I Was Told There Would Be Snacks: A Nonprofit Podcast

Are you a nonprofit hero, always going the extra mile, and feeling like you're running on fumes? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of nonprofit burnout with the fabulous Cait Donovan. She discusses how the nonprofit martyr complex can turn a passion project into a full-blown crisis. We'll uncover the sneaky symptoms of burnout, from feeling chronically tired to snapping at your CFO. And...

In an era of workforce shortages, nonprofit leaders are rethinking their benefits packages to include more support for employees, such as parental leave. In this episode, Amy Gore of Think Tennessee and Dr. Mary "MJ" McConnell discuss how parental leave creates equitable opportunity for employees and mitigates turnover.

Have you ever made a terrible mistake while writing a grant or said the wrong thing during a meeting with a foundation? Don't worry, you're not alone. In this episode, grant writer Sara Baker and Tiffanie Grier of Assisi Foundation of Memphis share their insights on how to avoid the most common grant writing pitfalls and what to say when foundation trustees ask you that dreaded question about sust...

Quitting your job can be a tough decision, but it doesn't have to be a messy one. In this episode, Amanda McCollum of Adams Keegan and Forrest Alton of 1000 Feathers discuss how employees can quit their jobs with dignity and how employers can create a smooth transition for outgoing staff.  Whether you're an employee thinking about quitting your job or an employer looking for ways to improve your o...

As a nonprofit professional, your knowledge can help policy makers who need - and often want - your input. In this episode, lobbyist Adam Nickas of Capitol Resources, LLC discusses how to build healthy, productive relationships with your legislators and how to position yourself as an expert on your organization's mission and the communities you serve.  

Thousands of rural nonprofits are currently serving communities throughout Tennessee. Unfortunately, their hard work sometimes goes unnoticed, and their voices aren't represented at many decision-making tables. In this episode, Matthew Marshall of United Way of West Tennessee and Ellen Collins of Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy discuss why rural nonprofits should matter to metr...

Have you ever worked for a nonprofit that felt like a cutthroat competition? Where everyone hoards resources, collaboration is frowned upon, and people lose sleep over fundraising challenges? In short, a nonprofit with a scarcity mindset. In this episode, Hal Cato of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Hannah Lancaster of United Way of Greater Chattanooga discuss how an abundance mindset...

Impact measurement is often seen as extra work to satisfy funders, but it's actually a way for nonprofits to grow, pivot, and better serve their communities. In this episode, guests Brian Straessle of Sycamore Institute and Chrystal Armstrong Brown of United Way of Greater Knoxville discuss why continuous improvement should be a priority for nonprofits and how data can shed light on opportunities...

In the highly polarized world we live in, nonprofits can often find themselves stuck in the middle of politics. This election will no doubt be contentious, and nonprofits must be careful to remain nonpartisan while also advocating for the causes they care about. In this episode, Tiffany Gourley Carter of the National Council of Nonprofits and Sumita Keller of Healing Trust discuss what nonprofits...

This touching episode features two amazing stories filled with heartwarming coincidences, twists, and turns. Discover what Erica Roberts discovered at her grandfather's house that unearthed a family secret connected to her former job at a nonprofit. And find out how fundraising literally saved Christy Passmore's life. Tissues are recommended for this episode!

Momentum Nonprofit Partners rebranded to become Tennessee Nonprofit Network in late 2022, and in just one year, they have grown to serve over 40,000 nonprofit organizations across the state. In this episode, we talk to Abby Garrison of United Way of Greater Chattanooga and Tim Delaney of National Council of Nonprofits about Tennessee Nonprofit Network's incredible growth and impact. We discuss the...

In a recent survey, 30% of departing executive directors reported that they were leaving because of their boards of directors.  Do boards have a big part to play in the recent leadership turnover that's happening across the country?  Sounds like it!  Sometimes boards forget that their CEOs are human beings with feelings and needs and children at home and bills to pay.  How can boards better suppor...

