It's a whole new gala world where fundraisers are online, formal wear means your house slippers and hosts are the size of your screen. The pandemic has made the entire gala industry pivot in ways we couldn't imagine. Join me and Benjamin Ryan Nathan, founder of All of Us Films, as we discuss some of the successes and failures of virtual galas. Ben runs a production company that did eight virtual galas from March to December and he shares some of his lessons learned. We talk about how much we can...
Mar 08, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 125
This one is for all of you aspiring nonprofit founders. In this episode, we serve up a hefty dose of reality about what it takes to found and run a successful nonprofit organization. News flash: running a nonprofit is actually running a small business. We speak with new founder, Kenneth Brown, about everything he's learned in the first year of his nonprofit and Andrea Ortega who helps founders establish 501c3s. We chat about how much time is spent on fundraising, how to deal with rejection and t...
Mar 01, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 124
True story: on top of my nonprofit work, I'm an aspiring stand-up comedian. And, lemme tell ya, it's rough out there for a comic. Join me and fellow stand-up comedian and Chief Story Smith Carlos Maestas to talk about how to be a better communicator. We talk about how to find your own story, why it's a good idea to not take yourself too seriously and how to get out of pitch mode and into real connection with funders. This interview was a ton of fun and jam-packed with value bombs for those looki...
Feb 22, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Join me and George "In the Mix" Suttles to talk about a very important topic. We discuss the myths of the lack of BIPOC talent, how to set BIPOC leaders up for success and how to celebrate leadership reclamation. This is a hugely important topic for the sector because if we say that we want to center Black and brown leadership, then we have to be prepared to do business differently. This conversation is honest, bold and asks important questions that will challenge the status quo. For more about ...
Feb 15, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 122
This summer, after George Floyd's murder, everyone started looking for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultants for their teams and organizations. Not coincidentally, all of a sudden, there were a whole bunch of people calling themselves DEI experts. Join me as I chat with Naté Hoover about how to assess whether a DEI consultant is actually skilled, how to know when your organization and its leadership is "ready" for it and how NOT to do equity work. Naté is a long-time DEI consultant a...
Feb 08, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Ah, founders...they are the stuff of legend. The ones who birth a nonprofit, nurture it through its infancy and watch it grow. But, what happens when founders move on? Today, we're talking with Anne Eidelman, CEO and Elandria Jackson Charles, VP of Development and External Affairs of Blue Engine about what happens when a charismatic founder moves on. What are some of the lessons learned for Anne as she stepped into the role and forged her own path forward? How did she manage board, funder, staff...
Feb 01, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 120
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what's a beautiful video worth? We're visual animals and there's nothing more inspiring than beautiful visual stories that can move us. Join me and expert Rachel Jellinek to discuss the art of vulnerable storytelling, what three stories your nonprofit should be telling and how to veer away from the poverty porn that is so embedded in our nonprofit culture. To find Rachel, check out her website: https://reflectionfilmsonline.com/ Here are links that Rachel ...
Jan 25, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Summer 2020: everyone is putting out anti-racist statements on their websites and blacking out their IG feeds. Fine, but what does it ACTUALLY mean to start the journey of being an anti-racist organization? What does personal and professional DEI work look like for organizations? Expert consultants Tracey Allard and George Hsieh talk about their experiences of their anti-racist DEI work at Community Resource Exchange and how they help other nonprofits to do the work. We talk about fighting the u...
Jan 18, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Hi folks, Today's episode is a brief solo show about time and money. I've gotten a real bug up my butt about the scarcity mindset that we see in nonprofits. It shows up everywhere from the way we talk about time and money. What would it take for us to tell ourselves different stories and how could we shift our relationship with time and money to one of intentionality and abundance? Let me know if this resonates with you and, if so, I'll be doing future podcasts on this topic....
Jan 11, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Join me and my buddy Heather Malin as we talk about her transition from a dog-enthusiast to a major gift fundraiser. We talk about some of the common mistakes of fundraisers, how to turn your board into your biggest fundraisers and advocates and why people wait too long to ask. Need some inspiration to go ask for that $$? Listen to this one!
