Nonprofit Everything

Summertime doesn’t appear to be the time for Stacey and Andy to relax. Instead, we’ve got big questions to answer! Do nonprofits make common management mistakes? Maybe – Stacey and Andy certainly have opinions. Also, would it ever be a good idea for a board strategic planning retreat to specifically exclude the executive director. More opinions there for sure. And finally, should the b...

Stacey and Andy circled the wagons and brought in guest expert Mary Beth Hartleb . Mary Beth is the CEO and Founder of Prism HR Consulting , and provided some much-needed advice for a tough question this week: Should I respond to or report a racist comment from a coworker?

Hi! It’s the Nonprofit Everything Podcast calling! This week, Stacey has some thoughts about why your friends might be ghosting you when you’re asking them for a contribution. Is your finance committee asking inappropriate questions? Andy can help. And finally, how quickly should you fire someone who engages in unethical behavior at your nonprofit? We’ve definitely got ideas on t...

This week, co-hosts Andy Schuricht and Stacey Wedding have some juicy topics for you: How to say yes to an honorarium without saying no to your nonprofit’s values, how to ace your first capital campaign without breaking a sweat, and how Andy and Stacey got into the nonprofit world and what they wish they knew then. We’ll also spill some tea and drop some gems from our own nonprofit adventures. Whe...

Is it possible to get volunteers to pay you for the privilege of volunteering? Stacey has some opinions! Also this week, we tackle a really ugly scenario where the board and staff don’t trust each other, and Andy gets to completely geek out on negotiating indirect cost rates on federal grant agreements. If that’s not your cup of tea, it was a really windy day when we were recording thi...

There’s just one question this week, and it’s a truly fascinating one! What do nonprofits need to know about social media influencer campaigns? We asked Guest Expert Nick Lynch , CEO of Collidescope.io and got an incredibly complete answer. Topics: What do nonprofits need to know about social media influencer campaigns? With Guest Expert Nick Lynch, CEO of Collidescope.io – 0:00...

It’s a four-question episode! This week, Andy shares the secret to developing an good nonprofit investment policy, and Stacey has some thoughts on how to keep a partnership from going wrong. Also, we talk about how to get verbal messages to stick with donors, and tackle one potentially expensive question: Is it worth it to get a graduate degree in nonprofit management? (And before you listen...

This week’s question gets an unexpected and inspiring answer from Guest Expert Margo Walsh , Founder and CEO of MaineWorks . MaineWorks is an innovative employment company with a social mission: to dignify the experience for people who face real barriers to workforce reentry, including people recovering from substance use disorder and people with felony convictions. Join us for a fascinating...

Now that hybrid work environments are everywhere, is it possible to regain some of our pre-Covid culture? We have a few ideas. Also this week, Stacey talks about checking references for joining your development committee, and remarkably, Andy and Stacey agree on how to respond to an unusual donor communication! Topics: How should we respond to a donor’s sad tale? – 0:05 I think our hyb...

Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce? Or something else? This week, Stacey is joined by Guest Expert Peter Schiano , Senior Consultant at Tech Impact . Not only does Peter address how to select a CRM solution, he provides some great insights on software acquisition, customization, pitfalls, and a drops a mean mythology metaphor. Other topics include: How do I right size my solution for my growing non...

What is it about donors that make them want to give you the stuff in their garage instead of the sweet, sweet cash that we desperately need? We’ve got some ideas! (Spoiler: Andy mentions agency theory again.) Also this week, we delve into the Byzantine hellscape that is municipal code to determine exactly what to put on a single line of a required form. And Stacey provides some clarity on a...

Every once in a while we get a question that just warms our little hearts. And this week, a new nonprofit is already thinking about avoiding founder’s syndrome! Also, we talk about whether or not passthrough grants are allowed to be anonymous, and Stacey has some thoughts about how to avoid going after grants you really shouldn’t be going after. Topics: How do you keep your organizatio...

