When Jon Royal told me, “I’m not interested in equality because equality isn’t good enough,” I knew I needed to put together a podcast about this. Why shouldn’t nonprofits strive toward equality? And if equality isn’t good enough, what is? This week, we’re discussing the difference between equal opportunities and equitable outcomes, why nonprofits should prioritize equity, and some practical steps for getting started. Our guests this episode are: --Jon Royal, who works as a theatre director and ...
Jan 17, 2020•48 min•Ep. 67
Have you ever heard a program described as “For Women, By Women” or “For Veterans, By Veterans” or “For (a group of people), By (a group of people)”? Nonprofit leaders Usually recognize the need to empower various adult populations to support themselves instead of simply prescribing solutions, but it’s easy to forget that youth can also be empowered to creatively solve problems and manage programs. In this episode, we’ll talk with nonprofit leaders who help youth unlock their potential to create...
Jan 03, 2020•47 min•Ep. 56
Many nonprofit leaders believe when they need more money for their organization, the obvious solution is to start applying for grants. But is that actually the best option for your organization right now? Today we’re exploring what your nonprofit needs have in place before applying for grants. We also talk about: --How to decide whether you should write grants yourself, find a volunteer to learn grant writing, or hire a contracted grant writer --Which types of grants you should apply for --What ...
Dec 20, 2019•53 min•Ep. 55
Sometimes your first idea for serving a mission may not be the best idea! For example, I talk to a lot of aspiring nonprofit leaders who want to help homeless animals, and their first instinct is usually to open a shelter… But most communities already have several shelters in place. In this episode, we meet two social sector leaders who are filling other needs of homeless animals in creative ways. Our guests this episode are: --Lisa Stetar from Crossroads Campus, a nonprofit organization connect...
Dec 13, 2019•46 min•Ep. 54
Prepare your nonprofit for a more effective, mission-driven New Year in 2020 with Nonprofit Jenni’s top fifteen favorite free and affordable nonprofit resources...and also learn which one free resource to AVOID! Podcast host Jenni Hargrove talks about the fifteen free and affordable resources she’s constantly recommending to her nonprofit clients. You’ve probably heard of some of these resources before, like Canva and Google Docs, but Jenni wants to make sure you’re getting the most out of these...
Dec 06, 2019•45 min•Ep. 53
When Jenni starts to speak about Giving Tuesday, she gets lots of eye rolls from nonprofit leaders who feel like Giving Tuesday is a waste of time for their organizations. In this episode, Jenni breaks down the four most common objections she hears from nonprofit leaders about why they don’t like to participate in this twenty-four hour giving day. She also interviews Sarah Barr, the Executive Director of the Marysville Uptown Theatre Organization, who is in the midst of planning and executing a ...
Nov 20, 2019•38 min•Ep. 52
Welcome to our podcast mini series about Artober Nashville ! Even if you don’t live in Tennessee or have arts programs at your nonprofit organization, we hope this mini series will provide new insight about how the arts can strengthen the nonprofit sector, and even your specific mission! In Part 2, we explore four arts programs in Middle Tennessee demonstrating how the arts are relevant to everyone everywhere. Whether we’re talking about STEAM education, inclusive activities for people with disa...
Oct 10, 2019•47 min•Ep. 51
Welcome to our podcast mini series about Artober Nashville ! Even if you don’t live in Tennessee or have arts programs at your nonprofit organization, we hope this mini series will provide new insight about how the arts can strengthen the nonprofit sector, and even your specific mission! In Part 1, we explore four arts programs in Middle Tennessee promoting equity for underrepresented populations, including those with disabilities, those impacted by homelessness, minorities (including women, LGB...
Oct 07, 2019•44 min•Ep. 50
It’s easy to overthink the process of copywriting and feel a lot of pressure to write the perfect appeal, but copywriting is like any other skill which just takes patience and practice. In the last episode of Season 4, we chat with a seasoned copywriter who faces the challenging task of writing uplifting stories for a nonprofit hospice care facility, and a data expert who help nonprofits communicate hard facts and figures without detracting from the passion and heart behind their message. Plus, ...
Aug 19, 2019•52 min•Ep. 49
If you work for a nonprofit which has offices all over the country or world, you may have noticed some tension between the headquarters and its affiliate offices, or even between affiliate offices themselves when “turf wars” arise. This week’s episode addresses the natural tension between such offices to compare the positive and negative aspects of working for a far-reaching charity organization. You’ll hear all the perspectives: What it’s like to work for headquarters, for an affiliate, in a re...
