Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast

Summer is officially here -- are you starting to have that sinking feeling that you're falling behind? Did “January-You” make exciting and bold plans for 2024 but “Mid-Year You” is nowhere near achieving them? I see you 👀 And I have good news for you: You don't have to feel guilty for changing your plans! It’s not too late to save your year. During this info-packed workshop, I share act...

 In this episode, I break down how to get the opportunity to speak at a conference to do double duty as a cultivation vehicle also! By focusing on pre-event preparation, engaging interactions during the event, and personalized post-event follow-up, you can transform conference opportunities into meaningful donor engagement opportunities. What You'll Learn How to prepare for a conference to ma...

In today’s episode, I conclude our mini-series on donor cultivation by exploring the crucial fourth dimension: trust. If you missed the earlier episodes, I highly recommend starting there for a comprehensive understanding. Today, we'll discuss how to demonstrate your organization’s impact, strategic planning, and trustworthiness to potential donors.   What You'll Learn: How to prove your...

In this episode, I delve into the third dimension of donor cultivation: affinity. Understanding and nurturing potential donors' affinity for your mission is crucial for building lasting relationships. If you missed the first two episodes, I recommend starting there for a complete overview. Today, we explore how to engage donors who already resonate with your mission, making them feel even mor...

 In today’s episode, I continue our mini-series on donor cultivation, focusing on how nonprofit leaders can build meaningful relationships with potential donors by deepening their understanding. We dive into the second dimension of donor cultivation: understanding. This episode is all about helping your potential donors grasp the core of your mission and how you achieve it, fostering a sense of ex...

In this 4-part strategy mini-series, I break down what it truly means to build relationships with your donors. Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned that the essence of successful fundraising lies in understanding and implementing the four dimensions of donor cultivation: knowledge, understanding, affinity, and trust. I’ll walk through the reason this is such an important topic to focus on, and I’l...

Do you often feel overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings and never-ending tasks? In this episode, I share my tried-and-true weekly planning ritual that has helped me and countless nonprofit leaders stay on top of our work while keeping our long-term goals in sight. As we approach the end of the first half of the year, it's time to reflect and recalibrate. Let's dive into a process that ens...

In this episode, I reflect on some enlightening conversations with leaders from my Next Level Nonprofit program. This week, I revisit discussions with Darcy Richie and Toya Lillard, exploring the essential elements of building and sustaining high-impact nonprofit teams. We dive into how to foster trust and respect within teams, the evolving nature of leadership post-COVID, and strategies for achie...

In this episode, I reflect on conversations with inspiring leaders from my Next Level Nonprofit program. We delve into the core of sustainable leadership, exploring how to lead in a way that fuels our passion and honors our whole selves. I revisit dialogues with Kishishana Palmer, Chitra Aiyar, and Reverend Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson, discussing the weight of leadership, the importance of mental heal...

I've been having some incredible conversations with leaders in my Next Level Nonprofit and coaching programs about sustainable leadership, staying true to our missions, and forming vital partnerships with funders and donors. These discussions have brought up key themes around what it means to lead in today's ever-evolving nonprofit landscape, especially post-COVID. This week, I’m revisit...

 In this episode, I reflect on insightful conversations with leaders from my Next Level Nonprofit program, exploring the essence of effective whole-self leadership. We dive into how leaders can bring their entire selves into their roles, maintain their passion, and build impactful organizations post-COVID. Through discussions with Tene Howard, Zareta Ricks, Jill Eisenhard, and Katy Rubin, we unpac...

In this episode, I share the ultimate tool that can revolutionize your hiring process: the hiring rubric. By standardizing your hiring approach, you can reduce bias, make better hiring decisions, and streamline the entire process. I break down the structure of an effective hiring rubric and show you how to implement it to build your own high-impact team. What You'll Learn How to define and pr...

