Successful Nonprofits Podcast

Volunteers are the backbone of so many nonprofits.  While many nonprofits could not keep their doors open without them,  volunteers and volunteer programs are often overlooked. These volunteers come from all backgrounds and serve at all levels, from experienced professionals to four year olds, from board members to office assistants.  On this episode, Rob Jackson shares just a few of his groundbre...

In these polarized times it is especially hard to contemplate, let alone actually sit down with those we see as the enemies of our cause.  But as our guest, Leah Garces, points out, it is exactly these people we need to work with to create change.  Join Leah as she challenges us to become comfortable with the uncomfortable, recognize the humanity of our so-called enemies, look for the win-win solu...

Whether you are a candidate or the hiring manager, understanding interview best practices is essential. Our guest Evan Piekara shares everything you need to know about job interview questions and answers. In this episode, we discuss case study interview questions, the "right" answers for common interview questions, and tons of good ideas for your next job interview. Evan also shares how to positio...

We started the year off with strong intentions to manage stress, take care of ourselves and be kind to our inner child. But those of us working in the nonprofit sector have significantly more pressure on us every day. And, with the year almost 25% over, now is the perfect time to share this conversation with Matt Bennett about trauma-informed leadership and self-care.   This dynamic conversation w...

"Here's the keys, here is the restroom, here's your office – good luck!" That's a terrible orientation for any staff member, but this is the orientation that many nonprofit executive directors receive. It's ironic because boards have taken great care in selecting the new chief executive, paid them the highest salary in the organization, and then don't position them for success. In this episode, we...

"Big bets give organizations the chance to think about what it looks like to go from serving to solving." That is always the goal isn't it? As much as smaller contributions and fundraising campaigns appreciated and valued, the big donations we receive from philanthropists can not only determine but also expand our organization's achievements. Sridhar Prasad, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, re...

Recruiting the right board is the key to a strong, healthy and successful nonprofit organization. Yet too many charities view board recruitment as an afterthought and rush through a process that results in ineffective board members and weak boards. Dolph Goldenburg shared techniques for recruiting the right board members at a live seminar at the CenterLink E-summit.  With CenterLink's permission,...

Though my greatest mistakes and successes have been the people that I have chosen to hire, my 2nd greatest mistakes and successes have been those I have recruited for boards. Tune in to hear my best practices for recruiting committed, progressive, and overall great board members!

You may have a well-run nonprofit organization, a great strategic plan, and effective programs with great outcomes. But your constituents live in a world full of distractions screaming for their attention. So how do you ensure that your charity's message is heard? Silicon Valley's AHA Guy, Mitchell Levy, joins us on the podcast to share his answer: thought leadership. Mitchell chats with us about...

It's the first week of January in America, which means we're all creating resolutions that the vast majority of us will bail on by January 17 th .  Dolph explores 11 tips, tricks and hacks for achieving your resolution. Show notes: https://successfulnonprofits.com/portfolio/76839/ Highlights: (2:15) Resolutions are really goals (2:55) How to create a plan that will achieve your goals (12:20) Hack...

Nonprofit fraud is the topic of this conversation with Tiffany Couch, CEO of Acuity Forensics. Sharing true stories of fraud found in her book, The Thief in Your Company , Tiffany breaks down what fraud looks like, who is likely to do it, and how to prevent it from happening to your organization.

Join Dolph and Wayne Sleight on this week's episode of the Successful Nonprofits Podcast to talk about 97th Floor nationally recognized company culture! From the decision to never track vacation days to Wayne's philosophical vendetta against ping-pong tables in the office, there is plenty to love and learn.

More time and money is not the answer to every nonprofit problem! Listen in to this week's episode of the Successful Nonprofits Podcast where Carol Hamilton gives us a few techniques from her everyday consulting toolbox.

Have you ever hired someone you thought would be great, but realized you made a huge mistake within the first few weeks or months?  You are not alone – lots of people have made this mistake. Which is why part two of this episode explores everything to do once you post the position. We'll uncover some of the secrets to determining if a person can actually do the job and ways to make your next hirin...

Most executives are often able to go back and say this, including myself: My biggest success and my greatest failures have all been about the people I have hired. The lessons I have experienced over my career have helped me develop  5 mind shifts that can help us change and improve the way we think about hiring.

Nonprofit accounting expert, Tosha Anderson, shares lessons and advice for maximizing your nonprofit's accounting efficiency. She offers insights on best practices for accounting staff, effective software solutions, and aligning your accounting function as your nonprofit grows.

About six months ago, we asked folks to email in their pressing questions. Of course, we responded to each question in real-time, but we also saved the best questions to answer on the air. So in this very special solo podcast episode, we answer four questions that are as old as the nonprofit sector itself!

I believe that every nonprofit should launch its own podcast, and so does this episode's guest. There simply could not be a more intimate way to connect with hundreds or even thousands of supporters, prospective volunteers and prospective donors every week.  Through a podcast, your organization can promote its mission, tell its story and significantly expand its base.   Matthew Passey is widely kn...

Every nonprofit (and every nonprofit funder) wants to focus on collaboration opportunities.  Traci Stanley and Joshua Fulcher are on the forefront of nonprofit partnerships and are the driving forces behind the Chicago Benchmarking Collaborative. The collaborative is an alliance of seven education and human service agencies that collectively work with more than 12,000 low-income individuals throug...

Arlene Cogen shares her guidance getting the largest contributions from donor-advised funds. Arlene is a financial planner with more than 20 years of experience in the trust and investment services industry but also a considerable background in nonprofit fundraising and administration. She guided the nation's 9th largest community foundation for over a decade and authored her book , Give to Live,...

France Hoang has some pretty amazing credentials. France is a serial entrepreneur trading in everything from jets to law firms to coworking space to technology for nonprofits. So you may be asking, "Why is this for-profit guy on a nonprofit podcast?" The answer is simple: This West Point grad, Army Ranger and serial entrepreneur understands how to build and strengthen organizational culture better...

Appreciative inquiry is a strengths-based approach to facilitating positive change in human organizations. Dolph talks with two seasoned practitioners of this method, Jeanie Cockell and Joan McArthur-Blair, about the intersection of hope, despair, and forgiveness that leads to resilience. Lots of inspiration ahead!   Links: Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry: A Leadership Journey throug...

We take a deep dive into nonprofit growth with Maurya Couvares, founder of Code Nation, formerly known as ScriptEd. Having successfully grown ScriptEd from $0 to $3 million in under five years, Maurya gives us the scoop on what that phenomenal growth entailed. Spoiler alert: data collection and deep impact with fundraising are key! Links: ScriptEd's site: https://scripted.org/ ScriptEd's Twitter:...

9/11 and her daughter's outrage were the inspiration for Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen to pick up a copy of Nonprofits for Dummies and launch Give an Hour, her Craigslist-style nonprofit that links volunteer mental health service providers with those who need them. Join Dolph and Barbara as they discuss the background and lessons learned in the creation of Give an Hour, as well as newly formed The Campai...

Dolph talks with Evan Marwell, successful serial entrepreneur, about his move into the nonprofit world with the creation of EducationSuperHighway. Evan compares and contrasts his experiences starting for-profit companies with the startup of a nonprofit organization.   *****Timestamped Highlights***** (2:20) The wifi problem that launched EducationSuperHighway (4:30) F.E. #1 – Learning from Bold En...