Aug 12, 2019•52 min•Ep. 48
“ Grassroots marketing” refers to any type of free or inexpensive marketing tactic. So many nonprofit professionals have become obsessed with learning about the newest SEO algorithms and digital marketing tools that it may be helpful to be reminded that some situations really require face-to-face relationships. In this episode, get inspired by examples of nonprofit grassroots marketing campaigns which have been successful in attracting new clients, donors, and volunteers. Here are just a few of ...
Aug 05, 2019•48 min•Ep. 47
Learn what it’s like to work with AmeriCorps as an individual or as an organization. Three AmeriCorps alumni share their unique experiences, each serving under a different branch of the AmeriCorps organization. Our guests this episode include: --Michelle Gustafson with Caritas of Austin --Joseph Gutierrez with Maddox Charitable Fund --Savannah Buttery, most recently with a volunteer program called Wwoof Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social imp...
Jul 29, 2019•49 min•Ep. 46
If you’re thinking about starting a social enterprise, you’ll need lots of support! In this episode, we’ll talk about two resources to help you get started, grow, and develop professionally to strengthen your impact. Our guests this episode include: --Rachel Schaffer Lawson from Schaffer Law Firm --Kila Englebrook from Social Enterprise Alliance Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social impact organizations seeking guidance in the areas of Marketin...
Jul 15, 2019•46 min•Ep. 45
Learn how forming a social enterprise can provide your nonprofit with an additional stream of revenue, support your mission, and tie into your existing programs. Our guests this episode include: --Brad Kimbler from Staff360 (owned by Safe Haven Family Shelter) --Daniel Furbish from Oasis Bike Workshop (owned by Oasis Center) Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social impact organizations seeking guidance in the areas of Marketing, Fundraising, Growt...
Jul 08, 2019•47 min•Ep. 44
When resources are scarce, you may feel like it’s impossible to build a healthy culture and climate for your team. Unfortunately, a toxic workplace leads to even more financial difficulties due to high turnover and burnout, recruiting and training expenses, and interrupted relationships with your constituents. How can you honor your team, your mission, and your budget all at the same time? Our guests this episode include: --Meredith Benton with The Healing Trust --Trevor Benitone with Adams Keeg...
Jul 01, 2019•54 min•Ep. 43
Young Professionals (YP) Groups can help your nonprofits spread awareness of its mission to new generations, increase your donor base, and plan for successions. Engaging young professionals is becoming ever more vital as Baby Boomers start to retire from their long-held leadership positions! Learn how to create an effective YP Group, YP Committee, or Junior Board at your nonprofit. Our guests this episode include: --Jasmyn Alvarez with Park Center --Amos Glass with the Nashville Repertory Theatr...
Jun 24, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 42
Hear from two Development Directors who recently completed capital campaigns. each fundraising millions of dollars. One campaign involved major renovations for a historic theatre, and the other built a brand new facility, including a commercial kitchen and revenue generating meeting space. Our guests this episode include: --Brooke Bernard with Belcourt Theatre --Teri Sloan with Nashville Food Project Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social impact...
Jun 17, 2019•51 min•Ep. 41
The public can have trouble understanding why a social issue is so difficult to solve, and it’s up to you to explain all the layers that cause the problem. How do you explain why it’s so difficult to end addiction, sex trafficking, and other mammoth issues? Our guests this episode include: --Pamela Sessions and Savak Millis from Renewal House --Emily Willmore from End Slavery Tennessee Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social impact organizations ...
Jun 10, 2019•47 min•Ep. 40
Learn how to make your organization resilient to change with a technology infrastructure you actually understand how to use. Even if you have all the right technology systems in place, they won’t do any good if you don’t know how to use them or if they all operate in silos! Our guests this episode include: --Blake Stockard from Kumwe Systems --Alicia Bell from Graceworks Ministries --Nick Bicknell from Little Green Light Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprof...
Jun 04, 2019•49 min•Ep. 39
In our first episode of Season 4, Jenni talks about how nonprofits can partner with companies beyond the standard event sponsorships and corporate grants. If your organization hasn’t considered how to involve businesses in your programming, client services, volunteer groups, and other creative approaches, get some inspiration from this episode. Our guests this episode include: --Melissa McWilliams from Fannie Battle Day Home --Chad Kahn from DipJar Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services an...
