NP Local

What is Money Mindset and how might yours affect your fundraising?  Listen as special guest Lacey Mellott and host Scott Niermann, discuss how to discern and shape your attitude and concepts surrounding money, and use it to improve your fundraising conversations and donor relationships. Episode Highlights: Lacey defines money mindset and explains how cultural taboos and personal experiences shape...

Have you ever wondered what drives people to make a gift - even a really big gift? In this short episode, Cass and Niermann discuss reasons why people give, and the emotional connections with, and benefits to, those who give. Episode Highlights: Exploring the connection between emotions and decisions to donate to charity Discussing personal updates and the hosts' experiences with philanthropy Delv...

Having trouble closing major gifts? Unsure how to approach major gifts? Let's think about what NOT to do, and talk about a better way.  In this episode, Niermann and Cass talk about experiences in sales and fundraising, both mistakes they have made and successes they have had, and lessons learned through each case. Episode Highlights: Jason Cass explains the importance of managing major gifts in n...

After a hiatus of several months, listen as Cass and Niermann get real about future podcast episodes (send in your feedback and tell us what you need!).  This episode also emphasizes the importance of executive or leadership coaching, as Scott shares about the value he has seen with an Executive Coach to help level up his game. Episode Highlights: Jason mentions a thought-provoking book “Think Aga...

Do more complex, major gifts confuse you?  Do you wonder how to land stock, IRA, real estate, or other significant gifts for your nonprofit?  If you are just getting started understanding these things, don't miss this episode of the NP Local podcast hosted by Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, so you can begin talking with donors about gifts of appreciated assets, including real estate, personal colle...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Jason Cass and Scott Niermann discuss the well-known "Fundraising Cycle" - six steps to facilitate donor engagement.  Variations of this model exist, but the principles remain the same. Join us as we explore the stages of donor engagement in the fund development process. Episode Highlights: Scott discusses the first two stages of the fundraising cycle which...

This episode features a dynamic discussion between Cass and Niermann about organizational readiness for fundraising. The discussion also dips into some principles for major gift conversations and the capital campaign Niermann is currently engaged in. Episode Highlights: Jason discusses the challenges faced in the advertising and insurance fields, which include the effects of budget trimming and st...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Jason Cass and Scott Niermann discuss further the CEO and CDO roles in fundraising leadership. Specifically, why do we want CEOs involved in fundraising, and how should we think about and engage their leadership role when working with donors?   Episode Highlights: Scott mentions that successful fundraising requires an organization's Executive Leadership. (2...

Listen as Niermann and Cass discuss leadership roles in fundraising for small and larger nonprofits, with an emphasis on the importance of a CEO's engagement in the process. The Board of Directors also has a role, but the importance of the CEO's role cannot be overstated.  Listen and learn more! Episode Highlights: Scott discusses the growth of his organization over the past few years. (1:18) Scot...

A leader's engagement is critical to engaging the team and organizational success. Check out Part II of NP Local Podcast on Employee Engagement as it relates to productivity, burnout, and "quiet quitting." Episode Highlights: Scott discusses the critical role of trust in team engagement. (1:46) Jason mentions that one way to avoid quiet quitting is to ensure that everyone realizes that they each h...

In many cases, employee burnout leads to "quiet quitting" and the Great Resignation. What is "quiet quitting" and how can leaders combat this threat to your organization's mission through better engagement? Episode Highlights: Scott explains what “quiet quitting" is and how to prevent it in your organization. (2:35) Scott provides an example of leader engagement and shares that over the last ten y...

Are you too stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed? "Busy" is the new normal. Dr. Garland Vance says busyness is an overcommitment to too many good things - and that it will kill you! If you aren't meeting the goals you set in your personal and professional life, check out this episode with Dr. Vance, to learn more about living with purpose, productivity, and peace. Episode Highlights: Dr. Vance disc...

If you are a nonprofit employee, board member, or volunteer feeling worn down or even a sense of burnout, listen to Part II of this series of the NP Local podcast hosted by Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, for a discussion on the current nonprofit environment and some ways to address your burnout, and the challenges it creates for your organization. Episode Highlights: Scott believes that there are...

Are you a nonprofit employee, board member, or volunteer feeling worn down or even a sense of burnout? Do you understand how critical it is to your organization that you recognize the symptoms and signs of burnout, and address them accordingly?  Listen to this episode of the NP Local podcast hosted by Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, for a discussion on the current nonprofit environment and some way...

As a leader, you want and need to have influence - but how do you begin? It's really all about others and how you treat them, and not so much about you! In this episode of the NP Local podcast hosted by Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, listen to a short episode based on John Maxwell's book by the same title. Episode Highlights: Scott discusses the first key point from John Maxwell's book, Becoming a...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast Jason Cass and Scott Niermann discuss how a leader takes care of their team. Whether you supervise nonprofit, for-profit, or volunteer staff, check out this brief discussion for some ideas about leading your team well. Episode Highlights: Jason shares that different types of relationships all have similarities in what they require, and this starts with appre...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Join Jason Cass and Scott Niermann as they discuss the most important forms of nonprofit insurance, and the latest tips and tricks to be sure your agent gets you the best coverage. You don't want to miss this episode if you are shopping for insurance policies, wondering if your agent is doing the best work for your nonprofit organization, or if you want to...

Join NP Local co-host Scott Niermann and special guest Paul Bowman, President of The Holston Foundation (Alcoa, TN), a 25-year veteran of fundraising, as they discuss planned giving vehicles and some tips about starting, enhancing, or growing your donor gift planning program. Episode Highlights: Scott introduces Paul Bowman, President of The Holston Foundation. (1:03) Paul discusses planned giving...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast Join co-host Scott Niermann and special guest Amanda Squibb, Executive Director of Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin (Klamath Falls, OR) as they discuss lessons learned through the years of organizing special events, and even hybrid events! Consider the purposes of hosting special events and the expected or likely ROI for this fundraising/friend-raisin...

Why should a nonprofit organization partner or collaborate with a corporation? How do you find the right business partnership and open the door to great opportunities? In this episode of the NP Local podcast, join host Scott Niermann and special guest Cheryle N. Yallen of CNY Nonprofit Strategies to discuss a "good fit" partnership and essential components of that corporate-nonprofit relationship....

In this episode of NP Local podcast, concluding the series on "the missing middle," a few examples are discussed from organizations who addressed the problem of retaining mid-range donors. Important strategies are discussed including knowing your middle donor data, using your volunteer network, creating middle donor processes, creating giving "clubs," donor motivations, personalization and more! E...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, continue discussing the "missing middle"—an issue for almost all nonprofits. This 2008 research informs nonprofit managers on the issue and proposes several concepts and strategies to address this problem. Episode Highlights: Scott explains that the “missing middle” was the money that has been missing in the nonprofit industry...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Jason Cass and Scott Niermann, discuss the "missing middle" which is an issue for almost all nonprofits, in that 40-60% of annual/event donors are not retained a second year after their first gift. This 2008 research informs nonprofit managers on the issue and proposes several concepts and strategies to address it. Episode Highlights: Scott discusses the "S...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, Jason Cass and Scott Niermann talk about the Donor Bill of Rights, which was created in 1993 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and The Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Nonprofits.  Learn how to check your organization a...

In this episode of the NP Local podcast, host Jason Cass and Scott Niermann are joined by Scott McFarland, Executive Director at Missouri Community Service Commission. Volunteers are an important part of a nonprofit: they are donors of time, similar to donors of money. Therefore, good program management for the volunteer corps and appropriate time allocation and training for staff in these roles i...