A couple of weeks ago we talked about accidentally restricting donations with an appeal, and this week week we continue the theme! Stacey talks to Guest Expert Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE , Founder and Principal of Windmill Hill Consulting, LLC about how to write specific fundraising appeals while still keeping contributions undesignated. Also this week, Stacey stumps Andy with a question about n...

It’s the last episode of 2022 and we crammed in four whole questions! This week, Andy mentions about a few nonprofit-specific year-end accounting tasks (don’t worry, it’s short). We also answer a question about accidentally restricting donations, and talk up the benefits of a consent agenda for your board. Finally, we’re pretty sure someone lobbed us a question just to get...

Doesn’t it seem weird that the people most affected by a change in leadership are the ones with no say in the matter? Stacey and Andy seem to think so. Also this week, Stacey has some ideas about how to use storytelling in your appeals when you’re too new to have actual stories. Finally, Andy gets completely triggered by what could have been a simple math question, but instead turns in...

When a funder asks for a single number for the “budget”, what exactly do they want? We have some thoughts! Also, this week we turn a question about red flags to watch out for when considering an ED position into an excuse to complain about things! Finally, if you’re having trouble sleeping, Stacey and Andy have just the IRS publication for you! Topics: What number is the “b...

Since it can be hard to find development staff, does it make sense to try to convert program staff into fundraisers? Stacey has some thoughts! Also this week, we find out if there are different rules when raising money for a private operating foundation, and what core activities a nonprofit should stick to when facing an economic downturn. Topics: Are the rules different when fundraising for a Pri...

You think your nonprofit is a mess? Wait until you hear this question — while it masquerades as a technical query about verbal resignations and bylaws, it gets weird fast! Also this week, Stacey and Andy share some thoughts about fundraising in a different state than the one you’re incorporated in, and we find out whether or not you are allowed to raise money before you actually get yo...

Ah, the age-old question — how do we set development goals when we’ve never had a development person before? Believe it or not, Stacey and Andy have some ideas! Also this week, we talk about how to handle naming rights when you’re renovating a building that already has a name. Finally, we tackle a particularly sensitive question that, frankly, is going to be a little uncomfortabl...

What’s the best way to respond to memorial gifts? Stacey has some (non-ghoulish) thoughts. Also this week, Andy and Stacey have a minor disagreement about whether or not a nonprofit job is good for a person looking to advance in their career, and we find out how to train up a brand-new board member! Topics: How do we prepare a board member for first-time service? – 0:00 Is my nonprofit...

What happens to restrictions if our nonprofit is acquired by another nonprofit? We have some questions (and answers!) Plus, Stacey and Andy have tips for hiring for an Interim Executive Director, chat about some unconventional reporting structures, and get asked a very personal question. And we had to use the bleep button again this week — pretty soon we’re going to need a swear jar. T...

Is it possible to refrain from physical violence when the words “run it more like a business” fall out of the mouth of a board member? Probably not, but Stacey and Andy have some coping strategies. Also this week, we talk about how to keep the energy of a good mission, vision and values discussion, and finally, now that you’re receiving federal grant money is it time to hire a gr...

Just one question this week, but we were lucky to get guest expert André C. Wade , State Director of Silver State Equality to answer it! How do you best respond to reports of microaggressions in the workplace? Topics: Responding to Reports of Microagressions – with Guest Expert André C. Wade – 0:00 Mentioned this week: Silver State Equality Equality California Cultural Linguistic Appro...

Help! We’ve entered into an agreement with a benefit corporation, and they’re not playing nice! Andy’s got some ideas for that. Also, Stacey answers a question about having elected officials on the board, and we talk about the best ways to bring a new treasurer into the organization, even if they’ve got no nonprofit experience. Topics: Should we add elected officials to our...

Our mission statement process is awful! Should we get help? (Nah, Stacey has some tips.) Also, this week we discuss whether a give/get policy will prevent you from getting an effective board, and Andy and Stacey go way off topic answering how to best fundraise for a new Executive Director position. Topics: Should we get third-party help designing our mission statement? – 0:00 Will a give/get...