a foundation or social enterprise. Jasper also breaks down RSF’s quarterly community pricing gatherings and how they work to resolve tension surrounding financial returns. He discusses mission drift and why tough conversations around cash flow and financial health are necessary and the importance of alignment commitment for organizations to keep moving forward. Finally, Jasper highlights how RSF chooses projects to invest in and their relationship-driven and collaborative approach to decision making to ensure RSF stays true to its mission of helping to create an economy rooted in equity, healing, and interconnectedness.    Links to Resources: RSF Social Finance: https://rsfsocialfinance.org/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.orgTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Good to Great by Jim Collins is a fantastic leadership book that discusses how great companies each have a common trait of finding a way to continue growing and innovating, year after year. And according to Collins’ research, one of the key ways these companies achieve greatness is by preserving the core while stimulating progress. How can you do the same so that you might have a great organization? Rob’s guest today has successfully implemented this into her leadership experience at the Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Rob’s guest today is the Ronald McDonald House Charities President and CEO, Kelly Dolan. The Ronald McDonald House Charities programs help alleviate some financial burdens for families with sick children and provide nearly $772 million in hotel and meals expenses. Kelly Dolan, President and CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities Kelly shares her transition from Chief Marketing and Development Officer to CEO, and the long term benefits of succession planning and promoting from within your organization. She breaks down the importance of coaching and mentoring the talent you have, regardless of the size of your organization, and outlines the 3 core programs of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the full continuum of care they strive to provide families and communities in need. Kelly discusses why communication, strong relationships and trust are vital for any nonprofit or organization to build a solid foundation that actually allows them to innovate, pivot and continue services in times of crisis like the current pandemic. In addition, she recalls how she navigated her most challenging leadership decisions and why she believes a calm presence and empathy are crucial when it comes to leading in this new normal. Finally, Kelly describes why staying current on politics, pop culture and reading biographies are her top choice to broaden her awareness as a leader.        Links to Resources: Ronald McDonald House Charities: https://rmhc.org/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Almost everyone is familiar with the YMCA, especially because of the Village People’s infamous song. But many don’t know that the Y, with all of its nationwide affiliates, is actually one of the largest nonprofits, not only in the US, but in the world.  Rob’s guest today is the current but retiring President and CEO of the YMCA of the USA, Kevin Washington. After 43 years of service, Kevin is handing off the baton to the next leader to take the YMCA to the future. YMCA of the USA is a federated organization that manages 800 federate associates as part of their national network. There are 2,700 physical YMCA branch locations across all 50 states, with programs in over 10,000 communities serving 22 million members and counting.  Kevin Washington, past President and CEO of the YMCA of the USA Kevin recalls his own experience of how the Y found him and his journey from being a member to becoming the organization’s President. He explains how COVID forced the YMCA to quickly pivot and why collaboration with the newly formed federal coalition to support nonprofits was vital to continue providing services for communities. Kevin describes the barriers they’ve had to overcome during the pandemic and why working together is always key, regardless of political beliefs. He also highlights the importance of trust and transparency, and how long term relationships with donors helped secure unrestricted funds when it mattered most. On the same note, Kevin discusses why he believes nonprofit leadership requires significant levels of humbleness, empathy, innovation and boldness and the willingness to risk going against the status quo if it means moving your organization forward. Finally, Kevin shares the greatest opportunities and challenges the next CEO of the YMCA will face, and how the “Summer of George Floyd” and believing in our youth has bolstered his hope for the future.  Links to Resources: Kevin Washington Kwashington@ymca.net Meet the new CEO through this link. YMCA Website  https://www.ymca.org/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.orgTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Diversity, equity and inclusion are on the hearts and minds of every nonprofit leader today. After the events of last year, we started having conversations about these topics like never before. Rob’s guest took the helm of an organization that for the last 25 years, has made equity and inclusion the very focus of their mission efforts. Lysa Ratliff, CEO of Kaboom Rob’s guest today is Lysa Ratliff, the new CEO of Kaboom. Kaboom brings kids and communities together to design, imagine and dream about what their play space should look like. Kaboom then brings them together along with volunteers and community members to make their vision a reality in order to achieve play space equity. Lysa describes how her own childhood experience influenced her current passion for play space equity and how solid partnerships and focusing on kids has led to Kaboom’s steady growth over the last several years. She explains why kids are always worth investing in and the importance of unifying resources to tackle problems that can’t be solved alone. She describes Kaboom’s core values and why data around these values is critical to decision making, understanding where the need is greatest, and helps hold themselves accountable for the outcomes of their work. Lysa discusses how the pandemic forced Kaboom to view their work in new ways, shift from project level work to system level change, and tap into resources to build partnerships. She talks about how and why they adjusted policies to be more aligned with their core values and ensure they have an approach that really centers on community and equity. Finally, she details how to build collaborative relationships and the most important leadership skills she’s learned along the way.  Links to Resources: Kaboom https://kaboom.org/ Kaboom on Twitter https://twitter.com/kaboom Race Equity Journey https://media.kaboom.org/docs/KABOOM!-Race-Equity-Journey.pdf Lysa Ratliff on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lysa-ratliff-47094411/ If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.orgTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

