Asking for Good: Fundraisers help you launch your Nonprofit Career

Beyond Passion: Advice for Job Seekers from a Best-Selling Author and Nonprofit CEO Coach

Professor David Rhode, author of Passion Isn’t Enough: a practical guide for nonprofit leaders, uses the foundation for nonprofit success outlined in his book to advise job seekers. David has coached hundreds of nonprofit CEOs to grow their organizational capacity and scale. He knows that finding the right people and putting them in the right positions is essential. HIs insights will deepen your understanding of the sector overall and help job seekers artfully navigate the interview process. Lis...

Recipe for Nonprofit Career Success: Purpose + Non-negotiables + Growth Mindset

Ellen Gifford wants you to find your authentic voice by defining your purpose and understanding your non-negotiables. With these you can define the WHY that will guide your career. She drops fundraising truth bombs and tells us what to do to get out of the rut of being a subject matter expert. Ellen reserves the right to get smarter and thinks you should too. Having a growth mindset and saying yes to the stuff that scares us makes a difference. She reminds listeners that while people do want to ...

"Don't Lose Momentum" December

Ok, ok it’s not as catchy as No-Shave November or Dryanuary but it’s important…DON’T sit December out, you can make real progress in your job search. In this episode, for those new to the sector, we take a few minutes to talk through what is happening at the height of giving season and what leaders and hiring managers are thinking about this December including the 🪦“nonprofit killer” bill. There is no hiring season , nonprofits are hiring now. Each role represents a problem the organization is ...

Guide to Getting Back to Work

Judy left an executive role in the not-for-profit sector to become a mission-driven entrepreneur. She and her co-founder of EvolveMe built a gap-filling, job search program for women in midlife. Listen in to hear these keys to search that apply to everyone: 1. Ditch the career ladder and the “shoulds.” Your first step is about checking in with you. Check out their free SWOT** tool in the show notes. **Strengths, Wishes, Opportunities and Truths 2. Don’t go it alone. Judy shares the power of comm...

Don't Let Your Career Happen to You: from e-commerce to clean water access

Tired of feeling like a passenger in your own career? Join us as we chat with Christa Stelzmuller, a seasoned tech pro who traded the hustle of e-commerce for world-changing work. Christa made a bold leap into the not-for-profit world, landing the coveted role of Chief Technology Officer at charity:water. Learn how she navigated the transition, filled in knowledge gaps, and found a mission and culture that truly resonated. Whether you're considering a similar switch or simply want to take mo...

Pivot into a Not-for-Profit Career

Dreaming of a career change with purpose? You're not alone! In this episode, career development coach Emily Lamia shares practical advice on how to design your ideal not-for-profit job and make it a reality. Discover how to: Identify your ideal role: Learn to pinpoint what you truly want in your next career move and how to start making small changes today. Plan ahead: Learn why starting to think about your next move 6 months in advance is key, even when your current job is great. Take small ...

Imposter Syndrome Can Wreck Your Nonprofit Job Search, before it even starts

Dr. Lisa Orbe-Austin, a licensed psychologist and career coach, joins us to discuss how Imposter Syndrome can hold people back in their careers and how to overcome it specifically in the context of a non-profit job search. You’ll learn: Why 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome, and it’s not just women How to identify the two cycles of Imposter Syndrome that lead to burnout and self sabotage (and how self-care can help you break free from them) How to recognize a toxic work environment duri...

Weak Ties, Big Results: How to Network Beyond Your Inner Circle (Part 3 of 3)

Feeling stuck in your job search? Emily Christakis, NCRW, tells us how to gain all-access to the hidden job market through networking. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you build your confidence, expand your network and move forward. Here are the key takeaways: Weak Ties Theory Weak ties refer to infrequent contacts in your network, like old colleagues or acquaintances. These connections are valuable because they expose you to new job opportunities you might not otherwise fin...

Resume Sabotage? Top 5 Fails & Their Fixes (Part 2 of 3)

Does it feel like you’re sending your resume into a black hole? Learn the resume secrets that get you noticed! This episode of Asking for Good is packed with tips from Nationally Certified Resume Writer, Emily Christakis. She reveals the FIVE AND A HALF biggest resume mistakes that sabotage your chances of landing the interview and teaches you how to craft a resume that passes initial screening and is an irresistible magnet for hiring managers. Listen in to learn this and more: The secret layout...

