Nonprofit Lowdown

Today, we're talking about a really cool topic - using hostage negotiation tactics in fundraising. Our guest today is none other than Troy Smith, a seasoned hostage negotiator who's going to share his expertise with us. We'll dive into what hostage negotiation is, how the principles of it can be applied to fundraising, and the key takeaways that fundraisers need to keep in mind when using these te...

In this interview, I talk about Donor-Advised Funds or DAFs and crypto donations with Alexis Miller, who is the donor engagement and strategic partnerships lead at Endaoment.   Listen to this entire podcast episode if you want to know more about NFTs, DAOs, and a lot more interesting topics of cryptocurrencies in the nonprofit space. Alexis will help everyone understand these concepts related...

In this episode, Adam Michael Royston and Marvin Vilma are back and they're diving into the hot topic of East Coast vs. West Coast fundraising. These two fundraising experts have a wealth of experience between them, and they're bringing their unique perspectives to the table to give listeners a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities between fundraising on opposite coasts.  F...

In this delightful podcast episode, Yamilee Toussaint Beach shares her wealth of knowledge and experience in scaling up her nonprofit STEM from Dance. She explains how having a clear mission and vision, strong leadership, and a dedicated team are essential for any nonprofit looking to grow. One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of investment in skills building for leaders. Ya...

In this interview with Jason Frazell, we discuss the three levels of listening and how they can impact our ability to connect with others, particularly in the context of fundraising. Listen in to find out the difference between pretend listening, active listening, and energetic listening. We also discuss how the need to be right or how operating in scarcity can keep us in a transactional, not rela...

Happy 2023 everyone! 🎇 To start off our year right, join me and Hardy Smith to discuss his book Stop the Nonprofit Blame Game. Hardy and I touch on some of the hot-button 🔴 issues like why board members don't do what they're supposed to do (i.e. fundraising), what the role of the governance and fundraising committees are and how board chairs manage (or don't) in real life. This is an eye-opening...

We are in our very last week of 2022 and I think we can all agree, it has been a lot. After the upheaval of the pandemic, I feel like life is back to normal-ish. And what I've been hearing from a lot of you is that you are feeling really tired and so that you find some time at the end of the year to enjoy it with your friends and family.  Here's a fun way to wrap up our year, I have decided t...

Happy holidays, friends. As we wind down, I wanted to give you the gift of this podcast episode with my dear friend Glasa Gottschalk. Glasa is a coach who specializes in working with women of color. We talk about Glasa's own professional journey, how coaching is different than therapy, how coaching can help you progress in your career and in life and how to make the case to hire a coach. Glasa is...

Join me and my guests Christal Cherry and Renee Rubin Ross to talk about doing DEIAB work right. Often our boards lag behind the efforts of the staff and this dynamic duo helps to bring your board up to speed on issues of equity and inclusion. We talk about the myth of diversity vs. wealth, how to work with folks who don't think they have a problem and their tactics to start boards on this work. W...

Join me and co-founder of Pond, Mitch Stein, to talk about the power of community building, the role of trust in doing business with nonprofits and what pink sherbert has to do with marketing. Mitch is the founder of the online platform Pond that helps nonprofits and consultants connect. Part of his journey was building trusting and authentic relationships when trust was not a given. Join us to he...

When I get depressed about the future and the state of the world, I want you to listen to this podcast episode. Meghana Gunturi is an enterprising 16-year-old who runs four clubs, is a full-time student, and has successfully launched an international nonprofit. Join me and Meghana as we talk about how to leverage the power of Gen Z, how nonprofits can start to work with Gen Z, and what the heck yo...

Man oh man, do I love a good quiz. Chalk it up to my being of the YM generation 📣 (shout out to my Gen X'ers!) Join me and Brian Saber to deconstruct your Asking Style. Did you know that there are four kinds and that you have a primary and secondary style? Learn more about your strengths and how to partner with others to compensate for your weaknesses. This is a really fun conversation that helps...

Join me and my friend Erika Carley, AKA Queen of Monthly Giving to learn about Chive Charities and their incredible monthly giving program. 4K monthly donors, 98% month-over-month retention rate. Need I say more? Erika shares how to design, manage and grow a monthly giving program. We talk about her best strategies, what she's learned, and how there is no silver bullet to making people feel cared...

