Nonprofit Lowdown

Join me and my friend and mentor Cynthia Rivera Weissblum for some sound advice and comfort on leading your nonprofit during these tumultuous times.  Cindy has been both an Executive Director and now oversees the Edwin Gould Foundation as CEO.  Her advice comes from a thirty year history in the sector coupled with her deep empathy and wisdom.  Some takeaway thoughts include: How and...

In this interview from our webinar series, we're talking with Minna Taylor, Founder of Energize Your Voice, about how to effectively communicate with your team via Zoom, how your content is the LEAST important thing that you're communicating and how to harness your breath and body for impactful communication.  This is a must-listen for leaders who want to maximize their impact, especially in...

We are all going through a challenging time right now, but it won't be forever.  Dr. Lisette Nieves is one of the kindest, wisest and most effective leaders I've had the pleasure of knowing.  Listen into a recent interview with her where we talk about how to both hold space for people's emotions while also looking at the opportunities ahead of us.  She provides both truth and hope i...

Today's guest is none other than the phenomenal Kaya Henderson.  Among many accomplishments, she was the former Chancellor of DC Public Schools, Executive Director of Teach for America DC, and a Spanish teacher in the Bronx.  Kaya knows a thing or two about leading through challenging circumstances and this chat was both a warm hug and a fire in the belly.  Kaya shares her perspecti...

As fundraisers, this COVID-19 has presented more than a few challenges.  Join me and master fundraiser Kara Logan Berlin to talk about what savvy development directors are doing now, what to communicate to your funders and how to come out stronger when this ends.  Kara has raised millions of dollars and is passionately committed to teaching people how to do development well.  We are...

“Leadership is accepting responsibility for enabling others to achieve shared purpose in the face of uncertainty” -Marshall Ganz Now more than ever, we are facing uncertainty.  We all have a choice to make: will we grow and rise to meet the challenge and lean into this moment to create grace and community or will we let fear lead us to make ourselves smaller?  Join me and master fundrais...

I know you're stressed out, worried about what's happening now and uncertain about the future.  In the midst of all this COVID-19 madness, don't forget that you need to take care of yourself.  Join me and my naturopathic doctor, Dr. Gabrielle Francis, as we discuss strategies to take care of yourself, especially as an empath in this work.  We talk about signs of adrenal fatigue, die...

I invited my pal Heather Malin to talk about the state of fundraising in these challenging times.  Heather is an expert fundraiser and we talk about strategies that fundraisers can implement right now, how to survive and how to move forward in the face of recession.  With obstacle comes opportunity and those who adapt will survive.  Take a listen and let me know what other supports...

Join me and my friend (and first boss!) Sam Marks to understand the financial side of nonprofits.  As the new CEO of FJC: A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds, we talk about what exactly a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is, how nonprofits who need a loan to even out cash flow can get one, why it's important to get a handle on your expenses and what he's learned from over twenty years in the social s...

Fakequity= Fake equity.  Like when you're in a meeting and someone repeats something a person of color said and takes credit for it.  Or when "These people need..." or "They need to..." is said.  Or when someone misses a previous meeting and then questions the decision made.  Or when being short on time is used to justify NOT asking the community that is impacted.  Or when...

If I had a nickel for every time an ED complained that their board was not raising money, not engaged or not working, I'd never have to fundraise.  Join me for this chat with Cindi Phallen to learn about how to re-invigorate your board, avoid a bored board, recruit according to your organizational goals and why staff members should never be on a board meeting agenda.  Cindi brings a weal...

Ever wonder why mergers and acquisitions are not so common in the nonprofit world?  Ever wondered about the nuts and bolts of leading a merger?  Join me and my friend Daniel as we discuss the nitty-gritty of a nonprofit merger.  Daniel has been a long-time nonprofit executive and, most recently, the Executive Director of Mouse.org.  Under his leadership, Mouse successfully merg...

Join me for this incredibly candid and vulnerable interview with Iris Chen.  Iris was one of the founding members of Teach for America and has built her career in education and social justice over the last twenty years.  We talk about perceptions of Asian-American leadership, what we have learned the hard way and what drives Iris after all these years.  Iris reflects on the ups and...