It’s Time to Land Your Dream Job: Ditch the Generic Resume & Win with a Targeted Job Search (Part 1)

Drained by poor response to your generic resumes and uninspired job applications? There's a better way! Join career coach Emily Christakis and discover the secrets to a targeted job search that gets you noticed. In this episode, you'll learn: The power of your North Star: Find your purpose and craft a resume that shines. Beat the AI: Craft resumes and cover letters that sail through applicant tracking systems. Modern Job Search Landscape: a review of screening tools, how to learn industr...

Passion + Policy: Making a Difference with a Government Relations Career in the Nonprofit Sector

Episode 7 is the final episode of the STAKEHOLDERS SERIES and we’re talking about the tangential and necessary third-party players that support not-for-profit work. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating role of government relations and its impact on the nonprofit sector. Our guest, Larisa Wick, JD, a seasoned government relations professional at The Wright Group. The Wright Group is the only government relations firm whose practice focuses exclusively on not-for-profit clients. Ms. Wick...

Discover a Donor-Centered Career Path

In Episode 6 of the STAKEHOLDERS SERIES we talk about a career connecting with Donors. Join us in this conversation with Lamont Wray, Jr., a fundraising expert who shifted gears from annual campaigns to building deep, one-on-one relationships with major donors. Lamont's journey is inspiring and includes working for multiple worthwhile missions and advocating for his own career growth to leading a team of fundraisers at the Food Bank of New York City. In this episode, you'll gain valuable...

Beneficiaries: why the not-for-profit sector exists

Step into the world of non-profit, where success is measured by the positive impact on lives and communities, not just profit margins. Today, we're joined by Brianne Kilpatrick, a seasoned non-profit professional who'll guide you through navigating this fulfilling career path. In this insightful conversation, Brianne shares her journey from the corporate world to a non-profit career driven by purpose. She'll delve into the concept of beneficiaries, the heart of the non-profit sector,...

Job Search using a Nonprofit Startup Mindset: Insights from Ellisa Brown

Ellisa Brown, Founder of Civic Essentials Education Fund, shares her insights on how to land your dream nonprofit job. Ellisa knows a thing or two about starting and running a successful nonprofit. She founded Civic Essentials Education Fund in 2020 with the mission of providing civic education to young people. In this episode, Ellisa shares her must-do's before starting a nonprofit and can be applied to landing a job at a nonprofit, including: Do your research. Learn about the issue that ma...

Job Seeker's Guide to Board Service: a gateway to growth & fulfilling multiple passions

Episode 3 of our STAKEHOLDERS SERIES discusses nonprofit boards which are responsible for overseeing the organization's operations and ensuring that it is fulfilling its mission. Board members play a critical role in shaping the organization's strategic vision and ensuring that it is successful. In this episode, we hear from Brandon Monteith , a tech executive who serves on two nonprofit boards. Brandon shares his experiences serving on boards and discusses the benefits of board membersh...

Nonprofit C-Suite: Problem-Solvers and Relationship Builders Wanted

Episode 2 in our STAKEHOLDERS SERIES features 3 executive and administrative nonprofit professionals. These roles are those who keep the North Star in view, allow us to fund the mission, ensure we are legally compliant and retaining the public trust. The administrative team includes employees like C-suite executives, fundraisers, human resource officers, accountants, and more. These experts are team builders, problem-solvers, and strategy creators. Katie Pooser (co-host and planned giving fundra...

Getting started & making an impact as Program Staff

Wondering how you can use your skills to realize the mission of a nonprofit? A role on the programmatic side of a nonprofit may be right for you. In this episode, Tenicia tells us the importance of planning and valuing stakeholders to achieve the mission in a project manager role. Nick shares how he uses the lessons learned from the programmatic side of his role as local diversity, equity and inclusion director to a national context. Listen in to hear: how critical it is to be of influence, to h...

Launch your nonprofit fundraising career! (season 1 highlights)

This 15-minute episode takes you through the best of what our guests shared about the practice and skill of fundraising. Hiring managers shared what they look for in candidates, academics shared the importance of the professionalization of the sector, practitioners shared how they knew a career in the nonprofit sector was right for them and how they navigate their career. Guests represented different types of fundraising (annual, major, and planned), organizations (by size and mis...

Four world-changers start and manage their nonprofit careers after graduate school

This episode explores the bigger questions of the nonprofit sector and digs into the specific methods used for securing a job in this market. Four young professionals discuss their latest job search after completing the MS of Nonprofit Management at Columbia University. They share what led them to grad school and which classes stay with them in practice. Aside from identifying their interests relative to types of mission they also asked: Can I see myself working with the people interviewing me? ...