Dec 31, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Join me and my friend Benny Vasquez, long-time educator and current Chief Equity Officer at the KIPP Foundation, as we discuss what it means to be anti-racist on a personal and organizational level. Benny offers his perspectives as a lifelong educator and passionate DEI activist. In this conversation we discuss: The role of white people in dismantling racism. Specific tips for anti-racist hiring practices. The benefit of white affinity groups and why we don't have time for white fragility. Futur...
Dec 24, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Join me and my friend David Hoffman as he shares five ways that your nonprofit can up your media game. He walks us through his engagement funnel and gives us the keys to creating media (video, photos) that grab your donor's attention and get results. His advice is actionable and effective to make your message stand out from the crowd. In this podcast, you'll understand the difference between being interesting and being boring. Some other stand-out gems include lead with the heart, not with stats...
Dec 17, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Note: This episode contains some *adult* content so listener discretion is advised unless you want to have some very interesting conversations with your children. We know what being an ED or a nonprofit executive is tough. We're called to work miracles on shoestring budgets. Add COVID on top of that and it's a recipe for burn-out. What happens when we let work take over our lives and forget our partners in all of it? Join me and couples therapist Hollie Chambers to talk about self-care, making t...
Dec 10, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Organizing and documenting my business processes was about as high up on my list as scheduling a root canal. Or writing the Great American Novel. Yeah, yeah, totally one of my goals, but there are a million other things that get in the way. Then, one day, you realize that it's mayhem and you're running ragged because "Nobody can do it like me!" or one of your key staff members has just given notice. Don't be that person. Join me and Adi Klevit as we talk about the importance of and process to st...
Dec 03, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 113
What does the future of NYC look like if we re-imagined it through the lens of equity and diversity? Who's at the table and, more importantly, who isn't and why? Join me and Dr. Rahsaan Harris, CEO of Citizens Committee for New York as we talk about our love of New York, Black philanthropy and how to build a more equitable New York after the twin pandemics have passed. Listen in to two unapologetic New Yorkers and folx of color who have both had the experience of being the "onlies" in many rooms...
Nov 19, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 112
It's not often that my socks get knocked off, but believe me when I tell you Mike Kim knocked. My. Socks. Off. In fact, I haven't even WORN socks since I recorded this episode. Realtalk: Mike drops value bombs aplenty about how to move prospective donors from zero awareness of your cause to becoming a donor (hint: it's a learnable framework), how to tell a memorable story (hint: it's a framework) and the three stories that all organizations must have. Seriously, do not miss this one if you raise...
Nov 12, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 111
What a week it's been. For those of you looking to take a break and find a moment of calm, I invite you to listen to this interview with Phil Weinberg. Phil, a lifelong teacher, principal and, most recently, the Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the NY Department of Education, shares his thoughts and philosophies about leadership. By taking an educator's approach to leadership, he talks about how we can create safe spaces of learning for students and adults, the paradoxes of leaders...
Nov 05, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Join me and the Charity CFO, Tosha Anderson, to talk about all of the finances. Though this may not be the most thrilling topic, being responsible for fiscal oversight is one of the most important jobs for a board member. Tosha and I talk about the differences between for-profit and nonprofit accounting, how to get the board focused on the right things and at the right level and how to have those sticky conversations about fundraising. We answer questions about what first-time board members shou...
Oct 29, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Ah, strategic planning...a generative process an exercise in frustration or a little bit of both? Join me on today's pod as we talk with expert strategic planning consultant Carol Hamilton about her perspectives on strategic planning. What are some of the most common mistakes she's seen? How do you know when an organization is ready for it? How do you pick the right consultant? And, most importantly, how much is it going to cost and how long will it take? If you're planning to tackle strategic p...
Oct 22, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Full confession: my personal pet peeve = clunky, TMI nonprofit websites. Everyone trying to tell their whole life story complete with annoying pop-ups asking for my email, bad photography and hard-to-read fonts are just NO BUENOS. Websites are like dating profiles--providing just enough to invite engagement. Join me and website expert Chijo Takeda as we talk about ways to improve nonprofit websites. We also do some website critiques (with lots of love and respect!). Chijo drops some major value ...