Have you ever had people in your network who are excited about your mission and work, but who don’t totally fit on your board? Enter: the Advisory Council. A well designed and executed advisory board can provide a unique blend of expertise, experience, and expanded networks — without the formalities of governance. In this episode, I delve into how to design, structure and implement an effective ad...

This week I’m bringing back one part of my 3-part series on how to unlock the power of ChatGPT. I’m bringing it back into the rotation because I just launched a new ChatGPT resource for nonprofits that I’m so excited about — the Nonprofit ChatGPT Headquarters. ChatGPT isn’t some fancy, super-techie tool that needs to be built out and figured out. It should be as integrated and simple as Google Doc...

In this episode, I walk through the 4 core metrics vital for your nonprofit's success. I can't overstate the importance of tracking and understanding your organization's health, effectiveness, and alignment with its mission. Yet, for many nonprofit leaders, navigating this terrain can feel overwhelming and perplexing, leaving them unsure of where to begin. I'm sharing a four-pa...

In this episode, I dive into the concept of a Brain Trust—a facilitated gathering that leverages the expertise of advisors and thinkers to tackle specific organizational challenges. Imagine convening your “dream team” of advisors and strategic thought partners, all focused on solving a real, tangible problem your nonprofit faces. It's not just about sharing ideas; it's about action-orien...

In today's podcast, I share a concrete method for communicating your work to potential supporters — no matter who they are: The Stakeholder Communication Bridge . Drawing from my own experience with fundraising and network building, the Stakeholder Communication Bridge is a straightforward and powerful framework for clarifying and connecting your mission to the activities and outcomes that ma...

The end of a quarter is a powerful opportunity for growth and strategic planning. In this episode, I share five critical questions that can guide you and your team through a meaningful exercise of introspection and evaluation, helping you stay on track toward, and aligned with your goals. Whether you're utilizing these insights during a quiet week or a CEO day, this episode is your guide to r...

In today’s episode, I offer a catalog of the episodes in which I’ve done a deeper dive into how to think about and operationalize leverage. You can find all of the episodes in this curated playlist: brookerichiebabbage.com/leverage-playlist Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Mastermind , a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations with $1M+ b...

In this episode, I’m doing a deep dive into the concept of leveraged networks - the secret sauce to expanding your organization's capacity, influence, and impact without breaking the bank. As a founder and leader myself, I've navigated the complexities of growing an organization, and I've discovered that the strength of your network can truly make or break your impact. Today, I&apos...

In this episode, I walk through how Key Financial Indicators can serve as a high leverage navigational compass through the murky world of your financial health. Whether it's understanding your liquidity to seize new opportunities or measuring your mission's efficiency to ensure alignment with your values, KFIs are indispensable tools. What You’ll Learn: The role of financial KPIs in navi...

Over the past 25 years, I've learned that understanding the concept of leverage can mean the difference between sustainable growth and burning out. In this episode, I explore three areas in which leverage is critical: evaluating your impact, leveraging your network and partnerships, and optimizing your use of resources. I share concrete questions every organization should ask itself in each o...

A CEO Day isn’t just about stepping away from the day-to-day tasks. It’s about stepping fully into a role that demands vision, strategy, and long-term planning. In this episode, I share why dedicating time to think like a CEO can be a game-changer for your organization. From fostering a mindset shift from managing to leading, to ensuring every effort aligns with your overarching objectives, a CEO...

Do you ever wonder about the approaches someone actually takes to grow their organization’s budget, team, board and impact? Like what strategies do they actually use to go from a $450K budget, a tiny team, and awesome but scrappy programs to a $2M budget a strong team, board, and impact that go along with that growth? The answer is by using approaches to growth that are intentionally about increas...

I'm resharing one of my most popular podcast episodes: A fantastic conversation with Cindy Wagman,  Founder and President of The Good Partnership , best-selling author of Raise It! The Reluctant Fundraiser’s Guide to Raising Money Without Selling Your Soul, and host of the top-rated podcast, The Small Nonprofit.   Cindy offers a mini-masterclass on how to build your fundraising team as your o...