The world of obtaining funds through grants can be so confusing and time-consuming. Between prospect research, developing relationships, grant writing, and stewardship, it can feel overwhelming. Join me in today's session with Gauri Manglik, Co-Founder of Instrumentl, to discuss trends she's seeing, how to be grant-ready and how her platform might help streamline the process. For my listeners, Ins...

For all my peeps in the nonprofit world, leadership in the last few years has been...a lot. Between the pandemic, national racial reckoning, economic turbulence, remote working, and staff feelings, it ain't easy out here in these streets. Join me and organizational consultant and healer Emily Frieze-Kemeny to talk about how we progress without losing our minds and our well-being. We discuss the ch...

You literally cannot afford to not listen to this podcast. Join me and my friend/financial advisor/girlcrush Marissa Nehlsen to talk all about the money. We discuss her humble beginnings, her definition of what rich means and how we can start to deploy our resources to live our richest life. Scarcity mindset? Fear of money? Worried about the long-term financial health of you and your family? This...

Join the epic Joan Garry for a chat about how we attract and retain talent in the sector, how to prepare for the next generation of leaders and why talking to your board about Hawaii makes sense. Joan has a long history of leading, consulting, and advising in the nonprofit world and it's a delight to speak with her. She and I bring our soapboxes so get ready! Connect with Joan Garry Quote from Joa...

Retirement is a Race Issue with Chitra Aiyar. What comes up for you when I say retirement? Are old people golfing in Florida? Think again. Join me and my dear friend Chitra Aiyar as we discuss why retirement is a generational/racial wealth gap issue, and what nonprofit employers can do to support workers. Working in the nonprofit sector shouldn't have to mean sacrificing your long-term financial w...

When the ED/DoD relationship works it can be a magical thing and set everyone up for success.  When it doesn't...well, it just sucks. What makes the partnership work?  Join me, DeNora Getachew and Jen Moore as we explore what a professional marriage between a CEO and VP of Development looks like. What was the process DeNora went through? How did she make the org appealing to good candida...

When I was an ED, leading my team sometimes felt like fumbling around in the dark looking for the path forward. Enter my friend Dr. Patton McDowell. Patton provides a roadmap and framework for nonprofit leaders. Whether you're a new leader, a leader looking to grow or an experienced leader ready for the next step, this interview will provide insights about the next step. Isn't clarity what we all...

Ever wondered what an interim Executive Director actually does? Are they supposed to keep the trains running on time or clean house for the new ED? What is it like to be the Mary Poppins for an organization in transition? Learn the answer to all these and more with my favorite NPO Mary Poppins Diana Breen who is a career interim Executive Director. She manages transitions with calm, skill and grac...

Join me and expert fundraiser Sherry Quam Taylor as we talk about making big ass asks.  We discuss board and staff reluctance to engage personally with donors, how we're mismanaging our board's time and efforts, and where we really need to spend our time with our investment-level donors. This was an insightful conversations and Sherry drops value bombs all over the place. Are you ready to sca...

Ah, times--they are a-changing. In the last year, the dynamics of leading and being responsive to visibility, equity and social justice have never been higher stakes. We know we want to be equity-centered, anti-racist leaders, but where do we even begin? Join me and my friend Alfonso and Trina as we discuss what it really takes to lead equity-based practices, how to do culture change (like, for re...

In this episode, we’re going to discuss development 3.0 with my friend, Sarah Danzig Simon, the head of development for Uncommon Schools. Join me and Sarah as she talks about the lessons she has learned in fundraising to inspire those new fundraisers listening out there who want guidance and wisdom from those of us in the nonprofit. You will also learn about what people do, especially those who ha...

Happy Black Philanthropy Month!  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jackie Copeland who is the founder of Black Philanthropy Month and April Walker, fundraising consultant.  April and Dr. Jackie speak from their lived experiences as Black women in philanthropy.  In this important talk, we discuss how the Black community can fund Black causes, the importance of giving to Black-led gra...