Sprout Nonprofit | the podcast for small shop nonprofits

Start off the New Year on the right track 🎉🎉🎉    Hear my favorite productivity tips for 2023.     ___   🌱 Join our FREE productivity challenge coming up on January 10. Learn my method for prioritization and make sure you run your calendar (not the other way around). Sign up at https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge  

Stewardship is essential to creating a sustainable impact. But why is it so hard to do?    Hear the 4 most common challenges faced by EDs, along with how to make stewardship easier.    ___   ➡️ snag the stewardship roadmap: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/100days   

Drum roll… The Productive Executive Director is now called SPROUT!     This episode is a little different from our normal episodes where I share tips for nonprofit EDs. Today, I'm sharing what's been going on behind the scenes at Small Shop.    Listen in to hear all about the how and why behind our podcast rebrand!    In this episode, you will hear: - A quick celebration of our 50th episode  - Som...

Picture this. It's the week of Thanksgiving and you see another Giving Tuesday email in your inbox.    "Oops, is that next week already?!"    Hear why this national day of giving isn't for everyone and how to make #GivingTuesday easy as apple pie.   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Can nonprofits talk about politics? Why are we afraid to talk about social and political issues?    There are a lot of misconceptions about what's allowed. Those misconceptions keep nonprofits from boosting their impact and mobilizing your donors and community members.   In this episode, we're going to clarify some of the myths about politics and how your organization can be part of having convers...

Is it marketing? Fundraising? A little bit of both?    Campaigns. Love 'em or hate 'em, campaigns help you plan your communications and move people to take action.    Tune into this episode to learn best practices and the most common campaign mistakes to avoid.  Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrateg...

When it comes to fundraising campaigns, clear always beats clever. Clear is kind.    Want to move your donors to take action and make a gift? Create a crystal clear fundraising offer.    In this episode, we'll walk through how to turn your impact statement into a fundraising offer, with the help of Build Good founder Mike Duerkson.      Sample appeal: buildgood.com/read-the-blog/2022/07/01/this-ap...

Did you know 80% of new donors don't give a second gift?    Why? Because they either didn't get a response to their gift. Or they don't feel like the organization cares about them as a person.    In today's episode, we're talking about what you need to do the moment a new donation rolls in and how to create a really solid relationship with a new donor.   Resources mentioned:  Get your steward$h!t...

You don't want to hear this but… year-end will be here before we know it. Are you ready? Of course not! It's barely September.    Want to avoid the year-end tornado (aka your brain feeling like scrambled eggs for 7 weeks straight?) Listen to this episode to learn the 6 steps you can take now to make life easier later.    Resources mentioned: Get your steward$h!t together www.smallshopstrategies.co...

"So…what do you do?" The dreaded question. How do you keep people interested when you talk about your nonprofit —and list off the dozens of programs  you offer.    (Hint: you don't).   In this episode, find out how to create an impact statement that's not only easy to remember, but memorable and engaging.    Impact statement worksheet: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/pod44     Prefer to read?...

It's not about taking more vacation. It's about creating more whitespace to get stuff done. (And sneaking in a little rest too).    Find out how I planned my mental health breaks and what you can do to implement them for yourself. So you can work smarter—not harder.    Resources mentioned: calendly.com   Prefer to read? Blog here:   smallshopstrategies.com/podcast/why-i-put-mental-health-weeks-on-...

How much time are you spending on content creation? Yes, social media matters. But…how important is it?    In this episode, we'll talk about why social media is a distraction and how to steward your donors more effectively.    Resources mentioned: 102 captions for nonprofits - astounding-maker-5659.ck.page/products/99-social-media-captions-for-nonpr     Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategi...

What can you do TODAY to make sure you have a great year-end?    I know it's summer, and I know things like appeals, campaigns, and Giving Tuesday all seem like a year away. But the work you do now will create the foundation for a smooth end of year. Listen to this episode to find out how.   raisemoretogether.co   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com   instagra...

Not sure what coaching looks like? Here's your chance to get a little behind the scenes look!    I'm so excited to announce that I'll be hosting an open house tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28th at 12pm CT (10am PT, 1pm ET). Listen to this episode to find out more!   Sign up:  smallshopstrategies.com/openhouse    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com   instagram.com/sm...

What's a Small Shop nonprofit? Who is the Productive Executive Director meant for? Tune into this episode to find out what the PED is all about and whether it's the right community for you.  RSVP to Tuesday's Open House: www.smallshopstrategies.com/openhouse Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Tomorrow is a BIG DAY! I'm popping into your podcast feed on a Monday with two big announcements. Hint: if you're an ED who doesn't have enough time in your day, this is for you.    Join the Productive Executive Director: smallshopstrategies.com/beproductive    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategi...

There's a reason EDs are exhausted all of the time (and no, it's not because you need more hours in the day!).    Say it with me: thinking is work.  Anticipating is work.  Planning is WORK.    In this episode, we'll talk about emotional labor and what you can do to navigate the extra mental load you carry as an ED.    Resources mentioned in the episode:  nytimes.com/2021/04/21/parenting/women-gend...

Has it been a whole 5 months since the last time you asked for a gift from your donors? What's holding you back from reaching out to your donors.   If you are feeling a little nervous about asking again.. Then this episode will walk you through some of the fears you might be facing and how to overcome them.   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/   www.inst...

Love to DIY? You're not alone. But what's the financial impact of doing everything yourself? Listen to this episode to find out. We'll also cover how to prioritize and figure out who your next hire should be.    Grab this worksheet to help make delegating a bit easier: www.smallshopstrategies.com/delegate   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/   www.instag...

Delegating isn't easy. What's harder? Asking for help.    When it comes to building your team, there's a lot you have to come to terms with— imposter syndrome, anxiety, and…probably hardest of all… vulnerability.    In this episode, we're going to talk about the emotional side of delegating and hiring a team for your nonprofit.   Grab this worksheet to help make delegating a bit easier: www.smalls...

Should you hire a contractor, consultant, or part-time employee? What's the difference between a freelancer and a part-time employee?   As a Small Shop nonprofit, hiring a full-time employee might not be in the cards right now, and that's OKAY. In this episode, we'll walk through your options. Mentioned in the episode:  smallshopstrategies.com/essentials smallshopstrategies.com/projectplanner Conn...

Does something in your social media strategy feel off? Feeling like you're putting in all this effort and never seeing any traction?    Let's talk about how you can realign your social media strategy and build stronger connections with your audience.    (Hint: it has nothing to do with asking for more donations on Instagram)  Mentioned in the episode:  smallshopstrategies.com/contentcalendar   sma...

"Do I need an annual report?"   Today, we're going to talk about everything you need to know about annual reports—whether they're required or not, and how to make them less of a snooze fest for your donors.    In this episode, you'll learn:   The difference between an Annual Report for taxes and an Annual Report for marketing  Why you should call it an Impact Report (or anything other than "Annual...

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect? Is there something wrong with how we're approaching consistency in our nonprofits?    Listen to this episode to find out how to reframe your approach to work and why you need to be steady instead of perfect.     In this episode, you'll learn: The problem with aiming for "perfect" consistency  Why being a steady leader is the key to reachin...

This is a special episode brought to you by Steven Brice, the Executive Director of Yoga4Philly.    For this episode, you'll want to find a comfy place where you can be still, breathe and take in the meditation Steven shares about Black History and what this month represents.   Mentioned in the episode:  Purchase Meditation for Executive Directors   Connect with Steven from Yoga4Philly:   DONATE t...