Use your North Star to be Value-Add & the first Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership

In this episode, Cindy M. Lott, Esq. brings wisdom from a remarkable career that includes building two post-graduate nonprofit academic programs. She encourages you to first identify and be guided by your own North Star, then use the framework she shares to evaluate your nonprofit career opportunities. As you apply and interview, demonstrate how you can be value-add today to the nonprofit. Because as she puts it: “passion alone won’t get you there, you have to have skill.” Hear about how the fir...

Annual Giving as a Career

The grit and negotiating skills Jake Strang developed making his first fundraising ask in college as a paid student caller have stayed with him as he honed his craft throughout his professional career. A series of promotions and career moves have allowed Jake to grow as a professional fundraiser within annual giving, and he’s thrilled to be part of the annual giving revolution that is underway where data and technology are making stronger human connections possible. The donor connections that st...

It’s a new day in philanthropy, work smarter not harder

Meg George began her career as a frontline fundraiser and defined her career path by developing her strengths, not jumping through traditional hoops. Recognizing that major gift donors are the backbone of American philanthropy – and that transformational investments in nonprofit work are becoming the new norm – she rightfully claims, “it is a new day in philanthropy.” Meg invites you to join the sector by sharing her insights on creating a successful career: define your strengths, understand you...

Nonprofit Board President on How Fundraising Fills You Up

Ellen Archer parlayed her success in the publishing industry and skills as a communicator and creative problem solver to raise the profile of a nonprofit. She currently serves as board president of Girls Write Now where she helped grow the board and the pipeline for board members. She initiated a partnership committee that raised five times their goal through engagement with a variety of industries. Getting to know the nonprofit sector through her volunteerism has shown her the real opportunitie...

Selectively apply, Ace your interview

Instead of mass applying to every job that looked semi-interesting, Katherine Cross took stock of the hiring organization and the job description. In this episode, she shares her process for identifying worthwhile opportunities and lessons learned from multiple virtual interviews. She shares how she prepared for interviews and the most common questions she was asked. The up-front investment of time during the application and interview process was worth it. Nearly a year into her new role, Kather...

Find Your Passion and Go Boldly

After college Blake thought he’d stick around the town of his alma mater and looked for a meaningful first job. He found a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization, where he was introduced to fundraising. He found his calling. Of which he says, people have a need to do good. That’s why they give. It’s the fundraiser who helps shepherd the donor’s story into the world. His career path includes public service, law school as well as political and nonprofit fundraising. He confidently made...

Let's stop walking around like we're immortal. Take bigger risks, don't put it off.

Ramona Ramadar, MBA spotted a billboard for a job fair at the local hospital on her way home from her laboratory research job. That moment changed her career trajectory, at the job fair she had her first interview to work in fundraising. After a series of fundraising roles, she found a niche in gift planning. Ramona shares how to grow your career within an organization and key indicators that it is time to move on. As a planned giving fundraiser, she spoke to a donor on his death bed and wants y...

Approach your career like a major gift fundraiser, how to build “Your Case for Support”

E. Ramone Segree, Ed.D., a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), is a nonprofit executive, fundraiser, brand manager and strategist. He serves as U.S. Executive Director/Vice President, Marketing, Development and Communications for Women for Women International. He is a lecturer at Columbia University, School of Professional Studies in nonprofit management. In this episode, Ramone shares the story of a gift ask during a capital campaign. The long-term relationship with the donor led to the fir...

Fundraising Locally and Globally

David Sherman learned he wanted to be closer to the mission and work in a  local office after working at the national and global levels of  nonprofits organizations. You can use his wayfinding tips to determine  the right organizations to apply to on your job search. In this episode,  David tells us all about a major gift that he facilitated as a national  staff person which impacted ten local nonprofits. Listen as he shares  his perspective as an Executive Director...

6 no's to a 7-figure YES!

Bruce Morrow brings over 25 years of fundraising and nonprofit  experience. Bruce is an accomplished writer with his works having  appeared in the New York Times. Bruce shares how he got into the  nonprofit sector, all about a 7-figure ask he made, and the importance  of mentorship to career development. More at www.askingforgood.com

Asking for Good: Fundraisers help you launch your Nonprofit Career (Trailer)