Oct 15, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 107
This episode comes with a warning label: Could trigger flashbacks of bad funder memories! Join me and Kris Putnam-Walkerly, philanthropy advisor, to talk about her new book Delusional Altruism. In this episode, we get into the minds and behind the scenes of funders. Surprise! Philanthropists: they're just like us! We discuss how fear and scarcity hold philanthropists back from achieving their vision of the world and what happens when funders and nonprofits scrimp money on the wrong things. I rea...
Oct 08, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Founder's syndrome is a thing, y'all. As many of us have seen, founders can struggle once their organizations grow and scale because the skills set and mindset of starting an organization is different than managing it. Join me and Elizabeth Green, CEO of Chalkbeat , to share how she grew her passion project into a multi-city, multi-million dollar national nonprofit. She's one of the rare people who knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up and doesn't struggle with control issues (like...
Oct 01, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 105
I've been a long-time fan of Guadalupe Nickell since Day One. Lupe is a master fundraiser, fellow Californian and high school classmate (Go Toads!) who has found her calling in fundraising. In this episode, we talk about how she found her purpose in fundraising, how to masterfully manage a relationship between EDs and Directors of Development and advice she would give to her younger self. I have long admired Lupe for her insight, integrity and intellect. Also, she's just a ton of fun. So, pour y...
Sep 24, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 104
You know you want to...it's whispering to you...start your own business...be your own boss...On this week's pod, I'm talking with Nakeia Drummond, founder of NLD Strategic and the WELL, a group of Black womxn entrepreneurs. In this fascinating and fun chat, we talk about getting paid, how to overcome your fears of being an imposter and being homeless by the side of the river, and the joys of being the boss. We also talk about the inequities and access to capital for Black womxn and how we need t...
Sep 17, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 103
The best part about having a podcast is all the learning I get to do with new friends and colleagues. Join me and my new friend Khafre Jay , ED of Hip Hop for Change , about how he grew his organization from scratch to a $700K organization with grassroots canvassing as the backbone. He has about 18,000 small-gift donors who he met on the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. Learn how this strategy may help diversify your revenue base, how Khafre deals with rejection, and what he's learned canva...
Sep 10, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 103
I loved, loved, loved this conversation with Marvin who is an Annual Giving Officer at MIT Sloan School of Management. We talk about the mental shifts he has made to be an effective fundraiser, how his job is more "philanthropic advisor" than "salesman" and what it's been like for him to be the "only" in many rooms. Marvin's wise, generous and insightful take on fundraising and his fundraising career will inspire you. To learn more about Marvin, check out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvilma/...
Sep 03, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Holy moly! It's my 100th episode! Thank you so much to everyone who has listened. When I started this, I never thought we would be at 100 episodes or that I would be talking to the One and Only Beth Kanter. Beth, nonprofit goddess, talks about her long career in nonprofit and nonprofit tech and her recent book The Healthy, Happy Nonprofit. We talk about how to take care of yourself and your team in these unprecedented times. Beth offers some great tips on how to create boundaries between home an...
Aug 27, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Join me and Northstar Fund's Executive Director Jennifer Ching to discuss decolonizing philanthropy. In this hugely important conversation, Jen shares how the work of the Northstar Fund is actively working towards dismantling white supremacy and power and centering the work and decision-making of BIPOC activists. By recasting our own relationship and assumptions about money, we can engage in becoming resource mobilizers, not "fundraisers." We also touch on the nonprofit and philanthropic industr...
Aug 20, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 99
It's the first solo show in a while. In this show, I walk through my 5 M framework to building an effective fundraising program. The five elements are: mindset, message, market, methodology and management. Take a listen to figure out how to tighten up your nonprofit program. Also, I've just launched my group coaching program for folks who want to do a deeper dive on these topics. Registration will close on Friday, August 14 at midnight and is limited to 12 people, so check it out: www.rheawong.c...
Aug 12, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Erica Hamilton: mother, wife, social justice warrior, leader. For those of you who missed Erica's previous podcast episode, I'm thrilled to interview her again as she kicks off her newest adventures. Erica is passionate about social justice and supporting BIPOC womxn who may struggle to thrive in environments that were not created for them. In this interview, we chat about some big things, including: 1) Womxn of color and their relationship to money and wealth-building 2) How to know if an organ...
Aug 06, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 97