The relationship between a nonprofit’s board and a nonprofit’s staff can often become the demise of many nonprofits. To start a healthy relationship for any nonprofit board, it’s crucial to have a solid and clear relationship between the CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit, and its board, especially the Board Chair. Rob’s guest addresses how to turn a dysfunctional board into a healthy one.  Rob’s guest today is James Mueller, who’s had extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and is the President of a consulting firm that works with nonprofit boards. James is also the author of a new book entitled Onboarding Champions: The Seven Recruiting Principles of Highly Effective Nonprofit Boards. James Mueller James shares what an effective and equitable board looks like and the first step to building one rooted in core values. He believes using criteria like how is one’s decision making, creative thinking, character and openness to a diverse culture as being critical for board selection rather than relying solely on business acumen. James explains why more nonprofits must draw a clear line between governance and management while providing education in board governance, strategic recruitment and robust onboarding. He recommends focused sessions that address a range of issues from diversity, equity and inclusion to fundraising, in order to prevent boards from becoming dysfunctional. Finally, James shares what conversations are really important to have for a healthy board, the core responsibilities of board leadership and why board members must shift their thinking from “you” to “we”.             Links to Resources: James Mueller https://jmuellerassociates.com/ Onboarding Champions: The Seven Recruiting Principles of Highly Effective Nonprofit Boards https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QKY8HLW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.orgTo be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Eric Linssen, Demand Generation at Community Boost Marketing is an area nonprofit leaders tend to underestimate when it comes to the impact effective marketing can have. What is the best model for growing your nonprofit through your marketing, which platforms are best suited for attracting and retaining new donors, and why is the Google Ad Grant such a great way for nonprofits to inexpensively expand their marketing? Rob’s guest is here to answer all of these questions by providing key learnings around nonprofit marketing as well as details about a Marketing Summit specifically designed for nonprofit organizations.  Rob’s guest today is Eric Linssen, who has the role of Demand Generation at Community Boost. Community Boost is a marketing company that works directly with around 200 nonprofits in almost every digital domain and helps them scale online revenue impact by managing Facebook and Instagram ads, providing education and support for Google Ad Grants, and also helps create content, SEO, website design, and building recurring giving programs.   Eric breaks down details around Community Boost’s Nonprofit Marketing Summit and how it’s an excellent resource that provides tactical insights to nonprofit marketing you can implement immediately. He explains how COVID forced the event to move online but ultimately led to exponential growth, increasing their reach from 2500 nonprofits to over 10,000 organizations in just a few months. Eric also discusses why it’s important for nonprofits to measure how they’re enrolling, engaging and empowering stakeholders, and why Facebook and Instagram are the best social media platforms to build your online presence and attract more donors. Finally, he explains what Google Ad Grants are and why it’s worth it to research and prioritize this opportunity for your organization to earn up to $120K in free advertising!   Links to Resources: Community Boost https://www.communityboost.org Nonprofit Marketing Summit https://www.nonprofitmarketingsummit.org/ Coupon Code: NPOLeader 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/

Just like the US, Brazil was hit really hard with COVID, and the Lemann Foundation was instrumental in forming a coalition of leaders to figure out how they could develop and distribute, what became the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine that now has been deployed throughout the country. This foundation has been particularly successful at building coalitions of leaders from a wide range of sectors, including the government, for-profit and nonprofit sectors in order to address some of Brazil’s biggest challenges. They were also deeply involved in Brazil’s COVID response. Lemann Foundation Rob’s guest today is the first nonprofit leader from the country of Brazil to be on the show. Denis Mizne is the CEO of the Lemann Foundation, which is one of Brazil’s leading nonprofit foundations that led the way in transforming educational opportunities in Brazil. The Lemann Foundation’s mission is to make Brazil a more just and equitable place by guaranteeing access to high quality public education for Brazilians of all backgrounds, while supporting the development of leaders committed to the social transformation of Brazil. Denis explains how the coalition was built and what led to its success, along with the role of nonprofits when it comes to solving complex problems and why facilitating dialogue is crucial, especially in a polarized political environment. He shares advice for other NGOs and nonprofits to leverage existing resources to tackle big issues by creating a plan, engaging stakeholders and monitoring where support is needed to help shift policies. Finally, Denis sheds light on the emotional and long term impacts of COVID, particularly for Brazil’s school-aged children, why it was vital to establish a national learning standard and the importance of improving school connectivity for the future of Brazil.     Links to Resources: Lemann Foundation: Website | Twitter | Linkedin |  Denis Mizne: Linkedin If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/

Every little swimmers’ goal is to stand on that podium at the Olympics, but it all starts with that first jump in the water and someone to show you how. Elizabeth Beisel, three-time olympian swimmer and 2016 USA swim team captain Rob’s guest is Elizabeth Beisel, a three-time olympian swimmer and the 2016 USA swim team captain. During her career, she won two Olympic medals and multiple world championships. Jumping into the pool for the first time at the age of five, it only took Elizabeth ten years to become an olympian. Over her grueling career, she learned that once you step on the blocks, it’s all about your mentality when you want to take it to that next level. Since retiring, she has turned her attention towards the nonprofit sector while continuing to keep her focus on swimming. Elizabeth was recently selected to serve on the USA Swimming Foundation board of directors.  The USA Swimming Foundation provides grants to local clubs, and has donated $3 million in the past several years. Their hope is that they can remove the financial barrier that might stand between low-income families and learning how to swim. To do this, they must fundraise, which mostly consists of donors who are in or around the sport. Elizabeth knows that maintaining their donor and volunteer base is vital to maintaining a successful and stable nonprofit. Links to Resources:Check out the USA Swimming Foundation to make a difference! If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at: rob@ccofpc.org To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ *Repost of a previous podcast.