May 27, 2019•43 min•Ep. 38
Before Season 4 of the Nonprofit Jenni Show is released May, I’m releasing two bonus episodes about The Big Payback! The Big Payback is Middle Tennessee’s annual “day of giving,” hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. In these bonus episodes, I’m interviewing nonprofits which have been hugely successful with their online giving day campaigns. Whether you live in Middle Tennessee or on the other side of the country, I know you’ll pick up some brilliant giving day ideas from these...
Apr 09, 2019•48 min•Ep. 37
Before Season 4 of the Nonprofit Jenni Show is released May, I’m releasing two bonus episodes about The Big Payback! The Big Payback is Middle Tennessee’s annual “day of giving,” hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. In these bonus episodes, I’m interviewing nonprofits which have been hugely successful with their online giving day campaigns. Whether you live in Middle Tennessee or on the other side of the country, I know you’ll pick up some brilliant giving day ideas from these...
Mar 18, 2019•53 min•Ep. 36
Nonprofit organizations help make the world go round, but so do social enterprises...and sometimes they do it even better! In this episode, we’ll hear from social enterprise founders who help strengthen the social sector. This is a great episode for nonprofits who want to learn how to collaborate with social enterprises, and for aspiring nonprofit founders who may not have considered the option of starting a for-profit mission-led business. Our guests this episode include: --Emily Mahoney from B...
Jan 21, 2019•49 min•Ep. 35
Maybe you’ve heard of Foundation Center before, but you’re not quite sure how they can help your nonprofit. Or maybe you know they host networking events, or they offer workshops, but you don’t know if you’re missing out on one of their many other services. That’s why this week, we’re talking with Alexis Flannagan, the Community Outreach Manager at Foundation Center South, to learn all about their wide range of supportive programs for professionals in the social sector. Support the Nonprofit Jen...
Jan 14, 2019•39 min•Ep. 34
Every nonprofit has “pie in the sky” goals for growth, but it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to scale up in a healthy way before you jump in. In this episode, we’ll ask questions like, Do you have the infrastructure needed to scale your operations? Do you have plenty of support from your board, staff, and volunteers? How can you achieve a major organizational shift without letting your services or relationships lapse? Support the Nonprofit Jenni Show with $1, $5, or $7 per month by vis...
Jan 07, 2019•43 min•Ep. 33
Before you take off for Christmas next week, make sure you have these 3 things ready to go! In this bonus Christmas episode, Jenni outlines her 3 biggest recommendations to make sure your nonprofit doesn’t miss an opportunity to engage with your supporters over one of the biggest holidays in the world. These recommendations apply to your organization even if your supporters don’t celebrate Christmas. Support the Nonprofit Jenni Show with $1, $5, or $7 per month by visiting patreon.com/nonprofitj...
Dec 21, 2018•9 min•Ep. 32
Many nonprofit organizations I speak with have tried social media fundraising before with less-than-stellar results. However, I always preach about the benefits of social media, so I’m devoting this whole episode to the best practices for these online fundraisers! This week, we’ll talk about the importance of consistency in your social media strategy, how to add an online fundraising component to your major fundraising events, and how to find and activate influencers who support your organizatio...
Dec 17, 2018•48 min•Ep. 31
Whether your nonprofit organization is looking to expand to a new area of town or an entirely new city across the country, you’re sure to face unexpected challenges. This week, we’re addressing some of the most common challenges I hear about, including the question about how to raise awareness about your cause in a new geographic area, the struggle to find new donors to support another branch, and even figuring out how your operations should change to fit your new surroundings. Our guests today ...
Dec 10, 2018•43 min•Ep. 30
Lately Ive received lots of Anonymous Questions about the role of a board of directors in relationship with the Executive Director. There are many legal grey areas associated with this relationship, so I asked my favorite nonprofit attorney Rachel Schaffer Lawson to come back to the show and answer all the questions you have submitted. Please keep in mind her answers to my questions do not constitute legal advice for your specific nonprofit organization or situation! If you have further question...
Dec 03, 2018•42 min•Ep. 29
Grantwriting involves a lot more than simply filling out an application asking for money. The infrastructure and operations of your organization play a big role in determining which types of grants and how much funding you qualify to receive, so it’s important to make sure every part of your organization is working together as you enter your next grant application process. In this episode, we’ll talk about the different people who should be involved in your grantwriting, what types of metrics yo...
Nov 19, 2018•45 min•Ep. 28