In the nonprofit sector, we can sometimes overuse words to the point where they completely lose their meaning.  Other times, words have an underlying connotation that can alienate your stakeholders.  And  then  there are those pesky words that no one understands, but we use them anyway to sound smart!  How does this impact our communication with funders, clients, and staff?  Does this really help...

Do you feel like your organization is invisible to the general public?  Are you having a hard time fundraising because people just don't know what your organization does?  Time to get a plan together to fight for public awareness!  In this episode, Marvin Stockwell of Champion the Cause and Denzel Alexander of KQ Communications talk about how to employ earned and paid media, providing tips on effe...

In an era of quiet quitting and the "Great Resignation," many nonprofit employees are daydreaming about being their own boss.  Being a nonprofit consultant, though, isn't just a glorious life of lounging poolside drinking margaritas while you write a fund development plan for a nonprofit client!  The consultant life takes discipline, humility, gumption, and a whole lot of money management!  Join n...

Nonprofits need to engage at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that those laws are fair, support nonprofits, and reduce harm to the communities they serve.  Collectively, the million+ nonprofits in the United States have a lot of power, but we have to use it or we could lose it! Despite the importance of public policy to the welfare of our nonprofits and our communities, many nonprofit...

Fundraising doesn't sound like it carries a lot of risk, but it does!  From having a secure donation processing platform to ensuring donor privacy to having a codified resource development plan, nonprofits must be mindful of the risks and liabilities associated with fundraising.  In this episode, we talk with risk management expert Ted Bilich of Risk Alternatives about the do's and don'ts of fundr...

In a work environment, everyone is responsible for ensuring that the organizational culture is healthy and rewarding.  Though ultimately the buck stops with the leader of your nonprofit, every employee must take personal accountability for their role in perpetuating healthy or unhealthy workplaces.  Being mindful of how your own actions impact the culture is important, and self-awareness is a skil...

Human resources can be the most complicated and least fun part of a leader's job, and it's even more difficult when you have to manage a messy employee—or a bunch of them! Messy employees may not have malicious intent, but they can cause all sorts of problems within your organization.  Manipulation, incompetence, insubordination, poor people skills, negative worldviews, and other traits are messy...

If you've ever worked in a toxic workplace, you know how detrimental this can be to you  and the organization as a whole.  Whether it's an abusive boss, a culture driven by unhealthy competition, or just way too much gossip at the water cooler, toxic organizations can zap your energy and make you run for the door.  The worst part of all of this?  Toxicity in your nonprofit organization ultimately...

With thousands of nonprofits, churches, and government agencies fighting poverty in our community, why is poverty still so prevalent? Are we simply putting Band-Aids on the problems without actually addressing the systemic roots of poverty?  In this episode, guests Ayanna Johnson-Watkins of MICAH and Sutton Mora of Community Foundation of Greater Memphis discuss why our current system isn't produc...

During the pandemic, arts organizations were some of the most deeply impacted nonprofits.  They lost revenue from performances and special events, and many were forced to lay off key staff and artists.  The pandemic also inspired innovative ways to deliver programming and engage new audiences.  Though the arts may still struggle in the short-term, is there a renaissance on the horizon?  Pat Mitche...

There's one on every board: the board member with a battle ax.  Whether they're leading a rebellion against the executive director or upending every board meeting, these board members can destroy the reputation of your organization, scare your executive director and staff away, and make the board's job extremely difficult.  In this episode, Susan Schmidt, CEO of Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, will...

In the 1800s, seedy profiteers would travel through the United States selling fake cures to naïve strangers, claiming that their bottles of tonic would cure anything from poor eyesight to tuberculosis.  In the nonprofit space today, we sometimes see similar actions taken by individuals, organizations, and consultants who have a "cure all" for the complex, systemic issues that plague our country. ...

Does natural hair or purple braids impact an African American woman's work performance?  Do your program manager's tattoos impact your her ability to get things done?  Does a teenager in your afterschool program have to wear a collared shirt in order to succeed at life? (Spoiler alert: no to all of these!)  In this episode, we'll talk about respectability politics and how policing our staff and cl...