For folks of color who are trying to do big things in the world, fundraising can feel like pushing an endless rock up a hill.  Join me and Liza Mueller, VP of Knowledge at Echoing Green, to hear the data that backs up the lived experience.  Not surprisingly, women and folks of color raise significantly less funding than their white male counterparts.  Interestingly, this disparity s...

Join me and my new friend Karla Monterroso to talk about her important work as CEO of Code2040.  In today's high-flying tech economy, Code 2040 is committed to dismantling racial barriers that keep Latinx and Black tech workers from the highest levels of leadership.  Karla shares the work that she does with the tech community and beyond to help break down the systemic barriers to racial...

Instagram--it's a lifestyle choice.  Join me and my new bud Brandy Henry to talk about how and why nonprofits should be all over Instagram like white on rice.   In the sea of confusing social media choices and too much to do, Brandy breaks down some easy steps to get started with IG and how to not get overwhelmed.  The best piece of news: Brandy is willing to help you out for F...

Founders: they are among the most amazing and maddening people.  Many founders struggle as sustaining Executive Directors because the skills that helped you to start a nonprofit are different than the skills needed to be an enduring leader.  It takes a lot of reflection, maturity and grace to move from founder to mature ED.  Join me as we chat with Jai Nanda who has gone from a foun...

You guys--this convo BLEW MY MIND.  I usually try not to fangirl, but Susan Scott is so unbelievably amazing.  She shares insights from her top-selling book Fierce Conversations and Fierce Leadership to help you have the fierce and necessary conversations with your employees, your family and your friends.  This conversation is truthful, honest and whole-hearted.  I felt changed...

Happy 2020, friends!  Today's podcast is my hope for your 2020.  I hope and wish you good health.  How many of us sacrifice our health and well-being for the cause?  Join me and my friend Liza Baker, recovering nonprofit executive and health coach, to get tips about how to start taking care of yourself through food, exercise and little habits that can make a huge difference. &n...

How many of us would love to be funded by Robin Hood?  Ever wondered if you've hit a ceiling with your fundraising efforts?  Today my guest is Suzi Epstein, Managing Director of the Robin Hood Foundation who discusses a free program for nonprofits at Robin Hood to up their game, some of the mistakes that she sees on proposals and what it takes to qualify for Robin Hood funding.  Ple...

This episode is coming in HOT!  As we head into end-of-year fundraising, Kara breaks down how we need to flip the switch in our own minds about fundraising.  We talk about the mindset and psychology of an effective fundraiser, how to shake it off (hint: it's not about YOU), the power dynamics for fundraisers of color and how to retain our fundraisers.  Kara is funny, direct and an e...

For the busy nonprofit executive, it just feels like social media falls to the bottom of your very long to-do list, amirite?  It's all so overwhelming--so many platforms, not enough time.  Join me and my guest Julia Campbell to talk about how to leverage social media effectively to build community for your cause, how to stop using it like a billboard and how to avoid common mistakes (spo...

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!  It's particularly fitting that today's post is with my friend Kishshana: truth-teller, inspo and fundraiser extraordinaire.  I'm thankful to have people like Ms. Kishshana in my life.  Join today's no-holds-barred convo about the unique challenges that women of color (especially Black women) face in major gift fundraising, what happens behind closed doors...

Today I'm chilling with the Big Poppa of the New York nonprofit world, Rich Berlin.  Rich walks us through the quick history of Harlem RBI that has since become multi-service wraparound school called Dream.  Rich tells us how his organization went from almost closing to its current $40M a year budget.  He shares his thoughts about board recruitment, board management and how to prepa...

As we careen towards year-end, we know all you fundraisers are out burning the midnight oil.  Annual appeal, Giving Tuesday, making budget, oh my!  My guest Patrick Kirby FEELS YOU .  Take a quick 30 minutes to take a listen to this fun episode.  Patrick and I talk about why people dread fundraising, what happens when boards and executives don't know how to fundraise (spoiler a...